Unanswered Questions

I found out tonight that at least one of you (hello Missouri reader) supposedly asked me some questions (through e-mail) to answer on the blog. I checked all my archived e-mails and can't find any history of that e-mail specifically, nor do I remember any other questions I've been asked but haven't answered.

My source tried to dictate your questions to me, but I think I'll wait until I receive them from the one who wants them answered the most (though my research has begun).

If anyone else has tried asking me questions that I either haven't answered or given a reason for not answering, please let me know somehow (comments here or e-mail me, both work).

Looking forward to communicating with and to all of you.

Can't someone just buy the rights?

There are days i miss having cable. Today is one of those days. I dislike when every network decides something is worth interrupting because they don't want to be the only one not doing it. In the world of money and entertainment in America, it seems like everything is for sale.

Only one network gets to cover major sporting events. Only one network gets to run specific shows. Why can't just one network buy the rights to a specific Presidential Debate, or Presidential speech, or election results, or funerals.

I don't know enough about President Ford to say his funeral was not a matter of national interest, or that he was or wasn't worth having his funeral broadcast live. I really don't care that it was broadcast live. What i do care about (and i know i'm being selfish and vain) is that every network thought it was the most important thing i could be doing with my time for two hours.

The talked about the three different funerals that were being held. Will i need to see all of them? I didn't even enjoy this one.

It's one thing for emergency breaking conferences, or newscasts where the white house has determined that every network should carry, but can't the networks bid for and buy the rights to certain seen programs (like a funeral planned days in advance)?

Just ranting. Sorry for the vain-ness you might now know i have that you didn't before. I've never claimed to be perfect.

The Pepsi/Coke Challenge

Telling the difference in taste between Pepsi and Coke has never been a challenge to me. My family is largely Pepsi dominated, so that taste is very easy for me to detect. I can be handed some kind of Pepsi, and probably identify it as regular, diet, one, or cherry brand based on its taste alone. I know Pepsi well. By default, that means I can always tell the difference between Pepsi and Coke.

This however is not my challenge.

Here is the deal.... I like Pepsi better than Coke when it comes to drinking out of a can, but like Coke better when it comes out of the fountain.

Therein lies the challenge. Can you tell the difference between canned and fountain drinks, simply from their taste? Do these tastes change your priorities in drink ordering? What about a fountain Cherry drink vs. a bar mixed Cherry drink?

3 Days Warning

Its almost the time of year were people begin asking if you made any New Year's Resolutions.

I have made some in the past (resolutions that is, not necessarily at the New Year) that have put my life in a direction that has been very helpful. Some of these things, I would not trade.

You have about three days until it is customary to make those resolutions public. I'd love to give you that opportunity.

One of my resolutions for the year will be to run a marathon. Other than that, you'll have to wait....

Do any of you have resolutions you'd like to let me (and anyone else who might read) know about?

Do any of you need help keeping your resolution? Do any of you want advice on what i think a good resolution for you might be?

If so, just comment (or e-mail if you want to avoid the anyone who might read part).

Laziness Marathon

In college, my best friend and I created inside day. It was a bonding day, in which the only rule was that we could not go outside. Not even into the apartment's hallways. We had to stay inside.

In training for the marathon I plan on running this fall, I used the last couple of days to practice psychological marathons.

I've made the last two days with my willpower keeping me inside. That's right, back to back lazy days. I'm aiming for number three tomorrow to complete my inside day marathon.

I have plans on Friday, so three is my limit for my psychological training.

I'd like to thank Fox, for producing 24, and Qwest for providing me with internet to help me with my struggles.

Really, 6 Hours?

Jenny got season 5 of 24 in her stocking this Christmas, which means we spend a good chunk of the day watching parts of it. We are through the first 8 hours (episodes) of it.

According to my rough calculations...

Anyone who watches an entire season of 24 will see roughly 6 and 1/2 hours of commercials.

Lucky for us, the DVDs help us to avoid all of that time.

But seriously, 6 and 1/2 hours during one season. That's quite a lot of advertising.

Not Much To Say

Christmas was wonderful. It always is.

My fingers have re-grafted their skin well enough that typing is pretty normal again now, but unfortunately I don't have much to say tonight.

Instead, I'm going to go sit on our new couch (told you Christmas was wonderful) and watch my wife play Tetris.

Merry Christmas

It's that day.

Celebrate it.

Enjoy it.

Find rest.

Find community.

Spread love.

Frank and Ringo Knocked Me Out

The first thing you'll need to understand is that Frank and Ringo are the names of the puppets which are attached to my ring (Ringo) and middle (Frank) fingers on my right hand. It all started when...

The couch came in today. Some of you remember the discussions based around moving a certain rug when we put up our Christmas tree. Today was the total living room remodeling (minus the rug) day. We had taken the old couch out, brought the first piece of the new one to the porch and were informed that we (my dad and I) were now also in charge of moving the heavy piece of the entertainment center (because it still had the t.v. on it). This is where our fun began. After getting the piece to the place it was going, we only needed to set and place it precisely. At this point, on of the legs of said heavy piece decided it no longer enjoyed being attached, which thrust the corner of said piece down onto two of my fingers making large cuts in two of my fingertips. These fingertips ultimately get taped up with some gauze, and faces drawn on them and become Ringo and Frank. This however isn't where the story ends. But this is where I put in my most important note to my wife... A Plasma television would never have cause the scare you went through today.

After the cutting part, I went to the kitchen to clean my finger tips. Not a lot of pain at this point, and I figured once the bleeding stopped things would be normal. Until I started walking back into the living room. I started to feel a little dizzy, so I sat at our table and asked my mom to get me some water. I remember her passing me the water, me taking a little sip, and in my mind, I then set the water bottle on the table. The next thing I remember is looking at a puddle of water on the floor and my dad talking to me.

Apparently I missed some key things there in the middle. One of these things was the primal scream of a mother as she watched her son pass out. I apparently allowed this very laptop to break the fall of my head while I fell over and spilt my water. Jenny hasn't forgiven me for the worry I put her through (and I'm sure if I spent the rest of the day with my parents, they wouldn't have either). I got really hot and sweaty so they moved me to the floor to lay down and got a fan to blow air on me. There is snow outside and I wanted the fan on.

It didn't take long until I felt fine. I don't remember my moms scream, or the head hitting the laptop, or how my mom, dad, and wife got all around me, but I will never forget this day.

It is the first time in my life I can add passing out to my ever growing list of accomplished injuries.

Merry Christmas me.

No More Mr. Scrooge

Shopping is done. For the first time in my gift buying life, i don't have to buy any more gifts when Christmas Eve comes.

We finished our shopping tonight. No more to go.

We'd like to thank Best Buy, Online Shopping, and the Mall for helping us get through this tough time of year.

It's a Blizzard in Here

I watched it snow today. I opened the blinds this afternoon and watched it snow.

It was refreshing. Not because it was snowing, but because i knew i didn't need to go out in it.

I don't know if i'm glad there is snow or not. I haven't missed it, and it hasn't been horribly cold. If its gonna be cold, i want snow, but until it gets colder than this, i would have been fine without it.

More importantly, i heard on the radio, that you can actually have a blizzard (the weather kind) without snowfall. Does anyone know what the qualifications are (weather wise) to classify a storm as a blizzard?

There's a Blizzard Out There

Actually, we haven't gotten any snow yet this year. But I did take a trip to Dairy Queen tonight.

Points scored with the wife for bringing her home a Butterfinger Blizzard. I chose Snicker's instead.

Between cookie dough and Snickers I've about covered my Blizzard varieties. Someday I should venture out and try some other flavors.

What are your favorites?

Size Really Does Matter

When it comes to churches, size is an aspect that a lot of people take into consideration. Some people don't like churches that are too large, others don't like churches where everybody finds out about all of your business through gossip and smallness.

What is the best size for a church? That is a question I'm not willing to answer right now. I see the positives and negatives to both extremes in church size, as well as in the middle. The struggles and successes are largely different in each environment. I can't say that large churches are bad, and I can't say that every church should be striving to be a large church.

Two questions for you... A. What size church are you more comfortable in? and B. What size church do you think best accomplishes its purpose?

You can feel free to define comfort and purpose as you see fit.

Excess

When does it become excessive? I heard a church advertise its 8 Christmas Eve services this year. 8 of them. Doesn't that seem a little overboard?

How can one place possibly have the need for 8 services? What kind of community can be created across 8 services?

Movie of My Dreams!

Do you ever wish your dreams could be made into movies? I often wake up and hope to fall back asleep to finish the story my brain is creating in my head while I sleep. Some of my dreams make little sense, but some of them could make great movies.

I should start writing some of them down, as well as the things (I think about this stuff after I wake up) that made connections in my brain to trigger these dreams.

Have you had any dreams that should become movies?

It's Only a 27 Piece Puzzle

So, as the previews show, the movie Jenny and I watched last night (Pursuit of Happyness) has a couple scenes revolving around the Rubik's Cube.

I had asked for a Rubik's Cube last year for my birthday, and got one, so I was happy to see it get public attention again. During the movie, my wife leaned over to me and said, "You're gonna have to show me how to solve those things."

So today we solved it. Jenny solved it three times (with my help at certain points) while I solved it repeadetly because it was fun again. It was a fun thing.

I'm even trying to figure out if I should use it as a sermon illustration sometime (I've got a Biblical analogy that works well with it) or if I should form a discipleship structure based off of solving it (getting closer to Christ one step at a time).

Jenny recommended that I start a small group based on discipleship and the Rubik's Cube method of discipleship (should I copyright that?).

Anyways, if you ever want to learn how to solve a Rubik's Cube, I can teach you. Bring your own or find me with mine. It'll be a good time for everyone.

That's a Step Backwards

Jenny and I went to watch "Pursuit of Happyness" tonight when our power went out. It's the new Will Smith movie based on the true story of Christopher Gardner's life.

In the movie, he leaves his sales job to go into an unpaid internship for Dean Witter. The quote given to him by those closest is "Salesman to intern, thats a step backwards."

My life looks a lot like that. I went from student, to intern, to full-time ministry, and now have returned to student, will have to intern twice, and will likely end up back in full-time ministry. It is an odd thing. Fortunately, those around me don't see it as a step backwards.

I Like Myself

People sometimes take a second look, or at least give me a funny one when I tell them I'm an introvert. Being comfortable speaking in public and confident in who I am makes me comfortable in most social settings, but when it comes down to it, I enjoy being at home much more than I care to be out doing things.

It surprises me to see people's reactions that don't see me at home when they hear that I'm introverted. They just don't understand lazy day's importance in my life.

Biggest Loser

The reality show Biggest Loser finished its third season tonight.

It was hard to recognize the man who won. Erik lost a total of 214 pounds. He started at 407 and ended at 193. He is a completely different person. Aside from losing all that weight, he doesn't struggle with diabetes, sleep apnea, or smoking anymore.

Congratulations to him, and all who have chosen a healthier lifestyle in response to reality television.

Too Relaxed to Think

So... instead of thinking of something original tonight, I though I'd post some odd but true facts:

* Molecularly speaking, water is actually much drier than sand.

* The term "bank teller" originated in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, when banks began hiring low-paid workers to "tell" throngs of frantic depositors that their money was gone.

* The brand name "Jelly Belly" was created in 1982 after Nancy Reagan made a much-publicized quip about her husband's 20-pound weight gain.

* The Internal Revenue Service audits 87 percent of women who claim breast implants as tax deductions.

* Scandinavian berserkers used to cut out their eyes before battle to spare themselves the sight of the carnage they invariably wrought.

* Human tonsils can bounce higher than a rubber ball of similar weight and size, but only for the first 30 minutes after they've been removed.

* Comic duo Cheech and Chong were originally known as Spic and Span before changing due to pressure from Chicano organizations.

* The city of Slaughter, Texas (population: 11,284), has never had a homicide occur within its boundaries.

* Rubbing Tabasco on one's upper lip before bedtime is an effective temporary cure for sleep apnea.

14 Days

Christmas is really in 14 days. Wow! That means I only have 13 more days until I need to start shopping. I should probably start thinking about what i want to get people.

I have had a lot of time to listen to people's thoughts on Christmas, and, more specifically, the purpose for Christ coming to us.

I'm curious how many of you would sum up the purpose of Christ coming to us. Please leave as brief or as detailed a comment as you would like.

I believe Christ came.......

Karaoke Jesus Style

I can't sing. So, for purposes of this illustration, karaoke has nothing to do with singing.

What karaoke does have to do with is imitating the actions (singing) of another while using a similar (though not always the same) background. That is the goal of my life.

I hope to be imitating the actions of Jesus to the best of my ability, in the midst of my current American background instead of his ancient Jewish background. I won't ever be as good as the original thing, and that isn't my purpose. My purpose is to imitate the original, bring notice to the original and have a great time trying to be like the original.

I'm trying sing the songs Jesus sang.

Glorified Embarassment

Today was another day that I got to witness glorified embarassment. We (me and four others) got to force two people into doing things in front of us that they were not comfortable doing. It wasn't peer pressure, like do-something-you-shouldn't forcing, it was more, hey-you're-engaged-and-we-want-the-"you're engaged kiss"-picture. That means numerous takes, but more importantly numerous red faces.

It was a blast.

It is much more fun to be on the forcing side, then on the you're-on stage-in-front-of-us-all side. Though if you ask, I'll kiss Jenny in front of you anytime.

Kit Kat Bar

This post has nothing to do with chocolate candy bar goodness (though Kit Kats are one of my favorites) it's just that "I need a break."

Fortunately, today I start one. I had my last test this morning, and am now on winter break through January something or other.

Lucky for me, my wife has lists of things for me to accomplish with my time at home, but if any of you are looking for someone to take to lunch on your lunch break, I can probably make it (if you work in MN). I don't have any great aspirations for break, besides some pleasure reading, so we'll see how effective I am with my time.

My New Hero

I was doing some random reading on the internet, and found my new random hero. The story is about a year old, and at one point was on CNN so it has spread rather broadly, but I hadn't heard of it until today.

It is the story of a red paper clip, a man, and an internet site.

One man decided he needed a house, but he couldn't afford one. He made it his goal to trade a red paper clip up for a house, and after 14 trades in succession, he has achieved his goal. It was the most interesting thing I read today.

This guy created a blog to track his progress, and now to tell his story.

You can find it here.

I'm trying to think of how I might be able to do a similar style project on a much smaller scale to raise a thousand dollars for my church that is behind budget this year. I don't know if the story is compelling enough to drive a bunch of congregation members to do the same thing (say have 100 people each try to turn a paper clip into a hundred dollars). The ideas have just begun in my head. It may lead nowhere, it may lead to money for a church, it may even lead to a new house.

Disconnecting Hearts

I've always been a stickler on language. The way we speak has a lot to say about what we believe. I get peeved if someone "invites" God into a place, or if a missionary feels that they are "bringing" God to a place. I'm annoyed with people who speak of God as if they are far off, and distant. That is not the God I know. That is not the God of the Bible. I have held these convictions for awhile.

I have a new one forming. In a class the other day, one of my teachers was talking about the language of "accepting Christ into your heart." She talked about how the New Testament speaks often of salvation, speaks often about Jesus, and speaks often about the heart, but that they are never all spoken of together. Instead, Jesus is looking for us to follow Him.

If you become aware that God isn't in your life, try following Him. He is there. To find Him though, you must go where He goes. You cannot contain Him within your heart.

I'm not trying to detach heart from spirituality, that would be ludicrous and also unbiblical. Just don't picture salvation as being the time that you finally allowed Jesus into your heart. That is a picture the Bible does not paint.

Another Comment Answered

MDK asked: What kind of feedback did you get on your preaching?

The first bit of feedback I got came from the class. They asked if I had memorized my sermon, as I preached it without being tied to notes. That was humorous to me. They were astonished at how well I "knew" my sermon. (They wouldn't guess that I only practiced it once)

The second thing they said was that I was passionate about my topic. That I did well at making my sermon feel like it wasn't an academic excersize but was obviously something I cared about and had related to my own life.

Story telling and my ability to relate experiences the way I see them to the way they play out in reality was another point of strength.

Clarity and voice quality was a plus.

On the negative side, they wished I would have paused more. I did too. That is why it took me 27 minutes the day before (the instructor said it would have taken him 30+). It was a lot to get into 20 minutes, so there wasn't much time to allow the audience to take in what I was saying on the deepest of levels. I simply didn't pause enough.

Outside of that, the other negative feedback was a comment coming from the "grader" that countered exactly what the instructor had told us to do, so I didn't pay much attention to it. It was a word choice selection thing, and the instructor was clear on what and how he wanted our points to be presented. My classmates assured me that I did what the teacher had asked and to ignore what this evaluater (not the teacher) had said on that subject.

3 To Go

Another class finished tonight. That makes two for the Fall Quarter at school. I preached my final tonight. My 27 minutes from last night (practicing in front of Jenny) turned into 19:43 in class today. I suppose I can't complaign about that.

I'll be up a good portion and maybe all of the night tonight writing my last paper for Hermeneutics (the one on the entire book of Ruth). After turning that in, that class will be done tomorrow.

Wish me luck, or rest.

The Hard Day

Today (officially Monday as I'm typing) will be the hard day this week. I have to finish typing the manuscript of my sermon, practice it one more time to make sure it isn't too long (26-27 minutes the first time, that's 6-7 over) and go preach it. Along with that, I have my exegesis paper (the book of Ruth) due on Tuesday morning at 8. The progress I've made on that is about the same as the effort I've exerted thus far (minimal).

I'll likely be up most of the night tomorrow. But then, I won't really need to be competent again until Wednesday. After that paper is done, I just have some Hebrew to study (Thursday night) and a small paper to write to end out this quarter.

I'm looking forward to the break. It should be a good time.

I Need a Good Hook

Okay, actually we need lots of them. Today was decorating day around the Kemper household. Jenny and I put up our tree at our house, while my parents also put their's up at their house. Oddly enough, Christmas tree assembly at my house includes relocating the rug placement, and flipping its orientation. It was a long and confusing process for me.

There are exactly two ornaments on our tree right now. We have lots of ornaments, but they have no hooks, or string to be hung by, just the loop to attatch some. So, we need to get some more hooks.

We actually even have wrapped gifts to put under the tree. While I'm typing, Jenny is wrapping. She's on gift 8 or so right now. She spent the day shopping. I spent the day watching sports. It's great to compromise :)

World AIDS Day

Today (December 1st, not the second as written) was World Aids Day. This was brought forth by the inspi(red) campaign which you might have seen commercials or shirts, or materials for.

In honor of World Aids Day (which happened to fall on my birthday) i made sure one such product, and therefore some money, was purchased on/for this day.

Congratulations to me, and thank you to my parents for buying me the Inspi(red) version of the Nanopod. I wanted it largely for running reasons, but there were also the giddy selfish reasons.