5K

   This morning (Saturday morning since I couldn't post till today - Sunday) I ran my first 5K (37 Minutes, so I have some work cut out for me) and yes I am still sore.

   The 5k was a fund raising effort by Lanvwa to fund their cyber-schools (Joconal, Guatemala and Port-Au-Prince, Haiti – both places I'd love to return to multiple times if I could; yes I've been there). So now as I recover (and somehow got some chores done) from both the run itself and my OCD over my possible over-use of parenthesis; I have some interesting thoughts.

   First, unless you're an athlete, a superhero or Jack Baur, you can't roll out of bed and run a 5k. You need a month or two of training. You need to build up your muscles and push yourself outside your comfort zone. Some of the biggest improvements in my run time actually came through learning how to pace my steps and breathing; as opposed to muscle strength.

   Now, I think there are Christians who do this with Christianity. I know I have. You need training and practice before you can do ministry, evangelism, outreaching, etc (notice I didn't say “if you do these things” if you're reading this and a Christian, you should be doing these things). This takes the form of serious Bible Study, Prayer, Fellowship with other Christians, attending Church, Fasting and Meditation (Yes, there is a Christian version to meditation). By the by; There's an excellent book about this: “Celebration Of Discipline” by Richard Foster. Tis very well written.

   Second thought. Throughout the run, the various volunteers along the way and then a cheering crowd at the end gave me a very singular thought. They were only encouraging and uplifting. No one shouted judgments or condemnations over if they thought someone was too slow. No one jabbed at me over having not taken running seriously sooner in life (although maybe two people knew this and even they were nothing but encouraging).

   Unfortunately, the Church does not have a perfect track record here. We are told to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. We are told to bear with each others weaknesses (Ephesians 4 : 1-6 and Romans 14 : 1-12). We do not always do this. I am not saying that we shouldn't beware of false teachers/prophets and I'm not saying we shouldn't hold each other accountable. I am saying there are encouraging and uplifting ways of doing so (Or speaking the Truth with Love).

   Third thought. Everyone was either running, helping “behind the scenes” somewhere, or both. Few, if any, were mere spectators. You shouldn't need an explanation on how this relates to the Church body. Yet, if you do, look no further than the fact that most of Jesus' instructions involved actions. There is no mention of “sit and watch” / “sit and talk about” (or tweet for the modern folk). In fact He even directly told a few to “get up and go”.

    Since I haven't just crashed and passed out like I thought I was, I'm going to go squeeze in some more chores and make some banana bread. Because, sure, why not?

   

Christianity is a Team Sport

One day, I saw a television program discussing some the requirements for a theoretical mission to Mars. In it, one of the issues was psychology and personality types. That not only is there need for certain personality types (Such as leader, navigator, moral booster, etc) and ones that need be avoided (loner, rambo-cowboy, psycho, etc); but it was also required that every member have a “team player” personality type. That no one turns into a “glory hog” and that everyone gives consideration to one another. This got me thinking.

What if the Church body took things that seriously.

In I Corinthians 12:4-31; Paul tells us that the Church is one body with many parts. Each member has different and unique parts. Each member has a specific role and set of duties. This can also be seen as a team. Everyone works together for the benefit of all.

Going a bit further back, I Corinthians 3:7-15 directly tells us that each Christian is a coworker to another. Coworker should mean exactly what it implies. That we have the same job!

And then sports. When you look at sports teams, you see that the whole team plays. Granted, some teams have the so-called “Star Players” that are gifted and are the “Play-Makers”. They are the ones that can really make the difference between a win or a lose. However, you also have teams that can make do without those “stars” and win. These teams play as teams. Each player contributes and all players work for the same goal. Each player has a different set of strengths and weaknesses. Some are fast, some are strong. Think wide-receivers and running backs. The receivers are fast and can catch; running backs are strong and shed tacklers. Some are smarter and can use strategy better. Some are hard workers, and can overcome the physical shortcomings by always working hard and being in the right spots at the right time. Everyone has something to contribute! There isn't a single person who isn't important (Even Seattle's so-called “12^th man” helps the team; the noise was blamed for the safety in the recent Super Bowl!)

So it is with the Church. We have the same goal and can experience more “success” the more we “play nice” and incorporate team player mentalities. Can you name a Church were one person (or a few) do most of the work that goes on in a Church? Is that your Church you're thinking about? If so, how are you contributing? Notice how I worded that. I didn't ask 'if' or 'are' you contributing to your Church. I asked 'how'. Every person who attends and counts themselves as members of a Church should generally help out to some degree. I'm not suggesting that they (or you) turn into “super-volunteers”. I'm simply saying that there is something going on within their (or your) Church that they (or you) can help with. If you are uncertain, then certainly you can (and should) ask. Start small, so that you don't bite off more than you can chew. This will also help build credibility for those in the Church leadership to trust you with small work in the beginning and gradually you can do more. They will certainly appreciate the help, especially if they are a few who do most of the work! This most certainly is a case where “ask and thou shall receive”!

In the manner that the Church is a team and that no one man can do the whole work of the Church, so it is that no one can go their whole life without help. It is good not to be a burden upon another person, but it is also wise to know when you need help with a matter. If a person or a few offer help with a matter (be it a ride to Church, financial assistance, help with a job search) it is wise to accept. Refusing help when you need it is a mark of pride. We know what follows pride. We have seen it. It takes a wise person to learn from mistakes and a wiser person still to learn from the mistakes of others. It shows humility to know when you need help and can graciously accept. What would you think of someone who helped everyone but always refused help (Even the Doctor needs help from time to time!).

Now, some Churches are larger and some are smaller. A small Church cannot do work on the same scale as a larger Church. Is the smaller Church useless then? Certainly not! Any Church you can name can do good works within the community in which it resides! This applies to any Church at all! Larger Churches can help on a wider scale and go over seas more often than a smaller Church. Yet look! I am a member of a very small Church that has had several missions trips to Central America! So it is the same anywhere. The harvest is great but the workers are few!

Are some works greater than others? Any work done for the glory of God and that actually helps a person or people is good. Remember work is done for the glory of God; not the glory of yourself. Remember the hypocrites in the street and what is said about them.

Now, if we as Christians could remember this and can consistently work together as opposed to arguing over debatable matters, we might be able to get more work done. We might be able to help more. We might better be able to show the world what it truly means to love our neighbors and to help the least of these.

Jesus Was Homeless

Jesus was, indeed, homeless. He didn't have a home. He traveled during His entire ministry. That's what can be inferred from the lack of anything mentioning Him having a home. Always staying with other people. Now, we can assume He had a home during His "childhood" with Joseph and Mary, but between the instance when He was 12 at the temple and His showing up appearing around 30 years, there isn't much to indicate when He left His parents house or where He was or what He was doing. Just that He was homeless during His ministry. Reading through Luke chapter 4, for example, one can see that much of Jesus' time was spent traveling and doing works.

Now, I'm not suggesting everyone become homeless. Who would give shelter to the homeless if no one had a home? How would the human race have shelter from the elements? I don't think this is so much of a "be poor" thing as it is a "don't be in love with material possessions" thing. Take Matthew CH 19:16 - 30 for example. Jesus' instructions to the rich man were to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. I interpret that this means that we should be willing to part with any material possession. Nothing I possess will be so valuable to me that I would keep it at risk of losing my soul.

Listed below are four links to two different news stories regarding use of wealth and large homes.

The first is in regards to a German Bishop who uses the Catholic Church's funding to renovate his mansion. He is then expelled for being luxurious and the mansion is then used to serve the needy and homeless. Very fitting indeed. Now, I assume that all reading this are against people using other people's money for such purposes and that this is clearly greed and borderline theft? We needn't spend much more time on this, right?

Now for the next story. A pastor in North Carolina uses money from his book sales to build a mansion for himself and his family. In terms of needs vs wants, this does fall into the category of greed. No one needs a mansion. He did use his own money, and for some, that's reason enough. So, in terms of capitol, he technically did not do anything wrong. He didn't steal or lie his way into having the money. And furthermore, I disagree with telling other people what to do with their own money. (albeit, if he had asked me for my opinion; spending $1 million on a house would not have been suggested) There is another discussion on how much time was spent at his pulpit advertising his book, but that's really neither here nor there. What we should focus on are things like "For the love of money is the root of all evil" and Jesus remarks regarding the rich entering Heaven as compared to a camel entering the eye of a needle. I think the answer here is not to tear down the people who don't quite do what they should, but to build up the people that are good examples (Such as John Wesley, who is known for his saying: "What should rise is not the Christian’s standard of living, but his standard of giving.").

Now, I'm not saying people are evil for not living in shacks. However, we should be aware that having the biggest and best house should not be a priority. Our focus should be what Jesus instructed us to do (The two greatest commandments and the Great Commission). Helping the less fortunate should be the prime objective. Putting justice to injustice; right to wrongs. Many people have spent years being homeless, traveling or even being in prison for the Lord. Moses had two separate 40 year trips through the desert. No home outside the makeshift tents that would be pitched during rest stops. John the Baptist wandered through the desert until his arrest. Paul traveled a lot, whenever he wasn't visiting a fellow disciple or in prison.

Sources:

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/10/23/Pope-expels-German-luxury-bishop-from-diocese

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/german-bishop-of-blings-multimillion-euro-mansion-to-be-used-to-serve-needy-8907623.html

 http://www.wcnc.com/news/iteam/I-Team-How-a-pastor-paid-for-his-multi-million-dollar-home-228870731.html

http://www.wcnc.com/news/iteam/Elevation-Church-Pastor-responds-to-critics-of-his-17m-home-229413291.html

Batteries and The Sabbath

A while back, I found myself reaching for the lamp switch. As I turned it, the familiar blue flash indicated to me that the bulb had burned out. I then reached for the flashlight to find the light very dim, the batteries had died. Finding this an unacceptable means for shining light into the darkness, I went looking for fresh batteries.

This may be reaching*, but I couldn't help but see* the correlations between darkness/light* and blind/sight* analogies along with the concept of “burning out”* or needing “batteries recharged”*.

*All puns intended.

In Mark 1 : 35 – 39; Jesus himself goes into privacy to recharge His spiritual batteries. How much then should we, His followers, do so? There is great emphasis on sleep, eating and staying hydrated in order to recharge physical and mental batteries. How about the spiritual ones?

Everyone knows that they eventually recharge their phone and laptop batteries. Everyone knows they need to refill the gas (or petrol for those of you reading from Europe) in their vehicles. Everyone knows they need a holiday (vacation for those of you reading in the States) to recharge themselves. Yet, how easy is it to forget that prayer, meditation and fasting are all important to rest and recharge one's spiritual batteries?

Put another way; the Greek history includes the story of Marathon, a man who ran the distance from a military victory back to the capitol. Once he arrived and reported the news of the victory, he collapsed and died. In one view, this is an illustration of what happens when a person runs himself ragged without rest (Or in modern terms; a pastor running his Ford Focus ragged driving all over a county promoting His Church's events. It's not exactly taking the best care of a vehicle, considering gas prices and cost of repairs, but how could you not respect a man that devoted?). On the other hand, should this not be the enthusiasm that Christians should take when reporting the Good News of Christ? The pure, raw excitement of His Forgiveness should be motivation for anyone to run non-stop to those who haven't yet heard it. This is not to discredit the emotions of excitement, but it's still prudent to take rest when one can (even if it's merely a sleeping bag on concrete, which I can say from experience isn't at all conducive to proper rest).

Even God took a whole day to rest after creating the Heavens and the Earth and everything in it! On the seventh day (or Sabbath) He took a rest to view the work and saw that it was good. That is the other reason we have the sabbath (the 1st being to give praise to God), to rest from the week and recharge for the week to come.

All throughout the Bible, there are ebbs and flows. Periods of action and periods of rest. Even the entire nation of Israel had these periods. Sometimes they had feasts, others were that of famine. Periods of wealth and periods of enslavement. Times of peace and times of war.

What do yinz (you all, for those of you not from Pittsburgh) think? How do you rest and recharge spiritually?

Cinco!

The ting of excitement in the air. Plans made. Passports (almost) not forgotten. It's time.

ALLONS-Y!

Each trip has been an expansion and evolved form from the last. This trip is both the same and new.

More stoves* and some new projects. The new ones:

Water Filters: Through our contact known as Gaborrrrrrrr, we were able to connect with a non-profit that supplies water filters to schools. Now we are able to provide these to the school, the Church and the leivas farm. These are better designed filters that aren't expensive to replace and even then, the only part that would need replaced is the clay part inside.

Standing Vegetable Gardens: Debbie and Greg have a plan for vegetable gardens for the people of Joconal. Gardens that the chickens cannot reach (to steal away with the seeds).

Financial Education: Zak and his mother plan on giving financial education and determining what the people of Joconal know about finances.

*The Stoves: The stoves we have been installing for the people (which vent the smoke out of the kitchen) has been the project for the past 3 trips. It is now visible that some of them have built their own stoves themselves. It's beautiful, they're seeing how the stoves work and making their own (as opposed to waiting for us to come and do everything. Speaking of which. This time around, the men of each house are working with the stove construction. This is good on several levels. First, the men of each house are now taking ownership. Second, we are not
“magic-white-santa-clause” people. We are there to help, not become crutches. Third, this is hard work. Each piece of stove needs to be carried up a very steep, very muddy hill. All help is appreciated.

I should take the time now to note that Zak is listening to an Ipod. I make note for no other reason than that Zak is using an Apple product. Meanwhile, Mr. Covalt was kind enough to provide transportation and amuse us with personal anecdotes. Speaking of amusing, I was able to take a few video clips of Guatemalan driving 'dash-cam' style. Just some video evidence that some (or all) Guatemalans treat traffic laws more like guidelines than actual laws.

While there for our first day, we make our way over to Armando's brother's Church to do some work. We are to sand down the support beams and paint over them. Zak even found a bees nest, next to his face. Fortunately no one was stung. We celebrated with nachos in Antigua, which would have been more enjoyable without a noisy crowd of people who had also appeared.

After our 5-6 hours of driving through the country and the van not making it up the driveway, the mountains kick our buts from the start. Meanwhile, Zak and Greg must deal with re-adjusting the satellite for the internet – it is rather cumbersome and the signal is elusive.

After installing the stoves for the day, I sit down for a snack and take notes. I take a look at the trees and see a massive swarm of bees! Bees swarming in giant circles, staying away from the building, but making me nervous none the less. After a few minutes, these bees return to a branch. After another few minutes, I see a rock fly past the nest. Some of the kids are throwing rocks at the hive! Silly loco Guatemalan kids.

Now, the nearby Church that we also help has a new pastor. From what I've seen on this trip, I like him. He not only makes his way around the village, but he also assists with a few of the stoves. He is not afraid to do work and get his hands dirty. (No, really, the old stoves are basically blocks of dirt, so it's dirty work – or dirty deeds, done dirt cheap ;)

Over the course of the week, the battle continues. The mountains kick our buts and we get stove after stove installed. The other projects get completed and Kelly threatens me thrice. Her issue (one I agreed with at the start) was that my allergy to certain biting insects needs further review, or rather an appointment with a doctor. One more thing on my to-do list once we get back, but then again, I agree with the concern.

The final day of the week. We spend time in Antigua and I get to enjoy the ice cream and pizza shops I missed from last year. I also enjoy a cup of coffee and time alone with my thoughts walking the streets of Antigua. The many beautifully colored buildings and especially the Churches. I take the time to pray in one of them. As much as I joke about going and not returning, that might actually happen some time. It's a beautiful country and I feel deeply connected with the people I've met there over the years.

Or Die Trying

I don't fear failure; I fear succeeding at something that doesn't matter. -Author Unknown (Because I haven't found the proper citations)

This is, I think, quite sums up something that humans have gotten quite good at: The pursuit of irrelevant goals.

Such as:

-What do body builders do when they have their muscles?

-What do Stamp Collectors do when they have all the stamps? Or want to mail something?

-What does the person do with his life once he has watched every episode of every tv series ever (Note: There are too many so this isn't possible).

-What does the athlete do with his brass-knuckle  of a jewel-encrusted rings. I mean, have you seen how expensive they can be? You could by a car or even a cheap house with one of those. Check out the link about Super Bowl Bling from the Weather channel. Because the Weather channel had an article about Super Bowl rings. What do they do with all of their athletic achievements when their knees need replaced at age 40 and they get Alzheimer at age 50.

Do our votes really matter? Especially in this so-called "two-party" system?

Then check out these stats on climbing Mount Everest:

http://sometimes-interesting.com/2011/06/29/over-200-dead-bodies-on-mount-everest/

http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2013/01/07/everest-2013-how-much-does-it-cost-to-climb-everest/

Now, personal accomplishments can be good, but it's just that so many of them are either pointless or don't benefit anyone. At all.

But is it really worth your life to be on top of a mountain? For some it is, but let me ask it another way.

Is it worth a life to climb a mountain and if so, is that person's priorities and perspective's in proper order?

Is it good enough to string together a list of accomplishments that don't mean anything?

Yes, I realize that I'm suggesting that entire chunks of human population have wasted most, if not all, of their lives pursuing things that don't matter. And I mean to.

There are people so devoted to a cause that they would rather die than fail. And then there are people who have no idea as to how to prioritize their life.

It's truly admirable to see someone so devoted to something. It's even better when that something actually matters. It's actually painful to watch someone strive to accomplish something that really doesn't amount to anything meaningful. How many of the classic sci-fi movies have a scientist create some horrific monster to only after the disaster, wonder if he should have been doing that in the first place?

I would rather my life's work be meaningful. To be something that actually makes a positive difference in someone's life. Sometimes I feel like I've done that. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing the Lord's work. Sometimes I feel like I've attempted to do the Lord's work only to make something akin to a crayon drawing a kid makes for his parents to put on the fridge.

Customer or Commodity?

A good friend of mine emailed me the following qoute and I had to start off my post with it to set the tone. So, with that in mind, I shall begin.

Pigs. Pigs live for free; they are not free. They don't pay rent. Nor do they pay for their food. Nor do the pay for anything else. Well, until the day they're slaughtered that is. Then they pay with their life. They live in comfort and are comfortably numb. They eat, drink and generally be merry (even in their own filth). All that is expected of them is that they get fat; and that's what they do. They aren't the customer to the farmer. They aren't the consumer (though they do eat a lot). They are the commodity; the product to be sold for profit.

Enough about pigs; now onto humans. Throughout human history, there have been those very special types of people that only saw their fellow neighbors as commodities. As beings that are either bought and sold; or suckers to sell things to. This is the dark side of capitalism. Not to say that capitalism, in and of itself is bad. Rather, that human nature, being what it is, can (and does) corrupt it. Using it for devious and nefarious purposes for their own greedy end. That everything has a dark side (or a dark passenger). That capitalism is neither good nor bad; but how the human uses it is what dictates its nature.

To view other humans as a commodity is what leads to slavery. To view another human as potential property (and therefore, less human) is what slavery is. It is disgusting. They see a free market as a means to freely do whatever they want. They ignore the fact that there are consequences to actions. They lose their soul in a vain attempt to gain the world. This is why it is so, that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

This is materialism (or consumerism) to buy things, to seek things, to treat things as an idol. The alter for this, of course, is the shopping mall. To buy (or consume) any of a wide assortment of things to the point of worshiping the dollar and what it can buy. What would you like? Whatever it is, there is a store for it. How many people pay $60 for a pair of jeans? How many of them care where it came from? How many would care if they knew it was stitched together by someone making a quarter an hour to be shipped halfway across the world for their comfort? Remember the clothing factory in Bangladesh back in April?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/world/asia/bangladesh-factory-fire-caused-by-gross-negligence.html?_r=1&

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2012/09/21/the-wasteful-culture-of-forever-21-hm-and-fast-fashion

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/reports-fire-kills-43-poultry-farm-china-19310266#.Ua1DXkC3-8A

But wait, aren't those factory workers getting paid? Does it matter? They're being treated to lives and working conditions that many in 1^st world countries wouldn't tolerate for wages many would take unemployment welfare over.

1^st world country. If that term isn't indicative of the “rat race”, “bigger is better”, “latest-greatest”, entitlement culture of secular materialism, then I don't know what is. Not only is our country amongst the elite of the most developed and advanced technology, but we need a “1st” label so everybody knows it. We need a “3rd” label so those less fortunate (“least of these” anyone?) know their place. (Has anyone ever heard or read which countries constitute as “2^nd world”?).

Sir, May I Have Your Trash?

   This is what was said on one of our plane trips to Guatemala (or it may have been on the way back, I can't remember which).

   Our own Pastor Cory had decided upon a nap and had not eaten his in-flight "meal". Being close to landing, the stewardess had been collecting the "trash" from the other passengers. She simply saw it as trash (Many passengers don't eat their "meal", so this probably wasn't unusual for her) and wanted it cleaned up. Cory, on the other hand, wasn't about to waste food (even airline food).

   I recall the phrase "One man's trash is another man's treasure". How the value we attach to everyday items can vary wildly between the items and our perception of it's value (and even that cane vary depending upon actual value and sentimental value). How much food gets thrown away every year? Answer: Approximately 1.3 Billion tonnes worldwide (Source). How many people simply flip a switch or pull a lever to get electricity and on-demand clean water? How many consider that a luxury? How many don't even have it available? How many people have to spend 7-8 hours working to collect water for their family?

   I also recall the quote from Gandhi: “The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed .” How true of a statement this is. Not exactly something common in a culture immersed in instant gratification and "bigger is better" mentalities. Simply having the freedom or right to do something doesn't necessarily mean you should or that it is healthy. Just because you can do a thing, does not mean that you must do that thing. Another quote along these lines is this: "Your right to believe anything does not mean anything you believe is right." -Rick Warren


   Now, this isn't just about food (which I would be more than happy to do), this can be anything. Someone who is technologically will care about what kind of computer he uses compared to someone who just wants something to use a web browser on.

   Or to go politic here, we have being reported is that $1 Billion per day is spent fighting global warming. Or to go even more political, only 17% of the federal government was actually shut down during the "shutdown". There was even more money spent shutting down and barricading off what was essentially "outside".

   Speaking of government waste: This and this make me feel warm and cozy inside.

   So, the question remains: what can be done to reduce waste? What can be done to help? Well, I suppose the first step would be that every one should live within their means. Only buy what they can afford and only those things they will use. This is the first step. Next will be finding ways to help those that cannot help themselves (remember: you put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping others. Or: You can't help a drowning man if you can't swim).

Seeking Jesus' Auto Graph

    The autograph. A signature. Usually used to verify one's identity on important documents. Often times used to verify one's meeting with a celebrity. A celebrity. A person who is somehow risen in stature to the point where his or her signature is worth more than the so-called ordinary, average human. Whose signature would you crave? Whose signature would you want scribbled over some material possession (be it poster, cd, ball, other memorabilia, etc)? An athlete? A musician? A movie star? A politician? An individual whose career has taken him/her across a combination of these? Why? To sell? To keep locked away for a generation? What about Jesus? His three year “career” has influenced all of human history for over 2,000 years. No one else would come close to that, before or after.

I hope you said no.

Why?

   Why would it be, that if you ever met Jesus, that having Him scribble on some paper or immaterial object be the thing to pop into your head? To go away with something that moth and rust can destroy, and thieves break in and steal?

   I once saw an interview (with an athlete), in which he stated he never gave out any autographs. Instead he would have conversations with his fans. Shouldn't that be the case with Jesus? Shouldn't a conversation with Him be worth more than any object? Even if his signature were on the holy grail, a short chat with Him would be worth all the more. If you're hesitant to answer, it's ok. It means you've read the Bible. Jesus mostly has one of two things to tell people. It's either comforting or disturbing, there isn't much in the way of in between (not much written in the Gospels anyway). Even the comforting, healing that He does is followed up with “go and sin no more”.

   Yet, how many people seek after material things? How many people seek after Jesus-themed material things? Now, I don't mean Bibles and worth-while books. I mean Jesus-themed materials being sold to make money. People who don't care about souls or Christ's message, but about money. Things sold by people who only see Christians as a marketing demographic. People who write Jesus-themed books to sell, rather than books to enlighten. Not to name any names, but the Bible isn't a self-help book. Jesus' message wasn't about self-esteem. It was about salvation! That humanity had done wrong! How it turned away from the very face of God! That despite this, we (humanity) are forgiven our sins! Our debts are forgiven! Paid by the very blood of Christ!

   There are books that were written to explain the meaning. To enlighten. To put Jesus' message into tangible examples (C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton spring to mind) that we can understand. Then there are others. I have to wonder if the love of money (which is the root of all evil) has led some to write books because they know it will sell. Maybe they have so-called “good intentions” and it just looks like they're more concerned with money (I did have a reason for not naming names). However, good intentions are meaningless if potential results are ignored. The point is that instead of pointing the accusatory finger to what I think is bad; I want to raise my hands to what I know is good. There are Christian authors who bear good fruits and there are authors who write to sell and make money from Christians. Christians need to know the difference. Same goes for music, movies and pretty much everything else.

   Just like Peter, who thought it best to pitch tents when he saw Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah. He thought it best to pitch tents for the night. Likewise, if we saw Jesus, would we see Him, or would we immediately think of something inconsequential to do or say. Would we see Jesus for Jesus, or would we see a celebrity to have a picture with? Would we see Jesus, or try in vain to feel important doing something that doesn't need to be done. Again, we should know the difference. We should know the Shepherd’s voice as well as what He is actually calling us to do.

Pure

To seek the Pure one. To not only want, but to need on a deeper level.

Captivated by the dark brown of her eyes.

For her, to any mountain, I would travel.

Her beauty and grace; her compassion and selflessness.

To seek her out, yet see her as more than a prize.

To climb the steepest hills, to cross the lowest valleys.

To pass over the Heartland, to pass over the Gulf that divides.

To almost go back in time, to re-visit again and again.

It is not a chasing after the wind, I go to where Hope has been Sown

To Connect and lend my Voice to help lift the voice of others.

To come back again, through the hustle and bustle.

To return to the safe castle, away from blood suckers.

Only to long for the return, and perhaps to stay?

FUDGE!!

      The F-Bomb, and many other swear words, are often censored in television and radio. This is for good reason! They are not 'good' words! However, how offended should people in general (and Christians specifically) be when we here this words and phrases spoken or written? I would also submit that the context of a word means a lot more than the actual word being used. Taking into consideration all of the real problems in the world, are a few 'bad words' that outrageous? Does swearing really rack up there with murder, theft, poverty, greed or dishonoring one's parents? Keep in mind Jesus never asked anyone to clean up their “potty-mouth” prior to listening to him or following. Neither should we. Remember that Christ instructed those He healed to “leave their lives of sin” after He healed them, not prior. It is likely that some of the people we speak with and share the gospel with won't exactly desire “clean” language as much as others.

     Let us discuss these two points on a deeper level. Now, I am not making the case that Christians should swear or that it is okay to be used around children and small, furry animals. If a Christian who formerly cursed as a part of his common vernacular, then stops, then happens to “slip up”, there should be some amount of forgiveness given as we all have our faults (James 2:10 reads: “For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it”).

Who would curse at this guy anyway?

     Instead, what I am discussing is just how upset we should be when we hear these words.

      2 Timothy 2: 10 Reads: “So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.” Paul is telling Timothy about the hardships of imprisonment [Something I may touch upon in a future post]. Enduring a fellow who curses and swears seems insignificant when compared to the reality that you can share the Gospel! Christ Himself even told us to “turn the other cheek” toward insults.

     In Romans 14 (The entire chapter is relevant so I'm not posting the entire passage here. You will have to read it on your own), we are told not to “have disputes over differing opinions”.

     Now, personally, I believe I should avoid using these words. It allows me to speak to others with less to worry about concerning offending others. Further still, should I use the “F-Bomb” or other similar vulgar word, the listener may lose focus on what I'm saying. The listener may stop listening! It's unfortunate, but people may not consider what you have to say to be important if they don't like the way you word it. While this isn't entirely the speaker's fault, there are certain words that can (or should) be avoided to maintain communication.

     In terms of “being all things to all people” [1 Corinthians 9:19-22]; isn't it better to have a civil conversation? When debates turn into seething arguments, who wins? No one wins; everyone loses. Even if you're right, it's not about being right, it's about the persons very soul. Remember our battle is not against the flesh or blood (our neighbors), it is against the principalities of evil (sin itself) [Ephesians 6:12].

     In short: we should avoid cursing. We should not cover our ears and out shout the other person should the swear. We shouldn't ignore and/or condemn another person on what is a mere symptom of a deeper heart issue.

As always; discussion is welcome and encouraged, but please keep it civil. (And no swearing ;)

Dusting and Other Spring Cleaning

Hmmm, it seems that it's been a while since I've posted anything. Well, that's changing. I'm dusting off the blog and will become more consistent with my posts. I probably only have a handful of readers (or you found this site looking for something else). In either case, this is just a venue for getting my ideas somewhere where they won't disappear into a vacuum (Or maybe a barely-read blog is a vacuum?).

Anyway, I'll have some caffeine and Mumford and Sons to guide me into one or two posts.

Things I have been up to?

Now that the weather is (Finally) starting to warm up. I plan on exercising and bicycle riding more often. Well, let's see how long that holds up.

Traveling. I shall travel more (and tell my tales of adventure!). Already planned are trips to Syracuse, Toronto and perhaps the Babylon D.C. area (If you don't know why I'm referring to D.C. as Babylon, then you don't know me very well) to see one or two museums (I'm thinking Smithsonian and/or Holocaust museums). I've already seen the Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam and Korea Monuments, so those are already crossed off my D.C. list.

Cooking and/or baking. Hey, I live alone. Anything I do or make, I have to do on my own. That includes feeding myself; so why not get good at it?

Here, we have some delicious Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

I have also been making smoothies with off-and-on success. The really good ones have been the ones with Avocado. I love Avocado. I'm actually fixin ("Planning" for those of you north of the Mason-Dixon line) to make one later today. If Yinz ("Y'all" for those of you south of the Mason-Dixon line) ask nicely, I might share the recipe.

Now that the Walking Dead has ended its 3rd season. I should try to get some actual chores done. Like, cleaning, prepping for the next Guatemala trip, etc. But I will most likely find another show I need to catch up on.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some Espanol (Spanish for those of you north of the Rio Grande) to brush up on so I can talk to people in Guatemala this August:)

Guatemala: 2012

The Plan:

- Install more stoves in local homes to remove smoke (and smoke related ailments) from their kitchens. Results should be improved lungs, throats and eyes for the women that have to cook all day, everyday.

- Install a satellite dish and solar panels to support a cyber school in the village.

Trip starts off on a good note before we even leave! The actual cost of the equipment is only half of what the original estimate was! Hallelujah!

This year is going to have us in Guatemala in a faster time than any other year. We're there before noon! It's still too late to just go to Joconal right away, but we're still able to partake in a project in the city.

Every time we go to Guatemala, I completely fall in love with it. One of these times I might just stay for a long term missions (or I might just not leave. :)

There is an organization that builds houses for people cheap: About $3,000 each. We build a retaining wall for the front so as to keep the ground stable. Karina decides to take it upon herself to be a task-master and to "encourage" us with our work.

After that, we travel to check out Mynor (Armando's son and Karina's hermano) and his after-school soccer futbol program. It is up a street so steep that the van won't be able to climb it - so we must walk. The view when we get there though is very much worth it.

(A.D.D. Moment: In life we have struggles and they can be very challenging. Yet when we, through Christ who strengthens us, get over it and onto that mountain; it will be very much worth it as well.)

We get to the building and check out their school project they have. It is an after school program to reach these kids and to help keep them out of trouble.

Restaurant night out at a place with nachos bigger than our muy loco, gringo cabezas.

Tuesday:
When the next day starts, and we are on our 5-hour car trip to the mountains, we pick up other missionaries that are already there. There is Gabor (Pronounced Gaborrrrrrrrrrr), Candy and their two daughters. They seem to have that variety of energy and enthusiasm that is infectious, and I am immediately energized myself (beyond the energy I had from the awe of just being there and doing the Lord's work).

When we finally get there, we find that they now have a second floor on the farmhouse. Everyone really likes it! This is also the first year where we DON'T have a vehicle breakdown before getting to the farm! Muy bueno!

We do, as per usual, get straight to work by delivering the stove equipment to the first 3 houses and a few others start the chicken coops. The hill side is very steep and muddy and the work is arduous. Yet we manage it and somehow I don't exhaust myself.

Wednesday:
I actually wake up with enough time to eat a proper breakfast! Yay for coffee and eggs! And mosquito repellent!

We deliver the supplies for two more stoves and build a total of five stoves during the day. Moving at an encouragingly fast pace. Speaking of which; the two chicken coops are almost done (good job Greg, Michael and Gaborrrrr!)

Greg (and all of his impressive roof skills) gets to work on getting the solar panels installed and hooked up.

Our first soccer futbol match with the kids of Joconal. Zak is a pretty good netminder and myself, Kelly and Heather make a good defensive unit (with Kelly and Heather making a few key defensive blocks).

Kelly and Armando leave for Honduras to pick up the man who will install the satellite dish and connect this village to the rest of the world!

Thursday:
We construct four more stoves. Now, this isn't just building stoves, we are carrying the supplies along a dirt path (which is usually steep and/or muddy). Then we have to destroy the old "stove" which is actually just a clay table that is infested with ants and/or termites and/or roaches and/or large spiders. Constructing the stoves is like assembling a puzzle. Once we get the process down, it's easy.

We also take to staining the wood of the second floor against the rain. (and it does rain frequently).

I also assist Heather in the VBS duties. My little espanol that I know (as mal as it is) and pointing is enough and it seems the kids know to respect adults (even loco gringos).

Darwin (the Internet man) works on connecting us to the internet all day. Although the projected time as an hour to 3 hours, there are setbacks.

Friday:
Me, Cory, Armando and Paulino walk into a bean field to harvest ripe beans. I get eaten alive by bugs and both of my hands swell up. I am now limited in my abilities to do pretty much anything. Even the staining project is difficult. Every brush is painful and I feel like a bum for not being productive.

Meanwhile: Darwin is working on his last attempt at connecting the dish to the internet. If this does not work, he will have to return to Honduras (17 hours driving to his office) to research more. This is unacceptable. We get into a circle and immediately pray. As we are praying: THE DISH PICKS UP A SIGNAL! Seriously. This happens. Darwin watches the signal go from 0.8% to 13.0% and has no idea as to how it happened!

Saturday:
Armando and Paulino drive Darwin back to Honduras. During this trip, Armando asks Darwin what he thought of the prayer and the internet working. Darwin says he was amazed at see the Lord work and asks to pray. They pull over than Darwin accepts the Lord! Whilst on this journey, they have a series of events that are just amazing:

- A bridge is down and they have to ford the river in their truck following a lady across.

- They pick up a hitchhiker and along the way, there is a tree at an angle blocking the way. The man somehow lifts the tree high enough for the truck to pass!

Armando has quite the story to tell us when he returns. And this is pretty late at night.

Sunday:
As per usual: We have to push a vehicle out of a muddy ditch. Fun times. -.-

Also as per usual: The drive back includes throwing tennis balls at local children. Being in the back, I miss out.

Being tired I opt to stay at the house whilst the others go out and about at night. Cory and Kelly have a divine appointment with the owner of an Ice Cream Parlor.

Monday:
Air travel back to the states. Houston - Pittsburgh flight: Me and Cory share a row with a fellow from Texas who is a pastor that also has to have a second job. This job has him travel to PA. We get to talking and it instantly turns into a divine appointment. After exchanging information, we hope this can develop into something more.

This has been by far the most productive mission's trip I think we have had and no one got sick!

"I love it when a plan comes together!" - Hannibal Smith, A-Team

Color Blind

     I am wearing a blue shirt. If you say it is blue, you are right. Yet, if someone else says, "no, it's more like a light blue", then he would be right too. They disagree (in terms of hairsplitting), but they're both right. Both are accurate descriptions of my shirt. If a third fellow comes along (and I really do hope I never have this much discussion over the color of my garments) and claims that the first two are off and that the shirt is actually 'baby blue', well, he would be right too. (Just so we're clear, I am wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins shirt with the alternate 'baby blue' otherwise, I do not wear baby blue).

    Now, none of these are quite aligned with each other, but they're all right. No one would really argue one shade of blue over the other. Yet, if a fourth fellow came along and called it grey, that would be wrong. They would probably think the following things about him:

• He's probably not serious

• He probably never learned what colors are

• He might be color blind

• He might be stupid

• He probably doesn't hang around too many civil war reenactments

• He might not appreciate his shortcomings being illustrated in bullet format

    There will be a time when the 3 fellows attempt to explain blue to him. They will use examples and use different colors and ask different questions (assuming they're trying to determine his point of view). There will also be a time when they run out of ways of explaining blue. It's not a philosophical or logical debate, it just is the way it is.

   So, let's say he is serious, isn't stupid and has been to many civil war reenactments (and even has his own collection of hats and flattened pennies - you know the kind, you put a penny and a quarter into a machine, turn some wheels, get a flattened penny back and never see the quarter again - MAGIC!). Good for him.

But not good; because he is trying to say that blue is grey. How much effort do these men put into setting him right? Do they go mad trying to help a madman? Do they call him stupid and in need of education and risk his emotions sending him sulking away? Do they consider his 'feelings' and just "agree to disagree"? Do they try to determine if he is color blind or otherwise somehow never knew which colors were called what? Do they end the conversation there and move on? There are only so many ways to say something before getting to simply repeating the same thing over and over. Calling people stupid or ignorant (coincidentally, both ignorant and stupid people use the terms "stupid" and "ignorant" interchangeably) doesn't really turn people over to your side of the argument. And it is very easy to call someone as such without even using those specific words. The thing to remember is to "Speak the Truth in Love" and "Bear with one another's weaknesses".

Mark 4 : 9   "And he said, "Whoever has ears to hear had better listen!""

The Full Armor of God and the Phalanx

This latest posting is brought to you by King Leonidas. King Leonidas, leading 300 of Sparta's finest into battle with Xerxes and his minions so Greece may remain free . . . until it spends itself into eternal debt slavery. And so Gerald Butler can have a Bad-A$$ movie about it.

If you are unfamiliar with the movie “300”, you are unqualified to read this blog or be my friend. Go watch it now. Seriously. I mean it.

Watch the movie or I'll kick you down this conveniently-placed bottomless pit!

Now that you've seen it (and hopefully remembered to return here) let me use it as my analogy to my latest series of thoughts / rantings.

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Chapter 6 verses 10 – 18) Paul writes about wearing the “full armor of God”. He speaks of the Belt of Truth; the breastplate of righteousness; the readiness to be fitted onto your feet; the shield of faith; the helmet of salvation and, finally, the sword of the spirit.

In light of this; here are some thoughts that I have had recently:
The spiritual battle has been waging for a VERY long time. We have only now joined it. Some of us have been in the struggle our whole lives. Others have been “asleep” and have only recently joined in the cause and still others are still asleep; blindly coasting through their comfortably numb lifestyle.

For us (the ones that have always been awake and the recently awakened), we joined a battle that is in-progress. Should one wake up to a battle, there is always panic. Here is my fear: That far too many people wake up, see the onslaught and will only pick up the sword of the spirit and nothing else. For if one wakes up to a battle, would one take the time to strap on articles of clothing / armor? Or would one simply grab a weapon and fight? This is a mistake.

To take the analogy further: What we (as Christians) need are the Full Armor of God; The boot-camp for training in a safe and stable environment (loving home / family / Church - hopefully all three); and a proper phalanx. What is a phalanx? It is a military term for a formation of soldiers. Here is where watching 300 would help, but I will let King Leonidas explain it.

There are those Christians that try to go it alone. Except no man is an island unto himself and Jesus himself had the Disciples go two-by-two when they split up.

SPLITTER!!

I think the phalanx should be reviewed in that we need to stay in formation. Or in other words, we need to be on the same page with each other! If one of us falls, there is now a gap in our ranks. If one of us goes off course, we have a gap in our ranks. We need to keep aligned. We need to remember what was spoken in Paul's letter to the Romans (Chapters 14 and 15).

Saved

When you think of something as “saved”, what do you think of? On a computer, documents and programs are saved to the computer. They are stored in files. When someone saves the files, they are saving them TO a specific file or folder. No one thinks of saving something FROM the trash. The same works for food (unless you're on an airplane and have slept through the food distribution. In that case, the stewardess may or may not attempt to throw away your food as though it were trash). This is how being “saved” should be thought of in the spiritual sense. We shouldn't think of being saved means to avoid going to Hell. It should be thought of as being able to spend eternity with the Lord who created the heavens and the earth. How many people go to Church because they are afraid of Hell? How many actions and activities do people partake in because they are afraid of punishment? Do you get  car  i nsurance so as to avoid getting ticketed for not having insurance? Or do you get car insurance to pay for damages in the event of a crash? This isn't meant to be accusatory, but I have to wonder about people. The joy that would come with being with the Father is all I need to hear. I need not be afraid of what would come. For I have confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. I am not doing this for “fire insurance” or any sort of “feel-good” sensation that many people seek out. Some Churches have that “cheer-leader” look and feel to them. That's not to say they have gone against Jesus; more along the lines of losing some of the “meat” of the Gospel. We are told on many occasions by Jesus (and later Paul) that there will be troubles. There will be difficulties. That we may be persecuted, ridiculed and arrested for preaching the word. We shouldn't fear preaching the Truth if we believe we are saved. Now, when I say that I believe what I believe not through wanting the aforementioned “fire insurance", I mean to say that I truly believe and attempt to convert that belief into action. I do not sit through services, soak up what is preached, then go home to feel good and forget. I implement what I learn into my life. I bring up parts of the Gospel in everyday conversations. I take what I learn to shape how I make decisions throughout the day and week. Sometimes when I find something in the Bible that challenges what I have already established as a habit, I take to changing that habit. Other times, when said habit is a little bit more entrenched, I take to prayer and fasting to do what I believe God is asking of me. Admittedly, sometimes this is harder than other times. Taking this a step further; I would combine the two greatest commandments that Jesus gave us and the Great Commission to spread the Word. That is to say, I believe I am to spread the Word, to be all things to all people (easier said than done), and to speak the Truth in Love. This is what it means to be Saved. What do you think? Do you agree, disagree? Thoughts, questions, concerns? Objections?

CTRL-Z

CTRL-Z is awesome. It lets you undo (most) mistakes you could type into a text-field. This is (in general) something that most people enjoy because it gives them the security of knowing that certain mistakes can be undone and forgotten about. However, the same cannot be said of real life. In real life, very little can be undone. Even so, it can seem like it can be undone if forgiven - and that's what Jesus does. He forgives the mistakes we have made; to the point where the sin is treated as though it has been made undone.

What is done in real life can't be undone; hurtful things can't be taken back very easily. This should be enough to give us pause before doing/saying anything we may end up regretting. However, we should also remain confident in our lives, lest we do nothing out of fear. This is fear of failure. We should remember that Christ forgives our sins. We should be able to move forward and continue to preach the Good News of Christ.

Then again, maybe people could be more confident in their actions if others were more forgiving (yes I include myself in this for I am guilty as well).

This wasn't really in reference to anything, but just that people really shouldn't let their faults and failures get in the way of spreading the Gospel of Christ.

Amen.

Stand Firm

Since, it's been a while since I've written a blog post, I think I'll start with something that is both on my heart and something I have seen in the news.

^{But lets start with a verse from Paul's letter to the Ephesians:}

"10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

- Ephesians 6:10-18

Here, we are encouraged to be strong and to stand firm, but stand firm against what? The Devil? That's all well and good, but lets take a look at what that can mean.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2094100/Severed-pigs-head-dumped-doorstep-crime-fighting-Italian-priest-condemned-Mafia.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

In this news story (you did read it, right? No? Ok I'll wait) we have a priest preach against the mafia. What does the mafia do? What they always do, they start by killing an animal and leaving all or part of it's corpse at your doorstep.

Sort of like what a cat does, only without being cute and fury about it . . .

Now, this isn't some random dude saying "whoa, killing is wrong dude!". This is a man of the cloth preaching the Word of God. The mafia should know that things like "Thou Shalt not steal" and "thou shalt not commit murder" might just be somewhat opposite of the mafia's business model. Now, the Priest could easily choose the comfortable and safe route about switching his sermons to more feathery subjects and not ones that cut to the heart of what's wrong with society. However, since he is here and called to preach the Word of the Lord, that option isn't open to him. He isn't here to please mere man. And neither should we.

Of course, most of us aren't in this situation. We face such things as misspeaking, or being made fun of as "prude's" or even speaking to people who will disagree and/or ignore us (the horror!). No, seriously, what do we (especially myself) have to fear? Would we be stoned? Flogged? Tarred and Feathered?

No. Yet, some of us feel the need to avoid confrontation that may arise as opposed to speaking the Truth of Christ. Maybe that's a lot of people, perhaps you too, but I know this is something I deal with and I refuse to believe that I am the only shy/introverted/socially awkward Christian out there.

But lets take a look at another example:

http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=25927

That's right; the Komen foundation pulled the grant that it was offering up to planned parenthood. Why? Well, probably because they weren't offering the type life-saving breast-cancer screening exams that the Komen foundation would like to be available to women. The screenings are still available, it's just that planned parenthood is no longer the "middle-man" in the process. As a result? Every liberal reacted as though the only way that women can get breast-cancer screening was by way of referral from one of the biggest abortion advocates on the face of the planet. Women can still get the screenings, the only real problem is that planned parenthood lost a revenue of income. That's all. Shortly after, many liberal donors contributed almost $1 Million in combined donations (which would make you wonder why they would need Government grants with so many rich liberals around).

Should The Komen foundation go back to giving money to the pro-death organization? Certainly not! They are free to give money to whom they choose anyway. When things like this happen, we cannot afford to simply cower just because someone else may happen to be offended that we would have principles and stick with them. It is not surprising that the Komen Foundation is being attacked like it is. It is quite plain now that they have two options: Stand firm or cave in. Lets pray they stand firm and that we can get this baby-killing dragon that is planned parenthood defeated.

³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew 9:37-38

We need not speak of the Lord 24/7 (not that there's anything wrong with that), but there shouldn't be apprehension about speaking about the Lord or the Bible, regardless of the location or the people with whom you're speaking. For there are indeed countless opportunities to serve and to witness.

A Series of Rants: Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery

During work, there is a radio the boss-man has on so we can listen to some tunes whilst working away. Every once-in-a-while, a certain commercial comes one for some local doctor that performs plastic surgery. This propaganda includes something about making the outer beauty match the inner beauty or some such nonsense.

Herein lies my rage (not merely the 'upset' kind of rage, but rage closer to the "I am Joe's raging bile duct" type rage). Who, in their right mind, thinks physically altering their appearance will make them more attractive? Sure, certain types are more attractive than others, but that doesn't mean everyone should be made to look the same. Why do people actively agree to let botox and other silicon-based poisons (and they are poisons - straight from the bowls of satan) into their bodies? The notion that people need to surgically alter themselves in order to attract someone with whom they can partner with is utterly absurd and needs to be put to a stop.

Now for the other side. It's understood that women think they need to change themselves to appear more attractive. It's also understood they do so because bad men encourage it and good men apparently don't speak up against it often enough. So, to those of you who are like me (a somewhat good guy who is sick of the lies) speak up. The greatest ally evil has is a good person who remains silent. To those of you who think that operation is the only way to get a guy, forget about it, you don't need it (and those guys who do tell you that you don't need surgery aren't just saying so, they really mean it).

Here's an interesting news article I happened to find:

It's now suspected that implants may not even be safe! Can we be done with it already?

And finally, to those of you who either actively encourage your girlfriends to get "bigger" or don't speak up should she talk about wanting it. Punch yourselves in the face. Seriously. Right now. Do it.

Adventures in Beer Tasting: A Review

Recently, I had the pleasure of tasting six "new" beers. New in the sense that I had previously never had any of them. Now, this review comes a bit "after the fact", but I will strive to be both coherent and edifying.

The six are as follows:

1: Great Divide Brewing Co's Hades: This is a Belgian-Style Ale that I found consistent with other Belgian-Styles. I believe I mostly liked it due to the fact that I happen to like Belgian-Styles, but it was good and I would have it again if I had the chance. On the bottle was a food pairing suggestion of; fresh mussels, crusty bread and artisan cheese - which sounded pretty good, if I had any available.

2: Tommyknocker Brewery's Maple Brown Nut Ale: This Ale had the flavor of maple syrup and made me miss fall a bit. I would drink it again if given the chance and my own suggested food pairings would be pancakes, nuff said.

3: Brewery Ommegang's Hennepin: It, too, is a Belgian-Style and while given a choice between this and the former, I might prefer the Hades (Never thought I would prefer "Hades" between two options). However, this Belgian also had a good taste to it (and I would think the best pairing option would be to drink this with an attractive Belgian ;)

4: Buffalo Bill's Brewery's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout: I like blueberries. I like Stouts. This was the perfect combination of both. Food Paring: Blueberry Pancakes (Yes, I like pancakes :)

5: Left Hand Brewing Co's 400 Pound Monkey: An English-Style IPA. Although I'm not a fan of IPA's, I did find this one to be rather tasty.

6: Indigo Imp Brewery's Gate Keeper: This Porter (that I happen to be drinking as I began this writing :) has a robust taste to it with hints of caramel. I would consider it again should I have the chance.

So there it is, a bit amateur-ish I'll admit, but I'm one of those oddballs that only started drinking at 21. Therefore my repertoire isn't as knowledgeable as some others.