the stay-at-home apologist

MeWorld

2011-11-25T12:50:00.001-08:00

I thought this was a great post by a blogger I follow. Give it a quick read.

back to work?

2011-10-27T05:05:00.000-07:00

I don't know. I have an interview for a job I think I'd like, but mostly I'm like any fresh from college kid right now. Completely unnecessary and with the 10 years to wait for the economy to improve. Only I don't have 10 years cause at 51 I WILL be past my prime(mom). Read this.

which Republican?

2011-09-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

This was a good post and I really like Michelle Bachmann. I'm scared she won't get the nomination but I know she is the kind of person I would support for President. Remember, unless conservative, thoughtful Jesus followers vote the chasm continues to grow between what we once were even as far back as the 80s to what we are now.

no perfect work

2011-08-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

I just had a job for a day. I neglected to tell people about cause I didn't know if I should be excited or worried. It was at Costco and I worked(for the day) front end. Now I knew that this was a retail business and even though I've tried to avoid retail, times have been tight, for everyone, and I haven't worked in a while due to residency issues. So, after standing in a job fair line for over an hour, I got an interview that called me back for a second interview. And I was hopeful that I could do it.

Obviously I interviewed well the second time and I liked the warehouse manager and was offered the job. But while there are some things I know I can do that are out of my education and experience, this wasn't one of them. My time as a glorified bag boy, hurried packing awkward giant boxes into a cart or boxes like a game of Tetris viewed from the top, was miserable. So many people, so fast, such impatient managers, and I knew upon leaving for the day I probably wouldn't be back. I want to work but this was just overwhelming.

Now before you consider judging me remember I'm not like you. We all have different personalities and gifts and sensitivities. This job was just outside of my range. I hope to find something soon. I learned something about myself so I hope that was the important thing.

Onward and upward

just a little

2011-07-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

How sweet are words of encouragement from friends. Thanks.

don't be an egg-no-ray-moose

2011-07-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

I don't want to write the whole great article I just read, like some pastors that would reteach their sermon in the closing prayer, but this is one of the most important things I've read about the church as it is today. It seems you're either one of two churches, one that does things as they've been done since the 1950s and one that wants to attract people that have never been to church before. But if you're the second one what do you do with the people that aren't historically part of the culture? Biblical ignorance is rampant and it really affects the church because ultimately people's daily lives aren't being changed.

Anyway, here's the article. My biggest passion is empowering people to be unpaid pastors, at work and in their local church. Not knowing the Bible is the biggest impedance to doing that.

Onward and upward

Your resurrection

2011-07-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Since going to Beulah Camp Meeting this last week, this revelation has changed my life. It really shouldn't have changed my life, since I've been reciting the Apostle's Creed for years, but I guess you can say something from memory and not connect with it in any meaningful way. But Dr. Steve Lennox preached really deep sermons on the Creed and I feel like my faith has gained something new. Nobody ever talked about a bodily resurrection at any time during seminary and I guess I've truly stayed the faith of my youth, and we certainly never talked about it.

Well, I just finished reading Miracles by CS Lewis and look forward to Keith Drury's Common Ground and Mike Licona's The Resurrection of Jesus. Good cigar books probably but I look forward to them.

Anyway, if you want to know more, here's a brief synopsis of my excitement on a site I often visit. Hope it changes you too.

CH Spurgeon on books

2011-07-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

One of my cigar smoking brothers that I'll be excited to meet in heaven, CH Spurgeon, believed in the value of books. I've got lots of them. I think they're of great value for smart people as well as people that want to be smart. I'll get rid of lots of things with my next move, but my books won't be one of them.

Mark Driscoll

2011-07-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

This doesn't encourage my hope in the megachurch. Apparently Mark Driscoll can say whatever he wants. Now I'm not exactly following this guy or holding him up as a banner of the faith, but I do believe men need to be men. But just what are we going to do to teach the ones that aren't our children or part of our youth ministries? Surely not what Driscoll does.

No bully pastors. I don't see it in the Bible.

Onward and upward

what were you thinking?

2011-06-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

If you'd never been to church or had any friends or history there, what would you expect it to be like? It seems the only attention the church is given in movies and TV is the Catholic church, and I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've been in one in my life. So, what is a place you would want to go and just hang out?

I bet it would be like a combination concert/sporting event/bar. Cheers always said a place "where everybody knows your name." For me, it would have to have great music. I mean, at least semi professional level musicians-people that wouldn't be out of place in a bar band. There would need to be general excitement and proper publicity for when these meetings were going to take place. There would also need to be elements of my world there-a little of the regular music I love, the TV and movies I watch-that kind of stuff. This would be included in the sermons, and we'd all get to preach if we wanted to. I mean, not all at the same time but there shouldn't be significant separation between the people and the staff of the church. Sermons would cover growing as a follower of Jesus stuff as well as becoming a follower.

There would also need to be places where we could get together apart from these big group meetings. Places and times designed to help people really get to know each other and be open and honest. Getting together over good food and adult beverages and maybe an after dinner cigar. Opportunities for people to let their hair down in a Jesus-following environment. I'm kind of an academic type so I like to read really good books on philosophy/apologetics-type stuff and I'd love to talk about them with other like minded people. Seems it might be nice to me to do this with other guys since I know my wife might like a similar experience with other women.

Anyway, pleasant dreaming, no?

Onward and upward

on being the new kid

2011-06-28T01:03:00.000-07:00

Everyone will probably be one once. The brand new person that nobody knows anything about. Nowhere to sit in the lunchroom-you don't know what other kids are like you. But it happens all your life. And so few of us will ever have a chance to let people know who we really are without an extended introduction period that lasts until the natives say it's over. And that can last literal years. But isn't it so nice when one of those natives accepts you ahead of time? Maybe you've had that experience-when someone reaches over and makes you feel welcome before their friends think you deserve it. Or starts including you in things before you have proven yourself worthy to other friends and colleagues.

If you're a Christ follower, be that person. REALLY love your neighbor-at work, at school, at church, and that club/thing you lead.

onward and upward

a package deal

2011-06-26T00:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know which is harder for people, going through bad fundamentalist phases as a Christian kid or finding out there are parts of the Bible you don't like as an adult. I know the cold alienation I got as a high school kid that told his friends they were living a wrong lifestyle. I didn't get invited to many parties where I would get the opportunity to turn down drinking, drugs, and premarital sex. But it must also be hard to have lived a life where most things were acceptable to find out since connecting with Jesus that some of your current lifestyle has always been holding you back. Or finding that you can't be as open minded as you thought you needed to be to be the coveted "politically correct" person you so value. Jesus never said being a Christian would be hard. He said it would be impossible. We do it with God and other Christians.

Why Worry, Atheist?

2011-06-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a good article for those of us accustomed to being accosted by the atheist's fight against anything reeking of faith in God.

assume the best

2011-06-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

I think the internet has been really tough on personal relationships. I believe that those among us that are introverts and passive-aggressive conflict avoiders are much quicker to interpret what's been said as posts on twitter, Facebook, and blogs like this one. I would rather you dialog with me as to what I mean exactly rather than jump to conclusions that you know what I'm talking about. This blog is just me and my sometimes internal ramblings which may be raw and nervy at times. If we're really friends in the first place just talk to me if you think I'm going crazy. Having said all this...

I go to a great church. Ministry as a staff member AT ANY CHURCH has not been a good thing for me. All churches are limited by what they can do with secular, non-Jesus familiar people and therefore can't really do ministry as the New Testament speaks about. After all, we don't have community possessions and live together. That might make working out problems with each other a little easier. And a little harder. Working out problems with others is just hard, but if they're brothers and sisters in Jesus it's what we have to do. And hopefully we all care enough to do that.

Onward and upward

whatever is necessary

2011-06-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

I kind of wanted to follow up on a post the from the other day. I don't know if the unrest I'm feeling is that I'm getting ready to start a church or just dissatisfaction. I just see ministry being done so poorly it just really makes me want to do it myself. As I said before, for me ministry is not in the church, and if all my work week is spent planning worship services, am I really hanging out with people that need to know Jesus? I don't think Jesus or Paul spent all week planning a worship service or their next series of sermons. I think it was spent hanging out with people that wanted a life change. I know pastors have to stick with denominational standards so they can't exactly hang out with non-followers of Jesus in a bar or where "evil" things might happen. I and others that feel like me don't have those hangups. I feel that I learned a lot of these ideas from Blue Like Jazz, which as I understand will be out in theaters as a movie soon. I think it changed me forever, maybe some not in a good way.

not legit

2011-06-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of friends who are in the ministry full-time, as a life and career choice. It was a choice that I thought I'd made too at one time in my life, but God had other plans, and I was driven off from almost every ministry job I ever had. Maybe I never had the personality to be a pastor, because I'm sure they know that the sheep are not always docile. I felt a need to confront people on their attitudes and behaviors, but maybe that's not what one does. Anyway, for me, I did not feel it was a legit career. Let me explain.

I did not like planning and reading. I loved preaching a weekly sermon but I still feel that the average church attender thinks pastoral staff only works one a day a week. I also wanted to be around non-Christians more, even though many of the people attending are nominal or non-Christians. So, if I ever do it again...

It won't be my day job. I will work at something that allows me to build relationships with those that don't know Jesus. I will eat with them, drink and smoke cigars with them, be a friend and confidant, and hopefully their preacher on the weekend. My faith will never be watered down and my character won't be compromised. Because this is my understanding of the early church fathers and even Jesus-they stood out for being different in character. But they related to normal people on their level, whatever they happened to be doing.

Singing tonight in a voice recital. My first ballad.

onward and upward

Ministering from the Outside

2011-06-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

I hope this topic stays with the theme of my blog but I'm writing it on here anyway. It's very difficult to have been in professional ministry, whatever that is, and go back to being a church paean. I have so many ideas about things that would make the mission of the organization fulfilled, but no one to talk to about them. Or if there is talking there is no implementation.

I just read an interesting article by Perry Noble, the guy who pastors a complex of churches in South Carolina, about the things he wants from the people he works with. Where does that leave the people outside the professional staff? Did Paul or Jesus only work with the professionals or all those who were committed to the cause of seeing people become Christians and grow in that life? I'll bet it was the second one...

So, to all the pastors out there, remember those who were in ministry full-time but had to leave it for good reasons; maybe we have some good advice to offer. Or maybe we've already offered it and you haven't followed through. If you want those people to hang around maybe you should involve them. If not maybe they'll go somewhere they can be more involved.

But maybe this is just advice from someone that desperately needs a job to stop thinking about dead end issues, like what I used to do and where I used to be. I sure hope not.

Onward and upward.

Still seeing the Enemy

2011-05-08T02:08:00.000-07:00

I thought I was through discussing the school I worked for here but I guess not. I seem to keep running into people that worked there or had dealings with me as principal and just wish I could disappear. I rehearse all the things I did during that one year of work and always feel that I did what God would have me do, and yet when I see someone, I always feel ashamed. I responded with integrity and prudence and still feel embarrassed. I put up a quote from Buddy Hackett recently about not holding a grudge cause it's only hurting me. The other person is dancing. I don't want them to suffer or even acknowledge that they've done wrong. I just want to feel that I did my best there and that God approves. But God is very quiet. And even those old "friends" all feel like enemies now.

I just want to stay home.

Love Wins review

2011-05-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

Another great review by a Christian philosopher of the Rob Bell book. I hope you'll like it too. I'm also looking for a great book reminiscent of the writing style of CS Lewis or GK Chesterton if anyone would like to make a recommendation.

a smart review of Love Wins

2011-04-12T04:33:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad someone intelligent did this, but a real Bible scholar cared to review Rob Bell's new book. I don't mind saying I'm not super Bible literate, although I've been reading it or listening to stories and sermons about it my whole life. I loved Rob Bell's sermon "Covered in the Dust of the Rabbi" that I heard years ago, but he seems to be interested in the whole emergent "we're all one family" thing. That has just never set right with me.

Anyway, here's the review.

the Kiss

2011-03-24T02:55:00.000-07:00

I guess since I'm up early, I might as well blog.

Well, since Victoria Jackson, former SNL funny lady, has blogged about the gay kiss on Glee this week, I thought I would at least support what she's saying. She may be branded as a bit of a loony but I think she's OK with that. People on youtube are absolute sheep in the culture war and condone the "anything goes" attitude that says you can go beyond posting that Rebecca Black's "Friday" video is "terrible pop music" to "you should kill yourself."

Jackson is right. It's not OK for 2 men, or women to kiss each other. The Bible is clear about this and other sins. It's just tough for those of us that once thought this was a Judaeo-Christian culture to see what it is now, and that seems to not just be secular but anti-Christian.

And while you're over on youtube, you should watch and comment on my singing. I would really appreciate it. It's relatively wholesome.

on the missing of humility

2010-12-10T09:35:00.001-08:00

A guy I really respect, Thomas Sowell, wrote an article on how meaningless media coverage of sporting events had become. I want to say things and listen to things that really matter, so this was just what I wanted to read.

getting out there

2010-12-07T05:32:00.000-08:00

This has been a big season of life for me. I've begun really extending myself, I think, in hopes and preparation of my future here, whatever that is. My music is going pretty well, but it looks like the way I've done that for some time will need to change as well. Singing at church is great and it's the highlight of my week when I'm on the schedule. I'm also involved with Christmas at the Playhouse, which is waaay out of my element, since it's musical theatre and I don't really do that stuff. It's more like acting than singing.

So anyway, the whole Playhouse thing has been so overwhelming I almost decided not to do it. I got a solo, which I've been told is quite rare for a first-timer, and I have awakened many nights lately fretting about it. I have pretty terrible stage fright, which I intend to improve as time goes on, and the time commitment to this thing is large. I had almost convinced myself that it's not worth it.

But how much am I around non-Christian people? Almost none. I mean, I'm not working so I'm not talking to them at a job. So I guess this is where God intends me to be. I pondered the idea of working for a church again someday, but I don't think I'd ever do that. It's like Os Guinness has described "a religious ghetto." It's just not for me. So, although I'm concerned about my next job and have no idea about what it could be, I've just GOT to be around seeking people. I mean, I'm a Christian and I'm still seeking. There's got to be people God wants me to talk to.

you DO matter

2010-11-05T05:53:00.001-07:00

I heard something again this week that I've probably heard in church all my life. It goes like this-if I don't do something, God will find someone who will. I've been thinking about it a lot because, for the first time, I realized what the statement is doing. It is devaluing the individual. Now I'm not stating that the Christian should be the "rugged individualist": never needing others, having quiet times alone, crying in silence. We need each other and should help each other in every way-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But I believe that the individual is VERY important to God.
Think about it, if I wasn't important to God, why would He waste time in wanting me to transform my character? I mean, why don't we just "follow the rules" like in the Old Testament? Weren't the 10 commandments and the Levitical laws good enough for me? No they weren't. God wanted me to learn to "think differently", not just follow the rules. And he made me and you particularly, with a unique personality, style of communicating, and physical gifts.
So yeah, you can choose not to do something God is CLEARLY asking you to do. But you will suffer because you will have missed something. Pay attention so it doesn't happen to you a second time. God loves you too much for you to miss out on some of the greatest experiences of your life. As a UNIQUE individual.

no choice?

2010-10-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

I just read a FaceBook status yesterday that people are "born gay." Well I don't think so and maybe you don't either if you ever read my blog. But I decided to do a little investigation on google to see what other, possibly unbiased sites thought. So that eliminated sites with a only Christian worldview.
It seems that the scientists don't agree on this idea. Some have tried to find a "gay gene" and have stated that they have; others have stated that to find this singular characteristic is impossible. Animals in nature may CHOOSE to be homosexual for a time but there's no evidence they're born that way. And humans that pair as same sex couples serve no biological function, that is, they can't have children naturally without adoption or surrogacy, so that's out.
Biblically, homosexuals are pictured as depraved in the Old Testament and willfully sinning in the New Testament; a sinner that God loves but a sin that God deplores.
If persons are BORN gay how do some become ex-gay? Wouldn't their physiology preclude that from ever happening?
One of my favorite TV shows that has made me laugh for over a season is now pushing the political issue. It's a shame really but if Modern Family continues going in this direction I won't be watching any more.
I don't have any gay or lesbian friends. I guess I have been propositioned in the past but I have always felt this to be an aberrant behavior. And I'm sure there are nice people that are also homosexual and someone has a ministry there, it's just not me. I've read that the philosopher/theologian Henri Nouwen was gay and celibate. Loved everything I read of his.

what "they" think of "us"

2010-09-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

I'm into bikes these days. As in bicycles. And if I ever work again I hope that's something to save for.
Anyway, there's a whole hipster edge to faith these days. I don't think I'm trying too hard. But this was interesting from a bike blog that I visit.

stop being wimps

2010-09-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

This was too good not to share. Hope you find it useful.

Legal

2010-09-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

Well, if you're friends with me and not Jill on FaceBook, you might not know that I'm now legal in Canada as a visitor for one year. I can't work still and have no medical privileges, which is a pretty big deal in socialized medicine, but it's OK for me to be here as well as travel back and forth to the US. Maybe a trip down home is possible over Christmas time. And the agent who checked me through at the border also told me that my permanent residency process was seen in the database so that was a HUGE blessing as well. She took my original work document from me so maybe I'll soon be able to put that whole experience behind me. Hope so.

A Whole New World

2010-08-24T05:52:00.000-07:00

Can't you just hear Peabo Bryson now? I was at a baptism where my church baptized a lot of people this past Sunday, and I thought and worried about new believers in this day of the church. I can't help transporting my culture to this new place, but I of course grew up in the Bible belt and living in more than just a cultural Christianity, I grew up in the church. Mom was the choir director and Dad was a deacon and sang in the choir. I grew up in Sunday School, watching Billy Graham films about the end of times, and hearing hellfire and brimstone sermons occasionally. I heard all the Bible stories and learned about quiet times and Scripture memorization and was grown in the faith by my mom and youth camps my entire life. And for all the youth that turn their backs on the church when they leave home, I was one of the success stories.
Which brings me back to why I was worried for people that are being baptized right now. Increasingly people are completely unchurched for their entire lives. No one has ever taken them to church. I would like to be one of their older and wiser Christian friends that helps them navigate the minefield that I went through when it was much safer. I mean, I was seven. How difficult could the world have been then? They are in their early 20s or older.
I may not be all that old, in years anyway, but I hope someone might need my wisdom. I'll be praying.
And I'll continue to influence the only one whose life I have any control over-Celia Grace. I read or heard all Christians used to live together in New Testament days. Now that would've been a church...

A Different Use of Social Media

2010-08-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

I hope I haven't titled this poorly. I just had an interesting experience today that I thought I might share. As many of you know if you read this blog, I've had a rough time here in Canada with being run off from the only job I could work here, getting sick, and my wife having to go back to work while I stay at home to take care of our child. Well, I posted some raw stuff not long after losing the job and some students got hold of that blog and decided to respond to it. In a really hateful manner. On Christmas Day. Well, that's what made today interesting.
I was in a queue for food this morning at the market when who should come up but that kid. The one that tracked me through someone's friend list on FaceBook just so he could send me a snarky, even hateful, FB message. And I'm standing right next to him. Does he feel self-conscious? Should he? Is it OK to say bad things from the anonymity of a computer that one wouldn't say in person? I say that it is.
It made me consider the humanity of social media. The people on my list really were my friends at other times in my life, as well as now. I mean, I like having a big list but all of these are people that I would actually speak to again.
I don't know what I'm trying to say. I didn't say anything to this guy. I mean, he's not a friend. What would Jesus or Paul have said to the people that deliberately tried to hurt them? In Jesus' case, abuse and kill him?
So maybe people communicate their true feelings when they can be anonymous. Not me though. I'm going to try to treat everybody in the right way. Hope I'm teaching somebody something. That's what I love doing the most.

Lady GaGa analysis

2010-07-15T06:22:00.000-07:00

I don't really listen to pop music at all anymore. When I was teaching, I listened to it a little more, and found the song Poker Face to be quite catchy. A study of GaGa's recent Rolling Stone interview was interesting, to say the least. Those that say we can change the channel or radio station must also know we can't always be with our kids, students, and youth. I need to know what and who they're listening to. I believe in studying media and think it's very important, especially living in today's culture. Not to be puritanical and say it's all bad and should be avoided, that's incredibly naive and unrealistic. But simply to know. And whether I'm ever in full-time ministry again or not, I'm always going to think that's absolutely essential to what I do.

As Good As I Once Was

2010-07-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

as I look over FaceBook pictures and statuses of former youth that were part of ministries I led or was involved in, I'm always disheartened that some weren't affected at all by Jesus. I mean, I know it usually takes crisis to bring us to faith(and keep us there) but I definitely realize (now) the ministry wasn't about how great I was as a pastor/teacher. It's a Holy Spirit job...

Escape From the Past

2010-06-29T03:28:00.000-07:00

Not blast from the past. That's some of my favorite 80s tunes. Jill pointed this out to me and it's too good not to pass along.

What We're Here For

2010-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have a great church. I love it and I don't mind who knows. But that's because I want to go where I can see them going. And I want to be part of that somehow. I think this article describes it well.

Supposed to be...

2010-06-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

Who hasn't been hurt by the church? Some of us really badly? I have and this article and the comments following it are great for understanding it a little better. And, who knows, some of us might actually heal from those wounds one day. Straighten up church. Businesses treat people better than some of you have.
So here's a glass to loving each other better.

After You Believe

2010-05-31T04:03:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most amazing things I've read, and I just had to share it with you.
"Give people a command for a particular situation, and you help them live appropriately for a day; teach them to think Christianly about behaviour, and they will be able to navigate by themselves into areas where you hadn't given any special instructions." NT Wright
This is what I intend to do with my life if I can just hang on until I can work again. I've long hated the idea of making rules for Christians but it's also true that we can't just "be ourselves", because that may very well be someone very off track with Christian behaviour. I had a good family, even sometimes a moral family, but not one that promoted Christian behaviour by teaching it with lifestyle.
And this is one of the most amazing, although dense, books I've ever read. If you're up for it, pick up a copy of the book in the blog title. You won't be sorry.

new admiration for The End

2010-05-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I've been a LOST fan since the very beginning. And as many of you also know, the show just ended this past Sunday night. I didn't have a good feeling about the end episode to begin with, but I've since changed my mind. I felt the goofy, universalist idea put forth by the chapel with every possible faith symbol in the stained glass was wrong or the easy way out. I already knew that the flash sideways was a type of purgatory, especially by this last show. And like my favorite CS Lewis novel, The Great Divorce, I thought the ideas that persons could choose Heaven but if they remained in purgatory it was Hell. I believe the Island and all that went on it was real and I loved the idea that flawed human beings can do valiantly unselfish things, like Jack did by returning things to normal before his own wonderfully recorded death. I pray my own ending will be as good, cause don't most of us want to do something that really matters in this life?
Cheesy comparisons to the old Ray Boltz song aside (boy didn't that turn out bad?), I think most of us want to know we made a difference in the world. And I think that's why I changed my mind about The End. No, it didn't tie all the loose ends together. But I think it made me realize how much every person was created for an amazing drama, and if two completely non-Christian guys (as far as I know) could write such an amazing Christian allegory, then I must have a lot to talk to non-believers about.
Oh and I got some of my ideas from this guy. Hope the show is still growing on you.

Counting the Costs

2010-05-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

So, what has it cost to continue living in this town? And you know I don't mean financial...
Generally, when most of us lose a job or break up with a lover, we pray not to see them again. Makes you sore all over, you know? The best thing you can usually do is move away so you don't have to see all the old spots, old friends, hear the favorite songs while riding around, or see your former students. That doesn't mean the town is bad. Just that there's so much baggage we don't need or want.
Well, since I lost my job in this foreign country I still see all those old people, cause we weren't able to move away. Saw the board chairman's(now principal?) wife in the mall and you shoulda seen them run! Wasn't going to speak anyway but there they were, almost running into me but trying frantically to ignore me.
I made some choices this past weekend as we finished a sermon series about Joseph. I more compare my life to Job but if anyone had reason to harbor grudges it was Joseph. So I've determined to say nothing else about the school-from staff, faculty, board, and church. They were all part of driving me out and stranding my family here. I choose to forgive-hopefully not blogging about them and participating in negative conversations count for that.
I'm also struggling with some mystery fatigue/anxiety illness that I can't seem to get well from. But I choose not to negatively mention the school and its associated parties anymore. To continue to hit myself in the head with the hammer and expect them to feel the headache is the definition of insanity.

Writing the Modern Era Bible

2010-04-23T05:50:00.001-07:00

I don't like everything Donald Miller says cause I don't really like all the watered-down political Christianity of emergent, but this post is great. I believe we've got to continue to be relevant as Christians, and the Bible stands the test of time as an open, honest book about God and his very imperfect people. Just like me!

Psalm 40

2010-04-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

How long, Lord? Here's hoping for a better decade. Happy Earth Day. Oh and my birthday.

The Price of Staying Faithful

2010-04-12T04:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not really a golf guy, but I do love great sportswriting. I've always casually read Rick Reilly, first in SI, now on espn.com. I don't know if Phil Mickelson is a Christian but I do know he's going through adversity. That's what makes this story so great. And it reminds me that my life is not all about me.

The New Era of "Nothingness"

2010-04-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

I occasionally pick up Adbusters magazine, a liberal rag that studies modern media. This article had already been commented by a fellow blogger but I thought it was great. Give it a read. It's short and really gives Christians some idea about who we're talking to, especially those in the university world.

Removing the Polarizer of the USA

2010-03-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

A Discussion on Why We Should Impeach Obama.

The Devil Went Down to the Island

2010-02-17T05:30:00.000-08:00

OK, I'm sure all my seminary friends that watch LOST already knew this, but this season's John Locke is Satan. I think we've seen how he goes after people that are out of community and mad at the world and tells them lies. It was never more obvious than taking Sawyer around last night after finding him sitting in his underwear drinking whiskey and redneck grieving over Juliet. And the scene in the cave at the end of the episode where Locke basically tells Sawyer that Jacob is the island's killjoy and just doesn't want anyone to have any fun. But everyone else knows to go to the Temple where they can be safe together. Sawyer was easy pickins'.
If this wasn't the temptation from the Garden of Eden or the wilderness temptation of Jesus I've completely missed the boat back to the mainland.
Hope you're enjoying the show.

Great article on the emergent church

2010-02-12T09:42:00.000-08:00

I love Rob Bell and Donald Miller's stuff but that's probably as far as I'll delve into emergent. I loved this article though. Have a look at it. http://www.examiner.com/x-8626-Des-Moines-Christian-Examiner~y2010m2d11-Cherrypicking-the-Past-The-Emergent-Church-and-its-Discontents?#comments

Jody

The Revolt Against Leftism

2010-01-25T05:44:00.000-08:00

Read what Charles Krauthammer has to say about why Scott Brown got elected in Massachusetts. I had a crazy fit(excitement) in my living room when I heard the news. http://townhall.com/columnists/CharlesKrauthammer/2010/01/22/the_meaning_of_brown?page=full

Teaching others and 24

2010-01-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

I finally have some new, original material! I hope you're watching 24 because it's a very interesting study of many things about human nature. And the show has built on itself for several seasons so now we have this mammoth development of characters. That's one reason that I hope it won't end soon, although I do have other favorites that I've been following faithfully that I will also talk about here.
So in last night's episode, we have a character from last season that was Jack's romantic interest, a former FBI agent named Renee. She was a real follower of policy last season and a bit of a square contrasted with Jack's "at all costs" attitude.
Well, she came back last night on the new season and boy had she changed. Instead of a lady with compassion for others and a desire to follow the rules we saw a pragmatist very much like Jack. Only she learned poorly.
Brought me back to some grade sevens I had last year for Phys Ed. I was trying to teach everyone to be more aggressive in soccer, like defenders making contact with the person trying to dribble in to the goal. Not fouling per se but making some body contact to disturb balance. Wasn't long before they were pushing and tripping each other. Not what I'd taught at all, but definitely what they'd learned.
My daughter and I play rough. I tickle her hard and give her little punches to the ribs and put her in gentle headlocks. It's not MMA; I love her dearly and would never purposely hurt her but sometimes I accidentally do. I apologize and kiss and hug and otherwise try to make her feel better and it works. Then she initiates the contact a little later by walking up to me and hitting me hard with her sharp, tiny little fist. Sometimes in the nuts. And sometimes her mother, who has nothing to do with our battles. And I know I've been a poor teacher.
So Renee saws off a guys' fingers last night to get off his house arrest bracelet, after being all amorous first to earn his trust. "Do what is necessary?" Jack came running in with his gun drawn. She had learned poorly.
I love the show. Can't wait to see what happens next.

President Obama must choose sides

2010-01-12T06:24:00.000-08:00

This is just something good to think about. I hope you'll join me in continued prayer for the leaders of our country, and that we'll be active and alert in our jobs and ministries, wherever they are. http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/01/president_obama_must_choose_wh.html

predictions 2010

2010-01-01T08:22:00.000-08:00

This is too good not to repost.
http://theconstructivecurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2010/01/predictions-2010.html

Happy New Year, really!

Jody

conservatism versus modern liberalism

2009-12-30T15:24:00.001-08:00

This is one of the most succinct things I've read about the huge cultural divide. Hope you'll give it a thorough read.

http://spectator.org/archives/2009/12/09/totalitarian-sentimentality/print

Thanks,

Jody

Friends hurt us?

2009-11-24T05:51:00.000-08:00

I have been going through a crisis in the last day and a half with reading some old comments on earlier blogs. I went back and looked at Getting Over It yesterday and that was probably my rawest posting so far. One of the hard things about blogging is that anyone can post a comment. And some hurtful and judgmental things were posted about that blog.
Now, I'd be really sad if people that didn't know who I was from being upset about moving to another country and losing my job and getting sick and anxious and depressed but being unable to work read the post. But I wouldn't be nearly as upset as if a close personal friend busted my chops about feeling anger towards the school board and church for what happened.
I'm working at being positive all the time. I've got no time for anyone's negativity. If you want to help me great. If you want to correct and judge me, I've got no time for you. I'm trying to get better. Maybe we can all learn how to suffer well together.
Chantal was great. I will talk about her later.
Moving forward!

The way back-xanax?

2009-11-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

I haven't been on here as regularly as I'd like, and part of the reason is that my head just hasn't been right. I was doing so well-being an encourager for the family but at the same time as being an agoraphobe, keeping up with my quiet times, and generally being very patient with my daughter, although not being a particularly fun dad since I don't leave home much. I have some kind of longstanding health things that I think are hormonal from having been so very stressed over the last 10 or so years, probably much longer. And terrible stomach problems that torment me almost every meal, made much worse by the only truly healthy ingredient I've recently added to my life-running
I know God doesn't owe me anything-a job, a life and career, a good marriage. I just started out on this journey really wanting to serve him and being idealistic enough to think I'd be rewarded. It's nowhere in the Bible, Jesus and Paul were terribly abused, but I don't think I'm alone in thinking this wasn't how things would turn out. Unfortunately, the quiet person bears the brunt of my anger and disappointment over all these developments, and that can be and usually is God and sometimes my wife. And since God doesn't talk back or defend himself, that's who I have trouble forgiving and wanting to continue serving.
I listened to JP Moreland lecture not too long ago about what once constituted a noble life 100 years ago or so. And that was caring about others more than self. Not feeling well has led to not thinking well and has made me very selfish. I have read some research online about xanax making stomach problems and agoraphobia better but there is a high cost-physical dependency. I've been taking it for about 3 weeks and tried to stop it for the last day and a half and guess what? It has been awful. No sleep and terrible guts and generally all the darkness of the world has crushed down. So I guess I'll have to be a drug addict for awhile longer.
I want to be better for my family. I haven't had any choice in the bad things that have happened but I can't hate God and all the people that were supposed to be his people that have treated me and my family so poorly.
So, I'm still stay-at-home Dad. And I love my family enough to stay addicted to drugs if it makes my life and therefore theirs a little better.
See you again here soon with notes from the Chantal Kreviazuk concert we'll be at tomorrow night.

Deleting Friends?

2009-10-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe they weren't all friends, but lately I've been purging my FaceBook lists. anybody that seems to start political or religious arguments I get rid of. why? well, obviously I'm not there in person to banter back and forth with all the ideologues that share the wrong POV, so rather than coming across as a cantankerous old kook I remove them. I hope you have people like that because as great as they are to debate in real life, they're that frustrating on FaceBook. And I can't just leave well enough alone. It's always said that the 2 ways to start a fight are to begin a discussion about religion or politics.
Are you like that? Is it just cause I "stay at home"? I've always thought that "liberals" are people that generally aren't working for a living and therefore find it easy how to tell everyone else how to spend their money as well as what's important globally.
I guess the longer I live, the more I want people to be responsible for their own actions. As a school teacher I was always in disbelief when seniors preparing for graduation wouldn't bother doing assignments on time, didn't study for tests, missed excessive classes, etc. And their parents would come by and say "Why didn't you let me know?" I don't know ma'am, why isn't your adult student responsible for his actions?
I hope this still fits with the theme of the blog. I expect the best of myself and, for some reason, I still expect the best of others.
So says the guy that's sitting here watching My Name is Earl.

Amusing Ourselves into Great Christianity

2009-10-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

I have to teach Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman and What's So Great About Christianity by Dinesh D'Souza and wondered if anyone out there had ideas. I emailed Doug Groothius at the Constructive Curmudgeon after seeing that the Postman book was one of his favorites and even saw that he had the class do a media fast and write about it. 10 days with nothing but books and magazines. I think I'd DIE but are we becoming dumber and dumber because we don't read about the faith or culture? Do we just copy it? I know with Twitter which I don't use there's FaceBook that I do use and both make it easy for me not to interact with others or ever do much reading. I'm doing my best to read my Bible but I did take last week off. And I am moving through Mere Christianity slowly, but by and large I'm on the computer and probably on FB.
The D'Souza book will be a little easier to teach but I want to make it engaging. Have you had anything that has recently profoundly affected your spiritual life? Anything that made you notice God in the world? Movies or music? I think I already talked about Count of Monte Cristo again but I'd love to hear from you. I'll give you full credit!
Come Lord!

Stand to Reason: Is Ignorance Necessary to Preserve Faith?

2009-10-06T04:26:00.001-07:00

Stand to Reason: Is Ignorance Necessary to Preserve Faith?

Posted using ShareThis

He believes in you

2009-10-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

I didn't go to church today. That's kind of a big deal for the family because we've been here before. This isn't the first time I've been run off from the ministry and the family, which was smaller at the time by one, quit going to church for a time then too. It was just too hard to go for the sake of going and God hadn't given us anyone to minister to and no one was there to talk us through our pain. It's a little like now, but I'm still praying for God to give us an individual or family that we can bring through something.
This afternoon I'm also watching the new Count of Monte Cristo with Jim Caviezel. Jill and I cried as Caviezel and Richard Harris talk as the old priest is dying from the tunnel cave in. The priest tells Edmond not to waste the rest of his life on revenge because of God's plan for his life. Edmond states that he doesn't believe in God. The dying priest says,"It doesn't matter, God believes in you."
So that's what I hold on to today. I have struggled often lately, but it doesn't matter. God believes in me. Biblical of not, just what I needed to hear.

how's it gonna be?

2009-09-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about church for a while now and what makes a good one. Sometimes the things that attract me to a church are not very lasting things and I quickly lose interest. Sometimes I see an obvious thing I can get involved in, music for me, and think that's what I'm supposed to do. Sometimes it's just great preaching that's really clear and meaningful and culturally relevant and that's why I want to go, but I also want to be preaching those sermons because that's my calling personally. Sometimes there's great community. People that you've seen several times and just really connect with on a deep level and you are both so glad to see each other.
I have a deep stirring in my spirit that a change will be happening in my life and the life of my family. I don't think nearly as many people go to church as they once did because society has become so secular and disconnected. Church should never be a continuation of that and our church should be reaching and caring about people that are secular. I don't have solutions, just concerns. Concerns about the people I see out walking for exercise or running alone during church times and wonder how we've dropped the ball reaching them.
What do you think? All I know is that even though it's not all about me and mine, somebody has to reach us too. It's lonely out there. Come Lord.

down to business

2009-09-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

So why am I the stay-at-home apologist? Well, I think there are 2 reasons. For most of my working life I haven't been at home, that is, not working at home. I have been in the workplace in a mix of secular and Christian jobs. I have to say I much prefer the secular. People have no expectations of you and you can BE your faith and once in a while get to talk about it, if others ask. I think I'm quite good at it. I've also worked secular jobs at the same time I've been doing some preaching and those in the Christ-soaked South wanted to see if I was for real or just another hypocrite. Or, that is to say, an obvious hypocrite.
Secondly, I think God has given me the responsibility of raising my daughter appropriately. I don't know that I'm doing a great job cause I don't feel much like playing 2 and a half year old games(her age) and I don't have a whole lot of energy due to just being destroyed from a rough last 10 years. But I do love her. I want her to know what Jesus is like the best way I can with whatever I have the energy to do.
So it's best for me right now to be stay-at-home. Especially since I can't work in this country anyway. I think it helps my wife and we don't have to have childcare. It's lame for me as a man to be at home but it's God's thing for right now. Maybe now I and whoever reads this are convinced of my stay-at-home apologist status.

getting over it

2009-09-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

I don't know if posting about it is actually going to help me do it, but I have a great deal of venom and even hate flowing through my veins and I want it gone.
The school that hired me from another country for one year did not renew my contract for a second year and has left me stranded. And even though I HATED working there and didn't want to ever go back, I can't move on since I don't have a next thing. The guy who hired me and is a complete piece of garbage for living with me and my brother during the transportation and then doing this is now the PRINCIPAL for the foreseeable future. Interesting since the guy didn't even go to college and never even went to Christian schools or sent his children there, so how does he make it better?
I've never worked for such a Pharisaical bunch of people. I mean, I was told not to drink and smoke as a church-going kid in the South but this was pure evil. These were definitely the people that killed Jesus and ones he was so enraged by. I guess I should be thankful I only lost my job. Only I'm not. I pray terrible calamity on the board and their families. The kind of prayers David prayed against his enemies in the Psalms.
But I've got to get over this. Please God and community of Jesus, get me over this.

the first day

2009-08-17T05:15:00.000-07:00

Well, today is my first day of doing this, so this may be short. My daughter doesn't want breakfast, only a cookie, which she's asked for continuously. We're sitting in her room so she can stay in her bed with her pacis, the bed being the only place she can have them. I'm struggling with stomach problems, either from stress or running or the things I've tried to make it better.
I intend to work tirelessly to make her a responsible citizen in this world by letting her know who Jesus is in her everyday life. I'm also going to help teach her proper behavior and hopefully potty training. She's a pretty good little kid that's had a kind of unstable life with me not having a job anymore and both parents being generally unhappy and lonely. We wait anxiously on God's good things like encouragement and money and job satisfaction and people to influence. And even if Lia is the only person I influence I really look forward to that.