Caffeine Withdrawl Sucks

I needed to get off caffeine. It ruled my life and it was starting to affect my health. I couldnt sleep and felt like I constantly needed to be doing something. Then, I would crash feeling like doing nothing.

So, it was all about the caffeine. And I resolved to get off it.

It is horrible. You shake, you have panic attacks, your body goes on complete craving cycle. You feel like you are going to vomit. At first, I thought something was wrong with me until I did a little research and found these side affects are very common. And that most Doctors feel that coming off caffeine is like coming off any other addictive drug. It takes a week to two weeks to fully be free of it.

Wonderful. I hope this is all worth it because I feel terrible right now. I cannot concentrate, and I feel this constant need for something, the need for caffeine. Water helps alot, but doesnt do away with the affect right away.

I know it doesnt really compare, but I have complete sympathy with people who have to get off heroin or some such drug. The desperate need for something, the body crying out for it and not getting it. I have much more sympathy for them.

I think this is what St. Paul meant when he said to beat the body and make it your slave, so you are not its slave. Of course, that can apply to anything, but I think it is anything that has control over you. TV. Sex. Food. Whatever. Heck, apparently even cell phone addiction is now a problem.

Now, that is one I don't understand. But, then, maybe that is another post.

Owls

I was reading in bed last night getting ready to go to sleep. As my eyes were closing, I hear a loud screeching sound. My eyes opened and wondered whether a character from my book was coming to get me. I laughed as I began to realize what was making that noise.

An Owl.

I love owls. They are mysterious creatures to me. Their eyes open wide staring at you like they can see into your soul. It is a bit unsettling, I will admit, but I still like the affect. Their cries in the night unsettle me. It disturbs my comfort with the material world around me reminding me there is something more. It is no wonder that people have often associated the owl with wisdom or a messenger. Fanciful? Maybe. but I still like the idea. Yet another reason why JK Rowling is so cool.

But seriously, about owls. In Columbus where I live, apparently there is now an invasion of owls. No one is quite sure why this might be the case. There is an article in the Columbus Dispatch about it.

Anyway, what's not to like about owls? Well, unless you are walking alone in the woods at night. I have heard that the screams from the owls can kinda freak you out. And, I am guessing the eyes in the night are kinda scary too. But then again, maybe it reminds us by the prickling of our skin, the hair raising on the back of our necks, and our heart racing when we hear the owl, that there is something more. Something beyond what we cannot see but is just as real.

AJ Ayer, a philosphy professor of language did not think so. He thought that language could only convey something true if it was talking about something scientifically verifiable. At least, that is how I understand his theory so far. So, if i say, the Owls eyes or hoots remind me of something other that cannot be seen. I am just speaking my feelings about it, not what is really true. Or if I say a waterfall is beautiful, it is only my feelings, not any real sense true.

Confusing? Of course it is. And in reality, the philosophy behind it is all wrong. How? with a simple question, can Professor Ayer tell me if his statement about science his feeling or can it be proven? Isnt it a vicious cycle? Isnt the theory self refuting? I dunno. I hope I am not doing him a disservice. I hope I am stating his theory correctly. It seems his feelings about science go beyond his own theory.

Personally, I am gonna still be freaked out and love owls. Those are my feelings. They can only be true for me, right?

Living in Columbus Ohio

I have lived in Columbus for two and half months now.

I love it.

There are many reasons for it. First, I love the church here. It is an amazing church with a great guy as the senior pastor. We have worked so well together I cannot believe it. I have to keep pinching myself. and, the people here are so amazingly talented and love Jesus. It challenges me and pushes me in all kinds of areas. It is the church of my dreams. I know this is dramatic, but it really is.

Second, I love the city itself. It might seem strange to people who live in a city that has more of everything; more things to do, more sun, more people, more mountains, more beaches, etc. But for a city this size, it has an incredible life and vibe. The city is home to Ohio State University which kicks up its energy. There are plenty of music venues, activity, coffee houses fueled by creative energy of 50000 college students. Plus, I have become a raving Buckeye fan thanks to the four basketball games I went to this season.

But, there is more here and I keep discovering it all the time. The book stores, oh the beautiful book stores. Used, new, independent. You name it. Books are like a drug to me. Every time I walk into a book store, its like a junkie shooting up. Graphic image? Maybe, but it is true. When I lived in Lakeland, Florida, I kept having withdraw. Books A Million? Please. It's like walking into a warehouse with a bunch of books. No life. No vibe. No atmosphere.


The art museum is really great as well. It is small but has plenty to offer. It is good for a Sunday afternoon.

There is more and I will keep talking about it as I discover more.

Welcome to Reformed Charismatic Pope

Here it is. I have stared my first blog. I have no idea why I have never started one. Busy, I guess. I am Husband, Dad, minister and a writer. That takes up a lot of time. Now, I am an assistant pastor and I have way more creative time. So here is part of that creative energy.

Since this is a welcome, I should explain the name, Reformed Charismatic Pope. Back in college, a friend of mine said I would end up being the first Reformed Charismatic Pope. He was talking about my background, born Catholic, raised in the Charismatic movement and now a minister in a denomination that holds to reformed theology.

And really, the name still fits, I think. I am certainly Reformed, which means that I hold to a certain theology that believe that God is sovereign over all of life including how people are saved. I am charismatic in the sense that I believe the Holy Spirit works today. I don't believe in speaking in tongues. However, I believe the Holy Spirit is active in ways that would make some of my denomination (PCA) uncomfortable to talk about. And finally, the pope. Well, I love church history and I believe that we have 2000 years of church history, not just since the Reformation. I will expand on all of this more.

Hopefully.