One of the many things I love about my wife…

…she doesn’t make me watch chick flicks or chick TV.  In fact, she doesn’t even seem to like them.  I feel compelled to share this because when I peruse the web, I am seeing a rising tide of anxiety over the soon-to-be-released film version of Sex and the City, the popular HBO show that went off of the air in 2004.  Men all over the country seem to be terrified that their significant others are going to drag them kicking and screaming into the theatre on opening night.  In fact, Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass is offering pass cards for men to use to get out of seeing it.

But not me. In fact, Christine is looking forward more to The Dark Knight, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and The Incredible Hulk.  It’s a good life, kids, if you find the right woman.

The Hardest Way

I have previously written about my own struggles with faith at length. Last week I put it to you all out there as to what you would say to somebody who asked some tough, legitimate questions about issues that affected his/her faith. Much appreciation to everyone who responded.

I am still meeting with my friend as time allows to discuss faith issues, and I am pleased to report that she has been responsive.  Credit goes more to her openness than to my skills (cough cough) as an apologist. No, a bright light has not shone upon her causing her to fall to her knees and shout, “You’re right! How did I miss this?”, but she is receptive and willing to consider what I throw out there.

Dr. Sunshine Strikes Again

For my Research Methods class, our last assignment was to present the findings of our respective projects to staff at the agency where the projects were conducted. The due date was Friday. My team and I made our presentation on Tuesday. I then drove to campus with a letter signed by one of the supervisors, dropped it in Sunshine’s mailbox in the main office, then e-mailed her to tell her that it was waiting for her.

She e-mailed me on Friday and asked if I had an e-mail and/or something on agency stationary, in essence, calling me a liar. I didn’t check my e-mail on Friday until 4 in the afternoon. I called the agency and fortunately got somebody who was willing to take care of this. I will be so glad when that woman is out of my life.

 

Open for discussion

I have recently begun studying the Bible and discussing apologetics with a very likable person who is struggling with her faith. She wants to believe, but she has some barriers that are impeding the development and threatening the foundation of her faith. Her questions are legitimate and none of them lends itself to an easy answer. I prepare for our discussions between meetings, but have never been too proud to ask for help. So I put it to you Christian readers, how would you respond to these questions? Any constructive feedback is welcome.

Update and celebration

I fired off my last two assignments via e-mail yesterday morning, which means the spring semester is over and Dr. Sunshine is out of my life. I’m still reeling in delight. 15 more credits and I am a free man.

If “Iron Man” is any indication, this could be a good summer to return to the cineplex

The missus and I caught Iron Man on Friday. As long time readers know, I was a huge comic geek growing up, and I still appreciate and enjoy them, even though I don’t collect them anymore (I can’t afford to! Have you seen the prices on comic books lately?). I always enjoyed Iron Man but he wasn’t one of my favorites. However, this movie changed that.

My feelings about the election, exactly.

[H/T: Grace Digest]

What’s in your name?

YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car):
Beagle Ford

YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe):
Rocky Road New Balance (or Rocky Balance, for short)

YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal):
Blue Labrador

YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born):
Michael Littlerock

YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name):
Mil Jo

SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink):
Green Coke

NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers):
John Ernest

STRIPPER NAME ( the name of a perfume/cologne/scent that you wear, favorite candy):
Brut Snickers

TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter):
Stophan Seattle

CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now):
Grape Boxer

HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree):
Oatmeal Redwood

How about you?

Congratulations everywhere

Congratulations to some friends of mine who have recently cleared some serious hurdles:

Ladies first: the lovely and talented Andrea Morris who successfully defended her dissertation at George Mason University and will receive her PhD in Public Policy in a couple of weeks.

Andy Pierce, who passed the Virginia Bar Exam.

Dave Roland, who passed the Missouri Bar Exam.

And finally, The Biscuit Rollers, who just released their first cd, South Bound Freight Train (featuring a cover designed by none other than the Rollerpimp himself). Just because their lead singer is also my brother doesn’t mean that there is a bias when I tell you these cats play some tight traditional blues.

May all of you revel in your accomplishments!

Religion and such

Church sign links Obama with Osama bin Laden

JONESVILLE, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina pastor says he wasn’t trying to be politicalwhen he posted a sign in front of his church linking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Pastor Roger Byrd said he just wanted to make people think when he put up a sign reading “Obama, Osama — humm, are they brothers” in front of the Jonesville Church of God on Thursday.

Obama, a Christian, attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Fifteen percent of respondents to a recent Associated Press-Yahoo News poll said they thought the Illinois senator was a Muslim.

WYFF-TV reported Monday on its Web site that Byrd said he won’t take the sign down. He said his congregation voted unanimously Sunday to keep it up.

The church is part of the Church of God, a Pentecostal denomination based in Cleveland, Tenn., according to the organization’s Web site.

Jonesville is a town of about 1,000 people in northwestern South Carolina. [Source]

Believers, we have to do better than this. Slurs directed at someone because of the name his parents gave him are never Christ-like.  Trying to analogize somebody you disagree with to a bloodthirsty terrorist is below a cheap shot.  What are seekers to think when they see such a sign? Oh yeah, I know what: Christianity is for the ignorant, Christianity is racist, blah blah blah.

I have always been a little queasy when believers on the left, right, or in the middle attempt to baptize their candidate (or a particular policy) as God’s will.  How would any of us know?  Remember all of the times God allowed Israel to suffer at the hands of her enemies?

Furthermore, while I love the U.S. and am deeply grateful to live here, I don’t believe for a second that we have any claim to being ”God’s favorites” or that He necessarily has a vested interest in the outcome of any election.  I think that somehow the God who sent His son and established a church in the decadence of 1st century Rome will still see His will done, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office.

Every time another one of those asinine forwards about some candidate kicking puppies, sympathizing with terrorists, or sacrificing roosters to Satan lands in my inbox, the more appealing the Lipscomb doctrine of civil government looks.  David Lipscomb (1831-1917), the Restoration leader, proposed that Christians had no business dealing with the government beyond what was mandated by law; in other words, paying taxes.  While most of the time I can find many flaws in his argument, lately it looks more and more appealing to me.

I honestly don’t care who any Christian votes for. It’s not my business. But if/when you vote, do it for a good reason.

                             

If you want to hear the Old Testament read in a whole new way, click here.  What possible commentary could I add to this? [H/T: The Wittenburg Blog]

                             

I know that I am making a habit of pimping blogs and sites lately, but I have to recommend a blog by Jay Guin.  An elder at the Tuscaloosa Church of Christ (Roll Tide!), Guinis addressing touchy topics with style, keen Biblical knowledge, and consistent compassion. He is currently addressing the need for church of Christ schools to reorder their priorities. Among other things, he suggests dropping athletic scholarships and funneling that money into scholarships for Bible majors…hello!  Wonder how that will play amongst the brethren?