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.

The Flaw of Postmodernisem

This clip is from a recent episode (17/01/08) of ER entitled “Atonement” in which a postmodern chaplain is talking to a man dying of cancer:

Blue heaven.

For posterity sake I must mention that the baseball season is now going. The Dodgers played and won today. They are in first place. Hopefully they will be in first place at the end of October as well. Between now and then I will be a nervous wreck every day because of them. GO BLUE!

The Real Ultimatum

Expelled the Movie

Home. From sun to snow.

So I just got home a few seconds ago. Back from two weeks to sunny So. Cal and family. 650 pictures and a bunch of fun. No cell phone, no internet, no cable. Not bad. I'll write more in a bit. How have you all been? Still alive?

How To Have Revival...

Warning: video contains country music that some viewers may find cheesy.

Jeremiah Wright Gets the Elephant from Under the Carpet

I think the Jeremiah Wright controversy is the ultimate opportunity for a nationwide collective inner healing session. Really. This stuff-- hostility between black and white-- is usually swept under the carpet. But now we've got

an elephant under the carpet, and it's time to deal with it.  

What's interesting is FoxNews broke the story, and the dividing line between right and left can so be seen more clearly. Barack was on Foxnews the other day, and it was like a revisit to a 1950's McCarthy trial. "Mr. Senator, were you baptized

by this un-american man on this date in 1994" type of garbage.

For me, I'm still a Barack supporter. At least he sees the racial divide in america, and can deal with it better than a republican right wing who is ignorant of it, and a competing

democrat who's husband has played the race issue unfairly.

Quote of the week...

The delay of your mercies is really to your advantage….The foolish child would pluck the apple whilst it is green, but when it is ripe, it drops of its own accord, and it is more pleasant and wholesome - John Flavel (1627 - 1691)

Sickness.

So somehow I've observed everyone around me getting sick all winter with the flu, colds, weird strains of viruses. We've had a heck of a time with staffing in our homes and people being out sick. I've even seen my son get sick 3 times and I've made it through ok. Wouldn't you know it though, 2 days before the first real vacation our family has had in the last 3 years and my turn finally has come up. The nose, the throat, worn out lazy feeling. The worst part to it is that I already suffer from altitude problems. Even in top condition as the plane descends and the cabin pressure changes I generally feel like my head is in a vice and someone is sticking knives into my forehead. Then I walk around the first week after the flight waiting for my ears to pop. Not fun, and the thing is now I have to fly with sinus and congestion issues to begin with. No amount of chewing gum will help. I'm expecting my head to actually burst at about 10,000 feet filling the cabin with brain matter and snot. So, there is my blog for the day. Even if the previous occurs, I'm still really excited about going on vacation!

Since David didn't do a quote of the week....

The task of a leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been. -Henry Kissinger

(Taken from my Aquanique inspirational water bottle given to me at the un-inspirational work conference I was at the last two days.)

New stuff.

So I fooled around with blog a bit this weekend. Probably as a way to take my mind off my vacation that is coming up this Friday. Two weeks in So. Cal with the family! Any how, I'm off this morning for a 3 day conference for work. Exciting stuff!

Obama and The Jesus Smile

A few weeks ago I watched the Ohio CNN Democratic debate on my Macbook Pro,  at like 8am 'cos I live in the UK and didn't want to be watch the live broadcast at cnn at 1 in the morning.  

So I'm watching Obama and Hillary and I've got this grin on my face.  I'm like, "this is awesome- would it not be great if Obama was actually going to be the next president of the US, leader of the free world, king of the new world order?"  

And I realized I was not just grinning, I was smiling. And not just any smile--  I had The Jesus Smile.  

The Jesus Smile is something I would get right after a Toronto Blessing meeting or a time when the presence of God was hieghtened.  One time after a worship meeting  I got back to my house, and a friend said to me, "Dude you've got the Jesus Smile!" The term was birthed at that moment.  

The Jesus smile means the kingdom of God is a reality-- it comes from the sense that life is about Jesus, and that's the most important thing.  I heard a great teaching recently about how Jesus caused a sense of ecstasy when he spoke to his disciples-- at least that is what the original language says. 

But why the Jesus Smile for Obama? 

Obama is no messiah,  but I think there's something to what Obama is about which fights the status quo, challenges authority and calls for a biblical viewpoint to the poor and oppressed. There's something akin to Jesus storming the temple and overturning the money changers' tables-- a fight against the last decade in politics and culture.  Maybe-- just maybe-- the guy is called to be a leader for this particular generation.

A cynic would say Obama is only about good vibes, false hopes and fainting followers, and that my Jesus smile is no different from the tears of the old ladies at a campaign rally. 

But brothers and sisters, after eleven straight wins, some frustrating losses, and a gain in super delegates..I'm still smiling. 

Thursdays with David

So it's that time again. We ask ourselves... what are they teaching these young people at the bible college? I think there are two bible colleges in the world, one in Jerusalem and one in Abbotsford BC. I am fortunate that I know a guy that has been to both.

So I'm going to take advantage of that and ask Dave, What did you learn today at bible college?

And I ask whatever readers there are out there, all 3 of us, what do you think he learned?

I flipping knew it.

Obama heals 100's.

From www.larknews.com

AUSTIN — Ginny McCallum, 43, who has been confined to a wheelchair for much of her adult life, came to hear presidential candidate Barack Obama speak at the University of Texas. Afterward she found herself in a wheelchair access breezeway as Obama and his entourage exited the arena. The candidate spotted her, came over, grabbed her hand and pulled her up. She found herself standing for the first time in eleven years.
"He smiled at me and said, ‘Yes, you can,’" she says. "I was so stunned I didn’t know what to do."
McCallum is among hundreds of people who say they have been healed by the Democratic candidate, in one of the most surprising and little-acknowledged aspects of his campaign. Reporters have shied away from the story, chalking it up to "Obama-mania" and people’s feelings of elation.
"We don’t talk about it a lot, but yeah, it does happen," says one staffer who says he has seen multiple people healed on a rope line. "We don’t know exactly how or why it’s happening, and the Senator won’t talk about it. He usually insists that people keep it quiet and just report it to their pastor or priest."
Greeting supporters after a rousing speech in Houston, Obama stepped into the dense crowd and spontaneously began touching people: a legally blind woman, a man deaf in one ear, a cancer sufferer and a lame man.
"Yes, you can," Obama said as he laid hands on afflicted bodies.
The people’s reactions were so joyous as to be almost frightening. They jumped and shouted and wept. Before they could thank or embrace the candidate he was well down the rope line healing others. Their excitement was lost in the general din of the crowd.
Aides acknowledge that the phenomenon is occurring with greater frequency.
"His power goes beyond simple inspiration," says one aide. "There is something developing here that I’m not sure any of us fully understands."
They say Obama has told them privately that his time has not yet come, so it would be inappropriate to talk about the healings right now. He says he will wait until the convention to speak publicly about the "special calling" he believes he has to lead the country. They do expect him to start alluding to "the providential nature of what is happening on the campaign trail" in an upcoming address, mostly because word is getting around.
People have begun bringing relatives by the score to campaign events in hopes of a healing touch.
"It’s not the speeches that are drawing people anymore, as good as they are," says a senior staff member. "It’s people wanting to get better, and wanting their friends and relatives to get better. It’s the belief that there’s something more here." •

On my birthday.

So on my old blog, I used to have a feature where I showed a "LARP" video once a week. That would be some video that documents "Live action role playing". I can think of few things in life that is more amusing to me. Anyhow, being that this is my day I post this wonderful clip. Please take time to enjoy!

Quote of the Week

Every thing that a man leans upon but God, will be a dart that will certainly pierce his heart through and through. He who leans only upon Christ, lives the highest, choicest, safest, and sweetest life. – Thomas Brooks (1608 - 1680)

Jasøn

In other big news, for the month of March to celebrate my norwiegan heritage, I'll be spelling my name Jasøn instead of the more roman, Jason.

Brian McLaren

This may come as a surprise to some of you...(who know all my inside jokes) but I found a very interesting, albiet long, article from the very non-controversial Brian McLaren. I guess in his past life he was an acoustic guitar singing worship leader. Makes sense. Anyway, he wrote an open letter to songwriters that is a good read and I agree a lot with. Take a read.

Happy Bissextile day everyone.

At least that is what my word of the day is today, bissextile's year. Do you think that was planned? That when I tore off the little page on my "learn 366 new words this year" desk calendar I would find that there. Maybe...

At first I thought it meant it might be the year when I kiss a guy for the first time. Nope, leap year it is. I hate that leap year will cause me to miss having my birthday on a Monday. That means I will go like 15 years of my life without celebrating my birthday on a Monday. I guess that's not as bad as people that can't celebrate their actual birthday but once every 4 years.

Twitter

So the Twitter updates on the side got all screwy so I took them off. They looked fine on my Firefox browser but not in others. Oh well. I'm not savvy enough to figure that complicated stuff out. Maybe if some one else is (Terry?) we could do it again. Or you all could just switch over to Firefox...!

Going's on.

Lets see...

Steve is on his way to Africa with his lovely wife to share the treasure of the gospel.

Terry has a grin that he can't wipe off his face and is headed to live in Japan in a few months.

Roy is drinking starbucks and reading C.S. Lewis in some trendy England spot while bitter with people eating hamburgers on the tube.

David is in Seattle for the Resurgence conference with Driscoll, John Piper and Chandler... I imagine the word "gospel" has been said roughly 65,789 times and there are a thousand guys rocking those cell phone head set ear things... (Hey Dave, say hi to our missional Seventh Day Adventist friend if you see him)

Me, Jason, am sitting on his couch blogging about everyone else. And headed to California and Mexico with the family in two weeks FOR SPRING BREAK!!! WOO HOO!!!

Doctrinal statements.

I've been thinking a bit about doctrinal statement lately. It is strange to me to think that any group of more than, I don't know, say 2 people can agree on more than, say, 1 thing. And that one thing, after a bit of digging can get a little contentious. There is actually quite debate out there on doctrinal statements, what they should include, what to make of a church that doesn't have one...

So, what are your thoughts on them?

• Can you boil the essentials down to statements?
• How do you produce freedom or bondage from them?
• Can we design them knowing that God is a mystery and while we have his word, we can't fully contain him in that..?

I came across a doctrinal statement from a church I will not name so as not to heap embarrassment on them. It is just a sight to behold.

Behold... (Check out points 4 and 8... there is something amiss here...)

Doctrinal Statement

We believe that the King James Bible is the word of God without error.

We believe all Scripture was given by inspiration of God, and that God also promised to preserve his word. Divine inspiration is of no value to Christians without God's promise of preservation.

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith. Being born again by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is the only requirement for salvation.

We believe in the eternal security of the believer
(once saved, always saved).

We believe that the unsaved will spend eternity in torment in a literal hell.

We believe that Jesus is God, and that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Ghost of the virgin Mary.

We believe only in the local church and not in a universal church.

We reject the teaching of Calvinism and believe that God wants everyone to be saved.

We are Non-dispensational.

We believe that life begins at conception (fertilization) and reject all forms of abortion including surgical abortion, "morning-after" pills, IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), birth control pills, and all other processes that end life after conception.

We believe that homosexuality is a sin and an abomination which God
punishes with the death penalty.

We oppose worldliness, modernism, formalism, and liberalism.

The good Doctor.

I was reading Adrian Warnock's blog and he was asking for peoples comments on this teaching, by the good Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones. I knew that Dave would probably be overcome with emotion to see it posted here. But it is interesting if you are into theology. Which I am on a sabbatical from at the moment. ;)

"There is nothing, I am convinced, that so ‘quenches’ the Spirit as the teaching which identifies the baptism of the Holy Ghost with regeneration. But it is a very commonly held teaching today, indeed it has been the popular view for many years. It is said that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is ‘nonexperimental’, that it happens to every one at regeneration. So we say, ‘Ah well, I am already baptized with the Spirit; it happened when I was born again, at my conversion; there is nothing for me to seek, I have got it all’. Got it all? Well, if you have ‘got it all’, I simply ask in the Name of God, why are you as you are? If you have ‘got it all’, why are you so unlike the Apostles, why are you so unlike the New Testament Christians?

The teaching that I have just mentioned is false. The apostles were regenerate before the day of Pentecost. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not identical with regeneration; it is something separate. It matters not how long the interval between the two may be, there is a difference; there is an interval, they are not identical. But if you say that they are identical, you do not expect anything further. And if you do not believe that it is possible for you to experience the Spirit of God bearing direct witness with your own spirit that you are a child of God, obviously you are quenching the Spirit. That is why so many Christian people are miserable and unhappy; they do not know anything about crying out, ‘Abba, Father’; or about ‘the Spirit of adoption’. God is a Being away in the far distance; they do not know Him as a loving Father; they do not know that they are His children. They may believe it intellectually, theoretically; but Paul says, ‘You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear’. We are not to go about groaning and wondering whether we are Christians or not. We were in that state under the law; then we were wretched and we cried out, ‘O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me?’ But no longer! ‘We have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry’—and it is an elemental cry that comes from the depth of the personality—‘Abba, Father’."

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13, 280 (Edinburgh; Carlisle, PA, Banner of Truth Trust, 1976).

The Visible Church in Worship

Over the past few weeks I have really enjoyed watching the people in our Church. No not it some creepy stalker way... but watching them worship. We have been at our church for a little over a year now and as I begin to learn people's stories especially one's of difficulty I look to see their response to God. Last Sunday in particular I was impacted as I looked around and saw people, that at least from the exterior, looked as if they were engaged in fervent worship to God. What was compelling was I began to notice was that some of those in worship were in the midst of terrible circumstances: Death of people very close to them, broken relationships, terminal illnesses, and many other difficult things.
What impacted me the most was that through all the things that Christians tend to point out that could be better about the church here at this holy moment was the visible church adoring the saviour for his gospel and the hope that they can have in spite of their circumstances.

Habakukk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.

The Quote of the Week...

Over the past little bit I have be trying to think of something that I could contribute on a regular basis to this blog and I have always enjoyed reading and collecting good quotes. So I thought I would start a new segment called "Quote of the Week" (What an incredibly original name, eh). Anyway, since this is the first installment I thought it would only make sense to quote the patristic blog-leader himself:
"Let us, therefore, forsake the vanity of the crowd and their false teachings and turn back to the word delivered to us from the beginning, "watching unto prayer" and continuing steadfast in fasting, beseeching fervently the all-seeing God "to lead us not into temptation," even as the Lord said, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ~ Polycarp (69-156)

Interesting article. (at least for me and my shadow)

Head over to the Huffington Post for and article by Francis Shaeffer's son Frank about Obama and the pro-life movement. Agree or disagree he makes some valid points...

Would you like to...

Would you like to finish up the Polycarp interviews by doing mine? That could be fun. I will answer any and all questions honestly and candidly. This might be the last time for that though, so get in on it while it is hot.

Meet your fellow Polycarpers! Introducing David Younghusband

Vicente Guerrero, India, Ireland, or San Clemente?
It is a close tie between Col. Vicente Guerrero and Ireland…but I’d have to say Ireland simply because Guinness is much, much better than Tecate

Was there a greater moment in your life than rocking the bass guitar during our cover of “Beautiful day” at the Jabez café in our super group El Caballo Suertudo in Mexico?

Only one…when we were beginning worship at the Church of the Open Door and you sung the first line to “Jesus mi fiel amigo” and a bunch of girls started screaming like we were the beetles. That was the closest to rock and roll that I have ever come.

Do you remember where we got the name El Caballo Suertudo from? Explain…
A not so godly little club in Paris called “The Lucky Horse”

What are the 5 c.d.s and 3 books you would need if you took tom hanks place on that island in castaway?

Although I would rather give up the C.D.’s for more books, if I was forced I would take…
CD’s:
Eye’s Open – Snow Patrol (Because it reminds me of my wife)
America – Neil Young (Because it reminds me if traveling)
Wildflowers – Tom Petty (One of the smoothest albums I know)
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace – Foo Fighters (my latest favorite)
Use your Illusion 1 & 2 - Guns n’ Roses (Because it reminds me of growing up)

Books:
A Greek and Hebrew Bible with all of the training materials needed (hey I would finally have the time)
Lectures to My Students – Charles Spuggon (A classic)
The Works of John Owen (All 16 volumes as I would have a lot of time)

What websites to you check to most?

Canucks (The Home Team)
Sovereign Grace Ministries (The Network of churches we belong to)
Westminster Bookstore (Great books - Great Deals)
Desiring God
The Resurgence
The “Doctor” (For the Free weekly sermon)

Didn’t you get “extra blessing” for lifting your hands in worship while you were at that fundamentalist Baptist discipleship camp in Florida? Explain….

I got a “special blessing” (an extra hour of work at the end of the day) for lifting my hands in worship…Probably the closest I’ve ever come to being persecuted for my faith

What is God teaching you right now?

That Grace comes before Law. Both are essential but we need to put them in the right order. The Exodus comes before Sinai, and Ephesians 1-3 comes before 4:1

What is a theological truth that you would die on the side of a mountain for? A truth that is non-negotiable to you…?

I Timothy 1:15 – That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost

What was your favorite place to visit in Israel last summer?

My favorite place was probably the Judean Wilderness. It was totally desolate, extremely mountainous, and hot. All I could think of was how Jacob must have felt running from the only home he ever knew, with no where to go, a brother who wanted to kill him, and a rock for a pillow. It was a memorable experience.

What is the most charismatic moment of your spiritual walk?

The first time that God ever spoke to me in Quesnel, BC and gave me a new heart

Why do you dislike our great Swedish captain Markus Naslund so much?

Because no NHL team has ever won a cup with a European captain

What are some of your favorite sermons that you’ve heard either live or on tape.

#1 Watch your life - C.J. Mahaney (One of the best messages I have ever heard and one that I continually try to put into practice)

#2 Death By Love: Reflections on the Cross - Mark Driscoll (A Great message highlighting Jesus’ substitution for us)

#3 A message on Revelation 19:11-21 (The Rider on a White Horse) – Jesse Padgett [I think] A sermon that I heard as a very young Christian when all I knew was that God loved me and Jesus was my best buddy. It gave me a bigger picture of who Jesus was and his authority and sovereignty.

If you were commissioner of the church for the day and could change one thing, what would it be?

The quality, methods, and centrality of preaching

What quality most blesses you in other believers?

An attitude of humble orthodoxy (a commitment to believe, live, and represent biblical truth with humility)

What person from your past would you most like to reconnect with?

Grandpa Younghusband who died when I was young

What three people from history or present would you love to have dinner with?

I would love to go for dinner with Jonathan Edwards, D.A. Carson, and Keith Green

What is the most trouble you’ve ever been in?

When I got caught spray-painting the majority of my Junior high school

You play like 15 different musical instruments a lot better than you think you do, what is the one instrument that you wish you could play at a super high level?

Hands down I have always wanted to play the violin or cello

What’s your favorite TV show at this moment?

I know that this is extremely geeky but my wife got me hooked on the show called Sue Thomas F.B.I (Eye). It’s this cheesy Canadian made show about a deaf lady and her hearing dog that solves crimes all over Washington D.C. (which consequently looks remarkable like Toronto). It sounds lame but after being subjected to it for a while I got sucked in.

Will you ever actually blog here at Team Polycarp! ?
What am I doing right now…?

Speaking of Polycarp, who is your favorite of the early church fathers?
St. Augustine, or possibly Polycarp for his famous statement before he was burned and stabbed to death, “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

Are you really afraid of having a public profile on the internet that will come back to haunt you when you apply for some job in the ministry someday?

You never know when “big brother” is watching…

What’s your favorite hip-hop album ever?

That would have to be the only cassette that I broke from listening to it too much, the soundtrack to the movie: Juice

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

Hopefully pastoring a local church

Late night thoughts on incompatability

I'm currently reading a book called there is no/a God by Anthony Flew. It's a really thick read to be honest and sometimes, I find it hard to catch onto the concepts that he is writing about, just because of the scholarly level it is written at. You see, I didn't finish high school and I've had to work very hard at educating myself to where I'm at now. Anyhow, this one concept he talks about I've been mulling over quite a bit in my head. He talks about how in Christian apologetics, sometimes it's not about being right or wrong. Sometimes, the question is incompatible with the answers. That doesn't mean much but I'll describe with a scenario I've encountered several times.

A very common question I've been asked is "how can there be a God with all the horrible things that happen in the world." One answer could be that the Lord givith and the Lord taketh away. Not something that is swallowed easily. Another could be that war, disease, natural disasters hatred for our neighbors, etc, are just government, society and ecosystem expressions or consequence of the state the world is in. There are a plethora of other answers but those are a couple. So how does that answer anything? How does any answer answer anything. It's been proven that you can't change a persons mind by arguing with them so is spewing out answers or arguing with them incompatible with the question? Is there a right or wrong answer or are all answers incompatible with those questions? Could that incompatibility be based on the state of the person asking the question? Anyway, what do you guys think?

Only because the last time we put one of these kinds of photos up it actually got your guys attention...

Africa?!?!

Wow, Polycarper Steve is heading off to South Africa with the missus for some ministry... Sounds like fun. You know that Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna right...? Maybe you can detour north to modern day Turkey if you get a day off and check out our namesakes old stomping grounds.

We look forward to lots of updates from Africa Steve, as I'm sure there will be top quality internet connections at your fingertips whenever you so desire.

Take care and don't get any speeding tickets. That seemed to be a re-occurring theme on the mission trips I went on with Steve in high school...

Check out Steve and Beth's blog they have created for the trip here...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Can't believe I'm the first among our group to say that! Brant at Kamp Krusty has an equation that would be worth figuring out. Enjoy! It is a formula that helps to figure out weather you should ask someone out on a date, lower your standards or just give up!

As for me and Beth, here's what the numbers say:

I came up up with -.87 - giving myself a 5 for wittiness, 1 for aggressiveness (I was a wimp in H.S. when I met her), a 6 for attractiveness (back then I was a lot thinner) and a 9 for her attractiveness (lets just say I was aiming high). She wasn't very attached at the time so I gave that a 2. According to the scale she was WAYYYY out of my league. after 18+ years, I'd say she still is! What about you guys?

My goings on with the other Polycarpers.

• So Steve has a really important post about chili over at his blog. I was kind of hoping that when we started this theological juggernaut over here he would post that kind of stuff here. He also has quite the new banner....
  
• Terry and I went to see Thrice the other night. We also saw a band called "Say anything" that we both agreed was terrible. I was almost sold on them though when they played their first song and shouted in classic rock star fashion "How are you F@#$%N' doing VANCOUVER!?!?!" Whatever. Far be it from me to tell people what they can and can't like.
  
• Terry has also started another blog. He's a handsome photog you know.
  
• The kids today. I guess I am officially old now. When you start to criticize the kids. Joey Ramone would probably punch me in the nose if he heard me say this but, the kids are dressing like total tools these days. I will be 35 in like 2 weeks so I guess that plays into it a bit.
  
• Dave and I had coffee the other night. We are going with the wives to see U23D tonight as well. That is very exciting for me. We might even take the sky train in. How is that for cosmopolitan?
• Roy? Well he lives in England. I may never actually be in the same room as him again. But if we did happen to be in the same one it probably would have looked like the one I was in last night. My church is hosting a conference called... "Firestorm". It is actually a ministry called Firestorm that is up from Reddings Bethel church. It was an interesting night. Roy would have enjoyed it. Especially when people started to find feathers and gems around them. It was interesting. My church that usually has 80% vacancy in the pews on Sundays was jam packed full. People had to park out on the road and everything. I know that those people there don't usually come to my church, but I took a picture for posterity sake just to pretend what it would be like. I'm totally baffled by church these days, but that is another post for another time.
  

A post about music.

So for some reason I have really been having a musical renaissance this year. I used to be consumed with music and bands and being musical. Now not so much. Whenever I play my guitar my fingers just kill because I don't hardly play. But enough about that, here are the albums that I have been enjoying a lot lately.

John Mark McMillan - "How He loves us" I stumbled across this song yesterday online and I think it is my new favorite song of 2008. Probably cemented by the youtube video than goes along with it. I was stoked to find out it's on iTunes and will race home to buy it and the rest of the record. Thank God for iTunes. Well, thanks for the good music on iTunes. Not the crappy stuff.

Wintersleep "Welcome to the night sky" - Even though the name of the band sounds like some cheesy 1990's doom-core thing they are by far one of my favorite finds this year. And they are from Canada. Kind of remind me of Damien Jurado. A lot, but that is OK. I like Damien Jurado. A lot.



Waterdeep - "Heart Attack Time Mchine" No, it's not the same band that I just mentioned. I think Waterdeep is one of three bands that I would go out of my way to see in concert. Don and his wife Lori continually write apposite, worshipful music that I can relate to. Their worship album is definitely in my 5 records I'd have on an island list. Wow... one of three bands I'd see live and 5 albums I'd have on an island...?

Thrice - "The Alchemy Index" Just saw them last night. They are one of my 3 bands I wanted to see. There new album is wonderful and confirms I couldn't have invented a band any better to suit my tastes than Thrice. "Burn the fleet"
and "Digital seas" are brilliant songs.



Against Me! - "New Wave" Whenever I have like 5 minutes left on the elliptical and I need to finish strong I go to the first couple tracks on this great record. Now if you haven't guessed, the only three bands that I would go out of my way and see live are Waterdeep, Thrice and U2. I thought seriously about getting tickets to see Against Me! with the Foo Fighters. But I didn't! Still really good though and have probably helped me drop 5-1o pounds!

Attack in Black - "Marriage" Saw them open up for Thrice last night and thought they lived up to my hype. Unfortunately their merchandising skills suck. I wanted to get a shirt and lurked around their table for far too long with a bunch of 16 year old emo kids. When I left and came back they were sold out of all the good shirts, which I guess they had only brought one of each, and only had some sissy flowery looking shirt left. But their music is still super, even if Terry thought they we're baked like salamanders.

Others of note. Bruce Springsteen "magic", and The National "boxer". Both in rotation on the iPod.

Meet your fellow Polycarpers! Introducing Roy Petersen

So in the latest installment of the thrilling interview series here on the blog, I finally tracked down my old friend Roy who was just in the middle of vacationing to his homeland of the U.S of A. He was gracious to answer my questions. They are indeed good questions and I feel a bit for Steve and Terry who got rather bland questions from me. Roy's are good though.

A little more intro. Roy is my friend from the days of living in Virginia Beach back in the early 90's. We went to the Vineyard together right when the Toronto Blessing was just taking off. I think we were all rebuked at one time or another by some mature Christian brother for sharing our nutty visions while interrupting guitar worship time or manifesting by playing leap frog with each other during the sermon... I remember Roy getting a prophesy once that he would go to England and make films. Sure enough, he lives there now with his wife making films and stuff. Anyhow check out more of Roy's stuff on his site... good stuff.

Do you still have that guitar I gave you? ;)

That was one of the most generous gifts I’ve ever been given. I even took guitar lessons for like 6 months cos of it. Right now though it has a special place in my parent’s garage in New Jersey.

Do you miss your old Volvo from your Va. Beach days?

Oh yeah. The mustard yellow Volvo with the cool Christian Fish on it. At the time I was being mentored by the true Vineyardite Kurt Grossman and he always drove Volvo’s so I had to emulate him.

What are the 5 c.d.s and 3 books you would need if you took tom hanks place on that island in castaway.

Joshua Tree U2

Daniel Amos’ Motorcycle

Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti

Beatle’s Rubber Soul

Anything by The Love Gods – they rock.

Books:

Gospel of John (The Message version and possibly the NIV)

The Healing Presence by Leanne Payne (that’s just for you, Jason)

Any CS Lewis anthology

Save the Cat

Personal Power by Anthony Robbins

What websites to you check to most?

I have a subscription to Covenant Eyes, would you like the latest report? Nahhh,..that would have to be the Drudge Report, the New York Times, and probably Headphonaught’s Nanolog—the coolest indie blog there is, next to Team Polycarp, of course.

If you had a 5 minute interview with the Bible Answerman what would you make sure you asked him?

I would begin by playing some Morninstar Tunes, singing along to them as the worship builds and then loudly pray in the Spirit just as we did back in the Copeland’s Home Kinship group back in the 90’s, remember? I would then, in the last two minutes, prophesy life to those dead bones and declare his healing and transformation.
What is God teaching you right now?

He’s teaching me about Love and how I gotta be dead to self and alive to life, not to care what other people think and just do it. It’s like a Nike ad with more theological accuracy.

What is a theological truth that you would die on the side of a mountain for? A truth that is non-negotiable to you…?

There is such a thing as the Third Heaven, and people can go there anytime.

What is the one movie/short film you have made that you wish everyone could see?

I wish everyone would see my first short film, Tubular, cause it’s funny, classy and wacky. And it has a great soundtrack.

Who would you say your best friend is?

Jesus, and my pet cat from childhood, Timmy.

Are you an alumni in good standing at Regent University and with CBN, or in other words, would Pat Robertson punch you in the nose if he ran into you?

The last time I talked with Pat, he was on his way out of CBN studios, and heading toward his Corvette. I yelled to him, and I said “Sir?” and he turned and said “Yes?” and I said, “Sir ignore the time I gave you a prophecy to Dance Naked before The Lord—a few of us are doing a pilot tv show called Free Donuts at the Revolution—would you take a look at it when it’s ready?”

He said “yes” and then walked away.

Do you still resent my flesh puppet prophesies of ‘93?

I think the Flesh Puppet prophecy was something like “Lord we are just your humble flesh puppets,” right? Flesh puppets would be a great concept for experimental improv theatre.

What is your favorite bible passage?

Which Bible?

What is one thing you miss most about living in the states?

The ability to drive long distance in a Mustard Yellow Volvo, drinking Unsweetend Ice Tea from Wendy’s, and listening to the Bible Answer Man.

What is the best thing about living in England?

The pound is worth twice the dollar. Great for vacations to the USA.

If you were commissioner of the church for the day and could change one thing, what would it be?

“”””Flesh puppet finger puppets for EVERYONE! “””

What quality most blesses you in other believers?

Those who are truly loving and prophetic. They can see right through ya but still think God’s in your life.

What movie or film got you inspired to make movies and films?

I think the 89^th time I saw E.T. I became inspired to make some form of moving media image. That, plus the fear that I would be relegated to producing bad Christian television if I didn’t take a new career path.

What person from your past would you most like to reconnect with?

My friend Cathy Falgout died last year, it would be great to at least have a final conversation with her—she was truly loving and prophetic. But oh ,.. wait,… no, I am not talking about talking to the dead, Mr. Bible Answer Man—so I rebuke that, sir!

What three people from history or present would you love to have dinner with?

The guy (or gal) that wrote the Gospel of Thomas

George Lucas in his pre–ewok days

Axl Rose post Chinese Democracy

Beatles or U2?

Urrgggghhhhh that is such a tough question. Let me go pray about it

I like this guy...

Hey, here's a guy I like checking in on occasionally. I usually find his posts challenging in a good way. This is a link to an article on the word "Christian". He talks about how we tend to want to separate the sacred from the common by using the word "christian" to define or label the kind of music we listen to, books we read etc... Kind of reminds me of an old song by my old "Christian Music" Idol Steve Taylor (guilty by association).

• So you need a new car? Let your fingers take a walk, through the business guide for the "born again" flock. You'll be keeping all your money in the kingdom now. And you'll only drink milk from a Christian cow. Don't you go casting your bread to keep the heathen well-fed. Line Christian pockets instead--avoid temptation. Guilty by association!

What do you think?

For posterity, or something like it...

So, we had a snowstorm here in central Illinois and we are under a nearly foot-thick blanket of this inconvenient, cold white mess. We built a snowman (snow beast thingy) in our front yard today, since the kids were off from school.

This got me to thinking about life - my life in particular, and mankind in general. The question is this: Why is it that we humans find it necessary to make our mark, or some kind of graven image of ourselves - in this case, to erect a graven image of snow that is supposed to resemble ourselves. Is it some kind of monument to our superiority over nature? Am I being like King Saul (c.f. I Samuel 15:12b) or even Nebuchadnezzar by making a snowman in my front yard??? Hmm.... Maybe. Oh well, I think it was a good likeness of me, don't you?

Dangerous Radio.

So a few posts back I mentioned "safe Christian radio" and a desire for some "dangerous Christian radio"... What would that look like anyway?

Even more so, what is safe about Christianity, when the early job description for the faith included the fact that you were probably going to end up dead. As a matter of fact, it still does if you happen to live in certain geographic areas.

How do we balance not ignorantly inviting demons into our life by making everything permissible while on the other hand secluding ourselves into a frozen chosen safety tower located in the Christian ghetto?

So let's build a programming schedule for an un-safe Christian radio station. Any ideas?

Igloos and icy roads

It's a snow day here in Canada. Some might be thinking, isn't it always? After all, don't you need snow to keep your igloos going? I actually saw an igloo yesterday. Someone built a very impressive one in their front yard. But actually, we don't get a ton of snow in south western Canada. My boss called to tell me the roads we're a bit tricky and to stay home. Not bad. Not bad at all. I am currently sitting on the couch next to my son as he watches "Franklin". He's home from school sick with a cough. Although I've noticed he hasn't been coughing over the last couple of hours... Hmmm... Nothing like a snow day!

Driving to work.

So I have a commute. In the beginning I tried to be spiritual and prayed and listened to sermons. Now, I just try to stay awake and listen to sports talk radio. Well, the Canuck's have been losing a bit lately and nothing drives me crazier than the 100,000 or so hockey coaches that call up and have all the Canuck's problems figured out, or the callers that are full speed ahead into doom and gloom mode.

So I flipped over to the Christian radio station and realized why that drives me equally nuts. Their slogan is "family safe and family friendly" radio. Does that strike anyone else as odd? Is that meant to attract people or scare them away? Is there some pagan out there driving around thinking, "Man... I really need to find a radio station where all the music sounds like 1990's power ballads with virtually the same sounding guy singing everything... and they have to have the same song covered by at least four different people... that would be safe for my family... and NO Gwen Stefani or Matchbox 20!"

Are the sermons they air that come on from the Chuck's (Swindoll and Smith) and Dr. David Jeremiah really suppose to be "safe" and "friendly"?

I guess they might be talking about their on-air DJ's. They won't use any crude humor and if your lucky they will play the "Guess what this sound is" game is and give away tickets to the Third Day concert at the fair.

I don't really begrudge them for their on-air content. People like it and I'm sure it ministers to people. I just am not down with the way they are marketing themselves as "safe". That is all.

I really want a family dangerous Christian radio station to start up! I'm sure that would fly :)

The greatest blog posts I've ever read.

Here they are. I think I would like permission to post these on our blog.

This is great!

????

Now onto a real post!

So here is a question...:


A few weeks ago I was reading a blog post about how this person mentioned that he thought God is confusing. So I commented that I wondered if it isn't so much God being confusing, yet we as fallen creatures are confused. He responded that he thought it was both, God is confusing and we are confused.

Now this wasn't meant to be some sort of deep discussion but it has stuck with me a bit and I've been thinking about it.

- Is God purposely confusing us?

- Does He allow us to be confused?

- Are we just unable to not be confused by Him because of our sinfulness?

Or as I have been thinking, God is more mystery than confusion...

Confused yet?!?!

Vote no on Billary!

So I needed to post something to get rid of that hideous picture below. My greatest fear of Hillary getting elected won't be her policies as much as the backlash of a nation of angry red-state republicans who have sat by for 8 years watching their president get lampooned by everyone. That will lead to years of Billary smack and everyone polishing off their slick-willy 3$ bills and t-shirts. Man, that is the worst part of it. The hatred that the opposing parties have for whoever is sitting in the place of their party.

But the picture is funny.

And, vote Christopher Walken Pres in 2008.

Scary...

Heaven Help Us!

Meet your fellow Polycarpers! Introducing Terrence (Terry/BigT) Wills

So in the second installment of the Meet the Polycarpers! series, I present to you Terry. I know from experience that Terry enjoys a good pulled pork sandwich, Volvo's, sensitive touchy-feely acoustic guitar musicians and taking photos. He also is very skilled in touching the computer.

Without further ado;
20 questions for Terry Wills

What are your nick names?

I had t-dog in high school along with “the vat of useless information” (Ed. note - I was looking for donkey personally...)

What was your first car? 1978 T-bird

What are the 5 c.d.s and 3 books you would need if you took Tom Hanks place on that island in "Castaway".

CD: Gordon Lightfoot - greatest hits, Donavon Frankenreiter – Move by yourself, Gary Jules – Trading snakeoil for woldtickets, Xavier Rudd – food from your belly & Ray Lamontage – Till the sun turns black

Books: Bible of course, Confessions of St. Augustine & probably some book on how to survive and get off an island for dummies

What websites to you check to most? Facebook, wikipedia, craiglist & a scrabble cheat site that’s top secret

Do you have a passion for hand tools? A passion…I have a great use for them but I don’t know about passion.

What is God teaching you right now? Grace…grace for people, grace for myself and grace for the church

What is a theological truth that you would die on the side of a mountain for? A truth that is non-negotiable to you…? Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourselves supersede your judgment on others and should be the foundation of evangelism and our walk in this world.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Good question…either Japan or somewhere else in the world that God has lead me to.

Who would you say your best friend is? Jesus. On earth, Brianna

What would your dream concert line-up be? Donavon Frankenreiter, Gary Jules, Xavier Rudd (going to see next month), Ray Lamontage, U2, Rage Against The Machine, Massive Attack, Journey…how long can this concert be?

How does it feel to finally have made peace with the motor vehicle dept.? Of course…It’s only money.

What is your favorite bible passage? Matthew 9:13

Where would you rather spend a Saturday: at a conference on missional theology or a car show? Depends on the cars…and on the theology to be honest.

Are you a good cook? I love to cook and I’ve been told I’m good. I think I have a long way to go though.

If you were commissioner of the church for the day and could change one thing, what would it be? I would teach about grace for the church more.

What quality most blesses you in other believers? Humility

What thing that masks itself as spiritual but you know its not, would you like to change about the church? I don’t know but I think that sometimes people get so caught up in an emotional response that they mistake it for the Holy Spirit. Again, God has grace for us and our mistakes.

What person from your past would you most like to reconnect with? My Big Brother. He moved to Nova Scotia and then to the UK.

What three people from history or present would you love to have dinner with? Oh man… Jesus, Mother Teresa and Audry Hepburn.

If I told you to make an acronym from your first name what would it be?

That excentric runderful ravishing yak? You do one.

It's Raining....

Nothin' much going on, 'cept it's raining here. Unseasonably warm lately. Boring post.
Good night everyone.

Very Socratic.

FINALLY!

A candidate I can fully support.

Thursdays with David...

David, tell us one interesting thing that you learned in bible college today?

(Or better yet, what do the readers think Dave learned in bible college today...???)

So I have a question

Out of the 6 guys in the photo above, which one am I and why?

And I can't be the vanilla white guy...I'm way blacker than Jason and Dave.

Meet your fellow Polycarpers! Introducing Steve Oberg.

I thought a great way to introduce everyone to each other on the blog would be an old fashioned interview.

First up is Steve. Get this, he was my youth pastor many years ago. I was blessed to reconnect with him sometime ago. I hope he knows how much God has used him in shaping me. He should also know that all those rides to youth and the free guitar lessons has produced one heck of a virtuoso with the acoustic guitar.

Anyway, now Steve lives with his wife Beth and four, count them four sons somewhere in Illinois. He drives a jeep and is still spreading the joy of music and show tunes to the world.

Now onto the interview. I met Steve at the local Denny's. We grabbed a few milkshakes and began, So Steve...

Just kidding I sent him a list of questions. He filled them out. Here they are. Take some time to read it, Steve has some great insight. He's a very smart guy. (He even went to seminary!) You should also check his blogs here and here...

Where did you grow up?
I was born at the hospital in Lancaster, CA. and then spent my first 7 years in Quartz Hill, then we moved to Lancaster. Basically, I always say that it is a great place to be “from.”

Do you miss it?
I miss the people. I don’t miss the traffic, the crime, the price of a house in California – all that stuff.

Who would you consider your best friend?
I know it sounds trite- but definitely my wife Beth. She has put up with me for more than half of our lives. I most enjoy spending time with her. What more can I say.

What is God teaching you right now?
To wait and trust Him. He is definitely telling me to slow down, not to try to fix things myself or make things happen. We are kind of in a holding pattern in certain areas of our lives right now. I’ve been learning that it is o.k. to say no to a lot of “good” things and just be obedient.

If you were on an island… What 5 CD’s would you want to have with you.
Syncronicity – the Police (a classic that still gets me goin), Passion One Day Live (It’s old – but hey), CA Worship Band Live (Some nostalgia – I used to go there), My own Best of the 80’s compilation (just because), and the Best of Louie Armstrong (He has influenced EVERYTHING we hear).

What 3 books?
My Bible, My Greek Text, & my Douglas Adams compilation.

What is a theological truth that you would die on the side of a hill for?
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to Love your neighbor as yourself. Too many of us emphasize one over the other – we are great at loving God – our worship is fantastic, our preaching is solid and we feel great but we aren’t reaching our neighbors. On the other side of the coin we have churches full of folks who do nothing but serve others but really don’t have a walk with the Lord. They put others down for not doing enough about social issues. Jesus said both were equal. Love God and Love People - the Second command is like the first. I believe James has a lot to say about that too.

In his first letter to the Corinthian church Paul says "and now remain faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is Love." In the church lately, we’ve turned it around and now we say – “…the greatest of these is TRUTH.” I’m a bit guilty of that myself.

Read the rest of Steve's interview here... (There is even a surprise ending where I change one of his answers so it makes me look like the hero! )

Resolutions.....

So....., Jason asked for some fake resolutions - here goes.

This year:
10. I will wear Men's underwear.
9. I will devote much of my time, energy, and resources to spreading the "good news" that in large part, the Monkees didn't play their own instruments.
8. I will try out for a spot on America's next top Model.
7. I will gain at least 30 pounds.
6. Me and my family will move back to California and open a tanning salon in Newport Beach.
5. I will watch more T.V. - I've just been missing out on lots of good stuff.
4. I will avoid the Dentist at all costs.
3. I will give up fishing and hunting for good - it's just barbaric.
2. I will not miss watching even one pro sporting event if it is being aired on my local TV network. (Football, Baseball, Basketball or Hockey) I promise!
1. I will quit giving to my local church and instead support all of Oprah's pet causes.

My funny pic of 2007

Ok, this picture is disturbing but makes me laugh every time.

My first favorite picture of 2008