A Pilgrims Way

nough said.

Somehow I got put on a e-mailing list at church, the kind where people send in their urgent requests asking people to pray. I’ll be honest, I read about 70-80% - Ok I skim through 70-80%. The other 30-20% I delete, usually it’s on days when I’m real busy.

It’s weird reading someones urgent pleas for help and prayer. Usually someones dieing or on the verge of a life threatening surgery or condition. What’s even more weird is how you can remain somewhat unaffected after reading someones urgent and heartfelt plea for help. I feel like I should stop everything and fall on my knees for an hour (I could never actually do that), I feel like I should feel an immense amount of hurt, pain, compassion for these people. But instead I muster out a few sentences and go right back to my menial task at hand.

Usually around the lines of God heal that person, God be with that person, God be with the Family. Sometimes I just say, God let your will be done. Although I’ll admit I don’t like that. I think that’s a lame prayer.

I feel conflicted about that… Part of me says praying doesn’t matter. If it’s the person’s time to go, then they’re gonna go. God’s gonna do what he wants…God’s smarter then me and he knows what he’s doing. But part of me says, at times God is moved by the cries, the pleas and prayers of his people and He chooses to miraculously intervene in the lives of humans and who knows maybe this time could be it. Maybe God just needs enough people enough prayer to nudge him in the right direction.

Bottom line…I don’t know. I pray. I believe in prayer. I believe God hears our prayers.

I just know if my wife or one of my kids were in an urgent/life threatening situation I’d sure be crying out to God for help too and I’d appreciate anyone else that was willing to join me.

Do you have a favorite song?

I like music so it’s kind of hard to pinpoint one song, but I think I’ve got one.

For those of you that know me, I like to sing.  I’m not the greatest singer, but I’m probably a little better than average.

So thinking about my favorite song… If I had the chance to perform one song or record one song.  I think it would be “Somewhere North” by Caedmon’s Call off their 40 Acres CD.  Derek Webb is the guy that sings it, which is probably why it’s my favorite.  I love Derek Webb.  I love the song.  It just came across my Ipod and I’ve listened to 3 times (make that 4) in a row already.   For some reason the lyrics ring true to me, the music and mood are great, I love the emotion (something between dispair and longing) and the passion in Webb’s vocals.  This song gets me every time.  If you have a chance give it a listen

What’s your favorite song?  And Why?

Somewhere North

It’s a muggy night in Houston
And all the intersections are like full service stations
I’m on my way to a familiar place
It’s cold in Kansas City
And you can no more hear me than I can see your face
How I wish it was just you and me

We wouldn’t have to talk above the crowd
We wouldn’t have to talk so loud

I give you my life and all I am
But what I have to give
So I hand you a candid photograph of this little boy
‘Cause I have nothing to my name
But I can give you that

I don’t miss the driving
Seems like forever
And I’m always driving in my mind
And wearing out the road that gets me there

And I’m driving till my eyes just can’t see straight
But I suppose that it’s getting late

I may never find the sleep
I’ve lost all feeling in my hands and
Feet may touch the ground but
My mind’s somewhere north of here

As I mentioned yesterday I’ve started watching the new Battlestar Galactica series on the Sci-Fi channel.  I’ve enjoyed the first 2 seasons and started watching season 3 this morning.

The show keeps getting better.  I’m loving it.  Season 3 has been the best so far, probably because it’s filled with intense action and conflict.  Plots and sub-plots are starting to come together.  It’s a jarbled mess on both the cylon and human side.  Great series.

Now, being new to BS I’m starting to wonder about the Lost and BS connection.  Has anyone else noticed that.  It seems the way both shows are telling their separate stories are very similar (Flashbacks, flashforwards, how they introduce new characters, etc…)  I know the producers of Lost are big BS fans, I’ve heard them mention it in their podcasts.  I’m just wondering if anyone else has noticed the connection (If there is one).

If you’ve not seen Battlestar Galactica check it out.  Especially if you’re a Lost fan.

By the way…8 more days till Lost is back.

It’s been a while since I posted anything so I just wanted to check in.

Not much is going on…just the normal stuff of life.

I’ve taken a break from reading (I’ll mention why in a minute) but I’ll pick up Jesus Brand Spirituality and a few other books on my mind in a little while.

I’ve been in a movie/tv show watching frenzy lately.  In particular I’ve started watching the Battlestar Galactica series.  In about 2 weeks I’ve got through seasons 1, 2, & 2.5.  I really enjoy the show for a number of different reasons.  I’m hoping to start season 3 this week and then I’ll have to sit and wait like everyone else for season 4.

After BS, I’m going to try and watch the first season of Tudors.  I may or may not like that.  After Tudors I’m going to move on to MI5 season 5.

I’m wearing my Touch Ipod out.  I can watch one episode on my way to work (45min drive) one episode during lunch hour and one episode on the drive home.

I really like flying through entire seasons of shows.  Waiting week to week really sucks!  I don’t know what that says about me.

I’m really looking forward to the return of Lost (Only 9 days).  Still love Friday Night Lights…and I’m looking forward to watching Dexter (from Showtime) on CBS.

Anyone have any other series on DVD I can borrow?

So I hate talking about politics…but I’m really annoyed today about something politics related so I just have to spout off.

The Democratic primary  here in Michigan is completely screwed up.  Le’s face it,  it’s going to be meaningless.  Obama, Edwards, and a few others I’m sure aren’t even on the ballot.  But there is Hillary!

I’m not going to complain about the sacred order of primaries (Iowa, New Hampshire, etc…) that started this whole fiasco.  That’s a whole other issue.

But who were the idiots that advised Obama, Edwards, etc… to remove their names from the ballots.  That was just dumb.  I’ve got to give Hillary credit on this one….for doing nothing…which I’m sure she’s really good at.   At least she was smart enough to leave her name on the ballot.

So the best advice for those that wanted to vote fore those of Obama, Edwards, etc… camp?  Check uncommitted on the ballot.  Huh?

Quick question:  Is that a candidate, or a party’s political platform?  I’m confused, but it makes perfect political sense.

Another question:  How is it that the republicans did not screw this thing up too?

If we can’t even get a primary right how are we going to run a country?

I’m still somewhat uncommitted….but for the first time I was considering voting in a presidential primary.  There is one person I’d like to see have a shot at the presidency, at least I’d like to have that person as an option.  But what’s the point now?

Ok…I’m done.  And I don’t feel any better.

So I find myself scouring the intertubes today looking for anything and everything related to CES (Consumer electronics show) happening right now in Las Vegas.

So I’m asking myself right now…Why?  Why do I care?

I already have enough high tech stuff I love, but don’t really need.  Just what I need to do, look for more stuff out there I want,  but don’t really need.

Am I a consumer or am I consumed?  Looking through the products on display at CES is like looking at Tech-porn.

I’m going to try and not buy anything for a while I think.  Honestly there’s nothing out there I need.  I have been tossing around the idea of buying an HD-DVD player, but I don’t think that’s going to happen now.  I think HD-DVD is pretty much dead in light of Warner’s recent decision and the rumors now swirling around about Paramount.

I read an interesting interview with Bill Gates over at Cnet today and thought that he made a good point.  In this HD-DVD vs. Blue ray battle, there’s not really going to be a winner.  Not  a lot of people have bought the next gen DVD players…maybe many of them won’t (I’m not going to).  By the time one format has won and the players are at that $100 price mark where consumers want to purchase them DVD’s as a whole will more than likely be outdated.

The next big thing is going to be content without media.  We’ve already seen that happen with Ipod’s/MP3 players - Who really buys CD’s anymore?  And we know that companies are already feverishly working on it.  Netflix is offering movies on demand.  Comcast has plans to build their digital on demand library and change the way we watch television and movies.  Microsoft is in partnership with folks across the pond about Xbox 360 & IPTV.

The big problem right now is bandwidth.  We’ve got to get the bandwidth thing worked out.  (I heard Comcast was doing some demo today with their new broadband technology…something about downloading a 2 1/2 hour movie in 8 minutes….SWEET).

Now more DVD’s in the mail…or returning them to the video store.  I look forward to a day that is completely on demand.  That’s what I want.  TV shows, movies, music…everything.  Even better I look forward to the day when your content is completely liberated.  I can legally and easily download the latest episode of my favorite show to my touch Ipod and take it with me on the go.

I’m torn on this idea of “The Cloud”.  The idea that the things you  buy are retained physically somewhere in the ether, but when you turn on your device (any device:  TV, Ipod, Phone, Computer) and touch a button or something, it’s there.  Definitely possible.  If we ever lived in a world that was completely wireless and wide open bandwidth.  That could be a cool thing.  But I kinda like the idea of physically having and managing my own content.

There’s this war going on right now between those that create the content and those that use it…it will be interesting to see how that  all plays out.  Right now we’re at two extremes…Owners/Distributors want to get paid top dollar and users want to get it for free.  And stuck in the middle are the creators.  Eventually we’ve got to find some middle ground.  A middle man needs to be cut out or at least cut down.  And someone pays a price for everything…nothings free.

What would l like to see…

A wireless surround system.  (I’m sure they’re out there, but I can’t afford one right now)

An Iphone on Verizon service.  (The voyager is pretty lame I wouldn’t even think of getting anything like that)

A way to get the shows I record on my DVR to my computer - Even better…bypass the computer and go right to my Touch Ipod.   (Don’t mention downloading it from Itunes…If it’s free on tv it should free on my Ipod…I can fast forward the commercials on my Ipod just as easy as I can on my DVR)  Yeah there’s stuff like USB tuners and such to turn my computer into a DVR and other workarounds…but it’s too much work.  If I’m going to dream…I want it to by easy.  I want to spend time watching my shows…not ripping, encoding, downloading them.

Oh…there’s so much more…I could go on but I need to stop.  It’s time to go home.

13 years ago today I made the biggest decision of my life.  13 years ago today, I married the most beautiful girl I’d ever met.  A girl that took a whole 2 days to capture my heart at the age of 17.  13 years ago today…I had no fear, no hesitation, no regrets, no doubts.  And  13 years later I still don’t.

A lot has changed in 13 years.  I was a lot smarter back then (or so I thought) about 30 pounds lighter and in decent shape.  (Andrea’s skinnier - Even after having two kids…that’s just not fair.)  But a lot has stayed the same.  I’m still madly in love with my beautiful bride.  I still enjoy just hanging out with her (Even though she picks lame movies) and I still think she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

13 years ago today I said I love you meant forever…I said for richer or poorer for better or for worse, but I really didn’t know what that meant.  13 years later…I still don’t.  But I wouldn’t take a word of it back even if I could and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Happy Anniversary.  I love you.

I’m about halfway through the book Jesus Brand Spirituality : (He wants his religion back) by Ken Wilson and from the traffic generated by my first post I thought I’d post some more thoughts from the book.

Skipping ahead to Chapter 3 - Ken touches on the idea of “Repairing the World”

As I dig into the book a little deeper the thing I’m enjoying most about the book so far are the personal/pastoral stories Ken shares along the journey. I’ll confess…I’m a story guy. Facts, figures, formulas, beliefs…they bore me. When I listen to people talk/preach and they’re droning on about this or that my mind wanders all over the place like a drunken sailor. But as soon as they start telling a story I’m glued in to every detail. Ken does a great job of telling some real, personal stories. Right from the beginning you get the idea that Ken’s writing this book from the perspective of a traveling companion on the pilgrimage with you. Not a tour guide who’s been there, seen it done it…or an expert standing on the mountaintop or across the finish line waiting for you to arrive like he has.

One story that touched me was the story of Lisa. Lisa was a young woman full of life and promise with a heart for the poor and needy. She graduated from the Univ. of Michigan and was preparing to do work with the homeless when tragically she was murdered by her own mother. It turns out, Lisa’s mother had been teetering on the brink of a breakdown. Experiencing emotional, financial, etc…problems. Lisa’s mother lost her job, which meant she also lost her health insurance, which meant she was unable to afford her psychotropic medication. Ironically enough, Lisa’s mom became obsessed with the fear of being homeless and unable to bear the burden of that fate befalling her daughter one night Lisa’s mom crept into her room and shot her while she slept.

Here’s a quote from Ken I liked…

“We used to sing a song in church that troubled me, and I didn’t know why until Lisa’s death. The refrain of the song went, “God is in control”. I understand that there is a long tradition in the Jesus movement that accepts this as a given, but to my way of thinking, God was not yet in full control when Lisa’s mother killed her.

At best, God is still in the process of gaining control, but until we all learn to cooperate with him a little more, it’s not yet a done deal. Whether or not it’s inevitable is another question; but it’s certainly not a fully realized present condition.”

In this story you get just a glimpse of the brokenness our world faces. As Ken later emphasizes, what’s more tragic? That the life of a young woman that had a heart for repairing the world was lost or the fact that in our country, the wealthiest in the world, individuals are deprived things like psychotic medicine, basic medicine for that matter, basic healthcare even. Even more tragic! Thousands of People all around our world are dieing each day from illness and diseases that could be easily treated and cured . It’s not that medicine is not available (it’s sitting on shelves or in cannisters somewhere) but it’s simply that we lack the will, desire, and compassion to find a way to get it to the people that need it the most.

Another great quote from the same chapter came from a retreat Ken attended with Environmental Scientist and such.

“James Gustave Speth, the dean of forestry and the Environment at Yale, the first scientific adviser to the US President on climate change, stood up and said, ‘I used to think if we threw enough good science at the environmental problems, we could solve them. I was wrong. The main threats to the environment are not biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change, as I thought once. They are selfishness and greed and pride. And for that we need a spiritual and cultural transformation, something we scientists don’t know much about.”

I’ll end with this last quote, which is my favorite.

“The message Jesus brings is meant to be like a stone dropped in a pond that causes a ripple effect. The transformation begins in our hearts, affects our relationships, and extends outward to address our most pressing global concerns. The gospel is a message with a personal, social, and global reach. If it’s not good news at all these levels, it’s not good enough”

Well said…

Someone. Ok actually it’s my mom…left a comment on a previous post “Like Christ…” that I started answering there but the answer was real long so I thought I’d just make into a new post. (Makes more sense then picking up the phone and calling right?)

Sherry (My Mom) says…

“Why do you think you have to be perfect? The bible says that all our righteousness is as filthy rags. We could never be like Jesus. He set the example for us and showed us the way to truly love. He knew that we would never be able to live a sinless life so he took those sins on his back for us. He made a way of escape from our sins. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. He designed the plan to redeem us and he will be faithful to keep us from falling into sin if we have a sincere repentant heart. “

All true. My Mom’s smart isn’t she. In case any of you are wondering where I received most of my Bible training…look no further.

So why do I think I have to be perfect? I don’t. But I want to be the best Christian I can be. (This plays into one of my biggest personality flaws - my competitive nature - I want to be the best at everything I do.  Just ask my friends that play FIFA with me…I’m nuts.) Flaw maybe kind of a strong word. It’s a positive sometimes, but a negative sometimes too. But that’s what makes me who I am. (I’ll blame dad for that…he never let me win anything as a Kid - Just kidding mom)

So my issues with holiness, perfection, etc… If I were to do a careful self-psycho-analysis (Which I like to do frequently). I suppose it all comes down to how I’ve learned or how I’ve come to think Christianity should be lived out. (Or maybe better - How I’ve went about practicing Christianity throughout my life) And I’ll confess my logic is and has been flawed, but it’s my own and I’m still learning.

So for me I’ve always thought being a Christian centered around two main things.

1.) Following the rules, doing right, not sinning : The goal being to be like Jesus in a spiritual nature way. Thinking that if you read the Bible enough, pray enough, attend church enough and don’t sin eventually you’ll climb up this spiritual ladder and rise above the problems with your sinful nature.  Progress is the key word.  In spiritual terms.  Because Christianity is all about the spiritual right?

I remember a former Youth Pastor saying, being a Christian is like swimming upstream. You never stay in one place. You’re either moving forward or moving backward. I also remember him talking a lot about hell, and something about fire, eternal torture and worms never dieing. And Jesus coming back any second so there better not be any sin in your life. (Maybe that’s a part of my issues too

(Relax Mom I’m not that screwed up - this just makes for healthy debate and interesting conversation)

2.) I’ve always thought that the second big part of being a Christian is about saving people’s souls. Because Christianity is all about spiritual stuff right?  Future…heaven stuff right?

One thing Mom says that I don’t think she really meant to say but I’ll let her speak for herself if she chooses

“he (That is Jesus) will be faithful to keep us from falling into sin if we have a sincere repentant heart. “

I don’t think sincerity and and a repentant heart keep us from sinning.  Sinning is what we do.  Sinning is what comes natural.  Sinning is what we’re good at.  I can earnestly and sincerely try not to sin, but I still will.  I can be truly sorry and repentant for sinning, but I’ll still sin.  That’s what’s so frustrating about sin.  No matter what we do or how hard we try…we keep sinning.

Bringing us back full circle here…the good news is that I don’t think Jesus expects us to become sinless like him.  (See what Mom said…good points)  And that shouldn’t be our goal. What should we do about sin/being perfect thing then?

Well for me it means letting go of my pride.  Letting go of my desire to make myself better (Righteous), because I can’t get there on my own anyway.  And I do think that’s a big think God wants me to learn…submission to him.  God/Jesus want to be King of my life.  I need to get off the throne…and give over control to God.  I need to just trust in God’s grace and that in God’s eyes I am good enough (Justified) through Jesus.  And I need to follow Jesus example of love, servanthood, and sacrifice.  I can’t stop sinning.  But I can feed the poor.  I can help my neighbor.    I can be a good steward of creation.  I can love my wife, my children, my friends and I can show love (God’s love to others).  Real world stuff…I can do that.  Spiritual stuff…I’m not so good at.  That’s God’s department.