I'm bored...watching a tutorial class...and I found this on a blog, and thought, "heck, why not?" So here it is...mostly for me, read if you like.
1. First name: Christopher
2. Were you named after anyone? : First name, nope. Middle name, yes--my uncle.
3. Middle name? : Alan
4. When did you last cry? : Church, two Sundays ago.
5. Do you like your handwriting? : Yes
6. What is your favorite lunch meat? : Smoked Turkey, deli sliced.
7. Birth date? : The day is the same as the day that Britain and France declared war on Germany in 1939.
8. What is your most embarrassing CD? : ...I don't keep the bad stuff. Maybe a Yanni CD.
9. Do you have a journal? : Nope.
10. Do you use sarcasm a lot? : Yes.
11. What are your nicknames? : C-Dog. No, not really...just Chris.
12. Would you bungee jump? : I doubt it. If it was with a friend...perhaps.
13. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? : Nope.
14. Do you think that you are strong? : Yes.
15. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? : Mint Chocolate Chip.
16. Shoe Size? : 10.
17. Red or pink? Red.
18. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? : I am often lazy.
19. Who do you miss most? : Besides my family...I'd have to say I miss one of my best friend's, BJ Cadd.
20. Do you want everyone you send this to, to send it back? : ...
21. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Blue jeans, and brown sandels.
22. What are you listening to right now? In my head, I am listening to a mix of Coldplay, Switchfoot, Dashboard Confessional, Damian Rice and the Beatles.
23. What was the last thing you ate? : Dinner, last night. French Bread Pizza.
24. If you were a Crayon what color would you be? : Some kind of deep green.
25. What is the weather like right now? : Regular La Mirada day...sunny, with a chance of showers.
26. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? : My wife.
27. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? : The face. Always look at the face!
28. Do you like the person who sent this to you? : ...
29. Favorite Drink? Right now I enjoy drinking Sprite.
30. Favorite sport to watch? : Wrestling (the real stuff, not the fake stuff), then football.
31. Hair Color? : Brown and curly.
32. Do you wear contacts? : Nope.
33. Favorite Food? : Pizza/Italian variety. And steak.
34. Last Movie You Watched? : Fun With Dick and Jane.
35. Favorite Day of the Year? : Christmas
36. Scary movies or Happy Endings? : Happy Endings
37. Summer or winter? : Depends. Either way, it should be real, none of this SoCal half-way crap. Give me heat so I can go swimming in the ocean, or give me snow so I can go sledding in my backyard!
38. Hugs or Kisses? : Kisses.
39. What is Your Favorite Dessert? : Hmmm...Molten Lava Fudge Cake with Ice Cream is really good.
40. Who Is Most Likely To Respond? ...
41. Who Is Least Likely To Respond? ...
42. What Book Are You Reading? : That Hideous Strength...after trying for a while I am really getting through it finally.
43. What's On Your Mouse Pad? : I'm at school...so, flowers. At home, an old fashioned globe.
44. What Did You Watch Last night on TV? : Alias...we're watching it on DVD. And American Idol.
45. What's in your CD player right now? : I have an i-Pod. See the mix in my head for an idea...add some U2 to the mix.
46. Favorite Sounds? : Rain on a tin roof, and the waves in Hawaii...and the sound of a plane taking off when I am in it.
47. Rolling Stones or Beatles? : Beatles every day on the week.
48. What is your Favourite Pastime? : Reading...playing strategy games...talking with friends...watching good movies and talking about them...cooking.
49. What do you do for a living? : A variety of things...I am a barista at Starbucks, a teacher at the Gorman Learning Center, and a financial advisor for Primerica Financial Services.
50. If you could go anyplace in the world, where would it be? : Europe...Britain, the Med, Italy, Greece, Germany, I guess France, Austria, Russia, Turkey...
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
The Fallout
I had an accident almost 2 months ago. It was decided by the police that it was her fault, and the insurance company has already settled. So why am I still dealing with these people?!?
I have now received what I would consider a threatening phone call from someone connected to the lady I was in an accident with nearly two months ago. I am assuming (I refuse to talk with them, per all the advise I have received from everyone I have sought counsel with) that they are upset because since they were found at fault, they have to cover their damages themselves. Today, "Carlos" called me to tell me "there are other ways of dealing with this...there are other ways..."...it may not sound terribly threatening, but you can hear it in his voice...he at least intends to be intimidating. Fortunately, I have him recorded (technically...he recorded himself, as he left it in my voicemail...) and am calling the police to ask them to deal with this harassment. However...I work nights, and they have our address...one of those things about exchanging info at the scene, etc. So pray that they are just full of hot air, and more than that, that whatever happens Sheri and Aiden be kept safe.
I just keep repeating to myself "I bought this lady juice. JUICE!" Oh well. I rest in the peace that I did the best I could at the time...I think I honored God before myself in the situation...and whatever comes of this is in His hands.
I have now received what I would consider a threatening phone call from someone connected to the lady I was in an accident with nearly two months ago. I am assuming (I refuse to talk with them, per all the advise I have received from everyone I have sought counsel with) that they are upset because since they were found at fault, they have to cover their damages themselves. Today, "Carlos" called me to tell me "there are other ways of dealing with this...there are other ways..."...it may not sound terribly threatening, but you can hear it in his voice...he at least intends to be intimidating. Fortunately, I have him recorded (technically...he recorded himself, as he left it in my voicemail...) and am calling the police to ask them to deal with this harassment. However...I work nights, and they have our address...one of those things about exchanging info at the scene, etc. So pray that they are just full of hot air, and more than that, that whatever happens Sheri and Aiden be kept safe.
I just keep repeating to myself "I bought this lady juice. JUICE!" Oh well. I rest in the peace that I did the best I could at the time...I think I honored God before myself in the situation...and whatever comes of this is in His hands.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Courage of Conviction
Over the past several months there have been several opportunities to reconsider exactly what I believe and hold as relevant truth. To be candid, the nature of God has often been at the center of these reflective periods. That, and what my professed faith in the Christian God will mean in my life, and in the lives of my family.
A perfect example occurred this past week. I was on my way to work, and for no reason whatsoever, I decided to pick up C.S. Lewis' Perelandra, the second book of his space trilogy. I was already half-way through another book, so picking this up was completely random, and I wasn't really interesting in rereading it until I had finished the book I was in, but for some reason I wanted to take a look at Perelandra. Randomly I opened the book to the section where Ransom is coming to the realization that he has been sent to Perelandra to do physical battle with the "UnMan" who has possessed the corpse of his old rival, Weston. The stakes are high, as the UnMan will essentially ensure the Fall of Perelandra, just as we fell here on earth. Ransom is arguing with himself, that surely he is not the last great hope for the salvation of Perelandra. Surely, since the evil opponent is unnatural, something equally powerful, and certainly greater than he will be sent to save the day. But, as the other voice within him whispers, its not for nothing that he is called "Ransom". He realizes this...
"His journey to Perelandra was not a moral exercise, nor a sham fight. If the issue lay in Maleldil's hands, Ransom and the Lady were those hands. The fate of the world really depended on how they behaved in the next few hours. ... Either something or nothing must depend on individual choices. And if something, who could set bounds to it?"
I read this and meditated on it for the next few days, thinking what a great truth it was.
Then we went to church on Sunday.
Speaking this past week was a guest from International Justice Mission. He's a lawyer, formally a D.A. for Washington D.C. He has gone around the world assisting people in an effort to show them that there is a God who cares for them. I have heard this story before, and its truly a great thing that they do. However, I admit I was not completely moved by it, because I have lived outside the U.S. and know a little about what injustice looks like. Rarely do the wrong doers get their just rewards, and even more rarely do the oppressed receive deliverance from their plight. Throughout his message, my cynicism, or "realism" kept getting in the way. He told us about a child-slavery ring in Asia that they visited. They collected the info and prepared to go before the magistrate to present their case. But the meeting was on a Monday and they were there for the weekend, so they decided to attend a local church and pray for God's blessing the next day. As this man spoke, I almost audibly said to myself, "But what could possibly happen? The magistrate probably works with the slavers...there's no hope." Then the speaker said the one thing that I couldn't have hoped to hear, and the thing which had surprised the speaker himself when he experienced it...the preacher at the church they visited was the magistrate they were to visit the next day.
I cried. Well, I teared up. Even as he started to say the unbelievable truth, something in my heart knew what he was going to say. Of course that was the man they would meet at the church they randomly attended. God could not be God if He was unable to do such a miraculous thing. All that was need was the attempt, even in the face of hopeless despair, when it will clearly do no good...and He assures us it will be enough.
The man who spoke to us on Sunday had prefaced his message by asking the question frequently asked by non-believers..."How can such pain exist in this world if there is a God and He is good...and more importantly, WHY doesn't He do something about it?!?!" The answer is...He did do something about it--He put us, the body of Christ, on this earth instead of removing us to heaven. We are God's solution to the problem...if we will only go, and have the courage of our convictions to do what we "know" to be useless in the face of the problems that assail us. Jesus keep us, for we are weak and the road is daunting.
A perfect example occurred this past week. I was on my way to work, and for no reason whatsoever, I decided to pick up C.S. Lewis' Perelandra, the second book of his space trilogy. I was already half-way through another book, so picking this up was completely random, and I wasn't really interesting in rereading it until I had finished the book I was in, but for some reason I wanted to take a look at Perelandra. Randomly I opened the book to the section where Ransom is coming to the realization that he has been sent to Perelandra to do physical battle with the "UnMan" who has possessed the corpse of his old rival, Weston. The stakes are high, as the UnMan will essentially ensure the Fall of Perelandra, just as we fell here on earth. Ransom is arguing with himself, that surely he is not the last great hope for the salvation of Perelandra. Surely, since the evil opponent is unnatural, something equally powerful, and certainly greater than he will be sent to save the day. But, as the other voice within him whispers, its not for nothing that he is called "Ransom". He realizes this...
"His journey to Perelandra was not a moral exercise, nor a sham fight. If the issue lay in Maleldil's hands, Ransom and the Lady were those hands. The fate of the world really depended on how they behaved in the next few hours. ... Either something or nothing must depend on individual choices. And if something, who could set bounds to it?"
I read this and meditated on it for the next few days, thinking what a great truth it was.
Then we went to church on Sunday.
Speaking this past week was a guest from International Justice Mission. He's a lawyer, formally a D.A. for Washington D.C. He has gone around the world assisting people in an effort to show them that there is a God who cares for them. I have heard this story before, and its truly a great thing that they do. However, I admit I was not completely moved by it, because I have lived outside the U.S. and know a little about what injustice looks like. Rarely do the wrong doers get their just rewards, and even more rarely do the oppressed receive deliverance from their plight. Throughout his message, my cynicism, or "realism" kept getting in the way. He told us about a child-slavery ring in Asia that they visited. They collected the info and prepared to go before the magistrate to present their case. But the meeting was on a Monday and they were there for the weekend, so they decided to attend a local church and pray for God's blessing the next day. As this man spoke, I almost audibly said to myself, "But what could possibly happen? The magistrate probably works with the slavers...there's no hope." Then the speaker said the one thing that I couldn't have hoped to hear, and the thing which had surprised the speaker himself when he experienced it...the preacher at the church they visited was the magistrate they were to visit the next day.
I cried. Well, I teared up. Even as he started to say the unbelievable truth, something in my heart knew what he was going to say. Of course that was the man they would meet at the church they randomly attended. God could not be God if He was unable to do such a miraculous thing. All that was need was the attempt, even in the face of hopeless despair, when it will clearly do no good...and He assures us it will be enough.
The man who spoke to us on Sunday had prefaced his message by asking the question frequently asked by non-believers..."How can such pain exist in this world if there is a God and He is good...and more importantly, WHY doesn't He do something about it?!?!" The answer is...He did do something about it--He put us, the body of Christ, on this earth instead of removing us to heaven. We are God's solution to the problem...if we will only go, and have the courage of our convictions to do what we "know" to be useless in the face of the problems that assail us. Jesus keep us, for we are weak and the road is daunting.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Benefits (Seen & Unforseen) of Working at Starbucks
So, I work at Starbucks. I enjoy working at Starbucks, most days. I'm a closer, and closing is in some ways more fun than the rest of the day. Its more work than anything other than opening the Store, and even then, though I've never opened the store I'd say we do a fair share of work because we're prepping the store for the openers. Course, we don't have to wake up early, which is a huge benefit of closing.
Generally I can deal with the customers. Keep smiling and "just say yes" to pretty much everyone. Occasionally there are problem customers--the guys that steal drinks or our tips, the ones that make huge messes in the lobby and DON'T tip, and of course, the customers that consistently come into the store approximately 2 minutes before our official close time and ask for a "Joe to Go", which is a very long process, and specialty drinks when we're trying to shut things down. Technically we're required to serve them...but there's no rule about resenting those that are so inconsiderate that they make a habit of inconveniencing people. 10 minutes before we close, you wanna ask me for an extra hot white mocha with extra caramel, soy, no foam, extra whip with 2 Sweet-N-Low's, that's fine. When everynight you walk in to make your order even as I am clearly dismembering the bar and taking things to be cleaned and order your special drink...that's just kinda rude. More importantly, NEVER tipping when you do this should be grounds for expulsion from the store.
But, I work with good people generally. And I get lots of free stuff--drinks obviously, sandwiches, sometimes fruit plates, etc. But one cool thing is a skill that has been developed in me since working at Starbucks that I hadn't anticipated. My aduio-recall abilities are much sharper today then ever before. I can be standing two feet away making another drink, reading the recipe to make sure I get it right, and as long as the noise coming out of the next customer's mouth can be heard, I don't have to think about what they're saying. I hear it, and process the words he/she said about 30 seconds after they stop talking, so that before the person who is actually taking the order has written everything down I can already start the drink. Its kinda cool. The difference, in case I am not making myself clear, is the difference between hearing and listening. I am not attending to you when I hear you...my ears are merely properly functioning, whilst when I am listening, I am deliberately paying attention to what you're saying. Well, I have found that I can essentially hear you and replay what I heard in my head with nearly 100% accuracy.
I thought it was kinda cool. Work at Starbucks...your hearing will...improve.
Generally I can deal with the customers. Keep smiling and "just say yes" to pretty much everyone. Occasionally there are problem customers--the guys that steal drinks or our tips, the ones that make huge messes in the lobby and DON'T tip, and of course, the customers that consistently come into the store approximately 2 minutes before our official close time and ask for a "Joe to Go", which is a very long process, and specialty drinks when we're trying to shut things down. Technically we're required to serve them...but there's no rule about resenting those that are so inconsiderate that they make a habit of inconveniencing people. 10 minutes before we close, you wanna ask me for an extra hot white mocha with extra caramel, soy, no foam, extra whip with 2 Sweet-N-Low's, that's fine. When everynight you walk in to make your order even as I am clearly dismembering the bar and taking things to be cleaned and order your special drink...that's just kinda rude. More importantly, NEVER tipping when you do this should be grounds for expulsion from the store.
But, I work with good people generally. And I get lots of free stuff--drinks obviously, sandwiches, sometimes fruit plates, etc. But one cool thing is a skill that has been developed in me since working at Starbucks that I hadn't anticipated. My aduio-recall abilities are much sharper today then ever before. I can be standing two feet away making another drink, reading the recipe to make sure I get it right, and as long as the noise coming out of the next customer's mouth can be heard, I don't have to think about what they're saying. I hear it, and process the words he/she said about 30 seconds after they stop talking, so that before the person who is actually taking the order has written everything down I can already start the drink. Its kinda cool. The difference, in case I am not making myself clear, is the difference between hearing and listening. I am not attending to you when I hear you...my ears are merely properly functioning, whilst when I am listening, I am deliberately paying attention to what you're saying. Well, I have found that I can essentially hear you and replay what I heard in my head with nearly 100% accuracy.
I thought it was kinda cool. Work at Starbucks...your hearing will...improve.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
A New Job
So, I have applied for a position teaching History full-time (yes, FULL TIME!!!) at Santa Fe Springs Christian School. It doesn't pay the greatest, but it would be nearly enough I think. And I would have a classroom, be teaching at the same school as a good friend, old room-mate and groomsman, Justin Rupple, and I would be in an environment to teach kids to love history and to see how wonderful and reassuring it is to trace the hand of God's providence throughout the ages. I am totally stoked.
It'll be some time before they can give me an answer, but I am hopeful. Of late I have been praying very hard for this, among other things, and I deeply believe that this is God answering my prayers for a way to provide for my family as Sheri returns to full-time status as a student. Whatever happens, He has led us this far, and will not forsake us in the middle of our journey. There is great comfort in that!
It'll be some time before they can give me an answer, but I am hopeful. Of late I have been praying very hard for this, among other things, and I deeply believe that this is God answering my prayers for a way to provide for my family as Sheri returns to full-time status as a student. Whatever happens, He has led us this far, and will not forsake us in the middle of our journey. There is great comfort in that!
Narnia in Text
I am rereading Narnia. Its been over a decade since I read them through, and I have found that I had forgotten their charm. I am presently in the middle of Voyage of the Dawn Treader, reading them in chronological order (not as they were originally written).
The thing I have found interesting this time, as I read them, is how deeply the interactions with Aslan affect me. I was always a fan, but now I am most excited when Aslan is present in the book. The moment that quite literally brought tears to my eyes was when Alsan finally becomes visible to all four of the children after their return to Narnia in Prince Caspian, and he comes to speak to Edmund and merely says, "Well done." As any lover of fantasy could tell you, when you read a good fantasy you cannot help but imagine yourself as one of the heroes you are reading about. Peter, or Caspian were the heroes I dreamed about when I read Narnia before. But today I feel more and more of a connection to the character of Edmund. I have lost any annoyance I might have once had for Lucy and find her admirable and beautiful in her joy and simple faith. I used to be disturbed by Susan's lack of faith in the end, but now I read it and I think I can see it creeping in all along the way--I see more clearly now the seeds that she allowed herself to sow that would keep her from answering Aslan's call in the end. I know that I am no Peter, nor am I a Caspian (Lewis' equivalent, I think of David in the Bible)...and I don't think I have ever been an Eustance. But Edmund I feel a kind of connection too.
I am glad that Lewis wrote fantasies that have allowed me to grow and enjoy them more.
The thing I have found interesting this time, as I read them, is how deeply the interactions with Aslan affect me. I was always a fan, but now I am most excited when Aslan is present in the book. The moment that quite literally brought tears to my eyes was when Alsan finally becomes visible to all four of the children after their return to Narnia in Prince Caspian, and he comes to speak to Edmund and merely says, "Well done." As any lover of fantasy could tell you, when you read a good fantasy you cannot help but imagine yourself as one of the heroes you are reading about. Peter, or Caspian were the heroes I dreamed about when I read Narnia before. But today I feel more and more of a connection to the character of Edmund. I have lost any annoyance I might have once had for Lucy and find her admirable and beautiful in her joy and simple faith. I used to be disturbed by Susan's lack of faith in the end, but now I read it and I think I can see it creeping in all along the way--I see more clearly now the seeds that she allowed herself to sow that would keep her from answering Aslan's call in the end. I know that I am no Peter, nor am I a Caspian (Lewis' equivalent, I think of David in the Bible)...and I don't think I have ever been an Eustance. But Edmund I feel a kind of connection too.
I am glad that Lewis wrote fantasies that have allowed me to grow and enjoy them more.
Scary Times
We are living in frightening times. The Middle East is daily becoming more and more volatile. Lord God where will this end?
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Alito Revisited
So it looks good.
I just have to say...I am pretty happy with the way things are going. I listen to AM 1150 "Air America" out here fairly frequently...I guess I have a masochistic edge or something...anyways, I listen to them and they are really funny (when they aren't being out and out imbeciles). The most enjoyable part is listening to their over confident, condescending attitude, as they judge the half of the country they berate for being judgemental and condescending, etc.
Anyways...I'm feeling good. Even if November is everything the Dems wish it could be (which it won't be) they won't have the court, which is unfortunately too powerful. Still, I'd rather control the nuclear bomb and talk about trying to get rid of it than let it go and try to convince the new owner of it that they should give it up, know what I mean?
I just have to say...I am pretty happy with the way things are going. I listen to AM 1150 "Air America" out here fairly frequently...I guess I have a masochistic edge or something...anyways, I listen to them and they are really funny (when they aren't being out and out imbeciles). The most enjoyable part is listening to their over confident, condescending attitude, as they judge the half of the country they berate for being judgemental and condescending, etc.
Anyways...I'm feeling good. Even if November is everything the Dems wish it could be (which it won't be) they won't have the court, which is unfortunately too powerful. Still, I'd rather control the nuclear bomb and talk about trying to get rid of it than let it go and try to convince the new owner of it that they should give it up, know what I mean?
Friday, January 06, 2006
Sharon: a Question for the World
I will be very interested to see how the world reacts to the passing of Ariel Sharon. I know he's not dead yet...but he's awfully close, and it got me thinking. With the brouhaha that erupted following the death of a known terrorist (Arafat) and the ridiculous claims that he was some sort of great humanitarian, I wonder what they will do if and when one of the most effective leaders in the Middle East passes on. Arafat, when he wasn't commiting/leading/sanctioning acts of terrorism was pretty much useless. Sharon has actually taken steps, unpopular to his own people, to try and bring some peace. What will the world say I wonder.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Its been a long period of silence.
In the time since my last post, several things have happened.
Narnia was great. I got sick. My first semester teaching ended with my students bringing me presents--I was totally unprepared. I stayed sick. We said goodbye to family visiting from Africa where they serve our Lord faithfully. Aiden got sick. Christmas came, without a tree or serious decorations in our home, it came nonetheless. I remained ill, and Aiden mostly recovered. We enjoyed good family time. We had a wonderful evening with the Reynolds family. My Grandmother died. I worked New Year's Eve. A New Year began. I remained sick. School started up again, and I have finished ther first day of classes in the new year. I remain somewhat ill.
Its been a busy last couple weeks. God has been very good to me and my family. Thank you Lord for Christmas, and for this New Year.
In the time since my last post, several things have happened.
Narnia was great. I got sick. My first semester teaching ended with my students bringing me presents--I was totally unprepared. I stayed sick. We said goodbye to family visiting from Africa where they serve our Lord faithfully. Aiden got sick. Christmas came, without a tree or serious decorations in our home, it came nonetheless. I remained ill, and Aiden mostly recovered. We enjoyed good family time. We had a wonderful evening with the Reynolds family. My Grandmother died. I worked New Year's Eve. A New Year began. I remained sick. School started up again, and I have finished ther first day of classes in the new year. I remain somewhat ill.
Its been a busy last couple weeks. God has been very good to me and my family. Thank you Lord for Christmas, and for this New Year.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Success!
Iraqi Elections with large turn out!
And, if you read the article, you'll see that that the divisions of the people are acting to make their democracy stronger. Who knew?!?!? The Sunnis want to vote to show everyone they ARE important! Its fantastic!
And, if you read the article, you'll see that that the divisions of the people are acting to make their democracy stronger. Who knew?!?!? The Sunnis want to vote to show everyone they ARE important! Its fantastic!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Hard Times
Not going into a lot of details right now, but I would appreciate prayer. I am dealing with some on going difficulties, and I really have no idea what the outcome will be.
Tracing God's hand in everything is not always easy to do, though I believe it to be something that is truly a constant. Please pray for me, to be granted wisdom beyond myself, to be granted strength and peace in the midst of challenges. Thanks all.
Tracing God's hand in everything is not always easy to do, though I believe it to be something that is truly a constant. Please pray for me, to be granted wisdom beyond myself, to be granted strength and peace in the midst of challenges. Thanks all.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Wise Words on Evolution and Creation
It is really far more logical to start by saying 'In the beginning God created heaven and Earth' even if you only mean 'In the beginning some unthinkable power began some unthinkable process.' For God is by its nature a name of mystery, and nobody ever supposed that man could imagine how a world was created any more than he could created one. But evolution really is mistaken for explanation. It has the fatal quality of leaving on many minds the impression that they do understand it and everything else; just as many of them live under a sort of illusion that they have read the Origin of Species. ... For a man who does not believe in a miracle, a slow working miracle would be just as incredible as a swift one. The Greek witch may have turned sailors to swine with a stroke of the wand. But to see a naval gentleman of our acquaintance looking a little more like a pig every day, till he ended with four trotters and a curly tail, would not be any more soothing. ... Yet there runs through all the rationalistic treatment of history this curious and confused idea that difficulty is avoided, or even mystery eliminated, by dwelling on mere delay or on something dilatory in the processes of things.
GK Chesterton, The Everlasting Man
GK Chesterton, The Everlasting Man
What if...
If this had been a story about an American suggesting that the stories of slavery in the South were mythic and the Blacks should be removed to Africa...I wonder what the reaction would be?
But hating Israel is par for the course in the world today. People get tired of all the movies and speaches that glorify the heroes of WWII and deal with the horrors of the Nazis...they suggest that we'll never actually forget what happened. At this point, more and more it looks less as if we'll forget and more like we'll simply stop believing it was even possible.
But hating Israel is par for the course in the world today. People get tired of all the movies and speaches that glorify the heroes of WWII and deal with the horrors of the Nazis...they suggest that we'll never actually forget what happened. At this point, more and more it looks less as if we'll forget and more like we'll simply stop believing it was even possible.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Left in Chaos
Hillary's self-implosion. And still more...
Undermining our troops.
Ignoring the answers they claim they wanted.
Insisting a growing ecconomy is dying.
So much for the toppling of the Right.
Undermining our troops.
Ignoring the answers they claim they wanted.
Insisting a growing ecconomy is dying.
So much for the toppling of the Right.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
I Will...I Won't...Who Cares?
My wife and I have been working our way through the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel series on DVD through Blockbuster online. Its been a lot of fun, and much more enjoyable than waiting week to week to watch the next episode. We're nearing the end of Angel and we'll need to find a new series to follow. One of the really enjoyable aspects of watching TV like this is that it enables us to have more critical discussions--as we watch in one continuous flow the story is easier to encompass and the storyline is easier to see and think about. All in all, I'd say they were very well done mini-movies.
That being said, one of the more recent episodes, at the end of the 4th season of Angel dealt with an interesting question, revolving around free will and peace on earth, which made me wonder; at what price will we accept paradise? In terms of lives...would we sacrifice someone to afford others peace? What if the world would know peace but 12 preople would have to be sacrificed? Is it worth it?
And when it comes to our will...do we need to retain it for paradise to be paradise? In the show, Angel and his co-heroes end a higher being's attempt at global domination through love, peace, and good feelings...because this higher being removed "free will", and ate about a dozen people a day to sustain itself. Now, clearly, this being wasn't good...but it did bring happiness with it, or so it seemed. The price was some people to feed it, and our collective free will...weighed against the thousands that die around the world every moment, subject to our free will.
How important is free will? Without it, love cannot be real...but with it, men kill each other. We believe in its necessity, yet pray that our wills will be conformed to God's will. Why do I need a free will so much? One day, I will not have a will to hold onto sinful desires...the battle between the dueling wills within me will end...yet I cannot help but wonder...dear God why is my will important enough to die for?
I think in the end, the show got it right. No peace can be peace under those circumstances. If God's own son would die to give me my will, then the price cannot be weighed with simple numbers. We need to be free...even though our freedom affords too many merely fresh versions of hell on earth. We that have seen what a righteous Man may do with His will perfected should use our lives towards correcting the flaw two people once created when they allowed their free wills to divide humanity from our Creator.
Father, forgive me, a sinner, for clinging to sinful wickedness instead of your redeeming hope.
That being said, one of the more recent episodes, at the end of the 4th season of Angel dealt with an interesting question, revolving around free will and peace on earth, which made me wonder; at what price will we accept paradise? In terms of lives...would we sacrifice someone to afford others peace? What if the world would know peace but 12 preople would have to be sacrificed? Is it worth it?
And when it comes to our will...do we need to retain it for paradise to be paradise? In the show, Angel and his co-heroes end a higher being's attempt at global domination through love, peace, and good feelings...because this higher being removed "free will", and ate about a dozen people a day to sustain itself. Now, clearly, this being wasn't good...but it did bring happiness with it, or so it seemed. The price was some people to feed it, and our collective free will...weighed against the thousands that die around the world every moment, subject to our free will.
How important is free will? Without it, love cannot be real...but with it, men kill each other. We believe in its necessity, yet pray that our wills will be conformed to God's will. Why do I need a free will so much? One day, I will not have a will to hold onto sinful desires...the battle between the dueling wills within me will end...yet I cannot help but wonder...dear God why is my will important enough to die for?
I think in the end, the show got it right. No peace can be peace under those circumstances. If God's own son would die to give me my will, then the price cannot be weighed with simple numbers. We need to be free...even though our freedom affords too many merely fresh versions of hell on earth. We that have seen what a righteous Man may do with His will perfected should use our lives towards correcting the flaw two people once created when they allowed their free wills to divide humanity from our Creator.
Father, forgive me, a sinner, for clinging to sinful wickedness instead of your redeeming hope.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Money Money Everywhere...
But not a cent for me.
Sigh.
So I am working three jobs. This seemed like such a great thing. Unfortunately, they only seem to make me more busy, but no richer. Its discouraging.
On another note, I figured out how to get control of my class today. I threatened to make them stand in the corner. I actually put one kid in it. Its amazing the amount of silence you can get by threatening to slightly embarrass kids these days. Standing in the corner. Who'd a thunk it?
We've also reached two of my favorite periods, so teaching has become much more enjoyable. We're going over the Civil War in US History, and the Crusades and the Medieval period in World History. Its a lot of fun. I was explaining to the highschoolers just how destructive the Civil War was for our nation. THey weren't getting it. SO I asked them what the problem was when a person breaks up with them. They were silent. I told them that when a person breaks up with you, the problem is they don't want to be with you...obviously. And this was the same problem with the states. So then I asked them what the Union had to do to fix the problem...they made jokes until I told them that the Union had to utterly devastate the South to win the war. Then they got quiet. It was really cool. And then I got to talk about what that has done to our country. How in over a hundred years those wounds haven't healed. How there are people today who mean it when they say the South shall rise again. It was one of the few times I've felt like they were really listening. And how even today, the rift that was torn into our nation is one that divides us and will probably continue to divide us for years to come.
Then in world history, I had a real challenge. They added a new student to my class today. This is perfectly fine...except I am talking about the crusades and the new student is a muslim in a predominately Christian group of middle school kids. So I had to explain the reasons for the crusades...how there was a real threat presented by the Muslim hordes before the West launched its Holy war...and I then had to explain my opinion that while tactically it was important for the West attack the Muslims and save Constantinople, that philosophically saying that "God Wills it" with regard to war is ultimately disasterous. It was a very interesting class. Next week I am going to divide them up and let them debate about it. We'll see what happens.
Good classes this week. Now I have some Primerica meetings and Starbucks to look forward too...I just wish that included a decent paycheck.
Sigh.
So I am working three jobs. This seemed like such a great thing. Unfortunately, they only seem to make me more busy, but no richer. Its discouraging.
On another note, I figured out how to get control of my class today. I threatened to make them stand in the corner. I actually put one kid in it. Its amazing the amount of silence you can get by threatening to slightly embarrass kids these days. Standing in the corner. Who'd a thunk it?
We've also reached two of my favorite periods, so teaching has become much more enjoyable. We're going over the Civil War in US History, and the Crusades and the Medieval period in World History. Its a lot of fun. I was explaining to the highschoolers just how destructive the Civil War was for our nation. THey weren't getting it. SO I asked them what the problem was when a person breaks up with them. They were silent. I told them that when a person breaks up with you, the problem is they don't want to be with you...obviously. And this was the same problem with the states. So then I asked them what the Union had to do to fix the problem...they made jokes until I told them that the Union had to utterly devastate the South to win the war. Then they got quiet. It was really cool. And then I got to talk about what that has done to our country. How in over a hundred years those wounds haven't healed. How there are people today who mean it when they say the South shall rise again. It was one of the few times I've felt like they were really listening. And how even today, the rift that was torn into our nation is one that divides us and will probably continue to divide us for years to come.
Then in world history, I had a real challenge. They added a new student to my class today. This is perfectly fine...except I am talking about the crusades and the new student is a muslim in a predominately Christian group of middle school kids. So I had to explain the reasons for the crusades...how there was a real threat presented by the Muslim hordes before the West launched its Holy war...and I then had to explain my opinion that while tactically it was important for the West attack the Muslims and save Constantinople, that philosophically saying that "God Wills it" with regard to war is ultimately disasterous. It was a very interesting class. Next week I am going to divide them up and let them debate about it. We'll see what happens.
Good classes this week. Now I have some Primerica meetings and Starbucks to look forward too...I just wish that included a decent paycheck.
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