It is really a struggle for me to post lately. I think mostly it is just that I don't have it as a habit. I can change that.
Partly too, I think I have gotten into a rut of just posting when I have something really cool to say, although really cool to me may be very different than really cool to anyone else. I am playing basketball again, but it seems like this time my body is older, or maybe just fatter. I have never been so sore as I was after we played last week, but I am determined to play more. It is simply the best way to get a lot of cardio in and enjoy it.
I need to be better about running hard when I am at the gym, but its pretty tough when you are not chasing some guy or some ball.
I am on day 29 of my Dr. Pepper fast, and man, I really would like a medicine. My goal is to make it until the next OU game, which I think I can do. Well, I guess thats it for now, I am going to try to post more often, if nothing else than for my own personal documentation.
2.18.2008
2.11.2008
Doctor Blues
Every time I go to the doctor, I am reminded of how much I hate going to the doctor. Today I needed to go get my knee looked at, as well as just a general physical, but it just takes so freaking long. I had an appointment for 3, but did not get in until 315. I showed up at 245. What kinda crap is that? All it ever does is confirm to the average person that you are not as important as the doc. You must wait outside while he does whatever he does. You may make an appointment, but they have no obligation to be timely about getting you in. It makes me crazy!
Imagine if every other profession was as inconsiderate and ridiculous as healthcare? What if at church we were like, ok, well set up an appointment to see the pastor, whether you need to or not. Even if you know you will eventually need to see the music minister, you must see the pastor first to get a referral. This way the pastor will get his money too.
What if it worked that way in television? Well, we know we said LOST started at 8, but LOST has other crap to do, and your time isn't really important anyway, so here, pay per view for a half hour of The Nanny before you are allowed to pay per view for LOST. Seriously, whoever wins the election needs to clean those SOBs out and make the accountable.
Imagine if every other profession was as inconsiderate and ridiculous as healthcare? What if at church we were like, ok, well set up an appointment to see the pastor, whether you need to or not. Even if you know you will eventually need to see the music minister, you must see the pastor first to get a referral. This way the pastor will get his money too.
What if it worked that way in television? Well, we know we said LOST started at 8, but LOST has other crap to do, and your time isn't really important anyway, so here, pay per view for a half hour of The Nanny before you are allowed to pay per view for LOST. Seriously, whoever wins the election needs to clean those SOBs out and make the accountable.
1.26.2008
Silence and Darkness
I read a few days ago about a torture called "sensory deprivation" torture. Basically, they lock people into a room, oftentimes in a silo of some sort, where the subject cannot see or hear anything for days. I am under the impression that they have food, water and facilities, and that other than the lack of new sensory information, they are completely fine. But the results are insane. Almost all subjects will immediately go to sleep, but then they wake up some time later and have no idea what time it is or how long they have been there. Many subjects then begin to pace, some think in an effort to exercise, but most think it is simply an effort to do something.
Soon, the subjects begin to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that are simply not there. One man proclaimed that he had a conversation with his mom and sister. Another thought he had a tea party with some people. The mind will do funny things when left alone.
Sometimes I think God is doing some large experiment on me. Sometimes I go through life and feel like I hear his voice and see his lead very clearly. Other times, I wonder if he is even there at all. The skies are silent and I wonder if God even cares. But I have to believe that this effects him more than me. I think most of the time he would like nothing more than to show himself, to speak clearly and audibly to me, but wouldn't that take away the value or need for faith? Wouldn't that cause anyone and everyone to be so overwhelmed that they immediately worship him fully and completely. The hope we have is that some day, hopefully some day soon, we will see him close up, and hear the breath from his mouth, and know that we are home.
Soon, the subjects begin to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that are simply not there. One man proclaimed that he had a conversation with his mom and sister. Another thought he had a tea party with some people. The mind will do funny things when left alone.
Sometimes I think God is doing some large experiment on me. Sometimes I go through life and feel like I hear his voice and see his lead very clearly. Other times, I wonder if he is even there at all. The skies are silent and I wonder if God even cares. But I have to believe that this effects him more than me. I think most of the time he would like nothing more than to show himself, to speak clearly and audibly to me, but wouldn't that take away the value or need for faith? Wouldn't that cause anyone and everyone to be so overwhelmed that they immediately worship him fully and completely. The hope we have is that some day, hopefully some day soon, we will see him close up, and hear the breath from his mouth, and know that we are home.
1.08.2008
The BK lounge!
This week I am stuck in a tortuous 7 hour a day class. In fact, yes, I am writing this while the professor is lecturing. So take that. Anyway, we have an hour break everyday, and I needed to call my sister, so I went to Burger King really quick. As I was there, the lady at the counter just looked at me. Did not smile, did not greet me, did nothing to try to make my visit enjoyable. I placed my order and grabbed my DP and took my seat.
As I did so, I noticed there was a young child in a carseat on top of a table. I thought it strange, but walked past to my seat. Then I noticed the woman who took my order came out from behind the counter and tended to the child for a few minutes before going back to work. I was annoyed when she took my order, and somewhat broken when I picked it up ten minutes later. This poor woman, was working at a very much less than desirable job, and she had to take her child with her. Whether it was because of a father that had left her, a father that could not take the baby to work, family that was unable to help, what this told me was that this poor woman was all alone with this child. It makes me very sad that conditions like this exist in our world. But I know that we as a church can help, we can eventually make a difference and try to bring God's kingdom. To help ensure that this woman would know her child was well taken care of, and not have to take it to Burger King with her.
As I did so, I noticed there was a young child in a carseat on top of a table. I thought it strange, but walked past to my seat. Then I noticed the woman who took my order came out from behind the counter and tended to the child for a few minutes before going back to work. I was annoyed when she took my order, and somewhat broken when I picked it up ten minutes later. This poor woman, was working at a very much less than desirable job, and she had to take her child with her. Whether it was because of a father that had left her, a father that could not take the baby to work, family that was unable to help, what this told me was that this poor woman was all alone with this child. It makes me very sad that conditions like this exist in our world. But I know that we as a church can help, we can eventually make a difference and try to bring God's kingdom. To help ensure that this woman would know her child was well taken care of, and not have to take it to Burger King with her.
1.01.2008
Happy New Year!
I love New Years. I only have one chance in 365 to post on that day, so even though I have nothing to say, I am here. I hope 2008 is better than 2007 and I believe already it will be, since I will get done with this demon I call seminary. I am praying for some change, mostly in me, in this year, and I am hopeful that some things necessary to our future community will happen.
I love New Years because you choose who you hang out with and who you see that day, other holidays are chosen for you mostly. I love my life, and I am looking forward to growing closer to my lord...
I love New Years because you choose who you hang out with and who you see that day, other holidays are chosen for you mostly. I love my life, and I am looking forward to growing closer to my lord...
12.26.2007
Signs of Life
The smell is that of something that is rarely used. The dusty, old smell of a library, or maybe an attic. Once in the sanctuary, I notice that there are signs that this is used, though not necessarily loved or cared for. The hardwood floor has places that are clearly faded by the sun. The pews are only really long enough for four or five people at the most. The arches are large, but clearly the church that worships under them is small. The hymnals are well worn, but the voices lack excitement or feeling. There are no bibles to be found.
I worshiped with Robin at her old church this weekend, and the places struck a lot of sadness in me. What was, presumably, once a thriving body of faith was now a place that people go because they have always gone. Sadly, this is the state of our entire church in the United States. It is a dying shell.
But, here and there, you can see signs of life. This is the great testimony of the Holy Spirit. Even in places dried by years of apathy and rote worship, God finds a way to break through and infect some with the mustard seed of his kingdom. He found me in such a place. He found my wife. I dream of a day when people can say of our church in the United States that it is thriving, that it is authentic and truly alive in the Spirit of the Lord. This, I feel, is what I am called to do, to try to be a part of a community of faith that is like many, but very unlike the majority here, a community that is living and active. Come soon Lord Jesus, come soon Holy Spirit, come soon God the Father, come and let us help you bring your kingdom in.
I worshiped with Robin at her old church this weekend, and the places struck a lot of sadness in me. What was, presumably, once a thriving body of faith was now a place that people go because they have always gone. Sadly, this is the state of our entire church in the United States. It is a dying shell.
But, here and there, you can see signs of life. This is the great testimony of the Holy Spirit. Even in places dried by years of apathy and rote worship, God finds a way to break through and infect some with the mustard seed of his kingdom. He found me in such a place. He found my wife. I dream of a day when people can say of our church in the United States that it is thriving, that it is authentic and truly alive in the Spirit of the Lord. This, I feel, is what I am called to do, to try to be a part of a community of faith that is like many, but very unlike the majority here, a community that is living and active. Come soon Lord Jesus, come soon Holy Spirit, come soon God the Father, come and let us help you bring your kingdom in.
12.08.2007
Boomer Sooner
I rarely post on a whim here, so here goes.
My wife's folks got me tickets to the Big 12 championship this past weekend, and let me tell you, it was AWESOME. Grant and I drove down to San Antonio after camping Friday night with some friends. We were both tired, but we woke up quite a bit when we got on the bus of the park and drive and noticed we were the only sooners on the bus. Surrounded by obnoxious Tiger fans was fun, we did some jawing and decided that they had never watched football before.
When we got to the game, it was 75% Sooner fans, so right away it felt like home. Our seats were in the nosebleed section, but really, there wasn't a bad view in the house, a great stadium. The game was close early on, with a 14-14 halftime tie. Then the Sooners started to dominate. The final score ended up 38-17, good guys. My prediction was 42-24 good guys, so they exceeded it by some. What a great game, what a great season, but we were really close to having a chance to win it all, too bad we had a couple choke games... but that is why sport is so great. Anyway, great game, great atmosphere, great result.
BOOMER SOONER!
My wife's folks got me tickets to the Big 12 championship this past weekend, and let me tell you, it was AWESOME. Grant and I drove down to San Antonio after camping Friday night with some friends. We were both tired, but we woke up quite a bit when we got on the bus of the park and drive and noticed we were the only sooners on the bus. Surrounded by obnoxious Tiger fans was fun, we did some jawing and decided that they had never watched football before.
When we got to the game, it was 75% Sooner fans, so right away it felt like home. Our seats were in the nosebleed section, but really, there wasn't a bad view in the house, a great stadium. The game was close early on, with a 14-14 halftime tie. Then the Sooners started to dominate. The final score ended up 38-17, good guys. My prediction was 42-24 good guys, so they exceeded it by some. What a great game, what a great season, but we were really close to having a chance to win it all, too bad we had a couple choke games... but that is why sport is so great. Anyway, great game, great atmosphere, great result.
BOOMER SOONER!
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