"There is all the rest of Kent County to meet with these folks."

Don't just pass by this hyperlink... Read this article.

So this group called Soulforce, comes and protests schools they believe to be hostile to homosexuals . They were on tour and planned on protesting at Cornerstone and Calvin (maybe Hope too, I can't remember). The group sends the school they are planning on visiting a letter to let them know their intentions. Cornerstone responded by saying that the group is not welcome and that they would be arrested if the came on school grounds.

So, the group showed up and two students came on the property and were arrested. But I got in to some discussions with some friends about the subject. Here are some of the questions asked by one another.

1. Isn't it Cornerstone's perogative to allow them on campus or not?

2. What would it hurt to let them on campus?

3. What is the "homosexual agenda"?

4. Is it "cool" to be gay?

5. How do we dialogue with people who disagree on the issue of sexuality (especially Christians)?

I'll try to give some of my opinions on these 5 questions.

1. Yes- But it makes them and Christians look stupid, arrogant and not willing to dialogue about issues that afeect our culture.

2. This was actually something I hadn't thought of but that I thought was a good point. My friend said that since they are not affiliated or supported by a denomination but instead by individual donors, that they had a lot to lose. Money. I can see how this would be a concern, but don't think it's a very noble or honorable one.

3. According to Wkipedia, Dr. Dobson has stated this "homosexual agenda" as: "Those goals include universal acceptance of the gay lifestyle, discrediting of scriptures that condemn homosexuality, muzzling of the clergy and Christian media, granting of special privileges and rights in the law, overturning laws prohibiting pedophilia, indoctrinating children and future generations through public education, and securing all the legal benefits of marriage for any two or more people who claim to have homosexual tendencies."

Any thoughts on this "agenda"?

4. I stated that in 10 years of youth minstry, I had only met 3 youth who thoguth it was "cool" to be gay and none of them were outside of Wedgwood.

5. I don't know how. I think it starts with discussing these tough issues with people that it affects most. I know very few LGBT people, and have little personal experience with this issue, but hope that I can continue to see things from somebody elses perspective. My problem has been discussing hot issues with other Christians that I disagree with.

Fundamentalism

I am so under qualified to blog on this subject. But since I'm usually under qualified, I'll just do it anyways. If you have any info that would be good for all of my readers to know about, please include it.

I watched PBS tonight at work. It had some great programming on about Islam. The name of the program was America at a Crossroads. Check it out if you get a chance. One of the programs was specifically about Indonesia. Apparently it has more Muslims than any nation on the planet. Who would have thought? As I've said before, I don't have a ton of knowledge in the area of Islam, but I've always been alarmed when Christians talk about Muslims in a negative way. This must be the liberal media's influence on me making me tolerant of pagan religions and people. One time, I was on a men's retreat and a guy that was a little... I can't think of a label that isn't offensive, said that Muslims want to kill Christians. Quite a statement for somebody who didn't know any Muslims I thought. But I don't know any Muslims either... so I wondered secretly if maybe he was right.

But this program was good for me. Actually there was a program on before that by a "liberal" Muslim. It was uncanny how her language was so non-offensive to me but how many fundy Muslims felt threatened by her ideas and language. She has the audacity to say that maybe much of Islamic law wasn't really what God (Allah) wanted for His people. She specifically mentioned issues of gender and war.

Sounds familiar doesn't it? She was saying that the text itself wasn't flawed, but that how Muslims interpreted it was flawed and needed to change. She actually used the word blasphemy. A Muslim cleric (I don't really know what a cleric is, but the guy was an important Muslim figure in the U.S.-- maybe like a local pastor type) talked about how dangerous this type thinking was to Islam. She made a great case about the roots of Islam and how it was formed on education, reason, good dialogue, and religious tolerance. She said, that this is what allowed Islam to flourished before fundamentalism hi-jacked the faith.

She kept quoting the Quran and it didn't sound kooky or angry. It sounded friendly and loving. This really rankled some of the folks being interviewed. But it was good for me to watch. She kept making the statement that tolerance is different than oppression. Some Muslims were justifying horrific acts, like suicide bombings, because somebody had offended Islam or Muhammad. It was very complex and I am not doing it justice.

But I feel the same way about Christian fundamentalism. I feel like this movement worships the text rather than God and let's the sinful part of humanity get in the way of how we are to view God. For a long time, I felt like I needed to keep any views that were not the view of the masses under my hat because of how dangerous they could be for my soul or for young Christians. To be honest, as I started to explore some of these thoughts, it was a little dangerous. It has caused me to have some real doubts about my faith. But it has also brought me to a higher level of truth than I have previously known. I feel like I know God in a healthier way. I feel like I have a better grasp on what I doubt and am unsure on but this too seems healthy and truer than the faith I had even a few short years ago.

Has anybody else had this experience? What parts about Fundamentalism are healthy for Christianity?

A Happy/Non-Controversial Post

Here is a link to my friend Jonathan. He is in Uganda doing important things while I'm here blogging about star bellied Sneetches. http://jryskamp.blogspot.com/

If you get a minute, check out his blog and throw one up for him and the work he's doing. Maybe even give him a little comment to let him know you are thankful for the way he is furthuring the kingdom of peace.

The "Fix-it-up-Chappie"

I blogged last week about the guy who tattled on me. He was pretty clear in his last e-mail that I am not a Christian. This got me thinking about the Sneetches. I love Dr. Seuss. Well, I really like him. It brings me back to a convention I went to a couple years ago in San Diego. It was a convention put on by Jerry Falwell and Chick Tracts. As I was reading about the "Death Cookie", it made me think... Just kidding. It was an Emerging Church Conference.

A pastor and author named Doug Padgitt did a session on rethinking theology or something like that. I'll try to be honest about how I felt during the session.

1. I felt naughty. Seriously. Most of what I had been taught about Christianity this man was saying wasn't important. That's not totally true. My judgment is that he was saying, there are NO BOUNDS to the faith.

2. It was kind of an awkward time as well. I remember during the Q+A time feeling very awkward. Some people were pretty hot and I remember feeling sorry for Mr. Padgitt and wanting to make peace and smooth things over. But this got me thinking about what I DO believe are bounds for the faith. I have totally figured it out now and want to tell you exactly what God wants you to think on this issue.... heehee. Just kidding.

3. For some reason, when I think about the picture in my head about this topic, I think of railroad ties. I think of this inanimate object called "The Christian Faith" that is in a box with Railroad ties for its boarders. Isn't that weird? I have railroad ties in my backyard and i think about Doug Padgitt when I'm gardening or picking up trash. Or watching my daughter play in her new sandbox.

4. This did get me to read some other books that have been good (I think) for my spiritual formation. One was called "If Grace is true, why God will Save Every Person". Sounds scary doesn't it? It isn't. Though I am not a Universalist, I hope that God will indeed save every person. Even by this statement, I kind of mislead about my thoughts on salvation in general. Sozo (Thanks Rob Wondergem) -- or salvation-- comes in many different forms. This is where redemptive theology comes in. We can offer salvation to those around us as Son's of God. Yes? Not the kind of salvation that most think of when they hear the word, but a salvation from many things, mostly ourselves. Or from loneliness. Or from self-destructive behaviors. or from consumerism. Or anything else that opposes the true kingdom.

So to try somehow to connect the EC and Sylvester McMonkey McBean and Chick Tracts, and Sozo: So, in the parable of the Star Bellied Sneetches, Who is who? (Should that read who is whom? or whom is who?). Who is the exclusive group and who is trying to fit in? I guess it doesn't really matter because both groups are victims to their own desires. And victims to an outside force who has come to exploit. Nobody would really believe that McBean is a literal figure, but instead an evil force. (just kidding. That was for Oscar). The point is, McBean came to kill and destroy. And the sneetches fell for it... but in the end, they were all still redeemed and relationship was restored.

The Sneetches

THE SNEETCHES by Dr. Suess
Now the Star-bellied Sneetches had bellies with stars. The Plain-bellied Sneetches had none upon thars. The stars weren't so big; they were really quite small. You would think such a thing wouldn't matter at all. But because they had stars, all the Star-bellied Sneetches would brag, "We're the best kind of Sneetch on the beaches."
With their snoots in the air, they would sniff and they'd snort, " We'll have nothing to do with the plain-bellied sort." And whenever they met some, when they were out walking, they'd hike right on past them without even talking.
When the Star-bellied children went out to play ball, could the Plain-bellies join in their game? Not at all! You could only play ball if your bellies had stars, and the Plain-bellied children had none upon thars.
When the Star-bellied Sneetches had frankfurter roasts, or picnics or parties or marshmallow toasts, they never invited the Plain-bellied Sneetches. Left them out cold in the dark of the beaches. Kept them away; never let them come near, and that's how they treated them year after year.
Then one day, it seems, while the Plain-bellied Sneetches were moping, just moping alone on the beaches, sitting there, wishing their bellies had stars, up zipped a stranger in the strangest of cars.
"My friends, " he announced in a voice clear and keen, "My name is Sylvester McMonkey McBean. I've heard of your troubles; I've heard you're unhappy. But I can fix that; I'm the fix-it-up chappie. I've come here to help you; I have what you need. My prices are low, and I work with great speed, and my work is one hundred per cent guaranteed."
Then quickly, Sylvester McMonkey McBean put together a very peculiar machine. Then he said, "You want stars like a Star-bellied Sneetch? My friends, you can have them . . . . for three dollars each. Just hand me your money and climb on aboard."
They clambered inside and the big machine roared. It bonked. It clonked. It jerked. It berked. It bopped them around, but the thing really worked. When the Plain-bellied Sneetches popped out, they had stars! They actually did, they had stars upon thars!
Then they yelled at the ones who had stars from the start, "We're exactly like you; you can't tell us apart. We're all just the same now, you snooty old smarties. Now we can come to your frankfurter parties!"
"Good grief!" groaned the one who had stars from the first. "We're still the best Sneetches, and they are the worst. But how in the world will we know," they all frowned, "if which kind is what or the other way 'round?"
Then up stepped McBean with a very sly wink, and he said, "Things are not quite as bad as you think. You don't know who's who, that is perfectly true. But come with me, friends, do you know what I'll do? I'll make you again the best Sneetches on beaches, and all it will cost you is ten dollars eaches.
Belly stars are no longer in style, " said McBean. "What you need is a trip through my stars-off machine. This wondrous contraption will take off your stars, so you won't look like Sneetches who have them on thars."
That handy machine, working very precisely, removed all the stars from their bellies quite nicely. Then, with snoots in the air, they paraded about. They opened their beaks and proceeded to shout, "We now know who's who, and there isn't a doubt, the best kind of Sneetches are Sneetches without."
Then, of course those with stars all got frightfully mad. To be wearing a star now was frightfully bad. Then, of course old Sylvester McMonkey McBean invited them into his stars-off machine. Then, of course from then on, you can probably guess, things really got into a horrible mess.
All the rest of the day on those wild screaming beaches, the Fix-it-up-Chappie was fixing up Sneetches. Off again, on again, in again, out again, through the machine and back round about again, still paying money, still running through, changing their stars every minute or two, until neither the Plain- nor the Star-bellies knew whether this one was that one or that one was this one or which one was what one or what one was who!
Then, when every last cent of their money was spent, the Fix-It-Up-Chappie packed up and he went. And he laughed as he drove in his car up the beach, "They never will learn; no, you can't teach a Sneetch!"
But McBean was quite wrong, I'm quite happy to say, the Sneetches got quite a bit smarter that day. That day, they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches, and no kind of Sneetch is the BEST on the beaches. That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars, and whether they had one or not upon thars.

I Love to Play Basketball

I played basketball on Wednesday and then again Thursday night. Here are the details:

On Wed. I played with guys from work. I didn't move very fast and I didn't play very good defense. But I think that is what basketball looks like after 30. I did however make about 7 three pointers. Seriously. And I maybe missed 3-4. That's a better percentage than any NBA player in the league. I wonder if I could play in the NBA? I am going to go to the Pistons website and see when they have open tryouts.

This morning (Thursday) I played with kids from work at a lock-in. The rim was lowered to maybe 9 foot. It was great to be able to dunk again. I noticed with the extra 100 pounds, I shook the rim more. The kids couldn't believe I could dunk like that. I was just like Darryl Dawkins or Shaq. Seriously, just like them. My back hurts now though.

Bet you thought I wasn't going to say anything about hell didn't you? Well, Hell might be figurative. Anybody want to debate it with me for a change? Larry is such a stud!

A Busy Weekend

1. I built a sandbox. If you have never built a sandbox, you need to do it. It's pretty complexed. I bought some wood and nailed it together in the shape of a square. Then I put sand in it. Now Mo can play in it. She dropped her apple in it a few times. Mom showed her how to brush the sand off. When she did it again, she tried to brush it off herself and wasn't very effective and ended up eating sand. Yuck.

2. I built a garden box. This was even more difficult than the sandbox. It was a rectangle shaped box. The hard part came when I needed to load cow-poop into my van and then put it in the box. Yucky. Mo-mo liked the texture but not the flavor. Hopefully this will get us back on the path to become more involved in our neighborhood. We are hoping to share our vegetables with the neighbors. Being outside all weekend allowed us to re-connect with some of the neighbors and meet others.

3. Privacy Fence. Not sure how to feel about this still. I want to not keep people out of my space, but it seems necessary in our hood. Hopefully our space will be more welcoming to our neighbors in terms of hosting a barbecue. We'd like to host a pig-roast this summer. We'll see.

4. I met with a bunch of kids from church for lunches and breakfasts and what-not. I got wings, a burger, a chimichanga and some mex-brex at my meetings. They were all delicious except the chimi. Kind of underwhelming. I was surprised at the different levels of trust allready being formed and not formed. I still find it a challenge to interact with highschool girls. I need a good volunteer.

5. I also spent an hour or so writing e-mails to somebody who has been peeking in on my blog. This person e-mailed the priest at our church to let them know my views on hell. I guess I'm not really surprised, (other than I'm not sure about my view on hell). It seemed though that this person seemed only interested in getting me in trouble. Hopefully I won't. I honestly can't think of a situation where I would track down a person's boss to try to get them in trouble. Well, if there was somebody being harmed I suppose I would. I'm sure he fealt that my words were harmful and I guess justified his actions that way. Different paradigms I suppose.

It was interesting to dialogue about different styles of confrontation. I actually take what I would consider a "biblical" approach to the matter. Mathew 18 seems pretty clear on how Christians are to handle conflict between believers. Maybe he doesn't think I'm a believer though.

It was amusing to see a biblical literalist wiggle and weasle his way out of following Jesus' wishes on how the Church is to handle these kinds of situations. He knew I wouldn't fall for "The Devil made me do it" but instead tried to convince me that since the military handles things this way that it would be OK for him to. It's hard to argue with that. Since we are in the Lord's Army. Amen!

But, since I am adamant on the Mathew 18 principle, I have confronted him in private, and am now looking for a brother (sorry ladies) in Christ to help me confront him. The next step is the elders and then after that I shall treat him like the pagans and tax collectors. I think that means I have to buy him a beer and thank him for holding my money before I spend it on stupid things.

Summer is Officially Here!

Well... I bought my first Oberon today. I haven't partaken yet, but will tomorrow. My friend Jay the hippie says that he doesn't like wheat beers. I don't really either, but I really like Oberon. Apparently Oberon is one of the moons around Uranus. Ummm.... Before it was a moon, it was the name of the king of the fairies.

I can't wait to be on a picnic this summer and to cozy up with the fam and enjoy a few brews while I watch the kids play. Well, Justice won't be doing much. Enjoy the summer and I hope we can sit down soon and enjoy one together.

Total Depravity?

So there I was... minding my own business and trying to get some winks before work when all of the sudden...

There was intense screaming in the street. This happens fairly often in my neighborhood. Sometimes there is a shooting or a drug bust or domestic violence. But tonight I wasn't sure what was going on. I threw my pants on and ran downstairs. Jodi called the police. As I walked out the door there was a man in the fetal position by our car. Another man was kicking him in the face. Not like a "get off my side of the couch, I'm trying to watch the A-Team" kind of kick, but a running head start and then kick you in the face kind of kick. Then the kicker took a few steps back and ran and kicked the kick-ee in the face again.

What to do in this kind of scenario? So I yelled, "Hey". That didn't really do anything. I actually contemplated a few things: 1) get personally and physically involved. 2) get my gun and become personally involved 3) wait for the police. Right or wrong, I waited for the police. When the cops got there, it was kind of like on cops only the cops were less nice. By this time the men were rolling around in the street. Really. They were laying in the street. So the cop throws one guy off another. and then there are like 5 cop cars there. It was pretty bizarre.

But these kind of things get more and more common because we are near the end times. What's really disturbing is that we are becoming used to them. I don't like to see people kicked in the face. I don't like violence at all really.

Good Friends

This weekend we got to see some of our good friends. It's always nice when you get to hang out with good people and enjoy good conversation.

Wayne and Erin came over on Friday and we had Pad Thai. It was delicious. Jodi really made spectacular batch. Then we sat back and talked quite a bit about theology. Wayne is one of my favorites to talk about these issues with because he's not afraid to tell me when I'm full of crap or just plain wrong. We also talked about taking a class at Western Theological together this fall. That would be good so I could copy his notes when I skip class. It was also nice to see Erin. i don't think I have any readers who this would spoil their news so I'll say that Erin has a womb dweller living inside her. I almost started crying when they told me and I don't know why. Driscol would have a hay-day with how feminine I am.
Then we saw our friend Chad and Jodi. They were in the hospital because Jodi had twins Saturday. We didn't see the young ones yet, but I'm excited to get a glimpse. Jodi is such a stud. She was walking around and you couldn't even tell she had babies taken from her body a day before. She even had a C-section. Yucky. Nice work Chad and Jodi.

Then we went for dinner with Jay and Amy. They are our hippie friends. We went out for Indian food. They offer a buy one get one free beer on Saturdays. Can you believe it? We also had good conversation. It's always fun to make camping plans and beer making plans with these kind folks. We really enjoy their company.

Sucked back into Negativity and Darkness

Not really. But I watched this movie tonight and it was really depressing. If you get a chance to watch it, take the time to do it. It was alarming. I was really concerned about the info on "BGH" (I think that is the acronym for Bovine Growth Hormone). Turns out every time I give Mo a little glass of milk it is really bad for her. But can I afford to pay $6 a gallon for organic? Do I have a choice?

I didn't understand all of the info about owning every aspect of the earth. They talked about owning water and the rights to water and owning air. I wonder if this is how Native Americans felt when we came and started possessing land. (I hope that wasn't insensitive to anybody. If it was, it was not on purpose). If you have seen it, do you think this is something high school aged kids could handle. Social Justice issues are spread throughout the film. Lemme know what you think.

Devil Inside?

At the risk of stopping conversation from my last post, I 'd like to post about a conversation today. I called my friend Jay today and his son Roland answered. Roland says, "My mom says I should ask you about the devil". This is quite odd for a few reasons. Roland and I have not talked much before let alone about such important matters as the devil. But he wanted to know about the origin of the devil and about where he gets his power and those such things.

These questions make me nervous. I have talked a lot with Keith about my views on Satan and on spiritual warfare and on demons and evil and the like. But I wasn't prepared to tell a child about them. I gave him the traditional answer about Lucifer being thrown from heaven because of his greed and because he was power hungry. But then I kind of went into the battle between the kingdoms.

My point in this blog is to get some dialogue drummed up about the reality of Satan and spiritual warfare. I used to use spiritual warfare language to get what I wanted as a YFC missionary. If people think you are "being attacked", they respond with prayer and money. Sorry... it's the truth. But isn't a better description of evil and what cause us to do evil really the depravity of man? Do I sound like a Calvinist? Maybe. But each time I blame Satan for what is going on in this world, I take away the responsibility of evil men. Evil men like myself. When I do something that hurts my wife, it would be easy to say, "The devil made me do it". I guess it's really true too except "the devil" isn't an a literal being. He is "me" when I want to do as I please. he is the concept of evil. He is the force that opposes the coming kingdom.

Can somebody who is smart please clear this all up for us. (This is where I make you all think you're smart just so you'll comment).

New Element to my Blog

Thoughts on my new ticker?

Turn or Burn!!!

Recently, Oscar, commented on my post about apologetics. Here

He posted several of his "witnessing tools" about an evangelist named Ray Comfort. I found an article on Ray and thoguht I'd post it to drum up some discussion. "Here is a review by Youth Worker Journal.

"Our review of “The Way of the Master” published in our July/August issueThe Way of the MasterBasic Training CourseKirk Cameron and Ray ComfortGenesis Publishing GroupRay Comfort means well, and he’s legitimately frustrated by the idea that only an estimated 2 percent of Christians regularly share their faith with nonbelievers. But his frustration has reached the boiling point, so he repeatedly hammers viewers over the head with images of people burning in hell to goose us into becoming evangelistic storm troopers who can build friendships with strangers and deliver the gospel message “in minutes.”Even with the assistance of youthful-looking Kirk Cameron (from the Left Behind movies) and decent production values (the TV show the DVD series is based on won an award from National Religious Broadcasters), Comfort takes an old-school, “turn-or-burn” approach that relies on guilt and shame. He even warns that those of us who don’t evangelize his way may spend eternity in hell ourselves!Sure, evangelism is important. And for most of us it is sorely neglected. But can somebody out there douse Comfort with a fire extinguisher and give us a more redemptive way to share our faith? —PA

Here's the link.

Still Got It.

I haven't posted in a couple days. I've been responding to all the comments on my latest controversial blog post.

Tonight I went to youth group at the Episcopal Church I got hired at. I was wondering beforehand about whether or not I'd be able to relate to "normal" kids after working for three years with boys who are in residential treatment. But I can!!! I had a good time. In fact, Wedgwood has helped me I think. I think it helps me look at "normal" kids in a different way. To understand them and their behaviors a little bit more. I am reall a sociologist. I enjoyed watching dynamics in the group and trying to guess what their parents did for a living or how many siblings each youth has. I also enjoyed observing some of the young men and their insecurities and how they tried to cover them up. We had about twelve kids and the only ones who went to the same school were a brother and sister. Very starnge dynamic.

Well. Good News. I was offered a job tonight. The Episcopal job that I had applied for a few months ago opened up this week becuase the candidate they hired over me is moving out of the state. Pretty odd turn of events. I think it will be good for me. It will be part time for now so I'll continue to work at Wedgwood. Maybe someday it will become full time. Maybe not.

I have been wanting and planning on seminary either this fall or next, so this job should still allow that to happen. I'm pretty excited and will probably tell you about it twice unless you stop me. I'm going to find out a lot more about the Episcopal church in the next few months.

Strenght and Weekness of the Gospel Message

A smart man once said,

"This understanding of the secret message of Jesus makes sense of a number of odd details of the gospel story, such as why the resurrection of Jesus wouldn't be miraculously broadcasted to millions as irrefutable evidence of Jesus' legitimacy. Can you see it? As soon as the evidence becomes irrefutible, it takes on a kind of domineering power-- the kind of force so effectively yielded by principalities and powers. INstead, in keeping with the kingdom of God's secret, paradoxical, and apparently weak power, the first in on the secret are a few women-- unacceptable in their day as legitimate witnesses in court-- vulnerable people who can easily be ignored and dismissed by those who prefer the status quo, the powers that be, the systems and regimes that function as "kingdoms of this world." These humble women will be believed only by those who want to believe, those who freely choose to believe".
--Brian McLaren "The Secret Message of Jesus"

I am not saying that apologetics are not necessary, but I agree with my friend Wayne who explained that his apologetic for the resrrection was to strengthen the faith of believers rather than to convert those who haven't been enlightnened. I often hear people (even friends I respect) suggest that books like "A Case for Christ" or any of the 100 strands of this series are a good place for "un-believers" to start to explore Christianity. I'll bet that it has been good for some, but just find that as we move away from a cerebral gospel (modernism) and into an experiential gospel (post-modernism) these type books will become less and less important.

What say you? Any D. James Kennedy fans? Josh MacDowell? Lee Stroebel? What are your impressions of this topic?

Lent

I've been learning more about lent this year. I'm sure I'll learn even more since we are a part of an Episcopal church and since w e plan to attend much of the lenton "to-do" that will go on at St. Andrew.

The past few Lenton seasons I have focused on fasting (actually that's all I really knew that you were "supposed to do"). But I've given up alcohol before and meat and maybe even pop one time. Those things have been good I think. But I've struggled this year to figure out what to fast from. I wonder if I'll get some guidance this week at church or on MOnday at our pot-luck (It's a kick-off to Mrdis Gras I think).

But what am I going to do about charity and prayer?

Charity. Here's kind of a weird stroy/situation that has happened at our house in the past couple days. Our roommate Hilary asnwered the door (because Jodi and I were still sick). A man wanted to know if he could shovel the sidewalk and parking space for money. Hilary came upstairs and asked if I had any money. I told her that I didn't want to pay somebody for work I could do myself. (I also am always skeptical of door-knockers in my neighborhood because I never know what their motives are). So Hilary told the guy she didn't have any money. he said he was going to shovel anyways. After he was done he came to the door and asked for payment. (This is why I'm skeptical). Hilary is wonderful, but I think sometimes not very assertive and I think she was kind of taken advantage of, but that's beside the point. She asked me if it would be safe to write the man a check. I said, "No". But she did and the man went away happy.

The next day he returned (at 10:30 pm) and said he couldn't cash it because of banking problems and wanted cash. My friend Keith pointed out what kind of person goes back to a house of a sidewalk he shoveled at 10:30 pm for $5. In my neighborhood, you can bet it came in the form of crystalized cocaine. But, she wasn't home so I told him he would need to come back later. He came back the next morning and Jodi answered the door and told him he would need to come back later. he came back the next day when I got home from work and wanted the $5. I want to be charitable, but this is rediculous. It really bugs me. i guess it's good lent hasn't started yet.

Prayer. I have never been a guy who prays in a conventional manner. I think about the Kingdom often throughout my day and ussually read something or write something (which I consider prayer) but don't sit down with my "Keys for Kids" or "Our Daily Bread". I just don't work that way. But I need to try to figure soemthing out here for lent to try and make the time special somehow. I'll keep you informed.

By the way. I talked with the priest at our church today to find out about seminary for this fall. He's going to look into it for me which is great. I'd be so stoked if it worked out to go to New York or Chicago. JOnathan if you're reading this, that would be cool if we were both in Chi-town.

My Wife Loves it When I'm Stinky

Here is an article I read on CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/02/08/men.sweat.reut/index.html

Are you kidding me? Jodi, let's join the Y. Can anybody substantiate this claim? We want details.

Best Show Ever!!!

Have you seen Arrested Development? It is seriously the funniest show of all time. It's funnier than Seinfeld, Cheers, Family Guy, the Simpsons, Small Wonder, and even ALF. I'm not going to post a lot on this, but if you ahven't sat down and watched the whole first season, then you need to. I can think of no better way to spend your weekend than by renting Season one discs 1 and 2. You MUST watch them in order so go to blockbuster or put them on your netflix. By the way. This picture is Tobias and he is a "never-nude"-- he can never be nude. he wears those daisy dukes all the time even in the shower. Any fans who have a favorite episode or charachter are encouraged to comment.