just a little off the top

The Book of Eli, a review

2010-07-26T07:34:00.001-04:00

I watched "Book of Eli" last night and thought I would share a review. I might make a few enemies, but this was not a good movie. There are two groups of people who love this movie: Denzel fans (of which I am not), and Christians who will ignore the obvious flaws of this turd of a movie because they think it redeems itself with its theological and Bible-loving persepective.

It was poorly written and poorly paced. The dialogue left much to be desired. The characters were not effectively developed enough to have any emotional connection to them. However poorly written the movie is, Gary Oldman's character, Carnegie, has the one line of the movie that made sense. "this is not just a book, it's a weapon aimed at the hearts and minds of the weak and desperate. It will give us control." This perspective has been taken throughout history when it comes to religion and this movie nailed that on the head.

Overall, the movie was too ambitious for the skill level of the writers. It didn't know if it wanted to be preachy, cheesy, or just a B-movie. IT was part western, part apocalyptic sci-fi. It desperately wanted to be both Mad Max and The Road, and it didn't live up to either. Visually, it looked good, and the fight choreography was decent. There is one scene that really stands out for cinematography: the gun fight at the old cannibals' house.

If you watch this movie, pay attention to that scene. The camera doesn't cut for quite a long time (one of my favorite filming trends). It shifts from the protagonists to the antagonists, from inside the house to outside the house, without a cut for editing. And it looks good doing it!

However, one scene does not a fine piece of film make. I haven'tmade my contempt for Denzel a secret, so believe me when I say this: He is the best thing about this movie. If I had to give this flick a grade, it would be a C+ at best. If you want a better movie with more emotion and better characters, rent The Road. You'll thank me later.

Post #130 A year like no other

2009-12-22T16:31:00.000-05:00

So I started this year hoping to make one post for every day of the year. It went pretty well for a few months, but I quickly realized that it was not going to be as easy as I initially thought. About 3-4 months in, I started doing generic picture postings and postings of links I found. Eventually, I got completely sidetracked and more or less gave up on the goal of 365. In fact, I haven't posted anything since my trip to G-Rap for a conference presented by Rob Bell and Mars Hill Bible Church.

So, what has Mike been doing all this time?

Well, let me tell you. First, I was asked to join the staff of our church as the "Groups Development Director." It is a fancy way of saying that I am now the small groups guy. My first task was to create, organize, and lead a church wide adult small groups program called thePLUNGE. It basically breaks down like this: the Sunday morning message starts the conversation; for a 6-week series, the small groups meet to dive deeper into the message presented on Sunday using discussion guides that I wrote. The goal was to create conversational interaction and to grow as a community through dialogue.

From the feedback I received and the encouragement of the pastors and staff, I would say that it was a huge success. We had 13 groups with about 100 participants. I am hoping for 20 groups when we launch it again in February!

The second, and most life-changing thing to occupy my time has been the decision Michelle and I made to adopt. We met with an agency earlier in the year and after doing the home-study and the training hours we submitted a profile book to the agency. The profile book is basically a scrapbook that tells your story. It is used by birthmothers to decide which potential adoptive parents they would like to meet.

After submitting the profile book, we were told that a birthmother would like to meet with us! On October 4, we met our birthmother. We all knew there was a good connection right from the start. At the end of the meeting, it was clear that she was going to choose us as the adoptive parents of her child.

We continued to meet with her nearly every week since then and have developed an incredible relationship with her. We began taking her to doctor appointments and were able to see the ultrasound and hear the baby's heartbeat!

Yesterday, we took her to one of her weekly doctor appointments and found out that she is 2 centimeters dilated! The original due date was January 11. But we are hoping she will deliver sometime in the next week and a half!

So, although I did intend to do a posting for every day of the year, it didn't happen. Instead, I was able to pursue ministry as a staff member of a great church, and we began an incredible journey of adoption. 2010 will definitely be like no other year for Michelle and I. Thank you for your encouragement, thoughts, and prayers this year. Please continue to do so!

Have a great Christmas and a wonderful new year!

Post #129 Poets, Prophets & Preachers: Day 3, Session 4

2009-07-14T10:22:00.000-04:00

Day 3, Session 4
Rob Bell
"The one thing I've never heard someone talk about that has changed everything for me."

When you are in leadership, you will be given many backhanded compliments and hurtful suggestions. These, Rob explains, are "chocolate covered turds."

We tend to focus on the one negative comment even if we have heard nine positive ones.

Rumors, gossip, and lies will happen. In Acts 21:37-39 a soldier asks Paul, "aren't yo the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?"

There will be someone who belongs to the "official committee for doctrinal purity, orthodox rhetoric, and general theological correctness."
- These people are usually self-apponted
- THey always seem to hit you when it hurts the most.

Rob explains that it can feel like "death by papercuts." On their own, they hurt and irritate, but receiving one after another after another will cause us to bleed out. These tiny slices will eventually kill is.

In order to avoid all of these things, we do 3 kind of things:
- we hold back: we don't push, don't challenge, don't try like we used to
- we create lists and labels: we label those who hurt us, we put them on a specific list
- we get revenge: passive - purposely not giving our best
active - slander, anger, malice from the pulpit

The one thing that we need to hear:
You have to learn to forgive.
- you forgive people not institutions

Someone says something negative about you. The anger or pain we hear is actually because of our feelings of vulnerability, of being studied, or analyzed.

"Even sheep have teeth!"

Some people are toxic: Proverbs 26:11
They will return to their "vomit" again and again, and you do not need to be there when they do.
Some people need very strong boundaries!

Speaking of boundaries: Titus 3:10
-You are not an ecclesiatical punching bag, hired by the masses to take the punches. You are a precious resource, a gift to your community. It is ok to guard yourself.

Luke 12:13 "Man, that's not my job!"
There are areas of life that other people are actually better trained and better suited for. The pastor does not have to be the problem solver and life fixer for every issue in life.

Forgiveness relieves us from the pain and anger.
Forgiveness also relieves those who hurt us from our punishment.

Luke 23 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Tim Keller: "Forgiveness means refusing to make them pay for what they did..." it also saves us from the "life-long, living death of bitterness and cynicism."

The cross says, "The pain stops here."
"...absorbing pain instead of passing it on. Transforms pain from a destructive impulse into a creating power." - Parker Palmer

Post #128 Poets, Prophets & Preachers: Day 3, Session 3

2009-07-14T10:21:00.000-04:00

Day 3, Session 3
Shane Hipps
"You are the Medium"

Who you are, as a person, is the message.

-the rest of the iceburg
1. you have a body, do not underestimate the power of it.
a. There is a reason God utilized the form of a human when he came as Jesus.
2. You are more than just a body, you are actually three bodies
a. physical - 5 senses
b. energetic - emotion (love, anger, sadness, fear), thinking, presence, sexual energy
- sexual energy is connected to creativity, connection, and life. it is not necessarily about sexuality.
c. essential - our essence, that part of us that has always been part of us.
1. every cell that made you when you were 6 years old is gone, but that thing that makes you you is still there.
2. essence is unlimited and unchanging

There is nothing you can do to increase or change your essence, but you can change your consciousness to it and how you tap into it.

Romans 8:11 - Paul equates the Holy Spirit with essence.
John 17:22-23 - Jesus gives us "His Glory"
We are merely gestures of Spirit.

Jesus demonstrated mastery of the physical body, his energetic body, and his essential body.

Think of it like this: physical = land, energetic = ocean, essential = sky

When we are tapped into our essence it would be inevitable to live a changed life. We would have no desire but to forgive others, love others, give to others, etc.

Practices
1. Physical body is a conductor of the energetic body; like a hose is a conductor of water.
a. unkink the hose
- understanding our breath can open us to our energetic and essential bodies
- breathing can dissolve tension
- we can use our energetic body or misuse it.
2. We all have a "shadow" or a dark side. That part of us that hides in the darkness
a. in order to overcome it, we must...
- acknowledge it
- uncover it: examine ourself and those things that we despise about others.
- own it: "I don't see the monster, I am the monster."

3. The essence is something you must "eat and know" not just "read and believe."
a. Breath: physical, energy, and essential -> cultivate and experience

Breath and Spirit are the same words in Greek, Hebrew and almost every other ancient language. To understand something really special about God, contemplate the nature of "breath" throughout the Bible.

In our essence is a place of unending peace, wisdom, and compassion. It is our responsibility to taste and know it.

Post #127 Poets, Prophets & Preachers: Day 3, Session 2

2009-07-14T10:17:00.001-04:00

Day 3, Session 2
Peter Rollins
"For those with ears to hear: Parables and the lost art of provocation"

A system or an ideology is not what you see, it is the lens through which you see everything.

The question is not "Is Christianity true?" The question is "What does it mean when Christianity claims to be true?"

The importance of "name..."
Exodus 3 "What is your name? Who should I say has sent me?"

God cannot be truly known, not because there is a lack, but because there is so much.

Words are not sufficient when the infinite comes into contact with the finite.

When God reveals his name to Moses he actually says, "My name is Presence."

Revelation has 3 features:
comprehension - understand that we do not understand
bedazzlement - God shakes everything up
transformation - the presence of God changes us

When God reveals himself, we cannot remain the same.
- Jacob wrestles with God and God gives him a new name, a new identity
- Paul encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus and he is transformed so deeply that he embraces what he once fought against.

Everyone talks about how God will make our lives better. When I allowed God into my life, he wrecked everything. Nothing has been the same.

Post #126 Poets, Prophets, and Preachers: Day 3, Session 1

2009-07-13T07:58:00.003-04:00

Day 3 Session 1
Rob Bell, "Fumbling around with your radar"
Ways to prepare for the sermon.

Rob talks about radar, buckets, chunks, and marinade.

"The worst thing for a pastor is to sit down on Saturday to a blank screen."
How do we get started and not have a blank screen?

There is "having to say something" and "having something to say."
What would it be like if every time you got up to teach you really were excited about having something to say?!
What if it had the chance to interact with the Spirit for a month, 6 months, or a year?

Radar
All around us, everywhere, all the time, everybody....vs. 9:00am office hours.
Genesis 28 When Jacob awoke...God was in this place and I am just now aware of it.
God was already there, we just showed up

We must be tuned into the presence of God and his work in creation. It must be on our radar.

We prepare for the sermon in two ways: through life and through the text.
Through life: when we see, hear, or otherwise experience something that might show God, we must write it, clip it, take a picture, save it, ask for it, get it, tear it out, store it, mark it, and remember it....with NO edit button.

Through the text: when we read the text, we should memorize, inhale, look at key words, focus on location, culture, concepts, stories, time, pictures, actions, and connections. Understand Greek and Hebrew texts. Understand what else has happened in this location. Understand the specific time in human history.

If you run into dead-ends, at least you have 7-10 minutes of material about what the passage DOESN'T mean!

-If you could not use any biblical or religious language...
how would I describe the text or illustrative material...to a child, to an alien from space, without using any words, with only drawings or pictures, with only actors?
-What is the thing behind the thing? What is the mystery behind the mystery? What is the truth behind the truth?

Is there a way to act, perform, show, do, ignore, circle around the idea or hand it out?

Those things on our radar end up in buckets (a collection of loosely connected material).
-one bucket per idea/fragment/insight/sentence
-review buckets once a week
-no pressure, no time frame
-revisit regularly
-be intentional and pay attention
-look for material for series
-some buckets grow
-if isn't hot, drop it
-there is a difference between accumulation and arranging

Once you have buckets that start to mean something, they become chunks: pieces of a message, an illustration, story, picture, or thought that you plan to actually utilize in a message.

Once you have several chunks, you allow those chunks to marinade for as long as possible. They marinade in the Spirit. They soak up the flavor of God and they enhance each other's flavors.

"The worst thing for a pastor is to sit down on Saturday to a blank screen."

Post #125 Poets, Prophets, and Preachers: Day 2 Session 4

2009-07-13T07:54:00.002-04:00

Day 2 Session 4
Rob Bell
"The Fig Tree and the Failure of Language or Why some sermons work and others don't"

-A sermon has an engine...this is the "why?"
-A sermon also has an energy source...this is the "what?"
-A sermon comes from a specific place...this is the "where?"

When we give a sermon, we must ask ourselves...
-Why are we saying this
-Why do they need to hear this
-Why should they care
-Why do I care

What is the spark, impulse, insight, or twist that has compelled you to say these things to these people at this time?

A sermon circles around...
-a moment
-a movement
-a mystery

Matthew 21 - the fig tree and the temple
-fig tree symbolizes the religious establishment; cursing the tree would be similar to burning a flag today.
in this passage, the sermon would focus on the moment.

2 Kings 5:15 "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel."
-there was a cultural concept that deities were localized, they lived only among those who worshipped them.
-in verse 18 Naaman explains that when he returns to his master, he will be required to bow down in another god's temple. He asks that Elisha's God would forgive him.
-does Elisha curse him or tell him "you must stand for something or you will fall for anything"? No...
he tells him to "go in peace."
this is movement, it is the movement of one man's (Naaman's) spiritual conflict.

Here is another example of movement:
In Genesis 27 We see Jacob pretending to be his brother. When his father asks who he is he says, "I am Esau."
Then, in Genesis 32 Jacob wrestles with God (or an angel of God) and is asked "What is your name." Jacob responds by claiming his identity. "I am Jacob."
This is movement.

One more example of movement:
Matthew 7:6 Pearls before swine.
In order to understand the passage, we must look at the previous text. Check the context.
7:1 Do not judge...
6:25 Do not worry...
Judging others is controlling others through negativity or oppression.
Just like refraining from worry is entrusting ourselves to God's care, refraining from judging others is entrusting them to God's care.
There is a movement. If we start at one point, we must back up to see where the story has been.

Psalm 1 "do not walk...do not stand...do not sit." = movement within the passage.

Philippians 1:6 "...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
This passage has a connection to the creation story.
Philippians - began Genesis - beginning
Philippians - a good work Genesis - it was good
Philippians - competion Genesis - completed
What is the connection: the God who created the universe and all of life within it is big enough to care for you.

This is mystery. We cannot understand the enormity of God, but we can understand his care for us.

Revelation 4 gives us insight into the "psychology of worship"
We gather together to recognize that we are not at the center of the universe. It reminds us of our proper place in the cosmos.

Let's talk about the parts of a sermon:

Everything in a sermon is related to everything else in the sermon.
In order to understand those parts,
-name the parts
-know the parts
-be aware of the parts
-feel the parts
-step outside of the parts

Where does it begin, where is it going, how does it get there?

parts of the sermon:
reading the passage
information
story
questions
picture
rant
action
insight
observation
statistic
declaration
invitation*

If we only use one or two of these parts we are going to lose, wear out, confuse or put the listeners to sleep.

* a note about the invitation. It does not necessarily have to be an alter call type of invitation. It may simply be an invitation to do, trust, step out, step up, help, pitch in, or give.

"The sermon is like sausage...or the law...if you love it, respect it...but don't watch it being made." - Rob Bell

Rob tells a short story about an editor who said that every once in a while, he could take off the editor hat and just enjoy the manuscript. The reason is because he realized that he was in good hands.This is where we must bring our listeners: into a realization that they are in good hands.

During the sermon, we must be aware of:
speed
intensity
tension
pacing
tone
posture
arc

- beware of openers that overwhelm. An opener that takes the breath out of everyone is hard to overcome. An opener is actually ineffective if the rest of the sermon cannot overcome it. "don't let your best moment in the message to be in the rear view mirror."
-there are no rules to a sermon, except "know what you are doing."
-use a story board to outline the sermon. it can make it easier to remember

The best storyteller knows what to tell, what not to tell, how to tell, how not to tell, when to tell, and when not to tell.

A sermon creates a place that allows people to find themselves in it.

a great sermon must be,
Focused yet open
Said yet unsaid
Defining yet imagining
Resolute yet unresolved

Let's talk about parable: they work because people remember stories!
The parable of the prodigal son is really the story of the forgiving father.

A-B-C-D-------------------K-------------------P-Q----->
A sermon should meet everyone where they are and invite them to the next step.
We can't expect a "B" to move to "K" without first moving to "C, D, E, and so on."

Rob then tells a story:
Three disciples are walking home after a lesson with their rabbi. The first turns to the others and apologizes for monopolizing the time. He realized that the rabbi had been speaking directly to him. The second interrupts and apologizes to the others because he realized that the rabbi had been speaking to him. The third interrupts and apologizes because the rabbi had been speaking to him. Each would swear that the rabbi's message was specifically for him but the rabbi's message had actually spoken to all of them.

This is the challenge before us: Give a message that speaks to everyone as if only to them individually.

Post #124 Poets, Prophets, & Preachers: Day 2, Session 3

2009-07-11T12:46:00.009-04:00

Day 2 Session 3
Shane Hipps
"How Technology Shapes the Sermon"

Shane, a former marketing and advertising executive, focused on the brilliance of Marshall McLuhan, the man he refers to as "The greatest thinker you've never heard of." McLuhan predicted concepts similar to Amazon.com 30-40 years before the internet was available to the public.

We often hear the statement "The methods always change, but the message stays the same."
Shane explained that "The medium IS the message."
The way you say something is more important than what you actually say.

"Our conventional response to all media, namely that it is how they are used that counts, is the numb-stance of the technological idiot...for the content of any message is the juicy piece of meat carried by the burglar to distract the watchdog of the mind." -Marshall McLuhan

In another thought, Shane explained, "We are what we behold."

He added, the printing press was the first assembly line of the industrial age. It was linear, sequential, uniform, and repeatable type. It helped to shape how we interacted with various areas of our lives, including other technology, even architecture. Before the printing press, churches met to share the stories of Jesus. But with the printing press came the concept of "transfer of information." Clergy deviated from leading the conversation and now started lecturing on the topic. The first pews were created and the church's architecture was changed in order to better provide the "transfer of information."

Between 1850 and 1900 many technologies had started to harness the use of electricity. Among these was photography.

Shane explained, "With technology comes an increased inability to utilize abstract thought."

The words create a thought of an image, but the picture creates an emotion connected to an image.

Shane explained that "a picture is worth a thousand words" is a good thought, but words are not interchangeable with pictures.

In "the boy is sad" the words stimulate the left brain....the image stimulates the right.
The words are conceptual...the picture is holistic.
The words are sterile...the picture is emotional.

"Images pin the logical side of our brains to the back of our skull." The image overrides any logical thinking. This is why advertisers use images instead of essays to sell their products.

On the left is text that represents a syllogism or an argument used in explaining a logical conclusion. On the right is the eastern symbol, the Yin Yang, used to explain the existence of opposing forces in nature, spirituality, or human thought.

Image based cultures move from western thinking to more eastern thinking.
Left brain - semi colon plus closed parenthesis
Right brain - :) emoticon

Letters in and of themselves do not mean anything. That is what makes them useful. We ascribe meaning to them when used in context.

The letter "L" does not, on it's own mean anything.
But when used in a specific context:

it means something very specific.

- Image based cultures create a literary deficiency.
- you will remember an image far better than the description of that image.
- image limits possibilities but creates a shared experience,
- what does the image actually do? vs. what do the words actually say?

-if you want to unleash imagination...use words.
-if you want to create a shared experience...use images.

Image vs. Words has shaped how we view many things.

Before the printing press, people focused on the Gospels when examining the Bible. Why? Because they were basically stories about Jesus. They were easy to share with others verbally.

Shane explored the use of images and words through modern eras:

Middle Ages - the message was the story of Jesus. Because of imagery, the ability to communicate through image, stained glass was utilized to tell the story. (it was difficult to put Paul into pictures)

Martin Luther believed that John, Paul, and Peter were more important than Matthew, Mark, and Luke, because they appealed to logic, thought, and reason.

We must understand how to use technology instead of being used by it.

-So what does all of this mean for the sermon?
In order to understand the shift in the technological impact on the sermon, we must consider the focus of the church service:

In the middle ages, the service was focused on the Eucharist and the homily. The alter was the visual focus.
The homily was given in Latin. This was not the common language of the people. In fact it was the language of the educated. Because of this focus, there was an emphasis on mystery...or not really understanding, but welcoming the unknown into the service.

In the industrial (print) age, the service focus was shifted to the sermon and the visual shift was directed to the pulpit. The church became a lecture hall. It was common for a "sermon" to be a four-hour scholarly dissertation.

In the television (broadcast) age, the stage became the focus. The church became a studio with lights, sound equipment, and projection. The pastor became the host or star of the show while a band became the opening act.

In the internet age, the focus shifted to connecting people and providing a shared experience. The church became a coffee shop. The pastor became the facilitator.

Interestingly, you can find an example of all of these types of churches within a 20 mile radius of most major metropolitan cities.

There are some practices that can help us become better artists of preaching:
-the art of surprise: this is not necessarily the use of paradox or absurdity.
"When you keep them guessing, they pay attention."
3 types of surprise:
- exegetical: this is providing contextual information, asking questions of the text, find answers to those questions.
- rhetorical: used with familiar texts or topics. Create dissonance where there was none. Planting an itch so they can scratch.
- linguistic: become a student of language. Fine new words for old thoughts. Use poetry to get to the heart. Use prose to illuminate the crux of the passage.

Shane then walked us through a case-study of the John's account of Jesus' first miracle: turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana.
- rhetorical surprise: John mentions this as the 1st miracle. Why? Isn't this an odd miracle? Examine the Hebrew perspective on wine in relation to celebration, joy, and abundance. Rabbinical thought: "without wine, there is no joy." Connect Jesus with the "abundance of God."

-exegetical surprise: notice the jars - the container not the content. Jesus used the jars that were for "ceremonial washing" when empty wine jars (amphora) would have been available. Using ceremonial jars for anything other than washing would have violated purity laws. Jesus chose the ceremonial jars for a specific reason. What was that reason?

- linguistic surprise: examine the amphora, study Rabbinical sayings, look to other biblical passages for insight. Find a new way of saying what we have become familiar with.

The art of the sermon has much to do with mastering the art of letting go.
- We pour ourselves into a message and then we have people tell us it was "a good sermon." We didn't want a good sermon, we wanted pure life transformation.
"When I learned to be divested in the outcome, life change started to take place." Sure we want life change to take place, but when we fearlessly and honestly offer what God has given us without reservation, bias, or expectation, we will see His results.
"You do not need encouragement to breath, you just do it."
"I have not achieved, I have tasted."

Prior to image, we had heroes for what they had done or accomplished. With image, we now have celebrities who are known simply for being seen.

There are technophiles and technophobes. We must have both eyes open and see technology for what it is: a tool, not a solution.

Simplicity:
The problem is not simplicity, but simplicity on the front side of complexity. It is very different from simplicity on the far side of complexity. This is why wise sayings mean much more from an older person who has seen much life. Their simple, "God has a plan for us" has depth to it in light of their lives.

Post #123 Poets, Prophets, & Preachers: Day 2, Session2

2009-07-08T09:21:00.002-04:00

Day 2, Session 2
(preface: Peter Rollins is a dynamic speaker, but he is somewhat difficult to follow. He is frantic and kinetic. He is excited and enthusiastic. He bounces from story to story and from idea to idea. This is definitely one of those moments that if the notes seem fragmented or confusing, you should have been watching it live.)

Peter Rollins
"Returning to the New: An Introduction to Transformance Art"

Rollins is part of IKON, a group that attempts to transform lives through innovative and often challenging environments.
Located in Belfast, Ireland; a city and country where religion is sacred but also potentially deadly.

"Life is lived forward and understood backwards." - Søren Kierkegaard

Fairy tales tell a society's values:
In the West,
- the poor become wealthy
- the marginalized become influential
- the weak become powerful
In the East,
- the wealthy become poor
- the influential become marginalized
- the powerful become weak

The first role of a leader is not to lead, it is to refuse to lead. If by stepping back we allow space for others to wrestle with questions, the answers will be theirs and in the process, will have more meaning to them.

Rollins told a story:
A man goes to see a therapist because he believed that he was not a man, but a pile of seeds. After months of therapy, the man left the therapist with an understanding that he was truly a man and not a pile of seeds. A while later, a farmer moved in near the man. The farmer had chickens and this created some anxiety for the man. He went back to the therapist and expressed is concerns. The therapist reminded the man that he was not a pile of seeds, but was a man. The man responded, "Yeah, but do the chickens know?!"

Sometimes, our identity is not just ours. It is also the perception that others have about who we are. We must do what we can to help them see that we are this (human) and not that (seeds).

Let's talk about Batman.
- By night, Batman goes around beating up those who commit crimes in Gotham City.
- By day, he is the major stockholder in Wayne Enterprises, a large multinational conglomerate. The chief function of Wayne Enterprises is to fund the research and development of chemical, technological, military, and industrial advances...and to make billions of dollars that Bruce Wayne skims from to help him fight bad guys.
- If we examine the cultural, socio-economic, and systemic reasons why some people commit crimes we might find that the poverty, lack of education, resentment, anger, or self-loathing of the criminals might be connected to a lack of something.
- Bruce Wayne might very well be creating the bad guys he fights.
- Wayne Enterprises is corporate greed that marginalizes people.

Now, what if our meetings, gatherings, and services actually help the systems that are in place just continue on their path without any real change.
What if we are the batmans who are creating our bad guys? What if our agendas actually hurt, not help?

Revolution changes a whole system.
Insurrection changes lives.

Cognitive dissonance (look it up) is accepted in the Church.
This is the fundamental problem in transforming lives.

Let's talk about sit-coms:
- Not only are all of the problems in a sit-com solves in 22 minutes. The show actually has an audible laugh track. Most people think this is so we as an audience know when to laugh. Are we so disconnected that we don't know funny when we hear it and we need to be told?! Maybe...
But what if the laugh track is not telling us when to laugh, but is actually just laughing for us?
- A lot of church goers do not feel that they necessarily need to believe everything that the congregation, pastor, or Church believes as long as those who lead us believe.

God is not an object in this world, he transforms my ability to see the world. I do not see the light, I see because of the light.

"We should not try to convince the head so much as try to convince the depths of the person."

-When we go to a museum, do we look for the "right interpretation" of the art, or do we interact with the art, allowing it to transform us on an emotional, spiritual, and philosophic level?

"A sermon should be the salt that makes the people thirsty!"

Rollins tells this story:
Two guys are walking down the street heading to the bars. They see a sign on the side of a church that reads: $200 for a conversion.
One guy says to the other, "This is great! You go in, do the whole conversion thing, get the money, and then we can drink all night!"
The other guy agrees and goes in.
About half an hour later he comes out of the church. His friend sees him and comes up to him. He asks, "did you get the money?"
The friend replies, "Is money all you non-believers are concerned about?"

- The point: does our motivation lead us and others to real transformation?

-If someone is seeking God because they are seeking eternal life...they are not really seeking God, they are just seeking eternal life.
-If someone is seeking God because they are seeking meaning...they are not really seeking God, they are just seeking meaning.
-If someone is seeking God because they are seeking love...they are not really seeking God, they are just seeking love.

These are all great things to seek. And by seeking God, we will find them. But the motivation isn't seeking God. the motivation is in seeking something else and God becomes the bonus.

As leaders in the church, we must remind ourselves that, "I am not he Bread. Hopefully I can provide the space and opportunity for others to smell the aroma of the Bread."

"Christianity promises substantive transformation. If we are really lucky, it might happen in church, but maybe I am optimistic." - Peter Rollins

Post #122 Poets, Prophets, & Preachers: Day 2, Session1

2009-07-08T09:18:00.000-04:00

Day 2, Session 1
Rob Bell: “The Story We’re Telling”

Hope: AtomLab Video.
Watch the video!
“I went to a preaching conference and all I got was a crushed sternum.”

There is always a “thing behind the thing.”

What causes a message to really move people?
Where and how you begin and end a story shape and determine what kind of story you’re telling.

Let’s begin at the beginning.

Genesis 1:11
1 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.

Dasha – Hebrew for produce/sprout
Progressive generativity
Creation is going somewhere
It is dynamic, not static
Tomorrow will be different from today.

Genesis 1:26-27
“26 Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Rada - Rule
Kabash - Subdue
Implies responsibility, stewardship,
Participatory Physicality
Harmony within Hierarchy
Everything in its proper place
Appropriate ordering of creation

Genesis 1:22, 28
22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth."

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Barakh - Hebrew for blessing
Soil and Spirit are united in chapter 1
Heaven and Earth are united in shalom
There isn't "somewhere else"
-there is not a physical vs. spiritual in Genesis 1...everything is sacred.

There is something about you that is found in Genesis 1:
Aesthetics
Creations/making things
Relationships/partnerships
Worship
Exploration
Organizing
Naming
Learning
Responsibility

Whatever it is that we love about life...it is all here....our roots are here.
The story starts here.

Revelation 21:3
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

The story ends here.

It starts with a garden and ends with a city. There is a dynamic movement

Genesis 1 and 2 = Shalom
Genesis 3 = Disruption
Rebellion
Missing the mark
Sin is any way we disrupt shalom

Genesis 3 is not the beginning of the story.
Genesis 3 is not the end of the story.

The fall and sin need to take a proper place within the story.

Confession (yad hah) - admission, recognition, declaration, agreement.
Repentance (t'shuva) - is return, we were off course and invited to return.

The story is about God...
Renewing all things (Matthew 19)
Restoring all things (Acts 3)
Reconciling all things (Colossians 1)

If the story you tell begins in Genesis 3, then the drive of your story is the removal of sin.
If the story you tell begins in Genesis 1, then the drive of your story is the restoration of shalom.

The removal os sin is hugely important and deserves to be talked about, wrestled with, and understood; but it needs its proper place in the story.
A story that starts with Genesis 3 tells you what you aren't.
A story that starts with Genesis 1 tells you what you are.

If you start in 1, sin makes sense when you get to 3.

If you start in 3, the goal becomes some disembodied evacuation of Earth.
If you start in 1, the goal becomes the participatory physicality of the restoration of shalom!

What if "I'll fly away" misses the point? If God wants to come renew, restore, and reconcile this earth, we might fly away and pass him as he comes here!

In the Gospel of John, the writer mentions the "signs of Jesus."
the first on is in John 2 - water into wine
2nd is in John 4 - healing of the official's son
3rd is in John 5 - healing at the pool
4th is in John 6 - bread
5th is in John 6 - walk on water
6th is in John 9 - healing of the blind man
7th is the raising of Lazarus

In Hebrew thought, 7 is typically a number associated with God's power and with God's creation.
John 20 has the 8th sign: The Resurrection
The story is about Jesus' resurrection beginning a new creation, right here in the midst of this one.
Sidenote: Mary thought the raised Jesus was a gardener: the Greek word translates to "wink, wink, nudge, nudge."

The story is the reaffirming of the goodness of creation. It is the anticipation of the coming day when heaven and earth are united again. It is about the restoration of shalom!
If you start in Genesis 1 it changes the way you look at EVERYTHING!

Business is not just the exchange of goods, it becomes a vehicle by which you help others. The Hebrew word dasha from Genesis 1 - the earth produces and we use what it produces to increase shalom.

Art is not vain self expression, it becomes the arranging and rearranging of aesthetics in order to bless others. It is the separating and bringing together color, shapes, ideas, emotions, words, and melodies. In Genesis 1, God separated the light from the darkness, he created order from chaos. He created art!

Justice is not the human need to punish, it becomes an opportunity to renew, restore, and reconcile. A Genesis 3 understanding is not really interested in the poor, the hurting, and the hungry because the bottom line is that we will leave this earth and all of its misery. But a Genesis 1 understanding is really concerned because it brings that opportunity to renew, restore, and reconcile!

The sermon, then, is the insistence that the resurrection of Jesus brings a whole new world that everyone can be a part of. It is helping people see new creation with the eyes, mind, and hearts.

What you look for, you will find...
if you look for criticism, you will find it.
if you look for negativity, you will find it.
if you look for cynicism, you will find it.
if you look for greed, you will find it.

BUT

if you look for hope, you will find it.
if you look for love, you will find it.
if you look for devotion, you will find it.
if you look for giving, you will find it.

A sermon brings hope, not in escape, but in engagement; not in evacuation, but in reclamation; not in leaving, but in staying and overcoming!

2 types of hope:
Genesis 3: Hope that God will sweep us away, to leave this place.
Genesis 1: Hope that God would allow us to help change this world.

It always was, is, and will be God's world!

Post #121 Poets, Prophets, & Preachers: Day 1

2009-07-06T07:23:00.001-04:00

What follows are a collection of my notes and thoughts from the Poets, Prophets, and Preachers conference in Grand Rapids. Some of these will seem very cohesive and coherent. Other parts may seem disconnected or confusing. As a preface, you should have been here. (They are apparently recording the seasons in order to make DVD’s for sale later, so you have that going for you.)

Poets, Prophets, and Preachers

Session 1, Sunday Evening

Rob took the stage and immediately asked the question, “What would the average person on the street say when asked to describe a sermon?”

Unfortunately, the response would probably not be “empowering, inspiring, revolutionary, and challenging.”

Much more likely you would hear, “boring, lecture, patronizing, or irrelevant.”

With such negativity towards the art of sermon, why would anyone want to give a sermon?

As the world becomes for virtual (twitter, facebook, blogs) people will eventually crave personal interaction. We will eventually be drawn to “actual reality.” This is good news for those who have a message to give. People will crave real conversations, in real settings, with real people.

A lot of people seem to believe that a sermon only exists in order to be evaluated.
Some people see a sermon as pure propaganda.
Others see a sermon as a burden, and anchor that weighs them down and ties them up.

Why would anyone want to give a sermon?

Sometimes, when we give a message, we might think, “this is going to be the best one yet. It is going to blow them away.” Then, once the message has been given, we only get crickets in response.

Other times, we think, “Oh man, this one bombed. I really stunk it up today.” Then someone responds, “that was the most powerful thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life!”

Rob explained that often, people in our churches will want to go back to “the way we used to do it.” Or they might say, “great job, that was like the old Rob.” How can we move people forward if they are focused on the past?

Ezekiel 4
9 "Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side. 10 Weigh out twenty shekels of food to eat each day and eat it at set times. 11 Also measure out a sixth of a hin of water and drink it at set times. 12 Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel."

This is actually describing a sermon. Zeke is told by God to “go into the public and do something very specific.” Giving a sermon is going and doing. It is not merely saying.

In a way, the sermon is:
Performance art
Guerilla theatre
Actions that evoke

Sermon is:
A witness,
If you don’t share it,
Speak it,
Tell it,
Point to it,
Express it,
Preach it,
You’ll spontaneously combust.

Jeremiah 20
“…his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”

Jeremiah 2:14
“14 Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth? Why then has he become plunder?”
This is not the way God intended things to be. Jeremiah has to let the people know this.

Mark 1:15
5 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Sermon is:
A call to return
An invitation
A fresh word
An implicit critique
The first punch

Isaiah 52
1 Awake, awake, Zion,
clothe yourself with strength!
Put on your garments of splendor,
Jerusalem, the holy city.
The uncircumcised and defiled
will not enter you again.
2 Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive.
3 For this is what the LORD says: "You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed."

Sermon can be subversion
-there is another story.

Luke 4
“28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.”

Sermon is
Provocation
Loaded language
A warning

Stravinsky’s “Rites of Spring” actually evoke such a response from it first listeners that they rioted.
We have to be willing to take the bad and the good when we preach/teach.

Acts 17
32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject."

Göran Kropp – Mt. Everest Journey Wikipedia Article
If you do things that have not been done before or seen before or heard before you will get funny looks, angry letters, or worse. But you might get inspiration, truth, lights, revolution, excitement, anticipation, enthusiasm, dedication or even better.

Words can create worlds:
“In the beginning, God created…” “The Word was God and the Word was with God…”
Our words can show new worlds to people.

Sometime we have a series of seemingly unconnected thoughts and ideas. Trying to connect them is like “tying the clouds together.”

Sometimes the best sermon we can give is to tell someone, “Tomorrow does not have to be a repeat of today.”

There are layers to crafting a sermon:
Theological
Conceptual
Practical
Personal

Transformation happens when talks start talks.
The leader is often looked at to have the last word on a topic
It is more helpful if the leader has the first word and starts the conversation.

Post #120 Where Has Mike Been?

2009-07-06T07:20:00.001-04:00

Well, it has been a long time since my last post. In fact, I did not even do a post for the season finale of LOST. What can I say? I am a slacker. To be honest there has been a ton going on and I feel justified in putting my blogging experiment on the back-burner. Let me clue you in on some of the happenings in my life:

First, Michelle and I have started the process of adoption. We meet with our social worker this weekend. It is a long and sometimes difficult journey, but we are confident that it will definitely be worth it.

In addition to that, we have put down roots with a church home. We have been “homeless” for more than two years. For most of the time, we have been wrestling with what we need and what we can offer in a church community. We found a great place and have started to connect with several people there. In fact that leads me to my third “happening.”

I have been asked to take on the responsibility of organizing and leading the small groups ministry for our church congregation. This is a very important step for me, as this is my first “legitimate” ministry position since finishing my degree. It is a great opportunity and I can’t wait to share some of my thoughts and ideas regarding small groups, discipleship, and Bible study.

So there we have it. This is what I have been busy with for the past month and a half to two months. I sincerely apologize to both of my loyal readers for letting them down regarding the 365 posts in one year. I am going to miss that mark. However, now that I have admitted my negligence, I hope I will be more diligent in posting in the future.

Post #119 LOST Revelation Thursday

2009-05-07T20:45:00.000-04:00

Episode title: Follow the Leader
Primary Focus Character: John Locke

The title of the episode has two implications: Locke is the new leader of the Others and Ben has pledged to Alex (as the smoke monster) that he will follow Locke. The other implication of the title is Daniel started on a path to change the future and now Jack is following his lead.

It does not sit well with me that in the previous episode, Eloise Hawking appears convinced that destiny will fulfill itself and that the future is predetermined. However, in this episode, her younger self appears eager to try to change the future. This presents a character conflict and will hopefully be resolved. I predict that the bomb will not be able to be detonated. This causes destiny to course correct and thus fulfill itself.

The big reveal of the episode is Locke’s plan. Locke has an obvious issue with the way that Jacob has been used as a way to manipulate the Others. He decides to take the whole group of Others to “see” Jacob. Then he reveals to Ben that he plans to kill Jacob. My thought is that he plans to reveal that Jacob is a myth and has been a tool for manipulation of the group. He plans to “kill” Jacob by revealing that he does not exist.

The other striking character issue I am concerned about is Kate. Seemingly out of nowhere, Kate becomes concerned about moral issues of right and wrong? I don’t think so. Kate is not concerned about morality so much as she is concerned about her survival. Here’s her concern: if they detonate the bomb and eliminate the electromagnetic force on the island, Oceanic 815 will not crash on the island, but instead will land safely in Los Angeles, where she will be taken into custody for the murder of her father and for her fleeing the country. She is only really concerned about the possibility that she will go to prison.

Questions from the episode:
- Why does Locke really want to kill Jacob?
- Why is Richard hesitant to bring Locke to Jacob? What does he want to tell him about Jacob?
- How did the island tell Locke exactly when to find himself at the Beechcraft?
- How did the Others move the bomb from the field in 1954 to the tunnels in 1977? They certainly didn’t swim it under the river. There must be another entrance.

Post #118 KCC

2009-05-04T12:20:00.001-04:00

This was on Facebook, but since I used it as a posting there, I thought I should post it here as well. It has to do with my first college KCC

1. Do you remember your campus mail box number?
No. I can't even remember getting mail.

2. What was your favorite class?
I really like Christian Education the second time I took it.

3. What was your least favorite class?
Name one. I was not a big fan of Fiensy's classes

4. After leaving KCC/U, how long before you got your first letter asking for donations?
Not long.

5. Did you truly fall in love at KCC/U?
Yeah, but not till after I had left and she was a freshman.

6. Favorite professor?
Ford

7. What was your favorite meal at the Caf?
Ice Cream on a bagel.

8. Visit the Glass tombstone?
Nope. Never heard of it.

9. Did you ever sneak a guy / girl in the dorm?
Yeah, but just to watch movies on the boring weekends.

10. Which dorm were you in?
Waters Hall.

11. Did you ever get caught with a pet in the dorms?
No, not unless dust bunnies count.

12. Did you ever get in trouble for sneaking booze in the dorms?
No, but Todd Kirby found a hand carved "tobacco" pipe during a room inspection.

13. Is there a song that makes you remember a time at KCC/U?
Anything by Oasis or the Cranberries

14. What did you major/minor in?
Ministry

15. Did you have a nickname?
The only nickname I ever had, "Box"

16. What is one of your fondest memories?
Getting chased by townies in Tom Elliot's car and running it off the road. I think we came close to death that night.

17. What's one of the things you'd like to erase from your mind?
Oh, there are a few things. but Emma would be on that list.

18. Who was your roommate?
Name one.

19. Circle of friends, all around social butterfly, or loner?
I definitely stuck with a tight circle, but I had a few friends outside that group.

20. Favorite Opening Convocation memory?
I don't even remember going.

21. Did you ever have a crush that you never shared or pursued?
Not that I remember.

22. Did you play intramural sports?
Yup, hockey, soccer, basketball

23. Is there someone you've lost touch with and wish you could find?
I did lose touch, but FB brought us back together.

24. Is there someone you didn't know well then, but now have gotten to know better?
Not really.

25. How did KCC/U make you better?
After I left, I grew up a lot. I met Michelle there, that was the best thing for me.

26. Did you ever see a ghost on campus?
Does Dave Schwarm count? He didn't come out during the daytime. So I guess that would be a vampire.

27. Who was your best friend?
Dave Gray, Brian Gorman, Matt Philpot

28. Did you date anyone on campus?
Sure, but my wife was the only right one.

29. Did you ever take plates or silverware from the cafe?
No. I might have had a cup or two. And I took a tray to go sledding with once.

30. Would ya do it all over?
Not necessarily. It was a good experience. But it was very costly in more ways that just money.

Post #117 LOST Revelations

2009-05-04T11:37:00.002-04:00

I didn't get anything posted about the most recent episode of LOST, so here we go:

Episode Title: The Variable
Primary Focus Character: Daniel Faraday

In this episode, we discover that Daniel has a plan to alter the timeline of the island. He remembers the bomb he had previously advised that Richard Alpert should bury. If the bomb was detonated, it would wipe out the island and the electromagnetic energy on the island, thus causing Oceanic Flight 815 to never crash on the island, and he would never be on the freighter sailing to the island. This is all catastrophic for the present islanders, so Daniel attempts to get the inhabitants to evacuate, but that fails.

We also realize that in his "I can change the future/past" thinking, Daniel is a believer in free-will and the ability to change what might seem predestined. However, his mother is a firm believer in destiny and the predetermined outcomes of life. She believes that we cannot change the future/past; so much so, that she encourages adult Daniel to go with the freighter to the island. (Even though she knows that her younger self will eventually kill him)

Questions from the episode:

- What is the nature of the falling-out between Eloise Hawking and Charles Widmore?
- How and when did Eloise leave the Island?

Post #116

2009-05-04T11:36:00.004-04:00

Post #115

2009-05-04T11:36:00.002-04:00

Post #114

2009-05-04T11:35:00.005-04:00

Post #113

2009-05-04T11:35:00.002-04:00

Post #112

2009-05-04T11:34:00.004-04:00

Post #111

2009-05-04T11:34:00.001-04:00

Post #110

2009-05-04T11:33:00.002-04:00

Post #109

2009-05-04T11:25:00.002-04:00

Post #108 Sugar Stacks...

2009-05-04T11:22:00.001-04:00

How much sugar is in the food you eat or the beverages you drink? Find out at this site.

Post #107 Whole Chicken in a Can

2009-05-04T11:20:00.003-04:00

A whole chicken in a can...that is all.

Post #106 Meat Cards...

2009-05-04T11:16:00.003-04:00

Business cards made from meat and lasers...that is all.

Post #105 The Shadow Hare

2009-04-29T16:56:00.002-04:00

First, I know that I have been lazy lately in posting. I plan to get it together soon and do a whirlwind post-fest to catch up. But I had to post this video from our local news cast. It is about a vigilante crime fighter in the area and his team of partners. It makes me proud to live near Cincinnati.

Post #104 LOST Revelation Thursday (Friday Edition)

2009-04-17T11:18:00.001-04:00

Episode Title: Some Like it Hoth
Primary Focus Character: Miles Straum

This is the episode I have been waiting for since season 4: a Miles-centric episode. The character of Miles is compelling for many reasons: he is moody, sarcastic, quick witted, and he can talk to dead people! In this episode, the writers confirm that Miles is the son of Dr. Pierre Chang (aka Dr. Marvin Candle, Dr. Mark Wickmund, and Dr. Edgar Halliwax.) We also discover that the Swan Station is located in an area that had been agreed to be off limits to the DHARMA folk. We also get a glimpse at a possible new faction in the story in Bram and Ilana.

In the last episode, Illana and Bram are seen guarding a large metal crate on the beach. Ilana also asks Frank Lapidus "what lies in the shadow of the statue?" In this episode, we see Bram kidnap Miles and threaten him to not go on Widmore's freighter. We also hear the "shadow of the statue" question in this episode, only it was asked by Bram and directed to Miles. Hurley and Miles have some great interaction in this episode, especially Hurley's ideas about "The Empire Strikes Back."

Finally, we see the return of Daniel Faraday as he emerges from the submarine. Now we just need to see where he has been for so long.

- Who does Bram and his crew work for?
- How do they know about the Island?
- What "teams" is Bram refering to?
- Why and when did Daniel Faraday leave the Island?
- Where did he go?
- Why did he return?
- What is the origin or reason for Miles' ability?
- Why was Alvarez's death being covered up?
- Why did Chang want his corpse brought to the Orchid?
- How did Felix die?
- Why (and how) did Lara and Miles leave the Island?
- Why did Pierre Chang not come with them?
- Why did The DHARMA Initiative choose to build The Swan Station in Hostile territory?
- Why did The DHARMA Initiative think they can build something as big as the Swan without it being noticed by the Hostiles?

Post #103 Best Nerf Guns...

2009-04-13T21:33:00.002-04:00

Popular Mechanics had an article about the best Nerf guns that have been produced. My favorite is the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25.

Post #102 Lego Jesus...

2009-04-13T21:30:00.001-04:00

A statue of Jesus Christ made entirely out of Lego construction bricks stands in a church at Vasteras, Sweden, April 12, 2009. The 1.8 metre (5.9 fet) tall statue, a copy of Thorvaldsen's "Resurrected Christ", has taken parishioners 1.5 years to construct out of 30.000 tiny plastic pieces. (AP Photo/Jonas Ekstromer)

Post #101 Ram Tough...

2009-04-13T21:22:00.002-04:00

Post #100 G20 Police...

2009-04-13T21:21:00.001-04:00

Post #99 New Pope

2009-04-13T21:20:00.003-04:00

Post #98 MacGyver...

2009-04-13T21:20:00.001-04:00

Post #97 Insanity...

2009-04-13T21:19:00.000-04:00

Post #96 How do we fix it...

2009-04-13T21:18:00.002-04:00

Post #95 A Cause...

2009-04-13T21:17:00.001-04:00

Post #94 LOST Revelation Thursday (late edition)

2009-04-10T01:27:00.001-04:00

Episode Title: Dead is Dead
Primary Focus Character: Ben Linus
Secondary Focus Character: John Locke

In Wednesday's episode, we see two specific storylines: Ben's past and present and the beached survivors of Ajira 316. In Ben's past we witness his kidnapping of Alex, his mentoring of Ethan, and his overthrow of Charles Widmore. In his present, we see Ben summon the smoke monster, be judged by it (and by Alex), and we witness his promise to follow Locke's orders.

On the beach, we witness Caesar being shot (by Ben), Ilana and another survivor (Bram) taking control of weapons, and a strange question by Ilana to Frank Lapidus.

Overall, this episode was more informative than the previous two. The story is moving along quickly, but leaving enough unanswered questions to keep us on the edge of our seats.

I pulled some questions from the Lostpedia entry for this episode. They seem to sum up my own thoughts after viewing the episode.

- How did Ethan become a member of the Others?
- What is in the crate?
- Who are Ilana and Bram and what are they up to?
- Did Ben lie when he denied recalling the losties back in 1977?
- Where did Locke go when he left the Barracks?
- What is the Monster's relation to the Temple?
- What is the meaning of the picture above the grate in the Temple?
- Why did the Monster demand that Ben follow John Locke?
- How did Locke know where the Monster was?
- What was Ben's true understanding of resurrection on the Island?
- If what he claims was true, what was different about Locke that allowed him to be resurrected?
- What is the meaning of Ilana's question to Frank?
- What is the strange drain beneath Ben's house?
- Why was Ben allowed to live after all that he's done?
- Where did the Flight 316 survivors find the guns?

I look forward to next week's episode. The previews imply that it will be Miles-centric.

Post #93 The End to a Christian America?

2009-04-06T19:40:00.001-04:00

I came across this article by Newsweek writer, Jon Meacham. It focuses on the shift in perceived power of the political Christian movement. There are some great quotes, but here is a taste:

There it was, an old term with new urgency: post-Christian. This is not to say that the Christian God is dead, but that he is less of a force in American politics and culture than at any other time in recent memory. To the surprise of liberals who fear the advent of an evangelical theocracy and to the dismay of religious conservatives who long to see their faith more fully expressed in public life, Christians are now making up a declining percentage of the American population.

Kathleen Parker adds to this conversation in this Washington Post article.

If people who call themselves Christians want to see any influence in the culture, then they ought to start following the commands of Jesus and people will be so amazed that they will be attracted to Him. The problem isn't political. The problem is moral and spiritual.... You have the choice between a way that works and brings no credit or money or national attention. Or, a way that doesn't work that gets you lots of attention and has little influence on the culture.

Post #92 LOST Revelation Thursday...

2009-04-02T20:19:00.000-04:00

Last Night's Episode: Whatever Happened, Happened
Primary Focus Character: Kate Austin
Secondary Focus Character: Ben Linus

Two weeks in a row and very little appears to be happening on this show. Don't get me wrong, I love this show. However, in last week's episode, Sayid shot young Ben in the last five minutes. That was the only important aspect of the episode. Then, in last night's episode, Hurley and Miles discuss theories of time travel, including a great reference to "Back to the Future." The only other important aspect was that Kate and Sawyer took a mortally wounded young Ben to see Richard Alpert.

Check out Lostpedia for a thorough summary: here.

There are a few questions to answer:
- How does Juliet know to take Ben to Richard?
- What did Richard do to young Ben in the Temple in order to heal him? Is there some "Other" form of treatment that we are not aware of yet?
- Where will Sayid escape to? Will he eventually join the Hostiles? Will he find Danielle?
- Why are Ellie and Charles in positions of authority among the Others?
- Why didn't Kate tell Jack she left Aaron with Carole?

Post #91 Great Meltdowns at the Office...

2009-04-01T19:21:00.001-04:00

Check this out, but be aware the at the site might be inappropriate for some viewers.

Top 10 Greatest Office Meltdowns

Post #90 Thought I Would Mention This...

2009-04-01T19:20:00.000-04:00

Just a quick blurb about something we have decided on: Michelle and I have chosen to pursue adoption. We are excited to start this adventure. The process is tedious, but we know it will be worth it. If you know of any agencies that work in Ohio and help with domestic adoptions, please let us know. Thanks.

Post #89 Church Search...

2009-04-01T19:18:00.000-04:00

I mentioned a while back that we were looking for a place to call our church home. Well, Michelle and I have been attending Wellspring Community Church and we really are excited about the things they are doing in the community and the world. It sounds like the kind of place that we can get on board with. It is difficult finding our feet though. We have always been very involved in the other churches we have been a part of, and figuring out where we can serve (or if we are ready to serve) is a challenge. We are looking forward to see what is in store for us.

Post #88 Difference Between Pixar and Dreamworks...

2009-04-01T19:16:00.001-04:00

Post #87 I might be busy, but I have not forgotten you...

2009-04-01T19:15:00.001-04:00

The past week or so has been pretty busy and I blew off doing any posts. So I have a few to catch up on. I will get back on track. Tonight is LOST night, so there will be a LOST Revelation Thursday post tomorrow. Thanks for the messages. I will get it together.

Post #86 Bigger...

2009-03-28T11:08:00.000-04:00

I started this series by explaining the importance of the Church growing smaller. Interestingly, I conclude it by discussing the importance of living big.

By growing smaller (developing discipleship, mentoring, and accountability), getting deeper (developing meaningful, influential, and purposeful experiences), and by reaching wider (exploring the ways we can impact, influence, and change the world for God's glory), we will start to live more boldly, more passionately, and more missionally.

Living bigger is not about pride or ego. No, we must decrease, He must increase. (John 3:30) Living bigger is making th most of ordinary moments; seeing God's touch in the people, experiences, and opportunities around us.

Living big is not just seeing the forest from the trees. It is seeing the trees (their importance, value, and purpose), and it is seeing the forest (the greater purpose, the big picture). It is also seeing how the forest fits into the surrounding eco-system, and how that eco-system affects the world. In terms of faith, living big is realizing that God has placed us in this place, at this time, with these talents and resources to impact the world in an incredible way. Living big is seeing big, acting big, and loving big.

Post #85 John Stewart...

2009-03-27T22:01:00.001-04:00

Post #84 LOST Revelation Thursday...

2009-03-26T20:41:00.002-04:00

Last night's episode: He's Our Your
Primary Focus Character: Sayid Jarrah
Secondary Focus Character: Ben Linus

First, let me state that I firmly believe that the worst episode of LOST is still better than the best hour of any other show. That being said, last night's was the worst episode of LOST this season.

There was little story development and little character development.
The story was slow and gave us little that we did not already know:
- Sayid has always been a twisted individual, finding it inhumanly easy to take the life of another creature.
- Kate loves Sawyer.
- Ben hated his father.

Here is the episode in a nutshell: The DHARMA people take Sayid to an interrogator who lives in the jungle. The truth about Sayid's trip to the island is so unbelievable that the DHARMA people vote to execute him. Sawyer is losing control of his long con. Young Ben helps Sayid break out of the DHARMA jail. Sayid shoots young Ben.

There are a few questions that this episode begs:
- How does Sayid shooting Ben influence future events?
*Does Ben survive the shooting, appearing to come back to life and thus elevating him to "resurrected leader of the others"?
- Why does the interrogator, Oldham, live outside of the barracks?

I realize that not every episode will be a 10. That's fine, but I expect more from LOST than I got last night. It was entertaining, but there was only 3 minutes of action and 39 minutes of filler.

Post #83 Wider...

2009-03-26T05:29:00.000-04:00

We've discussed the importance of growing smaller and getting deeper in regards to discipleship and the Church in general. Now we will look at what it means to reach wider.

I once read that the average American had over 1000 people in their network of contacts. That means that at any given time, we could reach out to nearly 1000 people for help, friendship, or advice. With the growth of social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook, as well as the use of blogs, our network is not just huge, it is instant.

I can chat with a friend in Thailand while simultaneously checking in on my dad in Indiana. The one enormous advantage to such a wide reach is that we are able to access so much information and resources. 50 years ago radio, tv, and print media were the only news sources. Now, I check 10 different news sites and several blogs before I even start my day.

This instant and ever expanding access also allows me to become aware of organizations and charities around the world helping and healing those who are sick, hungry, thirsty, desperate, and dying. They provide hope to the hopeless. Not only do I get the chance to learn about these groups, I have the opportunity to assist them, promote them, and even join them in their efforts.

What does this all mean for the church?

It means that even the smallest congregation, house church, or small group can have a tremendous impact on the lives of others. It means that even if our numbers are small, we can have an enormous voice. It means that our reach is wider than ever and our influence and assistance can help more people than ever. In a world so small, we have few excuses for not helping "the least of these."

For additional study, focus on Matthew 22:35-40, Matthew 25:35-40.

Post #82 Deeper...

2009-03-24T04:58:00.001-04:00

Over the past few years, I have heard many church-goers explain that they desire "something deeper." Lately, my response to this kind of thinking has been: deeper than what?

The depth of one's religious experience is very subjective; taking into consideration the personal experiences and biblical understanding, as well as emotional and intellectual maturity. Since this depth is so subjective, why would I include it in this conversation?

I include it because I believe that we all desire more meaningful, influential, and purposeful experiences in our lives…including our understanding of Jesus and our relationship with him.

"Deeper" is what continues to push us to be more Christ-like. "Deeper" is what motivates our love for one another. "Deeper" is what influences our study and application of the Bible.

In my opinion, discipleship is a major part of the "deep" equation. Discipleship is much more than personal Bible study. It is the mentoring and challenging that can be done through intimate relationships. It is also the sharing of burdens and experiences of life with trusted and respected people.

Small groups and house churches, if utilized effectively, can be the Church's greatest discipleship ministry. When our churches have grown smaller and deeper, it is only natural for us to focus on our responsibility to our communities, cities, regions, and ultimately the entire world. This is our next topic: Wider.

Post #81 Smaller...

2009-03-23T20:36:00.000-04:00

In a culture surrounded by images and advertisements for the "next big thing," we often have difficulty finding value in the "small things." This is especially true in the Church where, for the past two and a half decades, the mega-church movement has seen hundreds (if not thousands) of very large congregations explode in growth. Understand, this is not necessarily a "bad" thing. However, some of these churches are beginning to realize that there is real importance to growing smaller.

In churches over 1000 in attendance, it might seem contridictory for there to be an emphasis on growing smaller. But there is. The small group and house church movements have focused on a very Biblical concept: Discipleship through close, intimate relationships.

Jesus had a core group of followers comprised of the twelve disciples as well as his mother (Mary), the sisters (Mary and Martha), their brother (Lazarus), Mary of Magdala, as well as the Pharisee (Nicodemus). If all were told, Jesus probably had a group of 20 or more close followers, however, the 12 had an important role and were thus closer, in many ways, to Jesus. Even among the 12, Simon (Peter), James, and John were his closest pupils. They were his smaller group within the small group.

Smaller does not imply insignificance. If a congregation seeks to reach as many people as possible with the message of Jesus, it must learn to grow smaller; this is where life lessons, mentoring, challenging, and accountability take place. This is where small groups and house churches should find their purpose: in discipling others. The larger congregation should see small group and house church ministry as an integral part of the discipling ministry.

This leads me to the next topic: Deeper.

Post #80 Smaller, Deeper, Wider, Bigger...

2009-03-22T20:21:00.001-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about ministry lately. Michelle and I left a church a few years ago after some heartbreaking moments and painful truths. I had led a house church for several years and after it dissolved I felt somewhat empty.

When we left the congregation, we looked for a new church home, but had a lot of difficulty finding a place that we connected with. We floundered for several years until we moved into our new house. We started the hunt again about 7 months ago. Since then, we have been attending a local church and feel it is a good fit for us.

One of the things that I have been thinking about lately is small group/house church ministry. I will post a little about each aspect, but for now I will just mention them: smaller, deeper, wider, bigger.

Over the next few posts, I will explain these themes more clearly. Hopefully it will focus me and my thoughts and perhaps motivate others to pursue their passions as well.

Post #79 LOST Revelation Thursday

2009-03-19T21:07:00.001-04:00

Since the season 3 finale, the LOST writers/producers have made it clear that time is relevant. In that episode, they deviated from the mainstay story telling device of the show: the flashback. Instead, they put a twist on time and presented a flashforward. Since then, we have seen episodes containing flashbacks, flashforwards, and a combination of the two. Until this season.

When Ben turned the "frozen donkey wheel," the island began to bounce through time. Then, John Locke put the wheel back on its axis, fixing the island in time. Unfortunately for those on the island, that time was in the 1970's.

This season, we have seen many time periods, none of which could be classified as forward, back, or present; for they were all present to those experiencing them.

Last night, we were given confirmation that our beloved LOSTies group (Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley) are in 1977. We also received confirmation that the other survivors of Ajira flight 316 are in 2007-8. Both groups are on the island, only 30 years apart.

There were a few great revelations in the episode:
- Sun is with the Ajira people in 2007-8, not with the other Oceanic survivors in 1977.
- Sayid is mistaken as a hostile in 1977.
- Amy and Horace's son is Ethan.
- Young Ben Linus is in fact on the island.

Several question come to mind after watching this episode:
- Where is Daniel Faraday? Why is it implied that he is no longer with the rest of the DHARMA LOSTies?
- Why does Sun end up with the Ajira people?
- Why do Sun and Frank see and understand Christian?
- How does Ethan survive the purge that Ben eventually leads?

Post #78 One More Motivational Poster

2009-03-19T17:27:00.001-04:00

Post #77 Another Motivational Poster

2009-03-19T17:26:00.000-04:00

Post #76 More Motivational Posters

2009-03-19T17:25:00.001-04:00

Post #75 New Motivational Posters

2009-03-19T17:21:00.002-04:00

I found a site that features Homer Simpson Motivational Posters. So, since I am quite a few posts behind, I thought I would catch up by posting a few. Here is the first one:

Post #74 The Truth About Guinness

2009-03-17T22:28:00.000-04:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here is an article I found regarding my favorite Irish export: Guinness. Regarding #10: It is better in Ireland.

Is It Good for You? Debunking 10 Myths About Guinness Stout

In 1759 Arthur Guinness first began to brew his eponymous Irish stout, and probably sometime in 1760, people started making crap up about it.

Like shamrocks, freckles and bar fights, Guinness has become an icon of the Emerald Isle, known around the world for its impenetrable color, its complex pouring ritual, and its ability to balance well on a toucan's beak. It's also known for the wild rumors associated with it, from the common barfly's claim of better-tasting pints in the old country to conspiracy theories of macabre secret ingredients. Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, Asylum goes MythBusters on your favorite draught. Boston, we're looking at you.

Myth Number 1: Guinness is heavy in calories ... False
Guinness weighs in at 125 calories per 12-oz. serving. But wait, who drinks a 12-oz. Guinness? Nobody, since a pint is 16 oz. (20 for the lucky stiffs in the motherland). Do the math and you get about 170 calories per 16-oz. serving. Guess how many are in a 16-oz. Strawberry Surf Rider smoothie from Jamba Juice? 330. Thank us later, ladies.

Myth Number 2: Guinness is supposed to be warm ... False
Guinness reports its draught is best stored at 42.8 degrees. Your average fridge is between 35 and 38, which is a bit on the chilly side. Unfortunately, most beer coolers in bars are even colder to accommodate our thirst for "ice cold" beer. Regardless, 43 degrees is neither warm nor room temperature. The obvious solution is to order two at a time, so one is always warming up!

Myth Number 3: 'Guinness for strength' ... Undetermined
The famous 'Guinness is good for you' and similar advertisements from the 1930s -- great marketing ploy, but just keep in mind it came about in the 1930s, when you could still claim your product did anything and not get in trouble with the law. We happen to think a pint of Guinness is the most important meal of the day, but we have no scientific evidence to back that up. Your mileage may vary. If Guinness does give you a boost, it's probably more in the "liquid courage" category.

Myth Number 4: The flavor of Guinness stems from nefarious sources ... False
The more outrageous stories about Guinness include the ones about how dead rats were found at the bottom of the vats in the St James's Gate brewery in Ireland, thus explaining the unique taste of stout. Other stories have circulated that Guinness is actually filtered through lamb's blood to get its taste. This one is classic barroom BS at its finest. Guinness has been the victim of more Snopes-worthy urban legends than any other libation, except maybe Corona. The basics of Guinness are barley, hops, yeast and water ... from the Skull and Bones Society. Guinness derives its toasted flavor, which tastes anywhere from coffee to chocolate, and bitter hint from the manner in which its malted barley is roasted and the amount of hops used. The creamy taste of the head is a result of nitrogen bubbles released during the pouring process.

Myth Number 5: The St. James's Gate brewery produces different kinds of Guinness for various markets ... Kinda
Guinness is available in 100 countries and is brewed in nearly 50 of them, using locally sourced ingredients like water. Therefore, one could argue (and we know you will) that any Guinness brewed outside Dublin is materially different. The top five selling markets? (In order) Great Britain, Ireland, Nigeria, the U.S. and Cameroon. We were surprised by those two, too.

Myth Number 6: Water from the River Liffey in Dublin goes into Guinness ... False
While the St. James's Gate brewery sits next to the river, the water used to make Guinness comes from the Wicklow mountains to the south.

Myth Number 7: Guinness in a can is different from draught Guinness ... Confusing
Guinness is available in draught, Extra Stout, and Foreign Extra. Draught comes in cans, bottles and, well, draught. Extra Stout comes only in bottles and Foreign Extra comes in bottles, cans and an Extra Smooth variety. Got all that? Good.

Myth Number 8: Strict vegetarians can't drink Guinness ... True
The production of the stout involves the use of isinglass, a byproduct of the fishing industry derived from dead fish. Isinglass is used as a fining agent for settling out suspended matter in the beer vat, and while it's kept at the bottom of the tank, some isinglass may end up in the final product. So if you're the type who avoids gelatin and whey in your diet, you're out of luck.

Myth Number 9: Guinness is black ... False
Look closer and you'll see that Guinness actually has a ruby red color, due to how the malted barley is roasted. Hint: This one is an easy way to win $5 from your friends.

Myth Number 10: The Guinness in Ireland is much better than the Guinness served in the United States ... Up to you
While we would never judge a fellow tippler for his esteemed critique of the palate (especially after 2-for-1 atomic-wing night), this granddaddy of Guinness myths is usually spouted from the condescending lips of a recently returned study-abroad student, suddenly eminently more cultured than we are for spending three months puking outside the American-themed bar in some foreign city. Whether a pint is better in the Old Sod than it is here really has to do with a lot of factors -- mainly, how many you've had.

Post #73 Procrastin...

2009-03-15T21:28:00.003-04:00

Post #72 "Unemploymentality," the new "Strategery"

2009-03-15T21:24:00.002-04:00

Post #71 Nietzsche Family Circus

2009-03-15T21:07:00.003-04:00

Andrew Sullivan posted a link to this great mash-up of Nietzsche quotes and Family Circus comics. Once you go to the page, hit "Refresh" to see another.

Here is the direct link: Nietzsche Family Circus

Post #70 Stewart destroys Cramer

2009-03-14T11:06:00.002-04:00

This is kind of long, but it is worth it.
There are some who refuse to accept Stewart as a legitimate journalist. However, he is one voice in the cacophony of talking heads. Among the suck ups and talking point vomiters Stewart refuses to play either role. Instead, he holds people accountable, to their mistakes and to their arrogance. If only he had a place in politics.

Post #69 Rob Bell Interviews Shane Hipps

2009-03-11T20:24:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Zach for finding this. It is from the 2009 National Pastors Convention.

Post #68 The 25 Most Epic Opening Tracks...

2009-03-10T20:00:00.003-04:00

Sound Vision Magazine posted a list of 25 of the most epic opening track on a rock album. I agree with many of these. I particularly love seeing Radiohead's "Airbag" and Smashing Pumpkins' "Cherub Rock."

SoundVisionMag

Post #67 Bad Paintings of Obama...

2009-03-10T19:55:00.001-04:00

BadPaintingsOfBarackObama.com is pretty much exactly what it sounds like.

Post #66 Spring Forward...

2009-03-07T22:27:00.003-05:00

Post #65 Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional...

2009-03-07T22:11:00.002-05:00

Post #64 Wisdom of the Simpsons...

2009-03-06T22:10:00.002-05:00

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the Simpsons. Find more here.

Homer: I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman.

Marge: Homer, you don't have to pray outloud.
Homer: But he's way the hell up there!

Homer: I'm not a bad guy! I work hard, and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I'm going to Hell?

Marge: Bart, stop pestering Satan!

Lisa: I'm no theologian. I don't know who or what God is. All I know is he's more powerful than Mom and Dad put together.

Homer: Here's to alcohol, the cause of—and solution to—all life's problems.

Homer: Homer no function beer well without.

Ralph: Me fail English? That's unpossible.

Homer: You don't like your job, you don't strike. You go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way.

Homer: Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?

Homer: Oh sure. Even communism works. In theory.

Post #63 LOST Revelation Thursday...

2009-03-05T16:51:00.000-05:00

Last night's episode: LaFleur
Primary Focus Character: James Ford (aka Sawyer)
Secondary Focus Character: Juliet Burke

As the island group of Sawyer, Juliet, Miles, and Daniel attempt to make their way to the beach, they experience to flashes. The first is a short lived moment during an apparently ancient period on the island. They see a full sized statue of great size along the beach. This could be the whole statue from the previously seen "four-toed" ruin. They did not have time to explore however, as the second flash transported them to another time period.

During this period, they encounter a woman (Amy) being assaulted by two men. A man (Paul) laid on the ground, dead from a gunshot wound. Sawyer, being the roughneck with the heart of gold, sees an opportunity to help and eventually he and Juliet shoot and kill the assailants.

The group ends up in the DHARMA village where Sawyer meets Horace. (If you remember, Horace is the man who helped bring Ben Linus and his father, Roger, to the island). We discover that the current island time is 1974.

Eventually we find out about a truce with the "hostiles". This truce has potentially been broken by the violence and the "hostiles" representative, Richard Alpert pays a visit to DHARMA-ville.

Sawyer decides to explain the situation, as best he could, to Richard who seems to accept it.

The rest of the episode takes place in 1977. The group has remained with DHARMA for three years, taking on jobs as security detail and mechanics.

We see Amy about to deliver a child. (We find out that the father is Horace) Juliet, who is posing as a mechanic, is called on to help deliver the child. Apprehensive from her previous experiences of island childbirth, Juliet is relived when Amy and the child make it through the delivery healthy.

It is also revealed that in the three years with DHARMA, Sawyer (now going by the alias, Jim LaFleur) and Juliet are romantically involved.

In the final scene of the episode, Sawyer receives a call from Jin, telling him that he has found someone in the jungle. Sawyer tells Jin where to meet him and as we assumed, Jin brings Jack, Kate, and Hurley. Glances are exchanged, but there is definitely tension.

For a complete summary, check out Lostpedia's article: LaFleur

Questions
What happened to the statue so that only one foot remains in the future?
What year is the statue in?

What is the nature of the truce between the DHARMA Initiative and the Others?

Was Amy's and Paul's picnic location a violation of the truce?
Why were the Others so brutal and murderous in their treatment of Amy and Paul?

Why were Amy and her son able to survive the delivery?
Why are women unable to carry a child to term later in the Island's history?
Who is the baby boy born to Horace and Amy?

Why wasn't Richard concerned about the Sonic fence? How did he bypass it?
Why do the Others want Paul's corpse?

How did Sawyer get Juliet to stay for more than two weeks?

Are the 815 Survivors still with DHARMA when The Purge occurs?
Where are Rose, Bernard, and the other survivors?
Why did Jack, Kate, and Hurley return to 1977?

Post #62 Who Watches the Watchmen?

2009-03-04T19:12:00.003-05:00

I have been anticipating this movie for quite some time. It is one of the most influential graphic novels ever. If you have not read the book, definitely check it out before going to see the movie.

Post #61 Pagan Christianity, Part 3

2009-03-04T11:31:00.002-05:00

Preface: I recently received a “Friend Request” on Facebook from Frank Viola, one of the authors of this book. I suppose I should step up my game now.

Chapter 2: The Church Building: Inheriting the Edifice Complex

Barna and Viola warned us. In the previous chapter, they provided us with a backdoor. This would get hard. This would not be easy to hear. But no…we wouldn’t leave. We just turned the page and continued on. So when it does hurt, we will remember: we did this to ourselves.

In this chapter, the authors critically examine Western Christianity’s obsession with the church building and the creation of other sacred things (also called sacraments). Not only has the institution of “church” corrupted our identity as believers (for we, the body of Christ, not the building, are actually the church), but our theology has been co-opted by consumerism in order to attain material goals. No longer is “the love of money a root of all kinds of evil”, now the love of money is justified by building bigger buildings, parking lots, and stage shows.

The writers point out the New Testament understanding of “church,”

Nowhere in the New Testament do we find the terms church (ekklesia), temple, or house of God used to refer to a building. To the ears of a first-century Christian, calling an ekklesia (church) a building would have been like calling your wife a condominium or your mother a skyscraper! – page 11

They continue,

Throughout the New Testament, ekklesia always refers to an assembly of people, not a place. Ekklesia, in every one of its 114 appearances in the New Testament, refers to an assembly of people. – page 12

Interestingly, the “house church movement” is not a modern (or postmodern) concept. As Barna and Viola point out, Clement of Alexandria (150-215) referred to “going to church.” However,

Clement’s reference to “going to church”…refers to a private home that the second-century Christians used for the meetings. Christians did not erect special buildings for worship until the Constantinian era in the fourth century. – page 12

They continue this train of thought,

Neither did they have a special priestly caste that was set apart to serve God. Instead, every believer recognized that he or she was a priest unto God. The early Christians also did away with sacrifices. For they understood that the true and final sacrifice (Christ) had come….
When Roman Catholicism evolved in the fourth to the sixth centuries, it absorbed many of the religious practices of both paganism and Judaism. It set up a professional priesthood. It erected sacred buildings. And it turned the Lord’s Supper into a mysterious sacrifice….
Following the path of the pagans, early Catholicism adopted the practice of burning incense and having vestal (sacred) virgins. Pages 12-13
sidenote: In the foot note to the comment on sacred virgins, the authors point out that “there are more than 1.6 million adults vowed to virginity. They are called nuns and priests.”

I will continue commenting on this chapter, but there is much to cover. So for now, I will end here. It should be noted, that I do not believe that it is neither Barna’s nor Viola’s intent to condemn or demean Catholicism, however, considering that the majority of Christianity (whether Catholic or Protestant) has its roots in that heritage it is important to understand where such practices and traditions began. Subsequently, my focus is merely to comment on their thoughts.

Post #60 Pagan Christianity, Part 2

2009-03-03T09:45:00.002-05:00

Chapter 1: Have We Really Been Doing It By The Book?

Barna and Viola prime the pump in the Introduction, but in the first full chapter, they set the gears in motion. Here the reader is asked to consider that not all of our traditions and rituals are rooted in biblical foundations.

You may be surprised to discover that a great deal of what we Christians do for Sunday morning church did not come from Jesus Christ, the apostles, or the Scriptures. Nor did it come from Judaism. After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, Judaic Christianity waned in numbers and power. Gentile Christianity dominated, and the new faith began to absorb Greco-Roman philosophy and ritual. – page 6

It is important for us to not just know what we are told to know, but to understand our historical heritage: to connect with the lineage of our faith. Our beliefs did not just fall out of the sky, they developed over time, cultures, and languages. To understand why we believe is as important, if not moreso than what we believe.

The authors continue,

By the year 100, Christianity is mainly a Gentile religious movement…living together in a common Gentile social environment….Strikingly, much of what we do for “church” was lifted directly out of pagan culture in the postapostolic period. – page 6

Finishing this thought, the authors write,

While today we often use the word pagan to describe those who claim no religion whatsoever, to the early Christians, pagans were those polytheists who followed the gods of the Roman Empire. Paganism dominated the Roman Empire until the fourth century, and many of its elements were absorbed by Christians in the first half of the millennium, particularly during Constantinian and early post-Constantinian eras (324-600). – pages 6-7

Finally, Barna and Viola conclude their chapter with this warning:

If you are unwilling to have your Christianity seriously examined, do not read beyond this page. Give this book to Goodwill immediately! Spare yourself the trouble of having your Christian life turned upside down. – page 7

There is much to be said about where, when, and why our traditions and rituals came into being. Examining such aspects of faith has the potential to be destructive if one’s faith is contingent on these man-made constructs. But, however, if one’s faith is rooted in the biblical account of Jesus’ life and the examples of his earliest followers, then this close examination should do nothing but encourage us to be more biblically sound.

Post #59 A Pain in the...

2009-03-01T19:57:00.003-05:00

As I took our dogs out this morning, I turned my head and got a really awful kink in my neck. It has not loosened up. All through church and lunch it was killing me. I took a nap, hoping that it would be better when I woke up. No dice. Now it is making the rest of my back hurt, probably from overcompensation. No matter what I do, it isn't getting better. What a freaking pain in the neck.

Post #58 The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing...

2009-02-28T18:07:00.002-05:00

by Mark McHugh,
courtesy of Andrew Sullivan

Post #57 Pagan Christianity?

2009-02-27T11:37:00.002-05:00

I am reading a book that has been on my shelf for quite some time. It is written by trend tacker, George Barna and house church pioneer, Frank Viola. The focus is on the ancient roots of Christianity--the roots that actually have no biblical basis--the roots that take foot in the ground of the other faiths and religions that have been assimilated by Christianity over the past 2000 years.

The introductory chapter starts with the following quote:

There is perhaps nothing worse than reaching the top of the ladder and discovering that you're on the wrong wall.
-Joseph Campbell, Twentieth-Century American Writer

This is an appropriate place to start this book. The assumption is not that Christianity in message is the wrong wall, but perhaps Christianity in method might be. The way we have been living out the lessons and examples of Jesus may be counterproductive to what He intended with those lessons and examples. It is not that Christianity is in question, it is the possible misrepresentation of Christ that is.

The writers describe a silent revolution in which devotees are leaving old, accepted ways of "doing church" for even older approaches. They explain,

The heart of the Revolutionaries is not in question. There is ample research to show that they are seeking more of God. They have a passion to be faithful to His Word and to be more in tune with His leading. They ardently want their relationship with the Lord to be their top priority in life. They are tired of the institutions, denominations, and routines getting in the way of a resonant connection with Him. They are worn out on the endless programs that fail to facilitate transformation. They are weary of being sent off to complete assignments, memorize facts and passages, and engage in simplistic practices that do not draw them into God's presence.

The writers then tell us what this book is really all about:

This book will challenge you to consider making more significant changes in they way you practice your faith. Altering the ways in which we worship is no simple task. When people suggest significant changes in some of the hallowed practices, cries of "heretic" can be heard coming from all directions. Such protest is common largely because people have little knowledge of the true foundations of their faith.

And finally, Barna and Viola conclude,

That's where this book comes in. Rather than foster continued resistance to methodological innovations, it's time that the body of Christ get in touch with both the Word of God and the history of the church to arrive at a better understanding of what we can and should do--as well as what we cannot and should not do.

The writers follow this introduction by examining several aspects of "church", deeply analyzing the origins and primary practices that birthed the traditions and sacred cows of today.

The following list highlights the proceeding chapters:
-Have we really been doing it by the book?
-The church building
-The order of worship
-The sermon
-The pastor
-Sunday morning costumes
-Ministers of music
-Tithing and clergy salaries
-Baptism and the Lord's Supper
-Christian education
-Re-approaching the New Testament
and finally,
-A second glance at the Savior

It is important to note, that although I might disagree with some of the things the writers have to say, I do believe it is important for leaders in the church and followers of the faith to understand where our traditions come from and why they became traditions. It is healthy to examine our lives.

As I finish each chapter, I will post some thoughts. Constructive comments are welcomed.

Post #56 LOST Revelation Thursday...

2009-02-26T17:59:00.003-05:00

Lostpedia link for this episode.

Last night's episode: The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham
Primary Focus Character: John Locke (aka Jeremy Bentham)
Secondary Focus Character: Benjamin Linus

We find out that the Ajira flight 316 did crash land on the island. Several people congregate on the beach as Caesar, one of the only passenger from the flight seated with our LOSTies, is rooting through an office in the Hydra DHARMA station.
He appears to know what he is looking for.

The woman who had Sayid in custody, Ilana, tells Ceasar that someone is on the beach who was not on the plane. In a scene reminiscent of Luke in Jabba's chamber, we see a cloaked Locke reveal himself. We see two canoes and Ilana explains that the pilot and a woman took a third canoe and left without saying anything to anyone.

Off the island, Locke finds himself in Tunisia after turning the "frozen donkey wheel." A group of men picks him up and takes him to a makeshift hospital to treat his broken leg. Here we see Matthew Abaddon and Charles Widmore.

Widmore sets Locke up with a fake passport and provides Abaddon as a driver. He send Locke on his way to persuade the O6 to come back to the island with him.

Locke visits all of the O6 with no luck. He visits a much older Walt who tells Locke that he has been having dreams about him. Locke also visits the grave of his dear Helen. This is where Abaddon is gunned down and Locke, in a rush to flee is in an accident.

After leaving the hospital, Locke feels like a failure: alone and worthless. He writes Jack a note and proceeds to hang himself. But, as he is about to step off the table, Locke is interrupted by Ben, who has tracked him down. Ben talks Locke down from the table, but when Locke explains that they should find the woman, Eloise Hawking, Ben appears visible stunned. He grabs the cord and chocks Locke to death. He then stages the scene as if it was a suicide and takes Jin's wedding ring.

Back on the island, Locke finds Caesar, who shows him several of the people who had been hurt in the crash. They stop at one bed where Caesar asks if Locke knows the man in the bed. Locke answers that he was "the man who killed me." The man is Ben Linus.

Questions:
* How many survived the crash of Flight 316?
* How and why did John Locke return to life?
* What was Caesar looking for in the Hydra office?
* How did Danielle's map of the Island end up at the Hydra station?
* How did Daniel's map to the Tempest end up in the Hydra station?
* Where did Lapidus and the woman go on the boat?
o Who was this woman?
* Why was the surveillance camera at the "exit" not present in 2005 when Ben left the Island?
* Was Charles Widmore telling the truth about his past leadership of The Others?
o If so, how did Ben force him off the Island?
* Why was Walt having dreams about John's future?
* Why did Ben kill Locke?
* Why did Locke seemingly trust Ben again after the warning from Christian/Jacob?

Crazy Theory:
I believe that the original LOSTies somehow "flashed" out of the plane and entered the island circa 1960, while the other passengers of Ajira 316 crashed on the island circa 2008-9.

Post #55 The importance of 316...

2009-02-25T08:02:00.004-05:00

Another LOST post...

I think the title of the episode is important not just to the Ajira flight, and not just because the episode aired on the day when only 316 days were left in our year. The importance of the title is specific to the "suicide note."

When considering that John is presumed to have written the note, we must also consider the Biblical reference: John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
The importance is John's note simply saying "I wish you had believed me."

There is significant allusion to salvation and redemption being attainable IF they had only believed John from the beginning.

I think all of this falls into a previous post I made regarding John's role as "Christ-figure". When his body is "resurrected" on the island, and he brings peace to that place, we will see his ministry come full circle.

Post #54 Great Opening Title Sequences...

2009-02-23T18:39:00.002-05:00

Some tv shows have great opening title sequences. I found a link to some of the best out there. They left a few of my favorites off, but the list definitely has some great ones: Dexter, Mad Men, and True Blood.

Check it out here

Post #53 And the winner is...

2009-02-22T23:09:00.000-05:00

Post #52 On the tube...

2009-02-22T23:05:00.001-05:00

Anyone who has been reading my postings lately knows that I am a huge fan of the show LOST. However, there are some other shows that have occupied my time. I finished "The Wire" about a month ago. It is unfortunate that I only learned about this show after it had finished its final season.

Such is the case for "The Shield." I am about to start the sixth season. I love stories about police officers who have become jaded and corrupt. This goes back to a previous post about why I love the Jack Bauer character from "24." Another show that I look forward to watching when it returns in March is "Rescue Me."

My father was a fire fighter. So the story of "Rescue Me" is one I understand: the hero at work who cannot save his family. Not that my dad was all that bad, but I saw it in other fire fighters. I also saw the dedication to the job that my dad had. IT is interesting to see it on a tv show.

Post #51 Lost Revelation Thursday...

2009-02-19T21:33:00.000-05:00

Here is the link to the Lostpedia article for last night's episode: 316

Although this was a good episode, it was most likely a "filler" episode that is necessary in order to set up a much larger part of the story. However, there are a few questions that come to mind and maybe even a theory.

- Who built The Lamppost?
Who was the group originally interested in the Island?Who did the equations?
- What is Desmond's remaining purpose with the Island?
- Why does Locke need to serve as a proxy for Christian?
- What was Ben's loose end? What happened to make him bloody and beaten?
- What happened to Aaron? Why doesn't Kate want Jack to know?
- Why doesn't Aaron have to return to the Island as well?
- What was Sayid arrested for? Why go to Guam?
- How did Hurley hear about the flight? Why did he bring a guitar case?
- Did Ben and Frank go back to the Island as well?
- What happened to the other passengers on the plane?

Big Reveal: Jin in a DHARMA jumpsuit.

Theories:
- Charlotte learns Korean as child from Jin. Then she needs it in order to speak to Jin 20-something years later.

- Ben's loose end was going after Penny. He told Charles that he would kill her for the death of Alex.

- Hurley was "told" to get on that plane by Charlie.

Post #50 A quote...

2009-02-19T21:31:00.001-05:00

The test is not whether someone loves you because of who you are, rather if they love you in spite of who you are.

Post #49 Demotivators, part 3

2009-02-17T23:46:00.003-05:00

Post #48 Demotivators, part 2

2009-02-17T23:43:00.004-05:00

Post #47 Demotivators, part 1

2009-02-17T23:36:00.004-05:00

Post #46 Early Works

2009-02-17T11:05:00.001-05:00

I am a huge movie geek. I love crime dramas and sci-fi the best, but I can go for an action flick or even a decent comedy every once in a while. I found a site that has the works of several influential film-makers before they made it big. Scorsese, Kubrick, Lynch, P.T. Anderson, and Lucas to name a few. You can watch several of them in their entirety. If you are a movie geek, check it out.

The Hollywood Saloon

Post #45 Again with the Political Humor...

2009-02-15T20:42:00.001-05:00

Post #44 More on My iPod...

2009-02-15T20:27:00.001-05:00

I wanted to come back to my posting about the music on my iPod. So, let me introduce you to some of the artists that have been playing when I am not busy listening to podcasts.

Ray Lamontagne - Gossip in the Grain.
I have been a fan of Lamontagne for some time. His first couple of albums, "Trouble" and "Till the Sun Turns Black" truly display some great songwriting. This new album explores some new artistic areas for Lamontage. Give this one a listen.

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You.
Allen returns to her trademark: catchy tunes, kitschy lyrics, and and vulgar displays of profanity. All of that aside, I have a slight crush on this Brit. If you want a distraction from radio, check out Lily Allen.

Bitter:Sweet - Drama.
I have been a fan of "trip-hop" for many years. The coma-inducing grooves and multi-layered musical experience is sure to help you forget the money you lost in the market or the increasing size of your credit card debt.

New music; check them out.

Post #43 Lost Revelation Thursdays...

2009-02-12T21:46:00.001-05:00

Instead of doing a synopsis of the episode, I will just point to my primary resource on all things LOST: Lostpedia.com. Specifically, I will point to the page for this episode: This Place is Death.

Instead of a synopsis, I want to discuss a couple of theories and pose a few questions.

Most epic stories have a character that is referred to as the "Christ-figure." The "Christ Figure is a spiritual or prophetic character who parallels Jesus, or other spiritual or prophetic figures...Christ figures are often martyrs, sacrificing themselves for causes larger than themselves. Wikipedia article.

I believe that this week's episode is the true beginning of John Locke's role as Christ-figure. Here are my thoughts:

- Jesus ministers to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well. This is an example of his ministry reaching out of his primary area of Jerusalem.
- John begins his journey to save the island and takes his "ministry" out of his primary area, by entering a well...Jacob's Well.

-The story of Jesus at Jacob's Well is recorded in the book of John.
-Do I really need to make this connection?

-Jesus' ministry requires him to sacrifice himself for the salvation of others.
-John's "ministry" requires him to sacrifice himself for the salvation of others, as told to him by Christian Shepherd.

This being said, LOST has led me to consider several crackpot theories in the past.

That leads me to my Crackpot theory of the week:

Daniel is Charlotte's father. She tells him that she has not seen her father since she left the island as a child. Previously, Daniel had expressed that he loved Charlotte. Many viewers believed that Daniel meant this on a romantic level. However, he never implies this and tenderly, compassionately cares for Charlotte, as a father would.

This is probably in left field but I will stick to it until it is proven wrong.

Big Questions:
- What happened to the French men inside the Temple?
- What were the markings on the Temple? What purpose does it serve?
- How did Charlotte know about the well?
- Who are Charlotte's parents?
- When did Daniel see Charlotte as a young girl?
- Is Christian really Jacob, or is Jacob assuming the form of Christian?

Post #42 Earth 911...

2009-02-12T19:57:00.001-05:00

I found a site called Earth911. It has several resources for how to be more environmentally aware. There is information about recycling, energy conservation, water usage, fuel efficiency, gardening, and construction. There is also info about government programs and legislative bills so we know what our elected officials are trying to accomplish.

Check out the site:
Earth 911

Post #41 More Political Humor...

2009-02-11T18:47:00.002-05:00

Post #40 Workin' it...

2009-02-09T20:44:00.001-05:00

We have been doing well with the workouts this week. The past two days we have worked out with the cross trainer and done weight training. Today, because it was 60 degrees out, we decided to go for a run.

Although I am not in my best shape, I feel pretty good. Running is a love-hate relationship for me. I don't want to do it, but once I do, I feel pretty good. To be honest, I hate working out at all. I would be happy to sit on my ever expanding rear end and watch tv all night. But Michelle pushes me to get healthy. Without her, I would be a serious candidate to be a Biggest Loser contestant.

We got a weight bench a week ago. IT was a seriously good deal, retailing for over $100, but on clearance for $29. So this weekend we ordered a bar and weight set. It will be here in a couple weeks. I guess dumbbells will work for now.

Anyway, if we stay on our meal plan and continue to work out well, we should be in decent shape for our trip to Arizona/California in May.

Post #39 Political Humor...

2009-02-08T21:15:00.002-05:00

Post #38 A Good Week...

2009-02-07T22:35:00.001-05:00

I hate to brag, but man I had a good week. Funny thing is, I have felt like grabage most of the week. I had headaches, toothaches, and earaches Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I think I need to see my dentist soon. But that is definitely for a different post.

So how did we have a good week this week? First, Michelle passed her LISW exam. For those who don't know. That is a test so she can become a Licensed Independent Social Worker. She still needs to get supervision hours completed. But this is a pretty huge milestone for her career.

Then, last yesterday, I was blessed to spend several hours with a couple of my good friends. We met for coffee, then after that ran into lunch, we went to a deli for some grub. It is always refreshing for me to spend time with those guys.

Later that evening, Michelle and I got to spend time with Erica and David. These two are great and we love spending time with them. In fact, we went to Vegas with them back in December. Anyway, last night, we went to P.F. Chang's in West Chester. Now, I am no fan of Chinese food. But I have to admit, I had a great time and my dinner was excellent. Nothing like good food and great friends.

Finally, today, we had an appointment to get our tax work done. Our consultant is a great help when it comes to the tax laws, deductions, and legal stuff. Since we were first time home buyers this past year, we are going to get a good chuck of change back as a return. That money will help pay off one of our cars, which will really help when our student loans are due soon.

Post #37 Washington Wept...

2009-02-06T22:24:00.003-05:00

Not much for today. I just wanted to post a pic that I think appropriately sums up our current national situation:

Post #36 LOST Revelation Thursday...

2009-02-05T20:11:00.002-05:00

This is a pretty lengthy post, my apologies.

Last night’s episode: “The Little Prince”
Primary Focus Character: Kate/Aaron
Secondary Focus Character: Jack/Sawyer

On Island:
Sawyer, Locke, Juliet, Miles, Charlotte, and Daniel are in the field where the "Others" 1954 camp was before the most recent flash. Charlotte is revived and Locke suggests that the group head to the Orchid station. In order to save time he suggests heading to the beach camp and using the zodiac. After dark, while traveling through the jungle, they see a beam of light emanating from the ground. Recognizing it as the light he saw the night Boone died, coming from the Hatch, Locke takes them in a different direction. Miles notices that he has started having a nose bleed. Sawyer hears screaming and finds Kate assisting Claire as she gave birth to Aaron. The events surrounding the LOSTies originally occurred on November 1, 2004. Sawyer is obviously overwhelmed; the scene ends with another time flash.

After the flash the group makes its way to the beach. It has been ransacked None of the remaining survivors are in the camp and the zodiac is gone. There are a pair of canoes, one containing a water bottle with an Ajira Airways label. The group takes a canoe and makes their way toward the Orchid. The soon realize their are being pursued. As the other boat closes in, and shots are being fired at the LOSTies, another time flash occurs. Because the beach camp had been built, the time of this flash is post-Oceanic crash. However, the time is not easily identified.

The group finds itself in the middle of a storm and makes their way to shore. There they find debris from a recent shipwreck. Juliet realizes that she is now experiencing a nose bleed. Meanwhile, a French-speaking group is seen in an emergency raft fighting the storm. They see someone floating in the water and rescue....dum, dum, dum...Jin. They finally reach the beach and a woman in the group identifies herself as...dum...dum...dum...Danielle Rousseu.

Off Island:
Kate leaves Aaron with Sun at the hotel. Sun receives a package from an unknown source. The package consists of a surveillance report, a box of chocolates with a hidden gun inside, and photos of Jack and Ben in front of the Hoffs-Drawlar funeral home.

Kate meets with the lawyer who came to her house, volunteering she will provide her blood and Aaron's if he will tell her who his client is. He says that she is in no position to bargain and that she will lose custody.

Meanwhile, Jack and Sayid are in the hospital waiting for Sayid to regain his strength. Jack leaves the room to be chewed out for being irrespondible. A nurse comes to give Sayid medication, but Sayid recognizes this as an ambush and moves from the hospital bed just as the nurse attempts to shoot him with a dart gun. After disabling the gunman and choking him, he demands to know who sent him. The man tells him there is an address in his pocket. Sayid then shoots him twice with the dart gun.

Jack's phone rings - Hurley, who is at the county jail in an orange jumpsuit, is very happy. Jack assures him that Sayid is okay. Hurley says to tell Sayid he followed his advice (In "Because You Left", Sayid cautioned Hurley to do the exact opposite of whatever Linus requested of him.). Ben arrives. They get the piece of paper from the attacker's pocket. It has Kate's address. Jack calls Kate and persuades her to tell him where she is. He goes to meet her.

Kate and Jack follow the lawyer from his offices to a motel near LAX. Concluding that his mysterious client must be there, they watch as he goes to a room. When the door opens they see Carol Littleton inside. Concluding that she intends to gain custody of Aaron, Kate attempts to flee, but Jack convinces her to allow him to talk to Ms Littleton. When he does so he discovers that Littleton has no knowledge of Aaron's existence and was in town to settle a lawsuit against Oceanic Airlines. Upon learning this, Jack and Kate go to rendezvous with Ben, unbeknownst to Kate that the lawyer is actually Ben's lawyer as well.

Ben and Sayid meet the lawyer in the police garage where he informs Ben that the charges will be dropped against Hurley and that he should be out by the next morning. When Sayid asks who the man is, Ben says he is his lawyer.

Jack, Kate, Ben and Sayid meet up, but when Kate sees Ben she looks very disturbed. Jack then tells her that Ben is with him and that Ben is there to help them and everyone they left behind. Kate then accuses Ben of trying to take Aaron, Jack dismisses it, but Ben quickly says that Kate is right and apologizes to Jack. Kate then asks Ben why he doesn't just leave her and her son alone, Ben responds to that with 'Because he's not your son, Kate'. It is then revealed that Sun is observing them from a car with Aaron sleeping in the back and her surveillance photos in the passenger seat. She then gets her gun and steps out.

Big Reveals:
Jin is alive.
We see a young Danielle Rousseu and her team.
The name on the side of Ben's van, "Canton Rainier" is an anagram of "reincarnation."

Big Questions:
* What is the nature of the "time sickness"?
* If the "sickness" first strikes individuals who have spent more time on the Island, why are Charlotte and Miles affected?
* What is Ben's motive for separating Aaron from Kate?
* Who were the pursuers in the other boat?
o Were they responsible for ransacking the beach camp?
o What happened to the rest of the survivors?
o When did these events take place?
* Who sent the package to Sun?
* Who was Sayid's assailant at the hospital and why did he have Kate's address?

Thanks to Lostpedia.com

Post #35 On my iPod

2009-02-04T13:30:00.006-05:00

I can't go anywhere without my iPod. I listen to it every day on my way to work and on my way home. I rarely listen to "regular radio" anymore. I thought I would share a little of what I am listening to.

First, I subscribe to a lot of podcasts. So, here's what I am listening to:

Mars Hill Bible Church - Rob Bell is the teaching pastor at MHBC. I love his style and he often speaks to my heart.

LOSTcasts - Ran by a team of fans from Austin, Texas, this podcast reviews each episode of LOST. They also provide theories and discuss connections between characters. One of the best parts is the comment section on their website where fans can join in the conversation.

The Official LOST Podcast - Hosted by ABC, the OLP features the creative force behind the show: Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. They answer fan questions and occasionally provide some spoiler info.

Countdown with Keith Olbermann - You either love him or hate him, but KO is my man for political commentary.

SModcast- Presented by filmmaker, Kevin Smith and producer, Scott Mosier. THis one is vulgar, but it is my guilty pleasure. They basically record themselves having a conversation and then put it on the web. It is sometimes incredibly juvenile. Other times, it is somewhat enlightening.

So there we have it. My current list of podcasts. Tomorrow, I will post some of the music I am listening to.

Post #34 100 things about me...

2009-02-03T10:47:00.001-05:00

I normally don't do these things, but Michelle sent it to me, and I thought it would make for a good daily post.

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
I have a scar on my left eyebrow from a pickup basketball game. I got undercut and ended up with 8 stitches. It coincidentally happened on the day my mother passed away. So I have a daily reminder of my mother.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Nothing. Our house is a cape cod, with sloped upstairs ceiling. Haven't quite figured out what to do with that.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
I do all three. I usually snore if really tired or sick.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
I listen to a lot of different types of music, but I loathe country.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
4:30pm I think. My dad would know.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
I just want to be a good person and to make my wife as happy as she can be.

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
Late night talks over hot chocolate with my mom.

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
I am pretty possessive of my guitars. But I would say my prized possession is my degree; it not only cost me a ton of money, but also 13 years.

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
I am just barely 6' tall.

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Not often. We used to go caving in Kentucky. There was one cave that was about a quarter mile long. You had to go through it on your belly and at one point, the ceiling was against your back. It was maybe 2 feet tall for a long portion.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Sometimes

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
I cry every time I watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
Getting old

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Mid-length light brown hair with highlights and green eyes. (that's what my wife has right?)

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
I did the proposing; next to a lake, at night.

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Coffee!

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
I'm not picky. Just no mushrooms.

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A Texas Roadhouse Filet, medium rare.

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
I am a big fan of black.

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
I know that I have, but can't remember when. I think I might have been in jr. high.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
Anything from my grandmother.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Besides my wife? None that I no of. I am sure my wife can think of a few.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
Nope. I did dislocate my thumb while skiing a few years ago and it pops out of place occasionally.

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
Not really a brand kind of guy. I like anything made in Europe. My Irish souvenirs are great.

25. WHO IS YOUR FAV FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Female: It is difficult to pick one.
Male: I am typically a fan of anything Ed Norton does.

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
Yep

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
2 dogs: Barkley and Dexter, one satanic cat: Max

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Maybe

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED.
23

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
Typically, brunettes, but whatever color my wife's hair is.

32. FAVORITE QUOTE?
"We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of the dreams." - Willie Wonka (the original)

33. FAVORITE PLACE?
Dublin, in any pub, with a pint of Guinness.

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
Yes.

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Insecurity disguised as arrogance.

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Yeah. A couple of writers and some musicians.

37. FIRST JOB?
My first real job was at a Rax restaurant.

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
Yeah. I remember making a few.

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?
Soulmates seems a little too much like a jr. high girl's dream. I think it is too "destiny" oriented. I think we have several people who we are compatible with.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
I was sleeping, but Michelle asked me to take Dexter out. So now I am doing my daily post.

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
No. I have had a few procedures that required me to be under, but I have never been cut with a scalpel.

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My glasses get a lot of compliments.

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
Nope, but I probably should have.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I would love it if Michelle got pregnant. Other than that, I would love home brewery and a drum set.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
2. Names are up for debate.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Not really.

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Arrogance, I like confidence, but when it comes off as just arrogant, I get turned off.

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKED ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
I loved my senior year. Working with so many people on the yearbook and newspaper was great.

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Never a name brand. I always get a store brand. Right now it is from Target.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Not really.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Maple glazed ham.

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
I procrastinate a lot.

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
Not usually.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Maybe, but I would think that I was not very approachable, so maybe not.

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
I used to. I am too old for that now.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Sure they matter. You don't want to be with someone you are physically repulsed by. But there are other very attractive qualities. I have met some very physically attractive people who are really ugly inside.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
I just hold it in.

59. WHAT'S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
To leave a positive influence on as many people as I can.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Action figures and my basketball.

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
Not many. Maybe 25-30.

62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
I am too old for Barney. I was definitely a Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers kid.

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Nope, I never use sarcasm. It uses me.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Tough choice. I don't eat mashed potatoes often. I do like some mac n' cheese, especially if Ron and Aisa made it.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
I really just need someone who can tolerate me. It helps if they are kind-hearted.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
I never really had a nickname. Everyone always just called me "Box."

67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER
I would love flying. But if I could go into the future and find out sports scores, then come back and bet on them: that would be freaking awesome!

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
LOST!

69.WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
Kill them with kindness. If that doesn't work, just kill them. haha.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Plain ole' vanilla.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
yes.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
Yes, several

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
Work out, watch Biggest Loser.

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
East or West Coast of US, or anywhere in Ireland.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
If they want to, that would be cool.

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
News. I am a news junkie.

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
Orange Juice

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO THE PHONE?
Michelle.

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I want to say eyes, but it is probably a little south of there.

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Read, play guitar, write, travel, work on project around the house.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
I have a big problem with ignorance and intolerance. I sometimes see them in myself. That hurts.

82. FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
Candy bar: Kit Kat

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
Yeah, my wife. Seriously.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Brown, but I think I see some gray.

86. EYE COLOR?
Hazel

87. SHOE SIZE?
12

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
Not really into fast food. I do like Fazoli's a lot.

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Rusty bucket.

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
I want to say no, but I haven't really given it a chance.

91. WATCH TV TODAY?
I am right now.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
I don't really have one.

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
I play guitar and bass. I want to learn drums and piano too.

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
I would like to say that I am an Independent, but I have never voted for a Republican.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Both

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
Relationships. Although...never mind.

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
Groceries on Friday. I don't usually but much outside of that.

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
Not really, I would however, be down with being a house-husband.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile.

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:
Always falling more in love.

Post #33 Down Under...

2009-02-02T21:21:00.001-05:00

We bought our house a little less than a year ago. I quickly became a handyman, building a 270 square foot deck and changing lighting fixtures in the house. Recently, we have talked about finishing our basement.

It won't be easy. I am sure we will have to do a little bit at a time. One of the obstacles is the ceiling in the basement. It is 8 inches of reinforced concrete, essentially creating a bomb shelter. Securing headers and footers for walls will be an experience. Wiring electrical boxes will be interesting as well.

I am looking forward to it. It will be an interesting project.

Does anyone have any hints, tips, or trade secrets to share?

Post #32 New Cult Fashion

2009-02-02T21:04:00.006-05:00

It's not just the fact that they are basically just backwards bathrobes. It's not the fact that everyone in the commercial seems incredibly happy to wear one. The reason the Snuggie looks like the uniform of a cult has to do with two specific scenes from the commercial:

The Campfire

For some reason, creepy robe plus fire just screams, "Cult Members Welcome!"

The Game

When everyone around them is able to wear reasonable seasonal clothing and appear comfortable while the creepy family wears their matching bathrobes, there is an unsettled sense of strangeness.

Tell me that those people don't worship a comet, live in a commune, and drink poisoned FlaVor-Aid.