Another vision of what Pentecost might have looked like. 

Whats left behind by LEFT BEHIND

Have you ever picked up one of the books in the Left Behind Series?

I did at my aunt's house during Thanksgiving Break. Let me tell you, I read it for a little bit and I was hooked. The plot line is compelling, even if in my mind a lot of the theology behind it seems dull and banal.

Now, I know with all 4 or 5 of you that actually read my blog, there are probably 7 or 8 opinions on the end times. Here is my one point for the day.

All of the prophecies and mentioning of the end times are a call to tell us how to live right here and right now. I encountered this once again in the book of James. There he urges us "to be patient" because of the Lord's coming. Even the book of Revelation starts with a letter to seven churches. All of our thinking about the end of days should be grounded in this question....in light of this truth, who is God calling me to be right now?

Where has all the comedy gone

Last night I went to Blockbuster to pick up some movies. Now, the whole day I had been struggling with this political disaster that we have on our hands at our church which I shall affectionately refer to as "The Upskirt Affair." What did I do right? What did I do wrong? I even had one of those nights where I thought about it the whole time I slept.'

I went to the movie store to look for a comedy. Could I find a decent one? No....I could not. All the movies that are coming to video, with the exception of Dodgeball and Anchorman (which I have seen already), were either action flicks or drama.

Then Tim got me thinking about the state of comedy on television. With the exception of the subtle humor of Desparate Housewives and a few reality shows, what do we have for comedy on television today either? I cannot think of much. Maybe the David LaChappelle Show, if you have cable. So I rented a Chris Rock Stand Up DVD, Hotel Rwanda, and the Woodmen.

And I wondered....where has all the comedy gone?

A quote hanging in my office

Blessed are the available.
Blessed are the conduits,
the tunnels, the tools.
Deliriously joyful are the ones
who believe that if God
has used sticks and rocks
to do His will,
then He can use us.

Max Lucado

A quick endorsement--a shameless plug for a product I love

If you have not checked out the new NOOMA video stuff from Rob Bell, you should. Two new videos came out this Spring.

Each of these videos are about 10-15 minute "devotional films" with a little bit of a postmodern flare.

The two that just came out recently are LUMP, and BULLHORN. Bullhorn is a controlled rant about how these hellfire and brimstone street preachers just need to stop.

LUMP is about how "there is nothing we can do in our lives that will make God love us any less". It is based on a story with his son.

RAIN is the oldest of the films, and my personal favorite.

DUST is also good, but not with as much universal appeal as RAIN and LUMP.

So, if you have a chance to sneak into your local Christian bookstore and get them, I would highly recommend it.

From the Heart........

Since last weeks worship service was lost due to a snowstorm, my senior pastor allowed me to do the service over again.

The message was on the "Do you love me?" passage at the end of the Gospel of John, but the core of the message was about the implied question of Peter...what now. I modified this from the time when I asked for your help....so here is the modified version of the sermon notes...which infer that Christ makes for statements that call for four spiritual movements in our lives.

Those movements are:
From SURVIVAL TO SIGNIFICANCE-Love Me
From ENTITLEMENT to SERVICE--Feed my sheep
From POPULARITY to PURPOSE--Follow ME
From CONTROL to SURRENDER---Bear my cross.
Admittedly, a lot of this was based on a book by Henri Nouwen called IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

I got the best compliment after the message. I was told...I just love it when you do the service because it all comes "straight from the heart". What could be a better compliment than that for someone striving to be an authentic, honest, minister-type?

another interesting and thought provoking picture. What do you think he is trying to communicate in this picture here. 

A moby pic designed to illustrate the lifelessness of many public places, brilliant use of black and white 

Movies and Moby

Unrelated to the previous post.....

Much of what I like to listen to with popular music I listen to for two reasons. One, I like the message of the song....it moved me somehow. Or, it is simply fun!

Generally with movies though, I watch it with more of an attention to what it is trying to say to me artistically. I want it to speak to something in my life. I want the story of the movie to unite to something in my story as a human being. This is why both Napolean Dynamite and Sin City drove me nuts. No compelling story. But it is also why I did not get that excited about Sahara. It was just a funny action movie. Escapism. Generally I want something a little bit more, or I want to laugh at stuff like I have never laughed before (see Dodgeball and Anchorman for examples of this type of movie that I loved.).

However, I have bought my first concept music album recently. It is the new HOTEL album by Moby. Read what he wrote about the theme of his album.

the title 'hotel' is mainly inspired by the idea of the temporary, specifically temporary relationships. perhaps you're familiar with the experience of having a relationship that is warm and loving and filled with respect and attraction, but that, in the end of the day, doesn't work? so you're in the relationship but you know that you're going to have to leave. it almost makes the warmth and the intimacy of the relationship that much stronger and that much more intense knowing that it's temporary.

everything in our lives is temporary, including our lives themselves, obviously. but the intimacy of loving, but temporary, relationships was one of the inspirations for the 'hotel' title and idea. we stay in hotels for brief periods of time. they are places where we live but that are not our homes.

Maybe I am getting too serious if I am getting and really enjoying music that makes me think. Then again, Jimmy Buffet makes me think too.

To be wild or to be in community?!

I have often thought of something a friend said to me last month.

Clint, it is like something is trying to break you, to rob you of your spirit, to tame you somehow. And you know what, I don't like it! Look at you! You used to dress all bright and cheery and fun. Now look at you. Its not right.

(The dress thing is referring to a change from Van's and Rainbows with Beach Shirts to sweater vests with dress shirts, ties, and loafers when I met with her.)

My life is about my choices. The question is, am I allowing myself to be domesticated, tamed and the like. I had laid this to rest...until another person said something to me.

In comparing me to a predecessor in my position, someone had told me that the predecessor was like "a big kid" but that I was a little too serious for my own good. He further went on to say that this other person had gotten a little too serious in recent years.

Now, this normally would not have affected me too much. Except that is what people used to say about me. Oh, Clint is such a "big kid". He is so "jolly". Now I am being labeled as overly serious. I am not sure what to think.

So the question remains, Is my Spirit being broken? Like a horse in training, is the fun, range-roving, wild side of my person and my faith being taken from me? Or am I surrendering it.

I dont know. I think my "big kid" is just a little more hidden these days. I think maybe in some ways I am trying to trade being playful for being respected, at least 9-5 on Monday-Friday and 9-noon on Sunday. Or maybe I am just growing up. Or playing the role I need to play intuitively. I am not sure.

It something I am still trying to figure out, but it is something that keeps flashing through my mind during my prayer time, so it must be weighing heavy on my heart for some reason.

A sign your child may have a problem brewing 

Is wasted time really wasted time

I do not know if I am normal, but in order to function sanely I seem to need at least a little down time no matter how tired I am.

Let me give you an example. On any Sunday, Wednesday, or Thursday night I generally will not get home until between 10 and 11. Sometimes I am just exhausted. Can I immediately go to sleep. Of course not!

I have to do nothing for a couple of hours just to unwind. That nothing often consists of watching Cable News, E, ESPN, or one of the music channels.

I wonder why this is?

Does anyone have any help for me to overcome this?

Latin American footwashing 

Chinese Jesus with woman at the well 

African Jesus taken off the cross 

I hate April 15

Today is the day of the year when I bent over and take it from Uncle Sam.

So as I bend over and grab my ankles to get screwed over on my taxes, I hope all of you are having a bright and cheery day! But think of me and my torment having to pay a load of self-employment taxes with no children, no house, and no other significant write offs.

So to take off the edge from getting ripped a new one by the Fed, I have my orange juice and vodka ready to go--sorry Michael Jackson no Jesus juice for me--I need the hard stuff.

Of course I am joking about most of this. Kind of. Sort of. Maybe.

East Indian portrayal of Jesus healing the blind 

Chinese depiction of Pentecost 

Japanese artists depiction of Pentecost, notice the different colors on the heads of the apostles 

African Jesus--walk to Emmaus 

Divine Dreams?

The following is something I wrote for my other blog, which I thought I would also post here since I went to the work of putting it together.

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Daniel 1

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, �Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Acts 2

One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, �Cornelius!�
Acts 10

During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, �Come over to Macedonia and help us.�
Acts 16


It seems like God speaks a lot in dreams in the Bible, but there does not seem to be an awful lot of people who are hearing God through dreams today. I don't know why that is.

What I do know is, the few times I have had dreams or visions that I felt were from God, I actually knew they were from God. Sometimes I was awake, but more often than not I was in what scientists call a liminal state (that time where you are not quite asleep but not quite awake either--usually right when you go to bed or wake up.) I can tell you that when I had a vision like this, which I emphasize again was very rare, I just had a sense deep in my heart that it might be God speaking. And there were a few times where that sense was confirmed. At time there was simply a word that beamed through my mind like a neon sign. Other times it was a flash of pictures in rapid succession of a person, and what they said, followed by what I believed was a supernatural insight into their lives. In all these cases I would recommend the following course of action with these visions:

1. If you sense God is speaking to you through a dream, test the dream to see if it
is true. And do so with humility. Just keep the dream to yourself, or talk to a
few mentors or leaders you respect about the dream and how it spoke to you.

2. Test the dream against the fruit of the Spirit. Is this allowing me to be more
self-controlled, more kind, more loving etc.?

3. What action is this dream calling you to? Is this dream consistent with
Scripture?

Any other thoughts or contributions?

Moby's rant

Check out Moby's rant on homosexuality and the Christian right here Then tell us all what you think.

Pictures of God

Well, I recieved an email to bring me out of my funk.

It was a question on my other blog, footnoted as Bubba's Bible Blog below. (Hey that is a four word alliteration...yippee).

The person asked me about the use of images of God in worship. Below is why somewhat all over the place respons:

There are many people who believe that any image of God is a graven image, and thus a violation of the Second Commandment. For a very thorough explaination of this idea I would go to the library and read a book by J. I. Packer called Knowing God.

Basically the idea of this point of view is that when you have a picture of Jesus you have an image of God which limits a persons perspective about what God is like. For instance, look at all these renaissance pictures of Jesus. What do they look like? A white, upper-class bisexual male of the time. Which is what several of the renaissance painters were (well, I dont know everything about their sexual orientation but that was a part of the renaissance recovery of ancient Greek and Roman culture) By nature some might think, any picture of God becomes exclusionary and an instrument of power. For instance, they had this negative space Jesus statue at my seminary, and his biceps were about the size of his head. Thus, the ideal Jesus in this statue looked more like a body builder. The only image I have to relate to is the happy Buddha! HA!

On the other hand, as Arisotle said, "the soul never thinks without a picture". As you read Scripture, you see that God puts all kinds of pictures of himself in our heads. He is bread, he is light, he is a rock, he is a warrior, he is giving birth (John 3), he is a parent, he is a servant, he is a shepherd. Heck there are even a few female images of God in the Bible.

Anyway....it seems to me that we can't help but having images of God in our mind. But it seems important for us to realize that all images and pictures of God are limited. Jesus is not still dead on the cross, he is risen...so even a silver crucifix has limitations. So I believe it is ok, and even helpful, to have pictures of Jesus that speak to us. But we need to keep the following things in mind. In summary:

1.) Images of Jesus are often created to let us know that Jesus is close to us and can identify with us. They should be used for this purpose, but in the back of our mind we should keep in mind nobody has a market on what Jesus looked like. There is a reason he did not pose for portraits.

2.) We should try to cultivate images of God that are also apart from us, different from us, so that we do not get stuck worshipping ourselves and people like us.

3.) We should not worship the images, but allow them to be a vehicle for worship.

4.) If a particular image of Christ allows you to grow spiritually, then use it. Ask, is this making me more loving, more peaceful, etc. (does it produce the fruit of the Spirit)

My particular preference as far a personal images of God goes, with the exception of the $1 Walmart Jesus candles and the Bobble head Jesus stuff I have, is to worship him in ways that display his attributes more than a human image. Although this giant statue of light on SCRIPTURE SNIPPETS that I saw with open arms did speak to me of God's love.

What do the rest of you all believe and think about this?

Sideways has drove me sideways

I watched Sideways. Great movie, but depressing.

If I compared it to another movie, I would compare it to American Beauty, which is why it is so critically acclaimed. It is another movie about depression and midlife crisis from a bunch of overmedicated and overintoxicated self-centered Baby Boomers. O, how I hate baby boomers as a generational set. But then again, that is for another post. (If you are a baby boomer my apologies, it doesn't mean I hate you).

On the other hand, it was a brilliant movie. For the scenery alone no less. And the ending with the sense of crossing a new threshold was perfect. And, the acting of the lead character was brilliant as well. Although everytime I see him in a movie I think of the role he played in Private Parts as Howard Stern's Boss in New York.

I liked it a lot.

But in some way it has put me in a funk of my own.

HopefullY I will snap out of it by the end of the day.

Another quote for you 

The Stepford Matrix

I watched the Stepford Wives tonight. A more interesting movie than I originally anticipated. And strangely enough, it reminded me a lot of the Matrix. In my opinion the first Stepford movie was more of a horror type of a movie, while this one was more philisophical. Even if it is a little silly in the process.

The reason it reminded me of the Matrix is that both stories seem to ask a basic question. The question is: Which is better--a utopian illusion or a reality that it is full of heartache, brokenness, and limitations? Both movies seem to choose the painful rollercoaster that is life, despite the difficulties and the pain.

These stories bring up lots of questions. What situations and what things in our world today are they speaking to? In what ways are mourning the illusion instead of living in the real? What are the temptations that try to guide us toward the unreal?
Just something to think about anyway.

A picture quote for you 

Recent Music Purchases

I usually allow myself one CD purchase a month.

Here are a few of my aquisitions since Christmas

Velvet Revolver--a rock and roll album with the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and the Band from Guns n Roses.

Moby-Hotel--Very relaxing music. Double CD set. The ambient set is especially relaxing. I love the song SPIDERS and the imagery on it.

Songs and Prayers from Taize--A work related purchase

Ray-Duets--Another mellow album with Duets of several well-known artists with Ray Charles.

Then there are all the youth group CDs that I have on my work computer. I especially like a band called Something Like Silas.

Hope you all have a great day.

Another Scott Mutter surrational image 

The Teetotaller's Tavern

Once again, to kill some time on my day off I went to the bookstore to skim some books. I grabbed a stack, and sat down near the coffee shop. And, once again, I found what I always find at this Starbucks. A bunch of loud Bible Thumpers.

Now, you might say that since I am a clergyperson that I would think this is a good thing. Infact, it was annoying. Well, not entirely annoying, as the people watching became very interesting from a people watching perspective. But they did frustrate me, anger me, and in general kind of piss me off.

Then I came to the realization that for these self-assured, loud, outspoken fundamentalists, the coffee shop is as close to the bar as they will ever get. (not so with me....I have the name Friar Tuck for a reason ya know.) Like Franklin Graham on speed, they kept arguing with a guy who believed differently than them by quoting proof texts every other sentence. Just like the sports fan spouting random facts about their team.

The better looking Christian women were surrounded by young men with copies of the Purpose-Driven Life (to look with it) and The Imitation of Christ (to look deep, spiritual, and intellectual) trying to discuss their recent Myers-Briggs and how it related to their spirtual life, the fine details of Creation Science, and how they wish they were born 40-50 years ago instead of today (but they are glad they were born today so they can help bring the world back to those days.) They complained about things as being "too much fun" and "not serious enough".

I guess if it was not so familiar I might have found it refreshing or charming. But I have been around these little Christian enclaves throughout college and in the ministry, and as a minister even have never really felt like I fit with them. Especially with this crowd, just a mile away from Focus on the Family headquarters. And as I watched them all I kept thinking is, these people really need a couple of beers.

I love this quote and this picture!! 

Boxers or Briefs

I drove to work this morning in a blizzard. Let me tell you just how snowy it is. They have closed the Interstate Between Dowtown Colorado Springs (where I am now) and Denver. Nevertheless, the call of Christ compelled me to make my way to church in the morning. And my work ethic. And the fact that I probably will not get a chance to preach again anytime soon.

So, our church of 175-200 had 9 in Sunday School and 7 in worship.

As I headed out the door, I began to wonder, if I get stuck in the snow and die somewhere along the way....what underwear do I want to be found in?

No, you must know I am at the end of my laundry in socks and underwear. So, I had to find something that I would not be afraid to literally "be caught dead in". Boxers or briefs?

If you must know.....my smiley face glow in the dark boxers seemed the appropriate choice.

Some Books to Recommend

What Happy People Know--
As a person who struggles with mild depression, this is a very helpful, insightful book. It is also a helpful book just to undertand how to care for others that like to bring health and hope to people's lives.

God is Closer Than You Think--
A brilliant book about how to recognize the presence of God in your life.

Real Sex: The Naked Truth on Chastity--
I cannot stress enough how good this book is for single and married people, both in thinking about human sexuality from a Christian perspective, and as a book simply discussing a process of seeing ethical behavior as a spiritual discipline in and of itself instead of something seperate from prayer and spiritual disciplines. Also helpful in discussing the interplay between personal spirituality and discipleship in community.

Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places--
A brilliant book by Eugene Peterson. Challenging and somewhat slow reading, but well worth the effort.

another pic from the wedding 

this picture is in my office 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT 

A THOUGHT FOR YOU 

My nephews on their birthday 

I cannot believe that Gas has gone up to 2.29 a gallon here in the Springs. 

From a Rock to a Sponge.

I have officially become a sap.

Yesterday I took a computer version of the Kiersey Temprament Sorter. Sad to say I have moved from an NT temprament to an NF temprament. That means I have moved from the intellectual temprament to the idealist. I have become more of a "feeler". It is so pathetic.

I have noticed this change. When I was watching the preview for the Masters and they started talking about Phil Mickelson winning the Masters last year as his first major over so many years of trying, I got misty. When I was listening to things about the difference that the Pope made in people's lives, I got misty again. And the whole Ashley Smith thing with her loving this murderer that threatened her life....I almost let a tear escape. Of course, I also wished that I could make 60 thousand that quickly as well. I used to be a ROCK now I am just a squishy sponge.

My Top 7 Famous Most Attractive List

Recently I had a conversation about who I thought the most attractive actors around are. Expanding to famous people, I have a best of list below. I reserve the right to revise if I forgot someone. When I had this conversation it was about 2am. I have already revised it a little. These are in no particular order. And I know I am going to botch the spelling. Please forgive me!!!

1. The redhead on American Pie and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although she may be too young for me..if she is my apologies.

2. Jennifer Knapp....the CCM rocker gal. She won me over when she said in a concert in Cincinatti that their football team was not a real football team because they played on Astroterf. How hot is that!!!! (Philbin has already heard this selection when I saw her in concert in Washington State at the Columbia River Gorge.) She solidified her selection by wearing a Johnny Cash T-shirt on her last album.

3. Renae Zellwiger--A hot gal that you could imagine having a beer with. Also not afraid to go without make up or make a fool of herself.

4. Lisa Nicole Carson--of Ally McBeal fame. Gorgeous smile. Gorgeous everything.

5. Mia Hamm--Seems to be both sweet and driven.

6. Drew Barrymore--Again somebody who is cute, and would seem to be fun too.

7. Lauren Winner--Author of Girl Meets God, Mudhouse Sabbath, and Real Sex: The
Naked Truth about Chastity. Cute and very smart. Smart is sexy.

Who did not make it and why:

Because of surgical enhancements: Pamela Anderson

Because of taste in other guys: Brittany Spears, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez

What is everyone else's input?

Darwin Awards 2005

Yes, it's that magical time of the year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least Evolved among us. Here then, are the glorious winners.

Darwin Award Winners:

1. When his 38-caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a holdup in Long Beach, California, would be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked..... And now, the honorable mentions:

2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat cutting
machine and, after a little hopping around, submitted a claim to his
insurance company. The company expecting negligence, sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.

3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space, so he shot her.

4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.

5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.

6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter,
and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer...$15.
(If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?)

7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a cinderblock through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinderblock and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinderblock bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.

8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from."

9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 a.m., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away.

A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER!
10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges, saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.

Sermon Snippet....Any Thoughts or Help??

Right now I am working on a sermon on John 21: 14ff

Title: Now what?

Key Thought: New Life Requires New Living

The Four Key Statements and Corresponding Movements of Discipleship:

Love me--- From Propriety to Passion

Feed My Sheep-- From Entitlement to Service

Follow Me--- From Relevance to Re-Presentation

Bear My Cross--- From Control to Surrender

What do you all think?

Can you help me with some input at all?

WH Auden Poems

BUT I CAN'T

Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

There are no fortunes to be told, although
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.

The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brroks and soldiers run away;
Will time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could I would let you know.

THE MORE LOVING ONE

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How would we like it were stars to burn
with a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of the stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear and die,
I should look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take a little time

The Quotable Homer J. Simpson

Alright Brain, you don't like me, and I don't like you. But lets just do this, and I can get back to killing you with beer. - Homer Simpson

Can you believe it!? Pretty soon, I'll be able to quit my job and live off the boy! -Homer Simpson

Kill my boss?!? Do I dare live out the american dream? - Homer Simpson

If something is too hard, give it up. The moral my boy is too never try anything. - Homer Simpson

Son, when you participate in sporting events, its not whether you win or loose, its how drunk you get. - Homer Simpson

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer Simpson

Marge, old people don't need companionship, they need to be isolated and studied to see what useful nutrients can be obtained from them... - Homer Simpson

Mmmm...Forbidden donut - Homer Simpson

Blame the guy who doesn't speak Engish. - Homer Simpson

You never know when an old calendar might come in handy! Sure, it's not 1985 right now, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? - Homer Simpson

The other day I was so desperate for a beer, I snuck into the football stadium and ate the dirt under the bleachers. - Homer Simpson

Heh Heh Heh! Lisa! Vampires are make believe, just like elves and gremlins and eskimos! - Homer Simpson

Alright Brain...Its all up to you - Homer Simpson

Be quiet, Brain, or I'll stab you with a Q-tip - Homer Simpson

Remember as far as anyone knows, we're a nice normal family. - Homer Simpson

This donut has purple in the middle, purple is a fruit. - Homer Simpson

Guys are always patting my bald head for luck, pinching my belly to hear my girlish laugh... - Homer Simpson

AHHH. Donuts. . . What can't they do. - Homer Simpson

Asleep at the switch? I wasn't asleep, I was drunk! - Homer Simpson

If he's so smart, how come he's dead? - Homer Simpson

The food was not undelicious. - Homer Simpson

I don't apologize. I am sorry Lisa, that's the way I am. - Homer Simpson

Do I know what rhetorical means? - Homer Simpson

I can't believe it! Reading and writing actually paid off! - Homer Simpson

I promised my boy one simple thing : lots of riches, and that man broke my promise! - Homer Simpson

I'm in a place where I don't know where I am! - Homer Simpson

Let us celebrate our agreement with the adding of chocolate to milk. - Homer Simpson

Lord help me, I'm just not that bright. - Homer Simpson

Trying is the first step towards failure. - Homer Simpson

There's a New Mexico?!? - Homer Simpson

They have the Internet on computers, now? - Homer Simpson

Wait a minute. I'm a guy like me! - Homer Simpson

Step aside everyone! Sensitive love letters are my specialty. 'Dear Baby, Welcome to Dumpsville. Population : you.' - Homer Simpson

Wow. A baby and a free burger. Could this be the best day of my life? - Homer Simpson

A Longer Quote for Ya--From Tim Keel's Blog

From The Great Divorce. In the preface of the book, Lewis writes:

"Blake wrote the Marriage of Heaven and Hell. If I have written of their Divorce, this is not because I think myself a fit antagonist for so great a genius, nor even because I feel at all sure that I know what he meant. But in some sense or other the attempt to make that marriage is perennial. The attempt is based on the belief that reality never presents us with an absolutely unavoidable "either-or"; that, granted skill and patience and (above all) time enough, some way of embracing both alternatives can always be found; that mere development or adjustment or refinement will somehow turn evil into good without our being called on for a final and total rejection of anything we should like to retain. This belief I take to be a disastrous error. You cannot take all luggage with you on all journeys; on one journey even your right hand and your right eye might be among the things you have to leave behind. We are not living in a world where all roads are radii of a circle and where all, if followed long enough, will therefore draw gradually nearer and finally meet at the center: rather in a world where every road, after a few miles, forks into two, and each of those into two again, and at each fork you must make a decision. Even on a biological level life is not like a pool but like a tree. It does not move towards unity but away from it and the creatures grow further apart as they increase in perfection. Good, as it ripens, becomes continually more different not only from evil but from other good.

I do not think that all who choose wrong roads perish; but their rescue consists in being put back on the right road. A wrong sum can be put right: but only going back till you find the error and working it afresh form that point, never by simply going on. Evil can be undone, but it cannot "develop" into good. Time does not heal it�"

Sometimes I feel a little like a fish out of water 

Now I know why the easter bunny did not stop at my house!!! 

Tracking inperceptable changes

The coolest thing happened.

I work with a group of youth. Their was a young man who always looked dour when he had to come to any of our youth functions. I came downstairs today and he was smiling. He threw a ball at me. I chased him down, picked him up, and threw him on the couch. He laughed and grinned like I had never seen him laugh and grin before at church. He had changed somehow, and the frustration and anger had left him.

God is about life change. And God changes people. People like you and me. I remember having an awful, awful temper growing up. Screaming. Throwing things. Breaking things. Somehow Jesus, while allowing me to still be angry sometimes, has changed my life so that I can live with self-control.

Also, I see God working in the things I do for him. OK, not earth shattering change, but change none the less. I see friendless people learn how to find friends. I see joyless people find happiness and contentment. It does not happen overnight, but you look at them and you wonder, WOW, look what God has done.

Moving from Entitlement to Servanthood

One of the most frustrating people in churches lately have been people who have a sense of entitlement.

Although I have not lived up to this ideal all the time, I do remember a certain woman in the small fundamentalist church I grew up in that has served as an example to me on what church is all about. We walked into the church of about 30 people about 6 months into the church plant. Sue had walked in about 4 weeks earlier. When she walked in her first question was "Where can I help." She spent her first Sunday at Mountain View Baptist Church in the nursery she had just created.

Yet, it seems that in the church, especially this seems with church people, come to church with a sense of entitlement instead of a desire to serve. We ask people to bend the rules just for us. If people don't do for us in churches what we want them to, we raise hell. Watch out if you change the tradition of the worship service! I recently heard a lady in our church here say it was about time that people started giving the church money after she sold parking spots for a community Christmas event. What about holding up a sign that says, FREE PARKING SPOTS, and giving away coffee.

I have often done a "TOTALLY FREE CAR WASH" as a service project. People have a really hard time believing you are doing anything for free. "What is the catch?" ,they ask. Especially when you are from a church. Because a church never does anything, according to a lot of people, unless they want to get something from you.

Please join me in examining your motives, and see whether your motives are about being a servant or fighting for what you are entitled to.

Sin City and Pope John Paul II

Nothing could be more striking than the contrast I have seen between the way religion was portrayed on Sin City, and the way that the Pope has been portrayed on the television since I have came home.

In Sin City, the villians in the movie are always marked with relgious affiliation. The cannabals, the treasonous woman, the bishop that ran the city. All were vile discusting people. And deeply disturbed. All carry the cross.

Yet, as I watch the retrospectives on the Pope's life, what I see from enemies and friends alike is a belief that the Pope was good, good man who truly made a difference in the world. This pope, in this Protestant's opinion, despite my theological differences with him and Catholicism as a whole, was one of the greatest popes in the church since ancient times.

Part of the reason the pope's witness is so powerful, I think, is his story. Throughout his life he has balanced authentic conviction with great compassion. Something, especially in the American view these days, that is very, very rare.

I guess it goes to show truth is stranger than fiction.

Garrett with his bunny 

zach with the bunnies 

Poet's Corner

Hear the voice of the Bard,
Who present, past, and future, sees;
Whose ears have heard
The Holy Word
That walked among the ancient tree;

Calling the lapsed soul,
And weeping in the evening dew;
That might control
The starry pole,
And fallen, fallen light renew!

'O Earth, O Earth, return!
Arise from out the dewy grass!
Night is worn,
And the morn
Rises from the slumbrous mass.

'Turn away no more;
Why wilt thou turn away?
The starry floor,
The watery shore,
Are given thee till the break of day

William Blake

I heard an Angel singing
When the day was springing,
'Mercy, Pity, Peace
Is the world's release.'

Thus he sung all day
Over the new mown hay,
Till the sun went down
And haycocks looked brown.

I heard a Devil curse
Over the heath and the furze,
'Mercy could be no more,
If there was nobody poor,

And pity no more could be,
If all were as happy as we.'
At his curse the sun went down,
And the heavens gave a frown.

Down pour'd the heavy rain
Over the new reap'd grain ...
And Miseries' increase
Is Mercy, Pity, Peace.

William Blake

An Ode to a LEMON

From blossoms
released
by the moonlight,
from an
aroma of exasperated
love,
steeped in fragrance,
yellowness
drifted from the lemon tree,
and from its plantarium
lemons descended to the earth.

Tender yield!
The coasts,
the markets glowed
with light, with
unrefined gold;
we opened
two halves
of a miracle,
congealed acid
trickled
from the hemispheres
of a star,
the most intense liqueur
of nature,
unique, vivid,
concentrated,
born of the cool, fresh
lemon,
of its fragrant house,
its acid, secret symmetry.

Knives
sliced a small
cathedral
in the lemon,
the concealed apse, opened,
revealed acid stained glass,
drops
oozed topaz,
altars,
cool architecture.

So, when you hold
the hemisphere
of a cut lemon
above your plate,
you spill
a universe of gold,
a
yellow goblet
of miracles,
a fragrant nipple
of the earth's breast,
a ray of light that was made fruit,
the minute fire of a planet.

Pablo Neruda