Taking a break for November

I have decided to take a break or perhaps a fast from my blog for the month of November for several reasons:

1) I feel as though I need to take the time I dedicate to blogging and apply it to my personal devotion time. I have this subtle hint that Novemebr is going to a rather important month as it relates to my spiritual formation.

2) The Cardinals have won the World Series which completes the need to post on any complaints about Kenny Rogers (that is for John Hume).

3) I have an incredibly busy November ahead of me: two 15+ pg. papers are due, 2 class presentations, tests, etc.

4)I should really start focusing on the marriage details that need to be me made.

I have started Dr. Greg Boyd’s book, “The Myth of a Christian Nation” and it surely a book that is going to prove foundational to my core theology as an individual. I am only 50+ pages into it and have already found myself captivated and inspired. One qoute to think about from the book, “Kindom-of-the-world-people care about what people do whereas Kingdom-of-God-people care about who people are and their potential to become.” Last nite, as I read, I almost came to tears with the vision and beauty of Jesus’ seemingly irrational kingdom which urges me to sacrifice and contemplation.

Anyway, until Dec. 1, goodbye! For some good reads, please consult my links. Perhaps even dedicate yourself to particular blog for the month of November (then you might see how bad mine actually is).

Till then,
Andrew

ok, can anyone tell me how to get a REAL picture i…

ok, can anyone tell me how to get a REAL picture in the profile space. This has been annoying me for about a year now.

Countering Emotionalism with Truth

I hesitate to even get started in this debate because most likely there will be an arrogant tone birthed from my mouth. I first seek not to offer any character assassination on Michael J. Fox. His disease is tormenting and it pains me to watch him. But I fear that Micheal J. Fox may only be looking at the superficial situation and the short term effects. Is it fair to offer his emotionalism in the issue when there is little said about the emotionalism of the women who will be exploited by money to get ther eggs? Surely, as Michael J. Fox would agree, that this issue is about safety and health, not exploitation. But there are always consequences of our decisions. And as Matt Creath has offered into the discussion, there are alternate ways to do stem cell research without destroying embryos. With that said, why should it take 28 million dollars to get an amendment passed that characterizes itself as a cause for the “common good?” If it were truly good, then little money should be used to jumpstart a campaign for it.

At any costs, Rush Limbaugh should be ashamed of himself for his latest comments directed at Michael J. Fox. As always, be cautious of the extremes in any situation. Alignment with extremism is very tempting because it bathes itself in a cloud of irrational certainty (which is also synonomous with arrogance).

What are we coming to?

I just visited the drudgereport.com and found an article that absolutely wiped me out. Usually, as tragedies happen, we have this built-in coping mechanism that allows us to somehow disconnect ourselves due to distance. Well, reading this article only left me in anger. I only ask the question: what is this world coming to? After reading the article, please scroll down to the comment posted by the man from Japan.

With the new found emphasis on social justice within evangelical Christianity, let us never forget that limiting abortion is social justice, sought after by the Heart of God.

good news on this whole ‘loving your enemies’ idea that Jesus talked about

Today, I was riding my bike back to my apartment when some van pulled up along side of me and said, “watch out, bitch.” My first instinct was not to respond, which I am thankful for. The next instinct was one of me wanting to find where they live and taking a golf club to their van windows (okay, I know, that’s a little harsh, but if you’re a guy, you understand). Anyway, I took the conscious effort not to react in a sinful manner, but to actually try to understand the situation. In fact, a little voice inside (Hmm, perhaps the Holy Spirit?) said, “Andrew, put down your sword.” I kid you not, I really felt as though this idea was pulsating through me. And after a few moments, I was calm, cool, and composed. So, I guess today was a great day in learning a spiritual truth. In an odd way, I think that I am thanking God for those guys calling me a b*tch. I find that putting down our sword actually takes more power than reacting in a negative manner. I believe the kingdom was within me today (luke 17.21).

“(Insert name), put down your sword”-Jesus Christ

He cheated, that’s the simple truth.

I have neither the time nor the patience to go into the logic of what happened last night with the Kenny Rogers outing. But, after talking to Devin Hurst (my brother best friend and pretty much an older brother to me), he has said there is a lot of unrest in St. Louis at the whole situation, including a heavy majority of it toward Tony LaRussa. To be blunt, LaRussa was not proactive in the situation and should have demanded a formal investigation. And yes, I am aware that Rogers did pitch brilliantly the rest of the game, but I think it would be imperative to know what kind of consistency Pine Tar has on a hand/skin. Pine Tar, from what I have heard can be wiped off, but the consistency is still on the hand no matter what. Compare it to pine sap. And if you investigate camera angles even after he “wiped” it off, it is apparent that there is some dis-coloration of the skin. I have found an article by Dave Wetze from Yahoo! Sports that really speaks prophetically to the entire situation.Regardless of how he pitched, Rogers cheated. Enough said.

Again, I think it necessary to also think about who we are dealing with in this current situation: KENNY ROGERS…who has known to cheat in the past and play the game with dowright disrespect.

I am afraid of what is going to happen with Tony LaRussa. This shouldn’t be a big deal, but please reconsider that this is the WORLD SERIES and most importantly, at this level of play, baseball goes beyond the mere category of a sport, but intensely reaches into the category of a high stakes business.

Jurgen Moltmann…denying impassibility and the social trinitarian

In my Doctrine of God class, we have surveyed the major theologians in Christian history. With a general analysis, I would have to say my favorite theologians are Karl Barth, Clark Pinnock, and Jurgen Moltmann. I most like Moltmann for his social trinitarian outlooks, but also because he questions impassibility. I would like to share with you a couple of qoutes from Moltmann on the doctrine of impassibility (the doctrine that says God does not experience passion or emotion) and a qoute about Trinitarian love.

“A God who cannot suffer is poorer than any man. For a God who is incapable of suffering is a being who cannot be involved. Suffering and injustice do not affect him…But the one who cannot suffer cannot love either. So he is also a loveless being.”

“God does not shy away from suffering but makes it his own and so overcomes it and brings about hope. All suffering becomes God’s so that God may overcome it.”

The grief of the Father is here as important as the death of the Son.”

Creation is a fruit of God’s longing for his Other and for what that Other’s free response to the divine love. That is why the idea of the world is inherent in the nature of God himself from eternity…And if God’s eternal being is love, then the divine love is also more blessed in giving than in receiving. God cannot find bliss in eternal self-love if selflessness is part of love’s very nature. God is in all eternity self-communicating love.”

Michael J. Fox

Well, I promised to post on the piece, so here we go. First off, brilliant posts by Matt and John. I couldn’t agree more with the both you. And yes, Matt, you criticizing Michael J. Fox is rather odd since you have an obession with Michael J. Fox. And to John, ouch! That military comment was a suckerpunch

I have had very differing opinions so far towards voting in this election. My principles on voting have changed dramatically, but that is conversation for another time. Regardless, just yesterday I did my research on the proposed Amendments that are on the ballot in Missouri. There are significant issues at hand. At this point, I am choosing not to reveal who I will be voting for or IF I will be voting for any candidates, but I WILL be voting on the amendments.

I suppose this commercial is in reference to Amendment 2 which, from the articles I have researched, is rather tricky. To be blunt and in agreement with John, I believe first and foremost this commerical is pure emotionalism. And I assume that we are all aware of the failure of emotions to tell the truth. I will readily admit that I am ignorant on the Stem Cell issue and it appears that from Matt Creath’s comment that he knows what’s going on. Check out his comment! I am in full agreement with him.

As you may or may not know, I am pro-life to the fullest degree, but have issues with how the pro-life movement conducts itself. Regardless, I belive philosophically that it is bad science to kill an embryo or stem cell in the hopes of fixing an existing human being. Is human life worth killing more human life? And by the way, correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t Michael J. Fox Canadian?

Above all, I encourage all of you to investigate the issue for yourself.

there’s a lot going on here.

I will comment more on this later. Tough issue. You agree?

Rogers is a tool.

Kenny Rogers was up to his usual craftiness, this time in the form of pinetar on his lower left hand. Major League Baseball would do itself a favor to investigate this. I love cheating!