Free Verse 2: Matthew 6: 5-13

The "Lord's Prayer," the "Our Father," whatever name you want to give it, Jesus provided us with a very simplistic prayer that covers all human neccesity. The Lord's prayer encompasses verses 9-13 of Matthew 6, but we need to look at the verses before it to lay down some foundation. To put these in bullet point form, Jesus simply states this:

• Do not make a show out of your prayer (verse 5)
• Find a quiet secluded place, be as honest as you can, and focus on God (verse 6)
• Avoid supposed forumlas and specific techniques that others claim is the only way God answers prayer (verse 7a)
• Keep it short and sweet. No need for grandiose speak. (verse 7b)
• Do not be like the people who do this (verse 8a)
• Your father knows better than you what you need, before you even ask it(verse 8b)

Laying this groundwork, Jesus proceeds to tell the multitudes "after this manner therefore pray ye:" What follows is a 66 word prayer (KJV version) which can be said in less than a minute and encompasses everything we would ever need and have to acknowledge in our human life.

• Start by addressing Our Father (God) who is in heaven and whose name is sacred, holy, sanctified, and blessed (verse 9)
• His Kingdom will be here, and his will will be done on earth, just as it is in heaven (verse 10)
• Ask God to provide provisions for you daily. (verse 11)
• Ask God for forgiveness, and ask him to forgive those that have sinned against you (verse 12)
• Ask God to keep us from Satan and all his demons (verse 13a)
• God can do anything he wants because everything is, all the power, all the glory , and the whole kingdom (verse 13b)

This prayer acknowledges God's existence, pours out utter reverence and awe, allows supplication to God for our daily needs and specific prayer requests according to his will, asks God for mercy on us and mercy on those you have done us wrong, pleads with God to be our shelter and keep the arrows of the Evil one away, and finishes, quite literally, in a blaze of triumphant glory and worship.

So why do we not pray this prayer daily or in some kind of consistent timeframe? What about those times in the car, or jut before bed when you want to pray, but memory escapes you and specific words and requests fall away? Why not say the Lord's Prayer? Jesus already said, Our Father knows specifically what we need, before we even ask it. I find nothing wrong with being specific with our prayer requests, but we don't always have to be.

Jesus tells us we don't always have to come up with the big adjectives and catchy phrases when we pray, matter of factly, he asks us not to. Just pray what is on your heart. Avoid shallow words done to appease the crowd and make yourself look some kind of prayer-warrior. When not done in "vain repetition" this actual prayer of Jesus covers all the necessary bases.

I wonder what would happen if one time at church, the pastor asked someone to pray and they recited the Lord's Prayer? I have no doubt that my pastor would be 100% ok with it, and may even thank the church member for doing it, but what would the rest of the congregation think? I wonder if I would ever say that prayer out loud in front of the congregation as well?

When we strip away layers and tradition and selfishness, we find that the true command of Jesus is to pray with simplicity. Prayer doesn't have to be some huge production or said at the right time in the right manner. It doesn't always have to be said a loud or in only specific places. God will never be disappointed because you couldn't find the words to truly express your total love, reverence, and admiration for him. Just say it, mean it from the heart, and that is all.

The more I studied this and really looked at this, the more I have just prayed this prayer on an almost daily basis. Down times at work, driving in the car, laying in bed, drinking coffee in the morning looking out the window. I just say it to myself.

I encourage all of you to do the same.

God Bless.

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Interesting take by Scot McKnight on "The Sign of the Cross" that Roman Catholics are famous for doing and Protestants are famous for not doing.

http://www.jesuscreed.org/?p=624

Rediscover the Qualities of Being a Child

Rick McKinley is the author of 'Jesus in the Margins: Finding God in the Places we Ignore.'

Writeup from webpage:

God landed in the margins. On purpose.
Jesus is our ultimate model for finding identity, acceptance, and
legitimacy from the Father. As we pull back the curtain on His life,
we discover that Jesus knows what it's like to be marginalized.
He understands how it feels to have society shove you to the side,
to not really be accepted, and in the end to be totally rejected.
He can identify with life in the margins because when God came
to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, He landed in the margins.
On purpose. And He chose to land there because it's in the
margins that broken lives get mended, prisoners are set free,
and the poor hear the Good News.


It is a very easy read and I only have 2 chapters to go (about 20-25 pages), and I started it about a week ago. The subject matter can (and maybe should) be heavy but Rick has done a great job not making it so. I think it was done on purpose. The audience is for people who "live in the margins" of life and they really do not need to be put into deep psychoanalysis anymore. Just be told the great and glorious Gospel of Jesus.

But the reading is great for myself as it soldifies the image of Jesus and the fact that he was born to a poor carpenter and hung out with "drunkards and gluttons" and he will meet you right where you are and that you do not "have to have it all together" to meet Christ. And really, the "margins of life" are where all the normal people are.

One specific chapter was on being like a child as Jesus commands us in Matthew 18. Rick recaps this with 4 specific choices we must make each day that will have has live like a child of God:

1. Walk in the wonder of worship
2. Trust Jesus with childlike faith
3. Live unashamed before Jesus
4. Walk in innonence

This captures childhood about as best as anything I have read. The older we get and the more "mature" we become we gain skepticism and realism and lose wonder, trust, and innonence that defines childhood.

If we could make our daily choices using those 4 guidelines, I wonder how much easier life would be? I wonder where my stress level would be at? I wonder how I would spend my time throughout the day? I wonder what amazing truths I would realize by taking away the "life filter" that I apply to everything? I wonder what things I would do for other people without even thinking of the consequences (for the better, obviously)?

What about any of you?

Disney Executive a Church Planter? ABSOLUTELY

Encouraging news to know not all is lost out there in corporate America, especially at a uber-company like Disney, which has come under attack in recent years.

You just have to wonder how long before the national media gets wind of this and people start to demand changes and a possible dismissal of Mr. Weiss.

Until such time, continue to pray......

Link takes you to Steve McCoy's Blog entitled 'Reformissionary' (which I link too on this blog and periodically check in on and read.)

"Disney Executive Planting Churches"

Free Verse 1 - Ephesians 4:1

The post to follow is hopefully one of many "short and sweet" walks through a Bible verse or Bible story that I would like to call 'Free Verse'. Peel layers off these stories and break them down. Get you thinking on a different subject. Get away from the "3 bullet points" method and look at the poetry, free verse as it is written. Break down specific verses word by word, comma, by comma. Disect expressions. I really have no intention to get into ancient translations or "when translated from Aramic into Engligh, it means...." discussions. Just what my experiences have been. Either on my own study and thought or through readings and messages I have heard. These have all been blessings to me and helped me through my life. I feel the desire to pass this onto you. In cases where it is due, after each post I will give the source that sparked the thought. Finally, I honestly look foward to hearing from many of you and learning even more from all of you. God Bless.

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"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called." (Ephesians 4:1 NKJV)

This verse is often used by us to state the fact that God has called us out of this world. Using in conjunction with Romans 12:1-2 we are called to God to not be conformed and to present ourselves a "holy, acceptable" sacrifice of our bodies to God. There is a way for all of us, as believers and Christians to go about our daily lives and do the things we do. To be an example and model of Jesus. To be truly Christian, which is "a little Christ."

But what if we have missed the mark on this verse? Afterall, how do we pump gas in 10 degree temperatures and let the whole world around us know we are a Christian? What can we do at the ATM machine that would let the person in the car behind us waiting know we are "little Christ's?" Wear t-shirts and put bumper stickers on our cars? How effective is that really? It seems that everyone has a bumper sticker telling something on their car. Many people (like myself, seems self-centered, I know, but I know there are others) cannot stand the loud, obnoxious t-shirts people seem to wear.

So, if we have missed the point, what is it? Peel a layer or two back and look at the whole verse. Look at how Paul starts this verse: "I, therefore, a prisoner..." He has been dubbed a prisoner by the world. But Paul puts the little qualifier at the end of the expression by saying, "of the Lord," So when we read the whole expression he says: "I, therefore, a prisoner of the Lord..." Paul has been called a prisoner by the world.

He states, a prisoner of the Lord!

Throughout all the Pauline epistles, letters, disseratations, and essays Paul stresses the fact that we are all free under Christ, no matter where or what we are in the world. Even if they call you a prisoner. Paul stated this freedom many times while being in prison himself. He wasn't tied down or held down by the world's chains, and cuffs, and qualifiers and monikers they can lay on you. So while he is a prisoner of this world by being a prisoner of the Lord he is actually, truly FREE.

Think of some of the other things the world can call you. The word list is endless. Expressions and concepts as well. Brutal, nasty statements. But these do not define us or make us who we are. Paul knew this first hand and more than anyone who may have ever lived outside of Jesus himself. So Paul, stating that he is a

(called by the world) prisoner

(called of God) of the Lord

beseechs us to walk worthy of the calling with which we were called. Paul sets us up by showing the paradox of the world's definition and God's definition. Shows us he understands it and then beseeches us to walk worthy of God's definition.

So, to me, it seem natual that after you realize that Christ has called you and defined you specifically that you have to walk worthy of this calling. Make it legit. Not to say it isn't already because once God said it, it was so. But to "walk the walk." You see it is easy to gloss over the fact that God has called us. But step back and re-read that.

"...the calling to which you were called."

God has called each and everyone of us. This calling is specific to all of us. It is a specific label he gives to you and it is a specific name he gives to me. I have mine and you have yours and they are spoken into our hearts by God. When you truly grasp this, truly meditate and open up your heart to this calling, God will speak it to you. When this happens, when your heart is laid open before God's throne and he speaks into it HIS calling, you will walk worthy of this calling. Walk worthy of the fact that God has directly spoken into you and given you a name that no one or no thing can take from you. This is your label. This is the real you.

Paul had been called something by God, and that defined him! God has called all of us something and that defines us. As such, we have to walk worthy of that calling. Honestly, how can you not walk worthy of the Almighy God's calling of your name into the core of your heart.

It can be mind boggling and earth shattering.

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This message was preached by my pastor on Sunday 12/04/05. I do it no justice here with my drastic paraphrasing. I honestly heard God speak into my heart at the end of this message. I heard his calling and know what he has called me. The experience shook me to my core and I broke down in church. Not in the sadness that typically accompanies a "Baptist altar call." but in rejoicing and solidification of my relationship with God. I stayed in my pew, next to my wife and just wept. I couldn't even make it through the first verse of "How Great Thou Art." (the same song that means so much to my wife and I that we had the whole congregation sing this specific song at our wedding, I am sure the timeliness of all this was providential, I never give notion to coincidence). I am at a point right now where I cannot share the specific calling right now. The experience is too precious to me. I cannot even bring myself to tell Michele. But I truly believe if we open our hearts to God and ask him to speak into it, he will. He probably already has, we've just never tuned in.

Read Epehsians 4:1 again and reread it until it sinks in. Tune into God and he will speak to you.

God Bless

"While I sat still and drank beer with Philiip and Amsdorf, God dealt the papacy a mighty blow." - Martin Luther

Thank God for Martin Luther. The founder of the Reformation (although he was not looking to break from the Roman Catholic church, but rather "reform" the church. Unfortunately, they didn't listen). Whew, thank goodness he opened his Bible and pondered and compared what the Bible said to what the dominant religion of that time was saying. All these "rules" and "interpretations" that all had to follow. All he had heard his whole life were indulgences, purgatory, papal supremacy, etc. It is easy for us, because we see the difference and heresy that were handed down from the church of that day. We have so many references and manuals and interpretations to get our hands on. Hebrew, Greek, and Latin language translations with the "true" meaning of what the written word says.

However, amongst the protestants, we still have disagreements on exactly what those translations even are (think alcohol, baptism, communion, tongues, etc.). Pastors and evangelists preach these topics from the pulpit. They also write books and publish essays on these subjects. Many people sit in the pew and listen, or grab a latte and sit in their local Starbucks and ponder and discuss, or lounge at home on the couch reading these published essays and reports. The "educated" people read or study both sides of the argument and come to a conclusion on how they see things.

Martin simply used the Bible. That simple. Well, actually it isn't. What I mean by it wasn't easy is that Martin was human. Me and you are human. Many humans have a tendency to doubt themselves. Think of the times you heard something from the pulpit, did some studying in the Bible, and found what you heard to be incorrect. How easy is it for you to walk up to that pastor or evangelist and tell them what your argument is? Even though you are very confident and maybe even now know you are 100% correct. Still you feel a sense of hesitation. What if I am wrong? What if I missed an angle? What if I am trying to make something right that really is wrong? Afterall, they are an ordained minister and went to school for this. Maybe I'll just keep this to myself. Why ruffle feathers or shuffle the deck?

Maybe this only happens to me. I doubt it though. I believe it happens to almost everyone if not everyone. Just some can hide it better. Luther didn't have all the resources available to him like we have now. Yet, he found 95 individual errors of what the church was teaching at that time. He then took those, wrote them down on paper, walked down to the church and nailed them to the door. Sure, there was some early work done by other "reformers" for Martin to go on, but his ultimate authority was the Bible. Thank God Martin put Hebrews 4:12 into action. I cannot imagine it was an easy thing to do. I am sure he had self doubt and hesitation. He poured over Scripture and talked and dialogued with trusted companions through speech and letter. Yet "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God" convicted and compelled him to change all of history.

I sometimes wonder what Luther did while he traveled down the cobblestone walkway. Did he walk with his head down and at a quick pace so no one would see him? Did he "pump himself up" by talking to himself? Did he turn around and head home once? twice? Three times? When he got to the door, were his hands shaking so bad that he fumbled with the hammer or nail and dropped it? Did the thud resonante in the night like a gunshot would now outside our window? Did he hesitate one last time before driving that nail into the door? Did he stop to reread the letter to check for spelling mistakes? After he nailed it to the door, did he think of pulling it off the door?

I could go on and on. Feel free to add your own possibilities and think of what you would do. Think about Luther on his way home. How did he sleep that night? What did he dream?

How hard is it for us to go through with something as minor as our thought on alcohol? Luther went about to reorganize and restructure the entire church! The worse that happens to us is the preacher argues better and quotes Bible verses better and we feel a sense of humiliation. Luther faced excommunication and possible death (he was dubbed an outlaw by the church at his trial, as such, anyone could kill him and face no punishment). Luther didn't worry about his reputation or possibility of facing humiliation. He wasn't selfish, he realized he wasn't the center of the universe. The Bible said that we are, "saved by grace through faith...it is the gift of God...not of works..." Everyone needed to know this, the whole church and all people. He did what he had to to make sure this happen. He even put the Word of God in everyone's hand by being the first to translate the New Testament into German.

When I add all this up, it is truly amazing that Luther went through with all this.

Then again, maybe he walked to the church, nailed the letter to the door, walked home, enjoyed a late night brew with Philiip and Amsdorf and retired for the evening and got a full 8 hours of sleep.

A Radical Reformission through a Search of God Knows What

I have not written much in about a month now. Part of this reason (actually a big part) is I have been reading "Searching for God Knows What" by Donald Miller and "Radical Reformission: Reaching Out Without Selling Out" by Mark Driscoll. Both of these books have me re-evaluating myself and the way I go about doing things. Tie this in with the last 3 sermons by my pastor at my home church (Friendship Baptist Church) and what I use to thing was up is now down and east is now my west.

You see the last month has been mind-boggling to me in how this is all "seemingly coming together." As such, I have been reading my previous posts and realizing how "off" I really am. Not in terms of spiritual or political or social beliefs, but in my priorities and the reason I do some of the things I do. As I looked over many of my posts, I realize that I would like to rewrite almost all of them. Maybe not rewrite but rather edit them.

This is too hard to explain in words, but rather it is my wish that anyone would read the 2 books I mentioned above:

"Searching for God Knows What" by Donald Miller

"Radical Reformission: Reaching Out Without Selling Out" by Mark Driscoll

Click on both titles and you will be taken to the Amazon.com location for both books. I encourage everyone to buy these books or visit your local library and check them out (although I promise you, you'll wish you had bought them.)

Donald Miller is also the author of "Blue Like Jazz," another amazing book.

Mark Driscoll is pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Go to their website (click here). There you can find hundreds of sermons and commentary for you to download to a windows media player and listen to while at home or on the job. You can also save them in mp3 format and enjoy them whenever you want. There is ALOT of good stuff at that website for you to listen to.

This may sound insane, but I would consider buying them for you as a "Christmas" gift if money is an issue. I truly belief these books could change your life as it did mine, or maybe it will re-affirm what you already know and have been living all along. I am serious.

As for my next post, I am not sure what it will be on. I may re-do a previous one or continue on my train of thought I have had recently. But things look a whole lot to different to me now than they did a little over a month ago. My motivation and outlook on life has definitely taken a change, for the better.

Until next time, God Bless

Brian

The Bible says so... (Pt.2)

I feel the need to further explain my last post. Maybe not needed, but I feel it is. Many times, in my haste of writing, I leave out complete thoughts I had or after taking a day or two and coming back to it, I see a self-perceived shortcoming.

This happens alot with me, but this subject, I felt, requires more explanation.

I truly believe that the Bible is the divine, inspired, exact word of God. No exceptions anywhere. Further, I do believe the 66 books in the current Bible is exactly the whole Bible. Nothing more, nothing less. Findings such as The Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, maybe even the Gnostic Gospels by not being included does not mean they aren't good reads and provide more insight and spur thought. However, so is C.S. Lewis and none of his writings appear in the Bible. This is how I view such items as The Apocrypha, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc.

This leads itself further that to qoute these sources in the same context as a Bible is incorrect.

But back to the divine inspiration of the Bible, nothing trumps it. The problem exists in the secular world. If I have a conversation with my wife or one of my close friends, we can qoute the Bible all night long and not think twice about its authenticity. But nonbelievers do not believe in this. Many will and do write you off as uneducated and almost idiotic. This is very sad but true. The claim I am making is that you need to be able to do more than this. Nothing should ever stop you from telling the story of Creation as it is written in the Bible, but the unfortunate and very sad truth is that you may have to do more than this when you are epxlaining something to an unbeliever.

Finally, this leads me to something I failed miserably at with the first post. The focus of a Christian is leading someone to Jesus. Not arguing for Jesus. The Gospel is "The Good News" and this should be our focus. But this doesn't mean discussions do not happen with unbelievers. Even Paul "disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met him." But if you read further (the whole 'MarsHill' story is in Acts 17:16-34) you'll see that Paul did not pass on the chance to share the gospel with these people. Matter of fact, it is the last thing he says.

This should always be our focus. I am guilty myself of going to the coffee shop and "talking theology" with my unbeliever friends. I feel a sense of accomplishment about it, like I am speaking out for God and defending his word. That is noble and all, but Jesus' last command to us was to go to all nations and preach the gospel.

I hope this answered many questions and helped but into perspective where my first post failed. As always I anticpate all comments and questions on all my writings here.

Until next time

Brian

The Bible says so....

Editor's Note:

I am really going to tread lightly here or at

least attempt to. Additionally, any feedback,

advice, etc.will be appreciated on this subject.

This thought has been in me for a very long

time and I have internalized it to myself and

pretty much lived it for a long time now. It is

just that I have had a really hard time putting

this specific thought into sensible, understandable

speak without coming off as a heretic.

So without further adieu.....

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I think the expression, "Because the Bible says so" (or any expression similar) is a very haphazzard response and is an expression that should be struck from most conversations. Maybe not in the midst of other Christians or Bible-believers, but definitely in your day-to-day dealings with the secular world.

Now obviously, the Bible does say Jesus was born and died and rose again and is the only source of salvation. And I am not really talking about the core doctrines of salvation, redemtpion, faith, and grace. I am talking about the peripherals or the extras if you will. Which, if we were all honest, is what most people get hung up on and use as excuses to not become Christian, or attend church, or whatever. These core doctrines can really only be explained by walking someone through the Bible and showing them the written word and having dialogue with them. Honest, open dialogue.

But when it comes to the extras, I think we as Christians fall into a trance like answer of what I wrote earlier:

"It's in the Bible" or "The Bible says so..."

I believe, that we as Christians, have an obligation to study and ponder these things and formulate thoughts and ideas around them. When we relay these arguements to others, we take our Biblical knowledge, apply our thought and lay it out before them and ourselves.

For instance, the Creation vs. Theory of Evolution arguement. I have been qouted before as saying, "I can see why someone would believe in the theory, but I cannot understand why they would believe." Why can I not understand it, not just that the Bible says God created "The heavens and the earth." (which is all I need), but because when I consider how exact everything is. The exact axis of the earth, the exact construction of an atom and DNA, the exact temperature of the body, the exact anatomy of the human body, the exact construction of an eye, etc., etc. these cannot just happen. Take into account probability rules and statistics and the idea that this all happen in exact fashion over time is unfathomable.

If everything came together all at once at the perfect time, why hasn't it happen again? Which really means you are asking:

Why is there just one "human" species on this earth? Or maybe the universe? Many Evolutionist or non-believers would state matter of factly, right back at you something along the lines of:

"How do you know there aren't aliens?" Or, "There are aliens"

For those that believe in extra terrestials, you have to compound and multiply this probability (which really means the probability it happened a second time is so miniscule, I doubt they have enough 0's to follow the decimal point to even write it down) that it happen all over again for these "beings" too. If one class of species was created through evolution, then all have been. You can't have one class evolving from single cells and the other just showing up on the scene without a Supreme Being of some sort having something to do with the fact that the second group just showed up. And why would this Supreme Being create one and not the other? Isn't the "being" not being "Supreme" by allowing this massive coincidence of events to take place?

As you can see, your thought on this can go on and on. This formulation of thought can go a long way in explaining yourself to a non-believer. I am not advocating nor saying you disregard the Bible entirely or never qoute it. The hard truth is that many people today will automatically tune you out if you start spouting off Bible verses and cannot carry yourself in a normal conversation or "discussion." This is very sad indeed, but none the less, the way it is.

Christians carry a double burden of not only being educated and deep rooted in the Bible, but also in secular science. Meaning, you cannot just respond to someone's question on Creation (or anything similar) by qouting the Bible and expect to get somewhere and get your message across to someone who doesn't believe the Bible. You do not have to have a Phd or a high IQ score or even a college degree. You just have to have some understanding of the elements around you. Take the time to think things through.

Once you've done this and gained respect and got the other party to think these things through themselves, you have opened a door and this is where scripture can walk through and have an effect.

Maybe this is unique to me and my situation, but I find most people take the opposite of "religious thought" because they just do. They've had public education and MTV and NPR and the Dan Brown's of the world help form and shape their thought and beliefs. They've accepted what they have seen and heard as truth and just put all "Bible qouters" as religious fanatics who are uneducated and close minded compared to them and stand behind some archaic book as truth. "Pfft, they do not even consider modern thought."

When I stop and have conversation with them in a civilized, open-forum kind of way, they begin to realize I am not off kilter and there is thought and explanation behind my beliefs. I have taken the time to develop my core values and beliefs. In this day and age, it goes a long, long, long way.

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As I said earier, I had a difficult time getting this thought out and "on paper" if you will. Your thoughts, comments, and questions are greatly appreciated.

Taking Certain Liberties

I am a sucker for the 3-hour epic movie. Not so much the newer ones like Troy and Alexander. Actually I haven't even seen them. They just do not strike me as something I want to see. I am talking about specifically, Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, and Gladiator. While not an epic, I would also throw in Titanic. Stop freaking out, I'll explain myself right now on the Titanic pick.

I really like SPR and Titanic more than the others and it is due to the liberty the producers took in guessing how things went. What I mean is that they used some factual events and ways things happen and surrouned that with mostly conjecture. They guessed at how the "whole thing went down."

That openeing scene in SPR with the D-Day invasion changed me forever. War seemed all too real and not the glorious shoot-em up, roll the dice and remove army's from the gameboard, good guys always win idea I had in my mind. It was loud, dirty, gruesome, grisly, macabre, and bloody. For as bad as D-Day appeared in that opening scene, I am sure you can multiply that hundred-fold to how it really felt and looked. And to think, Hitler had moved most of his army away from Normandy (having guessed incorrectly where the Allied invasion would take place). Spielberg had a lot of historical fact and eye-witness accounts to go on, but still had to make it come alive. Still had over 2 hours of movie to do after that.

With Titanic, take away the love story, and you are left with the one of biggest human disasters ever. Cameron had some eye-witness accounts and historical fact as well to go on. But when that boat started to sink, it came alive. You understood how epic the event was. It was startling to see how massive the boat was and what it looked like while it sank (the ship was straight up in the air!!!!!). Cameron took a guess at how it all went down based on things he read. He took a stab at how it must have looked.

I honestly could not imagine what it would have been like to witness and have to take part in such an event as something that massive sinking into icy cold water.

It is when these directors take liberty in guessing how it happened and doing a very good job with it. It gives you elements and instances you never pictured or imagined. Additionally, the character development is there. Puts in more emotion and an attachment we get to the actor. Whether good or bad.

Which all leads me to The Passion of the Christ. Now, before I continue, I offer up this disclaimer:

I am a protestant, not Catholic. I understand that Mel Gibson
is Catholic, so I understand his point in the scene I am about to
talk about. It involves Jesus and Mary. Many of us know the
theology that Catholics and Protestants differ on in regards to
Mary. I am not here to discuss that, or further either thought.

In this movie, there is a scene where a flashback takes place. We are taken back to the home of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Jesus is building a piece of furniture (he was a carpenter, you know). There is an interaction between Mary and Jesus of your typical mother/son interaction in a family. We have no mention of any of this in the Bible. But, I have no doubt, something similar took place and probably more than once. Jesus really was human. With a mother and father. He really was a carpenter, who used his hands to build and fix things. It added this element wonderfully. He felt the love of an earthly mother. He felt the enjoyment of accomplishing something with your own hands. Bringing a sense of pride to his parents as they watched him grow.

Somehow, we always attribute Jesus to being born, 12 or so years later showing up in the temple and teaching, 18 years later getting baptized and starting his public ministry, 3 years after that his crucifiction. We just leave it at that. All that filler in between was Jesus living a true human life, with all the emotions and feelings we experience. He had to experience all this human aspect.

To me that flashback scene, made his whole death more excruiating and sickly. It adds a pure understanding of the fact that, Jesus, while on the cross, felt total desperation and total loneliness, so much so that he screamed out to his Father in heaven, "Why have you forsaken me?" How many times do we here this about people we know? They feel like nothing is there, like God left them in their most trying times?

Jesus knew this was all going to happen and had to happen, but he still had experienced human life and its full range of emotions.

I have met many people and had conversations with people, where they fluff off the pain and suffering claiming since Jesus already knew, it was no big deal for him. He understood he could just go through with all this and it would end and be over with and he would be fine. Honestly! This is their "excuse." (Nevermind the fact, they are all but admitting they believe the whole thing and that it had to happen, but they are just finding their own loophole or excuse).

The problem is when Christians do the same thing. They do not truly understand and comprehend the scope of pain and suffering. They chalk it up to just something Jesus had to do or it was somehow easier for Jesus to endure than anyone else. I understand it was something Jesus had to do. But it was no more easier for him than it would have been for anyone else, ever! No matter anyone else's upbringing or life.

Sometimes, we take certain liberties about events and writings in the Bible. I believe this is mostly due to the fact that hindsight is 20/20 and we already know the story and how it ends (or will end).

For instance, think of Abraham's leap of faith? How easy is it for us to think that it was easy for Abraham to just uproot his whole family and move to a new land that he knew not to one day become a great nation. We know what happens, so we just assume how easy it must have been. But if it is easy, why do we all stuggle and wrestle with moves, job-changing, etc.? What about when he was going to sacrifice Issac? Come on, no one can say they would do it themselves. But many of us do not realize the massive amount of faith that Abraham had at this time. Tie in his own human emotion and you wonder how he even got the nerve to ask Isaac to join him on a mountain climbing trip. We build up so much nerve when all we are doing is asking our spouse if we can go to the baseball game with the guys. Imagine telling her you are going to sacrifice your only son!?

Also, I always wonder about Moses coming down from the mountain after talking with God and bringing the tablets that GOD WROTE WITH HIS OWN HAND, and finding Israel worshipping a golden calf, how did he not kill someone? How did he maintain himself to just throwing the tablets and breaking them? How did he not blow a gasket and just walk away? No, he interceeded with God to not kill them and by so doing to not fulfill his promise. We seem to gloss over that fact, because we understand that Israel does march into Canaan under God's protection. But think what amazing grace and passion it took for Moses to do this?

While reading about the crucifiction, we know he will rise from the grave and ultimately ascend into heaven. So, to an extent, the full impact of the crucifiction isn't felt by us. Not the way the eye-witnesses felt it and saw it. This makes it easier for us to not fully grasp something. Do not take me the wrong way, please. We all understand the importance of the crucifiction and its impact on all of mankind. But, I think if we fully understood it (like The Passion did) we would live our lives a little less careless and truly understand what Jesus meant when he said, "Take up your cross and follow me." Because Jesus understood how hard that would be for any human to do at anytime.

HE LIVED IT

Dear Ann,

Remember those old Ann Lander's letters in newspapers? Readers would write to Ann and ask her opinion on all sorts of matters. Family, home, life, cooking, etc. Ann would provide written responses to those people on how to handle the situation and it seemed she had the answer for everything.

Honestly, I never much cared for that section of the newspaper. The questions were cheesy as were the answers. Many times the situation was very obvious and I always wondered if made up. Is it really that hard to realize that if your boyfriend of 3 months comes to you saying we should date other people, that he already has someone in mind and you should move on? It seemed funny that someone from say Millport, AL felt the need to deal with this problem this way. The letter was probably mailed a couple weeks before it made it into the paper. Hopefully, by then they are ok and over it. Even after all that, I wonder if Ann even read them all and answered them all.

Anyway, I have digressed quite a bit. What got me started on this thought was this:

I truly believe that God felt betrayed when the fall happen. The pinnacle of his creation was no longer perfect and he lost a cherished relationship.

Most all preaching, teaching, and studying on the fall of man always mentions the fact that man was betrayed. But what about God? He somehow gets lost in the shuffle. Ultimately, he was betrayed by man and lost the hearts of mankind, forever. He can get them back, but think of the price it takes? His own son had to die. Not just die but feel completely forsaken by God and lose every ounce of blood. Which led me to Ann Landers.

Imagine if God wrote Ann a letter (I am wired differently sometimes, these are thoughts that keep me up at night...God writing Ann Landers):

*****************************************************************

Dear Ann,

I spent 5 days creating a perfect earth full of animals and the
sun with rivers and beaches. Trees, fruit, waterfalls, and
singing birds. It was perfect. Everyday I marveled at this creation.
But Ann, it didn't stop there. On the 6th day I created something
in my image. Man! Flesh, blood, eyes, ears, a brain. I literally
breathed life into him. Every day I walked with him in the
cool of the day. This part of the day is the moment I look
forward to everyday. I loved the relationship I had with him.

Even when he told me he was lonely, I responded immediately.
I brought every animal to him. Let him name them all.
Gave him complete dominion over them all. During many of
our conversations over the years it took him to name them
all, he still expressed his loneliness. When he was done,
and his need for companionship was still wanton, I put him
in a deep sleep, took a piece of his body and grafted it into
a new creation. When he awoke, the look on his face, in
his eyes, and his body posture, told me all I needed to know.
When he finally spoke, his words echoed throughout the
Garden as he named her Woman. This creation was flesh
of his flesh and his loneliness was gone forever.

Our talks continued for untold years. I could do this for
eternity. All was good. Then one day, I came into garden,
and no one was there to meet me. This never happened.
I began to call out his name. No reply. A knot began to
form in my pit and rose up through. My pace quickened
through the garden as I continued to call out. Finally, a
response from behind a tree. I was relieved. As I walked
forward, man and woman hid themselves from me. Why
were they hidng themselves? I suddenly realized, they
are ashamed! So I asked them why they were ashamed?
That's when the dagger struck me. They hid themselves,
they told me, because they were naked! My old friend,
an angel I loved so deeply and made the greatest of all,
turned his back on me eons ago and now he has destroyed
my masterpiece.

Oh, I have lost a relationship that I so desperatley want to
have. So much so that I will offer my own Son to be murdered
just to keep this relationship. Just to one day, walk in the cool
of the day with my creation again. To allow them to have a
heart that is like mine, incorrucptible. I will create a new
heaven and a new earth as well! One that is not devastated
and ravaged.

You see, I love this creation more than anything. I want to
have a deep, personal relationship with man. I crave it.
Quite literally, it kills me. You see, My Son is me, and I
will give his life. Just to allow man the option to accept it,
believe it, and have a heart cleansed in my Sons' blood
and one day, many years from now, they can sit with me
on the throne and drink from my cup and live out eternity
as it was meant to be. Perfect, spotless, my Son and I
surrounded by glory and celebration. The lion lying with
the lamb and no tear to be found.

That will be heaven. Pearly gates and gold roads. Everyone
living in mansions and wearing crowns. I can see it now.
Oh what glory and majesty! I must get to this now Ann.
It will take over 6,000 years to go through this. I know
I will be broken and betrayed by this creation until such
time, but to me, God, it is worth it to know this relationship
will one day be back to normal and go on forever.

*****************************************************************

I believe this "letter" is a rather large, vastly paraphrased Bible. Don't get me wrong, we need all 66 books and every verse of it. But, this is the message of the Gospel. The Good News. God's unrelenting message to us on how to get back to a relationship with him. God (for lack of a better word) craves this relationship with us.

Think about this.....

He has spent all of known time creating everything and then giving it to us, then watching us destroy it and ourselves, only to let his Son be killed so he can give it all back.

Wow.

The toughest, most unrelenting question ever asked!

All this makes me wonder what God must have felt,
arriving on the scene just after the Fall, knowing all
He had made was ruined, and understanding at once
the sacrifice that would be required to win the hearts
of His Children from the grasp of their seducer. I see
Him in my mind walking the paths, calling to the couple,
meeting their eyes for the first time, and Adam and Eve
shaking in absolute terror, wondering what had happened,
confused at the broken promise of a snake, feeling at once
the trustworthiness of their first love and wondering if God
would ever love them again, feeling the hot breath of His
anger and emotion, hearing Him speak for the first time,
not as a friend, but as One who had been betrayed.

"Who told you that you were naked?"



-Donald Miller "Searching for God Knows What"

The complexity of human life

I should apologize up front. The subject heading was a play on words. I am not going to wax poetic about how layered and deep my thoughts are. How love and emotion and sadness and euphoria can sweep my body all over at once. You know, the usual "artsy fartsy" talk that follows a line like "The complexity of human life."

No, I am talking about how human life is the construction of a bunch of complexity (confused yet?). Protons, neurons, double helix, mucus, bone, freckles, hair, etc., etc. compose the make up of the human body, and we haven't even got to the emotions, sensations, and feelings part of the whole thing. You know, the physics of this whole thing. Life and creation is a complex subject. Volumes of work, findings, and studies have been published and broadcast for thousands of years, and yet, not everything is known. Theories abound about human life, science, physics, and the complete makeup of the earth.

Except to one person...GOD.

************************************

He understands the complexity and physics of all of it, he created it. This current, living, breathing, and wonderful life. Everything else that goes with it too. To God, there are no theories just the facts.

Take a honest, giant step back and think about that for a minute. Just ponder this fact. Peel off the layers. Realize that God is truly the creator of everything living right now, everything that has died, and everything that will. There is no majic formula to this. It is what it is. God literally "breathed life into Adam."

Continue to think about this and keep peeling those layers back.

God hasn't stopped there. He created an afterlife. AN AFTERLIFE!!!! This is phenomenal. It is promised to every human being.

But you know what, do not stop there, keep peeling the layers back.

God has created all this, "he gives and he taketh away." He is responsible for birth and death. Yet, he has not experienced either, nor will he. This is mind-shattering. Take an even bigger step back and contemplate this? Is it even possible to comprehend this?

This fact consumes my thoughts sometimes. It is too much for me to comprehend. All my life I have seen things born and die. Everything starts from something and everything ends. Except God.

You cannot stop there though. Peel another layer back and you realize that God created all, God understands it all, God was not born, created, or will die, and God does not inhabot space.

What?! Huh!! That is right. He doesn't really live in a space.

He is there.

That sentence almost seems too simple but is truly majestic. He is all of it and he is everywhere. Truly eternal, truly omnipotent, and truly a Supreme Being.

All of these facts, when wound together and laid out like this, quite frankly, freak me out completely. Sometimes while laying in bed at night, this thought consumes me and I lay awake trying to wrap my mind around it. The more I try, the more I cannot. Butterflys build in my stomach, my heart beats harder and faster, and breathing becomes short. I eventually roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling, like I'll see something besides the flat white painted plaster ceiling. It is terror and fear. Not Freddy Krueger terror, but genuine terror.

Most times I wonder why I feel this? Should I feel this? Should I be concerned, that as a believer, this fact terrorizes me? I believe in all of it, but am scared by it just the same.

Why?

On the banks of the red river......

For those that do not know, that is the opening line to the Michigan State University Spartan fight song. No, I did not go there, I went to college about an hour north of there at Central Michigan. That song starts, "FIGHT, Central down the field,..."

Anyway, tomorrow (10/1) MSU and UM will meet up in East Lansing. It is always a fun game and even better when played in East Lansing. Myself, my wife, her sister and husband, their brother, my brother, his fiance, and my uncle in additon to other friends will all descend on East Lansing tomorrow. Departing metro Detroit around 5am. We'll bring in plenty of Green and White as well as food, beverage, TVs, satellite dishes, stereos, games, etc. Think of when you have a family/friends BBQ and you plan everything at your house. Except we are doing it in East Lansing and it includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

We'll be wearing Green and White, the ladies are going to have little green 'S' on their cheeks, and the fight song will be played routinely. Some of us will go to the game (only 6 or 7 tickets for 20 people, but all have fun with the tailgating) and scream until we can barely talk. We'll talk "trash" to UM fans and scream some more. If MSU wins more joy and adulation. If they lose disappoinment and second guessing.

We'll pack up the tailgate and head home around 7pm. Tired, sore, full, and I can honestly say, regardless of the game, happy with life and the day we had. I can barely contain myself writing it here. Experience has told me that the game plan for tomorrow is fun, fun, fun.

I write all this because it lends itself to being a "fanatic." We here it all the time. I am a fanatic for this or that. Tens of thousands of people pack sporting venues across America (and the world, especialy with Soccer). Millions more sit in front of their TVs. Many wear jerseys, team colors, painted faces, get up at 5am on a weekend, spend a whole Saturday on one team. Many times, these "fans" (root word for FANatic) will never even meet the athletes they cheer on so joyously and whole-heartedly. Yet it is socially acceptable for this obession and fanaticism (is that a word?) to go on. So much so, that, if we see someone wearing the "other" teams colors or logo we can scream, yell, and holler at them. They can nod back and everyone calls it good and nods in approval (and enjoyment).

Now, take the term "religious fanatic." Whoa, that is a cold, ruthless, term. We'll let people rant and rave and party over their sports team, but I make a comment about abortion, evolution, or express my Salvation and I am "one of those religious fanatics." I am not open minded and will hear no one out. I always think/say I am right and am holy than everybody. Obviously, I come no where close to believing that, but many do. Even without getting to know me or having a conversation with them. Yet, we let people slde on their sports fanaticism (there's that word again) and close-mindness:

"They can't help themselves."
"They went to school their, or that is the city they grew up in."
"It's no big deal. That's taking to the extreme don't you think?"

You're right it is no big deal, but where you spend eternity is! If I wear a Christian T-shitrt or read my Bible at lunch, I am a "Jesus Freak."

Today I wore a green and white shirt to work and emailed some UM fans the MSU fight song. The response was pretty much rolling of the eyes and whatevers. Not, I am a freak, or fanatic. I do not want to hear that garbage. Etc.

Right on Brian, you are so right. What a horrible inconsistency that is.

Hold on, I am not done........

Unfortunately, I think mahy times, we Christians fall into the same trap. More likely to express our fandom for a sports team than for Jesus. We'll overhear a sharp comment about the church or Christianity and not even respond to it or shrug it off. But get an email or hear a comment about your favorite team and you'll fire something back. I know I am guilty of it many times.

Do not take for granted the fact that you think others take for granted the fact that you are Christian.

What was that?

Meaning, you've let people know you are a believer. Do not assume they will always remember that or come to you in time with questions or when you think they think they are ready for salvation. We have to make sure to ALWAYS remind people of this. I do not mean we remind in terms of going around making off comments like a high-schooler. but our actions, and conversation, and the way we present ourselves tells them all this, on a daily basis.

It's ok to be a fan of your team and celebrate their achievements and wear your school colors. But make sure to wear God's colors and fly his flag as well. God's team should be Team A, everything else afterwards.

Have fun, enjoy the football season and GO GREEN

My prediction - MSU - 40 UM - 20

Until next time

Brian

Stop me if you've heard this one......

It is 1993, early summer/late spring. The Mississippi river flood is in full swing. Water is everywhere. It is the worse flood in the US ever!!!! (Just Google 1993 Mississippi River Flooding and you'll get over 620,000 hits)

Anyway, a man answers his phone and his best friend is on the other line.

"Dude, I am coming to get you in 30 minutes with my F-150. Pack some clothes, my sister says we can stay with her."

He replies, "No thank you, the Lord will provide me a way out. Thank you and God Bless."

His friend confirms this and hangs up.


Later that evening, the man is standing on his porch as a bus full of evacuees drives by. The flood waters are just taking out some surface streets.

The driver stops and tells the man, "Get in, I'll drive you to high ground."

Man responds, "No, the Lord will provide me a way out. Thank you and God Bless."

Bus driver nods their head and drives away.


Next morning, the flood waters are up to the porch and the man is forced on to the roof of his garage. A group of people come by in a boat and offer him a ride to safety.

The man replies back, " No thanks, the Lord will provide me a way out. Thank you and God Bless."

The person driving the boat, insists. "The news said all our house will be under water before nightfall." "Come on lets go, it'll take a small miracle to get through this."

Our man tells the boat driver, "With God all things are possible."

Driver of the boat shakes his head and speeds off to safety.


Sure enough, 12 hours later. The water is up to the rooftops of the houses and our man is now on the roof of his house. He is the only person left in his neighborhood. A helicopter flying above spots him and the driver gets on his bull horn and tells the guy he'll drop a ladder, grab it, and he'll fly him to dry ground.

Our man again declines, he waves off the helicopter, screaming as loud as he can, "The Lord will provide me a way out of this." "With God all things are possible."

The pilot hovers for a couple more minutes trying to talk to the guy stuck on the rooftop but getting no where. He realizes it is a lost cause and flies away. While doing so, he radios the Coast Guard and tells them what just happen.

The Coast Guard scramble a rescue helicopter and a mission. It is now nightfall, and many houses are completely submerged in water. The Coast Guard crew is convinced the man is gone, but lo and behold the man is perched atop his chimney!! Still alive. The copter approaches and one of the CG guys attaches himself to a ladder and is lowered to the man. The man immediately starts to wave off the Coast Guard.

As the rescue person gets there, he tells the guy to grab on and hold on. Our man refuses again saying, "The Lord will provide me a way out, no miracle is too big for God." The CG demands the guy grab onto him. The man refuses and remains firm and confident. The CG member reaches out and grabs the guy, the man moves back, loses his footing and falls into the flood waters never to be seen again.


The man dies, goes to heaven and sees God. He then asks God, "Why didn't you provide me a way out?"

God answers back, "I did!" I offered you a pick-up truck, a school bus, a boat, a helicopter, and a Coast Guard rescue mission." You refused them all!"

************************************************************************************

Hahaha, ok, ok, stop rolling your eyes. Think about this. The US just went through Katrina and now Rita is barrelling in on Texas. People remain behind!!! Can you believe it? Some are because of them being poor or having no way out. However, many others are staying because they are stubborn. Many of these people are saying exactly the same think the man in my (long) joke was saying. Just this morning, on the radio, they interviewed a family staying behind. There comment was, "The Lord's will is what will happen." "He'll get us through this." "He will provide for us."

Yeah, he has provided, paved highways, higher ground, vehicles that have round wheels and engines and move rather quickly, emergnecy vehicles, etc., etc., etc.. So, he has provided his way out. He has performed a miracle.

Technology has allowed us to predict the hurricane's path and when it will hit (satellites and meteorology). To get that message out to people in the blink of an eye (TV and radio) And to provide a ways and means for us to get out of dodge rather quickly (automobiles, planes, helicopter, bikes, mopeds, whatever). Yet people remain behind. And many claim God will provide them a way out.

He already has.

These are the "fundamentals" that take things way to literally. They are enamoured with the Biblical stories of great miracles and stories of Lion's Den, fiery furnances, resurrections, harrowing escapes, and mighty war victories and so on. All amazing, TRUE, stories.

But did:

Moses mom keep Moses alive by keeping him for herself and claiming God will provide, or did she float him down the river and claim God will provide.

When Jonathan warned David of Saul's wrath and intention to kill him, did David still live his normal life and go meet Saul claiming God would provide, or did he go into hiding and claim God will provide.

What about the woman with the terminal illness in the New Testament? She heard Jesus was coming to town. She knew he could cure her. All she had to do was touch his garment. Did she just sit there and wait for a miracle to happen and Jesus would seek her out and heal her? No, she did something for herself and sought him out, fought the crowds, crawling on her feet, reached as far as her arm could and her fingertips grabbed his garment. She was healed immediately. Jesus even felt the energy leave his body.

These are just 3 well known instances where miracles and situations happen in the Bible where the individual didn't just sit there and not heed the warnings or use their own abilities to make something happen and were made better off for it.

But, for those of you that insist on the miracle aspect of things and God's mighty will and ways, I ask you this:

Isn't the ability to see the atmosphere of our earth as it is happening, watching it with your eyes from thousands of miles away, the ability to fly, moving in a transport vehicles powered by more than 2 horses, and paved, straight roads, great miracles of the natural resourecs God has given us on this planet?

I think so.

As I said before, I do consider myself a fundamentalist (My very first post on this blog). But these situations and stories upset me. This isn't how things work. This is not taking the Bible literal.

You do not stand blindly in the face of danger and expect God to perform a life altering, mind-blowing miracle. Especially, when the simple, everyday things are all around for you to use to get out of danger.

That being said, please pray for everyone down in the gulf coast. They do need them.

Until then, God speed and He always provides a way.

Brian

Donkeys and Elephants

Thank you Time Magazine. This week's edition had a great article on what went wrong in New Orleans. They examined the Mayor, Governor, Mike Brown (Director of FEMA, well now ex-director), and Secretary Chertoff (Department of Homeland Security). How they made mistakes and failed across the board. They spread the blame between the state and federal governments.

To me this is shocking but right on. However, I expect Time to get lambasted on the article. Why? you ask. Why do I find this so shocking? Simple, because it doesn't target anyone specifically on either side of the political spectrum. The elephants will be outraged because how can you question the people put in charge by the President to handle these scenarios. The donkeys will be flippin' po'ed big time because Time did not come right out and name Bush as the problem.

But really, who cares. Mistakes were made everywhere. Officials and authorities responded to many of those shortcomings and at 9pm our President will speak to this to some extent.

*side note*, I am fighting a horrible cold right now so I doubt I will stay up to watch this speech tonight. I need sleep heading into the weekend.

One thing I hate about the political structure is the insanely strict partisanship that is going on right now. "Damn it, if you are a Republican, conservative, Democrat, liberal, you better be all of it or you are as bad as the 'other side'!" I hear it all the time. It is out of control.

If you are a registered Democrat, you are expected AND HAD BETTER disagree and protest with every initiative that comes from the White House. You must hang on every word that Hillary, Kennedy, and Reid say.

As a Republican (like myself), I am expected AND HAD BETTER agree and fight for every initiative that comes from the White House. Every word that Bush, Lott, and McCain say is iron clad!!!

Why? This is a country founded on a Decleration of Independence, a Constitution, and a Bill of Rights that promote individual freedom, expression, and happiness. Where is my individuality when I have to tow the party line? Yes, I have 2 signs in my yard:

One supports our troops and President Bush. Which, if you interpret to mean I am in support of the war on terrorism AND Iraq, you are correct.

The other is supporting Bush on Social Security reform. I agree with his plan. Not because it is George W. Bush saying it, but because his plan will give me a choice to do what I want with the money I put into Social Security. I can keep on doing the same old, same old; or I can take the money designated for social security and invest it to get more money.

These are 2 issues I feel strongly on. A couple I do not feel strongly on are how he handles taxes, I am skeptical of the Haliburton issue, and I do not know enough about John Roberts. I don't go around blindly accepting these issues and agreeing with everything that the Republicans print and publish.

I know people who call me a liberal (or at least no better than) for using Heinz ketchup and drinking Coke. I am serious!! Serious!!

People are so anti-Bush and so filled with hatred, that people voted this election because, "they wanted anybody but Bush!" Do you realize how ignorant this sounds? They don't care about taxes, healthcare, social security, environment, etc., etc. Just that "as long as George W. Bush is not president, then I am happy." I mean come on.

Hopefully, by now, I am sure you can tell my frustration with this. Not everything coming from the right is correct but it is not all bad either and going to end the world. Not everything from the left is incorrect but most of it is :)

Until next time

Brian

4 Years

We all know what happened 4 years ago. I am not talking about the day of 9/11. OK, maybe I am to an extent. Specifically, I am talking about 9/12. The day after. When we all woke up and wondered what was going to happen with the rest of our lives? How was it going to change? Who in the heck was the Usama Bin Laden guy? What had happened overnight? I am sure many people, like myself, fell asleep with the TV on. Just waiting for something else to happen.

I started thinking back to 9/12, and while I cannot bring back every thought I had that morning and throughout the day, I can bring back events in my life that happened. What I discovered was 4 years does not seem like that long ago, but yet it does. So many events and situations have transpired since then, but I can still remember the exact moment I watched a Boeing 767 fly from the left side of my TV screen slam right into the South Tower. Was it bad editing? Did CNN (I had not yet discovered Fox News) screw up in showing a replay of the plane that hit earlier? Wait, there are people really screaming on TV, and the news anchor just freaked out on TV. No way!!! A second plane just hit the other tower!! It is all just so recent in my memory.

So to answer some of my own questions I asked myself the morning of September 12, here I go:

• I went to all my classes that day
• I graduated Central Michigan University in December, with no job.
• I moved to Lincoln Park, MI and lived with my uncle.
• I proposed to my girlfriend, Michele, at Christmas, with no job.
• January, I had an interview with Airborne Express.
• I watched the Super Bowl halftime show that featured U2 and it cemented U2 as one of favorite bands.
• I finally got a job after college and worked for Airborne Express on 02/18/02.
• Bought my first car, a 1999 Contour. Still have it......
• Bought my uncle's house in May of 2002. Still live there.......
• Planned a wedding thoughout 2002.
• Married on 01/04/03
• Went through a merger and aquistion at my job as Airborne Express was bought by DHL.
• Started a new job with Insight Network Logistics on, oddly enough 02/18/05.
• 05/28/05, my wife and I find out she is pregnant with our first child
• Sometime between 07/09/05 and 07/11/05 my wife and I experienced a miscarriage.
• I just spent the last weekend in Cleveland at the Rock Financial 20 year anniversary party. Due to my wife's All-Star persona, we were able to meet Mike Brown (coach of the Cavaliers), LeBron James (NBA Megastar), and Kid Rock.

So those are some of the events that have happened since then. That is actually a lot. Marriage, first home purchase, first car purchase, 2 jobs, almost my first child. Which is why 4 years ago seems so far away. Other events in my life that have transpired of note include:

• I have flown multiple times, both domestic and international since 9/12.
• One of those times I was flagged for a full search of myself and luggage. I thanked the TSA agent when he was done for doing his job. I seriously meant it.
• My brother served in the resulting war.
• I lost one of my best friends from high-school as a reult of the war on terrorism.
• I have become more involved in politics (extensively involved) and have grasped onto the 24/7 all news all the time that the internet and all the various news agencies now offer.
• Some days I completely forget about 9/11. Most days I do not.
• The pictures, videos, TV specials, and all other media around 9/11 I cannot get enough of and will watch it all whenever I can.

These are all instances and circumstances as a result of that day and to a part answer some of the questions I had that morning.

In essence, my life has continued on. I was able to live out a part of the American dream that many others have been able to do and many others died to make sure I could. I have had some inconviences and tense moments in my life. I've changed some of my plans and second guessed myself on some instances. All as a result of 9/11. But this is life. This is what happened and as much as I'd want my friend back, or wish I could get out of the all news all the time scenario I so often find myself in, it is what it is. Whose to say that if 9/11 hadn't happened, that anything would be different? I'll never know, we'll never know. People get married, people die, people travel, and life goes on. I am not trying at all to diminsh 9/11 and what happen because all of our lives have changed as a result. But it is something we cannot change.

As much of an effect 9/11 had on our lives, everything still comes back to living our lives for Jesus, others, and ourselves. Sometimes we lose this focus as world events take place (like right now with Katrina). We all should give support and offer prayers for all peoples involved with Katrina. But we should never lose focus on the people around us and make sure to keep them close. Because when the news flashes are over and we resume our normal lives, that's what continues...our normal lives. Spouses, children, moms, dads, cousins, girlfriends, boyfriends, aunts, uncles, and grandparents are there for us. Our job, the mortgage, cutting the grass, and cooking dinner still have to be done on a regular consistent basis.

4 years have gone by in a flash, let's pray that the next 4 can slow down a bit and allow us all to savor life a lot more and focus on Jesus, our family, friends, and our normal lives.

Until next time,

Brian

Correction

I feel I should explain something from my last post.

My comment about a church wide bible-study may be misleading. Actually, what it is is this:

Our church does not have a Wednesday night service at the church. There are about 6 or 7 houses spread out through our church family that host Bible studies on Wednesday evening. At each location is a teacher and we have a Bible Study for whoever in the church or community comes by. The idea is to become more active in the community and draw people into the Bible and Jesus that would usually stay away from church.

We call these gatherings "Life Groups." As I said, each Life Group has a teacher and all Life Groups are studying the same Bible passages and overall teaching lesson, but they are tailored to the people in attendance and as that discussion moves along.

So my wife and I use our house as a host house and others come over and hold the Bible study at our house.

Another goal of the Life Groups is to grow in a big size that requires it to split off and form another one at someone else's house with a different teacher. So, in our case, say we grow to 20 regular attendees. Half of them or so would splinter off with a different teacher and start their own Life Group. With both continuing to grow and producing more and more Life Groups. The idea is to follow very closely to how the original Christians did it in the New Testament with Paul, Silas, Peter, John, and the others planting and growing churches all over.

I'd be happy to converse with others on this if they want to. It takes a lot to get the church membership on board, especially the people "stuck" in tradition of going to the church on Wednesday evenings (THE CHURCH IS NOT OPEN AT ALL ON WEDNESDAY...you have to go to a Life Group house to attend Wednesday night church). Additionally, the church leadership has to trust in God and prayerfully make the right decisions on who hosts and who teaches, as they are a voice for the church.

Until next time

Brian

MY PERCEPTION

I once tried to keep a journal. Early part of last year (2004). It lasted for a little over a month. I wrote in it maybe every 2 or 3 days. I didn't like writing in the journal. I do like expressing my thoughts and ideas. But writing hurts my hand when I start to go really fast. Additionally, I would get a head of myself and forget my thoughts. Basically, I got discouraged and quit.

Now I am trying this avenue. Hopefully with a better turnout from myself. Typing is much easier than writing and I can work on my writings over a space of time.

So, I thought my first post would be about me. I am doing this to accomplish a couple things:

1. Anyone who reads this will have a better understanding of myself.
2. I will have a better understanding of myself.
3. How will my thoughts and ideas change next week, next month, or 5 years from now?

My posts (or blogging, if you will) can and will be on anything at any one time. But, mostly on My Perception of things going on. Do not confuse this title or my decision on writings to lend you to think I am an egomaniac or my ideas are always right. I am not and they are not. But when most people (99% I dare say) do things like this they are giving you their perception on the matter no matter what that is. So without further adieu.......

• I am a born again Christian...
• I belong to a Southern Baptist Church http://www.hopefoundhere.com is their website
• I believe I am a fundamentalist, however, I find nothing wrong with drinking, dancing, and going to the movies. Obviously, I take part in all of these activities.
• I also have a problem with cussing/swearing, whatever you want to call it. I do it way too much.
• The Bible is the divine written word of God.
• Evolution is junk as is Intelligent Design, but I'll take ID over Darwin.
• I attended a private, very strict, Baptist High School.
• I attended and graduated from Central Michigan University.
• I joined a National Social Fraternity while there: http://www.phikappatau.org
• I served as Vice President, Recruitment chair, and Athletics chair.
• The private, very strict, Baptist High School did not like my decison to attend CMU and I wonder if I would be accepted back?
• Every Wednesday night, my wife (Michele) and I host a church wide Bible Study at our house.
• I still wonder if the private, very strict, Baptist High School would allow me back in their doors.
• John Eldrdge's book "Wild at Heart" is right on. Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz" was like reading a near autobiography on myself, except I am not an author like him and cannot live his lifestyle.
• I would buy those 2 books for anyone that asked me to. BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO READ THEM AND DISCUSS THEM WITH ME.

• I am a conservative and a proud and contributing member to a vast right wing conspiracy.
• I have a "Support Our Troops and President Bush" sign in the front yard of my very blue-collar, Teamster/UAW dominated downriver Detroit neighborhood.
• I have voted for Bob Dole and George W. Bush to be my president.
• Bill Clinton was a good president, but did nothing his last 2 years in office and that is why the economy is where it is today.
• Well wait, he did lie to a grand jury and was impeached. That is a lot to accomplish.
• I have voted for Democrats at the state and federal level.
• A McCain/Guliani ticket in 2008 would be 8 years too late but still worth it.

• Ann Coulter is as ugly as sin.
• Michael Savage is an utter idiot.
• Rush is not!
• Alan Combs is a puppet for Fox News.
• James Carville scares me....he is too smart.
• Bill O'Rielly is a pompous @&%@ but usually always right.
• Obviously I like Fox News and only watch CNN during a commercial.
• Which reminds to get TiVo because I really hate turning on CNN.
• Which further reminds me that all network news and media outlets are biased with Fox News being the only one on the right
• I will miss Peter Jennings and watching "World News Tonight."
• I will miss Dennis Miller even more. His show should never have been cancelled (on MSNBC or CNBC, whichever peacock station it was) and it further shows, America cannot handle the thruth.
• Bernard Goldberg's book "100 People Who are Screwing Up America (And Al Franken is #37)" is right on.
• Michael Moore is the biggest jackhole ever. I regret admitting I paid to see "Bowling for Columbine" at a movie theatre.
• Which reminds me to reduce my cholestrol because I can feel my blood boiling (amazingly, my blood pressure is "perfect for my age"...thanks Dr. Dasa).

• America is right to be in Iraq.
• Bush is the most stubborn person I know, and because of that Rumsfield is still the Secretary of Defense, and because of that Iraq is a mess right now.
• My younger brother served in Iraq (and Afghanistan) and I lost one of my best high-school friends to the war in Iraq.
• America is right to be in Iraq!
• I do think a 5 week summer vacation was a too much.
• I think you are stupid if you think the president was not working at that time either.
• Clinton took 5 minute "breaks" in the Oral Office, oops I mean Oval Office and was still able to talk policy and make decisions on the phone. So I am sure that Bush can do that from his lay-z-boy.

• The mayor of New Orleans and Governor of Louisiana are more responsible than anyone for the fallout from the flooding.
• Why was their no supervision at the Superdome and Convention Center?
• Why were those 2 locales picked by the local leadership to be the safe havens and house those who neglected the "Get the hell out of Dodge" warning? Especially when they were no where near prepared to handle the masses and no one was in charge.
• Why could Florida handle 4 hurricanes last year (4 in a row, week after week) and nothing this close even happen?
• Maybe I overexaggerated. The mayor and governor were only half responsible, the other half falls to the 24/7 Mardi Gras lifestyle New Orleans has embraced and is so proud of. Hedonism, voodoo, and free will abounds and you wonder why they reacted the way they did when disaster struck?!
• The state of Michigan should stand up and be proud that we are housing refugees and survivors. Especially with our poor econmy and high unemployment rates. Stand up and be proud J-Gov!!!
• Unions are the reason Michigan is doing so bad economically. And J-Gov (our lovely governor Jennifer Granholm) is making it easier for them to ruin it.
• I could go on but I will stop.......

• Sean Penn is a retard!!!
• Tim Robbins is a retard!!!
• Oliver Stone is the biggest RETARD of them all!!!!!
• Kanye West does not care about anyone but himself

• I enjoy beer, the darker and more bitter the better (Guiness and German wheats).
• I once tried to brew my own, not the best stuff in the world.
• I do make my own wine with help from my uncle.
• Over 50 gallons last year.
• This year we are going for over 100.
• As I said before, I find there to be nothing wrong with drinking. Noah was a husbandman and Jesus turned water into wine (not grape juice or some other "Hebrew translation" beverage that was non alcoholic).
• Getting drunk is wrong.
• Yes, I have been drunk, and am not proud to say so.
• I do not qualify being drunk as having a .08 BAC. But I am not a milita member, and so I do not drive if I feel my BAC is at this level. Sometimes the government gets it right with their laws and this is one of them.
• Dancing is fine as well. David danced before God after many victories of war.
• I have shown my pastor my wine cellar and explained to him the "quick way" on how to make your own wine.
• I wonder if that private, very strict, Baptist High School would let me in.

So, as you can see I am somewhat opinionated and a little bitter sometimes. But these are things I feel and think at various times of the day and night. I am sure some of these things will change and I am sure my postings in the future will address these rantings and ravings I just went on.

Hopefully this will last longer than my failed journal attempts early last year.

Until then

Brian