Shutdown

As has been painfully obvious if anyone looks here anymore, I’m not writing anything these days, or even checking the site (comments) out.

If you want to get a hold of me, shoot me an e-mail (or better, call).  This will probably lie dormant until long after Fallout 3 is old.  Maybe I’ll check back in March ‘09.  Peace

 

Not Just Self-Published Anymore

Haha, not really.  But my work at my church garnered some unexpected media attention.  Recently we celebrated our two-year anniversary.  A guest attended from the local paper looking to write an article about those who “quietly occupy the middle ground” in Christianity as opposed to the noisy extremists.  Well the article turned out rather well.  Apparently I play in a rock band (hey, if the paper printed it it must be true).  If you’re interested in reading an “outside” perspective on what our church is doing you can read it here.  Later!

 

Universalism and Such

So, as you could see here R responded and I wanted to offer some further thoughts on the matter. Thanks for responding, by the way! Those are some great thoughts.

I totally agree with your idea that no one is going to have God totally figured out in this lifetime. And I of course agree with the idea that opening up conversations with others is of utmost importance and value. That’s why I do this sort of thing, right?

After reading your second paragraph I think I’ll throw a new word out there “Exclusive”. The “inclusive” idea of God is that good people who are not Christians get “included” in life with God after death. The “exclusive” idea is more of what you are describing, I think. That the “exclusive” group are the keepers of the truth and if you don’t buy into their idea, you get “excluded” from life with God. I totally understand and agree with your point that it is attractive to people to “transcend the general mass”. And your point is made that having a view of God that allows some people (whoever they may be) to be outside or cast away from God, is a view that promotes power. Like I said in the last post there are reasons Universalism is the minority view. A major reason it is in the minority is it relinquishes all the domineering power that Christianity can (and often does) exercise over peoples lives. The religion can be exploited to be a tool to bring wealth and power to those in control. And people will always respond to that temptation. But taking up an idea that strips you any potential power and authority is not an idea ambitious people adopt.

I see that as another indicator of the truth here. If we honestly believe there is a God that IS love, then it should not be possible that the truth about God could be employed to oppress people without being corrupted.

But I will offer you this thought. Yes, the idea that people want to be a part of something bigger than themselves is very prominent; I share in that desire. But, rather than taking up with those who want power or those who want to be regarded as a “guardian of truth”, I have taken up with a different group. A group that believes God is working in this world right now. A group that believes God is connected with every life. And I (we) can be a part of that good work. We can be a part of the work of God that strives to redeem this world and make it the good place it was always meant to be. It’s an amazing idea, but certainly one that does not lend itself to putting me in any kind of position of power.

Thanks for your thoughts, that’s really good stuff! Maybe we can drag Krime over here one day and see what he thinks Later!

 

The Flobots!

So much for posting a timely update!  A combination of my PS2 port blowing up on my PC, preparing for some intense stuff at work and working on music with my sister-in-law has kept me exceedingly busy!

But for the first time in a long time I have a couple hours of freedom.  So here’s a quick update.  The Flobots? Awesome!  If you every have a chance to see them, do so.  Great talent, great messages and they are a ton of fun.  I’ll now tuck my original post behind the fold.

 

Maybe Time for Some Action!

The dust has REALLY been collecting lately. But the gears never stop turning. As soon as the weather turned warm, the XBox was turned off and I’ve been reading. And thinking. I’m not looking to write anything profound. But this has increasingly dawned on me: understanding what people believe and why they believe it is probably one of the most illuminating and enjoyable things to me.

So, if they’re up for it I’d like to call them out: -R- (you know who you are) and Krime/Bikertomj – Share your minds! Of course, only if you feel like it…

 

Non Update

I just thought I’d take the time to say I’m not posting much these days No surprise, huh? All my leisure time has been spent playing Oblivion lately. Not sure why that’s so enjoyable. But I thought I should at least say I’m still alive, checking comments occasionally and interested in keeping in touch with you guys.

 

Yeah, that’s the way we roll in Idaho…

I’ve always known since last year’s election that at least one Idaho members of the US Congress would be an embarrassment to one degree or another. As if the past few months haven’t been bad enough, Bill Sali – apparently not one to be out done when it comes to looking like a colossal birk – decided to one-up Larry Craig. Now he wants Idahoans to document they are as intellectually challenged as he is. Anyone in is his district is probably aware of this already, but for those of you who aren’t allow me to show you this painfully hilarious example of democracy inaction.

 

Done!

Finally! After six weeks of studying and preparing, I have been offered and accepted the position of protection engineer at my company! This is really exciting! As I’ve said before it will mean more self-study and homework, but ultimately this position will be very interesting and engaging.

Thank you everyone for your support in all of this! It’s been a crazy six weeks; now it’s time to start a crazy (but hopefully fun) six months. Peace out – enjoy those video games, folks. You know I will!  Oh and speaking of which, Al found something that makes me just wish I had two grand to throw away. This is probably one of the greatest entertainment devices ever created. If I had one that’s how I would be celebrating tonight!

 

Talk about busy… Update 4!

I’ve been absent from the blog circle to say the least, but there is a reason. Sorry I haven’t replied to your comments in a timely manner, I’ve been busy! I’ve been reading all my friends postings, though I haven’t commented much. Time constraints are just that. For anyone who cares to know what occupies my time recently, read on.

 

Technology is fun!

So back here I expounded on the glories of home theater. Well nothing has changed. I’ve upgraded my system with a PS3, which means my then-antiquated, yet one-time-high-end TV just wouldn’t cut it. What is one to do? Well there’s only one thing you can do, thank you Microsoft for this cultural underpinning. Upgrade time!

 

Essays Updated – Hilarity Ensues

Actually, don’t take that as egotism. I just miss doing the Fark thing. Anyway… It’s crazy.  I’ve been gone for so long, now I’ve got three updates in two days!  And one of them is the biggest chunk of writing I have ever put together on this site. Almost five years ago I went on a short term work assignment in York, England. The trip was, without a doubt, the most painful thing that ever happened to me. But misfortune, in hindsight, can be very funny. So no reason to let all that suffering go to waste!

So check it out here! Like I said it’s long. You may want to take a couple sittings to read the whole thing. Like the rest of the site, it’s not going anywhere. Even if I forget to check it very often.

 

Class #2 Tonight

So tonight I get to go to Capoeira class number two! This stuff is a lot of fun! It is hard work, but I have yet to find exercise that doesn’t just suck. I have always hated it. Until now. Capoeira is demanding but it’s a ton of fun. It’s serious, but not too serious. It has its roots in music, which I totally dig.

It’s kind of odd starting something so big as an old fart (I’m 31). I’m off to a late enough start that I doubt I’ll ever be able to do what these guys can do. But hopefully I’ll get to where I can at least do a backflip. Yeah… I can do that. Check this out, if you’re interested.

 

Yes, I am alive!

Sorry, guys, it’s been a looong time. A lot of life has happened lately so I have been neglecting the site. But things are possibly in a state of change. So maybe there will be new material surfacing more regularly. Something huge for the blog is coming soon, especially for Al, but everyone should get a kick out of it! It’ll take maybe another three or so day to polish before posting, but it’ll be worth the wait.

 

Where Have I Been?

A good question. For all 0.7 people that occasionally check this, I’ll let you know. In the leisure category I just got a PS3. Holy crap. Amazing! That’s the main reason. Next is work-wise.  Today I just commissioned and activated a new distribution voltage automation project (I work for the power company). This project first went in to conception almost two years ago and hardcore work started on it last November.  For a good 18 months I’ve actively worked on it and the past three months have been absolutely crazy.

But it’s done. As of today at about noon. It’s kind of weird being the main person behind a project that actually affects the voltage in peoples’ walls. It’s even stranger that the work I have done just may become a company-wide initiative (we have over 400,000 customers). Screwball me responsible for something like that… weird. I’m really excited to see all of my hard work actually manifesting in the real world!  But no one is THAT interested in it. I feel like celebrating, but there’s no one really interested to celebrate with.

If anyone is curious to hear more about either of these things, let me know. I just might make a real post again! Maybe with some cool pictures…

 

Tagged? Again?

Okay, so Tarah tagged me here. I’ll play nice… for now… just because she took the effort. But know: I like tag memes only slightly more than chain letters. And you don’t want to know what I did with them I guess I’m supposed to list seven little known factoids about me. Okay, I think I can handle that.