cogitati

crazy school answering machine in australia!

2010-01-18T13:21:00.002-06:00

Charles Barkley on SNL

2010-01-18T13:16:00.000-06:00

Taylor Swift raps with T-Pain

2009-12-21T14:07:00.002-06:00

chuck norris approved mike huckabee commercial

2009-11-11T15:36:00.002-06:00

New Twins Commercial

2009-11-11T08:21:00.000-06:00

great white shark nearly bit in half!

2009-10-27T11:16:00.002-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

perspectives on the gospel and peace

2009-10-17T10:45:00.002-05:00

Perspectives from Peacemaker Ministries on Vimeo.

woops

2009-07-14T13:52:00.001-05:00

i think this is why they have straps on the new wii controllers

thong

2009-07-01T10:16:00.000-05:00

there is something seriously wrong with this picture...

carnivore win

2009-07-01T10:13:00.001-05:00

Korn guitarist finds Christ

2009-03-18T20:01:00.003-05:00

Brain "Head" Welch, former Korn guitarist, tells the story of his recovery from drug adiction and conversion to Christianity.

NFL Fantasy Files

2009-03-09T13:55:00.002-05:00

In 2006 the NFL and Reebok introduced three viral-style commercials called “NFL Fantasy Files”, which ran on-air, on the web and on Globatrons in stadiums, to promote and drive traffic to NFL.com. They were quite popular and since then have create some more. Enjoy!

Miniature Earth: What would our world look like if we shrunk it down to 100 people?

2009-03-01T18:59:00.001-06:00

puts things into perspective...

2008-10-27T21:49:00.002-05:00

Why I am a Pacifist*

Being a pacifist doesn’t come normal to me. In fact it kind of hurts sometimes, going against what my mind tells me I was created for. I grew up with two World War II vets for grandparents, a dad who loved history, especially reading about wars, and reading and listening to Bible stories in Sunday school of God telling the people of Israel to destroy the bad guys.We weren’t able to watch movies with sex, drugs, or bad language but violence wasn’t a problem. I even remember being able to watch Braveheart as a kid -classic bloody, gory war epic about Scotland (I do want to say that I love my parents, Sunday school teachers, pastors, and family dearly. I respect their views, decisions and the way they helped me become the person I am today. I am in no way trying to say anything disrespectful about them but rather am giving a picture of how I grew up and the journey I took to become the person I am today). Like I said, this all seemed natural and what I was made for. Wasn’t it good to fight an evil oppressive government and fight for freedom? Should I not strive to become a true man who can defend one’s honor and destroy evil? Or what about my desire to protect? I was even sure that this one was from God.

Now I do not think that fighting oppression, protecting the weak, freedom, and destroying evil are wrong. However, I have seen that as we try to pursue these honorable, may I even say godly, traits we tend to use violence rather than the power of God, which I will argue is what we’re commanded to use. We try to reach a good goal by taking things into our own hands but does the means unjustify the end? We cannot see clearly because of out militaristic western glasses that are placed on us. I believe that Jesus calls us to be creative, compassionate, gracious, forgiving, merciful, justice seeking peacemakers and that violence is not a characteristic that describes one of his followers.

So what does Jesus say about violence? He says quite a lot. Let’s first begin with the Sermon on the Mount, maybe one of Jesus’ most famous sermons (if it even was one sermon, some believe it was a compilation). Jesus tells the crowd, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

* I decided to put an asterisk behind the word pacifist so that I could have it defined. Many, myself included, have their own ideas about what pacifism is so I wanted to make it clear what I was going to argue. According to Merriam-Webster, Pacifism is the “opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes; specifically : refusal to bear arms (here I would also add “or act violently”) on moral or religious grounds. I hope this adds light and clarity as you read.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” -Mathew 5:5-12 NRSV (Unless otherwise noted, Bible quoted form the New Revised Standard Version-NRSV). These radical teachings fly in the face of violence. Christ is telling of the real way to be blessed.

Well maybe these are all just some nice ideas that we should strive for. These ideas are good in thought but some might say that, when it comes to reality, sometimes you might have to get a little dirty. Let’s continue to see what else Jesus has to say. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you…love your enemies, do good…Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6: 27-28, 35a, 36). He also says in Mathew, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not the evil tax collectors do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mathew 5:43-46, 48). Obviously these claims are radical, today just as they were two-thousand years ago.

When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mathew 22:37-39). How can loving one’s neighbor as one loved him/herself ever lead to an act of violence? Jesus later tells his disciples “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” (John 15:12). So not only is our greatest commandment to love, but Jesus gives us an example of what the greatest act of love is: to give up one’s life for another not take someone’s life. I’ll return to these passages in more detail later.

Now something important to notice and know is that Jesus is not telling his disciples, and ultimately us, to be punching bags, look for fights to lose and find ways to be taken advantage of. He instead demonstrates how to creatively show the person of their wrong by making them acknowledge the victim’s humanity. He taught and showed enemy love with creativity and imagination. This is shown beautifully in Christ revolutionary teachings on turning the other cheek, walking another mile, and giving one’s cloak as well(Author and Professor Walter Wink gives great insight on Jesus’ teaching on imaginative non-violence). Jesus demonstrated how to disarm others, how to “refuse to oppose evil on its own terms. He invites us to transcend passivity and violence through a third way” (Claiborne and Shaw, Jesus for President, Zondervan 2008.).

“You have heard it was said, ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile” (Mathew 5:38-42). Although at first glance one might think Jesus is teaching that we should let others step all over us. But as we’ll see, he is doing quite the opposite. In first century Judaism, a person would only hit another with his right hand. One could sometimes even be banished or unclean for ten days if he hit another with his left hand. Jesus is thus talking about a backhand: the only way for a person who is facing another to hit him on the right cheek with his right hand. This type of hit would have been the type one would give to someone unequal, inferior and meant to put them in their place, to insult, humiliate, and offend. “By turning the cheek, the person made the abuser look them in the eye, and the abuser could now only hit them with a fist, as an equal. By turning the cheek, the other person is said, “I am a human being, made in the image of God, and you cannot destroy that.” Do not cower and do not punch back. Make sure the person looks you in the eye and sees your sacred humanity, and it will become increasingly harder for that person to hurt you” (Shaw and Claiborne 92-93).

Jesus does this again with the example of the man who is in court being sued for his coat. Jesus tells him to not only give up the coat but to also give the man his cloak (which wasn’t demanded of him but freely given). The cloak was the “underwear”, thus the man would expose the accusers greed by saying, “You want my coat? Fine, here it is and here also is my cloak.” The man’s nakedness would bring to light the accuser’s greed, embarrass and shame him (Genesis 9:20:27), and make him realize the extreme greed of his actions. Poor workers would sometimes be taken to court and sued for their cloak as payment to their bosses and landlords. Jesus’ teaching turns the situation around, and demonstrates to the accuser that he may get the coat, and even the cloak as well, but he cannot take one’s humanity and dignity as a image bearer of Yahweh.

He still doesn’t end there. Jesus gives a third example involving a soldier and a walk. When Jesus said, “if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile,” (Mathew 5:41) he was telling of a way that would break the Roman law, find commonality between the soldier and the man, and force the soldier to acknowledge the humanity of the man. In the ancient near east, Roman soldiers walked by foot, carrying all of their supplies and gear. They could force a man to carry his load and gear up to one mile by law. But Jesus tells them to walk with the soldier not just the one mile demanded by law, but a second mile, which was in fact against the law. Let us not forget that these were the soldiers who were opressing the Jews heavily with extreme taxes. These soldiers were hated by most but Jesus again has a way of turning things on their heads. “Don’t just serve the oppressing, enemy soldier to the extent of the law, but exceed the law, go another mile with him, even befriend him.” They were to show this enemy love, Christlike love, reconciling enemies and returning the dignity to each from the other (thanks to Rob Bell and Walter Wink for their insight into the context of Jesus teaching in Mathew 5:38-41 and what it means for us as followers of Christ).

Jesus’ brilliance is a third way.

He wasn’t all talk either. He backed it up, demonstrating that even in the most extreme situation, his third way works brilliantly, defying the world’s way. Through Christ’s crucifixion, not only was his way demonstrated perfectly giving us reconciliation with God, but he also gave us an example. “When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Not only this but he even had the audacity to pray, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Jesus chose to give up himself for something greater. He knew that his Father was in control and had a greater plan than to get Jesus out of harm’s way. And since Jesus chose to not fight back, not to called down legions of angels to rescue him, God’s will was done through the greatest act of unconditional, agape love. We must be “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) and let Christ who now lives in us, take control and lead us through his third way.

I could continue and will return to Jesus but let’s now look throughout the rest of the New Testament (to be honest, I am choosing not to talk about the Old Testament. I have ideas and theories about how to harmonize the violence in the Old Testament with Jesus’ message but they are not much more than that: ideas and theories. Maybe someday I will figure it out, or maybe I’m not supposed to but rather just follow Christ’s example and teaching). He told us that he didn’t come into the world to abolish the law but to fulfill and perfect it. I guess that is where I am at right now; I don’t know how he fulfilled it but I know I am called to follow him regardless of my questions. Paul in Ephesians, tells us that we are ultimately not even fighting against other humans; “our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (6:12). We need to be fighting spiritually against these forces not physically against “flesh and blood.” Author, professor and pastor Greg Boyd reminds us that flesh and blood are never the enemy and that we end up battling physically precisely because we’re not fighting spiritually as we’re called to do. We don’t believe that prayer is enough, so we default to taking matters into our own hand (quite literally). “Christians, instead of arming themselves with swords, extend their hands in prayer,” (St. Athanasius). We’re also told in Philippians that in Paul’s perspective, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:21 NIV). He didn’t want to die but would count is as gain to die, especially for the sake of following Christ.

We are called to suffer with Christ. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer…Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them…Live in harmony with one another…Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought of what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it demands of you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, and I will repay says the LORD.’ No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink…Do not be evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:15-21). Paul assumes that we will suffer and admonishes us to be patient while we rejoice in hope. We’re not to destroy or even curse our persecutors, but bless them! We’re to try with all our might to live in literal peace and harmony with others. Repaying evil for evil is not a description of a follower of Christ. Our job is NEVER to avenge ourselves, but leave it to God who is the ONLY just judge. Why should we be so quick to judge when we’re the ones who have experienced the greatest act of forgiveness? Shouldn’t we be the first ones to believe that our God is the God of second chances, the God who can forgive and reconcile anyone, even the worst that humankind has seen? We’re told to feed and give drink to our enemies, to humble ourselves and show Christ’s love. Evil will never have the power to overcome us unless we let it. We can and must overcome evil with good!

Peter even tells slaves that their sufferings at the hands of their owners is commendable to God and that maybe one even should go through the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God and his desires. “Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth," (Isaiah 53:9). When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:18-23). He reminds us that we’re to follow in Christ’s example: blameless, choosing to not retaliate but rest in a God who brings true justice.

As a follower of Christ, I do believe that scripture has ultimate authority. I do not think that there needs to be more to this argument. But I am not going to end there because for me all this truth is great but like I said earlier, there is something in me that tells me when it comes down to it, I need to fight. Generally, I feel this not in the circumstance where I am being hurt but when a loved one is being hurt. Because of this, I finish with my answers to the deep, tough, and grey circumstances which I previously thought I would have made exception to Christ’s third way.

For me the hardest part about accepting Jesus’ example of non-violence was the possibility that some day I might be in a circumstance where I might have to use violence to save someone else. Would I kill someone who was about to kill me? Or would I kill a person if I knew they were going to kill someone I love? What about these horrific, extreme circumstances. Surely Jesus would excuse me from taking out someone who was about to rape my wife or a pedophile who was going to torture and kill my kids! This is where it got real for me and despite how much I believed in my head that violence was outside of God’s plan, I wanted to take it into my own hands. I couldn’t get past these possible circumstances until I watched a film called the Kite Runner.

In the film, some Afghanis are being secretly smuggled out of Afghanistan while it is being invaded by Russia. The truck that is carrying the Afghanis is suddenly stopped by Russian soldiers. They make the driver open the back door, exposing the terrified men, women and children. The soldier tells the driver that he’ll let the truck pass the checkpoint as long as he can have a half hour with one of the women in the truck. A man the protagonist’s father (called Baba), seeing what is being done, quickly and defiantly stands up and approaches the guard. Baba tells the driver to ask the guard where his dignity is and if he wants to get to the girl he will have to kill him first. The guard is taken aback and then responds by threatening of shooting the father. Baba tells him that he had better make the shot count. Again taken back, the angered guard begins to argue as his commander comes over to see what the commotion is about. The commander waves the truck on as Baba sits down and is deeply thanked by the woman’s husband. Babe responds by saying, “I did nothing.”

Although Baba’s example isn’t perfect, I believe it gives a powerful and moving picture of what Jesus’ third way will look like. Baba began by standing up to the violence. He confronted the man’s injustice and made the soldier view and hear the evil that he was doing. Once the soldier continued with his violence, after being given a chance to repent, Baba then chose to give his life up in order to protect the woman. He told the guard that he will only get the girl if he first kills him. Now the guard gets a second chance to repent, hopefully realizing this time the magnitude of his desires. The guard’s lust and pride continue to consume him and he very nearly does kill a man in exchange for a few minutes with a woman. Even if the soldier’s did end up pulling the trigger, the severity of killing a man might (and should) force him to realize the depth of his desire. What if all else failed? What if the soldier did kill the man, shrug it off, and raped the young wife? Some might say that this man died in vain, that he really didn’t do all that he could (inferring that he should have acted violently towards him), and that maybe he even took the easy way out (it is easy to give up one’s life painlessly they might say). But I would say that, assuming this man is a Christian, he did everything that his God would have him do; showing the greatest possible type of love, giving up one’s life for another (sound familiar?).

Remember that we are called to give up our lives, not take them. Martyr means witness. We’re told to follow our Savior’s example: giving his life although he could have easily saved it and maybe even fixed our whole mess without dying. We’re suppose to live Christ’s third way, leaving justice up to the only just judge. The safest place to be is in God’s will. We’re to love our enemies, praying for them as they persecute and curse us-and that is if we dismiss the biblical idea that we don’t even have human enemies but rather the kingdom of darkness is our enemy. Jesus’ third way admonished us to creatively undercut violence, demanding the afflicter see and acknowledge the victim’s humanity. We believe in a God who gives second chances, who doesn’t give up on us even while we continue to fail. How can we condemn when we have been redeemed and rescued from an unforgivable debt? And ultimately to live is Christ but if it would ever come to it, to die is gain.

Let me end with one more story. During World War II there was a German theologian name Dietrich Bonhoeffer who opposed Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich. Bonhoeffer struggled horribly with trying to decide if it was right to take the life of someone in order to save others. He ended up conspiring to assassinate Hitler in 1944 but the attempt was unsuccessful. When his connection to the conspirators was found out, he was arrested. He was then moved through a series of concentration camps and was eventually executed. Although Bonhoeffer conspired to assassinate Hitler, which would have undoubtedly saved tens, even hundreds of thousands of lives(http://holocaust-info.dk/statistics/hillberg_year.htm), he always believed that what he was doing was wrong. He knew that it was not what his God wanted, that is was essentially sin, but said that despite this, as a human he must do it. Even in the most horrific situations our world has seen, this godly man’s example again shows us that us acting violently is not Christ’s way. As Christians we must find a third way, Christ’s third way.

SNL Skit: Palen and Clinton

2008-09-15T21:25:00.001-05:00

I thought this was hilarious! One of the best impersonations I have seen on SNL. Props Tina Faye!

Email Exchanges from Barak Obama to Donald Miller-taken from Miller's own blog

2008-08-31T21:57:00.002-05:00

I want to share a correspondence that has taken place between myself and Senator Obama. Since I closed the DNC with a benediction, people have asked whether I know the Senator and whether we’ve met. Barack Obama and I have had an ongoing e-mail correspondence for several months, the bulk of which I have posted for you.

It all started when I attended a rally here in Portland at which more than 75,000 people showed to support the Senator. Somehow, I managed to get a spot close to the stage and during his speech the Senator pointed at me and told me “Yes, I could,” something I think he stole from the Black Eyed Pea’s, but oh well. Anyway, I was moved by the speech, but I had questions. I can do what? At the time, I was trying to pick paint colors for the living room, but was frozen between Icelandic Blue and Mossy-Rock Green.

To my amazement, Barack e-mailed me shortly thereafter. I don’t know if it is appropriate to share our personal correspondence, but I offer it to you anyway. I’ve posted Barack’s e-mails followed by my responses.
FIRST E-MAIL FROM BARACK:

Dear Donald,

You did it!

Not just yesterday, but every day for more than a year, you did what the cynics said we couldn’t do.

You said the time has come to get beyond the same old tactics that divide and distract us, and you gave people a reason to believe again.

We’re within reach of the nomination, and we are ready to take this country in a new direction.
Thank you for your continued support, and for everything you’ve done to make this possible.
Barack
MY RESPONSE:

Mr. Obama,

Wow. I’m shocked. How did you get my e-mail address? I gave my e-mail address to a cute hippie with a clip board. Did you get my address from her? Do you know her? Can you ask her to call me? Anyway, no biggie, just cool that you wrote.

I wanted to talk to you after the rally but the guy with the curly earphones said you were busy. As for your e-mail, I don’t remember saying “the time has come to get beyond the same old tactics that divide and distract us,” but that’s exactly how I feel. I say a lot of things I don’t remember. My roommate Jordan said I said he could eat my leftover calzone from Pizzicatta but I don’t remember saying that and I know I was planning on having it for breakfast the next day.

Anyway, I hear you are going to Europe. I was thinking about trying to get over there myself but the exchange rate is nuts. My friend Karl said he paid nine bucks for a pint. That’s out of my league. Are you backpacking? Staying in hostels? Watch out in Amsterdam, that place is crazy. Write back about that hippie girl.

I gotta go.

Don
SECOND E-MAIL FROM BARACK:

Donald –

Right now you have a unique opportunity to go head-to-head with George W. Bush.
This week, John McCain and George Bush gathered behind closed doors, away from the cameras, to raise money for McCain’s campaign.

McCain used Bush to raise a reported $3.5 million from a group of about 500 Republican contributors.
That’s a lot of money that will undoubtedly be used to attack us and make the case to continue George Bush’s policies.

John McCain can run from the cameras, but he can’t hide from the fact he’s aiming to continue George Bush’s policies for a disastrous third term.

Let’s show that we’re ready to take him on. Donate to the campaign today.

Thank you,

Barack
MY RESPONSE:

Barack, dude, that first line freaked me out. For a second I was like, no way, he’s surrounded by secret service. And then I was picturing some kind of fight club in the basement of the White House where Dick Cheney and Karl Rove pummel each other in order to “feel.” Did you see that movie? Chuck Palhniuk is from Portland, you know. He’s a bit strange.

To be honest, man, I’m strapped for cash right now. I bought a couple t-shirts at the rally and a bumper-sticker but that’s all the money I had. I should have some money coming in next week and I’ll float you something. Do you need to pick up a flag pin? I’ve got one if you need it. It was my uncles.

Later,

Don

P.S. My friends call me Don, so it’s cool.
THIRD E-MAIL FROM BARACK:

Donald –
I’m about to take the stage in St. Paul and announce that we have won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

It’s been a long journey, and we should all pause to thank Hillary Clinton, who made history in this campaign. Our party and our country are better off because of her.

It’s going to take hard work, but thanks to you and millions of other donors and volunteers, no one has ever been more prepared for such a challenge.

Thank you for everything you’ve done to get us here. Let’s keep making history.

Barack
MY RESPONSE:

Barack,

Sorry I missed your e-mail. Did you already give your speech? Do you get this on an I-Phone? My friend Wade and me (he was standing next to me at the Portland rally) ran down to the river because somebody said Starbucks was giving away Frappacino’s. Half true, though. It was just free samples. But Wade and I kept walking around this pole to get back in line and I filled up half a Nalgene before they told me to stop.

Very cool about Hillary. Sometimes you just have to talk it through, you know. I just think it’s cool you guys can be friends. I’m not married but I know my married friends are always looking for other couples to hang out with.

Let me know how that speech went.

Don

P.S. Also, did you give Al Gore my e-mail address? It’s cool, I just hadn’t heard from him before. We’re friends on facebook, but what does that mean anymore. And please, everybody calls me Don.

An E-Mail from Michelle Obama, came shortly after I was asked to give the closing prayer at the DNC.
FIRST E-MAIL FROM MICHELE OBAMA:

Donald –

Barack likes to tell a story about the two of us standing backstage before his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention.

The way he tells it, he was too busy in the days before the convention to feel any pressure — but about an hour before the speech, I could tell he was getting a little nervous.

To break the tension, right before he went out on stage I leaned in close and said, “Just don’t screw it up, buddy.”

We laughed. And then Barack brought the house down.

Barack’s speech at this year’s convention will be a culmination of the unlikely journey that has brought all of us so far over the past 17 months.

Seeing it in person will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m excited about being there, and if you make a donation of $5 or more before the deadline, you could join Barack backstage. Donate today and you will be registered to join us!

Thanks for everything you’ve done to get us here.

Michelle
MY RESPONSE:

Mrs. Obama,

It’s a pleasure to hear from you. You look lovely all the time. Are we all going to hang out in Denver? I think it’s awesome they asked me to pray.

I just want you to know, I’m not one of those cigar-smoking guys that is going to have your husband out on the back deck shooting b.b. guns till midnight. I don’t know if you made contact to try to feel me out or not, but I’m not like that. I like a cigar every once in a while, but it’s not that big of a deal.

That is awesome what you said to Barack before the 2004 speech, about not screwing it up. That was the first time I saw him speak and I was blown away. But could you not say that to me before my prayer? Please. I just get really, really nervous. I nearly wet my pants before that talk at Harvard. I know it’s just a three-minute prayer, but could you just kind of nod at me when it’s my turn to walk out there? I am just going to listen to my headphones beforehand, like Michael Phelps.

Also, I don’t have to follow him, do I? He’s not going to do the yes you can one, is he? Think he’d be willing to tone it down a bit, so I don’t look bad?

I look forward to meeting you. I don’t hardly watch football anymore. Just on Sundays, and never when I am at somebody else’s house. No biggie, just saying.

Sincerely,

Donald

P.S. So do I have to register to get a pass. A lady named Kitty called and said there would be a packet at the hotel. What room are you guys in?
FINAL E-MAIL FROM BARACK:

Donald –

As you may have heard, 10 supporters will be joining me backstage before I accept the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The people who make up our movement are of all different ages, races, and backgrounds — and these folks are no different.

They each bring their own unique perspectives and experience, and they are united by their hunger for change.

If you cannot make it to Denver, you can get together with your friends and family and watch my acceptance speech at a Convention Watch Party.

Thank you for your belief in our ability to bring real change to this country. You continue to grow and strengthen our movement in ways no one thought possible.

Barack
MY RESPONSE:

Barack,

Cool about the other guys. Are they fraternity guys? It’s just not my crowd, that’s all. But no big deal.

I can make it to Denver. I told Michelle but she hasn’t e-mailed back. Kitty said my rehearsal would be on Sunday and I could use the teleprompter. Do they control the text from the sound-booth or can you scroll up and down with a button of your own? Have you ever looked through the teleprompter and got eye-locked with somebody and messed up?

Are the other guys giving a prayer, too?

It’s really cool you guys invited me to come. It’s an honor, to be honest. I think it’s great that you pray. I pray too. Tell Michelle I say hello. See you soon.

Sincerely,

Donald

P.S. Can you get Hannah Montana tickets? They aren’t for me, they’re for my niece. I told her I would ask.

•••••

So that’s it. I’m not saying we’re best friends, but I think he’s a pretty good guy for making contact and keeping in touch.

The convention was great. I actually did meet Michelle Obama and she was striking and friendly. She, her brother Craig, and the Obama children came into a room where I was sitting backstage, and for a few minutes it was just us. It was so strange to see this woman who was about to go out and address the nation and I’m telling you, she wasn’t nervous at all. She was just another mother hanging out with her kids. I don’t know how she remained so composed. It was really an honor to be back there.

So this is the new blog. I’ll try to keep it light and funny, because I’m not big on controversy. I think most of it is hype, to be honest. But if you want to chime in, I’ve finally got a way for you to leave comments.

Best,

Don

Everything skit

2007-10-08T22:11:00.000-05:00

This is such a powerful video.
I needed to share it.

href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA">

2007-09-30T22:28:00.000-05:00

I recently celebrated two months of matrimony last Friday. I still am quite the rookie when it comes to marriage and will be the first to acknowledge that I will forever be a student of the intricacies and beauty of this mysterious and glorious gift of God. As I reflected on my two months of marriage, I realized how far off I was in some of my ideas, as well as was inspired as I read a prayer I wrote a few months before our wedding. Amy and I prayed this prayer just weeks before we got married, naïve of how God just might answer our brave and giant requests and desires. The reason I was so in awe, was how he has already begun to answer this prayer. He has been working on and through us like never before and the joy and peace we feel truly passes all understanding. These were the words we offered to our creator, master and lover...

Dear Lord,

We’re here because of your wonderful grace. I am so thankful that you have brought Amy and me together. Your plans have and will always be so much better than I could have ever done. We acknowledge that you brought us together and you are the blesser of our marriage. We want to first and foremost give our marriage back to you Lord. You have brought us together to share in the beautiful gift of love that you created for you children as a sacred picture of our relationship with you. We want you to be more glorified through our marriage and more of your kingdom built because you are working through us. Please use us Lord for you glory and Kingdom. There is nothing that would give us greater joy.

Teach us how to love each other just as you love your church. Give us patience with each other. Help us to see the other’s needs as more important than our own. Please grant us the strength and wisdom to not only make our marriage work but for it to go far beyond anything we could have asked for! Let us never forget why we’re together and from whom this gift was given.

Give us an adventurous life, Lord! We want to live life to the fullest! We want to delight in you Lord, thus receiving the desires of our hearts! We want to be servants to the least of these as we were serving you in the flesh! We want to be a part of your plan, advancing your kingdom through service, humility, compassion, grace, and love! Let us be the disciples you created us to be. Never let us not meet our potential. Blow us away with your power, love, goodness, and holiness! We love you Lord and are forever indebted to you.

Like I said before, this is but the beginning of a long and adventurous journey filled with both mountain top experience and dark valleys. God has already even used our valleys for great growth and closeness. I know his plan for us is so great and I cannot wait to continue on this journey and see what he has for us!

marriage

2007-08-28T22:15:00.000-05:00

marriage.

It has been over three weeks since I tied the knot. I’m not exactly what my purpose in this blog is however this is the newest and biggest thing in my life. Marriage has been quite the adventure so far. I still am in awe that I get to spend the rest of my life with this woman. I wake up next to an angel, wondering why I deserve this.

Sharing a life with a person is such an amazing experience. My friends and I have valued and tried to live in community for the past four years and it has been an awesome experience, bringing and experiencing the Kingdom of God here on earth. Being married has been an even deeper experience into this. Jesus speaks of marriage as a metaphor and example for how he loves his church and our relationship with him.

I am obviously no expert on this; more like an excited rookie who can’t wait to play another game. I’m sure I will write much more on this subject as I learn and grow alongside my wife. Again God has granted exceeding joy in my newest chapter of life, even better than the previous one although I never thought that possible.

Idolatry-A Sin Closer to Home Then We Think

2007-07-25T19:09:00.001-05:00

There was a woman from India who was a church planter. One day an American pastor, who was visiting India to help teach and lead church plants and planter, asked her if she had ever been to the US or would want to visit someday. She bluntly told him that she had once and never wanted to go back. The pastor questioned why, to which the woman replied that she couldn’t stomach all of the idolatry in our country. This conversation took place just feet from an altar which was covered with blood and feathers, and according to the pastor, was quite a common sight in that part of India

To be honest I do not think we as an American church believe we struggle with the sin of idolatry. We might humbly acknowledge that we struggle with pride, materialism and lust but not idolatry. We are much, much too sophisticated, and godly I might add, to sit in front of a carved bed of stone who looks like a cross between a bull and a man. But according to this god-fearing church planter in India, our nation stenches of it!

When asked to expound on why she thought we were so idolatrous, the woman quickly gave examples. TV is your god. You place every piece of furniture in your houses so it faces this god and you worship it as a family for hours and hours every day! Your stomach is your god. You have restaurants everywhere and will eat unhealthy food just to save time or because you have little self control. While a third of the world goes hungry, you fill your stomachs well beyond full. Sport teams are your god. You follow them with such great energy and passion and build them multi-million dollar stadiums and their players are idolized in children’s eyes.

It is so easy to see sin, and in this case idolatry in other cultures. But how hard is it for us to see it in our nation. Our idolatry is normal to us and our way of life. Some of us couldn’t imagine life without these “gods” being an iatrical part of our lives.

Pastor and author Tim Keller has given some questions that we can ask of ourselves to see where idols lie in our lives.
• What am I afraid of and how do I avoid it?
• What do I long for most passionately?
• Where do I run for comfort?
• What do I complain about the most?
• What makes me the happiest?
• How do you explain and describe yourself to others?
• What has caused you to be mad at, disappointed with and let down by God? (Are you maybe mad at the real God because he isn’t providing you with your false god?)
• What do you want more than anything in your life?
• What do you sacrifice for?
• If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?
• Whose approval are you seeking?
• What do you want to control and master in your life?
• What comfort do you most treasure?

Martin Luther believed that if we followed the first two commandments we wouldn’t break the last eight. How are we not following the first two commandments in our own lives? What are the idols in EVERY place in our lives that are taking the spot of our God?

Christians' Duty to Their Creator

2007-07-19T13:29:00.001-05:00

Despite the possibility that I might get labeled a tree-hugger or liberal, I wanted to share my recent thought about our obligation and responsibility as Christians to care for creation and our planet. As I read through Genesis I am in awe at how God is in such love with his creation. It is in fact his creation and he calls it good. (Yes, yes I know He does describe man as "very good" thus demonstrating to us how mankind is more important to God but I'm not arguing that we should put creation ahead of the importance of human life , which is made in the image of God.) The Earth and all that is in it is God's masterpiece as a creator. He designed it all and found pleasure in it. Also as I look through Job and I read part of God's response to Job, I see another instance where God delights in his creation. Throughout chapter 38-40 he speaks of his creation in detail, describing their uniquenesses and receiving pleasure from his creation that has no apparent usefulness to humans. Also the psalmist marvels Yahweh when he says, "In wisdom you made them all, the earth is full of your creatures" (104:24).

Jesus also speaks of God's love for his creation. "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
" (Luke 12:24-28).

I could continue but I want to make another point as well. As Christians we all know that the second greatest commandment and the job of every Christian is to love one's neighbor as one loves her/himself. If we are not taking care of creation and destroying the earth, how is this loving to the millions of Christians who will live after us. One great act of love that we can do to our neighbors is caring for creation so that we can share in the delight and joy of it with others.

We are called to take care of God's creation as stewards, not rape it and consume everything so we can benefit, make money and be more comfortable. Creation is not ours. It is ultimately God's. We were given it in order to survive and to enjoy it.

I am going to end with some disturbing statistics I read recently. I hope these will help us realize how we have fallen far from meeting God's command to love and care for his creation.

We're loosing 1.5 acres of rain forest per second
70% of China's rivers are polluted (polluted is defined here as "unfit for human contact")
The World Health Organization estimated last year 4.6 MILLION people died of diseases caused by air pollution
In any given year, we loose 50,000 different distinct species of plants, insects, and animals (This is a huge example of how we're so far from true care and stewardship)
In any given day, we (the United States) produce enough trash to fill 63,000 dump trucks
We dumped 14 billion pounds of waste into the ocean last year
Diapers: scientists have found out that diapers are NOT decomposable and will be still sitting in the landfills in 300 years. In America we use 570 per second, 49,000,000 per day, and 18,000,000,000 a year. In order to dispose of these we spent $350,000,000 last year.

-spencer

2007-07-19T10:16:00.001-05:00

This is my first blog. I hope that this can be a place where I can get my thoughts and frustrations out in a constructive way, as well as hear others' points of view, which I value. More to come...