New Blog

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to let you know that I started a blog....

Feel free to check it out:

www.stonemadeflesh.com

Enjoy!

True Prophetic Danger

Through this latest season of political entertainment, I am learning the word prophetic has a different meaning for those outside of the charismatic (usually right-wing) church.  Prophetic for us is getting personal words about a person's destiny, or getting a dream from the Third Heaven, or ushering in revival.  Prophetic for the left is Martin Luther King.  Prophetic for the left is taking up the cause of economic justice, and speaking to political powers-that-be to get that justice.  It's Ghandi, it's Farrakhan, it's the old testament prophetic stance.  

Before my Regent University conservative republican-contract with america "democrats are devilcrats" days, I was a left wing liberal.  I dug Cuomo before I dug Jesus.  Not that I am a left winger now, I'd never vote for Hillary or Kerry, but I do thing Obama is the man of the hour and can make historic choices for the betterment of the USA as president.  

Check out this video-- I like the part where he speaks about the Pope calling Iraq an immoral war.  

I wonder if God would bring the left-wing and right-wing prophets into one camp, what would happen? 

Jason, that's not danger, THIS is danger

Try this one out my friend. 

You want dangerous Roy? I can deliver danger...

Time bomb.

So, I have this weird cyber disorder where I can't stand to look at stagnant data. Allow me to translate. If a blog is not being updated... drives me nuts. If there are a bunch of people that are my friends in some social networking site and I never communicate with them, delete. If I am a part of a group blog that is only updated irregularly by just one person most of the time...

So, it's probably part of my sin nature dealing with inpatients, but this ole' Team Polycarp thing will probably meet it's demise fairly soon.

So let me know in the comments your thoughts. Any ideas, people we could invite to build up the content. I know each of the other guys on here have their own blogs that require your inspiration and attention so no worries...

Don't be afraid to speak the truth. Make your voice heard via the comments, or , make your point via your silence on the subject.

We'll need a majority to keep this thing going. Let me know. Please, have mercy... It really is a disorder.

If you wanted to add a bit of gravity to your day...

Check out this blog.

History is working itself out.

Read about it here.

Friday morning thoughts from Jason.

• I sure wish I could drive our new Ford to work everyday (It's my wifes) It has a snazzy Mp3 jack that lets me plug my iPod into it and I can listen away. This morning I heard an amazing sermon from Francis Chan of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, Ca.
  
• You to can listen to this sermon, and everyone that reads this blog I know, and think you would be blessed by it. Go to the link above for Cornerstone Church, click on media, then sermons, then select 2/24/08 "Reviving our hearts for worship". I think you will be blessed.
• Did I mention you'd be blessed by it?
  
• I was praying yesterday about some stuff (stuff not meant for public knowledge as of yet) and I was talking to God about my needs in this issue. I then felt a bit convicted that I should be praying for the others involved and not so much for my needs. Then I started to think about the old, spiritually healthier, excited Jason and how he would have handled it by trying to get involved and help solve problems and right the ship. I then started to think about how now, I am horrified by the thought of getting involved . I have zero confidence n in an area I once thought was my strength. So I prayed "God, I'm sorry I can't offer anything... just my broken little prayers." Then the revelation, or reminder, or maybe just a thought came to me saying "and you thought that anything you offered before was more than a broken little prayer?" Even if I felt I was at the top of my game, an iron man of faith and prudence, a victor over sin, I would still need God to handle every single moment of my life 100% of the time. The old, "spiritually healthier", excited Jason thought he would, and could handle some of the load for the big guy upstairs.
• So that leads me to wonder, is this prolonged valley of complexity, depression and desperation a healthier place for me to be than when I thought I was "on track"? Or are they just two different eras of my life?
• Oh, I was just kidding a couple of posts ago about not believing in hell anymore. Just a foolish way to start some controversy on the blog. Oh yeah, I still believe in hell! How pleasant that is.
  

Yep!

My new favorite daily read.

On the train to Vancouver the past few days I enjoyed getting caught up on some of my RSS feeds of blogs I mean to read but don't always. One that I will be sure to now is Stuff Christians like. Kind of a parody of funny things we do or enjoy as believers. It is well written, not mean spirited, and actually has a morale to most of the stories. Good stuff, check it out!

Back from a conference.

Well, I'm not back from the conference Dave is at right now in Louisville, KY. The Together for the Gospel one... I was at a work conference in Vancouver talking about outcome measurements and so forth. Very compelling stuff. I was able to ride the train in which was really nice the first time but yesterday was a bit of a drag as it was filled up with high schoolers headed to the big city on a field trip. They have no concept of train etiquette! They were talkative and excited. Alas, I was not able to immerse myself in crowded seclusion with my iPod and book. To think, I used to be a youth pastor...?

There are no really interesting observations from my conference to share, well maybe one... There were lots of different human service agencies there including womens shelters, teen justice centers, community living agencies, rehab centers. The conference was about measuring the success rates of our programs. A lady who runs a food bank kind of broke down yesterday frustratingly admitting that she didn't really see how they were having success in the food bank when no one seems to be improving. There is no real measure of successes she explained, when all you are doing is feeding someones belly temporarily and helping them continue in the cycle of poverty by giving them handouts. The rest of the group chimed in with advice and agreement to her points. The general consensus was that she was correct, but it was a still necessity. All this to say the different world view believers have than others is highlighted a bit here. Acting benevolent isn't confined to Christianity. This said, as believers we recognize an eternal value and purpose of God's love that propels us to good deeds. Obviously frustration with poverty isn't ignored by Christ followers, but I rejoice in the hope of the gospel that replaces it.

John 6
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

Cool post fit for a Monday moaning...

Since we've been talking about "religion" as opposed to how we should "live" in this world, I thought it amusing to link to a post that seems timely right now.

Somewhat in response to Jason's recent posting (and in addendum) Here are some thoughts. I don't know where all of us are on this journey called Christianity (or being a disciple, or seeker, or whatever you call it), but I have been struggling lately to come to grips with who I am, what I believe (and no longer believe), without my usual kneejerk reaction. (I used to be proud of that - in fact, I have even had several e-mail addresses with the name Kneejrk@***.com).

While I think it's healthy to question what we believe - and more importantly WHY we believe what we believe, we should avoid the usual "rebellious" attitude and tone that sometimes accomapanies these exercises. I speak from experience - I myself can be an arrogant jerk when I get around less "informed" and "enlightened" people who still blindly still believe such and such.

So what is the answer? I don't really know. I'm still unergoing this same process, and I think I'm better for it, but I'll admit, I'm still confused. What I'm left with is a bunch of questions and observations:

What is the difference between being "doctrinally orthodox" & simply being "Indoctrinated Orthodoxically" (Say that 10 times fast while chewing gum!)

How much damage have I inflicted in the past while Indoctrinating others Orthodoxically on stuff I no longer believe?!!!???? [Sincere and humble 'mea culpa' to Jason and the rest of you "Chosen" ones, wherever you may be. I did the best I could with what little I had at the time:) ]


I don't think my theology will ever "line up" with another group - if so, fine. The thing is, I'm o.k. with it, whereas a couple of years ago I would have lost sleep over it.

So what am I left with? I'm on a journey, so to speak....

Any other thoughts? Sound off.

This is not a parody. Scouts honor.

This woman is a mystery. Taken from an article on how she is trying to appeal to gun owners now.

I think we now know who shot to the lead in Steve's polls...

Clinton stood by the bar and took a shot of Crown Royal whiskey. She took one sip of the shot, then another small sip, then a few seconds later threw her head back and finished off the whole thing.

Clinton later sat down at a table and enjoyed some pizza and beer, and called over Mayor Tom McDermott of Hammond, Ind., to come join the table.

"Every time I get around you we start drinking, senator," the mayor exclaimed.

Clinton nodded and raised her glass.

"It's Saturday night, though, Tom," she said.

Theology

Currently listening to: Hail, mighty man of valor
Currently watching: David's mighty men
Currently thinking about: How I am seven feet away from a crisis of faith.

To be more precise, seven feet past. And I'm wearing it on my sleeve like a cuff link. This can happen when theology takes a vacation and theophanies are too few and far between.

Can we conjure up for a moment the place where things were a little more effortless and innocent? Before paid pastors purposefully disqualified themselves from ministry by downloading filthy images onto the church computer. The same computer in the sanctuary that controls the power point presentation of the Sunday morning worship hits.

The time I am referring to was called idealism. It was absolute and sure. As solid as gun-ship gray paint and obsidian. When a man could both speak in tongues and have the proper interpretation without causing a ruction. When you could play an acoustic guitar through a chorus pedal whilst rocking a neon yellow nylon guitar strap in tapered jeans. In the age of prudence the word "revival" meant something else entirely and you could count on a slide show when the missionaries came to your church. This assurance confessed a disdain for Mormons, profane cartoons and the new age in a simple and soft cadence.

I remember idealism with great fondness. Bible memorization was a lot easier then. The outward signs of an inward grace told everyone that believers had the market cornered on good works stricter than the roman siege at Masada. I remember commenting to my father that even should a non-believer perform a noble act of mercy it would only actually glorify their father the devil. He looked at me with both disappointment and trepidation as I'm sure he was wondering what they were indoctrinating me with at the Pentecostal church's youth group. The entire parade of the unfaithful was easily characterized. They had an affection for secular music and recreational drugs.

A desert be no desert if Christ is there with him - Matthew Henry

She was tall like a broomstick and didn't trust the septuagint. Although, she didn't know about the septuagint, Jerome's vulgar latin translation or even Martin Luther hiding out from the Pope and turning the gospel of Luke into German. She certainly didn't know about John Wycliffe and his posse the Lollards. Or that the Morning star of the reformation having already been martyred and buried, was exhumed so they could torch him all over again. I don't really even remember this girls name but I do recall how I felt when she confided that she could never believe because that the words of the bible certainly lost their luster and perfection as they were changed from one language to the next. An argument not based of her strong volition or the want to sin without remorse, but born in thoughtfulness and a naive etymology. I on the other hand was an evangelist charged with conveying a gospel not much more complex than what my t-shirt might say. I explained to my gangley friend that although there might be some textual issues in the book of Psalms, and a thing or two different between the KJV and the NIV it was a actually quite a masterpiece of precision. The Pentecostal church's youth group* had taught me that even if a cyclone had attacked a junkyard and the debris miraculously built a printing press, those were still better odds than the bible evolving into what it is. She did not seem to follow this logic nor my clever illustrations and remained unconvinced. I sometimes think that today, besides having tall children she is probably comfortable in her agnostic understanding while I continue to reel in my uncertainty.

Mark 8:34-35 (NIV) Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." - Jesus of Nazereth

Intellectual suicide. Now I blog about what could have been. If I'd gotten out my thesaurus years ago and hadn't spent so much time reading about Carl Erskine and the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers I might have come to grips a lot earlier with my theology (or how I think about God's relationship with me and the rest of the galaxy.) I'm stuck. My crisis is mine alone and not answered by someone with a patent on exegesis or some guy with clunky glasses, the midrash and post-modernism. I'm stuck beyond certainty. I need signs and wonders and scientific foundations. I need a visitation and to lose all my self-interest. I'm vain and totally defeated. I want my friend idealism to come walking off the plane into the terminal. Fresh with souvenirs to remind me where he went. This isn't going to happen. He died in the crisis. Now I'm left with something much more uncomfortable; reality, revelations and relativism. I think about my disciples and if they need to know these truths to... But I don't know how to break it to them. Do you?

Jason lives with his wife and son in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. He enjoys running and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His first book, "Songs about my dreams" will be released independently in 2009.

* All above references to the "Pentecostal church's youth group" do not necessarily reflect the authors true experiences.

Songs about my dreams.

I used to live in a bus.
A geriatric, green one that at one time belonged to the Air force.
It was heated by a wood burning stove that I didn't know how to start a fire in.
I remember always seeing my breath in that bus.

I remember I used to share a bed with my sister in that bus.
We watched 1980 come alive on a black and white TV.
I remember looking down at a shot gun, half way out of it's case.
Still steaming from having blasted away the divorce settlement.

I remember being woken up in the middle of the night in that bus.
To patrol the perimeter of the property looking for the punk who slashed our tires.
Ready to defend the green bus, six crappy cars and a pile of scrap metal with my life.
I was 7.

I don't have many more memories from that bus.
Except there was this book about karate and flying side kicks in that bus.
After all it was just the prime of my life.
When I lived in that bus.

Jason lives with his wife and son in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. He enjoys running and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His first book, "Songs about my dreams" will be released independently in 2009.

Correction.

Sorry, I made a mistake. Hell exists, it's a place called Haiti.

Hell?

You know, I've been thinking about it a lot, and I just don't understand or think anymore that a loving God could send people to hell.

The latest sign of the apocalypse.

Amazing. Words can not describe.

being religious vs. everything that is really good

So something I have been thinking about is all the bashing of the word "religious". I know that it has become the end all be all to everything wrong with Christianity, however in it's purest form it means following and acting like Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I'm really not trying to make to big a deal about it, (why are you blogging about it then??)I guess I'm just commenting on how trendy it's been for Christ-followers to wear their "I hate religion as much as you, brother athiest" t-shirts and separate themselves from the phrase. All that to say, on my drive to work this morning I was pondering this and thinking that a better way for me to express what I don't like, or want to separate myself from is from "church-ianity". The idea that our true love is following the structure and nuances of being part of a social-organization and it traditions then following Pastor Jesus. Just a thought.

In conclusion, I was listening to Matt Chandler from Village church this morning and he said "what really makes religious people angry is when the virtue of their faith is questioned and they are told they need to grace of Jesus" (or something like that). That got me to thinking, firstly, about the term "religious", and secondly, how true that has been to me. I pray my heart is always soft enough to continue hear that.

To make this post longer and completely unbearable to read, he brought something out of scripture that I thought was fascinating. As he was teaching out of Luke 6 where Jesus is speaking of loving your enemies, and turning the other cheek, he mentioned that in the early church, to be slapped across the face was a high insult when being kicked out of the synagogue. Fast forward to Jesus trial in front of the pharisees and what do they do at the end of it? Have him slapped across the face. Then in Luke 6 he talks about giving up your shirt if they take your cloak, and we fast forward again to Stephen, demonstrating the teaching of Jesus in the book of Acts as they ripped off his garments as the stoned him and his response being "Father, don't hold this against them". Wow, the early church following Jesus teaching and here we sometimes try to make it into some allegorical philosophy... you know, "Jesus didn't really mean to say, give them your coat..."

I thought it was good at least!

Spoiler!

Well, I guess all the fun of the 2008 presidential elections is gone now that the winner has been leaked... L-A-M-E.

Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early

Vacation photos.

So if your interested and are not part of the Facebook galaxy, you can check out the photos from our vacation to California the last part of March.
Check them out:
Here
and
Here

Loss.

Loss.

It is everywhere.

From my favorite hockey team

to the scalp that holds my hair.

There is no use trying to fight,

because we were designed to lose

but If I didn't tell

you wouldn't believe

that I have lost my melody

and now I sing the blues.