Last word on Harry, I promise

Just to add one more thought on Harry and proof of what I wrote below, here is a word for word quote from JK Rowling in her interview on NBC last night.

Young voice: Harry's also referred to as the chosen one. So are there religious--
J.K. Rowling: Well, there-- there clearly is a religious-- undertone. And-- it's always been difficult to talk about that because until we reached Book Seven, views of what happens after death and so on, it would give away a lot of what was coming. So … yes, my belief and my struggling with religious belief and so on I think is quite apparent in this book.

Meredith Vieira: And what is the struggle?
J.K. Rowling: Well my struggle really is to keep believing.
Meredith Vieira: To keep believing?
J.K. Rowling: Yes.

Harry Potter Review (warning, spoilers ahead)

When I first heard of Harry Potter, I was highly suspicious. I thought, with a lot of other Christians, it was an occultish novel, written to attract kids to witchcraft. Of course, I had not read the books, nor was I going to do so. What can I say? Legalism has always been a sin of mine, which Christ needs to constantly save me from.

Then, Wendy and I were talking with a church in Mississippi about going to be their youth pastor. We figured that most of the kids might have read the book (although, knowing more about the church, I realize now that was highly unlikely), so we decided to read the book. We were hooked and found out these books are not about magic at all.

They are about one thing that Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, then to give up his life for a friend."

Jo Rowling has ingrained that theme into every word in each of the seven books. But, even more, her books are about how sacrificial love overcomes death, evil and destruction. No where is this more apparent than in Deathly Hallows.

The first real glimpse of this is where Harry and Hermoine visit Godric's Hollow. While there, they visit Harry's parents grave and the graves of Albus Dumbledore's family. There are some interesting quotes on both of the tomb stones. On the Dumbledore tombstone, "Where your treasure is, there will your be heart be also."

The quote is from Matthew 6:21 and the sermon on the mount. It is an interesting quote, because we find out that Dumbledore, the wizard who is Harry's mentor, was not the great guy he came to be in his later years. He was obsessed with power, control, awards, etc. And it is because of that obsession that his sister died. So, it is telling that Dumbledore chose that quote for their tomb.

The second quote is from Harry's parent's tomb which reads, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." This quote is so interesting, because unlike the Matthew reference, it is not as well known. It takes some finding to search this out in the Bible. It comes from 1 Corinthians 15:26. In that chapter, Paul is talking about Resurrection and the defeat of death that comes through Christ.

Now, isn't that interesting? If left here, it would just be a shadow, a hint of what JK Rowling was really writing about. But, it does not start there. I knew that Harry was going to have to make a sacrifice to save the wizarding world, all of the signs pointed to it. But, I thought she would not go so far as to have Harry die and be raised back up. I thought that she would be more subtle about it.

I was wrong and I am really glad I was wrong. Harry comes to the conclusion that he has to die to defeat Voldermort. But, more than that, that with his willing death, he will offer the same magical protection for his friends that his mother gave to him. Here is the quote, "I've done what my mother did. They're (his friends) are protected from you. haven't you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding? You can't torture them. You can't touch them."

Wow. I mean wow. Talk about pointing to Jesus' death and atonement in a beautiful way! And even more, the scenes where Harry goes to his death strongly resemble Aslan's journey in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Jo has given a beautiful picture that points directly to Christ and what she believes personally.

She hinted this would be so in an interview about four years ago. In that interview, she stated that she does believe in God and that she did not want to talk too much about that, as it would give away the ending of the book. Well, we have the ending and see what she is pointing at.

Thanks Jo. You have now reached my top three Christian writers of all time with Tolkien and Lewis. You deserve it.

Sometimes, you are just left speechless

I have no words for this other than I thought I had seen everything. I guess not.

www.christiandomesticdiscipline.com

Harry Potter Crystal Ball

My last few posts have been kinda heavy, so I thought I would lighten things up a bit. I am totally on fire for the new Harry Potter book. Seriously. I haven't gotten too excited about it before, but now that things draw near, my family is now with me, I can let my nerd self go.

Jo, if you ever read this, (which I doubt) you are an inspiration to me as I continue to write my story. You have made such an amazing world and done it with such class as a writer. Thank you. Take some much deserved time off.

So, in that spirit, here are my guesses with what will happen in Book Seven.


Major Question-What is with Severus Snape? Good? Bad? Ugly?

Well, he is ugly, but he won't be bad, or well, that is actually complicated. Let me put it this way, he is not a likeable guy. He is a jackass. But as Sirius said, the world is not always divided up between good people and Death Eaters (which is a great view of human sin). And, to be honest, when I first read that Snape killed Dumbledore, I was furious, hated him and relished the idea of Harry killing him.

But, once my brain took control, I started to realize that Snape might have done one of the hardest thing of anyone in the books. I believe that Dumbledore told Snape to kill him. How? Through Occulmency of course during that fatal moment on the tower. Snape's reaction wasnt because he hated Dumbledore, but because he knew what it would cost him. No friends on the good side, who all pretty much hated him anyway. That is why he reacts so strongly to Harry calling him a coward. And why he helped Harry, even in their final duel, as he tells him, "blocked again and again until you learn to close your mind."

Now, the question is, why? And the answer is, I have no idea. I don't even want to guess. But, take my word for it, Snape will help Harry, even as he helped him in book six through the Half Blood Prince book.


Second major issue, will Harry die? Now, Jo has once said in an interview that she did not want too many people to know that she was a Christian. Why? because it might give away the ending. What does that mean? It essentially means that sacrifice will play a huge role as it already has in so many ways, most especially through Harry's mother giving her life for him.

So, this means that Harry will die right? Dying for the wizard world? Maybe, but I don't think so. My theory (and others have come up with this as well, so I cant take credit for it) is that Harry's sacrifice will be his magical powers.

There are many strong hints that point to this. First and foremost, Jo has been asked over and over again if she believes in magic. She has said no and that when we reach the end of series, we will know why. Second, Harry is told constantly by Dumbledore that love is more powerful than any magic known to the wizarding world. But, also, Dumbledore's semiwhimsical statements about other things being more powerful that magic, such as music, etc.

Voldemort doesn't get this, but Harry will. He will give up his magical powers to defeat Voldemort. How will this happen? I have no idea, but the evidence is strongly in that direction. If i am wrong, totally fine, but it would really satisfy me, because Harry would not be dead, but victory over evil came with a sacrifice. A pretty big one in Harry's world.


Other Minor Predections (Some serious and some not so serious)

Ron and Hermoine will be engaged or married by the end of the book. Possibly Ron will get smart and pop the question at Bill and Fleur's wedding.
So will Ginny and Harry.
Lupin will kill the werewolf who bit him, but then be in turn killed by Wormtail.
The flying car will a huge role in the book.
We will see Godric's Hollow and the graves of Harry's parents.
Godric's Hollow will play a huge role in the book (Deathly Hallows, Hollow, get it?)
I think there will be a major event at Bill and Fleur's wedding, possibly a death eater attack, with characters killed. Horrible, but its possible.

Deaths-
Hedwig-a seemingly minor death, but it would make me sad.
Hagrid- I cannot believe he has lasted this long
McGongall-She is a target as the new headmistress of Hogwarts
Two Weasleys- I hate this, but I just have this horrible feeling two of them will go. The twins? Maybe, but more likely Mr. and Mrs Weasley.
Lupin- by far one of my favorite, if not favorite Characters in the books.

I think all of the three will survive, but will be "hurt" in some way.

Anyway, those are my thoughts and I am sticking to them!

Alive at 33

One of my favorite U2 songs is "Hold Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me. There is a line in that song that really describes my life up to this point. I turned 33 on Sunday. This has always kinda been a signficant age for me. Not sure why. I am sure in the back of my mind is the whole thing that Jesus died and rose from the dead at this age, at least according to church tradition.

Anyway, the lines from the song go like this:

"They want you to play Jesus/to go down on one knee/but they want their money back if you're alive at 33/you are turning tricks with your crucifix/you are a star"

Basically, its Bono reflecting on his bumpy relations with the church. Early in his career, Christians piled so many expectations on him and when he turned out to be a human sinner, a lot of them turned on him, saying he wasnt a Christian, etc. All that has changed recently, of course, but it was not five years ago I was defending his Christianity to many believers.

But, it isnt Bono's life that I reflect on when I hear these words. I think about my own. I am really sorry if this post seems pretentious or dramatic, but I have been thinking about this for awhile.

I have been a Christian most of my life. I have gone to Church, Christian schools, grew up in a Christian home. None of that I regret at all. But, what has me going is how many times I was told in that time I was a "Christian" leader. In high School, I was the guy who was given awards for Christian leadership, the teachers loved my "Christianity" and predicted I would do big things for God.

That wasn't bad either. People were just trying to build me up. But, I swallowed it all with a dose of poison.

That did not change when I got to seminary. I was told I had all of this promise, talent and ability. That was all nice, I guess, if I wasn't a sinner and totally turned all of those things into pride. And let that pride almost destroy me and my faith as I tried so hard to be a head pastor for five years, trying to live up to those expectations. Trying to be what everyone thought I should be instead of really listening to what God wanted and what He thought I should be.

I think I have suprised and disappointed a lot of people in "stepping back" to be an assistant pastor. But, I love my job. I have never been happier in my ministry. It's great to be second. It's great not having to live up to expectations. It's great just trying to follow Jesus, love the Gospel and help others do the same. It's all I ever really wanted to do.

I am alive at 33. I cannot die and save anyone. Nor can I raise them from the dead. There is only one Man who did that, I am not Him. I serve Him, badly, most of the time and totally reliant on His Grace. I am no longer turning tricks with my crucifix, giving off the illusion of a "holy" life. I am just an object of Grace now, as I have always been. And I hope to help others understand.

What do James Dobson and Judd Apatow have in Common? Lots!

I think this will be the most controversial post I have ever put on my blog. It was prompted by me seeing the movie "Knocked Up" recently. The movie was directed by Judd Apatow who has, in my book, quickly become one of my favorite Hollywood directors. If you don't know the plot of the movie, it begins by hot girl getting knocked up by a pot smoking slacker.

Seems like an ordinary gross out, raunch comedy right? Not worthy of viewing?

Wrong.

That is where Apatow is a genius. Yes, the movie contains many moments that makes me unable to recommend this movie to most people. But, just like his first movie, 40 year Old Virigin, there is a moral there that is completely old fashioned, and well, one that James Dobson would love. That is, parenthood is tough and hard, but it is a wonderful thing. A beautiful thing, a worthy thing. That a kid should have a mom and a dad, even when things are not perfect. That it is good to be responsible and doing it is hard work.

In the movie 40 year old Virgin, it was all about a guy who never had sex and all of his friends were trying to get him to have it. It was a total send up of our sex obsessed culture. The end result? The guy (played by the genius Steve Carrell) wants to want until he is married and that is what he does.

I am going to go out and make a recommendation. Dr. Dobson, maybe you should use these two films to recruit people for Focus on the Family. Use them as a jumping off point for discussion to instruct people about waiting for sex until marriage is good, and the family is an amazing thing.

As long as I am dreaming, I would like to hang out with Bono, C.S. Lewis, JRR Tolkien, M. Night Shamalyan, and Flannery O'Connor in a Dublin pub for an evening.

A Pop Culture Manifesto

There is a scene in Lady in the Water that I really love. It's were a kid gets an otherwordly message from reading cereal boxes. I love that scene because I identify with that kid. I feel like I have spent my life looking "cereal boxes" looking for deeper meaning in them. Or, to be more direct, looking at the pop culture I grew up with and trying to find the deeper meaning there.

Most folks say there is no deeper meaning there. It is disposable, trash, not worth looking at. I disagree. There is much to be learned there and much that needs to be seen. And I have spent a lot of time in my life trying to argue this. There are times where I feel like I am beating my head against the wall, especially the walls that exist in the church. Christians seem to have this dichotomy when it comes to pop culture. They argue its trash and it has no meaning, but they consume it in mass amounts.

Something weird about that, I think. Seems like a split personality thing. Continue to be involved pop culture by all means. But, consume with your eyes open, understand what is going on, search for the meaning "under the trash". It is there.

It is why I was thrilled to read Chuck Klosterman's book, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. This guy has some amazing insights into American pop culture and its meaning. And he does it from the perspective not from a guy who stands "above" it, but as an active participant in it.

I realize this post is random and sorry about that. But, I want to finish with a pop culture moment that just happend. If you have seen it, you will know what I mean. It was at the MTV movie awards hosted by Sarah Silverman (what is it with me that I don't think she is funny at all? I guess I forfeit my hipster status). She was commenting on Paris Hilton going to jail. Paris was in the audience. Fine. But then she goes on to make a horribly awful joke at Paris' expense. The camera showed Paris' reaction. She was obviously pissed.

But, that wasnt the disturbing thing about it. It was the way the room reacted to it. They laughed, cheered and thought it was funny. And the stupid thing is, most of the people in that room had probably kissed Paris' butt at one time or another. It was the ultimate picture of what fame and chasing fame will get you, a broken heart.

Now, I am not a fan of Paris Hilton, but, she is a human being. And as a fellow human being, I just hurt for her. It was awful and was such a great illustration of the brokeness that is in all of us.

A Pop culture moment that you might miss if you were not paying attention. If you want to know where most people live, its there, not in the art galleries, or other institutions of higher culture. If you want to know your neighbor, that is where they live. Continue to go to art galleries, art films, etc. I love all that stuff too. But, don't expect that most people in America live this way and that they will follow you to those places. I think that as believers, we have to learn to bridge "high" culture with "low" culture transforming them both.

Nine Years is Not Enough

Today is my anniversary. It sucks because my wife is still a thousand miles from me, still living in Florida as we go through this lengthy and frustrating transition period. But, it has had one positive affect on my life.

It makes me realize how much I cannot function very well without my wife. And really, for good reason. The Bible says that when man and woman come together, they become one flesh. Now, we often overspiritualize this and never think through the implications of it. I certainly never have, until now. I am not myself right now. I am missing part of me, my wife. I am half a person. All the great friends I have made in Columbus only know half of a person, because part of my flesh is missing.

Sounds like a codependent confession right? Well, maybe it is. but, at least its a biblical codependency. Think about it. When someone who you might know has lost a spouse, everyone comments how that person is not the same. Of course they arent! Half of them is now gone.

It makes me realize not just how much we need our spouses (if you are married) but how much we need other people. We are so on fire to show how damn independent we are, that we never stop to think how lonely we really are. We have more freedom as individuals in this country then anyone at anytime in human history. Yet, somehow, people are miserable. You don't believe me? Maybe that is because you have locked people out of your life as well and dont see it. I talked to my best friend the other day whom I haven't talked to in a while. I didnt realize how much i missed him. It was stupid, really, because I can talk to him any time I want. But, being a male, i don't.

God has made us to be in communion with Him and other people. That is why He said in the beginning, it is NOT good for man to be alone. Which brings me back to my wife. God made Eve for Adam, a little hottie who would be his helper. The literal translation for Adam's reaction when he saw his wife is roughly, "hubba, hubba, thank God I am a man".

Okay, not really, but you get the idea.

Baby, when you read this, I say in Hebrew, hubba, hubba,
thank God I am a man. I am so glad He chose me to be your husband. I do it terribly, horribly and I know I am a jackass sometimes. But, I love you more now then I ever have. Because, it isnt good for me to be alone. God said so.

The Confessions of Jane Austen

I need to confess something. Something I have kept hidden from everyone but my wife. It is a secret that might change everything and the way you all view me. But, in the spirit of openess, I feel I must confess. History will judge me if I was right to make this public. So be it.

but, before I do, I must tell you, I love sports of all kinds, and all other kind of male activities. I can scream and yell at guys who I do not even know for doings wrong that really have no effect on my life whatsoever. I know all of this, but i still do it. I play fantasy football every year, just for bragging rights on something I had really nothing to do with at all.

Why am I saying all of this? Well, because of the confession.

I am a Jane Austen fan. No, she isn't a sexy model or a hot actress. She is a writer. A very good one. Well, great one really. And she writes novels that most guys would not touch with a ten foot pole. It's really too bad, because they are missing out.

Me? I love her, her writing and her stories. They are moving, good in depth character studies and simply fantastic to read.

Some of you might say, well, here is a primary case of a husband pretending to love what his wife does. Well, certainly, I was introduced to Jane Austen by my wife. No question about that. And, certainly, my love for her writing is linked to the love i have for my wife. but, it would be more accurate to say that my love for Jane Austen grew out of the garden of love that I have for my wife. Wow, hope that wasnt too cheesy.

Anyway, for guys who like to read, JA is a good one. Her character development alone is worth it. But, from a theological perspective, she affirms and critiques in ways that should be appreciated. While affirming a good marriage and the need for it, along with the crying need for community, she also takes a good stab at the pretention and pride that we often set up for ourselves in our lives. Or to put it in a clear way, she shows what happens when people take the created thing and put it in the place of the Creator, whether that be marriage, friendship, land, money or social standing. Her eye is unflinching and intelligent without being cynical or morose, two horrible ailments that have gripped my generation.

So, pick up Jane Austen. Enjoy it. I did. Even as I was waiting for the start of Spiderman 3 surrounded by a bunch of drunk frat boys at the midnight showing, I was reading Jane.

Contradiction? Maybe, but one I can live with.

Bizzare Travels 1.0

Okay, so I am starting a new thing on my blog called, "Bizzare Travels." I have always had a taste for the weird of America. So, here, I will write about some of my experiences in these places. Might be interesting, or maybe not.

The first place I am going to focus on are my travels out west. I have been to the Southwest about six times now, and all of those times where done by driving. I know, I know, but first, I hate to fly, and second, when you drive, you see all of America and its weirdness.

For example, you see the greatest roadside attractions out west. On the border of Arizona, there is unimaginable beauty with giant rocks and cliff on the side of the road. It is especially amazing if you hit this spot just as the sun rises. The resulting colors look like a bowl of fruit loops, except brighter and way more beautiful. Oh yeah, and you cannot eat them either.

But, there is also this weird roadside stand that sells all kinds of stuff ranging from cheap tourist crap (cactus seeds being my favorite and ones i actually bought. They didnt work very well) to beautiful hand made crafts from the Navajo reservation.

However, there is one roadside attraction out west that truly takes the crown, and that is the gas station/road side musuem/total crap shop that is advertised for 200 miles along the road from Las Cruces, New mexico to Tuscan Arizona. And it contains a bit of a mystery, something that has baffeled scientists, historians and such knowledgable persons.

It is simply the mystery of "The Thing". What is the thing? well that is the question, isnt it? It is in a box with a glass top. So, what is it? As if i am going to tell you! It is mysterious, strange, and a thing. Isnt that enough for you to take a drive out in the middle of nowhere in the Arizona desert to find out? Hmmmm????? It might just change your life.

Or, maybe not.

Be a Real Dad or Mom

Ask yourself something. Do I really need another tie for Father's Day? A bundle of flowers for mother's day? well maybe, but how about doing something different?

How about telling your spouse to take half the money that might spend on you and make a donation to International Justice Mission. If you dont know this organization, they rescue kids from work houses and sexual slavery around the world. It is a great work they are doing, so take some time to be a parent to a kid half way around the world.

Here is their link, and join me in giving half your well earned present as a parent to help other kids.

www.ijm.org

It is finished

I don't know if everyone knew this, but I have been writing a book. Well, have been writing for four years. The idea first came to me ten years ago in college and it started off as a kid's book about a boy named Lewis and a dwarf named Archibald. And now, the idea has completely changed and evolved in a way that I can hardly believe. Archibald is no longer a dwarf, but a shapeshifter with a dark past trying to be a hero. The story has gotten darker, but also better, as it is more truthful while showing good over evil.


It is weird to think that all of this came out of my head and my imagination. But, really, it has been a life time coming. I have always loved the weird and strange about America. The weird roadside attractions, the mysterious mounds, the weird creatures that haunt our woods and little traveled places. And, I think it is all that inspired this book. It has been fun to write, and write, and write and write. I think certain sections have undergone at least ten rewrites.

I think it is a good story. But, the writing, well, i am trying hard to be a better writer. Thanks to my wife and some friends and a writer's group, i think I have gotten better.

Now, if I can just get an agent and find a publisher who will publish the silly thing.

Stephen King and the Cost of Fighting Evil

I have avoided reading Stephen King pretty much my whole life. I, sadly, judged a book by its cover and thought King was "just" a horror writer.

How wrong I was.

My favorite TV show is Lost and it has been well established that the book, The Stand, had a huge influence on the writer's of that show. So, at the prompting of a friend of mine (thank you Kiley), I picked up the book.

I was hooked right away. The story was amazing and introduced me to a theme in King's writing that has such an amazing truth.

Fighting evil comes at a terrible personal cost.

We are so naive to think that when we fight evil or make a stand against it, that it will just wilt and go away. It doesn't and it fights back. The cost might be anything. Our baby having seizures in the hospital. Our house failing to sell for some strange reason when there is no earthly reason it should not sell. Our health going down hill. It is always something.

I think about this as I pray for my city, Columbus. Our church is looking to transform our city by the Love of Christ that lives in us. That is a direct challenge to the evil in the city, as the evil thinks the city belongs to it. And maybe, we might be tempted to agree. There are horrible things that go on here. The rape rate is one of the highest in the country. Those with aids in our city are neglected not just by the church, but the whole community. There are orphans. Single moms who are preyed upon. Young girls forced into a life of prostitution. People steal. People lie. Nature is gutted (yes this is a sin). And with each act, our city becomes a little more dark.

but the city does not belong to the powers of darkness. It belongs to Jesus. He loves it. And He seeks to bring beauty to it. And we ought to be agents of the beauty, not to bring more darkness. To make beautiful art. To help the aids patients by holding their hands when they die. To make nature a priority and take care of it. To make sure young women are protected.

But beauty will come at a cost. We have to be ready for it. The battle between good and evil, beauty and ugliness, all of it comes at a price. Because evil will not set back and let it happen.

Back to Stephen King. I am a huge fan and in fact consider him in the top five of my favorite authors (O'Connor, Tolkien, Lewis, King and Lawhead would be the order). If you have avoided King like i did, shame on us! You will find nowhere in popular fiction the discussion of the battle betweeen God and evil discussed in such stark, honest, and beautiful terms.

Yes, Stephen King is beautiful. I said it.

Of Weddings and coordinators

One of the great things about being a minister is that you get to do weddings. I love that part of the job. This weekend, I was able to officiate the wedding of my two best friends. How cool is that? It was so great to see two people who love Jesus and each other be married. It was truly a joyful experience.

Anyway, the experience made me think about my other weddings and all the fun stuff that came with them. The thing that really gets me is that we have turned weddings in our culture into something other than what they should be. Meaning, weddings have become all about show, rather than focusing on what is going on. Don't believe me? Look around. Weddings have become big business from the tuxes, to caterers and for crying out loud, even the churches. A wedding has become a staged performance rather than what is should be; two people coming together before God in a worship service.

Because, that is what a wedding really is. It is a worship service to the God of creation who made marriage and the two people coming together worship Him for that amazing gift. It is not a performance. It is not a race to see who can spend the most money on stuff that will not last past the wedding day. It is a time for God to be worshiped by the marriage of two people and for all those people who come to celebrate what that couple is doing.

And because of that, the minister is in charge of the ceremony. Now, this part maybe totally ego. And I have nothing against wedding coordinators. I think they do a great job in helping with the logistics and positioning of people in the ceremony. I love having them there for that.

What irritates me is when the coordinator tries to take over the ceremony. The coordinator I worked with this weekend was great and she did a great job. However, I have worked with some in the past who thought they were completely in charge and had a right to interfere with the ceremony. Not happening.

Anyway, it just made me wonder, my friends wedding was all about God and Christ being the center of marriage. I wonder if in our rush to make the wedding all about the couple (and in fact all about the bride) that we doom some marriages from the start. Because, we teach couples that marriage is all about serving their needs, even in a Christian marriage. Guess what? It isn't.

Maybe ministers are more to blame for the Christian divorce rate then we like to admit.

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.