THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE

I don't like change. I guess it's part of who I am. I naturally have an aversion to doing things and having things different than before. Actually I tend to think of it as a human thing, as we all kinda feel this way (at least I hope so).

Anyways, our church is about to go through a transition, which will no doubt affect our entire family. I remember leaving several churches throughout my growing-up days; my dad pastored a number of churches and I can recall the last day we spent at each of them.

We are also looking for ways to revamp many things in our student ministry - change some stuff up and to make the ministry more effective. One of which can be seen HERE. But nonetheless change, even changes we want to make (like the new stuff for the youth ministry) doesn't come easy.

Please pray for the Western Heights Baptist Church in Waco, TX next time you talk to God. We'd really appreciate it.

Shotgun Rules

(According to Austin Family Magazine)
1. The first person who calls "shotgun" gets to ride in the front seat next to the window.

2. "Shotgun" must be spoken loudly enough to be heard by at least one witness.

3. A person may only call "shotgun" for one way of a trip.

4. "Shotgun" must be called while outside of the vehicle. (No arguments or calls inside the car).

5. The owner of the vehicle may make up his/her own rules for "shotgun" and is the final judge.

6. If a passenger in the "shotgun" seat leaves the car for a break, the break can not last more than five minutes or that passenger will lose the "shotgun" position. Long lines at the restroom are part of the five minutes.

7. Crossing any country's border changes the "shotgun" claims. So going into Mexico or Canada would change who owns "shotgun," but going into Oklahoma does not (go figure).

8. The "shotgun" passenger has responsibilities such as: pumping the gas, spotting speed zone signs for the driver, spotting radar on the side of the road and spotting law enforcement officers for the driver.

9. All ties for "shotgun" shall be decided by one round of "rock, paper, scissors."

10. To avoid arguments inside of the restaurant, all calls for "shotgun" must be made in full view of the vehicle by the passengers.

The full set of Official Rules & The Website of Shotgun can be found HERE.

CHECK 'EM OUT

Here are two great organizations dedicated to helping children around the world in Christ's name. Both are trustworthy. The first is called Invisible Children. They are dedicated to helping the children in Northern Uganda in the midst of the Sudan conflict. The second is Compassion International. It is a program that links up children with sponsors. For $32/mo a sponsor pays for a child's education, which includes God, and provides clothes and other necessities these children need.

Please pray for these organizations and help them out if you can. CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ACCESS WEBSITES

Insomnia

Any one know any cures for insomnia?

THIS WEEK AT FUEL: 6.11.06

Continuing our series through the Beatitudes, tonight we will talk about Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

Each beatitude is meant to be radical and life-changing. Purity is consistant throughout the Bible as a condition for looking upon the face of God. The Jewish temple was setup in levels of sorts, to keep all but the holiest priests from getting anywhere near the Holy of Holies.

The New Testament also urges us to be pure. Paul tells us to seek what is pure, admirable, lovely, and right (Phil. 4.8). Having true, pure honest hearts is not something that comes naturally to us. It requires us being single-minded for God alone.

It is also not something the world looks at favorably. Having pure hearts to the point that we place oursevles in danger of being used is not something that this world commends.

Purity of heart involves innocence and honesty because our hearts are "unmixed," whatever the cost may be. If you're in the Waco area, join us tonight at 5:30. We meet at 6301 Bosque Blvd, in Room 208. See you tonight.

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL

I read two books about a year and a half ago, Resident Aliens and The Cost of Discipelship. They challenged eveything I believed and had been taught. When I went back to Matthew 5-7 and read it in a new light, many of my long held beliefs about Christianity, and Christianity in America changed.

One such belief had to do with Matthew 5:7. I always believed 'mercy' to mean forgiveness. And that's great to forgive people, but it actually goes further than that. Mercy is grace. Mercy is not only forgiveness but compassion as well. It is giving to those who do not deserve it. Much like Christ showed us mercy at the cross, he gave us something we did not deserve.

Growing up in conservative America, I often held to the notion that homeless people, for instance, were homeless because of the 'drunken' lifestyle they'd chosen. Then I worked at a homeless shelter for a week when I came to college. I got know guys like Ron who told me his story. I got to see the honest, hard working men who were just trying to get by. I stayed that the shelter that week - not in a hotel or church. And because of that, I learned something about the face of God: he is merciful, and we are called to be merciful too.

Justice is not a Christian concept; it is an American one. Justice demands fairness. The score is settled; the wrongs avenged.
But Jesus teaches his followers to be merciful. Give what is undeserved to those we are taught are undeserving. Christians are not to demand justice; they are to offer grace.

True, justice is in the Bible, especially in the OT. But the OT is a Jewish work, justice is a large component of their beliefs. The very nature of sacrifices is to fulfill justice; to atone for wrongdoings. But Jesus strengthened the demands of the OT in the Sermon on the Mount. Instead of fulfilling the demands of justice, we are to go further and offer grace.

Every time the word justice is mentioned in the NT, it refers to Jesus as diety. God alone is to exact justice, because it's no longer our perogative; it is God's alone. As followers of Christ, we are to offer grace, as we were offered grace.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. We are to offer grace, not justice. Justice demands fairness. But grace demands love.

THE FACE OF LOVE

The Face of Love is not a pretty one. It is covered with scares and bruises, from repeated blows it did not strike back from.

It is not adorned by the latest fashions, because it gave clothes to those who had none.

The Face of Love is pale from growing hungry, because it gave others its food.

The Face of Love is strong, its eyes are scary - displaying strength unimaginable. Its smile is mysterious.

The Face of Love is gorry. Blood flows down from it, from an execution it did not deserve. It forgives and shows compassion, but it is not a pretty one as we like to think. It is the face of Christ.

TO BE HONEST

I don't often talk much about myself. But I've noticed that I've wanted to hear more about who the people are that I offen correspond with via the blogs. So, I'm practicing what I'm preaching. Here's some stuff about me and who I am. (If this bores you, CLICK HERE).

First off, I am the person you see. My online life is not any different from my regular life, except for the fact that I live in the real world and not on a blog, so you don't see all of who I am. But I am not a different person online than I am in real life. I am still the same mildly-humorous (at least I try to be) nerd who aspires to be a soft rock star. =-)

But seriously, I am the same person you would talk to in real life. I don't pretend like I'm someone else online. I like talking about God, music (anything but rap), and the Loch Ness Monster. I am not dating anyone as of now, I haven't in quite some time actually (hence, all the time I have to blog). I write music - mostly songs, but the Music Composition school here at Baylor requires symphonies and the like - so I write those as well. I actually was able to write one love song, with a friend. I took us hours trying to chisel out a lyric that's romantic (for 2 guys this is a tough chore). But I haven't got to sing it to anyone yet, a girl that is, because they usually run off before I can start. (jk)

But that's OK, I'm comfortable where I'm at in life right now. God's plans are best, I really shouldn't interfere.

My favorite places to eat include: Chick-fila and Backyard Burgers. I work at a church, but I seriously have the best job in the world. I'm a youth pastor. So, my job includes a lot of chillin' with high school students.

I really like old movies, like Black & White stuff. Tonight was a double feature on my TiVo, I saw 12 Angry Men and Strangers on a Train (an excellent Hitchcock picture). Reeses and Dr. Pepper rock my face off. I don't care much for video games. Favorite NFL team is the Tennessee Titans. And of course, with respect to college ball - Baylor Bears have my loyalty.

And as far as personality, let's just say that I'm a musician. That usually has a bad connoation, but I don't mean it to. I'm just introspective and 'artsy.' Large numbers in any form scare me. I guess I can just say I think alot, about life, people, meaning, and God.

This is who I am. I am really the person who writes this blog - I don't assume some kind of fake persona. This actually bothers me when people do that actually - I mean, what's the point? I've noticed a lot of MySpaces that have quite some disturbing things on them from people I know well in real life. Why I ask them about it, they just say, "It just online, everyone knows that's not who I am." Really??? Could've fooled me. So, I just want to reassure you that I am honest on this blog (and hopefully let you know a little more about myself)... and I hope you are honest too.

If You're Late to the Party...

So in case you haven't visted in the Cruz-Control in a while, or didn't feel like reading these posts when I wrote them, here are all the entries I wrote about the "End Times" and the Book of Revelation. Read them at your leisure. Feel free to print them out and go through each post with your Bible. I've tried to be as concise as possible, yet pithy at the same time. It would probably be most effective, if you read them in this order. If you have any questions at all feel free to comment or e-mail me.

THE NATURE OF PROPHECY
THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 1
THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 2
REVELATION 13: ANTICHRIST
666 & THE MARK OF THE BEAST

Church Sign Fun

Here are some signs churches have posted on their marques that I thought are worth a chuckle or ten. The first one is very similar to one at a church here in Waco after a Hooter's opened earlier this year. Hope you enjoy.

666 & THE MARK OF THE BEAST

Many people assume that the number 666 is a literal mark of the beast. However a close reading of Revelation 13 shows us something quite different.

First, we must remember that we are reading an apocalyptic work - its numbers are symbolic, as is nearly everything else. 7 = perfection. 6 = imperfection. The number 6 three times (666) means Ultimate Imperfection in the apocalyptic tradition. The beast is imperfect to the ultimate degree; this would jive with John's view that Roman Imperial Power (specifically, the Emperor) was antichrist.

However, Revelation is full of double-entendres. John writes symbolically in the apocalyptic tradition, but he also means for his audience to draw a person's name from the numbers (Rev. 13.18). People have tried to match 666 with different people throughout history, including tapping Ronald Reagan as the Antichrist. However, to understand what John wanted his audience to understand, we again have to turn to the ancient traditions.

Letters in greek and hebrew are also numbers. While 666 doesn't come out to much in greek, in hebrew 666 spells the name Neron Kaisar (Nero Caesar). Drop the "n" at the end of "Neron" to spell "Nero," and you get the number 616 - which is a popular replacement for 666 in ancient manuscripts for Revelation 13.18 (check the footnote in your Bible to see). Some argue that John was writing in greek and therefore to make the switch to hebrew is ludicrous. However, John seems to have a keen interest in Hebrew words for things throughout Revelation (for example 9.11, 16.16). Also some of his readers would have come from Jewish backgrounds, so this practice would not seem strange to them. John does, after all, say that it requires wisdom to calculate the number. "Wisdom," once again reveals yet another double-entendre: (1) one who can understand the calculation of the Beast's number/name, and (2) one who can discern who is antichrist (those who oppose God).

We must remember that we have two beasts: Roman Imperial Power (esp. the Emperor Nero) and The Roman Imperial Cult. The second beast forces worship of the first. Rev. 13.16 says that is causes all to be marked with the mark of the first beast (who is represented by 666).

However, the mark is not a literal mark. Is it a seal of ownership - much like God puts a seal on his people in Rev. 7.3, 9.4. (This is also reminicent of the seal God placed on Cain after he killed Abel - a seal of ownership and, therefore, protection). The greek word used for "mark" is charagma. Charagma is the technical term used for the imperial stamp on official documents and coins. Basically, this mark showed ownership. Placing a seal on the forehead or right hand made this ownership public (as with slaves). John is not talking about a literal mark; he simply means anything that makes this ownership public. Taking the mark of the beast is not a literal bio-implant computer chip; it is anything that publically shows to whom you belong (in this case: the Beast). Worshipping the Emperor as god, therefore, obviously is "taking the mark of the beast." It shows everyone that you belong to the Emperor (as opposed to God). John also writes that one cannot buy or sell without this mark. This was true. It would hurt Christians financially if they did not accept the "mark" by participating in Emperor worship.

The seal is not a literal one, but it is a real one. By accepting a role in Emperor Worship, a person would violate the first commandment of God. We need not worry about the government instituting a mark of 666 via bio-implants, barcodes or social security numbers. We need to worry about accepting the mark of the beast John talked about: displaying ownership of our lives by someone other than God, by worshipping someone (or something) other than God.


Also in this series:
REVELATION 13: ANTICHRIST
THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 2
THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 1
THE NATURE OF PROPHECY

REVELATION 13: ANTICHRIST

Modern theologians who subscribe to the theology set forth in the Left Behind novels, believe that there will be a Devil incarnate - a man who will be Satan in the flesh. In the Left Behind novels, his name is Nicolae Carpathia. To get this idea of a single Mr. Diabolical, a way of reading the Bible called Dispensationalism is necessary.

Dispensationalism divides history (and the Bible) into, what else?, dispensations. Basically put, this interpretation says that God has dealt with humanity in different ways, at different times. There are seven dispensations, but they are not chronological. Sometimes one dispensation is suspended while another begins and is picked up again later. Some of these dispensations include the Dispensation of Law, of Conscience, of Innocence, and of Government. This idea has never been supported by scholars or those who know how the Bible came into existence. It was invented by a man named James Darby in the 1800's. The rapture idea followed because it was impossible to see how God's people who had received grace to experience a time of tribulation, spoken of by Jesus and written about by Paul.

In order to fit the Bible into these dispensations, you have to string texts together that had nothing to do with one another originally. Because of this, the apocalypse in Daniel (ch. 7-12) and the Book of Revelation then can be read as a single work.

This is where modern theologians get their notions about the Antichrist - by stringing together texts in the Bible that orginally had nothing to do with one another. Drawing on references to Antiochus Epiphanes IV and the Beasts in Revelation 13 - one can sculpt a disturbing mold of a future Mr. Dictator. However, this is not supported by a reading of Revelation that takes into account it's historical or literary context. Each author of a Biblcal book wrote for a specific purpose to a specific group of people. The canon as we know it did not exist - the authors did not base their works on what we now know as the Christian canon, but on what they believed about Jesus and God.

John wrote to an audience that understood what he meant, and his writing of Revelation had importance in their eyes - after all, they preserved his letter. First, John writes about two beasts. The first beast is Roman Imperial Power, and specifically (I believe) Nero. This is made obvious by the 'mortal wound' comment in Rev. 13.3. It is in line with a Nero tradition that his death was a ploy to further persecute those who didn't support him. The second beast (v. 11), is the Emperor Cult, who would force worship of the first beast. The first is out of the water... the second is out of the earth. This is consistent with the water evoking thoughts of terror, and the earth meaning the place from which things come. The Emperors were elevated to "god" status by the cult, which forced worship of them from all.

The problem obviously presents itself for Christians, who are supposed to worship only God. This is the point of John's writing. Christians were being coerced into worshipping the Emperor, but John is telling them not to assimilate into Roman Imperial Culture. He knows that it will hurt them financially if they do not participate (v. 17), so many are compromising their faith and worshipping the Emperor. He is writing to discourage this.

Further, the Bible does talk about Antichrist, but there are many not one. Antichrist figures are also common in apocalyptic literature, especially preceding the eschaton. 1 John speaks of many, Matthew 24 speaks of many, there is not one Mr. Diabolical at the end of time, but many will precede the end. I do believe that John saw Roman Imperial Power as being endowed by Satan (v. 2), and that he saw Nero as Satan's pawn. But John did not limit the role of Antichrist to Nero, he simply pointed out that he was one of many.


Also in this series:
THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 2
THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 1
THE NATURE OF PROPHECY

Every Minister Has Felt This Way

CLICK HERE to read Los' entry on Ragamuffin Soul.

They're at it again...

Read this... CLICK HERE.

P.S. It's a pet-peeve of mine when someone calls the Book of Revelation the Book of Revelations. It's the Book of Revelation (singular). The NEWS people should doublecheck the title of the book.

Lock-Ins, Ice Cream Trucks, & Ninjas

This weekend we had our summer kick-off lock-in for our youth group. T'was uber-fun. Except for the fact that I got zero sleep last night. But we played sardines and Underground Church - two excellent games. And at the church, it's actually kinda spooky at night with all the lights out. There are a lot of rooms, crevices and closets to hide in - Yay!

So I got home about 9 am this morning. I showered, put on Phantom of the Opera on my computer and fell asleep... only to be awoken by an Ice Cream Truck playing Christmas Carols on its loudspeaker. Yes... Christmas Carols in June!!! It is now that I firmly believe that ICE CREAM TRUCKS ARE FROM HELL!!!! They drove by all afternoon tearing my body away from the sleep it craved. I left the lock-in quite inebriated from my lack of sleep. I finally slept until 6:45 this evening. Now I'm wide awake and it's all night time and stuff.

But to give you some enjoyment, SHLOG.COM pointed me in the direction of askaninja.com and the comic hilarity found there. I'm becoming surprisingly addicted. Here's two of my favorites, quite funny... enjoy:

THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 2

Because Revelation is Apocalyptic Literature, it uses the setting of the end times, the Shift of the Ages, to get it's point across. Therefore, Revelation's goal is to provide an antidote to Christians assimilating into the Roman Imperial Culture, mailnly emperor worship. It is not predicting a literal future, it simply uses the Shift of the Ages as a backdrop to remind Christians that one day, it will all end, and God will prevail. This is an essenatial component of most apocalyptic works. Also, Revelation is prophecy, which means it's goal is to tell forth God's truth, not foretell the future.

Revelation is ingeniously written. Bascially speaking, Revelation is broken up into Seven Letters to the Seven Churches of Asian Minor, and Seven Visions of the Shift of the Ages ("The End Times"). Each of the seven visions is a cycle that recaps the eschaton (the end). John uses recapitulation in each of these cycles. In other words, he tells of one Shift of the Ages, but in a different way each time, each with a different focus. The first group of three visions focuses on a tribulation experienced by Christians before the end, a common belief in Apocalyptic writings. The second group of three visions focuses on the impending judgment on Rome because of idolatry and it's role in persecution of Christians. The seventh cycle, is a picture of the consummation of all things.

Here's how it breaks down:

1:1-8 Letter introduction
1:9-3:22 Call of the prophet, and SEVEN LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

4:1-22:5 SEVEN VISIONS OF THE SHIFT OF THE AGES
4:1-8:1 CYCLE ONE: The Seven Seals
8:2-11:18 CYCLE TWO: The Seven Trumpets
11:19-13:18 CYCLE THREE: The Role of Rome (in the suffering of Christians)
14:1-20 CYCLE FOUR: Seven Angels of Judgment
15:1-16:21 CYCLE FIVE: Seven Bowls of Wrath
17:1-19:5 CYCLE SIX: The Results of Rome's Role (in the suffering of Christians)
19:6-22:5 CYCLE SEVEN: Seven Scenes of the Consummation

22:6-21 Epilogue


All seven cycles begin with an opening scene in heaven (4:1-5:14, 8:2-6, 11:19, 14:1-5, 15:1-16:1, 17:1-2, 19:6-10), a common element in apocalyptic writings. The seven cycles also have many other common elements, both among each other and apocalyptic writings as a whole.

Revelation cannot be read chronologically because John is describing one event from different angles. John uses the Shift of the Ages to get his point accross that one day God will destroy Rome and will prevail - therefore, there is no need to succomb to the demands of Emperor worship.

The author of Revelation relies on extra-Biblcial works for symbols and themes, and when read in context of other apocalyptic literature, Revelation makes sense. John wrote to an audience that understood his patterns and meanings.

To buy the book The Apocalypse by Charles H. Talbert - an excellent book that breaks down all this and explains it futher, CLICK HERE.


Also in this series:
THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 1
THE NATURE OF PROPHECY

THE BOOK OF REVELATION: PART 1

I remember reading the book of Revelation for the first time when I was in seventh grade. The weird imagery just didn't seem to make any sense. Until I read some stuff my Hal Lindsey and the Left Behind series. I allowed them to dictate my understand of Revelation for years. I figured it took a mind greater than mine to understand what this book meant and what it was saying, so I allowed someone else to interpret Revelation for me. However, things have changed in recent years. I discovered that Revelation was not meant for the few to interpret for others, but for everyone to understand upon their reading it. John wrote to the masses and they understood what he was saying. They didn't need to rely on a few who had it all figured out.

So, what's the key to understanding Revelation? Genre. Genre is rarely mentioned in most modern commentaries on Revelation, but it is THE key in understanding the text. John's contemporaries would have understood this, and therefore would have understood what the book of Revelation meant.

The genre of Revelation is apocalypse. Apocalypses were common throughout the ancient world. There were both Jewish and Christian Apocalypses that John's audience was familiar with, including: Daniel 7-12, 1 Enoch, Ascention of Isaiah, the War Scroll, the Sibilene Oracles, the Shepard of Hermas, and others. John drew on imagery from these apocalypses in Revelation, but he is addressing different issues than these other works. In other words, John uses the symbols in these apocalypses, but he is not talking about he same things they are.

Revelation CANNOT be read literally, because it is an apocalypse. Apocalypses are, by definition, works made up of symbolic meaning. But how are we supposed to interpret these symbols? Well, John clearly means for his audience to understand what he's written: so he either explains what the symbols mean (7 lampstands = 7 churches) or he assumes he audience will understand the symbols based on their knowledge of these other apocalypses. We are not simply to make up the meaning of these symbols out of thin air. If read in context with other ancient apocalypses, Revelation's symbols are no longer mysterious. I am not "spiritualizing" Revelation by reading it symbolically, as some have charged. Reading Revelation symbolically is doing what the genre demands, if we are to understand it. John was clearly aware he was writing in the Apocalyptic tradition (1.1). And in writing an apocalypse, John wrote symbolically.

When read in the light of other apocalypses, Revelation is not a book of hidden meaning, it is a call for Christians to resist assimilation into a larger pagan culture and remain faithful to only God.


Also in this series
THE NATURE OF PROPHECY

This Is A Real News Story...

(5/28/06 - CORDELIA, CA) - Supermarket tabloids, take note: Researchers in California claim to have a duck X-ray showing what appears to be an -- ahem -- alien creature in the bird's stomach.

The International Bird Rescue Research Center in Cordelia plans to raise funds with the X-ray.

The bird came in with a broken wing. But when assistant manager Marie Travers radiographed the duck, she was stunned to see a very clear image of what supposedly looked like the face, or head, of an extraterrestrial.

Unfortunately, the duck died of its injuries.

Initial reports from the center claimed the cause of the supposed alien face was never determined. Necropsy results are pending.

It may all sound like a lot of quackery, but the center has come up with a way to turn its close encounter into a fundraiser for the center. It will auction off the X-ray on eBay.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)


source

THE NATURE OF PROPHECY

What is "prophecy"? Throughout all of scripture there must be a common definition of what "prophecy" means. From the prophets of the Old Testament to "prophesying" in the worship centers of the Early Church, the word prophecy never changed meaning. It was not until recent times that prophecy has taken on a meaning different than the one reflected in the Biblical tradition.

There, in fact, is a definition of prophecy consistent throughout the Bible. "Prophecy" does not mean to foretell the future; prophecy means to tell-forth God's truth. Prophecy is not a crystal ball with which we can see future events; prophecy is the proclamation of God's word. In other words - it means to preach God's will and truth. We see men and women "prophesying" in the NT.

In the OT, prophecy worked much the same way. Ironically, those who propose a definition of prophecy that it predicts the future, ignore the vast majority of OT prophecy. Most OT prophecy is EX EVENTU Prophecy (literally, prophecy after the fact). Most of the telling of events by the prophets, actually happened AFTER the event occured. For example, they would explain WHY something happened (e.g., because Israel did evil in the sight of God). In the rare event where a prophet would tell of an event in the future, it was almost always conditional - IF Israel did something, THEN God would bless/punish the action, whatever the case may be.

In the Bible, the purpose of prophecy is to speak the word or message of God.

People who call themselves "Prophecy Scholars" are anything but. They do not recognize that the purpose of prophecy is to make God's truth known, not give an outline of the future. Yet this is the common defintion of prophecy throughout the Bible. The prophets are charged with making God's truth and will known - not seeing the future like some kind of psychic. And it is the same with books of the Bible containing prophecy.

If Revelation is a book of prophecy (a title it claims for itself), then the purpose of the Book of Revelation is NOT to predict the future, but to make God's truth known.

Chew on this...

In an earlier post I said I was going to begin discussing the whole End-Times/666 phenomena here at the Cruz-Control. My reasons for this include The Omen (about a devil-incarnate child) opening in theaters, and the upcoming release of the latest Left Behind novel: The Rapture on June 6, 2006 or 06/06/06.

The way mainstream Christianity now views the "End-Times" is quite different from as soon as a century ago. Many Christians believe wholeheartedly the theology of the Left Behind novels. It's author, Tim LaHaye, has spoken as well as written extensively on "prophecy." Since most evangelical (whatever that means) Christians hold to this eschatology (theology of the Last Things/End Times), Left Behind novels are selling, and movies like The Omen will accomplish their goal of scaring the mess out of the church-going public.

This man didn't like his license plates because of their first three digits. My great-grandmother actually had her social security number changed because it contained three 6's in a row. I will discuss the issue of Anti-Christ and the number 666, along with other elements of Left-Behind eschatology (known as Premillenial Dispensationalism) soon. I spent a great deal of time over the past year digging into this whole thing, including the meaning of the book of Revelation. I found answers with the help of a great scholar, Dr. Charles H. Talbert. I hope to share what I've learned with you. Revelation is one of my absolute favorite books in the Bible.

In the meantime, here's some hype about the upcoming date 06/06/06: CLICK HERE.

Dear Mr. Tire-Slasher,

I would like to offer a sincere thank you for what you've done for my left-rear tire. Your artistry and craftsmanship are astounding. The deep gashes going from the top to bottom of my tires, could not have been made by anyone but you. It's your handiwork, what can I say?

But my burning question is: why? Was it because I drive an SUV? Was it because you don't like Woody from Toy Story hanging from my rear-view mirror? I know; it was because of the Baylor sticker on my windshield. You're probably one of those UT jerks, or even more so - one of those A&M jerks!!!! No, I'm sorry. I didn't really mean that - that's just me venting. In reality I forgive you. I even love you - I mean I have to (Mat 22:39). But still I do.

So Mr. Tire-Slasher, if you happen to read the Cruz-Control, I thank you that I must spend my next paycheck to buy new tires. And if you decide to slash them again, maybe while I'm at church, I invite you to come inside and join me... I won't hurt you. I promise. I'm a pacifist.

Yours truly,
Jonathan Cruz

"None of this is real!"

This was one of the lines in the preview for this week's Lost. It's the Season 2 Finale. There aren't many shows that draw me in to the point that I HAVE to see the next show. In fact, aside from the news, I don't watch much TV at all. But thanks to the genius writers, and the magic of TiVo, I have become addicted to Lost. I can watch it when and if I have time. However, lately I've found myself MAKING time for this show.

The quote above (in the title of the post) is said by Locke. This has been an idea I've entertained since the episode a few weeks ago about Hurley. Maybe none of it is real; the whole show is in someone's mind. Also, I have a bone to pick with this past weeks episode about Michael. Ms. Clue gives Michael a list, on which four names are written. On that list is "Hugo Reyes." Only one other time in this show when Hurley referred to as "Hugo," is when Michael approaches him while he's digging Libby's grave. The rest of the time in this show, Michael calls him Hurley. I thought his name IS Hurley... why call him Hugo? This makes no since.

Also the issue with the numbers. This is one of the strangest things about this show. Hurley/Hugo (see my frustration above) won the lottery with these numbers, that were repeated by a man in a mental hospital over and over. They happen to be the same numbers in the Dharma Experiment, used to keep the world from blowing up, and a host of other things. I don't know; it's just weird.

You Lost addicts have any theories about The Others? I think that maybe they were the original lab rats of the Dharma Initiative, but somehow overthrew their experimenters. Now they are doing experiements on our friends. But what's the deal with the List. Not a good person - not on the List: what the heck is that all about?

If do don't watch Lost and you've read all the way through this post, I commend you. I know it's hard to get into if you don't watch every show, but you can always rent or buy the seasons on DVD; you won't regret it. This really is one of the best shows I've ever seen. It makes you think; most TV shows don't.

Ants 15462, Cruz 0

I itch! I can't stop scratching!!! I went with the RA's on a camping trip. Our church is big on camping. Anyways, I got attacked by an army of ants (one of whom is pictured here!) sometime between my going and coming from the Greater Waco area. Not good... I'm gonna go scratch some more...

Sub Rosa

Well, today the Da Vinci Code Movie comes out. I'm busy tonight, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to see it. Over the past few weeks the blogs have been astir about the upcoming movie and novel by Dan Brown. Shlog, Ethos, Stonecypher, and Brian McLaren have all weighed in, facilitating discussions. Overall these discussions have been helpful. No matter what one's position is, it is healthy to discuss and question, thereby growing.

First and foremost, DVC is a fiction book - at least that's the section of Barnes & Noble I got found it in. It was not in the Religion/Theology section. The back cover labels it 'fiction,' as well. It's a great book with a riveting story line that will make you sit on th edge of your seat (as you're reading it!).

Many Christians have been in an uproar about this book since its publication in 2003. The idea that Jesus was married to Mary Magdeline is blasphemous according to many Christians. Therefore, they contend that the proper solution, if one cannot ban DVC from the theaters (yes, I've heard this argument actually made), is to boycott the movie and hold seminars in Church's exposing the blasphemous nature the novel. American Family Radio (AFR) has been broadcasting that one not even need to read the book or see the movie to understand its defamitory nature and speak out against it.

But I have a fundamental question that I must raise. Why is it blasphemous for Jesus to have been married? In what way does this defame Jesus? Does it erase his divinity? I don't think so; I think it would only strengthen his humanity. Theologians use the terms High Christology and Low Christology to describe where Jesus's divinity and his humanity are shown, respectively. Several places in the NT give us a very Low Christology, meaning they give us good evidence for Jesus's humanity. I'm not saying he was married. I'm just saying that is is neither incoceivable nor blasphemous to entertain the idea that he was.

The second issue: the rep as a whore. Some contend that what makes this whole scenario blasphemous is that suggesting that Jesus married Mary of Magdala was saying that he married a whore, therefore it's blasphemous. I have a problem with this for two reasons. Mary Magdeline was label a whore by the Church, when female influences where being suppressed. Because of the place of her story in the Biblical text, it has been assumed that she was a whore. But in reality there is no textual basis for this conclusion about Mary. My second problem with this position is: so what if she was a whore. Jesus's best friends were drunks and theives. When they met him, they became new people. So what is so demonizing about suggesting that Jesus had intimate friendships, or romantic relationships, with ex-"sinners"?

I think DVC is an opportunity for Christians to educate themselves about what the Bible says, or in many cases does not say. The vast majority of Jesus's life is NOT covered in the four gospels. The Bible DOES NOT tell us everything about Jesus. I think seminars in churches are a good think, but not to bash a book no one has read, but to open up dialogue that builds UP faith, and does not tear it down. When FAITH is the most important thing in your relationship with God, issues like this don't scare you, they encourage you.

Christians should be open to dialogue about the theological implications of book, albeit a fiction one - because whether we like it or not, there will be some. Standing in front of a theater with a picket sign will not endear many movie-goers to ask the questions that may be raised by this movie or novel. Christians should expel truth, but not about of hate or fear, but out of love. I've read the book: it's entertaining and good. I will watch the movie hoping for the same. And I think all Christians should, because it should not be Jesus's marital status that defines their relationship with him.

Blogging Blitz

First and foremost: THANK YOU TO ALL WHO READ THE CRUZ-CONTROL. I would have no reason (or fun) blogging without yall reading my ramblings and cogitations. So, THANK YOU!!!!

You see, blogs are like puppies (pictured here) - they require nuturing and care; without these they die. To keep them growing and healthy, one needs to blog often, at least every other day - preferably eveyday. Finding a niche in the internet community is also dependent on frequent updates. Also blogs must be interesting (if not entertaining), if they are to grow. I try my best to fulfill this requirement here on the Cruz-Control. I don't find it interesting to know who's dating who, etc. (especially about people I don't know), so I will not bore you with stuff like that here at the Cruz-Control. (Also, because I don't care to know enough about this myself.)

Links are also of considerable importance. Links integrate a blog into the world wide web; they increase readership, centralize topics for discussions and provide a cohesivness to this thing called a weblog community. IF YOU LINK TO THE CRUZ-CONTROL AND I DON'T ALREADY LINK TO YOU, LET ME KNOW. I will reciprocate all links.

Finally if you don't have a blog, I recommend getting one. It's a great way to vent, ponder and declare ideologies you otherwise would think to claim. You will use you brain when you write a blog. You can personalize your page with spiffy hosts such as Blogger and Typepad. Most are free; but don't do Xanga. If you do (yes, this IS a threat!), I will ridicule and taunt you for many moons to come.

Some good blogs I've discovered recently you might want to check out: Halpinator (on Blogger) and Redeeming the Mind.

The first several on my "Flippin' Sweet Blogs" link list are really good stuff too. Check them out. Again, thanks for your ears (or rather your eyes).


P.S. If you're stressed, check out this site - I can't stop going to it!!!! (Thanks to TUNZ4JESUS for this link!)

BIG DADDY, J.C., AND THE SPOOK

This is what my friend Shari calls the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The first time I recall hearing about the Trinity, I was a five year old chewing on those little offering pencils and then trying to stick them in my sister's ear. It was explained to me that just like a person could be a son, father, and brother at the same time, so could God. I was never satisfied with this analogy; I'm still not. We often try to put the Trinity into some kind of explainable equation. I don't think this is either possible or wise.

It can never suffice to place God into a simple formulae that we can teach children, or ourselves for that matter. It is simply not possible. It also does not give God the credit of who He is. Christianity has its roots ingrained in the idea that Jesus was God and the Father YHWH of the Old Testament is God and the Holy Spirit sent to dwell in us is God as well. But God is one god in all these fashions. I don't have the Trinity all figured out; nor will I ever (I don't think). But I do know that Jesus, the man who walked on this earth 2000 years ago, was God. He had the authority of the Almighty Creator. Yet, He prayed to the Father, who is also the same God. Confused yet? So am I.

So, how do we explain the Trinity, a concept so important to Christianity, to children? I don't know. I know that my understanding of the Trinity, as a child, placed God in very two dimensional terms. But I'm sure that those were the only terms I was capable of thinking in as a child. But maybe the discussion of the Trinity should be opened up, debated, questioned, reinforced, and cherished by modern Christians. It just seems like we accepted it as converts, but the seeking and questioning just never occurred.

I can't pretend to discuss the Trinity with any kind of knowledge, because frankly, even from my personal experience, it exists - but it's not understandable. I have questioned and sought to understand this aspect of the nature of God, but I cannot say that I've reached anywhere near a full understanding of what the Trinity is. I can only be a man of faith when it comes to the Trinity. It's part of God's nature which we CANNOT fully understand; but trying to fully grasp one facet of an incomprehensible god is worth Christians discussing and learning from one another. I don't have the answer, but contemplating it seems to bring me closer.


P.S. When I ran the spell check for this post [yeah, bet ya couldn't tell I spellcheck ;-)], it tried to replace YHWH with YAHOO - NOT the same thing!!!!

(Almost) Mid-Week Musings

Well, I did it: I joined a gym. This should inspire you!! It has been occupying a considerable bit of my time the past few days, actually, but it's a lot better than spending my afternoons with my X-Files DVD Box Set. This afternoon I did 6.75 miles on the cardio-stuff and some weights. I'm really tired now. I've got some more theology and stuff I've been mulling over the past few days, but I'm still trying to formulate it into understandable posts. So in the meantime, here's a random picture of a sign Marc and I saw in a burger place on a road trip we took Friday. Also here's a sneak-peek of what's to come on the Cruz-Control:

1) This Friday, the Da Vinci Code Movie is coming out. I can't wait to see it. I'm finishing the book for a second time. I will drop my two cents into the coffers of intellectual discussion here on blogger before the week is out.

2) In less than a month, we will experience the date June 6, 2006 or 6.6.06 (or 666). On this day, Hollywood is releasing The Omen, about a child who is the devil-incarnate (I wonder if the children I work with... no, sorry, nevermind!). Anyways, the child is this anti-Christ figure and the movie is opening on the date. As is the latest in the Left Behind novels; "Rapture" is to be released on this day as well. NBC's Inside Edition has aired a series on the implications of a date containing three 6's. So, with all the talk of the End Times that is about to be unleashed, I will offer my insight, albeit a scholarly one on the Last Things. Topics will include anti-Christ and the number 666. So stay tuned, especially if you like Left Behind, because I used to like it too... once.

JESUS WAS A HATER

Yes, you read correctly - Jesus was a hater. But he did not hate the same things that many of his followers hate; he did not condemn many of the things his followers have condemned. But he was a hater.

Jesus hated something that most don't even consider worth noting, certainly nothing we find worth preaching against. Jesus hated when people filled their hearts with things. Jesus hated so see people in spiritual anguish because they filled that Daddy-shaped place in their hearts with money, with prestige, with religion. Jesus hated to see people taken a need placed in our lives by God and trying to fit a man-made concept to plug the hole in their hearts.

However, Christians are not hating what Jesus hated. Christians are instead known for hating things like being "anti-gay," something Jesus never addressed. Christians are not hating when we see others try to fill their lives with stuff. We do not hate it when we see people trying to fill that Daddy-shaped hole in their hearts with money. And we Christians almost always ignore it fellow "Christians" try to do the same thing. Jesus hated just as much when the Pharisees and scribes tried to fill that spot with religion. Many Christians today still think we can do this - if we get enough religion, it will fill that hole in the middle of our hearts.

But that hole can only be filled with a relationship, an intimate relationship with our Creator. So why don't Christians hate what Jesus hated and do everything in our power to see that people get to see the relationship instead of religion? Why don't we preach that money can't fill that hole, that power can't fill that whole - instead of pursuing money and power ourselves?

Hating what Jesus hates does not mean that Christians should hate certain groups of people, it means just the opposite. It means Christians LOVE; love to a point where we want nothing else but to see people's hurting extinguished, their thirsts quinched. And to a point where we HATE to see people put themselves through the agony of filling a God-sized hole in their hearts with stuff. 'Little Christs' should love to such an extreme that we become haters as well.

Funny Part III: Add a Caption

Add a caption to this photo under comments.

A Pacifist's Response

This is my response to this post and the comments that ensued.

I am a Hauerwas 'ilk' as douglas puts it. I'm a "anti-realist' pacifist as you put it. Frankly, I had a lot of stuff to work out before I committed to my conviction. I researched scripture, read ethics, studied history, and most importantly prayed. I wrote my final exegetical paper in NT Studies this semester on Matthew 5:38-48.

I believe that Christ did in fact call his FOLLOWERS to lives of nonviolence - he was not commanding everyone to such a life (he never did so with any of his teachings; he only gave instructions to those who wanted them) . And furthermore, I believe he demonstrated a life of nonviolence. I realize by death on a cross that he was atoning for our sins, but that doesn't invalidate the madates he gave on the Mount of Olives. I do agree with you that pacifists should do a better job of explaining their conclusions from scripture. I don't think that most however are skillful exegetcists. Most people think that it's some kind of a political thing, or even an emotional thing... but the pacifism I hold, I firmly believe in in scripture. It took me nearly 20 pages to write my exegesis on this passage... and I cut it short. But I have done the work and research (Greek and all)... and I DO believe that Christians are commanded to live lives holding to principles of nonviolence, if for no other reason than because it's what Jesus commanded.

Also, I must beg the question as to why I am labeled a nonrealist. I recognize that the Matthean community, and Jesus, were contextualizing everything within an eschatalogial framework. However, despite the reason that the Coming Good Age has not yet arrived, the Kingdom of God is at hand. So, why would it be unreal to obey the mandates of Christ. The only reason I could understand that we are 'nonrealists' is if you take us in the context of today's society and judge us from that viewpoint. However, Jesus said that his kingdom was not of this world. Therefore, we cannot judge ourselves and our actions in this regard, i.e., according to this temporary earthly standards. Futhermore, as Paul writes in Philipians: our citizenship is in Heaven. Throughout the NT, Christians are expected to hold to behavior that is not condusive to life in this world.

For example, in the book of Revelation, Christians were facing imminent persecution if they did participate in emperor worship (Rev. 13). But what does John say, "Well, it's not REALISTIC to hold to first commandment faithfulness, because if you do, you'll be killed"??? NO! He says that Christians are to nonviolently resist emperor worship, even unto death (Rev. 13.10). John didn't allow debate as to whether following the commands of God was REALISTIC or not. He simply said follow them.

But yes, I agree that proper exegesis is necessary when defending the pacifist conviction, and more pacifists should do so. But I must also ask why it's necessary to defend my "anti-realist" pacifist tendencies. It's like asking someone to defend their notion that Christians should love one another. Well, I offer the same two reasons 1) Commanded to do so by Christ, and 2) Demonstrated by Christ. I think the Early Church's pacifist tendencies were the CORRECT interpretation with regard to the issue of nonviolence, and it's just about come full circle, now the pacifists are the ones that must prove their conviction... ironic?, I'd say so.

Big Bird Flu

Last night, ABC tried to scare the mess out of its audience by killing of 25 million people in its made-for-TV movie Fatal Conflict: Bird Flu in America. They tried to convince us that the Avian Bird Flu could wipe out civilization as we know it. They tried to convince me that my life would never be the same if the goverment didn't come up with a plan and SOON for this Bird Flu pandemic that's inevitable.

But to be honest I think we're barking up the wrong tree, so to speak. I don't think what we should be most concerned about is the potential Bird Flu that MIGHT plague us. I think we should be concerned with the pandemic that ALREADY affects children, and it's been infecting right in front of our faces for the past several decades and no one has done anything about it! I'm talking about the Big Bird Flu. This is the infection that makes kids go nuts anytime they see or hear anything about Big Bird. It's madness, I say! It's the Big Bird, not the Avian Bird (which is redundant, isn't it: Avian-Bird?), that we should try to prevent from infecting people. ABC should do a made-for-TV drama about the REAL problem!... just my opinion.

More Funny: The Nature of the Robust Beard

Robust beards have long been a part of mens' faces, throughout history, in fact. Here are some pictures of some Robust Beards; see if you can guess who they belong to. Hint: each person is someone's hero and someone's worst nightmare.

Robust Beard Number 1


Robust Beard Number 2


Robust Beard Number 3

Here's Some Funny: "I Sell Propane"

This has been floating around the blogs lately. It's a clip from a King of the Hill (a terrific show, I might add) episode where Hank and his family are looking for a new church, because of a 'pew' conflict.

Long Days, Longer Nights

"GET AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS. TAKE SHELTER NNNOOOWWW!!!!" Mr. Weatherman told me.

I looked at him like he had eaten my last animal cracker. And I was in no mood for this!

"YOU'VE GOT TO DO THIS NOW!" he said.

"CURSES!" I replied.

Sorry, let me start at the beginning. It has been a couple of crazy past few days. I know I was going to do funny the next few blogs, but I'll do those next. Yesterday, Friday I had two finals - Economics in the morning, English in the afternoon. After answering 75 questions (not too bad) and writing a six page paper in 2 hours, exhaustion consumed me.

But the day was not over... our church had a Kids' Night Out, a fun time when the kids come up to the church on a Friday night and run amok for 4 hours. I always work these nights - kids are cool, sometimes. Actually the kids were great last night. The past few times we've had to have an exorcist on standby because they acted demon-possessed. But I digress... last night was great! I just had the brain power of an goat (goats aren't typically known for their unwavering intellect).

So, I came home, hoping to grab some grape soda and this week's THE OFFICE on my TiVo; but instead I was interrupted by a weather bulletin. A storm was berring down on the Waco area. Sirens went off. The Cruz-Control panicked. I was already running on auto-pilot at 5:30 when KNO started. Now, my relaxing evening was GONE! I listened to Mr. Weatherman order me into my shower to take shelter from the three rotating circulation systems right on top of Waco (pictured above). So I grabbed my cell phone, by wallet, and well, my guitar. I figured I'd write a song in the down-time. The winds tore some shingles off the roof, hail pounded the windows. The funny thing was that the tornado siren sounds an awful lot like the freight train sound you hear with a tornado. Not good for the nerves. Anyways, things finally calmed down and I was able to fall asleep at 3:30am.

But I had to wake up at 7:00am to get to the church for our youth group's car wash. I was lucky, I just held the sign for a while. After 3 and a half hours' sleep, it was a rough morning. Also it rained again this afternoon. People look at you funny when you try to hold a car wash in between to thunderstorms. Anyways, I must sleep now! You'll get funny soon, I promise.

btw, the exorcist thing was a joke =)

Goliath Is Gathering Steam

Finals start today. It's actually about 1:45am and I'm delaying going to bed as much as possible because I know one awaits me upon my awakening. It's crunch-time - stress-time. If I can get through the next week, or actually until Monday with my sanity intact, I'll be alright. But my goliath seems pretty strong right now. I've got 1 essay, 3 essay tests, and 2 multiple-guess tests. Mucho studying to come... blog on some cool stuff with great meaning after finals. Til then, you'll get some random and hopefully funny posts.

Created to Ponder

I watch the sky differently today, knowing that beyond the blue canvas God painted is another world that infinitely stretches across this universe. A world of galaxies in which I am but a small speck. A world entirely created by God. A world loved by God.

And I question why I was made. Why God chose this planet to put me on? Why God had my life cross with those so many great people? Why God still answers my prayers the way he does? Why he still listens to my ramblings? Why God loves me? I can't fathom his creation; so how can I fathom God's love?

But dark thoughts still stir inside of me, and everyone else. I must question why the nations rage at one another? Why children die of starvation? Why girls are raped and men are murdered? I don't understand. There are things in my life that I feel I have gained a greater understand of - by the sole grace of God. But this is not one of them.

I don't understand WHY, to so many questions. So many plague my mind... And the answers always seem to contradict one another.

But still, I can't help but believe that God not only allows these questions to be asked, but that he invites them, encourages them. I can't help but believe that I was created to ponder these things.

CAN YOU HEAR US??!!

Tonight Invisible Children is sponsoring a Global Night Commute. This is taking place in countries across the world ranging from Ireland to Peru to Singapore to the United States as a display of solidarity with the children in Northern Uganda. People in 7 countries will converge on their urban centers tonight (and sleep there) to urge their governments step in on behalf of the children. Because of the situation in Uganda, the children must commute to the cities at night in order to avoid capture by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) - they are simply not safe to remain in their villages after nightfall.

This war in Uganda is simply not one the United States has been willing to get involved in. But the Global Commute in the United States is taking place in most of the major cities across the country. While there, each person will write two letters: one to President Bush and the other to a Senator asking them to please intervene on behalf of the Ugandan children. Currently there are 57,030 people signed up in the United States; 803 so far in Waco, TX.

I'm usually not an advocate of government stepping in where the Christ's Church clearly has a responsibility; but this is different. This situation is one that we can't to much without the help of our government. So, we turn where we can: to our President, our senators, and most importantly to God. If at all possible please join us tonight, in your city, wherever you are. To sign up you can CLICK HERE.

WOW!

That's all I can say. Or I can say that SOMETIMES CHRISTIANS JUST SCARE ME!

This is an absolute hoot! This is an actual voicemail to a pastor from a man who visited a church. To listen CLICK HERE. Enjoy!

P.S. My Bible doesn't have a 1st Acts - I must have a defective Bible!

The Grovester Rocked!

Shaun Groves utterly rocked my face off the other night!!!!! I think it's still somewhere at the Hippodrome. Great to talk with you in person again, Shaun. Keep up the great work your doing for His Kingdom.

Here's some pictures:

Shaun playing at Baylor's Chapel services.

Shaun singing with his guitar (it's just like mine!! Yay!) at the Hippodrome.

Shaun and I after the concert.

"Let's Get Campy!"

I just spent the weekend on a retreat with our college group. We went out to Lake Whitney on Friday and camped - with no television, no cell phone, no blog. It was really nice to just get away from the craziness we use to drown out God and life altogether. About half the group was outdoorsy; the other half (myself included) was not. But we had a great time; just did some fishing and started a new song. There was also so much talk of Brown Recluse spiders among the girls in our party, I began to become paranoid by the end of the trip. Jon led our Bible studies. And God spoke to my heart through the life of Elijah.

First, Elijah was brave: an adjective that rarely describes me. Elijah went in front of one of the worst King and Queen the Hebrews had ever known. He told them that there would be a drought, and then God told Elijah to run for his life. YHWH provided for Elijah and then consumed the offering when Elijah proved the existence of YHWH over the existence of Baal. (Read 1 Kings 17-18 for the full details; the story's really quite remarkable.)

Elijah had moments of doubt, he had questions - he was just like me. Many times I fall into the trap of thinking of the saints in the scriptures as these super-human folks who, because God worked through them, had it all figured out. It's refreshing to realize they could be just as messed up as the rest of us. And that God did not work through them because they were perfect, he worked through them because HE is perfect. It was nice to regroup and just focus of the character of God and the character of our own humanity for the weekend. I don't have it anywhere near 'all figured out,' but God showed me that's OK. All it takes is trust.

Psychotherapy... On Myself

I have done some research, and realized I am suffering from Separation Anxiety Disorder tonight. I took my beautiful Yamaha CPX15 North (pictured here) guitar to my usual guitar doctor (Larry, or as he calls it "gEEtar" - he's from East Texas, I think). She needed some fretwork and a setup before I can do some recording this weekend with her. But I now realize that I am suffering without her tonight (I hope I'm not creeping anyone out - You "geetar" people completely understand, right?). So anyways, I did some research (on google) and found out I am suffering from Separation Anxiety Disorder. Here's what the webpage said:

Developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety concerning separation from home or from those to whom the individual is attached, as evidenced by three (or more) of the following:

1. recurrent excessive distress when separation from major attachment figures (MY GEETAR) occurs or is anticipated

2. persistent and excessive worry about losing, or about possible harm befalling, major attachment figures (MY GEETAR)

3. persistent and excessive worry that an untoward event will lead to separation from a major attachment figure (e.g., getting lost or being kidnapped) - (ONCE AGAIN, MY GEETAR)

4. persistent reluctance or refusal to go to school (YES!!!) or elsewhere because of fear of separation

5. persistently and excessively fearful or reluctant to be alone or without major attachment figures (YEP! HERE TOO) at home or in other settings

6. repeated nightmares involving the theme of separation (I'M SURE THEY WILL START TONIGHT!)

7. repeated complaints of physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, or vomiting) when separation from major attachment figures occurs or is anticipated

Uh,oh!! I think I qualify!! Now I trust Larry, my gEEtar doctor, completely... but I'm still a bit nervous. Anyone know of any cures? I'd hate to have to call Dr. Phil.

ANCIENT DIARY: SUNDAY

I found this diary among Judas's things. For anyone happpening to read this, I thought I should finish the story. First of all, Judas hanged himself yesterday. Apparently out of guilt from selling Jesus out. But if only Judas knew what happened today.

Simon Peter and I were talking early this morning, when Mary came running. She was panting from running so hard. She was nearly in tears. She thought someone had stolen Jesus's body from the tomb we had put him in. When we heard what she said, we both began to panic. Who would steal the body of our Lord and why??!!! Peter and I ran to the tomb; I could feel that sinking feeling in my stomach and heavy knot in my throat. I outran Peter (I've always been faster than him!), and so I reached Jesus's tomb first. I bent in and looked inside. I could see the strips of cloth Jesus had been wrapped in, but I did not go inside. Peter finally ran up, but he went right on inside the tomb. He saw what I saw, and I followed him inside. It was at that moment that I realized Jesus had come back to life. Some of the things he had said began to make sense, though not all of them. But one thing I knew, Jesus was no longer dead. He was executed on a cross, was dead for three days, but today he is alive!!! I saw him, spoke to him!!!! My LORD is alive!!!!!!

If Judas only knew...

yours,
John

ANCIENT DIARY: SATURDAY

God is dead! God is dead, and it's my fault!!!!!!! It's because of me that my Rabbi is dead!!! It's my fault!! Damn!!!!! What have I done?! Jesus really was different; I understand it all now. Jesus was the second David, the Messiah, and IT'S MY FAULT THAT HE'S DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus healed blind people, he made the lame walk. He was who he said he was. Jesus was God himself. And now he's dead!!!!!!! And it's all because of ME!!!!!!!!!! I just tried to return the 30 pieces of silver to the priests, they wouldn't take it!!!! So I threw it at their feet.

The words of Jesus keep running through my head over and over again - I can't escape what I've done!!!!!! I can't sleep; I can't hear; I can't think.

I CAN'T GO ON LIVING!!!!!!!!...

yours,
Judas Iscariot

ANCIENT DIARY: FRIDAY

Last night I led some Roman soldiers to the Garden of Gethsemane to take Jesus into custody. I kissed him on the cheek, not only to show the soldiers he was the one they were to arrest, but also in a way as a sort of apology of what I'd done.

This morning, the high Priests put Jesus on trial. I watched as much of it as I could. They kept accusing him of things like blasphemy. But over and over again, the government officials did really want to do anything to Jesus. But the crowds started falling inline with the Priests. Ciaphus and the guys kept saying that they demanded Jesus be punished for what he'd done. Everyone became like a mob - shouting and screaming. Jesus was ordered to be flogged. I didn't get a good view of this; the crowds were too heavy. I was able to get just close enough to kind of see what was going on. But I could still hear him scream in pain. This lasted almost an hour. I will never forget hearing the pain than the whips caused him. But I thought it would all be over and then they'd leave all of us alone afterwards. But no.

It wasn't enough. The Priests and the crowds began to demand his execution. Over and over they shouted for him to be nailed to a cross - executed in the traditional Roman way. One official offered the crowd a choice: Jesus or a convicted murderer, I forget his name, Barabus, I think. Anyways, it really wasn't much of a choice. I knew as well as everyone else, what the crowd would chose. Pilate 'washed his hands' of the situation. And I couldn't believe it; they weren't just going to jail or whip Jesus, they were going to kill him!

I followed along the outside of the crowd as Jesus was made to walk to the Hill of the Skull. I saw Mary and John, they were both crying. I began to panic - my heart was beating faster than I thought it could handle. Jesus carried the cross-bar he would soon be nailed to. I couldn't believe my eyes. When we arrived at the hill, the soldiers began to put the cross together. Jesus was laid down on top. I can still hear him screaming as the soldiers drove nails into his wrists. They pounded them as if they were breaking stone. Over and over, I heard Jesus scream. I couldn't believe my eyes. Had it really gone this far?

For those of you who have seen a crucifixion first-hand, you know that death doesn't come quickly. I heard Jesus talking to the two people being crucified with him, I think they were theives, but I maybe wrong. I couldn't tell what he said, I was too far away. Underneath his cross, soldiers were gambling for the clothes they'd just stripped off of him. I think they did this to futher rouse the crowds. Mary broke down. When I saw this, I realized I wasn't dreaming after all. He was really dying. The clouds suddenly grew dark. I felt the earth shake underneath my feet. I couldn't take it anymore! I ran off...

MY GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE??!!

ANCIENT DIARY: THURSDAY

Thirty pieces of silver. That's what the Chief Priests said they'll give me for him. Thirty pieces of silver, that's the going price of an average slave. Turn my Rabbi over to the others for the price of a common slave? Then again wouldn't I be defending the Jewish tradition, if the problems Jesus is causing are as bad as they say? I mean, wouldn't it be my duty as a pius Jew to turn Jesus of Nazareth over to them?

I still don't know if I did the right thing. Tonight was our passover meal. Things went different this time than they usually do. Jesus did this weird thing, where as he passed around the wine and bread, he said that the wine was his blood and the bread was his body. It kind of made sense and it kind of didn't. Later on, he turned to me and said to go ahead and do what I was going to do. It wasn't until he said that that I realized I had made up my mind to take the money. I decided to turn Jesus over to the high priests. But how did he know? I figured I could get some money out it, be a pius Jew, and well, come on what are they going to do to him? fine him? put him in prison for a little while? It just gets me, how Jesus knew, that's what I was going to do? I ran out mainly out of embarrasment that he knew I was going to turn him in. But I ran out knowing I'd still turn him over, despite the fact that he knew it was me.

But you know, as I think about it, what I can't get past, was that my Rabbi washed my feet. A while back, Jesus knelt down and did the most humiliating job possible. I didn't understand it then, and frankly I don't understand it now. But in that moment, when he washed my feet, I realized he was different. That's why I'm still wondering if I did the right thing turning him over to the high priests.

ANCIENT DIARY: WEDNESDAY

I don't know what to do. I've been following this man around for a while; his teachings are inspiring and the way people come to him is unimaginable. But things are getting rough. We think we're all about to be run out of town at moment. This problem has been growing bigger for some time now. My teacher knows that he's causing problems for our religious leaders, but he doesn't seem to mind. He seems to know that he's going to get us into hot water, but he doesn't seem to care.

It's gotten so bad that several of our religious leaders are starting to ask for him to be brought in on charges. Things are really starting to get messed up; I don't know what to do. I wanted to follow him - I love him, after all, but I'm beginning to wonder if it was worth it in the first place. What if they bring us all up on charges? What if I'm arrested? I hear they are even willing to offer a reward for him. I wonder what they will give to someone who turned him in? I wonder what they would give me - when they realize that I'm one of his students; when they realize that I'm Judas Iscariot?

The Mother of Invention...

is not necessity, it is boredom. Jay, one of my good friends through school, showed me a new game he invented to get out of the monotony of homework. It was fun, so well I share it in hopes that you will try it when you get bored.

Here's how you play...
YOU NEED: 5 Ceramic Turtles (You can get them @the Dollar Store for like a buck each)
4 Florescent Rubber Bouncy Balls (You can get these @ the Pizza Hut for a quarter each)

You arrange the Turtles against a wall like this:

*___________ *______ *______ *___________ *

You can start with one ball at a time. You throw the ball(s) trying to bounce them on the turtles' shells, but without them bouncing or flying out of the playing zone (the two turtles on the end). As your skills improve, you can add more balls and heck, more turtles if you like. Enjoy.

iBlog

Yes! I have finallly hooked up my Mac to the World Wide Web. I usually blog from places other than home b/c it's hard to use blogger without high speed (I previously had dial-up). But in order to get the updates I need for my other Macs and such, and to download my music on myspace, I now have my Mighty Mac (as I call it) online at 28kps. Not a hitch hooking it up to high speed, execept for the fact that the cable guy didn't remember how to make the right connections on Mac, but OS X.4 took care of it! 1.3251 minutes later, I was online. So I am online and I now can laugh at Googleidol.com and ebaumsword.com. And I can blog from the comfort of my home. Yay!

He's Got My Vote!

Vote youth pastor Jon Hicks Governor of your respective states! He is running on the platform: "THE HECK WITH DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!"

Judging Judas

The news broadcasts were abuzz last night. Yesterday National Geographic announced they they had authenticated a lost gospel: The Gospel of Judas. The news reporters interviewed a few scholars and a serveral Christians to get their reaction (some were freaking out). Then the reports began to focus on a different issue: if what is says it true, mainly Jesus was behind Judas's betrayal, Jesus asked Judas to betray him.

So, I can understand how many Christians might see this as a shock, but I guess I work through this so we can all understand what implications this means. First and foremost, what was authenticated was its antiquity. The Gospel of Judas was written in coptic, it was a Gnostic work, and it's dated to the late 3rd Century/early 4th Century AD. The Gnostic were a frenge group of folks branded heretics around this time. We have several other Gnostic writings including The Coptic Gospel of Thomas. These works are nothing new to Biblical scholars. What was authenticated was that this work is originally from this time period. A score to historians.

What was NOT authenticated, or even considered, was what is says as truth. This work would not have even been considered for inclusion in the Bible because of it's late date. All the works in the NT are dated 1st Century and some, possibly early 2nd Centuries. Nothing later than that is even considered to have merit in truth because it was written too late from the events that took place during Jesus's life. Not even the Didache, written teaching by supposed Apostles, was included, in part because of it's date, and its date is late 2nd Century.

So, yes it's a great thing to find a writing from antiquity like the Gospel of Judas. But it can offer no theological insight (execpt from a Gnostic point of view) for Christians. It's date is too far removed from the time of Jesus, and the community that is originates does not hold any merit among theologians. So, Christians relax; your theology is safe... for the moment.

Seminary Day

Yesterday was Seminary Day at Baylor. It was kind of like those Career Days back in High School. I looked at about four and walked away with stuff from three: Princeton Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, and Truett Theological Seminary. I recently threw out Princeton, it's a little too north for me (New Jersey).

But I'm seriously looking into Duke. It's a Methodist school with ecumenical tendencies; which is great because I am a Baptist with anabaptist and lutheran tendencies. Their M.Div. program looks really great and they have an incredible faculty including Stanely Hauerwas and Richard Hays. I'm going to visit the campus either late this summer or the beginning of fall, so that I can apply in the fall if I decide I want to go there.

Truett is also a great school; a good majority of my friends are going there either this fall or next year. Also, Truett has an great faculty, that encourage discussion. Also a plus for Truett is that it's cheap and in Waco.

So, I guess I got some prayin' to do.

Abandoning Politics

I read a book last year that not only changed by political views, but more importantly, my Theologial views. Resident Aliens by Stanley Hauerwas made me think. Hauerwas begins by noting a fact many Christians, including myself, have ingored or are in denial about. Before the 1960s Amercia had existed as a Constantian society. Since the days of Constantine, not only was Christianity the legal religion, it was enforce by laws. Amercia was a continuation of that world.

However, that world ended and Christianity is not longer the driving force of laws within our country. And this is a good thing. Christians can no longer rely on laws to keep a Biblical moral code in order. Rather, they must rely on their witness, and focus first of conversions.

Since Christians are no longer succeeding at made things like gay marriage illegal, thereby legislating morality... more Christians are recognizing that the job of the Church is not to enforce morality on society, but rather their job is to be the people of God. How can Christians impose the moral standards of Christ on a group who does not know or follow him?

So I abandoned politics... frankly I just don't see how much of it really matters. I was an adamant memeber of the "Christian-Right" (whatever that means). Pro-Life. Pro-War. (Which, now in my mind seem to contradict one another.) There are some views I continue to hold, but for different reasons. Laws should be made according to what is best for society, not according to what the Bible says. After all, Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world. Amercia is not a theocracy, nor should it be.

I became a pacifist and realized that what may be best in America's interest (i.e., a war on terrorism) is not necessarily something Christians should be a part of. My anabaptist views have driven me to a point of apoliticalism. I do think that there are issues to be addresses as a society, which we are all a part of. But I just don't believe legistlating Christian morals (learned only through the teachings and relationship with Christ) through the political system of a secular nation is the answer.

Called on the Carpet

Pat Robertson, president of the 700 Club has been in the news lately for some seemingly unChristian words. 1 CORINTHIANS 5:12-13 tells us that Christians have a resposiblity to keep other Christians in line, those who are doing things that harm the kingdom of God... an kind of accoutability if you will. Apparently some Christians are tired of the "Christian Public Figure's" actions and words and are calling him on the carpet over them. The petition reads:

Dear Rev. Robertson,
We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to ministry over the years, but we are now asking that you please retire or at least stop making unfounded, insane-sounding comments and trying to pass them off as mainstream Christian thought such as:

1. Calling for the assassination of foreign heads of state (Hugo Chavez).

2. Telling people God will abandon or punish/destroy them (Dover, PA residents) because they exercised their right to vote against intelligent design supporting school board members.

3. Saying that morbidly overweight, elderly heads of state (Ariel Sharon) have strokes as the result of punishments from God for seeking peace rather than simple cardiovascular disease.

Seriously Pat, you're embarrassing the rest of us Christians who are trying to demonstrate God's love and mercy to a broken world already suspicious of religion and religious people.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned

You can check out the petition by clicking here.

Greetings Fellow Sinners,

I've been reading my way through William H. Willimon's book Sinning Like a Christian. Willimon was Dean of Duke University Chapel before his appointment as Presiding Bishop of the Birmingham Area of the United Methodist Church. He's written a zillon and1 books including Resident Aliens with Stanley Hauerwas, one of the most influencial theologians in my life. Willimon was named one of the "Twelve Most Effective Preachers in the Enlish-Speaking World" by Baylor University (my school, yay!).

"For Christians, sin is not so much inherent in the human condition...; rather, sin is the problem we have between us and God. It is rebellioin agaist our true Sovereign, an offense against the way the Creator has created us to be," writes Willimon.

I picked up this book last weekend as I roamed the halls of Truett Seminary. There were booksellers and folks of that sort there. Sinning Like a Christian is about the 'Seven Deadly Sins.' Willimon notes that the reason they are called the 'Seven Deadly Sins' is because they are sins we cannot shake, we can't seem to get rid of; rather, they are chronic, presistent. The sins of Pride, Envy, Anger, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust.

If it were not for the example of Jesus, we would not know that pride be a sin, Willimon writes. He also takes a unique look at lust.

"Lust, along with Pride, has undergone considerable rehabilitation in our own day. No one wants to be accused of Envy or Greed, but Lust has become a quite endearing characteristic of modern enlightened folk like us. In modern life, the damaging thing about lust is surpressing it. In an earlier day, masturbation was a sin. Now, it's a cure."

We've been working our way through the whole sex thing at THE LEAP. One of the main issues we are tackling is lust. This is where all the rest of sexual sins seem to come from, for a guy at least.

But Willimon's book has caused me to look at sin in a different way. We all fall short of God's glory, of His intentions for us. We are prone to depravity. And it is only because of Jesus that we can understand our depraved nature.

"Once there was One who came to us, who touched the untouchables, turned his back upon the world's bright baubles, loved even unto death, and never turned his eyes away from God. And we hated him for it. He came to us with wide-opened hands in gracious invitation, seeking us, both patient with us and hotly pursuing us. And thereby he brought out the very worst in us. And we with one voice cried, "Crucify him!"

Amen and amen.

The Lost Art of...

putting stuff on cats.

This is a real funny! Shari pointed me in the direction of Stuffonmycat.com. I thought that this picture of a boat on someone's cat was a hoot. Check out this website when you're bored.

P.S. for yall animal rights folks, don't worry - they don't hurt the felines.