Evolution of a fairy tale - part 2

Happy, Happy Answers Evolved Ahead of Every Question

The thought process of evolution is backwards. Where else would science allow a theory to begin with a conclusion, and then reason its way backwards (not deductively), to create optimistic allegories passing as proof:

Why do giraffes have long necks?

"Giraffes have long necks because, as their environment changed, only those individuals with 'long neck genetic drift' were physically able to reach higher limbs, eat the leaves there, and live long enough to reproduce and pass on their long-neck genes."

And why does a cactus have thorns?

"Because in its environment, only those individuals with 'thorny genetic drift' were physically able to resist being eaten, and live long enough to reproduce and pass along their thorn genes."

Never mind the slow process of genetic drift; if you were a giraffe, wouldn't you be happy that, while adapting to their environment, cacti didn't cross-breed with trees?

How would giraffes lucky enough to evolve with long necks have survived if trees had started sprouting thorns instead of leaves?

South African Cactus Tree

Hmmmm.

Evolution of a fairy tale

I was walking back to my boat and started thinking again about evolution.

Proponents argue it's "proven" and a "fact" ... but how can evolution evolve from theory to fact when evolution ignores this simple fact: Evolution does not explain how the very first cell, or whatever you choose to call it, changed its state from Not Alive to Alive.

Evolutionists already have an answer for that challenge, however, and argue that evolution isn't required to explain how life began, only how life changes ... especially to "evolve" new species, according to natural selection and genetic drift.

That's why evolution can skip past "How'd life start?" and still land at a gallop, explaining that human beings are the leaves dangling from the chimpanzee twigs of the primate branch extending from the vertebrate limb of Mr. Darwin's magic tree.

Evolution argues God's not necessary, and that DNA sequencing and the fossil record are proof. But proof of what ... if they don't know where DNA came from in the first place?

Why can't evolutionists refer back to pre-historic mud pies and mutations, do themselves a favor, and cast genetic runes to explain how life began?

Because (a) that's not in their job description; and (b) the answer lies above their pay grade.

What reasonable person's up at this hour?

Went to bed early last night at 9 PM, then woke up even earlier at 2:15 AM.

What's that old saying ... "Early to bed, early to rise, Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise"?

How about "Early to bed, earlier to rise, Makes this blogger grumpy, irritable and red-eyed."

Notes on Memorizing the Entire Bible

I don't have the gift of memorization.  I don't.

So instead of memorizing verses I'm left with trying to live them instead ... and this one's at the very top of my list:

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

- 1 John 4:8

When I've got that one nailed down, this one comes next:

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

-John 3:17

The "Who's More Holy" Lights Out Grudge Match

Wow, such anger in the blogosphere among believers.

OK, stop it.

The Challenge:

Imagine if Faith was like pro wrestling, and Big John Calvin challenged "Nature Boy" Free Will to a Loser-Must-Leave-Town grudge match. 

"Hey Free Bird, I'm calling you out.  Let's move to the same community, and live under the same roof.  We'll witness and preach the gospel as each of us believes Christ commanded, reaching people for Christ in the way we know best ...  for one month.  Then we'll see who's right, because no one's more holy than me and my traditions."

Maybe a handful of KJV-only folks would be at ringside, waiting to browbeat someone upside the head (literally, of course) .

Doest thine actions and confrontationalism proveth thine righteousness?

Nope ... and neither doest attacking other believers for thine own sake.

Fireworks at Fort McHenry

Quotable

"It is always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them."

- Alfred Adler

Friends, Fellowship and T-Bones

About a year ago I pulled out of my driveway and thought, "What if I ignored every stop sign on the way and just rolled on through each intersection, without even looking?"

What would happen?

Uh, as I drove on and mentally played out the experiment, I was shocked- not by how often I'd hear screeching brakes or the number of minor fender benders my bodywork would sustain- but by how many times I woulda been cleanly T-boned and knocked sideways  outta my seat, while merrily going my way.

Obeying traffic laws seems to make good sense, and keep me outta trouble.

-- --  --

Having fellowship with friends who love Christ is good.

Brent Sears gave me an overview of the message he'd be presenting this weekend at a FCA event down in Jacksonville: while wandering around the desert, the Israelites began grumbling and rebelling because of the hardships they endured on their way to Canaan.

They wondered why God put so many delays and obstacles in their path when, being sovereign, he already knew their final destination.  So why couldn't they just "pick up, go on and get there"?

Uh, could be because the Israelites weren't ready to receive the Promised Land ... as evidenced by all their suspicion, doubt and mistrust.

Or simply because God, in his infinite wisdom, had other plans.  Which points back to the Israelites' failure to stop whining and Trust.

--   --   --

Do we obey Christ because we expect him to keep us from getting T-boned in life's intersections, or because that's what he commands?  Do we look for our advantage first, or wait for satisfactory explanations, before deciding whose will to obey?  

Why are we willing to trust ourselves ahead of the Almighty?  Is it because we're eager to take short-cuts to get what we want ... even if it means short-circuiting God's plan?

--   --   --

How often do we find ourselves asking for explanations in our prayers?  "OK Lord, I'm ready to go.  It's time something changed, so what's the hold up?"

If we feel stuck in the desert of life*, and haven't yet arrived, figuratively, in the Promised Land ... could it be because we think we're willing to trust God ... so long as we see how trust benefits and satisfies ME?

* - Brent's term

Notes on Failing

While talking to Brent Sears last night on the phone, I realized that despite taking 3 posts to write "Church Ain't What It USED to Be" I'd still managed to miss the point I was trying to make when I started.

The first churches didn't have steeples, the members didn't dress up for services, didn't have organs or sing from hymnals, didn't organize protests, didn't burn scolls, didn't endorse political candidates, didn't boycott certain resorts on the Mediterranean and certainly weren't country clubs where believers bought pews, dug holes and hid out.

And I sincerely doubt that anyone became a member and joined the early churches because it was the cool, popular thing to do.

I believe the first churches were formed by ordinary people who'd seen Christ alive, crucified and resurrected and that the first churches were composed of followers who believed, and could not be dissuaded from believing, in Christ ... not to benefit or glorify themselves, but because they knew he was alive.

Imagine a church today filled with people who're convicted that Christ is alive because they had witnessed his love with their own eyes.

Nope ... church sure ain't what it USED to be.

Whatcha Watchin'?

Hello, Hemingway (1990)

"A young girl's academic asperation conflict with her family's struggle against poverty. Both these aspects are made all the more potent by the clear view they have of Ernest Hemingway's mansion in their home town just outside Havana." - imdb.com

Saved, and Out: What does "Church" mean?

What does "church" mean?  What's church all about, anyway?

I wonder how many believers think something like this:

1. The world is an evil place, and the Bible says we're to set ourselves apart from the world.  So we go to church to get away from evil and distance ourselves from sinners, because sinners keep sinning and deserve going to hell.

Well, you and I deserve hell too, and it's not our works or our righteousness that saved us.  We're also instructed in scripture to be like Christ, and Christ didn't hide from evil and Christ didn't run away from sinners: Christ closed the distance and loved. 

Other believers might answer: 

2.Church is where we go to be reminded that the only reason we're here on earth is to suffer and endure misery.  

But does the worship service also have to be a miserable event, and heap an extra hour of suffering on top of everything else we're here to endure?

If you enjoy sitting in the exact same pew every Sunday, being miserable and scowling at strangers and frowning at visitors, please Smile- I'm just asking  :-)

Thes next two answers might be my favorites:

3. Church is Heaven's waiting room

These folks believe church is Christ's waiting room ... a great place to huddle up, discuss what's wrong with everybody else (and their politics),  find fault with and gossip about each other, and just generally stand around smoking spiritual cigarettes.  In short, doing nothing.

Their approach seems to be, "Now that we're saved and safe doesn't that mean it's time to pack up our stuff, find a comfortable seat in the auditorium and wait for the Heaven Bus to take us home?"

No.  Scripture doesn't say that turning the body into a waiting room is what Christ commanded of his church.

4. Church is where God put me to straighten other people out

These believers are convinced that their spiritual gift is Being Critical and Condescending to Others.  They have all the answers without even needing to hear the question: just ask and they'll tell you they're not always right ... but they've never been wrong, either.  

These Big Shot Brothers can hardly wait to get to Heaven, and help God straighten things out there, too.  Folks like this tend to be selfish with contributing their money to the church, but quite generous with their unsolicited advice and opinions.

But generally, free advice is worth what you pay for it.

Maybe instead of trying to answer What does church mean? we could try asking,  What should church BE?

Let's go church-shopping for Insurance. Just in case.

[parody]

Eternity lasts for an awfully long time: you'll sleep better knowing your investment there is secure.

Let's face facts: lots can go wrong in life between today and the hereafter.   Maybe you've been wondering whether Grace Is Enough ... or do you need a little "Extry" insurance to feel secure and at peace?

Why not play life safe?  Let's go church-shopping and see what kinds of insurance are available, and determine which policy offers the most value and protection: 

Backrow Hell-Fire and Casualty

"Because who knows?  You might've missed something."

This is a traditional policy designed for believers who suspect they're saved, without ever being sure.  They're afraid they might sin (or read from the wrong translation), worry about overlooking some small legalism, and face the fiery furnace for falling short.  Note: each policy renewal requires rededication

Premium: Fluctuates with guilt    Deductible: Basic    Maximum Benefit: Minimum

Hole Life

"Do what Scripture says when you want to, but cover your assets when you have to."

A church-offered policy for today's successful, upscale customer who's interested in protecting their wealth and possesions, yet whose life constantly seems to keep leaking ... from the holes in their faith.  

Premium: Very High    Deductible: N/A    Maximum Benefit: lifetime asset protection

Term Life

"For the part-time believer who wants God there, just in case."

Who's always righteous, and never trips or stumbles?  If you're one of the millions of believers who like having their faith and denying it too, this policy is guaranteed to put a fat happy smile on your face --- and isn't 'Making Me Happy' what life's all about?

Premium: pay when coverage needed   Deductible: always   Maximum Benefit: pays per incident

Good Works and Righteousness Compensation

"Design your own deeds: finally a policy that allows you to save yourself!"

A customized church policy for the believer who wants others knowing he's more saved, worked harder and is more righteous than anyone else.   Insist on having the best: You're in good hands with your own hands.

Premium: custom      Deductible: Custom      Maximum Benefit: Allowed by Law

True Cross, True Shield

The total policy that answers every emergency and fits every need.  Only plan offering Eternal Salvation and Assurance.

Premium: Paid in Full    Deductible: infinite Grace period     Maximum Benefit: YES

Any vessel, any vessel in the area please respond

For the past two months I've been living on a 28-foot boat in one of the downtown marinas of a large mid-Atlantic city.

Even though I'm technically 160 miles from the ocean, it's still salt water with unpredictable weather, and the inner harbor is regularly navigated by tankers, freighters, warships the length of two football fields, tugboats and world-cruising mega-yachts.

But there's more ordinary folks in boats than anything else; regular people with unremarkable boats who're out on the water just trying to mind their own business, and have a good time.

--   --   --

No one goes leaves the security of dry land intending to have an emergency at sea.  But it seems you can turn the VHF radio to Channel 16 most any weekend, especially when storms or other hazardous conditions are forecast, and hear the badly frightened voices of boaters calling the Coast Guard for urgent assistance.

The vessels in distress aren't calling from the other side of the world: marine VHF radios have a very limited range under the best of conditions, which means the guy calling for help is close ... almost near enough to be in sight.  But even then, help isn't automatically on its way.

There's lots of legitimate reasons why the Coast Guard can't be like the pizza delivery guys and respond to every call in 30 minutes or less: when the wind starts howling and conditions get rough, there's ususally more than one guy foundering in a boat who needs immediate assisstance.

In the past eight weeks I've heard broadcasts similar to, "Coast Guard calling any vessel, any vessel in the area, please respond to [the emergency] at coordinates X, Y Z" almost a half-dozen times.  

The Coast Guard does not come on the air and announce, "Any vessel in the area please respond ... but only if you know the folks who're sinking and their skin's the same color as yours."

Nor does the Coast Guard ever say, "There's plenty of time, so discuss the situation and create an Action Committee.  Feel free to have a vote and offer suggestions before responding.  Don't worry about responding if you're uncomfortable getting involved, or not quite feeling up to responding ... and there's nothing selfish about turning off your radio and locking your doors if you'd rather not be disturbed."   

Never.

  

By law, any vessel capable of responding is required to show up and offer assistance ... and the penalties for failure to provide assistance reflect the serious nature of life-threatening emergencies at sea.

The Federal government doesn't fudge or back down from the seriousness of rendering assistance to folks in danger of being lost.

Which is the long way of getting around to the point:  Shouldn't churches be at least as serious about responding and rendering assistance to folks in danger of being lost?

VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION RULES AND REGULATIONS (33 U.S.C. 1608)

§2304 Duty to provide assistance at sea

1. A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the master's or individual's vessel or individuals on board.
2. A master or individual violating this section shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

Church Sure Ain't What It USED to BE - Part 3

Folks who complain about churches "not being what they used to be" or accuse congregations of "changing and becoming wordly, just to attract people" probably forgot that steeples and stained glass windows weren't part of the original churches' equation.

At least, believers fixated on "having old time church services, like we used to" seldom mention how pews, choirs, organs and dressing-up for church actually originated:

"Contrary to popular opinion, medieval Christians had no common practice of dressing up for church because nice clothes were only afforded by the wealthy.

"The growing prosperity of the middle class cultivated a craving for bigger and better houses, church buildings, and clothes.  Denominations with a greater proportion of wealthy members (e.g. Episcopal, Unitarian) began selling pews to wealthy families to fund elaborate church building improvements. 

"As the Victorian enculturation of the middle class progressed, fancier and more formal worship houses began to draw the influential people of society, so that the more populist congregations (e.g. Baptist, Methodist) had to work hard to try to keep up with improvements to their own facilities.  

"Borrowing from the Episcopalians, Methodist and Baptists began to bring choirs and organs into their worship services."  - source here

Funny, isn't it, how believers will fight any kind of Change to the last deacon standing, and argue themselves out the church door rejecting change, insisting upon "keeping things like they always have been."

Without once recognizing that steeples, pews and dressing-up for church are actually recent, modern changes incorporated to reflect and "keep up with the times."

Church Sure Ain't What It USED to Be - Part 2

Of course churches in Paul's day weren't anything like churches today.  Based on the information I've found, it doesn't look like the early churches even had buildings.

The church in Rome didn't have a building?  Why not?

Not because church leaders understood from the very beginning that there could be no building without first forming FINANCE and BUILDING COMMITTEES, but because the early Christians were often targets of political and religious persecution.  

Having a big new building where the faithful dutifully assembled at 11 AM every Sunday morning would've made the job of arresting the entire congregation and hauling them off to jail an easier task than deciding what color to paint the church bathrooms.

So the early churches most likely met in peoples' homes, and their services included singing hymns, reciting scripture and creeds, praying, and praising God.

--  --  --

The more I thought about it, the more I  wondered whether the first Christians set their finest robes aside on Saturday nights, and dressed up for church.  I kinda doubted it.

Not just because Peter and Paul warned against it, or because dressed-up people tended to be in palaces, but also because sneaking around all dressed-up on Sunday mornings between 10AM-12PM would've tipped off the Persecution Police.

So when did steeples, stained glass windows and dressing-up become rock solid trademarks of "church"?

Church Sure Ain't What It USED to Be - Part 1

When I was a kid, I figured the churches Paul wrote letters to were a lot like the church I knew.

Which meant they had red brick walls, stained glass windows,  big white columns at the front door and a shining steeple with a bell up top ... with signs near the sidewalk announcing something like, First Church of Rome or maybe Corinthian Baptist Church.

Oh, I understood enough to know the church at Ephesus probably didn't have an organ, but surely they had a choir, choir robes and a Minister of Music.  And after hearing the Sunday School report, he'd motion everyone to stand up from their pews and turn their hymnal scrolls open to sing #72 ... "With the first as the last."

(Since nobody had cars back in those days, I wonder where the deacons went after the service to stand around and smoke?)

That was my picture of what church must've been like 2000 years ago, because pews, steeples, stained glass windows and dressing-up make the building we know into a church.

Sounds silly and naive now, doesn't it?

But then I started wondering, what were the early churches really like?

The body is not a corpse

There's a scene in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness that describes a warship lying off a remote coast in 19th century Africa, firing its cannons (at regular intervals) at the shore.

The men on board aren't aiming at anything; they're terminally sick, hallucinating and delirious with fever.

You gotta wonder why the captain, or an officer or any other leader, hadn't re-ordered their priorities before the situation became critical.

So what was leadership paying attention to instead?

-- -- --

When it became obvious the ship's crew was no longer effective- or even functioning coherently- why didn't someone step up and take charge?

Even if it meant thinking outside the ship, challenging man-made rituals and routines, and asking "Are we doing anything worthwhile out here, or are we just following ourselves in circles and making each other sick?"

-- -- --

The men in Conrad's story, allegedly based on true events, were like zombies ... robot-ing their way through the last days of their lives, adhering to strict traditions like "duty, " "regulation" and "conduct of high standing," even though their "approbation to their county" meant they were sick, dying, and sailing around in circles.

Literally, no one was willing to endanger their position and status by rocking the boat.

-- -- --

At the instant before the last man left on board lit the last fuse, fired the last canon (without a clear target, except perhaps his own helplessness) and collapsed for the last time to die at his station, did he understand what happened and why they had failed?

Could he have explained that blind subordination to man-made regulations, self-serving goals and lofty ambition had trapped them in place, blinded their vision and made their commission inert and ineffective?

Could the last man standing watch at the helm have admitted that stubborn self-absorption ... and not an enemy ... had poisoned their purpose, and left their will vulnerable to defeat?

But what am I supposed to do when ...

What's the biggest impact my faith in Christ is having on my life?  The truth is, being a believer makes working, and interacting, with other people seem so hard.  And I don't even wanna start talking about how faith affects dating ... and the possibility of ever getting married.

I mean, outside of church, nobody believes or trusts religion any more.  Hardly anybody ever talks about God,  and people who don't believe seem to automatically feel entitled to provoke or make fun of me.  Like I'm the one who's doing something wrong.

So what am I supposed to do?

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

- 1 Peter 5:7-10

Diamonds on the Inside

If you're inclined to bristle because I quote lyrics here from a secular song, please don't.

The application, compared to the potential for misinterpretation, still seems worthwhile.

When you have everything

You have everything to lose.

Make sure the fortune that you seek

Is the fortune that you need

What you say and do not mean
Follows you close behind

Like the soldier long standing under fire

Any change comes as a relief

Let the givers name remain unspoken
She is just a generous thief

She had diamonds on the inside

She wore diamonds in the inside.

Ben Harper

"Diamonds on the Inside"

Me and My Church don't always see eye to eye

No, wait a minute-   ooops.

I don't have a church.

The church belongs to Christ ... the problem must be with me, and the I, and the I.

I'd rather be right than righteous

Why do believers have so many different labels to identify their "religion" and insulate themselves from other believers?

Some groups of followers seem to spend more time arguing about being "right" on every issue, from which text is the "right" translation, to which political candidate is the "right" choice for president and whether it's "right" to play guitars in church, than they do preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Is that what Christ commanded?  

Is his sacrifice honored by cliques, quarreling and score-settling?  Is The Prince of Peace glorified by name-calling, diviseness or factionalism in his church?

so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

- Romans 12:5

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

- Ephesians 4:2-6

Asking for miracles

We're so used to asking God to give us what we want, sometimes we wonder what's wrong with his hearing:

"Here's what I want, it's not that hard, and I know you can hear me.  I can't make you do anything, so let your will be done."

But what happens if God answers,

Here's what I want, it's not that hard, and I know you can hear me.  I can't make you do anything, so let your will be done.

When evil means "I'm bigger than you"

One definition of evil might be, "An eagerness to inflict, or to cause, physical pain to another person; most often to create or to affirm dominant Superior/Inferior roles; to 'teach a  lesson' and thus gain the satisfaction of involuntary control or authority; to perpetuate violence against another as a right; to cause or to seek humiliation, especially as a means of sadistic self-affirmation; to use fear or violence as a means of expression or communication in the pursuit of,  or to further, a self-glorifying agenda; usually explained as a birthright or entitlement."

The definition's not perfect, but it does fit pretty close when it comes to describing the mind-set of torturers, terrorists and tyrants.

--   --   --

But it also describes the frenetic compulsion of adults who feel "Responsible Parenting" first and foremost means grabbing a belt whenever they feel like it, and spanking the asphalt outta their kids.

Oh sure, getting spanked hurt back when they were kids, but "spanking done did me good!"  

When a little person gets angry or frustrated about not having his way, he still needs that lesson, the infliction of pain, to get re-focused and be reminded who's in charge.

I mean that, what I'm saying is, the little person is the parent who entitles himself to start spanking.

 

"He'll hurt you with his wheels"

Carl von Clausewitz was a 19th century Prussian military officer and the author of the definitive treatise about conflict titled "On War."

Some of Clausewitz's principle ideas included:

- understanding the distinction between "absolute" or "ideal war," and "real war"

- the importance of "moral forces" (more than simply "morale"), as opposed to quantifiable physical elements

-expecting, and adjusting for, unpredictable chance ... i.e. "the fog of war"

-"the culminating point of the attack" ... the turning point at which attack becomes defense

-"the culminating point of victory" ... loosely paraphrased, when the attacker wins, but still isn't sure who'll wake up tomorrow blacker and bluer

Clausewitz taught that War is comprised of four elements: Danger, Physical Effort, Uncertainty, and Chance.

--   --   --

So why am I mentioning him here?  Because ...

The enemy expects total victory, and we cannot make the mistake of believing he's engaged in anything less than all-out war.

We can never refuse to take the offensive because, after consulting with the Church Steering Committee, re-reading the minutes, voting and carrying the motion, we're convinced there's no way we can win.

We can never approach any task half-heartedly, half-prepared, armed with half-measures, and then expect God to take up our slack.

We serve the one living God, the King of Kings, and reject the burdens, limitations and self-righteousness of man-made rules, rituals and traditions.

Christ came to earth and died on the cross to give us victory through him ... not to prepare us to lose or to give up, to fail and point fingers, to form quorums and re-write God's plan or to huddle-up and reminisce about the wayeth we used to doeth things at mine olde church .

Much less to give us the option of "being too busy," "not having enough time" or "not being entirely onboard" ... and making excuses for disobedience.

Bible verses oft omitted from Sunday School

When his [Christ's] family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."
- Mark 3:21


So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?
- 2 Corinthians 12:15


Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
- Colossians 3:12

Of course, this HAD to happen

I used to blame ADD for mistakes like this, but no more.


Starting today I accept the evidence for what it proves ... old age.


Look closely ... and notice the label.

Here comes Hanna

Yesterday afternoon I heard from a neighbor that the crane at the shipyard was staying busy pulling boats out of the bay ahead of Tropical Storm Hanna's arrival later this evening.

Then today, I noticed how many folks showed up to make sure their boats are secure ... and how many were adding additional dock lines where doubt existed.



I bought two extra dock lines- just to be safe- and have already screwed down the ports, checked the bilge pumps and zipped Calypso's top tight. Hopefully, I'll sleep through Hanna's arrival ... and not wake up to drips, soggy carpet, or find galley utensils inside the head.


PS. Uh oh, I forgot all about stocking up on bread and milk .... wonder if canned tuna and Minute Rice is just as good?

...AREAS AFFECTED...

THIS STATEMENT RECOMMENDS ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY PERSONS IN...

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA...

THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES IN MARYLAND... HARFORD...SOUTHERN BALTIMORE...PRINCE GEORGES...ANNE ARUNDEL... CHARLES... ST. MARYS...CALVERT...

I want to believe, but sometimes life's just too hard

Hey, I know. Even as believers, life can seem hard.

Especially when we're listening, and trying to follow God's will.

We're confronted by non-believers who'd like nothing better than to knock us down by alleging hypocrisy, but also by believers focused on themselves who'd like nothing better than seeing us fall flat on our witness.

-- -- --

It's frustrating when life's insignificant circumstances catch us off-guard. We find ourselves attacked and ridiculed by folks we trusted ... but even that kind of betrayal shouldn't be shocking or surprising.

We're most likely to find ourselves being attacked and ridiculed when we're having an impact and making a difference for God and his kingdom.

-- -- --

How should we protect ourselves when we're attacked?


But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8

I got a BIG DECISION to make about life, but right now I'm just not ready ... and I don't think it's the time

Ok, sure. Pick the time of your convenience.

And keep day-dreaming ... as though your schedule, your plans or your priorities are even worth writing down on paper.



As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."
- Acts 24:25

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
-Luke 12:20-21

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
-Romans 13:11

His election would be the saddest day in American history

I used to keep up with politics; now, not so much.

Each political party is convinced, and will argue, that their opponent is the worst, most immoral, most ill-suited possible choice ... and that anyone who supports him should seek immediate psychiatric evaluation.


Democracy? The US political process has been reduced to cynicism, hate, moral and spiritual arrogance ("I can tell you're not a real Christian if you're voting for that guy"), intellectual indignation ("How DARE you disagree with me, unless you're stoopid?") and self-serving expediency ("My guy will fix everything that's wrong with America so fast, he won't even need a second term!")

America's political forum no longer has room (or time) for discussion, cooperation and accommodation; both sides have agendas that virtually mandate sticking a thumb in your opponent's eye, questioning the ancestry of his/her pets ... and calling his (or her) mama names.

How can you reason with the kind of person who'd vote for that guy?

-- -- --

Voters on both sides feel the world is dissolving into quicksand under their feet. And that the other guy's sole reason for running is to ruin America once and for all- so both sides justify their fear and embrace RAGE and INDIGNATION as the backbone of their rhetoric: If that Lying, Poorly-qualified, Immoral Nut Job's elected, we'll see everything we love about America evaporate overnight!

No election in history has ever been more important than this one.

At least, that's what the celebrities, movie stars, executives and pundits wringing their hands on TV imploring us to join their side- and vote for their guy- keep saying.

Your road is fine for you ... it's just not Me

Folks feel despair and look for answers on TV shows from stars earning millions of bucks a year, without once wondering what product that star is selling.

Face it, pop TV stars and psychologists quickly learned the only way to stay on the air is by selling something ... they just don't want you to figure out "Feeling good about Me" is the product they're hawking and want you to buy.

Otherwise, you might realize you're just a customer, a mark ... and not wanna keep watching and buying books about Fixing Me.

-- -- --

Are people who're hurting looking for a solution, or just an excuse to keep going- like they have been- with just a quick fix?

-- -- --

Right.

Me is who keeps insisting upon Having It My Way.

It was Me behind the wheel who drove you to the point of despair and frustration, just like it was Me who keeps steering your emotional ride toward bumps on the way to another cliff ... whether the latest fall will involve unmanageable debt, a tumultuous sexual relationship, an addiction or turning 180 degrees away from faith.

Christ never made anyone do any of those things. What God did was leave us free to choose.

Still folks fight, argue and insist, "Faith doesn't work for Me." I guess not, because Me is all you've known- and Me doesn't wanna give up control.

So Me keeps on admiring and following Me ... as far as Me can go.

Looking inward, or outward?

If you believe in evolution (which I don't), seems like you'd be wondering why human beings evolved with such a propensity to, when facing anger and frustration, turn their focus inward and rivet their attention upon Everything That Makes Me Unhappy.

No one treats me like I deserve.

I'm always the one in my relationship to give in and keep quiet. Everybody expects the most from me at work. No one pays attention to my opinions. Nobody takes me seriously.

I don't like how my church does things. Isn't my opinion as good as anybody else's?

I do and I do for other people but nobody every does anything to help me. I listen and listen to other peoples' problems, but nobody ever wants to listen to me. I never get any credit for all the things I've accomplished and you gotta be stupid not to see I'm smarter than anybody else.

No one knows what I've been through and have to put up with every day ... I feel like I'm invisible. Most of all, I can't understand why I'm so miserable and unhappy.


We focus on ME and assign importance to our unhappiness ... and then wonder why the view never changes.

I'd be a believer, but I don't wanna limit my personal options

Shoot, Christ was resurrected from the dead.

Can your "personal options" get any more unlimited than that?


Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin."
- John 8:34

Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
- Romans 6:16

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
-Galatians 5:1

The Palace of Florence

The previous post included a 1926 photo of my old school. But what's the cool building across the street, on the left?

It's The Palace of Florence, an apartment building constructed in 1925-26.

- photo source

Here's an interior hallway from May 4, 1926:


I've never seen it, but here's the courtyard fountain:


-photo source

Here's what The Palace looks like today:


Best of all, The Palace of Florence is still open and renting rooms.

And back when I was a kid ... (updated with Google street view)

While I was online I also found this April 1, 1926 photo of the building where I went to school K thru 2, which was originally constructed as the islands' Administration Office.


That's it on the right, with the stairs leading to the tiled tower. You can go to maps.google.com and enter "34 Davis Blvd, Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida 33606, United States" to see a current Street View of the structure.

In the second grade, as the Big Kids, we got to assemble in a circle around the pole every morning, while the flag was raised.


The crew beside the palm tree is shooting a promotional film, no kidding.

Here's where the school had Kindergarten. It looked exactly like this April 28, 1925.



The sconces and chandeliers still worked when I was there. But they didn't leave any couches (or other nice furniture) around for us screaming younguns to ruin.

Notice the cool tile design in the floor and the sky-high ceilings (no AC back in those days) .

-photo source here

"High Anxiety" revisted, with archived photos

On May 21, 2007 I blogged a short piece titled "High Anxiety." A few minutes ago I found this image of the actual pool and diving boards the post described.


(In case you're wondering, the above photo is from June 1 1947, decades before the afternoon described, thanks.) - source

Here's the pool's facade, c. 1931:

No Fakin with the Bacon

Is it already time for this year's Running of the Pigs? My, how times flies (even if pigs don't really have wings).



Get your pig on, and Pig Out At The Park: The 2008 Pigtown Festival.

Plain speaking

Paul had the gift for busting through theology and cutting right to the essentials, didn't he?

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
- 1 Corinthians 15:41

A cool tool

Here's a neat item lots of this morning's sports fans can use. It's a calendar that automatically counts down the number of days left Till Next Year.

As of right now it's only 522,716 minutes before the 2009 season gets underway.


Check it out here.

Miracles Spoken Here

I've heard Christ's miracles dismissed by folks who have a hard time believing that scripture means what it says.

Like, I've heard some believers suggest that Jesus didn't literally feed 5000 men (and their families) from a single basket of bread and fish, but that his preaching inspired people to share the food they brought hidden in their clothes.

I've heard others argue that Christ's resurrection was purely symbolic ... explaining that Christ's message- but not his human body- is what actually rose from the grave.

Their faith suggests Symbolism matters most.

But can you imagine people who were blind, lame or deaf standing around waiting for Jesus ... so he could lay on his hands and hook 'em up with a terrific and inspiring symbolic healing that proved he was who he said he was?

Wouldn't they all go home feeling enthusiastic and on-fire about how God had revealed himself through Symbolism to permanently change their lives?

-- -- --

Explaining away miracles in terms of legend and symbolism, albeit dismissing scripture, makes us feel more sophisticated and comfortable around non-believers.

Which is what happens every time our focus ignores God and we settle instead on Living Smooth n' Easy and insist that Me = Happy and Content.

-- -- --

Symbolism? Really?

In the first place, eye-witnesses were still alive who could've reputed the gospels' claim that Christ's resurrection was physical and real. Any of the 11 disciples, or any of the hundreds of witnesses scripture reported seeing Jesus alive after the crucifixion, could've stepped forward at any time and clarified for all posterity, "No, you don't understand. He's still dead, we only meant that Jesus' message is alive."

But that's not what happened. The disciples suffered and were martyred, rather than renounce what they had seen.

In the second place: imagine you were Martha, the friend who saw Lazurus raised from the dead, or that you were one of the lame beggars who walked home unassisted. Or that you were the parent of a blind person whom Jesus had healed.

Would it make any difference- or would it all be the same to you- if the miracle you'd seen happen to someone you loved was real... or just purely symbolic?

neighbor in the news

"Clark Rockefeller (born as Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter) is a man who appeared in media worldwide after allegedly kidnapping his daughter Reigh Storrow Mills Boss on July 27, 2008.

"On August 3, 2008 Clark Rockefeller was arrested in Baltimore, Maryland on charges of kidnapping and assault and battery after a week-long search. He had recently purchased an apartment there for about $450,000 under the name Charles "Chip" Smith.

"With the help of the owner of a local marina where Rockefeller had apparently kept a catamaran for the past nine years, FBI agents were able to lure him out of the apartment with a telephone call telling him the boat was taking on water. He was arrested as he left the apartment briefly before Reigh was safely recovered by authorities from inside."
-wikipedia

one of the most exciting events in TV history

South Carolina's 34-0 victory last night over NC State was amazing.

The Gamecock defense only allowed 138 yards and set up scores with two takeaways deep in NC State territory.

Crashing and Burning

Years ago, when I was flying regularly, I subscribed to a monthly NTSB safety newsletter that reported the findings of air crash investigations. I wanted to be a better, safer pilot, and hoped to learn something ex tempore - from the mistakes of others- that would help keep me alive.

What I learned was that most problems aren't mechanical, but mental. And that all too often fatal mistakes result from errors of judgment and expectation.

-- -- --

I was shocked at the number of fatal air accidents among corporate pilots, the total pros who have the safest safety record in the sky, that were precipitated by a single underlying event: their bosses were executives who, with full knowledge and awareness that their flight would penetrate deadly weather conditions, nonetheless wagged angry fingers and informed their pilot employees, "If you won't fly, then there's a hundred pilots waiting in line behind you who will."

With the sad result that pilots with decades of experience, professionals who knew better than to challenge thunderstorms or gamble against severe icing conditions, took off and flew their employers, their employers' families and everyone else on board, to their deaths ... rather than trust their own judgment and experience and choose to stay on the ground.

Saying NO to the boss was too hard. Walking away came with too many unknowns.

Those highly skilled, professional pilots ignored their own judgment and experience ... and lost their lives because the boss either had a dinner reservation in Denver that couldn't be missed, or box seats for the big game in Seattle, or simply didn't feel like spending another night in a hotel away from home. But that's what the boss wanted; that's what the boss expected.

You wonder how disasters happen, or maybe how priorities become so confused.

-- -- --

Studying a hazardous weather forecast at an airport in the safety of a pilot's lounge, even in the shadow of a tornado or the lightning flash of a thunderstorm, those pilots somehow still lost focus beyond Just shut up and do whatever it takes to keep your job ... it won't be that bad ...and you'll probably be OK.

They kept their careers intact ... and lost their lives in the process.

Because saying No to the boss was too hard.

I got a great view from my pew; don't change a thing

Why is it easier to think CHURCH is all about dressing up on Sunday mornings, sitting in the same pew, dozing off to organ music, looking down on sinners (and on congregations actually evangelizing the gospel) ... than it is to follow what Christ commanded?

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
- John 15:12

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
- John 13:34

If you love me, you will obey what I command.
- John 14:15

Preparation & Planning: defeated by Routine and Habit

I'd known for days the remnants of tropical storm Fay were heading this way. And that the precipitation was forecast to be heavy.

So yesterday afternoon, knowing the storm was sure to hit sometime after midnight, I mindfully applied a fresh coating of 303 Fabric Guard to all the pesky places where Calypo's 24-year old canvas is bound to leak.

And then completely forgot to zip the top shut before doddering off to bed.

Remembering all the times faith made me weak, ineffective and indecisive, or opened my life up to worry and distress

Nope, can't think of a single time.

Not one.


Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13

Got Butter?

Space is always at a premium on a boat. Especially pertaining to my dorm-sized fridge. So I learned to forgo and do without certain luxuries ... like butter.

Sure it'd be great to know a stick's available when you need it, though butter usually goes bad before I get around to using it. But hold on to your waistline, because now there's a solution:

From New Zealand: Real Butter in a can. Why didn't somebody in the US think of this sooner?

Best of all is what you're already wondering: canned butter has a virtually unlimited shelf life.


Of course I don't actually spread butter on anything; it's used strictly and only when recipe-required.

Like, with popcorn and bagels. And french fries.

Other Canned Items I'd Like to See:
canned lettuce
canned western omelets
canned tuna sandwiches
canned french fries
canned cheesecake

Baby Dean

Meet Michael Dean Jolley.

Congratulations to DJ and Heather!

But it beats floating in Crisco

It's true: Calypso is surrounded by 6000 gallons of olive oil.

Workers with the state Department of the Environment and the city Fire Department plan today to flush a 2-mile stretch of sewer leading to the harbor after it was contaminated over the weekend by a 6,000-gallon olive oil spill at an East Baltimore business, authorities said.

While these agencies are involved in cleaning the spill, which leaked olive oil into the area around the Canton waterfront, city police were investigating the possibility that the leak was caused by a vandal who broke into the business and opened a valve on a container holding the oil, authorities said.
source: Olives101.com

Whatcha readin'?

The Historical Reliability of the Gospels, by Craig Blomberg

Here's what I'm gonna do

"See, years ago I grabbed a pencil and wrote down a plan for my life. I listed all my priorities in order of their importance and included all kinds of details ... the career and paycheck I want, the size and style of house I'll buy, the make of car I'll drive ... even down to the height and hair color of the person I intend to marry. That's my plan for success, and I'm sticking to it!"

“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”

- Woody Allen

How can I forgive?

As believers we're taught to Forgive, but isn't there a limit to what we can forgive?

Do we "forgive and forget" ... as though nothing ever happened? Isn't forgiveness meant to be unconditional? But then if we forgive a child molester, does that mean we must allow that person to baby-sit our kids ... as if we've forgotten what happened?

What does forgiveness mean, really?

-- -- --

To forgive means:
- to grant pardon for
- to renounce anger or resentment against
- to not seek retribution or retaliation
- to absolve from payment

-- -- --

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!"* Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
- John 19:30

*Greek tetelestai - "paid in full"

Paul's Occupational Interpretation

(satire)

-After 2000 years of haggling and fighting, could there possibly be one more totally irrelevant issue for believers to argue over, disagree with, become factionalized and devisive about? Uh oh, I think maybe so ...


I was taught that the apostle Paul was a tent-maker, but I'm not so sure. See, I'm pretty convinced Paul was actually a sail-maker.

Sure I live on a boat, but that's not my only reason for being contrary to convention.


1. Take a look at the map and see where Tarsus is. Tarsus was not a desert community near a caravan trail with hundreds of nomads stopping by overnight, nor was Tarsus a resort community situated adjacent to the Fertile Crescent Campground or the Cilicia National Park ... the kind of places where people needed tents as they traveled.

Tarsus is on the ocean, and folks traveling the Med on ships needed sails.

2. Tents last a long time; sails do not. Thus, there's more demand for sails and sail-makers than for tents and tent-makers.

3. Paul frequently traversed the Med how? Walking? Camel-pooling? Did he hitch rides from passing chariots or tote a tent timeshare on top of his backpack?

Nope, Paul's choice was a sail boat. And if he was alive today, Paul wouldn't drive a minivan.

He'd choose a catamaran.

-- -- --

I hope the next national religious convention will make the critical Tents vs Sails issue an emergency priority and arrive at some kind of comprehensive interpretation, so local churches will know what their policy should be (and whether it's OK to fire their pastor for using a tent-friendly translation).

Besides, would you want your church welcoming those folks ... the kind who live in tents?


Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:23-24

Sarcasm, Wrath, Impatience, Deceit and Condescension

"Of course I act like Christ because Christ thinks like I do, in every way. That not only proves I'm always right, but that I've always been right from the very beginning.

"It also proves God loves me more than you, because he's just like me in every way I can think of. So when I look in the mirror and start comparing, it's clear as my face that I'm better than you. Which I've also known all along."


Scripture doesn't teach that faith in Christ justifies our personal shortcomings and opinions, but that we're justified in the name of Christ and that we should try to live, and treat others, as he did.

Not like we want to.

When we identify ourselves as believers and yet continue to embrace what feels like our strengths ... our sarcasm and impatience with others when things don't perfectly suit ME, when we can't see that our willingness to use deceit and deception to trick others to get what we want is a sin, when we're obstinate that Nobody's A Better Christian Or Knows More Than Me and that makes me More Saved than you, or when we behave toward others as though You're a kook and a liar because you don't act like I think you should act and must not be a Christian after all ... well then I wonder, are we trying to model ourselves like Christ, or trying to model Christ to fit us?

-- -- --

Christ is our example ... and Christ knew from the beginning who would betray him. But does scripture mention that Jesus was ever sarcastic, wrathful, impatient, deceptive, or condescended to Judas?

No, and neither should we treat others- not anyone- in any way less than as Christ commanded.


And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
- 1 John 4:16

Value X, or Value Added?

Who are you, and what are you worth?

We like to feel we have self-worth because self-worth gives us self-esteem, but what's our worth based upon?

Is our worth based on a job or a degree, a haughty title or a salary that includes lofty perks and fringe benefits? Or are we defining ourselves according to the color of our new debtors' card, or our latest sexual relationship (especially the physical attractiveness of our "other"), or the car we're driving (this year) or according to the house (with a mortgage we're struggling to crack every month) and the upscale neighborhood where we live?

Ah, well ... a hundred years from now, what will any of those things be worth?

I like this quote, because my friend Jake cuts right to the point:

"Many people are trying to define who they are by a position or a title. Position or title will never satisfy your soul or define who you are. We must define ourselves by who we are in Christ alone."

-- -- --

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
James 1:9-11

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
- 1 Corinthians 13:8

Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths
- Psalms 25:4