Do hymnals affect our worship?

Next time you are at church, try to take special notice of what you do during the music. Are you holding a hymnal? Are your hands lifted up in praise? Do you stare at the instrumentalists, or at the song leader? Perhaps you simply stare at the hymnal or overhead, or maybe at the other church members? Maybe there is that one special someone you watch each week, and think: “I wish I was as free to worship as them”; or “Why can’t they just honor God with their voice? Why do they have to raise their hands and hop around like that? Who are they trying to impress?”

Have you ever noticed that we really didn’t have so many problems with singing in church back when everyone used hymnals? According to a simple Google search, the first dedicated hymnals started showing up in the ninth century. Prior to this hymns were collected in the back of other books; they obviously deserved their own special section, just like the Psalms are their own special book in the Bible. Hymnals became the predominant collection of spiritual songs among nearly every denomination of Protestantism. The only things that differentiated were the actual hymns as well as how they were performed.

In many modern churches, the congregation has ditched the hymnal for the overhead. Instead of bending your head to read from a book, you are now encouraged to look above the worship leader or group in order to read the lyrics. This has encouraged more music leaders to take chances on newer songs, as well as providing a sort of uniformity across multiple churches. But what has this simple 45 degree change done for our modern church goer? It has freed their hands.

1Ti 2:8 “So wherever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.”


Does lifting your hands in worship draw you closer to God? The Bible really doesn’t say one way or the other. There are many who have attempted to twist Scripture to prove either argument, that it is either encouraged or discouraged to lift your hands while singing. However, using the Bible to prove whether you should or should not do it can be a tricky thing. The Bible also shows characters such as David dancing and shouting before the Lord, and while there are many churches that frown upon such outward displays of emotion, not once did God rebuke them for doing it. Consequently we have many churches today that encourage such outward displays of joy in God.

But this brings us back to the original question. What do you do during the singing section of your church service? Do you think more people will be involved with the hymns and songs if they do not have a hymnal in their hands? Will it encourage people to show more emotion, to perhaps sing with a smile on their face? Or do we only honor God by providing a worthy performance with our voices?

Next church service, why not try singing without your hymnal. For all you know, it might be a great blessing to you not to use one. Perhaps you could organize a service where everyone already knows all the songs that will be sung, even if you can only sing choruses. It is possible that if more people let go of their hymnals and free their hands in worship churches will start to see a new life and passion that wasn’t there before.

It’s worth a try. It might bring a new spiritual life and revival to your church.

Biblical Arguments class

I signed up for a Communications class at the U of M that is a "Special Topics" course. The topic being "Biblical Arguments." Taking it purely as an elective, I went into the class not expecting much, other than my professor's vague email warning that a 1000 level Comm class was a prerequisite.

But except for one instance where he was talking about some classic model used in arguments, I've been loving this class! Loving it so much I was eager to go on Wednesday!

The class is set up pretty simply. The professor will basically be a forum moderator, introducing the topic and Scripture passage, assigning two students to be discussion catalysts, and then he lets us talk. We have a pretty diverse group, so the discussions have been lively and multi-faceted. We primarily have Catholics (mix between lapsed and active), one Hindu, one Jew (and she's pretty hardcore), a few Lutherans, couple of agnostics, at least one atheist, and me, representing...who knows anymore. I introduced myself as a charasmatic Wesleyan, but then clarified it as more "Pentebaptistcostal."

Whatever. The Bible is true.

And our topics have been great too! We first went over Genesis 1 and 2, and the 2 separate accounts of Creation. That took the tail end of the first day and the entire second class session. Are there really two separate accounts? Only two of us in the class were unable to see "proof" of two different Creations. But of more interest to me was that God created/designed Adam, but didn't place him in the Garden until a day or more later. So where was Adam this whole time?

The next class session we went over The Fall...specifically, who was to blame? Found out we have some feminists in the group, although that is really no surprise. Still, it was a great discussion. I think we generally agreed that both of them were to blame, although some would still argue that God was to blame for putting the tree in the garden in the first place.

Last class we discussed a passage in Judges, where one of the judges makes a vow before the Lord that he would offer up as a burnt offering whoever came out of his house first upon his return from battle. Alas, his daughter comes out. He sends her off into the wilderness for two months so she can bemoan her virginity, and then she comes back to him so he can fulfill his vow.

So did he kill her? I believe I was the only one in the class who argued that he didn't (and thanks to Johnathan for that: him and I went over it before class), although I don't know what the professor thinks. There are a whole list of reasons why I don't think he killed her, but I do believe he kept his vow. He dedicated her to the temple where she served the rest of her life. It was strange; even the feminists wanted her to die, just so they could stick it to God or Christianity, I think. But then again, no one really cares that babies are getting slaughtered. Or the millions of people oppressed under Islam. Dhimmitude is living death.

Anyways, this has been a great class so far! I've already developed a reputation, but that's nothing new. I had to prove that without the Judeo-Christian worldview womens' rights would not exist as we know them today. I don't think many in the class liked hearing that.

Ah well. Truth, you know?

Is this statement offensive?

Wireless internet is down again…thanks Ore…so I’ll just write this in Word then upload it later.

Tell me if this statement is troublesome – “What do atheists and the Grinch have in common?”

This is what we wrote on the whiteboard at the contact table today, including a very well drawn picture of the Grinch. Yesterday we had “Communists and the Grinch.” (I think we should go for broke and write “Atheists, the Grinch, and hundreds of millions dead”) This seemingly innocent question seems to pack a lot of heat. Grant, a former atheist, came up with it.

“That statement is horrible! It really offends me! I’m gonna go report you to the campus union, you shouldn’t be saying such things on public property! Your grammar is incorrect (we had “does” originally). You are turning away people with statements like that; they can’t find Christ because of you! You should change it to “Jews and the Grinch”, that would make more sense. It’s an unfair comparison that presupposes things. You aren’t Christian, you aren’t showing Christ’s love!” Etc etc, just a handful of the things I heard at the table during 45 minutes.

Is that statement really that troublesome? Or do most atheists have such shaky convictions that the littlest thing offends them? We had one guy stop to argue the question (he acknowledged it was a question!), and I asked him if atheism was a religion. To his credit and to my surprise, he answered “yes.” It took me back. We then asked if he was an atheist, and he stormed off after telling us it was none of our business. Still, I’m proud of the guy, and I told him so.

The question was written by Grant primarily as a way to encourage discussion as well as a way for him to share his testimony (former atheist). People automatically became reactionary, viewing it as a statement instead of a question. Not only that, but they seem to only remember parts of the Grinch story. No one knew how it ended.

I found out that a girl I work with in the bookstore is a Christian; she shouldn’t have mentioned she only listened to Christian music. Then I probably shouldn’t have said that I listen to enough Hillsong already, because of church. That set off the discussion. I mentioned I listen to a lot of Christian music too…my favorite band is U2. She gave me a look at that. jjEventually she asked about Maranatha (I mentioned the table and the drama we had today) and what the drama was about. So I told her.

“That is SO offensive!” She then turned to another girl and repeated it. Both of them drew the conclusion that we were saying that atheists had no heart. Wonder how they got to that one. I explained who wrote it (Grant), what his brief testimony was (saved from atheism), what the point of the question was (discussion), as well as what the answer was (Grinch tried to control Christmas, eventually repented, etc). Nevertheless, both of them came to the conclusion that for a Christian organization to say such a thing is not only wrong but offensive and dangerous to other Christians.

So I asked the first girl more about her testimony. Grew up in a really large Lutheran church (nothing wrong with that), but didn’t realize that you needed a personal relationship with God. Within the past year or two, she has gotten truly saved and is now attending Mercy Vineyard. She didn’t know any of the names I dropped either, says she’s only been there for about a year and is just now getting involved with ushering duties and stuff.

So…here’s a prayer request. Pray first of all for this girl (don’t remember her name…call her Ms. Blonde), that God would continue to speak to her and help her grow, as well as allow her to realize the importance of asking such questions and engaging other for Christ. And second, pray for the people on campus, not only for those who stopped to talk and here what we had to say (and a few responded!), but also for those who grew mightily offended and yelled at us. They need Jesus too…I think.

My Friend Stu by Grant Buse

God gave me a brother and his name is Stu
A few rough edges but a faith like glue
When he hears the word it pierces his heart
And even though fear may try to interrupt in part

Not this time and never again
God sends His angels and keeps us from sin

Sure honesty's a treasure that goes deep within his lair
Even though sometimes its hard to get up off that chair

But that's why I love Stu cause God showed him the meaning of true
And he said, "That's what I'm gonna do."
Love it, live it, be it for You
Jesus, for You
Cause my name is Stu



Thanks Grant. Love you, brother.

Hard hitting sermon

I'm not sure if it will be posted or not, but Bruce's sermon tonight is powerful and hard hitting. Basically, he's taking our church to task. He knows that some stuff has been going on that shouldn't be...sexual immortality and the like...and he is preaching it hard. 1 Corinthians 5.

Do we want to be a church with standards and rules based on the Bible? Or do we just want to be a place where we can meet and gather and gossip and fellowship and try to pick up a date?
I know my answer.

I remember having a confrontation back during my Campus Crusade days. I proved through Scripture that it is Biblical to kick unrepentant believers out of the church, and a few people got extremely angry over that idea. Grace trumps all, they said. True, but Christ still has standards for living.

For those of you who have never visited Maranatha...download this podcast, November 17, whenever it gets posted off of Spiritformed.com. THIS is why I go to this church. I'd have never heard this anywhere else.

http://web.mac.com/spiritformed/spiritformed/Spirit_Formed_/Spirit_Formed_.html

Thank you Lord...and thanks Bruce for preaching the hard stuff.

OSC strikes again

http://www.ornery.org/essays/warwatch/2007-10-07-1.html


And since the Smart People (aka, Liberals) try to avoid ever meeting or spending time with any of these Stupid People (rural Americans), the only thing they can do to get control of the parts of the American power structure they don't already own is to lie.

The Smart People don't even think they're lying, though. They don't count it as a sin (they don't even believe in sin) to lie to Stupid People. It's sort of the Santa Claus principle. You tell them whatever you need to tell them in order to get them to let you have your way.

You tell them we're losing a war we're winning. You tell them that the best-behaved army in history is routinely committing atrocities. You tell them that the war that has the lowest rate of civilian casualties in history, proportionate to the number of combatants, is the cruelest. You tell them that a fully justified war based on many principles of international law and historical precedent is "based on a lie."

That's the favorite one. Your best lie. You accuse the Stupid President of lying all the time, though in fact that's the Smart People's primary tactic. Like pretending that Rush Limbaugh meant something that he obviously didn't mean and making a huge deal about it -- while declining to condemn the outrageous lies of MoveOn.Org as they slander a fine commander.

The biggest lie in this little flap about Limbaugh is not what they say about Limbaugh. It's their pretense that they actually care about American soldiers.

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You have no idea how hard it is for me to hold my tongue in class nowadays...

Regarding certain rumors...

The answer is...yes. But a limited yes. Macbook Pro with Windows XP running via Fuzion. Best of both worlds in one little package. See ya Dell...hello gorgeous!

Faith via Bartleman

Been reading through that Azusa Street book by Bartleman. It's been a pretty illuminating read. Did you know that nearly every revival that has occured throughout history has brought the church one step closer to it's apostolic origins? Some revivals emphasized Bible, others doctrine, still others the social angle of the gospel, and fairly recently the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

There is a thought that has been brewing in my mind while reading this book. It's one of those stupid yet simple things that has happened to me before. Where you finally realize something that totally illuminates and changes your soul but that everyone else takes for granted.

Faith. Such a simple word, but loaded with so much meaning. As Bartleman and others in the book recount, everyone during the period of Azusa and the Wales revival believed by faith that a revival was coming. They didn't know how, they didn't plan or try to manufacture one...they just believed, trusted in faith, that it would happen.

AND IT DID. What's to prevent us from having such a thing again? Ourselves it would seem. God...well, requires faith in order to operate. Obviously he doesn't need faith...but he tends to work when faith is present. So if enough of us pray and believe for revival...if we build up our faith...then it will come. And it will be glorious.

This actually has some personal significance too. I need to build my faith up. And continue to exercise the faith I already possess. I need to truly believe that God will provide for my needs; stop worring about money, a car, education, etc. God WILL provide. In my mind, it needs to become a foregone conclusion. Not, "God will provide if I don't mess up, if I read my Bible every day, if I witness at work, etc." NO! God promises to provide; therefore...HE WILL. Forgone conclusion.

Faith. I really want to blog about something extremely personal regarding faith...but I can't. Not yet. God won't let me. But it seems I've been living in faith for some things for a while now, and God is using this as an example of how everything in my life should be. And based on the testimony of a few people here at church, I'm certain more than ever that my faith is grounded both in God and in reality.

I delight in my faith and the objects of my faith. I'm anxious, but faith sustains. It's hard to explain...but the word "joy" comes to mind. Not happiness or some fleeting emotion...but true joy and satisfaction...and anticipation.

Thank you Lord.

Frat house and Balaam

So I'm sitting here at the frat house, fighting the internet connection...

Did I say frat house? Yes. I've moved in. Room with a view (and an escape) too!

Pictures might follow up.

Coming up on my 100th Blogger post. Not every post has been memorable; I'm sure I've done at least a dozen video blogs. I'll think of something somewhat memorable for the 100th post.

But back to the topic at hand. I have moved out of my parent's house and into my church's frat house on the campus. School starts for me next week, probably the same day I will be able to buy books. Always fun to not have books for the first day of class.

Other than that, life has pretty much been the same. Yes, some things have been going on behind the scenes, but those are only need to know.

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Something of a substance. Finished reading through Numbers today, start the next book tomorrow. (It's late, I don't feel like spelling the book out. We will call it Deut for short.) Those first few books of the OT are really...different. Moses and the Holy Spirit needed a copy editor. Whole chapters don't make any sense in context. People's actions, and especially God's, don't really make much sense either.

Here's a good one: Balaam. God tells him to only say what God wants him to say, and that he should go with the foreign king's men because they came so far to get him; Balaam agrees with God. So he sets off to go bless Israel. And then God gets mad at him for going! Later on God uses the donkey to speak to Balaam and reconfirm that Balaam should only use the words God wants him to use.

See what happened? God TELLS Balaam to go, and then immediately gets mad at him for going! Since when does God get angry at us for doing what He wants us to do?

I'm sure there is a rational and logical explanation for this, but it's eluding me.

A quote from Bruce Shelley

Decided to finish Bruce L. Shelley's book on church history; blitzed through maybe 200 pages in an hour or so. An excellent read that book was, thanks Bruce for giving it to me. (Although it does get a little dry...say from 800 to 1600 AD.)

A quote really stuck out to me while reading though. The context doesn't matter; something to do with 19th century religious Liberalism or something. But this quote was so powerful I immediately wrote it down...on paper, no less!...and started dwelling on it.

"(Salvation) begins with the question 'What must I do to me saved?' But if the question means, 'How can I go to heaven when I die?' then it's a theoretical question. To be saved means to live a new life, to be saved from sin, selfishness, fear, and guilt."

The only true conversion point in my life that I've historically held on to was when I asked my mom, at the age of 4, "How can I go to heaven? I want to become a Christian."

Since that time, I've literally gone through a pattern of every few years doubting my salvation. No kidding, but I can list the times and places when I've gone through this. And near the end of each time of doubt, someone will always tell me just to rely on Scripture. It got to the point where I could "prove" my salvation using any numbers of Scripture; yet I didn't feel like I was living a redeemed and holy life. I had no relationship with God to speak of, and I certainly didn't "love Him because He first loved me."

So now I'm learning to walk in faith. I cannot point to a specific thing in my life...a place, an event...and say, "THAT is my salvation story." I do not even know now if I should be able to do so. It's suddenly unimportant to me. What's important to me is walking in faith, building an actual relationship with my Lord, and continuing in it. I want to learn to love and worship my Saviour.

"I'm ready...I'm ready for what's next."

Health and life update

Little bit of an update.

As many of your know, last Wednesday the 35W bridge fell down. I was half a block away, at my church's frathouse. I was reading a book and listening to music at the time so I didn't notice much, other than what I thought was someone from the worship team messing with the lights. I guess others heard a loud explosion and at least one person felt the house shake. Everyone ran outside a bit later and we tried to get as close to the crash as possible.

It was insane for a while. EVERYONE was trying to get as close as possible, and calling all their friends to tell them what had happened. I saw a firetruck literally stuck in stop and go traffic because of all the cars trying to get as close to the downed bridge as they could. Morons.

Thankfully, no one I know was hurt.

However, two days later, I started having ankle problems. I'm guessing it was from running around the area, climbing hills and barriers, etc. Who knows. Basically by Friday night I could hardly stand on it. Went to work on Saturday, was limping badly, got sent home early; later in the day I went to Cub Foods and was in sheer agony.

Sunday, my day off, I felt fine. Little sore, but fine. So I went to work on Monday. By the time I got off on Monday, it hurt to stand on my ankle, and I couldn't turn it inward at all. Any pressure...even an ice pack...hurt. So Tuesday I went to the doctor for x-rays and blood tests. They were unsure if it was an infection (my ankle, almost all the way up to my knee, was red and inflamed) or gout. Gout is a distinct possibility, as my dad has had it for years; although my diet does not consist of those things which normally bring on gout.

The blood test was funny. It was about 7pm, and I hadn't had anything to eat since 9 am, and very little too drink. The guy took two vials from me, and I immediately became very cold and sweaty, felt like throwing up. Some water and cold packs cooled me down, but I never fully recovered. I was running a fever the rest of the night. I was even sweating at Target getting my meds because the air conditioning was cranked too high. Took a little nap when I got home, but had such a bad headache and fever that I never really got any rest.

After praying for healing, decided for some odd reason to take a hot shower, not a cool one. Raised my body temperature to the point where I got dizzy and threw up. Then cooled myself down and felt fine. I'm thinking God was the one who gave me the crazy idea to heat my fever up and try to burn it out, so thank Him for that.

Went back to the doctor today for a follow-up. I'm supposed to take some gout medicine for the next 5 days, and if the redness persists or gets worse to go in for another visit. However, my ankle for the most part feels fine. It's this weird fever from the antibiotics shot they gave me that is killing me right now. I feel warm even though my actual body temp is hovering right at 97.

Been praying for healing throughout, and I believe God is definitely working. I already have the next two days off of work, so I can still rest my ankle like the doctor said to. Don't want to go put another 9 hours in at work and come home and not be able to stand on my ankle again.

All in all, a really weird situation, and one that I'll be able to put behind me soon. Cabin fever is already starting to set in...!

Summer rain

How about that rain, ya'll? Loved it. Made me want to go outside and just get soaked.

Anyways, I didn't have time to blog about the rain before...was too busy moving from one room to another room in the house (step one of my grand plan). Then people came over and eventually had to go see Transformers (someone owes me $9.25 for that movie and $8.25 for Silver Surfer). But the rain inspired me to write a blog.

Well...since I'm too stupid to actually just go to bed, I'm gonna write that blog.

Normal rain doesn't inspire me; today's rain was different. It was hard and fast; really big drops that hurt when they hit. "Bring the rain," etc.

Only the Bay City people know this, but back in 1999 and 2000 (or was it 98 and 99? Eh...), I went on two missions trips to Mexico. None of this New York City nonsense that my brother is currently doing; I pray God blesses their efforts, but wow, what an easy trip. Mexico was different; we stayed over night just over the border in Texas, and then every morning would drive into Mexico. We'd spend pretty much the whole day walking around going up to people and following our printed list of Spanish questions, either straight up sharing the gospel or inviting them to come to the meeting we'd be holding.

I did many crazy (to me now) things during that time. Stopping traffic in the street in order to hand them a pamphlet was probably the worse of it. I remember lots of soccer games and prayer huddles...and sadly the occasional emotional drama between team members.

The meetings were pretty simple. A few of us would badly sing a hymn in Spanish as the special music, there'd be a puppet show for the little children, and the evening could cultimate in a chalk drawing by a talented young lady while the missionary would preach a gospel message. The chalk drawing was preprepared; she would draw on it, creating this really nice picture of heaven, but turn on the black light and it showed hell as well. This chalk drawing was eventually done for us in a special service in our home church, but that was months later.

One of the nights in Mexico, we had had a pretty weatherly day. One of those days where it just couldn't decide what was going to happen; was it going to rain or just be humid all day long (great thing about Mexico - you drip, all the time, and yet are never 'hot'). Eventually the decision was made to just continue with the meeting.

Well, near the beginning of the chalk drawing for the adults, it began to threaten rain. So we hauled out a giant tarp to hang over the chalk and the woman working it. Somehow, possibly because we were both close to 6 feet tall, I and an old friend named Nate (might have been his older brother Chris, but I remember it being Nate) got the 'privilege' of holding the tarp. It was tacked down on one end, but the other end, near the drawing, we had to hold up while everyone else worked the crowd, prayed, did who knows what else.

Then the rain hit. I will never forget that night. I got soaked. It was that heavy hard hitting rain that we experienced today. The kind that hurt if it hit you directly. And there were Nate and I just getting pelted, and to add to that, all the runoff would just go straight on down us. Water falling out face, having to constantly brush our hair away or just spew water. I remember Nate and I just looking at each other and just laughing. We held that tarp the whole service; we were both exhausted by the end of it, and both of us spent the rest of the evening in sopping wet clothes and fell right to sleep when we finally got back to the mission. We did get a nice long look at her working the drawing though.

I don't remember the event as me "serving" anyone. I certainly didn't do it out of any sense of obligation or service to God. Quite the opposite. It was just something that needed to be done. That seems to be becoming my whole idea of ministry in my life now. If it needs to be done, I'll do it. I do not believe that I am cut out for walking up to someone and asking them if they know where they are going to go when they die. That method does not work, in my opinion. I'd rather be manning the table than walking around with the cross.

But since that night, whenever that hard heavy rain comes, it reminds me of Mexico. It reminds me of a time before I started questioning the doctrines and teachings of my old church; before my rebellion, as it were. Not against God, although I went through that too; but against the established church in His name.

When that rain falls, I want to run outside and just be in it. I want to go walking with no regard for the lightning, wind, or discomfort. I just want to get completely soaked. I just want to experience and relive it all.

"It's raining...it's pouring...but I ain't complaining...because I love the rain."

Windows Vista vs OSX, as told by Orson Scott Card

"Running a machine that runs Windows {Vista} is like buying a car -- only it comes with a chauffeur, and he's the only one allowed to drive your car, and he will only take you places he thinks you ought to go, and you have to sit in the seat he tells you to sit in, and he takes days off without any advance notice to you.

"The only difference between Windows and Apple, by the way, is that Apple's chauffeur takes fewer days off, but goes to even fewer destinations, and only one of the doors has a button. So don't tell me how I should switch to Apple and all my problems will be solved.

"I have an easier time believing that if I vote for Pedro, all my dreams will come true."

Red Skeleton

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

I (me, an individual, a committee of one.)
Pledge (dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.)
Allegiance (my love and my devotion.)
To the flag (our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!)
United (that means that we have all come together.)
States (individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.)
And to the republic (a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.)
For which it stands, one nation (one nation, meaning "so blessed by God")
Indivisible (incapable of being divided.)
With liberty (which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.)
And Justice (the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.)
For all (which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.)

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?

God Bless America!

Friends, and Frat Part Duo

Ever judge the quality of your friendships by how much time you spend on your friends? Do you ever worry that you really don't care about certain friends simply because you never talk to them or interact with them? It's kinda scary if you give it much thought. Really shows who is truly important to you in your life.

But anyways...

Finally picked up my AA at NorthHenn. Wow, what a wonderful experience it is dealing with those admissions people. I have never once had a helpful experience interacting with those offices. Everyone is always rude and put out to help you in any way. And that guidance counselor I met with years ago? What a bunch of help. "What do you want to do? Ok, get your AA and then transfer. Now get out." Sheesh.

My goal this summer is to be out of the house by the end of said summer. I think it's about time, don't you? Sure. I'm just curious how I'm going to do that. Already I'm strongly thinking of getting out of the bakery. I do not ever want to work another graduation season/thanksgiving/christmas in that place. Any other department that doesn't involve food, perhaps, but not the bakery. And honestly I'd rather just get out of Costco all together. I'm not too keen on working in such a big Fortune 500 place, even though managers start at $50g. Life's not all about money, right?

As I explained to my manager in a little talk one day, the most important reason I could never stay at Costco is the cost to your personal life. Managers are expected to work at least a 12 hour day, one day off. And those hours can be from 5 am to 10 pm or really at any time. Can I get married and raise a family on that? "Shoosh, kids, daddy needs to sleep. I know it's only 6 pm, but he has to be at work at 4 am."

No thank you. So really, other than Supervisor, I'm as far as I want to advance at Costco.

So I'm seriously of finding another job. Problem is, I can't accept less than $12, and I'd prefer not to have wrist killing 60 lb bag manual labor. I shouldn't be living off extra strength Tylenol and Tylenol PM in order just to stay asleep at night.

I'm already thinking of how to move out of my parents and into the frat. First step is to do something with all this crap I've accumulated. The wrong answer is to toss it all. I'd have all of college paid off if my mom hadn't sold off my vintage Star Wars collection for pennies. And yes, she realizes she messed up, lol.

So, I've got some purchases to make before I can move into the frat. One, storage boxes that are water proof. Those will be for cd cases, books, magazines, etc. Misc stuff, really. I went through all my mags a few weeks ago and threw about a foot high stack away. What's left are keepers. Preferably I'd like to send them to a bindery, but that'd cost. My boxs of comics can be stored safely at my parents. They've been tucked away for three years now, with me just pulling them out to inventory or add to them on occasion. Those are fine.

(BTW, just Star Wars comics, I'm sitting on over a grand. Maybe two or even three grand.)

Next thing is obviously clothes. What's really important to bring to the frat, what can I leave her and grab when I really need them. But the most important thing, at least in my little world, is my television. Space is at a premium at the frat, and I definitely need my TV for dvds and games. (Might even buy a 360 and Xbox Live on the frat's high speed connection!!) So I'm strongly thinking of abusing Best Buys' return policy in a paycheck or two and trading in the SlimFit HD for maybe a 32" LCD flat panel or something. I love my TV despite it's flaws, but it's still too big for the frat.

So I've got some goals. Which I'm dwelling on daily. Still, it's gonna be a while before I actually make the move.

Pray with me on this.

Frat house

The last few days I've been giving serious thought to moving into the frat house. But here's the thing...

I. DO. NOT. WANT. TO.

Just like I didn't want to go Summit; didn't want to go to college classes; didn't want to go to church; didn't want to go to work; didn't want to do nearly anything.

And yet I do, and need to, and will do so.

I recognize I need to get out of my comfort zone. Life will not improve at this rate, and nothing will change unless it is forced to.

Could I afford to live away from home? Yes, I probably could. I'd have to get real creative with my finances, and the thought of paying for school and having debt over my head terrifies me. School is the big thing hanging over my head; the thought of owing someone $50,000 really scares me. But then again, a friend of mine just bought a house, and I imagine that is freaking him out although he hides it very well.

I do not want to move into the frat house. It's not how I pictured my life going, and it's certainly not a "fun" thing to do. I'd much rather move in with Haueser and Joe, but there are other factors preventing me from doing that...not the least of which is that Joe stole my room. Seriously...

But there is something Jonathan told me that has been stuck in my head. To paraphrase, moving into the frat would be a great place for me to grow both in Christ and with others, teaching me not only how to better care for myself on my own, but how to relate to other people my age, and especially how to treat Christian women. And all those things are what I know I need. Just as how I came back from Summit with a desire to learn to cook, so I have the desire for all these other items too.

I do not want to end up living in the frat for the next 10 years with no ambition to move out and get my own place, content to just keep serving on the campus and living with a bunch of peeps. I have goals and dreams in life; marriage is one of them. But am I willing to live at the frat for a year or two before getting on my own feet? Sure, I guess.

Another part of me does not want to give certain people ("holy pricks") the satisfaction of having me live in the frat house. These are the same people who I'd rather not give the satisfaction of seeing me baptized in the Spirit. No kidding, if these people came up to me right after I was baptized and wanted to lay hands or give me a word, I'd either tell them to f*ck off if I was feeling nice, or I'd turn around and deck them if I was mad. I DO NOT LIKE THEM, and that is something God will have to change for me.

I do realize that those are very childish emotions, but I'm learning. Baby steps.

Other reasons why I do not want to live in the frat house...Well, first off, I'm not sure I could have a roomie. I know how I sleep, and as my friends can testify, I'm not easy to sleep in the same room with. Frequent nightmares, talks in sleep, occasional sleep walks, etc. Even if I don't remember them the next day does not mean they did not occur. Oh, the stories I could tell. So I'd have to go solo probably. (I imagine this is something God and I will have to work on when I get married)

Also, I am not at all crazy about living downtown. I barely feel safe walking the streets of Crystal at times. I can't imagine going out for a late night stroll downtown alone. Parking on the loop is better than parking behind the frat too, and yet I don't enjoy that. I enjoy it even less when it's below zero.

Also, and this was a big reason for me staying away from Christian universities, I am not cool with people going all holy and legalistic against me. If I want to listen to some U2 while playing a video game after working a 12 hour shift, don't you dare come in my room and tell me I should be listening to Hillsong United while reading my Bible! I will not put up with it. Period. Go be holy on someone else. You can encourage me, but the instance you start telling me how to live my life, we've got problems.

Ok, those are my biggest issues with moving into the frat. I'm trying my best to be partial and weigh the pros against the cons. I'm praying about it too, and hoping for a word from the Lord...beyond everyone from church coming up to me and saying it'd be good for me. That's advertising; not helpful.

I doubt there is some way I can snag Jelani's old room as a single; that'd be ideal. Cause I'd prefer to be upstairs with Cole and Ore and Chris and everyone, as opposed to tucked away in the basement...although down there I can listen to my music and play my games and movies without fear of disturbing or offending anyone!

So we will see. Keep me in your prayers. Thanks.

Passion and Purity by that Elliot chick

So I've been reading through Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot. It seems to always show up on the "Hit Lists" of Christians, along with titles such as Mere Christianity, My Utmost for His Highest, assorted works by Watchman Nee, and I Kissed Dating Goodbye (I'd advise staying away from that one).

Still don't understand why most Christians have never read The Screwtape Letters, though. But I digress...


Overall, I'd say it's a good book. I have maybe 15 pages to go or so, so not completely done, but I've enjoyed what I've read so far.

This Elizabeth Elliot chick seems to fit the mold of a lot of Christian ladies that I've known throughout my life. It's like they've become the spitting image of the woman as they've described themselves in the book. The only major difference is that there is no Jim in their life; and some of them are well into their forties. But highly used of God.

I do question Elliot's theology a bit though. She seems to like to pull phrases from the Bible at random to either confirm or deny her feelings on subjects. When questioning if it's lawful for someone to desire marriage, she pulls verses that basically call her the "whore of Babylon" in order to say that the desire is wrong. She takes scripture and twists it, whether intentionally or not. I don't understand how she can pull obscure Old Testament verses out instead of just reading through what Paul wrote on the subject.

And based on the quality of their letters, if that is what people talked like back in the 50's, I'm so very glad I live in the 00's! We like da way we talk, and you ain't changing us one bit!

Overall though I'd say it's an excellent book, far better than anything by Josh Harris or the Ludys (it's ok, I've met them, and while they are odd, they're ok), although the Ludy's book was pretty good.

It is a bit of an odd mindset this book has put me in, though. You start thinking of everything in life taking longer, as if that's the real grand master plan God has for everyone. I'm glad God does not have a chart somewhere in heaven where He checks off everyone's progress, keeping everyone to say the same rule and time. He's more hands on than that, thank God!

Guess that must be what the Spirit does...helps push us along and build us up. You know, all my life I've always thought that it was God who helped us, God who kept, God who did this and that for us. Reading through the NT over and over these past few weeks, I've begun to realize something. While yes it is God that is doing all these things, in reality, it's the Holy Spirit.

So why have I been fooled into thinking for so long that it was God the Father who worked in us instead of the Holy Spirit?

Acts 10:44-48

You know, I've read this multiple times over the years. The whole book. The whole chapter.

SO WHY AM I JUST NOW UNDERSTANDING IT???

A group of people are filled with the Holy Spirit BEFORE getting baptized?

Why have I never heard this preached in church before??

Now I'm pissed off...

As far as I'm concerned, this completely blows any arguments out of the water. It's the Bible, for crying out loud! I can't argue with it.

There is NOTHING in the text that suggest these people were already "saved." As it reads, they just now heard about Jesus from Peter. And IMMEDIATELY the Holy Spirit filled these men. Not just filled, but caused them to speak in tongues!!

And then it happens AGAIN in Acts 11:15-18!!

That's it. I'm pissed, and it's over. People have a lot of explaining to do.

WHOA!! Just saw this a sec later

Video of the Kaiser Chiefs performing "Oh My God" from Trocaderos, back in April...

THE CONCERT I WAS AT!!


Oh, and this is my favorite song from them. At least to see live...

Both times I've seen them, this song was the standout song of the night. They let the audience finish singing, accomplished by throwing the lead singers mic into the crowd.

Not the best of sound quality...but an idea. Too bad you don't see me...I'd be almost directly underneath the video camera.

The band had some guy with a high quality handheld walking around the show all night, so the possibility exists that I might show up on some official video later on.

I mean, I was like 3 feet from the lead singer at one point...and only about 5 feet from the guitar player all night. Stranger things have happened.

The Rock Connection...from the Beatles, to U2, to...?

"There are many things I could be proud of, if I'd only invented them...such as the wheel."

Kaiser Chiefs are rapidly becoming the new U2 in my little world. While they might not be big enough to sell out stadiums (except Live 8), they very much remind me of a young U2.

There is a theory floating around the internet that rock and roll is coming to a close.

http://www.theetherealconnection.com/home.php

This theory is based almost primarily on the album art from The Beatles and U2. The guy argues that The Beatles set the ground work for rock and roll. Then U2 came along a few decades later and took what the Beatles did and expanded it.

The theory goes that the last band of the Big Three is already winding up. The author believes it's Coldplay, based on this whole album art conspiracy thing.

Me? It's the Kaiser Chiefs, definitely.

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One more shameless plug - U2:3D comes out to IMAX this summer. I'm going to arrange a showing, try to invite as many people as I can to go. It might not be the same as going to the concert...but on an IMAX screen, and with this new 3D technology, it's going to be nearly as good!

Would love it if you'd come.