Okay, see, this is exactly what I'm talking about

Here's what I'm talking about. There's a couple of levels to this story. The first level is the rejoicing that a man's testimony caused hundreds of people to believe in Jesus. The second level is the despair that maybe, in the end, it meant absolutely nothing. People were coming up and being baptized?? Baptism isn't right in this situation--first you need to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". From the article, it doesn't seem like that's the case, in fact it seems like they are saying that the Baptism itself is what saves. The third level is, well, so what kind of person do you want to be? I could be called a hate-monger and say that each and every one of those people are going to hell, or I can be happy that revival took place and that almost a thousand people were converted to Christianity. That's very black and white. Unfortunately, as with everything else, the answer is probably somewhere between the two extremes.

clipped from www.christianitytoday.com On Palm Sunday, hundreds responded to Robert "Evel" Knievel's testimony by asking to be baptized on the spot at Crystal Cathedral. Speaking alongside the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, Knievel told the congregation in Orange County, California, how he had refused for 68 years to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. He believed in God, but he couldn't walk away from the gold and the gambling and the booze and the women. "We started singing 'Amazing Grace,' and I started baptizing people, baptizing them as fast as I could. I had a little candy dish of water. 'What's your name? Okay, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit'—crying the whole time and going to the next one." Together, Schuller estimates, between 500 and 800 people committed or rededicated their lives to God.

Get. This. Thing. Off of me!

I don't even want to think about how late I'll have to work today. I have time left over from yesterday; this morning I had to go to the auto store, buy some replacement brake lights, and then install them; work out, and now I'm writing a blog entry. But while I was in the shower today, I got to thinking--and I need to get it off of my chest.

I've always thought that I have been quite comfortable with all of the abstractness in the world. My wife prefers things to be black and white, right and wrong, but I thought of myself as a "shades of gray" person. And maybe I am, but I think I've always ignored the little voice inside me that is bothered at the indistinctness of life.

In the shower I realized that, you know, it really bothers me that people who try to be good, charitable, repentant and try to do the right thing may end up going to hell. It bothers me that extremely intelligent people would believe in evolution over creation or that believe that we'll destroy ourselves with carbon dioxide emissions. That you have people over there that say that the Bible is full of errors, and over here that say it has none. That there are people on both sides of the abortion debate. That there are people who think that killing massive amounts of innocent people is their entrance into heaven. That someone as smart as Glenn Beck would be a Mormon. It goes on and on.

I don't want to become a philosopher--not really anyway. But I think Descartes was bothered similarly when he decided he had to go all the way back and find the one great truth by which to derive all other truth. And after finding that, and basing a completely reborn world view on his logic, he still came out at odds with many other great thinkers. Is there no objectivity?

In writing this, I recognize now that the idea of allowing for "shades of gray" is completely at odds with all of the churches and schools I've ever been apart of. I am, and have always been a fundamental Baptist. Even now it seems to have the most cohesive theology. But the fundamentalist mind frame a very "black and white" one. In church, you're told that drinking all alcohol is wrong. That the King James translation is the only translation. That enjoying R rated movies is wrong. That many "good catholics", Mormons, Buddhists, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. are going to hell. That rock, rap music, hip-hop, etc. are wrong. That you need to relentlessly try to convert every person you know. That believers will be raptured before a seven year tribulation period. And maybe some--or all--of those things are true, but I can't conceive how anyone can claim to know as much with 100% certainty, as fundamentalists almost inevitably do.

So... Should I find a new church? I've never felt "comfortable" at any other types of churches. Is that the Holy Spirit telling me to be a Baptist? On the other hand, I've never felt comfortable with things that others in my church are so certain about, like saying that people can't watch R rated movies or listen to Christian rock. Is that also the Holy Spirit? And if so, why is he telling me different things than he's telling other people?

Glenn Beck said something really profound on the episode of his TV show where he was interviewing Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. He said that he doesn't allow himself to think about a lot of issues because he doesn't want to become "that kind of person". I think that's probably why he's a Mormon. But I do the same thing. I don't think too much about different Bible versions because I don't want to be a "KJV-onlyist" (even though that's the only version I've ever felt comfortable with). After all, highly intelligent people like Hank Hanegraaff denounce it. I don't want to think that you have to try to convert everyone, because I don't want to be the person that has "Sinners burn in Hell" bumper stickers on my car.

And so... all I have right now are unanswered questions and doubts. Don't get me wrong... I'm not leaving my church, and I can never dispel that sense of wonder at how marvelous God is for creating me and my family... this world... the entire universe... My mind can't comprehend how people could possibly think that all that now is just spontaneously came out of "nothing". To think that anything could exist without someone to create it--well, like I said, it boggles my mind.

Okay, I've rambled on for long enough and I feel better. This week I resolve to take some time every day to think and pray--and maybe get some direction on how to tackle these issues.

Thank God for Software's Social Conscience!

Wow, I just checked out a software package that Lifehacker was raving about that has an ultrafast lookup of your selected word in almost any software application. I was pleasantly surprised upon installing it to find that I now have to subject myself to certain environmental restrictions in order to continue to use the free version of the program. It's like a freaky, unsanctioned carbon-footprint offset program.

Unfortunately I don't usually take more than 4 flights in a year, and I don't own an SUV (although I do own a van), so I can't flagrantly disobey the license. However, I do eat beef which is more "harmful" to the environment than the items listed, so I wonder if that counts?

The Number 23 - Harry Gregson Williams

I can't let another day go by without saying a big, "Wow" about the Number 23 original soundtrack. If I ever do see the movie, it won't be until it's on DVD, but I'm glad I gave this score a chance. Harry Gregson Williams has come a long way. I started getting into his music after the Man on Fire soundtrack, which I felt had potential but wasn't fully realized. Narnia was the same type of situation, but just didn't have enough interesting stuff for me to give it more than a couple of listens. The Number 23 is exciting and has original elements with the percussion and woodwinds. I've been listening to it every day since I got it. Favorite track: "Suicide Blonde."

Reubens for a Week

Working from home, I pretty much end up just eating the same ol' stuff for lunch. Turkey sandwiches. Chef boyardee. Frozen pizza. Bleh. I decided to take my destiny into my own hands this week and bought ingredients to make Reuben sandwiches from Tuesday to Friday. Having it for a whole week is better because after making one sandwich, chances are I'll have enough of all of the ingredients to do more.

So this week was kind of an experiment. After two days now, I have to declare it a major success. I actually look forward to lunch now! After a little trial and error, I think I've found the best recipe for putting the sandwich together, and this happens to be on the Foreman grill. Yum! I can't wait to come up with something new for next week. Maybe Monte Christos? Turkey clubs?

clipped from www.georgeforemanrecipes.com

Reuben Sandwich

Serve this George Foreman Grill sandwich with a huge bowl of vegetable soup and a dill pickle on the side.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

4 slices rye bread

4 slices deli sliced corned beef

4 slices Swiss cheese

1/2 cup sauerkraut, drained

1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing

Directions:

Lightly butter one side of both bread slices. Spread non-buttered sides with Thousand island dressing.

Place 2 bread slices with buttered side down on grill. Layer 1 slice Swiss cheese, 2 slices corned beef, 1/4 cup sauerkraut and second slice of Swiss cheese on each slice of bread. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered sides out.

Grill sandwiches until sauerkraut is hot, cheese is melted, and both sides of sandwich are golden brown. Serve hot.

Serves: 2

How to Become an Early Riser

How to Become an Early Riser

This has a new, tested method of shaving a bit of time off of your overall sleep time. Looks like it might work, so I'm trying it out this week. I've decided to set 5AM as my non-negotiable wake time. When I go to sleep, I don't know. Generally I sleep 7.5 to 8 hours, so we'll see if I can get that down to just 7 or so. I know, I'm not saving much time, but it's not like I was oversleeping too much to begin with.

Finally Getting Things Done

I have seen the book Getting Things Done mentioned in so many blogs on the internet now that I finally broke down and decided I had to read it. So I've started that and we'll see where it takes me.