I finished "Common Sense Economics" this weekend and started J. Budziszewski's "The Revenge of Conscience: Politics and the Fall of Man." So far it is very interesting.
What is also interesting, although disappointing in hind-sight, is that Budziszewski is a Philosophy professor at The University of Texas at Austin, where I went to school. Unfortunately I didn't know about him at the time. Oh well...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Catching Up
So much has transpired since I last posted here... much.
I got a promotion at work, but I already posted about it. I am still very excited about it. I like the new role and the increase in pay. As I move away from the idea of eventually having a career in financial services, it becomes more important for me to focus on developing my career at work. This is a step in the right direction.
Making that decision to move away from owning my own business and being a financial advisor was a difficult one. It is something I have done part-time for almost seven years and something I have been dreaming about doing full-time during those seven years. Coming to the realization that I wasn't willing to do what it takes to make it a reality was a difficult pill to swallow. To some degree I feel like a quitter, even though I believe it was the right decision. Enough about that...
My wife is pregnant and expecting our third. We are excited, but nervous about what life with three kids will be like. My wife had very easy pregnancies with the first two - i.e. no morning sickness - which were boys, but she has been as sick as a dog with this pregnancy, so she is convinced it is a girl. The thought scares me, but if it is a little girl, she will have two older brothers to help me over-protect her.
I have read several books since I last posted, all of which I have liked, so let me recommend them:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Common Sense Economics by Gwartney, Stroup and Lee
I also started Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, a book I had been wanting to read for awhile, but I got bogged down about 150 pages into it and decided to scrap it for the time.
I got a promotion at work, but I already posted about it. I am still very excited about it. I like the new role and the increase in pay. As I move away from the idea of eventually having a career in financial services, it becomes more important for me to focus on developing my career at work. This is a step in the right direction.
Making that decision to move away from owning my own business and being a financial advisor was a difficult one. It is something I have done part-time for almost seven years and something I have been dreaming about doing full-time during those seven years. Coming to the realization that I wasn't willing to do what it takes to make it a reality was a difficult pill to swallow. To some degree I feel like a quitter, even though I believe it was the right decision. Enough about that...
My wife is pregnant and expecting our third. We are excited, but nervous about what life with three kids will be like. My wife had very easy pregnancies with the first two - i.e. no morning sickness - which were boys, but she has been as sick as a dog with this pregnancy, so she is convinced it is a girl. The thought scares me, but if it is a little girl, she will have two older brothers to help me over-protect her.
I have read several books since I last posted, all of which I have liked, so let me recommend them:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Common Sense Economics by Gwartney, Stroup and Lee
I also started Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, a book I had been wanting to read for awhile, but I got bogged down about 150 pages into it and decided to scrap it for the time.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Heavy Lifters Cup Winner
Speaking of promotions and all-around great performace, my brother recently won the Heavy Lifters Cup at 24 Hour Fitness. His club hit over $120,000 in training revenue - something it had never done and the top number in his entire division.
Now if this was all he had done, it would be impressive enough, but it is far from the only accomplishment he has had at 24 Hour Fitness. He has consistently been the #1 or #2 Fitness Manager in the nation the past couple of years and now, if you look at the roster of top Fitness Managers in the country, several of them have been trained by Steve. And if you look at the top individual Trainers in the company, several of them work for him now.
Amazing. And when I complimented his performance, he said, "I have a team of STUDS!" That's a good coach for you - passing along the praise to his team.
It is really exciting to watch his success. He does something he genuinely loves to do (personal fitness, teaching others, leading others) and it shows in the quality of work he does.
I wonder how many people are as proud of their siblings as I am of my brother? My guess is not many. I hope that my two sons end up loving each other and liking each other as much as my brother and I do.
Now if this was all he had done, it would be impressive enough, but it is far from the only accomplishment he has had at 24 Hour Fitness. He has consistently been the #1 or #2 Fitness Manager in the nation the past couple of years and now, if you look at the roster of top Fitness Managers in the country, several of them have been trained by Steve. And if you look at the top individual Trainers in the company, several of them work for him now.
Amazing. And when I complimented his performance, he said, "I have a team of STUDS!" That's a good coach for you - passing along the praise to his team.
It is really exciting to watch his success. He does something he genuinely loves to do (personal fitness, teaching others, leading others) and it shows in the quality of work he does.
I wonder how many people are as proud of their siblings as I am of my brother? My guess is not many. I hope that my two sons end up loving each other and liking each other as much as my brother and I do.
Promotion
HEY! I got a promotion at work! Woo-hoo! I am honestly very excited. Promotion, a little extra money and I will be doing something that I will enjoy more. I am going to be a manager for our UAT (User Acceptance Testing) group. I remain in the Quality Assurance group, but it will be coordinating the testing we do with our field and business partners. Good stuff.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Interfaith Dialogue?
I know my past couple of posts have been links to articles on the Pope's recent comments about Islam and the relationship between faith and reason, but this is an incredibly important conversation that is being held on an international level. This morning there is another insightful article in the Wall Street Journal on this topic. It is a little longer that the previous two, but it is well worth the time.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Pope Provocateur
Here is another very interesting article about the substance of the Pope's message that sparked the recent flurry of Muslim rage.
I must confess that it absolutely BAFFLES me that many in the West can be labeled "intolerant" for critiquing the teachings or actions of radical Muslims when, comparitively, they riot, destroy things and kill people (without condemnation from most other Muslims) when they are offended. Those two courses of action - argument versus violence - seem very different to me. If either should be labeled "intolerant" it should be the latter.
To me it seems very similar to two little school boys on the playground. The first boy tries to point out that the other boy is being rude or not sharing or something similar. Maybe the first boy even goes so far as to call the second boy a "jerk". The second boy, however, tears up the playground and beats up other kids because his feelings were hurt by what the first boy said.
As an adult, to get angry and punish the first boy seems irrational, doesn't it? Maybe you tell the first boy to keep his opinions, however valid they might be, to himself, but you don't spank him. You spank the second kid because that is what he deserves. What he did was wrong and he is responsible for his actions regardless of what the other kid said.
Didn't we all learn this in school? I think everyone else must have forgotten.
I must confess that it absolutely BAFFLES me that many in the West can be labeled "intolerant" for critiquing the teachings or actions of radical Muslims when, comparitively, they riot, destroy things and kill people (without condemnation from most other Muslims) when they are offended. Those two courses of action - argument versus violence - seem very different to me. If either should be labeled "intolerant" it should be the latter.
To me it seems very similar to two little school boys on the playground. The first boy tries to point out that the other boy is being rude or not sharing or something similar. Maybe the first boy even goes so far as to call the second boy a "jerk". The second boy, however, tears up the playground and beats up other kids because his feelings were hurt by what the first boy said.
As an adult, to get angry and punish the first boy seems irrational, doesn't it? Maybe you tell the first boy to keep his opinions, however valid they might be, to himself, but you don't spank him. You spank the second kid because that is what he deserves. What he did was wrong and he is responsible for his actions regardless of what the other kid said.
Didn't we all learn this in school? I think everyone else must have forgotten.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Benedict the Brave
Here is a good piece in the Wall Street Journal's online Opinion Journal on the controversy over the Pope's recent comments and the violent reaction by many Muslims around the world. A brief article, but worth the time.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
A couple of Good Articles
I had seen these articles last week, but forgotten to post about them until I saw Melinda Penner's post at STR's Blog about them and was reminded.
First is Peggy Noonan's piece about the sounds of 9/11. Not just the explosions and crashing, but the phone calls from those who knew they were about to die to those they loved. Incredibly powerful and moving. It is difficult to read without tears in your eyes. Who would you call and what would you say?
Second is Lilek's blog from last Friday. The important part, which Melinda points out, is when he talks about the clocks being reset on 9/11. I really do agree. I don't care much about pointing the finger and placing blame on any individual or administration. There is enough fault to go around to everyone. What matters more to me is what people are doing since that time.
Well, enjoy the articles!
First is Peggy Noonan's piece about the sounds of 9/11. Not just the explosions and crashing, but the phone calls from those who knew they were about to die to those they loved. Incredibly powerful and moving. It is difficult to read without tears in your eyes. Who would you call and what would you say?
Second is Lilek's blog from last Friday. The important part, which Melinda points out, is when he talks about the clocks being reset on 9/11. I really do agree. I don't care much about pointing the finger and placing blame on any individual or administration. There is enough fault to go around to everyone. What matters more to me is what people are doing since that time.
Well, enjoy the articles!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Situational Ethics vs. Moral Relativism
I am building up to a bigger post in the next few days concerning the morality of war in principle, in purpose and in strategy. It's an issue (issues) that in many aspects I find simple and clear and in other apsects find incredibly complex. I also recognize that I have some inconsistencies in my thoughts with which I am still wrestling, but we will get to those later...
Today I want to discuss the difference between situational ethics and moral relativism. The two are often confused or, if not confused, thought to be essentially the same thing. But there is a difference between the two and one is good and the other is not. Situational ethics says that the moral thing to do is determined within the context of the circumstances. Moral relativism says that the moral thing to do is determined by the individual.
Continue reading "Situational Ethics vs. Moral Relativism"
Question: Is it morally wrong for one person to trip someone else?
Answer: It depends. Why would they trip the other person? Is it to be mean and hurt them? If so, then, Yes, it is wrong to trip them. However, if it is to keep them from being hit by traffic or perhaps in order to stop a fleeing theif, then, No, it isn't wrong to trip them. In that case the ethical thing to do would be to trip the other person.
This is a good example of situational ethics. Whether an action is moral is often dependent on the circumstances. NOTE: This is not to say that all morality is situational. There are obviously some things that are wrong regardless of the circumstances (another post). It is simply to say that knowing the best way to apply general moral principles is sometimes dependent on the details of the situation.
In contrast, moral relativism would take the exact same set of circumstances (tripping someone simply to humiliate them) and say that the morality is dependent on the individual. In other words, it could be wrong for you but right for me for no other reason than you think it is wrong and I think it is right.
Situational ethics does not free individuals from moral responsibility. Man is still obligated to obey the universal, God-given moral laws. Rather, it is moral relativism that seeks to make man a God unto himself by destroying obligation to any morality outside of the individual's desires. That is why situational ethics is a good thing when properly understood, whereas moral relativism is not.
I guess what I hope to have established with this post is the recognition that there are situations where the context of the situation, the details of the circumstances, will determine whether the actions taken or being considered are moral or not.
In my next post I will try and make the case that there is a moral hierarchy and that sometimes the right thing to do is something wrong. If that sounds like I have fallen off my rocker, just be patient and stick with me.
Today I want to discuss the difference between situational ethics and moral relativism. The two are often confused or, if not confused, thought to be essentially the same thing. But there is a difference between the two and one is good and the other is not. Situational ethics says that the moral thing to do is determined within the context of the circumstances. Moral relativism says that the moral thing to do is determined by the individual.
Continue reading "Situational Ethics vs. Moral Relativism"
Question: Is it morally wrong for one person to trip someone else?
Answer: It depends. Why would they trip the other person? Is it to be mean and hurt them? If so, then, Yes, it is wrong to trip them. However, if it is to keep them from being hit by traffic or perhaps in order to stop a fleeing theif, then, No, it isn't wrong to trip them. In that case the ethical thing to do would be to trip the other person.
This is a good example of situational ethics. Whether an action is moral is often dependent on the circumstances. NOTE: This is not to say that all morality is situational. There are obviously some things that are wrong regardless of the circumstances (another post). It is simply to say that knowing the best way to apply general moral principles is sometimes dependent on the details of the situation.
In contrast, moral relativism would take the exact same set of circumstances (tripping someone simply to humiliate them) and say that the morality is dependent on the individual. In other words, it could be wrong for you but right for me for no other reason than you think it is wrong and I think it is right.
Situational ethics does not free individuals from moral responsibility. Man is still obligated to obey the universal, God-given moral laws. Rather, it is moral relativism that seeks to make man a God unto himself by destroying obligation to any morality outside of the individual's desires. That is why situational ethics is a good thing when properly understood, whereas moral relativism is not.
I guess what I hope to have established with this post is the recognition that there are situations where the context of the situation, the details of the circumstances, will determine whether the actions taken or being considered are moral or not.
In my next post I will try and make the case that there is a moral hierarchy and that sometimes the right thing to do is something wrong. If that sounds like I have fallen off my rocker, just be patient and stick with me.
So much for predictions...
So much for my prediction that the Longhorns would beat Ohio State by a field goal. Ohio State was a much better team and won convincingly (24-7).
I don't think this is the end of the season for the Longhorns. They lost to the #1 team in the country, so they shouldn't drop that far in the polls. Plus, maybe the loss will remove some of the pressure from a team trying to live up to, in my opinion, unrealistic National Championship expectations.
We had an amazing team last year and a large part of that was due to an amazing athlete/Quarterback by the name of Vince Young. Without Vince, we still have a very good team, but not an amazing team.
I hope we will finish out the season strong, beating our rivals like Texas A&M and OU and then end up in a decent bowl game. That would be a very good year.
I don't think this is the end of the season for the Longhorns. They lost to the #1 team in the country, so they shouldn't drop that far in the polls. Plus, maybe the loss will remove some of the pressure from a team trying to live up to, in my opinion, unrealistic National Championship expectations.
We had an amazing team last year and a large part of that was due to an amazing athlete/Quarterback by the name of Vince Young. Without Vince, we still have a very good team, but not an amazing team.
I hope we will finish out the season strong, beating our rivals like Texas A&M and OU and then end up in a decent bowl game. That would be a very good year.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Ohio State vs. Texas
The Ohio State Buckeyes will face-off against my beloved Texas Longhorns this Saturday night in Austin. #1 versus #2. Both great programs. They have a veteran quarterback, but we have a better defense and we are playing at home. I think it is going to be a very close game. My prediction: The Longhorns win by a field goal.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Playing Like My Dad
One of the things I appreciate now more than ever before is how much my dad played with my brother and me as we grew up. He was great. Whether it was playing with Hot Wheels or playing Hide-and-Go-Seek, he always seemed ready and willing to play.
What makes this more amazing to me is that for the majority of my "childhood" years my dad built homes. In the summer heat or winter cold he worked long, hard days. To come home physically exhausted and then find the strength and energy (not to mention patience) to play with two little boys is impressive.
I think of this when I come home from my office job. The highlight of my day is walking in through the door and, as the alarm system chimes that the door has opened, having my oldest son come running from wherever he is in the house yelling, "DADDY'S HOME!" He runs to me and immediately asks, "Daddy, do you want to play cars?" (or trains, etc...) There are many days that I live for that moment, and yet, there are some days that I am so stinking worn out that all I want to do is lay down on the floor and sleep. But then I think of my dad...
I want my sons to grow up and have memories of me playing with them - often - not memories of me putting them off. Memories like I have of my dad.
One other nagging thought that sometimes eats at the back of my mind is the realization that they won't always want to play with me. There is coming a time, at some indefinite point in the future, when they will be more interested in playing with their friends than playing with me. It is a natural part of growing up, I know, but it will still be a sad day for me. Therefore, I want to remind myself to soak up as much of this as I can now. To play with them while they still want to play with me.
What makes this more amazing to me is that for the majority of my "childhood" years my dad built homes. In the summer heat or winter cold he worked long, hard days. To come home physically exhausted and then find the strength and energy (not to mention patience) to play with two little boys is impressive.
I think of this when I come home from my office job. The highlight of my day is walking in through the door and, as the alarm system chimes that the door has opened, having my oldest son come running from wherever he is in the house yelling, "DADDY'S HOME!" He runs to me and immediately asks, "Daddy, do you want to play cars?" (or trains, etc...) There are many days that I live for that moment, and yet, there are some days that I am so stinking worn out that all I want to do is lay down on the floor and sleep. But then I think of my dad...
I want my sons to grow up and have memories of me playing with them - often - not memories of me putting them off. Memories like I have of my dad.
One other nagging thought that sometimes eats at the back of my mind is the realization that they won't always want to play with me. There is coming a time, at some indefinite point in the future, when they will be more interested in playing with their friends than playing with me. It is a natural part of growing up, I know, but it will still be a sad day for me. Therefore, I want to remind myself to soak up as much of this as I can now. To play with them while they still want to play with me.
Monday, September 04, 2006
WSJ on John Bogle
Here is a Wall Street Journal article on John Bogle, founder of Vanguard funds and inventer of the index mutual fund. Good reading. You can also check out John Bogle's blog, which I have as a link on the right, for articles and speeches written by him.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Blisters On My Heart
Although I have no real musical skills of my own, I love music. I love how the rhythm, melody and lyrics can work together to move your soul. I stand in awe of people who can create music.
One of my favorite artists is the late Rich Mullins. His songs make me think and they stick with me long after I have listened to them. He had such an amazing way with words.
Continue reading "Blisters On My Heart"
In his song Hold Me Jesus he sings about wrestling with grief and pain and fear. There is this verse where he says, "And I wake up in the night and feel the dark..." Feeling the dark. A fear or grief so intense that it seems more like a physical substance than an emotion. He continues, "It's so hot inside my soul, I swear there must be blisters on my heart." Again, a few simple words that express, in a way that most people don't know how, the pain that many people carry around with them. And somehow, in hearing it expressed by someone else, people find comfort; comfort that someone else understands; that they are not alone in their suffering.
In many ways, this is what the Psalms do for us; they remind us that we are not alone in our suffering. And like the Psalms, Rich Mullins song acts as a prayer. It is a cry to Jesus to hold on to us when we can't hold on to Him. And praise God that He is faithful to do just that.
Here are the lyrics to the entire song:
Hold Me Jesus
Well, sometimes my life
Just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small
CHORUS:
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart
CHORUS:
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something
I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees
And this Salvation Army band
Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin
CHORUS:
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
One of my favorite artists is the late Rich Mullins. His songs make me think and they stick with me long after I have listened to them. He had such an amazing way with words.
Continue reading "Blisters On My Heart"
In his song Hold Me Jesus he sings about wrestling with grief and pain and fear. There is this verse where he says, "And I wake up in the night and feel the dark..." Feeling the dark. A fear or grief so intense that it seems more like a physical substance than an emotion. He continues, "It's so hot inside my soul, I swear there must be blisters on my heart." Again, a few simple words that express, in a way that most people don't know how, the pain that many people carry around with them. And somehow, in hearing it expressed by someone else, people find comfort; comfort that someone else understands; that they are not alone in their suffering.
In many ways, this is what the Psalms do for us; they remind us that we are not alone in our suffering. And like the Psalms, Rich Mullins song acts as a prayer. It is a cry to Jesus to hold on to us when we can't hold on to Him. And praise God that He is faithful to do just that.
Here are the lyrics to the entire song:
Hold Me Jesus
Well, sometimes my life
Just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small
CHORUS:
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart
CHORUS:
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something
I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees
And this Salvation Army band
Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin
CHORUS:
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
ABC's "The Path to 9/11"
ABC's mini-series "The Path to 9/11" is getting some good press from Hugh Hewitt for being very fair and non-partisan. I plan on watching it and hoping it is half as good as the National Geographic series I watched Sunday night.
ABC's series is supposed to broadcast Sunday, 9/11 and Monday, 9/11.
ABC's series is supposed to broadcast Sunday, 9/11 and Monday, 9/11.
Prager About Who and Why
Dennis Prager has a good, brief article at Townhall.com on "Just a Reminder About Who and Why We Are Fighting". Read it.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Remembering...
I sat up until 2 am in the morning last night completely enthralled with National Geographic's Inside 9/11. I could not move away from the TV. It was not only the images, but the background, the stories, the calls, the interviews...
A very well done series. If you have DirectTV or cable, look for it on the National Geographic channel. If you don't, consider purchasing the DVDs or see if they have them at your library or local video store.
A very well done series. If you have DirectTV or cable, look for it on the National Geographic channel. If you don't, consider purchasing the DVDs or see if they have them at your library or local video store.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
If I Were Wiser and More Disciplined
Wisdom and Discipline. I want more of each. The problem is that I have some of each, but enough to frustrate me that I don't have more. If I had less I probably wouldn't know any better and would be much less frustrated. Does that make sense?
Specifically, there are these things in my life that I KNOW I should be doing or not doing. Things that 10, 20, 30 years from now I will be wishing I had done. I know I will and I will regret not having done them and I will wish that I could travel back in time and tell the 33 year-old me that I should do them. But that's just it, I don't need the 63 year-old me to tell the 33 year-old me to do these things because I already know that. I need the discipline to actually do them.
So here is a list of some of the things that I KNOW I should be doing, but am not currently doing:
Drink more water
Drink less soft drinks
Eat more vegatables (or at least some vegatables)
Eat less junk
Count my calories daily
Go to bed early, regularly (10 pm?)
Wake up early, regularly (5 am?)
Planning the next day before I go to bed
Run regularly (I have been pretty good about this, except the last few weeks)
Lift weights regularly
Save more money
Read more
Watch less TV (this is a post in itself)
I am sure there are more things that I could add to the list, but those are some obvious ones that seem to constantly gnaw at the edges of my conscience. Perhaps pointing these out publicly will help push me to do them. Let's hope so.
Specifically, there are these things in my life that I KNOW I should be doing or not doing. Things that 10, 20, 30 years from now I will be wishing I had done. I know I will and I will regret not having done them and I will wish that I could travel back in time and tell the 33 year-old me that I should do them. But that's just it, I don't need the 63 year-old me to tell the 33 year-old me to do these things because I already know that. I need the discipline to actually do them.
So here is a list of some of the things that I KNOW I should be doing, but am not currently doing:
Drink more water
Drink less soft drinks
Eat more vegatables (or at least some vegatables)
Eat less junk
Count my calories daily
Go to bed early, regularly (10 pm?)
Wake up early, regularly (5 am?)
Planning the next day before I go to bed
Run regularly (I have been pretty good about this, except the last few weeks)
Lift weights regularly
Save more money
Read more
Watch less TV (this is a post in itself)
I am sure there are more things that I could add to the list, but those are some obvious ones that seem to constantly gnaw at the edges of my conscience. Perhaps pointing these out publicly will help push me to do them. Let's hope so.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Blog Update
I have spent the last 3 hours trying to figure out how to get the expandable posts feature to work on the blog. I finially got it to work, but because of the time, this is the post you are getting for today. Sorry. I had planned on solving the Middle East Conflict between the Jews and Palestinians, but I guess that will have to wait until tomorrow...
By the way, the expandable posts feature means that I can show only the first couple of paragraphs of a long post on the main page and include a "Continue reading..." link to take you, the reader, to the rest of the post. You can check out some of my previous posts to see the update.
By the way, the expandable posts feature means that I can show only the first couple of paragraphs of a long post on the main page and include a "Continue reading..." link to take you, the reader, to the rest of the post. You can check out some of my previous posts to see the update.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Matty B
I feel sorry for those of you who don't know my friend Matt Blackwell or "Matty B" as some of us call him. Matt has been a great friend (and still is) and an accountability partner of mine for several years.
He used to be the Senior High youth pastor of our church, but recently moved down to beautiful Austin, TX (or "God's Country" as many of us UT alumni call it) to become the College Pastor at First Evangelical Free Church.
He is a fantastic pastor and his sermons will now be available on-line. If you go to the ECHO website (that is the name of their College ministry) and then click on Resources at the top, you will see the sermons. I would suggest doing it on a regular basis.
He used to be the Senior High youth pastor of our church, but recently moved down to beautiful Austin, TX (or "God's Country" as many of us UT alumni call it) to become the College Pastor at First Evangelical Free Church.
He is a fantastic pastor and his sermons will now be available on-line. If you go to the ECHO website (that is the name of their College ministry) and then click on Resources at the top, you will see the sermons. I would suggest doing it on a regular basis.
Monday, August 21, 2006
In the Name of Jesus, part 2
What does it mean to pray, "in the name of Jesus?"
Let me begin by saying that the Bible clearly instructs us to pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:13, 16:23-26, Eph 5:20, Col 3:17, Heb 13:15), so I am not arguing that point. What I am questioning is what it means to pray in the name of Jesus.
Continue reading "In the Name of Jesus, part 2"
Does it mean to simply say the words, "in the name of Jesus" at the end of our prayers? I don't think so. Although I don't think there is anything wrong with saying those words at the end of your prayer, I think the instruction to pray in the name of Jesus means something different.
In the Bible the names of God and the names of Jesus are more than just titles, they are clues about who God is and what He is like. They are glimpses into His nature. Whereas "Scott" only tells you the noise to make to get my attention, the names of Jesus tell us about who he is and what he is like. The names of Jesus include, the Alpha and the Omega (Rev 1:8), the Bright and Morning Star (Rev 22:16), the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), Emmanuel (Isa 7:14), Wonderful Counselor (Isa 9:6), Mighty God (Isa 9:6), Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6), Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6), Faithful and True (Rev 19:11), the Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69), the great I AM (John 8:58), King of the Jews (John 19:19), King of Israel (John 1:49), King of Saints (Rev 15:3), King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Tim 6:15, Rev 17:14), King of Glory (Psalm 24:7-10), King of Zion (Matt 21:5), Lamb of God (John 1:29), Light of the World (John 8:12), Living Bread (John 6:51), the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5), the Root of David (Rev 5:5, 22:16), the Root of Jesse (Isa 11:10), the Son of God (Matt 14:33), the Son of Man (Matt 16:27,28), the Son of David (Matt 9:27), the True Vine (John 15:1) and the Word of God (John 1:1, Rev 19:13).
These names speak of His humanity, His divinity, His eternality, His power, His glory, His love and protection for us, His goodness, His mercy, and His role as the promised Messiah. His names tell us, in part, who He is.
When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, instructing him to go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let His people go, Moses was worried that Pharaoh and the Israelites would not believe him. He asks:
Moses asks God his name and God's reply is with a name that tells of his divine and sovereign nature. He is completely self-existent and eternal. He is.
Therefore, when the Bible tells us to believe in the name of Jesus (John 1:12), does it makes sense that we are to believe in the actual name? Is there some kind of saving power in the combination of those five letters? Of course not. It means to trust in who He is and what He has done on our behalf.
And exactly how is someone to be baptised in a name (Acts 2:38) or act in a name (Col 3:17) if what is meant by name is the sound? What these instructions mean is to be associated with the family of God by the power and work of what Jesus Christ has done for us. It means to identify ourselves with Him. It means to act according to the will and nature of Jesus Christ; to act on His behalf, as His ambassador.
Returning to our original question: what does it mean to pray, "in the name of Jesus?" It means to pray according to the will and nature of Jesus. It means to ask for and want the things that Jesus wants. And, that doesn't require saying the words, "in the name of Jesus" at the end of your prayer.
Let me begin by saying that the Bible clearly instructs us to pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:13, 16:23-26, Eph 5:20, Col 3:17, Heb 13:15), so I am not arguing that point. What I am questioning is what it means to pray in the name of Jesus.
Continue reading "In the Name of Jesus, part 2"
Does it mean to simply say the words, "in the name of Jesus" at the end of our prayers? I don't think so. Although I don't think there is anything wrong with saying those words at the end of your prayer, I think the instruction to pray in the name of Jesus means something different.
In the Bible the names of God and the names of Jesus are more than just titles, they are clues about who God is and what He is like. They are glimpses into His nature. Whereas "Scott" only tells you the noise to make to get my attention, the names of Jesus tell us about who he is and what he is like. The names of Jesus include, the Alpha and the Omega (Rev 1:8), the Bright and Morning Star (Rev 22:16), the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), Emmanuel (Isa 7:14), Wonderful Counselor (Isa 9:6), Mighty God (Isa 9:6), Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6), Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6), Faithful and True (Rev 19:11), the Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69), the great I AM (John 8:58), King of the Jews (John 19:19), King of Israel (John 1:49), King of Saints (Rev 15:3), King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Tim 6:15, Rev 17:14), King of Glory (Psalm 24:7-10), King of Zion (Matt 21:5), Lamb of God (John 1:29), Light of the World (John 8:12), Living Bread (John 6:51), the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5), the Root of David (Rev 5:5, 22:16), the Root of Jesse (Isa 11:10), the Son of God (Matt 14:33), the Son of Man (Matt 16:27,28), the Son of David (Matt 9:27), the True Vine (John 15:1) and the Word of God (John 1:1, Rev 19:13).
These names speak of His humanity, His divinity, His eternality, His power, His glory, His love and protection for us, His goodness, His mercy, and His role as the promised Messiah. His names tell us, in part, who He is.
When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, instructing him to go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let His people go, Moses was worried that Pharaoh and the Israelites would not believe him. He asks:
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ (Ex. 3:13, 14)
Moses asks God his name and God's reply is with a name that tells of his divine and sovereign nature. He is completely self-existent and eternal. He is.
Therefore, when the Bible tells us to believe in the name of Jesus (John 1:12), does it makes sense that we are to believe in the actual name? Is there some kind of saving power in the combination of those five letters? Of course not. It means to trust in who He is and what He has done on our behalf.
And exactly how is someone to be baptised in a name (Acts 2:38) or act in a name (Col 3:17) if what is meant by name is the sound? What these instructions mean is to be associated with the family of God by the power and work of what Jesus Christ has done for us. It means to identify ourselves with Him. It means to act according to the will and nature of Jesus Christ; to act on His behalf, as His ambassador.
Returning to our original question: what does it mean to pray, "in the name of Jesus?" It means to pray according to the will and nature of Jesus. It means to ask for and want the things that Jesus wants. And, that doesn't require saying the words, "in the name of Jesus" at the end of your prayer.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
In the Name of Jesus?
What does it mean to pray "in the name of Jesus?"
That is the question some co-workers and I are discussing right now. It started when I was recounting a story involving my oldest son. We were saying our prayers one evening and I ended by saying simply, "Amen." My son corrected me saying, "No daddy. In Jesus name, Amen."
Continue reading "In the Name of Jesus"
I told my friends that I didn't think it would make sense to try and explain to a three-year old that the words, "in Jesus name" were not some kind of magic phrase like "Abracadabra" that you say to make your prayers come true, so I just said, "You're right. In Jesus name, Amen."
Well, that got some interesting responses from a couple of my friends. They argued that we need to end our prayers with "in Jesus name" and that we are instructed to do so in the Bible. I agreed that we are instructed to pray in the name of Jesus in the Bible, but that what that means is not simply to tack on those words at the end of the prayer. Instead, I thought it meant to pray according to the will of Jesus. In other words, I can pray in the name of Jesus without including the words, "in the name of Jesus" at the end of my prayer just as someone can conclude their prayer, "in the name of Jesus" and still not be praying in the name of Jesus.
They didn't buy it.
Now let me clarify that I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with including those words at the end of your prayer. Quite the contrary, that is where my son learned it because he has heard me and my wife say it so often. I simply don't think that you have to include it, nor do I think that is what is meant by the instruction.
I am working on researching this in the Bible now to see if I am right or wrong. I'll post on what I find later. Peace.
That is the question some co-workers and I are discussing right now. It started when I was recounting a story involving my oldest son. We were saying our prayers one evening and I ended by saying simply, "Amen." My son corrected me saying, "No daddy. In Jesus name, Amen."
Continue reading "In the Name of Jesus"
I told my friends that I didn't think it would make sense to try and explain to a three-year old that the words, "in Jesus name" were not some kind of magic phrase like "Abracadabra" that you say to make your prayers come true, so I just said, "You're right. In Jesus name, Amen."
Well, that got some interesting responses from a couple of my friends. They argued that we need to end our prayers with "in Jesus name" and that we are instructed to do so in the Bible. I agreed that we are instructed to pray in the name of Jesus in the Bible, but that what that means is not simply to tack on those words at the end of the prayer. Instead, I thought it meant to pray according to the will of Jesus. In other words, I can pray in the name of Jesus without including the words, "in the name of Jesus" at the end of my prayer just as someone can conclude their prayer, "in the name of Jesus" and still not be praying in the name of Jesus.
They didn't buy it.
Now let me clarify that I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with including those words at the end of your prayer. Quite the contrary, that is where my son learned it because he has heard me and my wife say it so often. I simply don't think that you have to include it, nor do I think that is what is meant by the instruction.
I am working on researching this in the Bible now to see if I am right or wrong. I'll post on what I find later. Peace.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Spelling Bee
Well, my oldest son can now spell his forst word, thanks to the Toy Story animated movies.
There is a scene where Woody (Tom Hanks) is trying to explain to Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) that he, Buzz, is not really a Space Ranger, but a child's toy. He gets so frustrated that he eventually screams,
"YOU ARE A TOY! T - O - Y, TOY!!!"
After having seen that about 37 times, my son now knows it by heart.
"Cade, how do you spell toy?"
"T - O - Y - Toy!"
Thank you Pixar and Disney. Thank you.
There is a scene where Woody (Tom Hanks) is trying to explain to Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) that he, Buzz, is not really a Space Ranger, but a child's toy. He gets so frustrated that he eventually screams,
"YOU ARE A TOY! T - O - Y, TOY!!!"
After having seen that about 37 times, my son now knows it by heart.
"Cade, how do you spell toy?"
"T - O - Y - Toy!"
Thank you Pixar and Disney. Thank you.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Movie Review
As planned, I went and saw The DaVinci Code movie at the dollar theater last night. Well, actually, it was the $1.50 theater. Anyway, the movie was well worth the price of the ticket. I enjoyed it.
For all of the talk about how bad Tom Hanks' acting was, I thought his performance as Dr. Robert Langdon was fine. Not as good as some of his work, but it wasn't bad. The others actors were OK too, but Ian McKellen as Sir Leigh Teabing was outstanding.
I was more frustrated in the movie than I expected to be. I knew about the historical mistakes, etc. and was prepared for them, but still, watching it in the theater I couldn't stop thinking, "Some people are going to believe this!!" And what is most frustrating is that it is simply bad history. Even non-Christian scholars panned the historical claims in the book as junk.
One thing I did notice about the movie versus the book was that many of the claims were toned down in the movie and Hanks' character, Langdon, was much more skeptical of Sir Leigh Teabing's theories than he was in the book.
All-in-all, though, both the book and the movie were enjoyable works of fiction.
For all of the talk about how bad Tom Hanks' acting was, I thought his performance as Dr. Robert Langdon was fine. Not as good as some of his work, but it wasn't bad. The others actors were OK too, but Ian McKellen as Sir Leigh Teabing was outstanding.
I was more frustrated in the movie than I expected to be. I knew about the historical mistakes, etc. and was prepared for them, but still, watching it in the theater I couldn't stop thinking, "Some people are going to believe this!!" And what is most frustrating is that it is simply bad history. Even non-Christian scholars panned the historical claims in the book as junk.
One thing I did notice about the movie versus the book was that many of the claims were toned down in the movie and Hanks' character, Langdon, was much more skeptical of Sir Leigh Teabing's theories than he was in the book.
All-in-all, though, both the book and the movie were enjoyable works of fiction.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
The DaVinci Code
OK, so I might be a few months to a year late, but I haven't been blogging, OK? I read the book this past April and am about to go see the movie tonight at the dollar theater. I expect it to be good. I'll let you know afterwards.
For the record, I really enjoyed the book. It was a good story. Too bad so much of the history is bad. I know, I know, "but it was a fiction book." Well, I would have accepted that too, but for this little blip at the beginning of the book that said that all historical and art references were true and accurate. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Too bad.
Anyway, the book obviously had plenty of publicity and attention. I think it sold a gazillion copies or something like that. I decided to read it because I wanted to be able to talk intelligently about it when someone brought it up. I am glad I did.
Greg Koukl of Stand To Reason has a very useful article on the book. If you are not aware of many of the historical inaccuracies in the book, this will help.
For the record, I really enjoyed the book. It was a good story. Too bad so much of the history is bad. I know, I know, "but it was a fiction book." Well, I would have accepted that too, but for this little blip at the beginning of the book that said that all historical and art references were true and accurate. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Too bad.
Anyway, the book obviously had plenty of publicity and attention. I think it sold a gazillion copies or something like that. I decided to read it because I wanted to be able to talk intelligently about it when someone brought it up. I am glad I did.
Greg Koukl of Stand To Reason has a very useful article on the book. If you are not aware of many of the historical inaccuracies in the book, this will help.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Recently Read
Reading is one of my favorite things to do and I like to read lots of different things. Here are the last few books I have read and a few quick thoughts on each...
Continue reading "Recently Read"
1776 by David McCullough. A book about the first year of the American Revolution. If you like history, you will love this book.
How to Think Like Benjamin Graham and Invest Like Warren Buffet by Lawrence Cunningham is a very dry book, unless of course you really like financial stuff - which I do - and then it's wonderful. Benjamin Graham is the Father of Financial Analysis and the mentor of Warren Buffet. Warren Buffet is, of course, the second wealthiest man on the planet and he earned it all through good investment decisions. There is a lot to be learned from this book.
Yes, You Can Still Retire Comfortably by Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth was another financial book I read recently. I liked it. Very simple, which is what they recommend for the vast majority of people. It also does a good job of making the case that most Americans are in for a very rude awakening when retirement comes around and so it is best to make the necessary sacrifices now and get started.
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. This was really a wonderful book. I just finished it and am re-reading it. Not something I do very often. The authors teach, as the title states, how to read the Bible by considering the context, the type of literature of the particular book, the original audience, etc. It's basically an introduction to good biblical exegesis (discovering the original intended meaning) and hermeneutics (determining what it means to us now). I highly recommend this book to any Christians out there who want to get more out of their time reading the Bible.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I don't read much science fiction, but a good friend recommended this book as a sci-fi "classic". Wow! It did not disappoint me at all. I read it in two days!! I couldn't put it down. The basic premise is that the Earth has been attacked by aliens ("bugs") and in an attempt to prepare themselves for the next war are training little genius children to be military super-strategist by playing war games. The story revolves around a six-year old little boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggins, who is a genius among geniuses. Although there is a necessary amount of sci-fi stuff to classify it as a sci-fi book, it is more a character story about the social, emotional and mental struggles that this little boy goes through as he wrestles with his abilities and their consequences. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
I just started reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry today. An interesting jump from sci-fi to a western, but it will be a nice change of pace.
Continue reading "Recently Read"
1776 by David McCullough. A book about the first year of the American Revolution. If you like history, you will love this book.
How to Think Like Benjamin Graham and Invest Like Warren Buffet by Lawrence Cunningham is a very dry book, unless of course you really like financial stuff - which I do - and then it's wonderful. Benjamin Graham is the Father of Financial Analysis and the mentor of Warren Buffet. Warren Buffet is, of course, the second wealthiest man on the planet and he earned it all through good investment decisions. There is a lot to be learned from this book.
Yes, You Can Still Retire Comfortably by Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth was another financial book I read recently. I liked it. Very simple, which is what they recommend for the vast majority of people. It also does a good job of making the case that most Americans are in for a very rude awakening when retirement comes around and so it is best to make the necessary sacrifices now and get started.
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. This was really a wonderful book. I just finished it and am re-reading it. Not something I do very often. The authors teach, as the title states, how to read the Bible by considering the context, the type of literature of the particular book, the original audience, etc. It's basically an introduction to good biblical exegesis (discovering the original intended meaning) and hermeneutics (determining what it means to us now). I highly recommend this book to any Christians out there who want to get more out of their time reading the Bible.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I don't read much science fiction, but a good friend recommended this book as a sci-fi "classic". Wow! It did not disappoint me at all. I read it in two days!! I couldn't put it down. The basic premise is that the Earth has been attacked by aliens ("bugs") and in an attempt to prepare themselves for the next war are training little genius children to be military super-strategist by playing war games. The story revolves around a six-year old little boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggins, who is a genius among geniuses. Although there is a necessary amount of sci-fi stuff to classify it as a sci-fi book, it is more a character story about the social, emotional and mental struggles that this little boy goes through as he wrestles with his abilities and their consequences. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
I just started reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry today. An interesting jump from sci-fi to a western, but it will be a nice change of pace.
Still "Under Construction"
Be patient with me as I toy around with the look and structure of the blog. It will change a bit over the next several days.
What is in a name?
Apparently more than I realize. This is my second, or third, attempt at a blog. My second attempt lasted all of a few hours. I wanted the blog's name to convey that this was a place where I could express my thoughts. I wanted it to be whimsical. So, I came up with "Scott's Noodle". The first two people I told about it (who shall remain anonymous) both laughed and said it made them think of something other than my mind. Fantastic.
I can see it all unfolding now... thousands upon thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, come to read my blog, not because they appreciate my keen insight into important issues or my clear and direct writing style, but instead because someone asked them, "Have you seen Scott's Noodle yet? Ha ha ha ha..." or "Hey, go check out Scott's Noodle. It's on the internet. Ha ha ha ha..."
And so "Scott's Noodle" was to be but a very brief blip in the universe. Although it did not have time to grow in fame or importance (there was only a single post), it did give birth to this blog. Many of you might catch my allusion to Winnie the Pooh and his Thoughtful Spot. It's where he goes to think, think, think. And so this blog will be my place to do the same.
Peace.
I can see it all unfolding now... thousands upon thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, come to read my blog, not because they appreciate my keen insight into important issues or my clear and direct writing style, but instead because someone asked them, "Have you seen Scott's Noodle yet? Ha ha ha ha..." or "Hey, go check out Scott's Noodle. It's on the internet. Ha ha ha ha..."
And so "Scott's Noodle" was to be but a very brief blip in the universe. Although it did not have time to grow in fame or importance (there was only a single post), it did give birth to this blog. Many of you might catch my allusion to Winnie the Pooh and his Thoughtful Spot. It's where he goes to think, think, think. And so this blog will be my place to do the same.
Peace.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)