I've been in conversations lately which I would title, The Purpose of Jesus and Sin. The conversations are generally about sin, what is considered sin, how do we define sin etc., or Jesus' purpose, Jesus' example and the human element within the "why" Jesus at all. People are always claiming to be searching for answers when theological questions arise, but are they? I mean, I have questions about general information that I am not actively searching for answers to right now. For example: How do I make soup taste the way my mother made it? Why does Modest Mouse only have one song worth listening to on their newest album? Why does my car get horrible gas mileage? Among other questions I'm not searching for answers. Furthermore, I have made conclusions on some questions without even really searching for answers. For instance, my car's gas mileage...probably because it needs a tune up, that's my conclusion, I'm not going to search any longer for that answer, it may not be the right answer, but I've made it my answer.
I know these are gross analogies, but it makes sense in my mind. If I were really trying to find out how my mother makes soup taste the way it does, I'd most likely talk with my mom to answer that question. I would not consult Betty Crocker or go to soup conferences and trade shows, or listen to a speaker on soup or become apart of a cause to end horrible soup making. Nor would I look to those who have tasted my mom's soup (my sisters for example) and determine their way of making soup is so grossly embarrassing to how my mother makes soup, I'm not even going to associate with that kind of soup making, therefore driving me to decide that I must make the soup I think my mom intended it to be made and thus creating, in a way, my own soup.
Sometimes the answers to the questions we ask about Jesus, God and Sin are so clear, we really don't have to keep questioning. Like, did Jesus sin? For those who like questioning and not really looking for the answers, it's a great question to ponder; but honestly, if one believes in the God of the Bible, and understands the character of this God, than is that really a "good" question? If it is in Jesus' character to sin, than you must also believe it is in God's character to sin as well. Making a belief and trust in that God no more confident than the belief and trust in your neighbor. Or, you must not believe Jesus was God, thus not making you a Christian at all. And, if that question is sparked by the actions of those who grossly interpret and believe in this God of the Bible, and the "search" for the answer to the question is dictated by "God conferences", speakers, social causes etc. and not directed to the actual Creator Himself, then what are you really doing? To me, you are creating in essence, your own idea of God, and from there, creating a reality which does not have truth at all.
I believe it is easy for people to hide behind the search, creating a god that fits their needs and convictions, a god without reference, without boundries. Once their god is created there is freedom to live life according to their own will. Freeing them to live life motored by impulse rather than reverence and submission. Thus, people ask questions for the sake of asking questions, which triggers an existential collapse and results in a slow, anguished decay... leaving a shadow with no conviction, and tragically someone who is rendered irrelevant.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Anybody a "Way of the Gun" fan?
haven't seen it in a while...
What other movies haven't I seen in a while?
Drop Dead Fred
Titanic
A River Runs Through It
Red Dawn
E.T.
American Graffiti
Schindler's List
Police Academy 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...etc.
Airplane
Rambo First Blood
Strange Brew
Fatal Attraction (actually, never seen it)
Terminator II
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Fight Club
Se7en
Godfather I & II
Legends of the Fall
Top Gun
Am I missing any movies you haven't seen in a while, or did I name any you have seen lately?
What other movies haven't I seen in a while?
Drop Dead Fred
Titanic
A River Runs Through It
Red Dawn
E.T.
American Graffiti
Schindler's List
Police Academy 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10...etc.
Airplane
Rambo First Blood
Strange Brew
Fatal Attraction (actually, never seen it)
Terminator II
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Fight Club
Se7en
Godfather I & II
Legends of the Fall
Top Gun
Am I missing any movies you haven't seen in a while, or did I name any you have seen lately?
Monday, June 4, 2007
Reading can be like Jogging
In response to KCS's post "I miss reading...for me".
For some, jogging has a real purpose. They anticipate the push, the clarity, the pumping of the blood and burn of the muscle etc. For me, I find jogging to be a complete waste of my time. Although I believe jogging is good for me and will do wonders for me in the future, I just don't see any purpose to it other than: human= running. I understand people must jog to loose weight etc. but, I don't have to lose weight, I'm actually pretty thin. I do a lot of walking, especially when I'm traveling and taking pictures, but, I usually walk with a purpose. To jog simply to jog, blows my mind.
Which brings me to reading.
In the past, reading was something I did for a purpose, or something I had to do. By the age of 7 my dad tried to make me read A Tale of Two Cities. It was me, a lamp, a couch, the Tale, a pad of paper, a pencil and a dictionary (so I could look up words I didn't understand, write them down, and come up with other sentences to use the unknown word in). It felt like I was going on a 5 mile jog; just way too much for me.
Anyway, to tie this all together. I enjoy reading, I have for some time now. However, it took me many, many years to feel that way. Every time I picked up a new book, whether it be The Picture of Dorian Gray, On the Road or Choke, I had to convince myself I was actually doing something. I had to Convince myself that it was not a waste of time, but I was going to enjoy it. Even today, when I look at the book I've been reading for 6 months now...I cannot get myself to read it. I know I want to and should...it's a great book!But, I have a difficult time convincing myself "I'm doing something." I enjoy it though.
I hate jogging.
It's funny that watching ESPN/FOX/CNN/News/Discovery Channel/History Channel etc, or simply listening to music with a beer makes me "feel" like I'm doing "something". I think I'll go home tonight and...ahh hell, who am I kidding, I know I'm not going to read tonight!
For some, jogging has a real purpose. They anticipate the push, the clarity, the pumping of the blood and burn of the muscle etc. For me, I find jogging to be a complete waste of my time. Although I believe jogging is good for me and will do wonders for me in the future, I just don't see any purpose to it other than: human= running. I understand people must jog to loose weight etc. but, I don't have to lose weight, I'm actually pretty thin. I do a lot of walking, especially when I'm traveling and taking pictures, but, I usually walk with a purpose. To jog simply to jog, blows my mind.
Which brings me to reading.
In the past, reading was something I did for a purpose, or something I had to do. By the age of 7 my dad tried to make me read A Tale of Two Cities. It was me, a lamp, a couch, the Tale, a pad of paper, a pencil and a dictionary (so I could look up words I didn't understand, write them down, and come up with other sentences to use the unknown word in). It felt like I was going on a 5 mile jog; just way too much for me.
Anyway, to tie this all together. I enjoy reading, I have for some time now. However, it took me many, many years to feel that way. Every time I picked up a new book, whether it be The Picture of Dorian Gray, On the Road or Choke, I had to convince myself I was actually doing something. I had to Convince myself that it was not a waste of time, but I was going to enjoy it. Even today, when I look at the book I've been reading for 6 months now...I cannot get myself to read it. I know I want to and should...it's a great book!But, I have a difficult time convincing myself "I'm doing something." I enjoy it though.
I hate jogging.
It's funny that watching ESPN/FOX/CNN/News/Discovery Channel/History Channel etc, or simply listening to music with a beer makes me "feel" like I'm doing "something". I think I'll go home tonight and...ahh hell, who am I kidding, I know I'm not going to read tonight!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Travels Begin.....Tomorrow!!
Two weeks ago I was setting my schedule for the month of May. I really couldn't believe I would be traveling to New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston and Boston all within days of each other. I think back one year ago and cringe at where I was:
1. Sleeping on an air mattress in the kitchen of a bachelor apt. in Redondo Beach.
2. Working with an individual who would like to attain greatness, but has no capacity for it.
3. Ignoring and denying bills and debts as if the responsibility would just melt away like butter on hot toast.
4. Finally; Repeating the same daily routine with the belief "this would get me where I was best suited to be."
Now don't get me wrong, there are many things that have not yet changed, but a mentality for change was created in a very very short period of time.
1. I still sleep on an air mattress, but in my own room with my own bathroom. Air mattress to be gone once I'm done traveling.
2. I work with individuals who would like to attain greatness, but actually have the capacity to do such, and desire to pass that on to individuals like myself.
3. I haven't resolved my "parking ticket issues" but that might take some time for me to justify, but I have a different mindset and philosophy regarding responsibility with money and where it all goes.
4. I'm grasping the idea that I am best suited where I was meant to be, around successful individuals who see and desire to see the potential I possess come full circle. Where I can be at my essence PRODUCTIVE and INVALUABLE.
I was listening to Erwin McManus this morning on the way to work,(a ritual I assure you will become daily) and he was talking about the moments in our lives where we just don't get why God has placed us in the situation we are in. We look around and see everyone else getting away with murder, but WE know if WE even attempt to do ANYTHING WE know isn't exactly right, WE will be punished, or disciplined. WE hate that idea, at least I do. So, I wrestle with God, I actively rebel against what I know to be right, I indulge in the Solomon pleasures of life which all do become meaningless in the end. Listening to this, I couldn't help but reflect on all that I have experienced in this year. Rebelling, indulging, ignoring, running, denying, fighting, asking and finally...reflecting. The sweet silent whisper of God which came to Elija was with me in MN. In the sleepless nights, physically weak and worn, there was a whisper saying "don't quit, you are intended for great things". I know God disciplines those he loves, and I can assure you, I've questioned many times whether or not I even love God myself. I know he is actively guiding my life, but many times not in the way I would like, and as a child I scream and yell because I don't get my way, and as a child...question whether or not that discipline is worth loving those who discipline.
And now, in the stillness of this night, here in Laguna Niguel, I reflect once again upon those events of the year past and wonder, where would I have ever been able to go, do or become without the violent discipline and quiet whisper of God teaching me and guiding me through events of my own life?
Tomorrow I leave for New York City and cannot believe the very desire, so often shadowed by the desire to find true intimacy, is now a reality. I will be traveling for business, for pleasure, for photography, for experience, for friends...for it is God's will I do such, without asking, without my control and without my own immediate desire...I travel. Thus, this is truly the beginning of "A look at what's next".
1. Sleeping on an air mattress in the kitchen of a bachelor apt. in Redondo Beach.
2. Working with an individual who would like to attain greatness, but has no capacity for it.
3. Ignoring and denying bills and debts as if the responsibility would just melt away like butter on hot toast.
4. Finally; Repeating the same daily routine with the belief "this would get me where I was best suited to be."
Now don't get me wrong, there are many things that have not yet changed, but a mentality for change was created in a very very short period of time.
1. I still sleep on an air mattress, but in my own room with my own bathroom. Air mattress to be gone once I'm done traveling.
2. I work with individuals who would like to attain greatness, but actually have the capacity to do such, and desire to pass that on to individuals like myself.
3. I haven't resolved my "parking ticket issues" but that might take some time for me to justify, but I have a different mindset and philosophy regarding responsibility with money and where it all goes.
4. I'm grasping the idea that I am best suited where I was meant to be, around successful individuals who see and desire to see the potential I possess come full circle. Where I can be at my essence PRODUCTIVE and INVALUABLE.
I was listening to Erwin McManus this morning on the way to work,(a ritual I assure you will become daily) and he was talking about the moments in our lives where we just don't get why God has placed us in the situation we are in. We look around and see everyone else getting away with murder, but WE know if WE even attempt to do ANYTHING WE know isn't exactly right, WE will be punished, or disciplined. WE hate that idea, at least I do. So, I wrestle with God, I actively rebel against what I know to be right, I indulge in the Solomon pleasures of life which all do become meaningless in the end. Listening to this, I couldn't help but reflect on all that I have experienced in this year. Rebelling, indulging, ignoring, running, denying, fighting, asking and finally...reflecting. The sweet silent whisper of God which came to Elija was with me in MN. In the sleepless nights, physically weak and worn, there was a whisper saying "don't quit, you are intended for great things". I know God disciplines those he loves, and I can assure you, I've questioned many times whether or not I even love God myself. I know he is actively guiding my life, but many times not in the way I would like, and as a child I scream and yell because I don't get my way, and as a child...question whether or not that discipline is worth loving those who discipline.
And now, in the stillness of this night, here in Laguna Niguel, I reflect once again upon those events of the year past and wonder, where would I have ever been able to go, do or become without the violent discipline and quiet whisper of God teaching me and guiding me through events of my own life?
Tomorrow I leave for New York City and cannot believe the very desire, so often shadowed by the desire to find true intimacy, is now a reality. I will be traveling for business, for pleasure, for photography, for experience, for friends...for it is God's will I do such, without asking, without my control and without my own immediate desire...I travel. Thus, this is truly the beginning of "A look at what's next".
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Dare I wander?
This afternoon:
Fodorstravel.com, yep, that's my new favorite website for this month. I've been trying to determine if it would be wise to stay up all night in Manhattan on Friday, wandering the streets til dawn. My sister doesn't think it's a smart idea, I'm beginning to agree with her. There was once a time when I wandered around Vienna til 4am, but I think those days are over, or they should be. I mean how much do you think it would cost to get a hotel room (nothing fancy) in downtown Manhattan? $180.00/night? I'll be spending a total of three nights in NYC and to commute from NJ everyday doesn't seem worth it either.
Fodorstravel.com, yep, that's my new favorite website for this month. I've been trying to determine if it would be wise to stay up all night in Manhattan on Friday, wandering the streets til dawn. My sister doesn't think it's a smart idea, I'm beginning to agree with her. There was once a time when I wandered around Vienna til 4am, but I think those days are over, or they should be. I mean how much do you think it would cost to get a hotel room (nothing fancy) in downtown Manhattan? $180.00/night? I'll be spending a total of three nights in NYC and to commute from NJ everyday doesn't seem worth it either.
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