posted by Tera @ 3:21 PM
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Exposing Myself on a Regular Basis
“All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you. I never had a selfless thought since I was born. I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through: I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn. Peace, re-assurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek, I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin: I talk of love -a scholar's parrot may talk Greek- But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin." - C S Lewis
Saturday, January 31, 2004
Kids deathly ill, and now our Chevy Suburban went AWOL. I think my wife put it best in describing the events of the week. So far, this year has been hell. Just when you think you got all of the slime off of the bottom of the barrel, you realize that you are not at the bottom yet. I hope our “luck” soon changes because Visa and MasterCard are only so generous. The strange thing in all of this is I am not upset. It is very bizarre. There is a peace that surrounds me and my wife that isn’t normal. I haven’t fully understood this yet, but I’m trying. The events of my life remind me of Job. I’m just waiting for the boils to arrive so that I can sit my white ass on a pile of ashes. I think that I am still basking in my son’s health – so much so that I still can’t comprehend the current events that are around me. Maybe it is that my treasure is no longer in things that can rust. Maybe I am in denial. The funny thing is my dad seems to be more upset than I am. Go figure.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
An excerpt from Bill O’Reilly’s column
“Yes, you’re entitled to your uninformed opinion”
March 29, 2003
“Since Hollywood liked "The Pianist" so much, and since many actors are so outspoken about current historical events, I would like to give Susan Sarandon, Julianne Moore, Martin Sheen and the other anti-war stars a history quiz. I want to ask them what they know about the Treaty of Versailles, the appeasement conference at Munich and the structure of the German police state as it compares to Saddam Hussein's tyrannical rule of Iraq.
Also, I want to discuss Saddam's human rights record with Richard Gere, who for years has been chanting with the Dalai Lama about freeing Tibet. Gere is right about Tibet: The people there are being spiritually crushed by the totalitarian Chinese. Chanting may not be the most effective way to change that. But then again, Gere lives in Los Angeles.
If the Hollywood crowd could pass my quiz and answer my rather boorish questions, I'd apologize and listen intently as they told me that chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix should have had more time to find anthrax in an uncooperative country the size of California. I would sit enraptured as Sean Penn explained the benefits of living under Saddam, Uday and Qusay Hussein. I would pin the dove on Meryl Streep's gown as she regaled me with her vision of peace and understanding in the age of Al Qaeda.
But most anti-war stars are not big on complicated history questions. It is easier to flash peace signs to like-minded compatriots at award programs, then retire to eat lavish dinners paid for by fawning sycophants.”
The most recent award show, which nobody watched save the media, included a few actors that felt so inclined to voice their political opinion. This irritates me to no end. First, they are at a function that has only one purpose – to make their heads even bigger than they already are. Second, the people that watch these shows worship the “stars” every step and what ever spews out of their mouths is never accounted for. Just because you can read a script and act out a scene, doesn’t mean that you are brilliant. Your job, if you’re an actor, is to sell the film that you are in. It is no different than any other job, it is just glamorized. If you are an actor, you are pointed at and asked for autographs and paid sick amounts of money, but you are just as stupid and uninformed as the next guy. In fact, you tend to be even more ignorant because of your status. You start to feel that the things that you do are simply brilliant and are soon to be the status quo. Come to think of it, your excrement starts to have the fragrance of roses. I will leave you with a common quote from a few movies – “opinions are like assholes: everybody’s got one”. You just read mine.
“Yes, you’re entitled to your uninformed opinion”
March 29, 2003
“Since Hollywood liked "The Pianist" so much, and since many actors are so outspoken about current historical events, I would like to give Susan Sarandon, Julianne Moore, Martin Sheen and the other anti-war stars a history quiz. I want to ask them what they know about the Treaty of Versailles, the appeasement conference at Munich and the structure of the German police state as it compares to Saddam Hussein's tyrannical rule of Iraq.
Also, I want to discuss Saddam's human rights record with Richard Gere, who for years has been chanting with the Dalai Lama about freeing Tibet. Gere is right about Tibet: The people there are being spiritually crushed by the totalitarian Chinese. Chanting may not be the most effective way to change that. But then again, Gere lives in Los Angeles.
If the Hollywood crowd could pass my quiz and answer my rather boorish questions, I'd apologize and listen intently as they told me that chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix should have had more time to find anthrax in an uncooperative country the size of California. I would sit enraptured as Sean Penn explained the benefits of living under Saddam, Uday and Qusay Hussein. I would pin the dove on Meryl Streep's gown as she regaled me with her vision of peace and understanding in the age of Al Qaeda.
But most anti-war stars are not big on complicated history questions. It is easier to flash peace signs to like-minded compatriots at award programs, then retire to eat lavish dinners paid for by fawning sycophants.”
The most recent award show, which nobody watched save the media, included a few actors that felt so inclined to voice their political opinion. This irritates me to no end. First, they are at a function that has only one purpose – to make their heads even bigger than they already are. Second, the people that watch these shows worship the “stars” every step and what ever spews out of their mouths is never accounted for. Just because you can read a script and act out a scene, doesn’t mean that you are brilliant. Your job, if you’re an actor, is to sell the film that you are in. It is no different than any other job, it is just glamorized. If you are an actor, you are pointed at and asked for autographs and paid sick amounts of money, but you are just as stupid and uninformed as the next guy. In fact, you tend to be even more ignorant because of your status. You start to feel that the things that you do are simply brilliant and are soon to be the status quo. Come to think of it, your excrement starts to have the fragrance of roses. I will leave you with a common quote from a few movies – “opinions are like assholes: everybody’s got one”. You just read mine.
posted by Tera @ 12:09 PM
Comments: 0
Monday, January 19, 2004
Stick this in your pipe and smoke it!!
I hate passing arround email stuff, but this explains my frustration of politics.
At about the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler - a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinborough - had this to say about "The Fall of the Athenian Republic" some 2,000 years prior: "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."
"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependence back into bondage."
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the most recent American Presidential election:
Population of counties won by:
Gore 127 million
Bush 143 million
Square miles of land won by:
Gore 580,000
Bush 2,427,000
States won by:
Gore 19
Bush 29
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Gore 13.2
Bush 2.1
Professor Olson adds, "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off government welfare..." Olson believes the US is now somewhere between the "apathy" and the "complacency" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy; with some 40 percent of the nation's population already having reached the governmental dependency" phase.
I hate passing arround email stuff, but this explains my frustration of politics.
At about the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler - a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinborough - had this to say about "The Fall of the Athenian Republic" some 2,000 years prior: "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."
"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependence back into bondage."
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the most recent American Presidential election:
Population of counties won by:
Gore 127 million
Bush 143 million
Square miles of land won by:
Gore 580,000
Bush 2,427,000
States won by:
Gore 19
Bush 29
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Gore 13.2
Bush 2.1
Professor Olson adds, "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off government welfare..." Olson believes the US is now somewhere between the "apathy" and the "complacency" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy; with some 40 percent of the nation's population already having reached the governmental dependency" phase.
posted by Tera @ 5:37 PM
Comments: 0
Saturday, January 17, 2004
“This town needs an enema!!” – Jack Nicloas as the Joker in Batman
This quaint phrase kept repeating itself in my mind Friday at 5 in the morning at the hospital. My precious son Clay was in sever pain and there wasn’t anything that I could do as a daddy to stop it. To watch him scream in agony will scar my mind forever. The only thing that I did was pray with him and ask Jesus to make the pain stop. There is nothing more painful than to watch the object of your love go through something like this. The doctor came in and poked, prodded, stuck the light thing in his ear and said he wanted an x-ray. After the doctor left, Tera said that he seemed much better and his remark was “of course, me and daddy prayed”. An hour later, he came back and said “just what I had thought, he is constipated. I will send a nurse in to relieve him.” There is nothing happier than to hear those words come from the doctor. To know that my son was to receive an enema to relieve his pain and that they were not going to use the enema on me, it gave me such joy that these simple words could not express.
It just goes to show you that a little prayer and a little enema combined can be a very powerful force – not one to be reckoned with.
This quaint phrase kept repeating itself in my mind Friday at 5 in the morning at the hospital. My precious son Clay was in sever pain and there wasn’t anything that I could do as a daddy to stop it. To watch him scream in agony will scar my mind forever. The only thing that I did was pray with him and ask Jesus to make the pain stop. There is nothing more painful than to watch the object of your love go through something like this. The doctor came in and poked, prodded, stuck the light thing in his ear and said he wanted an x-ray. After the doctor left, Tera said that he seemed much better and his remark was “of course, me and daddy prayed”. An hour later, he came back and said “just what I had thought, he is constipated. I will send a nurse in to relieve him.” There is nothing happier than to hear those words come from the doctor. To know that my son was to receive an enema to relieve his pain and that they were not going to use the enema on me, it gave me such joy that these simple words could not express.
It just goes to show you that a little prayer and a little enema combined can be a very powerful force – not one to be reckoned with.
posted by Tera @ 4:06 PM
Comments: 0
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Blessings
It is because of Christ that I have the money that I have today. – I have heard this statement all too often from people far and near. I get rather insulted when someone spews these words from their mouth. I am aware of many of my people who are in foreign prisons, torture chambers and who are, or their children are, beaten daily for the God that they serve. I don’t think that you would hear them ever say such a stupid statement. Mostly the anger is that, in their view, God must like some and torment others – mainly yours truly. Although these past two years have been intensely exciting, I don’t blame God in any way. In fact, I see it as He put me on this earth to do his will and how I earn my way is entirely up to me. God will see that I am taken care of. Sure, my life on earth will pale in comparison to that which awaits me, but that statement would be just as true to Bill Gates as it is for Andrew Hrashman. Our life, that God lives in us, has absolutely nothing to do with money and success. If this statement were false, why did Jesus live as a homeless preacher for three years? If this statement were false, why didn’t Jesus commit more time teaching us how to be successful in the world of sin and death, instead of life in the kingdom?
If you really want to know what does it for me, I’ll tell you. My first gift is my beautiful wife. She is more than a partner, or a friend, or a lover – she is my utmost example of what heaven will be like. She is also the main way that I experience a glimpse of the love that the Father has for me. She loves me beyond reason. I am nothing without her. My heart seems to beat differently when she is in sight.
Next are my kids. I did not have a prominent father figure while I was growing up, now days that seems to be the norm. Regardless, Clay, Damon and Ella are growing up in my house and I couldn’t be happier. Clay loves to play xbox games with me and, though he is only 5 years old, he is outstanding at it. Damon’s second home is my garage which coincidentally is mine as well. Ella is 4 months right now and when she smiles at me, she makes my day. Each one is different and each is in their different stages (Damon seems to despise clothes for some reason – I can’t blame him, after all, freedom is where it’s at) and all are pure examples of how the Father loves me. Each one has possession of my heart. Not each one has a part of my heart, but each one has my entire heart. I do not understand this phenomenon, but I love each one entirely with my whole being.
It is because of Christ that I have the money that I have today. – I have heard this statement all too often from people far and near. I get rather insulted when someone spews these words from their mouth. I am aware of many of my people who are in foreign prisons, torture chambers and who are, or their children are, beaten daily for the God that they serve. I don’t think that you would hear them ever say such a stupid statement. Mostly the anger is that, in their view, God must like some and torment others – mainly yours truly. Although these past two years have been intensely exciting, I don’t blame God in any way. In fact, I see it as He put me on this earth to do his will and how I earn my way is entirely up to me. God will see that I am taken care of. Sure, my life on earth will pale in comparison to that which awaits me, but that statement would be just as true to Bill Gates as it is for Andrew Hrashman. Our life, that God lives in us, has absolutely nothing to do with money and success. If this statement were false, why did Jesus live as a homeless preacher for three years? If this statement were false, why didn’t Jesus commit more time teaching us how to be successful in the world of sin and death, instead of life in the kingdom?
If you really want to know what does it for me, I’ll tell you. My first gift is my beautiful wife. She is more than a partner, or a friend, or a lover – she is my utmost example of what heaven will be like. She is also the main way that I experience a glimpse of the love that the Father has for me. She loves me beyond reason. I am nothing without her. My heart seems to beat differently when she is in sight.
Next are my kids. I did not have a prominent father figure while I was growing up, now days that seems to be the norm. Regardless, Clay, Damon and Ella are growing up in my house and I couldn’t be happier. Clay loves to play xbox games with me and, though he is only 5 years old, he is outstanding at it. Damon’s second home is my garage which coincidentally is mine as well. Ella is 4 months right now and when she smiles at me, she makes my day. Each one is different and each is in their different stages (Damon seems to despise clothes for some reason – I can’t blame him, after all, freedom is where it’s at) and all are pure examples of how the Father loves me. Each one has possession of my heart. Not each one has a part of my heart, but each one has my entire heart. I do not understand this phenomenon, but I love each one entirely with my whole being.
posted by Tera @ 2:04 PM
Comments: 0
Monday, January 05, 2004
Raising Arizona
We spent 4 days in Phoenix over the new years. To say the least, it was disheartening. We, in that short amount of time, met with almost 50 people that were family and friends. It was a lot of work for my family and it put a strain on us.
The reason why I say it was disheartening was not about the hectic schedule. It was the conversations that I had with people. I think that mostly the people that I talked to thought that I was this great church reformer. For those of you that know me, I am passionate but reformer.... I don’t think so. I realized that my tongue has presided over my heart.
All I want to be is a man who is loving and being loved by his God and through that changes will occur. If God wants a church to be reformed along the way, then so be it, let God do it and I’ll watch, but that is not my purpose in life.
True, I do disagree with many issues of the current church but it is through me only asking questions.
1) How did the sinner’s prayer become the initial building block of Christianity?
2) Why is the church, who is the bride of Christ, operated like a business?
3) How can the bible be the only way that God speaks to me?
4) Why do churches raise enough money to feed all of Ethiopia but merely spend it on themselves?
5) Why do people think that a homeless preacher is their secret to monetary fortune?
6) Why do we think that it is our responsibility to shepherd God’s flock?
7) Why do I think that God can’t accomplish things with out my input and help?
8) Why are Christian books on the New York Times Best Sellers List?
9) Why are mega church pastors supposed to publish a book?
10) How am I right and you are wrong?
11) How can pastors, who are paid through the church, honestly be in touch with their working, 50 hours/week, flock?
12) Why is it preached that I must confess each and every sin on a daily basis or suffer the consequences?
13) Why is God’s love so evident in the broken and week but so vague in the middle and upper class Christians?
14) Why are people content with a silent Sunday type of belief?
15) If the bible is true and you believe it why not live it?
16) How can any situation be enhanced with “WWJD”?
17) How can one learn from only one person for 30 minutes/ week in the form of a sermon?
18) Is anybody else that is sitting in the pews as board with this as I am?
19) If Jesus loves me, then why am I often thought of as an asshole?
20) Is this as good as it gets?
We spent 4 days in Phoenix over the new years. To say the least, it was disheartening. We, in that short amount of time, met with almost 50 people that were family and friends. It was a lot of work for my family and it put a strain on us.
The reason why I say it was disheartening was not about the hectic schedule. It was the conversations that I had with people. I think that mostly the people that I talked to thought that I was this great church reformer. For those of you that know me, I am passionate but reformer.... I don’t think so. I realized that my tongue has presided over my heart.
All I want to be is a man who is loving and being loved by his God and through that changes will occur. If God wants a church to be reformed along the way, then so be it, let God do it and I’ll watch, but that is not my purpose in life.
True, I do disagree with many issues of the current church but it is through me only asking questions.
1) How did the sinner’s prayer become the initial building block of Christianity?
2) Why is the church, who is the bride of Christ, operated like a business?
3) How can the bible be the only way that God speaks to me?
4) Why do churches raise enough money to feed all of Ethiopia but merely spend it on themselves?
5) Why do people think that a homeless preacher is their secret to monetary fortune?
6) Why do we think that it is our responsibility to shepherd God’s flock?
7) Why do I think that God can’t accomplish things with out my input and help?
8) Why are Christian books on the New York Times Best Sellers List?
9) Why are mega church pastors supposed to publish a book?
10) How am I right and you are wrong?
11) How can pastors, who are paid through the church, honestly be in touch with their working, 50 hours/week, flock?
12) Why is it preached that I must confess each and every sin on a daily basis or suffer the consequences?
13) Why is God’s love so evident in the broken and week but so vague in the middle and upper class Christians?
14) Why are people content with a silent Sunday type of belief?
15) If the bible is true and you believe it why not live it?
16) How can any situation be enhanced with “WWJD”?
17) How can one learn from only one person for 30 minutes/ week in the form of a sermon?
18) Is anybody else that is sitting in the pews as board with this as I am?
19) If Jesus loves me, then why am I often thought of as an asshole?
20) Is this as good as it gets?
posted by Tera @ 4:33 PM
Comments: 0