Question

and

If Metropolis is to Manhattan what is Gotham City?
I assume some people will say Chicago but I disagree.
And I base this thought solely on the idea that as often as Batman and Superman interact, specifically within the Justice League Organization that they cannot live to far from one another.
Now the argument can be made that at Superman's speed distance doesn't play into the equation. Maybe...but distance would get in the way with the amount of time they are able to interact.
Therefore based on the size of the city depicted in the comics and movies I would suggest that Gotham City is an east coast city, and more specifically some New England city.
I have two guesses:
(#1) Boston - Bruce Wayne's wealth would fit this city that everyone outside of hates.
(#2) Newark - Everyone knows that New Jersey is a haven for the low lifes found in abundance in Batman's everyday.


Those are my suggestions...how about you?
If Metropolis is to Manhattan... then Gotham City is to _____________

Uno

Check this out!












I'm sure this will cause a few hundred more deaths per week, but sweet Lord...I want one!!
I have no clue how fast it goes, but is does have two wheels for some stability.
Also it runs on electricity...so I assume I'll be pulling mine up Leo and Tobey at the stop light.

Gift Ideas

As the big 3-0 anniversary of my life approaches (only 4 months to go) I thought I should offer up gift ideas, because I know you'll are planning on big purchases.


















bedfan only $79.99














wall desk only $655.00











folding bike only $164














bottle cap tripod only $10.99



















aquatic climbing wall only $7999.95 (I'll also need a pool with this)

Thanks! I promise to share.
-t-

Scariest...

...Commercial Ever!!!!

New Poster

"she's just being Miley"

A little over a week ago I was on one of my trips to or from work (can't remember which) and a song came over radio. It was a typical pop song that music elitist will instantly and snobbishly reject and criticize, before tossing out band names and artist that they know to be musically superior and untarnished by the trappings of commercialism. [These are also the people who proudly tout their hybrid vehicles or their outstanding gas mileage - proud of their green lifestyles – but never recycle...irrelevant and disingenuous...just joking...sorta]. The vocals surging through my speakers were raspy – or were they husky? – and with a slight hint of southern twanginess. And I have to confess I actually enjoyed the song and so I turned up the volume and gave the song a little more attention. Who was singing?...Miley Cyrus.

I was surprised too.

I can’t say I’ve never seen her show, because before my sisters were college bound they often left the family TV turned to the Disney channel. So I’ve seen parts of her show and of course I’m not ignorant so I’ve heard of her, but I couldn't’t really tell you anything. And despite my assumptions I was actually impressed.

From that point I’ve paid attention a little more, especially when I hear that she’s dedicating her youtube clips to Jesus and making other bold open confessions of faith (more than I can say for any previous pop princess…Jessica Simpson having a former Baptist youth pastor for a dad doesn’t really say anything in and of itself…)

I know my niece Halie loves her and I’ve perused the young girls clothing sections in search of Hannah Montana gear (not something I plan on doing again without a female buffer…you get strange looks from shopping mommas).

And because she’s been known for her strong role model status in a current culture dying of role model dehydration I’ve even prayed for her and her family, knowing that our media has a way of chewing up and spitting out individuals in pursuit of the all important American dollar.

So I find it disheartening today to find her having to apologize for indiscreet photos taken. I don’t make it a practice to post photos of topless 15-year-olds on this blog, but after some deliberation I assumed everyone who reads this probably has already seen it or would find it easily.

And I don't know who it is that I'm upset with. Miley for the poor choice. Her parents who were at the shoot and allowed the photo. Vanity Fair for printing/posting it. Or Annie Leibovitz for talking/coercing Miley into and taking the photo.

Now certainly these don't excuse her other mishaps on her myspace, but I don't seem to really blame her for having the naivety of a 15-year-old. She's making poor adolescent decisions much like every adolescent I know, her's are just made on a national stage.

I met another 15-year-old this week who told me that she was just coming back to church and that she had recently gotten herself into trouble. Later I found out that as her parents were going through a separation they found out that she was trying certain drugs and sexually active. So I'm not quite worried about Miley yet.

Personally I think the above photo isn't very attractive. To me the photo portrays Miley as one of Heath Ledger's Joker cronies from the new movie (the red lipstick I think). But I'm not stupid enough to believe that Annie Leibovitz, Vanity Fair and whoever else involved with the photo wasn't trying to sex up the Miley image no matter how many times they try to say it was an artistic attempt.

And this "artsy" attempt, at least to me and even in light of Annie Leibovitz's distinguished career, feels to be just as much exploitation as what the we have seen from a west Texas compound.

I feel like I'm rambling. I suppose what's tumbling and turning in my head tonight is that this young lady has some serious pressures in her life. And the students I interact with on a weekly basis are under the all kinds of pressures and expectations as well...

...and my only answer is to pray.

I'm not really sure what to pray for, but I'll keep on.

Hilarious

This really made me laugh. Even more than the actual 911 call, the off screen reporter who is cracking up to the chagrin of the lead anchor.

Quote

I quote this all the time and people star at me blankly...well let me rephrase that...while people star at me blankly I often quote from this clip.
I just repeat over and over...
Maybe by posting it'll get stuck in some others heads too.

Coming Soon

I am really looking forward to this May. Two reason on my calender jump out immediately.
1) May 22, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull. I've already taken off from work.
and
2) Ill be able to wear this...This is my pass for May 7th's annual Food Show. Numerous food distributors will set up booths with the intention of selling their products to food vendors (restaurants, schools, etc) buy having chefs prepare samples of the food.
It's hard to imagine so I'll be taking pictures for you. I like to loiter around the seafood booths and enjoy the piles of shrimp.
So awesome!

Radical Forgiveness

One of the things that I really try to live (it's hard) and what I constantly speak into the lives of the students I work is to learn to forgive.
That sounds so easy, but I know so many students and adults who are so imprisoned by the anger and bitterness of past hurts.
- someone posted hurtful lies about them on the internet
- their dad wasn't the best dad
- their boyfriend decided to break up with them
- a friend owes another some money and is struggling to pay it back
- a couple experiences a divorce
- a business plan fall apart
I know when I haven't let something go, how it consumes my time and floods my thoughts, and drains my energy and steals my joy. And nowhere in the midst of that is there the joy of the Lord.
I saw this video a while back and it seems to be a great example of what it means to practice radical forgiveness. Forgiveness that goes out of the way to explain and demonstrate that love conquers all.
I think I better make some phone call tomorrow.

A little background: A church plant, called Kinetic Church, had a large trailer with much of their weekend service materials stolen. The church and it's pastor rented billboards all across the city in order for whoever stole the trailer to see this video:

What tells me even more that our world is in need of of absolute forgiveness is how some responded to this video, questioning if it was the right decision.
What would happen if extreme forgiveness became the norm for Christians and not the occasional?

This Sucks

So I drive a small affordable Kia Sportage. Four doors, decent gas mileage. It's not my dream vehicle (I love the Honda Elements...I know...practical), but it works. A couple of years ago I was involved in a small fender bender, where the other car gained a few scratches while I had my bumper ripped off by his rear license plate.
A repair shop was able to replace it and make it look all new. Yeah.
Then tonight I was driving home, or rather from work to my community group when suddenly there was some very strong vibrations from the car. Because of construction I could not immediately pull over so I began coasting to the next exit. Right before I reached the exit, BOOM, slappity, slappity, slap slap. I applied the brakes and came to a halt right as the mouth of the exit ramp. A couple deep breaths to calm myself down only made me painfully aware of the exploded rubber smell below my driver side window. I carefully hopped out and here is what I saw.The tread on my tires had come apart and began slapping around my wheel well like a crack head woman.
I carefully changed my tire by leaning over the front hood, cars zooming past narrowly avoiding me.
This weeks been kind of crappy and this is a great way to cap it off, except that there is still Friday and Saturday to go. Lord help me.

Who's the greatest!

I was completely surprised that Abbott and Costello weren't at the top of this list.
How about you? Any favorites or surprises?

Fold-In

Be sure to check out these interactive fold-ins mad popular in Mad magazine.

Happy Earth Day

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it..."
Psalm 24:1
"...for the world is mine, and all that is in it."
Psalm 50:12
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:3

Today I both recycled and spent some time in worship. We all have to do our part.
-t-

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
Romans 1:20

Comment

Someone (going by the name anonymous) posted a comment on a previous post of mine that is completely insane.
You can read it HERE.
If any of you can figure out what in the world it's about I would love to know.

Good For Her

This is a great photo. While I don't typically watch racing or keep up with racing news (I leave that to my 3 year old nephew), but this is just pretty darn cool. A honest historic moment in women's role in sports.
And I don't just think this because she is super cute...at least I don't think I do...cause seriously she's super cute!
I'm sure she'll be on Letterman this week (Letterman owns the racing team Danica drives for, at least I think she still is)...which means I'll definitely be watching Letterman this week.

You Probably Guessed...

but I post videos when I have nothing to say.

Trapped

This would freak me out.

Safe!

http://view.break.com/488117 - Watch more free videos

One thing I love about baseball is how in the midst of the mundane ordinary comes something legends are made of.

Embracing Simplicity

Thanks

The Blessing of Baptism

My former professor Mark Moore recently posted this on his blog.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Blessing of Baptism

1. It is the only religious ordinance (that I know of), that deals with guilt and shame equally at the same time. In the East, shame is the big issue--not measuring up to communal expectations. In the West, guilt is the primary issue, having crossed a line individually. Consider the wisdom of God to give us a practice that is capable of dealing with both our sociological and spiritual needs at once and across all cultural divides.

2. This 'enacted sinner's prayer' is far more memorable than any articulated prayer. Ask how many people remember what they 'said' when they converted; then ask how many remember where, when, and how they were baptized? God knows we are tactile. This is the perfect gift to help us remember our beginnings.

3. Furthermore, this 'sinner's prayer' is always said correctly. It is about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. You CAN NOT DO IT WRONG! I need that with all the stupid things I say.

4. It starts our Christian walk right. We begin by imitating Jesus in his salvific act. It brings us to 'dead' center in our theology so that our beginning in Christ aims at the core of Christianity as well as our ultimate destiny of resurrection.

5. The Scriptures bind together this gift with the promise of a cleansed conscience and the gift of the Holy Spirit. I want that!

I'm not so stricken with the question of 'only one way to convert'. I suspect God is far more creative than we give him credit for. However, given these five blessings of baptism, it boggles my mind why anyone would be contentious in refusing such a gift directly from the hand of Jesus, especially when it models the self-abnegation he enjoined on his disciples.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What do you think?
-t-

Great Photo

From Monday night I believe.
FYI - He beat the tag. The go ahead run.

49ers 2008 Schedule

Week 1            Sunday, Sept 7^th           vs. Arizona

Week 2            Sunday, Sept 14^th         at Seattle

Week 3            Sunday, Sept 21^st         vs. Detroit

Week 4            Sunday, Sept 28^th         at New Orleans

Week 5            Sunday, Oct 5^th            vs. New England

Week 6            Sunday, Oct 12^th          vs. Philadelphia

Week 7            Sunday, Oct 19^th          at New York Giants

Week 8            Sunday, Oct 26^th          vs. Seattle

Week 9            Bye Week

Week 10          Monday, Nov 10^th        at Arizona

Week 11          Sunday, Nov 16^th         vs. St. Louis

Week 12          Sunday, Nov 23^rd         at Dallas

Week 13          Sunday, Nov 30^th         at Buffalo

Week 14          Sunday, Dec 7^th            vs. New York Jets

Week 15          Sunday, Dec 14^th          at Miami

Week 16          Sunday, Dec 21^st          at St. Louis

Week 17          Sunday, Dec 28^th          vs. Washington

Held Hostage

I’ve probably just seen too many bank heist movies but I can’t help wanting to be part of a bank robbery. And it seems that bank robberies currently are all the rage. I can think of several recent heist movies:

· Ocean’s movies

· The Italian Job

· Inside Man

· The Bank Job

I also read a great article in last week’s Sports Illustrated on the largest cash robbery by a team that included a former UFC fighter.

Now I don’t think I’d want to be apart the actually holding up of the bank or be involved in the criminal aspects of the robbery. While I talk a big game I don’t particularly like physically hurting people just for the sport of it. Um…that’s not entirely true. More accurately I don’t particularly like seriously hurting people…squeezing a pressure point until some gives is always fun. However I will say that if I were going to be a part of a heist gang I would like the atmosphere to light and jovial. Because those movies where it’s always serious, the heist always ends with multiple deaths and failed robberies. But the movies where the atmosphere is filled with laughter and friendliness things just seem to work out.

Although I do think I’d have a knack for this type of activity. For some reason it is really important to me to know exactly where things are in a bank. For instance, today I took the deposit from work to the bank. As soon as I enter I know where all five cameras are that are pointed towards the door. There is a sixth camera that covers the rest of the small lobby. I also know how many ladies work at said bank, and would have to assume there might be one or two more in the back. I’ve seen inside the vault. I know the busy and slow times of the day. And I know where they keep their jar of lollipops, of which I prefer the root beer flavor.

I don’t see myself going into law enforcement either, so a negotiator or S.W.A.T. team member is out of the question. A bank security man doesn’t seem to appeal to me either. Expect for said robbery you’re usually just sitting around all day. Plus being in bank security and wanting to be apart of a bank robbery seem to be in direct conflict. I suppose one could be the bank security man and be a part of the heist gang, but that seems like twice as much work.

Also I don’t see myself having the type of influence that can alternately bring about resolution to this type of activity. I’m thinking here of Jodie Foster’s character in Inside Man. I bring her character up mainly because this affords me the opportunity to say that Jodie Foster looked really hot in that movie. Maybe it has to do with her long straight hair or her great legs…I don’t know, but either way she’s never looked that good to me before. (fyi…I’m watching The Brave One tonight)

Now a hostage has some potential for excitement and, in case of a long stand off, free pizza and subs. If someone is waving a gun around at me I think I can obey orders. But I think I’d also have enough courage and awareness that if one of the gunmen was not paying attention or distracted I’d do what I could to take him out. Now I’m not saying I’d be heroic or somehow have illusions of grandeur, I have seen Die Hard and know that fighting back will get your t-shirt dirty and you may lose your shoes. But I think I’d also like being a hostage for the fact that when the conflict is resolved I could write a book about the experience that would be #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers list for a few weeks and then I could sell the rights to the story and maybe have some small role in the movie. Hmmm…maybe a few illusions.

If you are looking for a good heist movie I can also recommend these to you:

• Dog Day Afternoon
• Reservoir Dogs
• Bottle Rocket
• Ronin
• The Score
• A Fish Called Wanda
• How to Steal a Million
• The Thomas Crown Affair (I’m talking about the original with Steve McQueen, the newer one with Bronson and Russo sucked and unfortunately there is a sequel coming out)
• The Usual Suspects
• Heat
• Bonnie and Clyde
• The Getaway (I liked both the McQueen/MacGraw more than the Baldwin/Basinger, but both are good)
• the Die Hard movies

And these are few more than I want to watch:

• Dog Day Afternoon (I know, I know…how have I not seen this?)
• Sexy Beast (Kingsley is supposed to be brilliant in it)
• The Killings
• Flawless
• RocknRolla (directed by Madonna’s Guy)

clean water

Least we forget just how rich we are...

...could you imagine this being apart of your daily routine?

How would this change who you are and what you do?
Knowing that this is what 1 out of every 6 people in our world has to do for inadequate drinking water is unacceptable.

Darn Cute

quote

“Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke?  Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it?  The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning.  It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets.  Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews.  For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return.”

-Annie Dillard

 

What are your expectations on Sunday morning? 

What are your expectations in your prayers?

What are your expectations in your everyday relationship with Jesus?

Just There.

Practicing the Presence of Christ sometimes means being the presence of Christ.
-t-

(thanks)

You know how...

You know how some people say that they think their life would make a great movie or TV show? Or that they see their life as a show or movie?
There are times that I think that, but...

• ...then I remember that there are days that nothing really happens in my life. Days where it's even hard to Twitter.
• ...then I remember I've never been in a hostage situation at my bank or local gas station.
• ...then I remember I've never been locked in a closet, on the roof, in the basement, in the bank vault or in a restaurant freezer with the girl that I am secretly in love with, and is secretly in love with me, but we can only seem to argue with one another, yet use the time trapped to resolve this tension and ultimately fall in love with one another... at least until the rating sweeps.
• ...then I remember that I don't have a quirky best friend who enters my place in an unusual manner (i.e. sliding through the door, climbing through the window, climbing over my balcony railing).
• ...then I meet my neighbors and none of them are the girl next door.
• ...then I remember I've never owned an exotic pet.
• ...then I remember that I've never been knocked out and had an adventure in black and white.
• ...then I remember I have never been involved in a high speed chase, jumped out of a rapidly moving vehicle, just barely jumped out of the way of an explosion, or landed a airplane even though I was a week or two away from my pilot's license.
  

While my everyday is fairly uneventful it's always good to know I still have my movie star looks.

This is my...

profound huh?

Unexpected

This is incredibly unexpected but completely awesome.

I wish I had seen it.
Did anyone out there catch this on tv? Was there some sort of set up or explanation? Or was it just somewhat random? I'm guessing it had something to do with the Idol gives back...
This is still one of my favorite songs. We sung it so many times during chapels at Ozark. But hearing Carly Smithson wailing at the end is chilling.
Really cool.

Douglas Howser

I've been watching Doogie Howser, M.D. on Hulu lately. I love watching the background actors, they remain completely emotionless...like zombies.
I do have a couple of thoughts that came to my mind last night:

1. For such a boy genius he can not type. Seriously he's supposed to be able to sew delicate surgical procedures but it takes him a minute to type two lines consisting of 3rd grade vocab words.

2. Why in Christmas movies and television shows do the main characters always decorate and light up their Christmas trees on Christmas Eve?

Goodiness

I'm trading one vice for another! But this stuff really is sweet.
Oh and fyi this is my first post from my new phone. Hopefully it works.

MLB 2008...early thoughts

-         What is wrong with Detroit?  I thought they would have some issues, but assumed that line-up would be able to power a few wins.

-         If some shmuck watching baseball on TV can see the brown substance on Jake Peavy’s hand, I have to assume the umpires did as well.  If the umpires didn’t feel like it was anything worth pursuing then why is it news?

-         I love seeing Boston as the bottom of their division.  I don’t think they’ll stay there, but for now it’s awesome to see.

-         I think we are still failing to give Greg Maddox the recognition his career deserves.

-         I think a bad year is what San Francisco deserves.  They used Barry Bonds during his chase and then removed any memory of their association with him from their ballpark.  It’s one thing to not resign him because of his play, but to complete erase him from the stadium’s history is wrong.  (I have other opinions about the Barry Bonds witch hunt as well, but let me just say this:  If the whole situation was so cut and dry, then he should have easily been caught in his lie and in jail, or it’s time to just let it go.)

-         Florida’s ability to put a competitive team on the field with such a limited budget is un-freakin-believ-able.  I wish San Antonio had been able to snatch them up a few years ago. 

-         San Antonio needs another professional sport.  As the eighth largest city in the U.S. (larger than Dallas), and the easy accessibility from Austin, using the tired cliché that there is no market for another sport is ridiculous.  The real issue is Houston and Dallas want to continue to feed off of what is a vital revenue source. As of now we have more fans in the stands on average at the AA team, San Antonio Missions, than the Marlins will for the year.

-         Tori Hunter is on a early season tear. 

-         Arizona with their young talented team may be my early favorite for the N.L.  They have a strong line-up and an outstanding pitching staff. 

-         Texas is play .500 ball.  This is actually just above normal.  It’s good to start over each year!

In The News

Bride, groom spend wedding night in jail

 

I have a good feeling about this marriage. 

Do you think they were given a separate cell? 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been to those kind of receptions.

-tsh-

check "yes" or "no" (conclusion...?)

Here's what I'm believing:

In order to truly love someone as God intends we must love as God loved.
In Jesus we see the fullest expression of that love. Therefore we are to love like Jesus loved.
While God has had to make some difficult choices where His love towards one pales in comparison towards another ["Jacob I have loved, Esau I have hated" paraphrased Mal. 1 or Rom. 9], God being in the very nature love - cannot help but love.
Love protects with a fierce demonstration of love. Jesus once referred to God has a mother protecting her offspring (Mt. 23). Therefore one can conclude that righteous anger towards anything that would destroy what is loved isn't necessarily "hatred", but in comparison towards the love it is. (I must be careful here as we are getting into a place of defining words...so dangerous in our postmodern/deconstructive world).
These are thoughts that probably should be flushed out more, but for the sake of brevity I'm going to assume you understand the argument I'm making and move forward.

Now my beef, as of late, is "I love them, I just don't like them". I really don't think that statement is possible.

Now being able to distinguish between the sinner from sin is important. God hates sin. But it was in our sinfulness that God was moved to send His son to die for us. It was when we were most offensive towards God that He demonstrated His love toward us. When we were in our least like-able state Jesus was born, He died and He rescued.

If forgiveness is being able to truly desire the best for someone else, then I believe that love is to truly like who that person is, despite their flaws, and desiring what's better for them too.

Not that not-liking someone is an admission of wanting harm to come on them, but neither is it an admission of wanting the greater things for them as well.

Jesus spoke to the connection of our thoughts with our actions. He said that if we lust in our heart we have already committed adultery. I think we can make conclusions from this teaching. If we covet - we have already stolen. If we hate - we have already murdered. If we do not trust God - we have committed idolatry (putting faith in something higher than God). If we don't like someone - we hate them.

To love like Jesus I think we must see a person as God sees them, created uniquely and with purpose and value. Significant. Beautiful. Treasured.

Can I like someone enough to love them?

I'm not there yet, but this is my new standard.

I'd love to hear your thoughts?

Bracketology

I showed off my bracket this week and it came back to bite me in the end (ha ha that's a play on words).
UCLA lost tonight by Memphis and North Carolina was crushed by Kansas.
Those were my final two teams. All in all I had a pretty good tournament run and surprised myself this year.
And as far as who will win between Memphis and Kansas...I have no clue!

irony

Sports Illustrated published this photo on their website today and had the same thought that I immediately conjured up.

Pamela Anderson shields her son’s eyes from the gyrations of the Los Angles Lakers cheerleaders.

Quote

"Faith is a vision that your destiny is to be absorbed in a tremendously creative team effort under unimaginably splendid leadership on an incomprehensibly vast plane of activity through ever more comprehensive cycles of productivity and enjoyment and that is what eye has not seen and ear has not heard that lies before us in the prophetic vision." (Dallas Willard)

(Used in a message given by John Ortberg, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, February 24, 2008)

How Did This Happen

How does a big ol' music mogul like Jay-Z allow a photo like this to be published by People magazine. Surely they could have found a less embarrassing photo.

The Pig Bank

According to the group Citizens Against Government Waste, in their annually published Pig Book, the total for this year ear marked items on the national budget is $17.2 billion spread across 11,610 “pork barrel” projects.  Some of these projects include:

• $211,509 for research on olive fruit flies in Paris, France
• $1,950,000 for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service in New York – earmarked by Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY)
• $3,000,000 in research into shrimp.
• $98,000 to develop a walking tour of Boydton, Virginia
• Go to the website to the CAGW website to read more.

ABCnews presented the earmarking down by the three remaining presidential candidates

1. Hilary Clinton with 281 ear marks totaling over $296,000,000
2. Baraak Obama with 53 ear marks totaling over $97,000,000
3. John McCain has never requested an ear mark.

Proposal

Deuce - Here is that video I told you about.
Do it once - Do it right!
Good luck Todd.


p.s. I've posted this before.

Digital Holograms

This is awesome!
And should have an almost immediate impact in churches. Especially as the multi-site phenomenon continues.

Need a New Life?

If you feel that you are in need of a new life, maybe you'd like to buy Ian Ushers. He is selling his life on ebay. His entire life - house, vehicle, job, friends - everything! The bidding starts at $1.
This is an incredible story. And thousands are gravitating towards and encouraging his cause.
Why?
Why would so many people desire to have a complete fresh start?
Why would so many people be willing to leave everything for something new?
Why would so many people feel a connection to a Ian's situation in life?

Ian reasons that if he couldn't have his old life, than he wants nothing to do with it. It requires a complete abandonment of his old life and accepting a brand new one.

This is only one more reminder to me of how much I love my life with Christ. And one more reminder of how much I desire to leave everything else behind and die to self. And even one more reminder of the price that Christ paid for me.

Bracketology

I can't believe I haven't posted my bracket at all in the past two weeks. Usually by the Final Four I my bracket is in complete ruin. I may have one team left in the Tourney, but this year it's different. This year I have 3 out the four teams left still. Awesome!
My strategy is that my Final Four must have a total of 5 to 8 (in terms of rankings).

So the chaos of the Final Four weekend have already begun to descend upon the city! It's exciting. Hopeful this year I can catch a glimpse of Dickie V.

Recent listenings

• Mark Moore - Seeing Evil More Clearly, his text Revelation chapters 12-20. It’s an extremely thought provoking message on the systemic evils in our world today and our response as believers in light of the Rev. passage.
• In addition to Mark’s sermon (Mark who serves on the faculty at Ozark Christian College as a professor of New Testament and Hermeneutics) I began listening to Mark’s Life of Christ class lectures. I took several classes with Mark while attending Ozark, but only one of his LoC courses (out of four). Mark is a brilliant preacher, thinker, instructor and communicator.
• Dave Stone, at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, - Who’s Going To Love Me from their series on the “I Am” passages in John. His text was from John 10 and his answer to the question Who’s Going to Love Me? is the Good Shepherd. Dave read a passage from Ezekiel 34:12,16 that I haven’t caught before. At the end he preformed a monologue from the perspective of Simon of Cyrene.
• Jon Weece, from Southland Christian Church in Lexington, KY - continued the B.R.E.A.TH.E. series with Thinking A Whole New Way. I really like his illustrations with the shoes. “With God’s help, take your everyday ordinary life…(Romans 12, MSG)”
• Mike Breaux - finished the B.R.E.A.TH.E. series with Encourage Others with My Life and Story. If you’ve never heard Mike preach, you need to. Mike was born to preach. Quoted, C.S. Lewis said “God whispers to us in our pleasures, but He shouts to us in our pain.” This is a great recap sermon leading to challenging words about sharing our lives/our stories.
• Kyle Idleman, at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, - What’s Going to Satisfy Me? from their series on the “I Am” passages in John’s gospel. When I was a freshman at Ozark Kyle was a senior. I was enamored with him and tried to be around him when I could. I envisioned that four years of Ozark would mold me and train me to be like Kyle. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on what angle your looking at life, I wasn’t transformed into the spiting image of Kyle. And as polished as Kyle is now, this is exactly what he was like way back then…amazing.
• Kyle also preached the Easter service using the I Am the Resurrection and the Life statement to answer the question Who is Going to Save Me?
• Randy Frazee, my new senior pastor, preached this past weekend at Oak Hills, and he showed up at Journey Fellowship for our evening service as well.
• Mark Buchanan (author of my favorite books) preached his Easter sermon entitled “I can’t believe it!” Mark suggest three reasons people don’t believe. 1. cynicism. 2. bitterness. And 3. it’s too good to be true.
• Doug Fields - Determining What Matters Most from a new series called One Month To Live. He asked us to make a couple of list, (1) What are your one month values?, (2) What would you do if you had one month left to live and how would you actually live those out?
• Jud Wilhite was a guest speaker at Saddleback back in August and he preached Passport to Freedom.
• Dave Stone – The Moment of Truth: When No One Is Looking. Used the story of Daniel resolving not to defile himself.
• Jon Weece – Series: Grace Anatomy, Message: Neurology...Jesus on Brain Surgery

Politics '08

I don’t like to spew too much about politics, because I know very little and have way too many opinions. I do like, however, to read about politics to some degree and enjoy friendly discussion/debates (just not to the point that someone’s feelings get hurt, which is almost always).

Anyways I reveal all of that because I read this interesting interview with Karl Rove today. Karl Rove was the chief advisor to President Bush since his days running for governor of Texas, recently he has resigned and is pursuing other opportunities.

I think he is an incredibly interesting and polarizing figure. Many see him as the evil genius or the conservative savior. I don’t know about either of those. But I would agree that he is someone who just “gets” politics.

Read the interview and see what I mean.

I’m really curious about the off-the-record parts.

What’s your opinion of the man and his thoughts?

-tsh-

check "yes" or "no" (part 2)

I know that God loves everyone, but does God not like anyone?

Question and Link

Mark Moore asks (and answers) this question on his blog:

Does Confession of Sin bring Physical Healing?

Are you feeling sick?
Do you need to confess anything?

Headline

Turner Teams With Churches Despite Christianity 'Loser' Comment

Once a Critic of Christianity, Turner Is Joining Churches in Anti-Malaria Efforts

 

Opening Day (For Me)

Major League Baseball official got under way on Sunday, but for me as an Astros and Rangers fan things really got going yesterday. 

Sure Opening Day officially began in Japan last week, but I am refusing to acknowledge such a poor decision. 

So if Monday was any indication as to how the rest of the season will progress I have 322 more games of disappointment. 

 

Astros (0-1)

Lost 4-0.  The sad thing in this game is that Oswalt just got out-pitched by Peavy.  It doesn’t help when the Astros’ supposedly upgraded their offense and still dropped an egg.  You can’t win games in you don’t cross the plate.  Even with a bad outing by Oswalt they only gave up four runs. 

 

Rangers (0-1)

Lost 5-2.  More sluggish offense.  I expect the pitching to be bad, but to be able to compete they are going to have to score more than 2 runs every night. 

 

Other Thoughts

Mets vs. Marlins.  I’m curious how many Mets players make more per year than the entire Marlin team ($21 million)

Cubs vs. Brewers.  I love that the Cubs lost. 

Tigers vs. Royals.  Kinda surprised that this is how the Tigers get out of the gate.  High power offense out pitched by the Royals bullpen?

Rays vs. Orioles.  If the Rays weren’t in the East I’d say they would make the playoffs.  However as of yesterday they are in first place!

 

Out of Context

I get really annoyed when people quote scripture out of context, especially really obvious passages.

For instance, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people quote Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them."
- First: it's often misquoted. Usually people say something like, "Where two or more are gathered I with them." It's just not the same. If you're going to quote it - memorize it.
- Second: Clearly when the passage is read in its whole context it's about Church discipline or rather brotherly reconciliation. It's not make a statement about the nature of God, Jesus is giving authority to those seeking healing and forgiveness.
and
- Third: When people misquote and pull out of context this text they are making a huge theological error. Is God ever not there? Is God not with you when you are alone? Do you have to be with someone in order to experience God's presence.

How about you? Are there any passages that you often here out of context?