and now, an intermission

That last post was serious, now for some giggles! Marzipan has a new collection of answering machine messages up at HomeStarRunner.com. Go and listen to them RIGHT NOW because the very first message is from the infamous Thnikkaman!

I’d like to see YOU try to finish composing a blog post while looking down the barrel of a loaded Thnikkaman! Anyway, I’ve also thrown up some new items on my own funny board, including a video of a couple of guys with way too much time on thier hands, a pretty cool ping-pong game, and a video of the world’s smartest bird. Go check them out!

judgement?

I started posting a rant earlier this week which, in retrospect, really wasn’t worth bringing up. I got an newsletter from ChristianCounterCulture.com – the first one I’d recieved since December of last year. The newsletter contained the following postscript…

Thanks for your prayers and support these past few months. Rumours of our “sudden meltdown” have been much exagerated. Lord willing, we begin a new season of newsletters next week. Among other topics, we hope to bring some balance to the brewing debate over “The Emerging Church” and “The New Perspective.”

I nearly choked when I read that. I set about documenting my own, personal experiences in reference to the alleged “sudden meltdown” to offer an alternate view on the issue. After composing the document, I had to get to work, so I left it open on my computer and vowed to finish and post it when I got back. Now normally I email works-in-progress to myself so that I can have a copy handy no matter where I am, in case I get stuck somewhere unexpected, or end up having to stay a few extra minutes at work or something. I didn’t bother doing that in this case. In fact, I didn’t even save the thing… just left it up there waiting.

By the time I got home, however, my desktop machine had died! It just completely croaked! Now, I’m going to troubleshoot this weekend, and try to find out what’s up, and what needs to be replaced, and I’m sure I’ll have little difficulty giving it CPR and jolting it back to life, but even if I do, that rant is gone forever. I was composing it here on the website, so it didn’t even autosave.

While I’m not entirely sure it was an act of judgement, that computer has been on almost 24 hours a day since we moved into this house last September (with the exception of the power outage) and hasn’t had any difficulties, and it suddenly dies the one time I don’t properly save a document. Anyway, I’ve decided not to persue that rant. The documentation is out there if people want it, and there’s plenty even on this little blog. You can go read Rob’s public apology, or search the net, or whatever.

My last word is simply this: I cannot understand why so many have sacrificed themselves on the altar of New Perspectivism. I pray that when Rob says he hopes to ‘bring balance’ to the debate, it will indeed be that – from both sides, as well as the middle-ground. I pray that this will not be a false claim, like so many others have already made – proclaiming balance, but manifesting none. We shall wait and see, and trust that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

the unthinkable

For the past two years, the Lord and I have been having a bit of an arguement. He’s been placing every possible obstacle and encouragement in my path to have me go back to school. He’s also made it abundantly clear that His target is to equip me for ministry, perhaps even some form of full time ministry.

And for the past two years, I have merrily said, “No thanks. I don’t want to be a pastor!” Oh, I know what you’re thinking. You can get some structured, theological education under your belt, and not become a pastor. Yes, I’m sure that’s true – but I have such a fear of pastoral ministry, that I was completely unwilling to even dip my toe in the pool.

I’ve been forced to submit, however. The Lord uses many means at His disposal, and I don’t know if you’re aware, but arguing with the omnipotent, thrice holy creator of all existance doesn’t generally work out too well. I have to submit. And while I’d rather simply sign up for a correspondance course, He has also made in clear that I require classroom-interaction to be effectively built up. I’ve put in my application for Acadia Divinity College as a part-time student, and requested reference letters from three individuals who know me. I don’t know what will come of it, but I humbly beg your prayers that the Lord’s will be done in this matter.

benedict xvi

I’m home sick again, even though I went into work to see how it went. After nearly passing out a few times, I asked my brother in Christ, Chris to give me a drive home. On the way home, we heard on the radio that white smoke was eminating from the Vatican – the traditional announcement that a new pope had been elected. I tuned on the TV when I got home to find out the details.

I’ve often said, “You know… all it would take to open up real discussions between Protestants and Catholics that could result in some form of common ground, is a liberal Pope to come along and say, ‘You know what? Turns out that I’m not infallible after all.‘” Once we got that presupposition out of the way, there could be genuine discussion with a potential hope in sight.

Well, we can pretty much guarentee that’s not going to happen during this potificate. I never would have guessed they’d elect Ratzinger. Cardinal Ratzinger is one of the most conservative members of the upper eschalon of the Roman Catholic Church, having been the leader of the “Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.” That’s the new name of that organization, anyway. It’s original name was simply ‘The Inquisition.’ I can only assume that the choice of Joseph Ratzinger is meant to heal the highly un-public (it’s not private, by any stretch) schism that threatens the RC church these days. Traditionalists and liberals have been firing shots at each other fast and furious since Vatican II, and John Paul II did little to heal the wounds between them, being one of the most liberal pontiff in the history of that seat.

Unfortunately, I’m too ill to sit here and discuss this issue at length. Watch carefully, folks. There is no question in my mind that Pope Benedict XVI will make for an interesting pontificate. I suppose the one upside is that, if he is true to his actions during his cardinalship, it should become easier to demonstrate the gaps between Protestant and Catholic theology.

Watching the news though… it amazes me how ignorant even Catholics are of thier own history and tradition. Hopefully Benedict XVI will correct that, allowing opportunities for discussion.

snarfle

My wife once joked that, in order for me to miss teaching Sunday school, I’d have to be dead. There’s even been a couple of times when I’ve gone in to teach, realized I was never going to make it through a two-hour service, and go home immediately afterwards.

Yesterday was the first day over the past three years that I’ve missed Sunday school due to illness. Thankfully, I wasn’t dead. Last night, my wife said she’d call my boss and let them know I wasn’t going to be in – but I was stubborn. I said, “No, it’s okay, I feel better. After a good night’s sleep I should be ready to roll.” Looks like the good night’s sleep really just gave the virii a chance to move around, unhindered. So, yeah, I’m not at work.

I probably shouldn’t be typing this either, because the words are all fuzzy. I could be typing my recipe for chocolate/peanut butter chip cookies for all I know. If this entry doesn’t make any sense, please forgive me. I’m sick.

The folks over at HomeStarRunner.com cheered me up this morning, though. Remember that one-legged puppy named “Li’l Brudder” from sbemail 109?

That little trooper now has his own show. Bwaaa-aaa-aaa… Li’l Brudder! Can you help me figure out what to do with my life?! I’m thinking of getting my own fishing show. I just don’t know! Bwaa-aaa-aaa-aaa…

Watch Li’l Brudder

blech, but still…

Marsha’s been sick all week, so I’ve had to pick up the slack around the house. And considering how much my wife does to keep this household up and running smoothly, that’s a fair amount of slack! Alyssa’s been a great help, and has been taking good care of our poor, sick mommy.

Unfortunately, Alyssa and I both picked up Marsha’s cold. Thankfully, Alyssa didn’t get hit very hard with it, and other than some sniffles, she’s fine. She’s got a piano recital today, so if you have a few spare minutes, say a prayer for my daughter that she might do well, but more importantly, that she might enjoy herself and take a little healthy pride in her accomplishment.

I’m not big on birthdays, especially my own, but I’d still rather not be sick today. It’s such a gorgeous spring day outside, and we’re having company over this afternoon. Plus there’s the recital, and I’m also another full year older today. It was also one year ago today that I made this post, on the evening that Tieren took a courageous step, and she, Katelynn & Shelby all came over to visit me. It will probably remain the best birthday ever in my memory, since my heart which had been split in two so many years ago, was put back together again.

I ended that post with the following words…

God works things in such cool ways! I’m so anxious to see what He’s doing here.

I had no idea that He would do what He did. I had no idea that all three of them would establish meaningful relationships with Jesus Christ. I had no idea that I would stand in the waters of baptism with them as they professed that faith publically. Praise Him. Praise His name forever. Wait on Him in anxious expectation – because He’s got some amazing things in store.

funny stuff

I converted all my flash, videos, etc to a message board where you can go and post your own stuff, or comment on other stuff posted. The idea is to make a board where we can post that funny junk we find, but keep it clean. So many of the places where this stuff is, is also chalk full of not-so-classy things too.

So go for it, register for an account, and post to your heart’s content! Just keep it clean – stuff you’d let your kids watch.

Go To The Funny-Junk!

cake dance

If you loved the love story about the cat and bunny, you’ll love the sequel:

Play ‘Cake Dance’

prayer for patience

Lord, help me by your Spirit to be more patient. Help me to recognize that any examples of sinfulness, hypocrisy or apathy I would identify in anyone is a reflection of my own nature outside of your Spirit. Help me to recognize that everyone has different gifts. Help me to remember that a word unsaid can oft times be a word not regretted. Help me to speak the truth in love, with compassion, with gentleness, and with the fear and trembling that accompanies being privileged to honor a truth that was not of my own discovery, but of your sovereign revealing.

In more simple terms: help me to not be a jerk.

In Jesus’ holy, and powerful name,
Amen

ring around the rosary

Last month I was taken out to breakfast in Halifax by my favorite redhead and her daughters. While in the city, I took them to Blessings Christian Marketplace so they could have a look around. I’m not the biggest fan of Blessings only because of the wide range of theological positions it represents, with the majority of the focus being on “pop” theology. Ah, a glow-in-the-dark crucifix… what home would be without one? At the same time, I do appreciate their selection, and have snagged a few good buys on some quality books there. I mean, they had a copy of Dr. White’s Scripture Alone on the shelf. How bad can they be?

About a week later, I found out that one of the girls had been admiring some really nice necklaces, and wanted to get one. Fortunately, her mom stopped her, identifying immediately that they were rosaries. ‘What’s a rosary?’ she asked sometime later. While I really didn’t have the opportunity to give her a complete answer at that time, I thought I’d take a few minutes to answer it now…

A rosary is a collection of 5 groups of 10 beads, each group separated by a larger bead. At the center of the rosary is generally an image of Mary, and three more beads which connect a crucifix to the ‘necklace.’ The rosary serves as a type of ‘prayer guide’ as you pray certain predetermined prayers, as one contemplates the ‘mysteries of the faith.’ These mysteries are separated into four groups, identified as the mysteries of joy, light, sorrow, and glory. ‘Praying the rosary’ is primarily a Marian devotion, since the ‘Hail Mary’ prayer is the repeated 53 times. For those of you unfamiliar with the ‘Hail Mary’ prayer…

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Beginning with the crucifix, one recites the apostle’s creed. There are different versions of rosary prayers, but the normative manner is to pray the Lord’s prayer, followed by either ‘Glory be to the Father’ or the Fatima prayer on each of the larger beads, and a ‘Hail Mary’ on each of the smaller beads. Here’s a cute little rosary designed especially for children. Click on it for a larger view, and you’ll note that each of the ‘Hail Mary’ beads is actually a ladybug.

Now, of course the reason that most protestants find the rosary so offensive is twofold. Firstly, 53 prayers said to Mary. We pray to God, and God alone. We do not require her mediation with God, because, as Paul wrote, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5). Secondly, repeating the same prayer over and over again is in direct contrast to Jesus’ instructions to his disciples, “when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7)

Even though I’ve mentioned it in past posts, allow me to say once again that I am not ‘anti-Mary.’ On the contrary! I feel Mary doesn’t get enough credit in our evangelical churches, mainly for fear that they’ll sound too Catholic. I’d love to hear a good “faithful servant” sermon about Mary. I’ve heard about 100 of them about Samuel, why not Mary? Protestants often have an irrational fear of Mary, when what they really fear is the exaltation of Mary. When communicating with a Catholic friend, remember that sensitivity is the key. Keep your eyes fixed squarely on the goal. Just as you won’t get very far with a Mormon if you decide to unnecessarily bash on Joseph Smith, you won’t get very far with your Catholic friend if you decide to instigate the conversation by bashing on Mary. The Catholic view of Mary has a whole bunch of emotional strings attached, so be wary as you pluck them.

This ends today’s lesson. Next week, maybe I’ll talk about why I don’t like crucifixes. Particularly glow-in-the dark ones.