March 12, 2000 1:57 pm

Well, I did end up going home for spring break, which was a nice interruption in the flow of schoolwork and such. I guess, looking back, it was a good thing, and I enjoyed being home. It was refreshing to hang out with my parents and talk to them, and watch my sister play some soccer. It was good to hang out with Greg and Sam, and meet some of the people that I've heard of in SFC, but never met.... like J.T. And then it was also neat-o to find out that Elaine and Abby know Courtney, because Courtney used to go to their church when she lived in LA. Small world :-) but cool.

Now, it's back to school and back to work. I'm procrastinating a little, just because I said I'd take Andrew Fuqua's advice and redo the deep end a little to make sure I never screw up my archives.... so we'll see how this works.

I may write more later. Tonight, I'm going to Ecclesia, so that should be cool.

Just thoughts.

March 15, 2000 7:53 pm

Well, I've reclaimed my soul from the evil p-chem demons :-) (such a theologically wrong statement!)

However, it is true that the last 3 days, I've done little but study physical chemistry. And I think it paid off. I had a good test. I know I bombed one 4 point question, but in the grand scheme of things, and taking into account the curve (of course!), I'm pretty happy with this test. I even got up on time and had the full hour and a half to take the test! :-) Which reminds me, thank you, Georgeann, for calling me. I really appreciate you remembering to do that.

In today's Old Testament reading in my One Year Bible (Numbers 22:21-22:30), it struck me that this Canaanite king, Balak, was a dork. This is the part where Balaam's donkey talks to him, and stuff, and the gist of it is this. Balak asks Balaam to curse Israel as they're out in the desert. But as a God-fearing man, Balaam knows he can't do that. But he goes anyway, and then there's the bit with the donkey talking and stuff, but then the kicker is Balak and his stupidity. He asks Balaam to curse Israel once. Balaam has already told him he can only say what God gives him to say. So Balaam blesses Israel once. And then Balak asks AGAIN! And then a third time! And all three times, Balaam blesses Israel. Balak just does NOT get it.

The thing is, I totally understand. There are things that I struggle with, and I'm sure that some angel is looking at me and saying incredulously, "God, why doesn't he get it? He's doing it AGAIN!"

When God is clear, I just don't listen sometimes. I willfully look to getting my way, doing things the way I want to, because I want something my way. Not God's way. On my timetable, not God's timetable.

I started reading John Piper's Desiring God over break, and unfortunately, haven't had much of a chance to read here at school. I'm about a third of the way through, and I really like the book. It's a little heady, with a real theological bend to it, but it's real theology. Not the lofty unimportant stuff. The theology he discusses is the stuff that life change is made out of, if you really think about it. Even if you don't agree with all of it.

His argument is that we are to pursue pleasure with all our heart. But not just any pleasures.

His basic claim is that enjoying God is what we were designed to do. And so we should be pursuing pleasure. But the pleasure that comes from glorifying Him, and Him alone. Not the stuff that gives temporary, worldly pleasure.

So do you take pleasure in serving Him? Does it give you an intense joy that just overflows? Do you yearn to bask in His glory more? Or are you willing to settle for second best?

I think I'm going to dedicate a big entry to just discussing the book later :-)

Just thoughts.

March 17, 2000 2:38 pm

Thanks to Greg, I just ordered Unreal Tournament from compuexpert.com for $19.90. What a great deal :-) Greg clued me into it because that's where he got his copy. YEAH baby. :-) I cannot tell you how much fun this fame is. The graphics are great. The weapons are cool. And the AI is smart, so even if you can't play online, you're not going to get bored. Sweet, isn't it? :-)

Anyway, I thought I would just share. Also, my BIOS 310 project is coming along nicely. Thanks to Chad, I can also do remote editing too. :-)

I also started meeting with a guy here at Sid, a football player, and we met for the first time tonight. I asked him a while back if he wanted to be discipled, because I knew he was trying to keep things going through FCA and stuff. I'm excited, just because he seems willing, and I think he has a lot of potential. Something to pray about.

Oh yeah.... Sam, where'd you get your Diana Krall CD, and for how much? I'm looking to get it, but I'm also looking to buy some books, and Amazon is usually the best for books, I've found, so I was thinking about grabbing the CD from there, too. I like Diana Krall. I first heard her stuff this past Christmas, I think, on some TV skating special where she was playing piano accompaniment. I like her :-)

Just thoughts.

March 23, 2000 2:09 pm

I'm working on my p-chem HW right now, and I have no clue what I'm doing. It's really pretty sad. I mean, I REALLY have no clue how to do some of these problems, what these variables mean, and everything. I went to class and even stayed awake, and I still understand NOTHING. And the best part is, I don't think anyone else does either! :-) The professor is really THAT bad.

Unreal Tournament is FUN. I'm not very good at it, but it's still fun.

Beer Bike is coming up this Saturday, and I just realized I'm not excited about it as much as I was the last couple of years. I mean, I'm still looking forward to it and all, but it just doesn't have that same appeal as before. I haven't even opened the bags of balloons I have. Oh well.

Lately, I haven't been doing as much thinking as I would like to do. Y'know, like the random thinking that I used to write about before. I mean, I think my entries have changed in a fundamental way. The content just isn't the same as it used to be, at least in my opinion. I used to write about much more intelligent things, instead of railing on my p-chem prof. :-)

I guess one thing that is encouraging is the fact that Andrew, one of the guys in my frosh Bible study, is getting involved with Rez Week this year. That's pretty cool to see him get involved. :-)

Just thoughts.

March 24, 2000 11:07 pm

Tonight's Crusade meeting was just what I needed. I'm not sure why, but it was just cool. And very good for me. I think part of it was because tonight was the meeting that the freshmen led. Each year, we have one freshmen meeting, and it always goes WONDERFULLY, and tonight was no exception. It was really neat to see them work together. And like TJ said, that's what Crusade will look like in four years. It'll be them.

Another reason that it was so good was the music, It think. The praise band picked good songs, but ones that people knew, so that people sang. I mean, nothing against John, but sometimes, he forgets that not everyone knows the songs that he knows and likes, so sometimes, people don't sing. But we sang stuff like In the Secret, Open the Eyes of My Heart, and the oldie, I Love You Lord. And it just sounded GREAT. I mean, not that worship has to sound good, but it was that much cooler that we sounded good, and that only added to the worship.

And then the clincher was what Darin had me do. He sorta just asked me to do an impromptu thing and do a little thing on what we studied this past week in Bible study. We were working out of the book, The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel, and he asked me to give a little blurb on Chapter 11, on the death and resurrection of Christ. Did He die and truly rise from the dead. Or was it that swooning thing?

Quick side note. The book is an easy read, and it's full of good thinking material. I haven't read it all, but I think it's worth reading if you can get your hands on it.

OK. Back to the meeting. So Darin asked me to give a little thing on the medical aspect of things regarding Jesus' death. Basically, the question was, "Did Jesus die on the cross?" The author interviewed a forensic pathologist, and it boils down to this. With the whipping, and the way crucifixions happened, and the fact that the Roman soldiers' lives were on the line, Jesus was VERY dead when He was buried.

But Darin asked me to just talk about it in a way to impress on them the seriousness of what Christ went through, and how it makes no sense for anyone to submit themselves to what Christ did, especially an innocent man. But it was because of His awesome love, love that was willing to asphyxiate for me, love that was willing to have the flesh whipped off his back. It just reminded me of what the love of Christ really is. It's a love we can barely understand, but yet we get it poured out on us daily. What did we do to deserve this? Nothing, and we can't do anything to deserve it. That's the most amazing part. It's all about God initiating.

Him reaching out to us. The perfect saving the imperfect.

Just thoughts.

March 26, 2000 1:47 pm

Should I even try to explain Beer Bike to you non-Rice people? I've tried before, but it really doesn't seem to make sense to anyone outside of the Rice community. Imagine tens of thousands of water balloons (like 60k+), over a thousand college students, vehement college loyalty (in the form of face paint, temporary tattoos, hair dye, etc.), beer, chugging (not necessarily chugging beer, though) and a bike relay race. That's basically what Beer Bike is.

Anyway, for those of you who care, I was actually in the alumni race, just because :-) The guys needed more people for the alumni race, so it ended up that half of the alumni team was still at Rice :) I did ok, I thought, but man, it HURT afterwards. It was the first time I'd ridden a bike in YEARS, like almost ten years, I think. I want to know my split time, though. We'll have to see if they have that information for me.

I also had a good long discussion with a friend of mine last night about Watchman Nee's teachings, and his ideas regarding the local church in cities and so forth. It's interesting, mainly because in principle, I think I agree with Watchman Nee in regards to what the ideal is for Christians and the church. Denominationalism, as it exists has some major problems that need to be addressed. Now, from what I understand of Watchman Nee's approach, well, let's just say that I don't agree with the approach. I'll have to think it through some more, maybe read some of his writings, or at least what are the collections of peoples' notes on his sermons and stuff, and read opponents' writings.... and then I'll come back here and write some more.

Just thoughts.

March 28, 2000 2:00 pm

Lately, I've been involved in this discussion group with some other Christians here at Rice and in the local community around here, namely a pastor from a local church, and we've been discussing the role of Christians in culture, and more specifically, we've been talking about how people have been claiming Christianity in music and film, such as several of the lead actors from American Pie, musicians in bands such as Creed and Blink 182... Also, we've been touching on the church subculture that exists, and one thing that came up, which we're discussing later today, is CCM. Contemporary Christian Music. And in preparation, the pastor found this article online. I must warn you though. Do NOT read this if you're not ready to see someone thrash Christianity and Christian music in general. The guy is not gentle. But it makes for interesting thinking material. Just thought some of you might want to see it. Anyway, here it is, from The Stranger, a Seattle alternative weekly.

Guess who else visited my site?: 2 hits from Finland!

Just thoughts.

March 30, 2000 3:20 am

Because of Sam, I'm going to update, yes, at 3 am. I've been playing some Unreal Tournament, in case you're wondering what I'm doing up. :-)

I'm just going to put down some thoughts, to be expounded upon later. Regarding that article that is linked above... I have to say that the article got me a little upset, because the guy was very obviously biased. But he did hit some good points. Not many, but a couple. First, the commercialism that has overtaken Christianity. Those slogan T-shirts, bumper stickers, and other paraphernalia. Yuck. And I used to buy that stuff. The corporate logo ripoffs, and so on. One thing that has really bugged me lately is the ichthus eating the Darwin leg-fish. Yuck. It's proper that he wonder what sort of slicked-up Jesus we're trying to sell here.

Secondly, his appreciation for the "Fringe" stage brings up some good questions. Granted, he is in Seattle, a bastion of secularism, and so the grunge thing is at home there. What does he like? The fact that the kids are being real? Or is it just what he considers "cool?"

Another interesting thing he brings up is that he likes what Michael W. Smith says, but can't stand his music. Is it because his music is bad, or because "Christian music" proselytizes, an idea which he rips to shreds on the first page? I mean, he seems to want to like Michael for what he says, but for whatever reason, the music totally turns him off. Why is that?

Also, his hypocrisy is as bad as any Christian's. Somehow, because he is such an enlightened, progressive fellow, it's ok to call someone a "jackass." So much for tolerance. So much for not being bigoted. Now there's your double-standard.

The general feeling I get is that he went in biased, came out biased, wrote biased, and was very hostile. And yet he still wrote something that we can take and look at, and it helps keep us on our toes, I think. One other thing that seems to hit me, is the double-stadard regarding behavior. It's not so explicit in the article, but it's sort of noticeable in society in general, and a little in the article. Somehow, if you're a Christian, but have an edge, some vice, or something, that is relatively visible, and something that is somehow sorta "cool," and you don't want to get rid of that vice, well, that's ok. BUT, if you're trying to live a Godly, righteous life, and you're ashamed when you do something wrong, somehow that's not as cool. In fact, it's just plain dumb. How stupid can you be? To feel ashamed of something as little as _______? And how dare you say that _______ is wrong! Get off your high horse, you holy roller! Somehow, it's good to have a vice and not hang on to it, and claim Christ. But as soon as you try to get rid of it, it's all wrong.

Just thoughts (is that enough to start with, Sam?).

March 31, 2000 11:28 am

In terms of what else the author got right in the article above, I think he hit the nail right on the head with his obervations regarding the offering they took for the big-screen TV. That's just a little much for me. Sorta falls in the same category as a church wanting to build a gym on their property for no good reason other than to build a gym. And then all these people give TONS of money to that building project. A local church here in Houston, to remain unnamed, was able to raise millions of dollars from its congregation for such a building project. Let's see. Where else could that money have been spent? Missions organizations? Crisis pregnancy centers? Homeless shelters? Soup kitchens maybe? I know there are Christian groups who run CPCs, shelters, and kitchens, and they are always in need of money, and more importantly, Christians who are willing to be Christ to someone.

To me, it's just an example of how skewed middle-class Christianity has become. The world's middle-class mentality has crept in and taken over the minds of middle-class Christians. what is that mentality? Well, middle-class is pretty well-to-do, and usually, they're pushing for the next level. Sure, they may be Christians, go to church, give money to the church and missions organizations, but they really don't give. Like Mark 12:41-44. The widow who puts in her two copper coins. The other side of the mentality is the striving to be just a little more comfortable. You've got your Toyotas. Next up is the Acura/Lexus. Then the BMW/Benz.

Look at the Acts 2:42-47 church. Was there a middle class there? It sure doesn't look like it. They sold what they had, so that they could adequately provide for one another. No, this is not socialism, in that it's not the government controlling the means of production. It's individuals willingly giving to each other, out of a deep love. It is Philippians 2:1-11 love.

And I'm just as guilty as the next one. I have a significant tax return coming to me. I've been looking at minidisc player/recorders. I also have lots of friends going on summer mission trips, and some friends going for a year somewhere. I have a choice to make. No, it's not inherently wrong to get that minidisc recorder/player. But the question then becomes, which is a wiser choice? What am I investing in? The things of this world, or the things that last? This is not an attempt to guilt trip anyone, but it is an attempt to make anyone reading this to think. Do we give sacrificially? Or do we like being comfortable too much? It's not inherently wrong to make a lot of money. The question is, how much of that do you keep? And why do you keep it?

Just thoughts.