Isn't he cute?
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Roadkill, the tasty way
My friend Sam made a cake that I think all of you should see. I can take no credit for it - him and a few friends put it together for a Halloween party, but it's so precious that you just have to see.
Isn't he cute?
Isn't he cute?
Oh Happy Day!
I just went to the CoinStar machine to cash in the change I had in my car's center console. It was about enough to fill a large freezer bag. I thought it would be about $20-30, but it was $68.22!!! Isn't that amazing! And the best part is that when I got back to my car I found a quarter on my seat that I had left behind. That's like one sixth of a Dr. Pepper!
I think that the $60 may be enough to buy the rest of the accessories for the muzzle loader I'll be buying soon (primers, a powder measure, bullets, cleaning patches...). My friend Sam and I will be trying our hands at the blackpowder blacktail season in a few weeks. I'll keep you posted. And just so you know, Mom, I'll take every precaution to make sure I don't blow myself up.
I think that the $60 may be enough to buy the rest of the accessories for the muzzle loader I'll be buying soon (primers, a powder measure, bullets, cleaning patches...). My friend Sam and I will be trying our hands at the blackpowder blacktail season in a few weeks. I'll keep you posted. And just so you know, Mom, I'll take every precaution to make sure I don't blow myself up.
Friday, November 7, 2008
I'm a bad blogger!
Okay, so I haven't posted for a while. Sue me. Actually don't sue me because lawyers are expensive and it wouldn't be worth it for you.
I plan on posting something more substantial soon. I'm taking a class on "Native American History and Mission" at George Fox Seminary that has been very enlightening. I plan on sharing some of my thoughts on this. Stay tuned!
I plan on posting something more substantial soon. I'm taking a class on "Native American History and Mission" at George Fox Seminary that has been very enlightening. I plan on sharing some of my thoughts on this. Stay tuned!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Britney
I heard a song this morning that really struck home. Bebo Norman wrote a song to Britney Spears. He apologizes to her for all the things that our society has done to her. I have to admit that I never really thought of it this way, but I think he's right. I've never bought one of her albums and I don't read gossip magazines, but how many times have I made a snide comment about her not being a real musician?
The only reason she thought she could make it on her body instead of her music is because our society told her that she could. She learned from puberty that it's a good thing to do stupid things so that people pay attention to you. Many people believe this as children but most of them are weaned out of it by good socialization. We kept feeding it to her and then when it reached it's logical conclusion we decided to point and laugh. I actually felt a little ashamed typing her name because it has become synonymous in my mind with media hype and fluff. But the people who love her still call her by that name and it's a part of her identity - the identity of a real person, not just a celebrity. Anyway, here's the lyrics and if you click on Britney's name above you can see a tribute video on You-Tube.
The only reason she thought she could make it on her body instead of her music is because our society told her that she could. She learned from puberty that it's a good thing to do stupid things so that people pay attention to you. Many people believe this as children but most of them are weaned out of it by good socialization. We kept feeding it to her and then when it reached it's logical conclusion we decided to point and laugh. I actually felt a little ashamed typing her name because it has become synonymous in my mind with media hype and fluff. But the people who love her still call her by that name and it's a part of her identity - the identity of a real person, not just a celebrity. Anyway, here's the lyrics and if you click on Britney's name above you can see a tribute video on You-Tube.
BRITNEY Lyrics
Bebo Norman
Britney, I’m sorry for the lies we told
We took you into our arms and then left you cold
Britney I’m sorry for this cruel cruel world
We sell the beauty but destroy the girl
Britney I’m sorry for your broken heart
We stood aside and watched you fall apart
I’m sorry we told you fame would fill you up
And money moves the man so drink the cup
I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
But I can see it coming back for you
Yes coming back for you
Britney I’m sorry for the stones we throw
We tear you down just so we can watch the show
Britney I’m sorry for the words we say
We point the finger as you fall from grace
I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
And I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
But i can see it coming back for you
Yeah, it’s coming back for you
Yeah, it’s coming back for you
Yeah, it’s coming back for you
Yeah
Britney, I do believe that love has come here for the broken
Here for the ones like us
I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
And I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
But I can see it coming back
I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
I can see it coming back for you
Its coming back for you… yeah
(repeat)
Monday, September 1, 2008
Surfing is fun!
Despite my fear of sharks I braved the waters of Westport Washington on Sunday and had a blast. Turns out surfing is actually very fun. I went with Scott and Shannon and Scott's brother Bryan. Things I was surprised by, in no particular order:
Most of my time was not spent surfing - it was spent trying to get myself and my board far enough out there where the waves were breaking. Most everyone else seemed to be in a similar situation, so I guess this is normal.
I stood up and rode a wave once for about 3-4 seconds before falling over. Shannon saw me, so I have proof. Yay!
The Pacific Ocean at Westport in September is actually pretty comfy with a wetsuit on.
When you're having fun you hardly ever think about shark attacks, even while doing your best impression of a wounded seal.
Westport has smaller waves than most of the surfing beaches in California and Hawaii, but the currents are more difficult to deal with. According to Scott and Bryan, "Big Al" Perlee (the owner of the Westport Surf Shop) says that if you can surf here you can surf anywhere.
I never once heard the phrase 'take it easy brah' or the words stoked, gnarly, or radical.
If you have a big enough board (I didn't at first until I traded) it's not incredibly hard to catch a wave.
Getting saltwater up your nose/ear/throat/left lung is very unpleasant but happens with some frequency.
It's very different from wakeboarding, mainly because of the way you get up and because the currents are very unpredictable when you don't know how to read the waves.
Even though the water was very crowded and I didn't know the proper etiquette I never had anyone call me a 'yuppie tourist' or scream at me to get off his wave.
When you surf 50 yards away from a jetty the current will gradually pull you closer to the rocks, making it so that you can't swim away and have to make landfall, thereby scratching up your feet pretty bad.
It really sucks to scramble 100 yards to shore over the rocks on a jetty with bleeding feet while carrying a surfboard.
Once you get back in the water the saltwater cleans your wounds and it's not a big deal.
Most of my time was not spent surfing - it was spent trying to get myself and my board far enough out there where the waves were breaking. Most everyone else seemed to be in a similar situation, so I guess this is normal.
I stood up and rode a wave once for about 3-4 seconds before falling over. Shannon saw me, so I have proof. Yay!
The Pacific Ocean at Westport in September is actually pretty comfy with a wetsuit on.
When you're having fun you hardly ever think about shark attacks, even while doing your best impression of a wounded seal.
Westport has smaller waves than most of the surfing beaches in California and Hawaii, but the currents are more difficult to deal with. According to Scott and Bryan, "Big Al" Perlee (the owner of the Westport Surf Shop) says that if you can surf here you can surf anywhere.
I never once heard the phrase 'take it easy brah' or the words stoked, gnarly, or radical.
If you have a big enough board (I didn't at first until I traded) it's not incredibly hard to catch a wave.
Getting saltwater up your nose/ear/throat/left lung is very unpleasant but happens with some frequency.
It's very different from wakeboarding, mainly because of the way you get up and because the currents are very unpredictable when you don't know how to read the waves.
Even though the water was very crowded and I didn't know the proper etiquette I never had anyone call me a 'yuppie tourist' or scream at me to get off his wave.
When you surf 50 yards away from a jetty the current will gradually pull you closer to the rocks, making it so that you can't swim away and have to make landfall, thereby scratching up your feet pretty bad.
It really sucks to scramble 100 yards to shore over the rocks on a jetty with bleeding feet while carrying a surfboard.
Once you get back in the water the saltwater cleans your wounds and it's not a big deal.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Community With no Distinction
I was browsing through a number of old sermons at my church a while ago and was saddened by one of the comments that was posted to it. The sermon was about how God's presence in our lives can change the ordinary into the extraordinary. I haven't yet listened to the whole sermon, but what I have listened to was very good.
There were two comments to this sermon. One comment was from a woman who was very touched by the sermon - brought to tears even. The other comment was simply one Bible verse, given with no explanation at all.
I Timothy 2:11-13
11Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. 12I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve...
You see, this was the first time that Imago Dei had a female preacher. This verse was quoted with no other explanation, argument, or offer for discussion. There was no attempt at dialogue or understanding. There certainly wasn't anything related to the actual content of the message.
I don't understand why people do this. What is so challenging about a woman telling a group of believers about her mission trip to the Sudan? I don't share this guy's view on women in ministry, but even if I did what possible benefit is gained by doing this? Even if I grant his view that women shouldn't speak in public that doesn't mean that this woman's message doesn't have value. It doesn't mean that you can simply dismiss her. God uses broken and messed up people to convey his Word to the world. Even if Heather Thomas' preaching in front of my church was somehow an abomination it doesn't mean that what she said doesn't have value.
The thing that pisses me off the most is that he doesn't even comment on what she had to say. For all we know he didn't even go to the service or listen to it online. He dismissed her without even addressing the thing she had come to say.
But the pastor I had in Seattle recently preached another sermon on this subject. Not the subject of women in ministry, but on how we dismiss people without even giving them a fair shake. Speaking on James 2:1-7 he discusses the vision of a 'community with no distinction'.
Richard Dahlstrom argues that if we are to be genuine witnesses and followers of Christ we need to be looking for opportunities to cross over into relationship with people we are uncomfortable with. We will never be challenged to go further into the love of Christ if we only spend our time listening to people who are just like us. But it's so easy, when listening to someone you disagree with, to only listen long enough to put them in a category. Then, once you've judged them as belonging to this category you are free to dismiss their viewpoint. The tragedy is that someone who continually uses this methodology will never learn anything. He or she will just have the attitudes they already have more and more reinforced. It's certainly much safer to live making 'distinctions among yourselves, and become(ing) judges with evil thoughts.' But we are not called to safety; we are called to radical community guided by the spirit of Christ in our hearts.
There were two comments to this sermon. One comment was from a woman who was very touched by the sermon - brought to tears even. The other comment was simply one Bible verse, given with no explanation at all.
I Timothy 2:11-13
11Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. 12I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve...
You see, this was the first time that Imago Dei had a female preacher. This verse was quoted with no other explanation, argument, or offer for discussion. There was no attempt at dialogue or understanding. There certainly wasn't anything related to the actual content of the message.
I don't understand why people do this. What is so challenging about a woman telling a group of believers about her mission trip to the Sudan? I don't share this guy's view on women in ministry, but even if I did what possible benefit is gained by doing this? Even if I grant his view that women shouldn't speak in public that doesn't mean that this woman's message doesn't have value. It doesn't mean that you can simply dismiss her. God uses broken and messed up people to convey his Word to the world. Even if Heather Thomas' preaching in front of my church was somehow an abomination it doesn't mean that what she said doesn't have value.
The thing that pisses me off the most is that he doesn't even comment on what she had to say. For all we know he didn't even go to the service or listen to it online. He dismissed her without even addressing the thing she had come to say.
But the pastor I had in Seattle recently preached another sermon on this subject. Not the subject of women in ministry, but on how we dismiss people without even giving them a fair shake. Speaking on James 2:1-7 he discusses the vision of a 'community with no distinction'.
Richard Dahlstrom argues that if we are to be genuine witnesses and followers of Christ we need to be looking for opportunities to cross over into relationship with people we are uncomfortable with. We will never be challenged to go further into the love of Christ if we only spend our time listening to people who are just like us. But it's so easy, when listening to someone you disagree with, to only listen long enough to put them in a category. Then, once you've judged them as belonging to this category you are free to dismiss their viewpoint. The tragedy is that someone who continually uses this methodology will never learn anything. He or she will just have the attitudes they already have more and more reinforced. It's certainly much safer to live making 'distinctions among yourselves, and become(ing) judges with evil thoughts.' But we are not called to safety; we are called to radical community guided by the spirit of Christ in our hearts.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
The Dark Knight
I just saw Batman last night and it was very good. There was one scene especially that really struck me. If you haven't seen the movie yet then go see it before you read this post. It's a great movie, but if you read this first it will spoil a major plot point.
There's one point in the movie where the Joker rigs two ferries up with explosives - a ferry full of prisoners and one full of normal people. Both ferries are dead in the water and unable to off-load passengers. Both ferries also have a detonator, but it's a detonator for the other ferry. If the passengers of either ferry push the button to detonate the other ferry then they will survive. But if neither of the ferries pushes the button then the Joker will blow them both up in 15 minutes.
I want to focus for a moment on the prisoner's ferry. When faced with this choice I envisioned basically two scenarios. First, the prisoners would fight to gain control of the ship and the guards would heroically fight them off to prevent them from getting to the remote detonator. Second, the guards and prisoners would do the same thing, but at some point one of the guards would realize he doesn't want to die and push the button anyway.
The scenario as it ends up playing out has a third option that I'm ashamed to say I didn't even think of. There's a scene where the head prison guard is looking at the detonator among the prisoners, anguishing over the decision. You can tell that he doesn't know what to do, but that he just may push the button. At this point one of the scariest looking criminals comes up to him and offers to 'do what you are afraid to do.' He has killed men and knows what killing men is like. Therefore he can do what the guard wants to do but can't bring himself to do. He says to the guard "I'll do what you should have done 15 minutes ago." The guard gives him the detonator and I lose a little bit of faith in humanity. But then the prisoner surprises everyone by throwing the detonator out the window and I gain that faith back.
He did exactly what the guards should have done 15 minutes ago. And this option never crossed my mind. Even in the scenario where the guards were heroically defending the detonator from the prisoners I think that, placing myself in the shoes of one of the guards, I would have wanted to at least have the option to push the button when it really came down to it. Actions of self-defense are always choosing someone else's death over your own. Some of these scenarios may be more cut-and-dry than this, but it's still basically the same thing - 'I don't want to die, so you will instead.' It's a totally different mindset when the option of violence is ENTIRELY taken off the table. Maybe those loopy pacifists have something there.
There's one point in the movie where the Joker rigs two ferries up with explosives - a ferry full of prisoners and one full of normal people. Both ferries are dead in the water and unable to off-load passengers. Both ferries also have a detonator, but it's a detonator for the other ferry. If the passengers of either ferry push the button to detonate the other ferry then they will survive. But if neither of the ferries pushes the button then the Joker will blow them both up in 15 minutes.
I want to focus for a moment on the prisoner's ferry. When faced with this choice I envisioned basically two scenarios. First, the prisoners would fight to gain control of the ship and the guards would heroically fight them off to prevent them from getting to the remote detonator. Second, the guards and prisoners would do the same thing, but at some point one of the guards would realize he doesn't want to die and push the button anyway.
The scenario as it ends up playing out has a third option that I'm ashamed to say I didn't even think of. There's a scene where the head prison guard is looking at the detonator among the prisoners, anguishing over the decision. You can tell that he doesn't know what to do, but that he just may push the button. At this point one of the scariest looking criminals comes up to him and offers to 'do what you are afraid to do.' He has killed men and knows what killing men is like. Therefore he can do what the guard wants to do but can't bring himself to do. He says to the guard "I'll do what you should have done 15 minutes ago." The guard gives him the detonator and I lose a little bit of faith in humanity. But then the prisoner surprises everyone by throwing the detonator out the window and I gain that faith back.
He did exactly what the guards should have done 15 minutes ago. And this option never crossed my mind. Even in the scenario where the guards were heroically defending the detonator from the prisoners I think that, placing myself in the shoes of one of the guards, I would have wanted to at least have the option to push the button when it really came down to it. Actions of self-defense are always choosing someone else's death over your own. Some of these scenarios may be more cut-and-dry than this, but it's still basically the same thing - 'I don't want to die, so you will instead.' It's a totally different mindset when the option of violence is ENTIRELY taken off the table. Maybe those loopy pacifists have something there.
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