Cheap Trash

Yesterday, to my wife's delight, I finished tiling our upstairs bathroom. It wasn't a big job but I'd been taking my time and decided the bathtub in our living room needed to end its 3 month stay. As I was ending the job I realized I had accumulated a fair amount of garbage which needed to make a journey to its 'Holy Land', the dump.

I began to load up my gas guzzler with all the random odds and ends one collects on their lawn; when you don't have to worry about what the neighbors might think. I found: 1 toilet, 1 sink, 2 rusty old bikes, 1 broken shovel, 1 computer, 1 aluminum ridge vent, 1 captive air tank, 1 old wheelbarrow and finally 1 wicked big roof mounting TV antenna. To my wife's delight the yard is now less cluttered.

This morning after 6 or 7 inches of new snow I made my way to the Holy Land. I pulled in and unloaded all the junk, metal in one bin and the rest in another. It was pretty awesome watching the toilet explode after I heaved it over the safety bar and it found the ground. During this unloading it kept snowing and was cold; so on completion I rushed into the little house to pay the man. My glasses fogged and I wasn't listening carefully when he told me the price. I repeated back to him $30? To my shock he replied $3.

Now I am grateful it was cheap, but wasn't that a little too cheap? Where are they going to take that stuff for $3?

Tags: Enviornment, Questions, Story, Cleaning

Middle Class

A quote from a book I just finished...Generation X

You see, when you're middle class, you have to live with the fact that history will ignore you. You have to live with the fact that history can never champion your causes and that history will never feel sorry for you. It is the price that is paid for day-to-day comfort and silence. And because of this price, all happinesses are steril; all sadnesses go unpited.

Tags: Generation X, Middle Class, Douglas Coupland, Quotes

Sci-Fi Clergy

When I first started reading Dr. Thomas Hohstadt's articles regarding Post Modern Christianity I wasn't sure if he was a good writer or just another academic wind blower in a bow-tie. But as I have remained committed to his writings they are becoming more and more amusing and thoughtful.

Check out his latest article.


ARE YOU READY FOR
SCIENCE FICTION CLERGY?

Tags: Emerging Church, Church Leaders, Christian Leadership,

Hurt

Chap Clark's 2004 book Hurt is my first attempt at a 'Book Promotion'. Due to my own lack of discipline and tendency to lean towards media as my source of entertainment, it took me about 2.5 months to finish. Yet this is not a reflection on the quality of book, but on the reader.

As an individual who felt included in the cross-section of people he is writing about, I found myself remembering grade school through his critical eyes. Different aspects of my existence in those times began to make more sense. Yet, the book is geared to those involved in Youth Advocate professions and for most of us the book simply puts into words what we have been observing.

The book hinges on 4 factors. First, that adults believe life is different for youth but can't explain why, hence believe the fantasy little has changed. Second, that academics debate about what is different but little research has been done. Third, that the mission of organizations originally established to empower youth have lost their vision and are now systematically abandoning them. Finally, that youth are desperate for adult care, compassion, and most importantly rebuilding trust. By the way Hurt is written by a Christian man, but attempts to be as objective as possible and leaves out a faith response until the last 2 chapters.

In my opinion this book is a must read for those involved in Youth Advocate professions.

Tags: Book Promotion, Chap Clark, Book Review, Youth Ministry, Millenials

Nature Needs to Work With Us

On a day like today when the weather is above 50 degrees (Blast!!!) Global Warming is on the tip of everyone's mind. Honestly, since I was a child, I have been confused about what Global Warming is. Well, thanks to our Commander and Chief's Special Announcement regarding this very thing, I have been enlightened.

Global Warming

Tags: Humor, Will Ferrell, Global Warming, George W. Bush

Bad Idea

It could get ugly.

Tags: humor, the onion, football

Lying Love

John 4: 16-21
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

A much need word for me lately, loving my fellow (Global) Christian brothers and sisters.

A Curious Combination

Last night I joined some family members, ordered pizza and wings, and tuned into 'The Book of Daniel'. To begin I was sort of disappointed for 2 reason: the first being the only commercials aired during the 2 hour slot were for films, other TV programs and Burlington Coat Factory. Second the show just didn't live up to the hype. It felt like Seventh Heaven mets Desperate Housewives (both shows just so happen to give me the 'nails on chalkboard' feeling).

Now about the controversy. I was extremely relieved by the way Jesus was portrayed. I had read so much and mulled over it so completely that every expression, word, and gesture he created I unpacked. What I saw was a Jesus who was annoyed with the main character. He didn't seem supportive one bit but sarcastic and frustrated. I felt in no way did he support the addictions, sexual orientations, or corruptness of any of the characters.

What I did observe to be controversial was the portrayal of the Episcopalian clergy. If there is anyone who should be concerned it is they. I cringed during many moment where the church leaders abused alcohol (& drugs), took wavering stands on sexual issues, consulted with criminals, committed adultery and the list will grow I am sure.

Personally I did not like the show simply because it wasn't very engaging, the characters were...for lack of better words...blah, and it didn't seem believable. At this point I won't indulge myself in another episode, but I did decide to hop on the Conservative Right's bandwagon and continue my 28 year long ban of the Burlington Coat Factory.

Happy New Year

It was New Year's Eve and my wife and I had holed up for a nice long evening of movies and a countdown. The rundown of movies was Four Brothers, The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Crash. The first 2 films were okay, personally I had expected more from Four Brothers but was left confused. Fortunately all was redeemed by Crash.

In my opinion this is a must see movie. It provokes and shocks as the characters clash against each other from start to finish. Each individual portrayed reflects a deep dark part of us all where no one is safe from our racism, sexism, or corruption. Although vulgar throughout the acting, direction, and character development should rocket this film into contention for 'Best Picture' at the Academy Awards.

"It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something."