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Hell Bent on Hell

2010-04-08T21:19:00.002-05:00

In Protestantism, we fight like Hell for Hell (a literal one). We hold on to it like we do other sweet doctrines such as grace and the resurrection. I’m sure at the beginning, we meant well. We assumed that the Scriptures taught it. We also assumed that any watering down of this belief would in turn be a watering down of the gospel. However, along the way, we decided to become crazy about this terrible thing. Hell is the worst concept and/or reality ever, if it is literal. Yet, we actually desire it. We wouldn’t have it any other way. I remember getting so perturbed at those who would want to lessen the beautiful doctrine of eternal suffering at God’s hand. What a tragedy! We should hate Hell. We should wish that it were figurative, or even Stott’s view or annihilationism, or anything other than an eternal, never ceasing damnation. I'm not saying that I don't believe in a literal, torturous Hell. What I am saying is that we shouldn't be such braggarts about it. Our reward is Jesus. That is salvation. Hell should make us cringe with humility and gung-ho with the Gospel...but not proud.

Goodbye Shadow: Loving and Lovable

2010-03-01T10:43:00.014-06:00

Today, the most loved and loving cat in the world died. This was my cat Shadow. He was big, playful, and sweeter than life. In fact, it's possible that he wasn't even a cat because of his excessive niceness. You could pet him anywhere you wanted and for as long as you wanted. He wasn't picky. His ever cry was, "All hands on deck!" If you tried to pet my other cat Charles on the belly, you'd lose your hand. Not Shadow. He was an anomaly in the cat world. He lived for human affection. When we weren't around, he'd find a shoe or some article of clothing and would lay on it because it was the closest thing to us he could find. For as long as he lived, he never once got perturbed, mean, or intolerant. He never tried to bite nor paw at you (which is odd, because he still had all of his claws; whereas Charles, having been declawed, would swat at you like it was his job). Shadow was the essence of sweetness incarnate.

I'm not sure exactly when, but a while back he developed a thing on his face. I'm not sure what to call it other than "thing." It actually began to look like a blueberry. We think that somehow his tear duct in his right eye leaked down to his cheek bone and then began to fill up. So he spent his last year (at least) walking around with a big blueberry mass on his face. In the morning, we'd see where he had been the night before because he'd nuzzle too hard on a couch or a door, and there would be spots of blood everywhere. We often teased him about it, and he would chortle back. He never complained once...ever. So today mom took him to have it removed. After the surgery, Shadow collapsed. We have no idea why. So now the Mathis family grieves. We take our pets very, very seriously. The thought that hurts the most is that if we hadn't taken him to have the literal eye-sore removed, Shadow would still be here.

I haven't told Charles yet. I'm not sure I can shoulder that responsibility. Charles is a mean cat, yet he's making small steps in the right direction because of Shadow's example. Shadow was Charles's best friend; perhaps only friend. I remember the first day we brought Shadow to the house. Charles had already decided that he was to be the only pet we needed, and so he flipped out. Slowly, and after a while, Charles considered Shadow tolerable. Eventually, he fell in love with him. They played constantly (when they weren't sleeping). They'd chase each other up and down the house. They'd lick each until there wasn't a dry spot on either of them. Then of course, Charles would decide to nibble on Shadow's ears, and Shadow, being much bigger, would "nibble" back, quickly ending the nibble session. Shadow had teeth like a sabertooth tiger's. At night, they would sleep together to keep warm, and because they loved each other. Shadow was the big spoon. Charles will be devastated. Even as I type this, Charles suspects something is wrong.
He hasn't seen Shadow all morning, and he won't again.

This was the last text I received from Dad.

Goodbye Shadow, you will be deeply missed. You were loved. You were loved.

Explicit Tweeting

2010-02-23T22:20:00.007-06:00

I have been asked several times why it is that I block my Twitter account and make it invite/approval only. Well, it's not because I am hiding something. No, I'm not saying terrible, incriminating, perverted, antigovernment, or blasphemous things (at least not most of the time). The plain truth of the matter is that I don't want to be really misunderstood, and then someone run wild with something that I've said. I only get 140 characters on Twitter per comment, and so obviously, not everything that I say can be qualified, explained, or justified. Those who are able to read those "tweets" are my friends and know me, at least for the most part. So if I've said something off the wall, the only ones reading it know that I'm either outlandish, or honestly believe that I'm partially retarded. It is scary to put some things on the internet, or into writing in general...even on your home computer. Anything can be abused, taken out of context, and used against you. It's the risk you take for not keeping things to yourself. Schools and employers can pull up these blogs with little trouble and it can compromise you and your reputation/credibility/eligibility. I hope that nothing I've said on here has been too offensive, but people are affected differently. At least on this blog, I have a little bit of room to flesh out the oft' ridiculous things I say.

Consistent Atheism

2010-02-21T14:09:00.005-06:00

Two days ago I met with one of the pastors of a new church that is in development in the Huntington, WV area. He invited me to Starbucks, the official meeting ground for hipsters, those interested in a job as a assistant manager at Dominos, and Christians ready to delve into serious conversations about Theology and society. I think we touched on the later. Actually, I'm not really sure why he wanted to meet with me. The previous Sunday, me and a couple of new comers were standing around visiting, and he singled me out and asked when I'd be available for coffee the following week. This seemed odd to me, but I suppose I had attended the previous two weeks, so I guess I was the most familiar newbie to him. I digress.

Anyways, we discussed each other's theologies. Basically, he showed me his, and I showed him mine; that kind of thing. We chatted about everything from Calvinism, to inspiration, to inerrancy, to creation/evolution, to Jesus. Along the way (I believe somewhere in the evolution part), we discussed atheism. He remarked that he really appreciated a certain "consistent" atheist who had applauded various terrible events that had happened in previous events and had wished that more people would have perished in the process. By the way, I'm sorry for being so vague about names and details. For one, I can't remember the atheist's name, nor the individual events that led to the remarks. However, I have heard of this type of "consistent atheism" categorization from other Christians in the past. Well, I told him that I didn't think that that was an honest description of atheism. It's kind of like referring to "Christians" as the religious gestapo who killed so many Muslims in the attempt to reclaim Jerusalem/the Holy Land. Yes, that is a historical blind spot in my religion, but it isn't something that we're still doing. We've grown up a bit, and realized killing for the sake of the gospel was counterintuitive to evangelism. It's the same with evolutionistic Atheists. People are no longer clubbing the next hairy guy on top of the head for the best spot in the cave. People are way more civilized now. We prefer war. Atheists also believe in a natural law and an established law. Yes, survival of the fittest is still around. However, they also believe that people are the most evolved of the other beings in our world, and that we have set up governments and laws in order to maintain humanity's well-being. Most believe that humans care about the survival of their species, not the demise of it. Atheists/humans don't get ahead in life when others die, only morticians and funeral homes do. So yes, while someone could claim that deep down inside I went to meet with the pastor at Starbuck because I knew he'd buy me coffee and/or potentially offer me some type of job (which I believe is natural humanity), I don't think that either of us had murderous intentions.

I thought I'd make a quick comment about this since I was thinking about it this morning in church. I am just friends with many very bright atheists that really desire to save the world and "do good," and have no genocidal hankerings creeping up on them. However, I do know this is mainly a personal note about it and that I don't have any scientific qualifications to make any quotable statements one way or the other. But since it's my blog...

Jesus and Cigarettes

2010-02-17T13:00:00.006-06:00

What I'm giving up sucks. Literally. I love cigarettes. I didn't always. I remember my first cigarette at an old friend's house. We were in 9th grade, hiding in the woods, and we went for it. I'm not even sure how we got 'em. It about killed me though. Then, we were at a park and found an unopened pack of Dorals. Score! The next time, and this one's gross, we were working at a nursing home and we found halfway-smoked cigs in ash trays. We used another fellow-worker's ultra thick eyeglasses to light them up. Pure Paradise and Moriarty style. Of course, the bastard who loaned us his rims told on us and we were kicked out of our positions of President and Vice President of the class, as well as our captain positions on the basketball and soccer teams. From then on, we were marked men at our school. (Side note: oddly enough, life has come full circle because just last week I was called by this very same high school to substitute teach).

I believe the next time I smoked was in seminary, on a balcony of my first apartment. I thought I was going to be sick. I was tremendously dizzy. When I smoked, it was random and not often. Then, in 2008, I began smoking around a pack a day...give or take a day or two. I was lonely and enjoyed their company. Nothing beat a good cup of coffee, a full pack of cigs, and a 40 by my side as I popped open a book. Perfect. Since that time, I cut back to about a pack a week. It got very expensive. Because of my fiance, I gave up smoking for a month in the January of 2009. I soon picked it back up. Now, I have tried to rid myself of those delicious sticks, but have failed every time. I enjoy them too much. As I have discussed with my doctor, because I have severe ADHD, and can't afford Adderral, cigarettes provide a mental boost that helps me think. I try to tell myself that I'm not addicted; that I could quit whenever I wanted. However, I'm not sure if that's honestly the case. In addition to clarity of thought, smoking also provides a pungent smell on my clothing, quick fatigue, and regular scolds from my family and fiance.

So, I have decided to quit smoking cigarettes for Jesus for Lent. Every time I crave smoking, I'm going to study Greek vocabulary. This way I'll know every Greek word in the New Testament in two weeks. It's a win/win/win/lose situation. I'll have Jesus watching over my shoulder. I'll have Whitney and my parents off of my back. I'll have energy to go up the steps. I'll really miss the cigs.

However, lest anyone sees me as desiring to be more spiritual by giving up a sin, you've got the wrong idea. I don't think smoking is a sin, just like I don't think drinking is a sin...which I know both are Marks of the Beast according to my parents, my denominational background, and many Christians in general. I see this as silly. Yes, the body is the temple...but I think it's going too far to say that smoking is "disobeying" this truth. If that were the case, and we were to be consistent with it, we wouldn't eat the way we do, and we wouldn't eat the things we eat. More people are hurting from obesity where I live than they are from smoking. You can't cast a spiritual scold at a smoker with a Big Mac in your hand. Or, some will try to say that it's a bad "testimony" to smoke. Like the age old Baptist adage: "Why would I want to be a believer in Jesus when this guy (Christian smoker) leads the same lifestyle that I do? I've already got what he's got!" FALSE. You don't have Jesus, that's the difference. The Messiah didn't call us to be estranged, antisocial aliens that others can't relate to. Unbelievers that I have encountered see many Christians as dishonest, unrealistic, and having their heads up their butts. My former Christian culture doesn't go to where the unbelievers are. Rather, they hope to catch them in passing and then invite them to church...a place never intended for unbelievers! Perhaps we should go door to door or pass out tracts; that'll reach 'em! Well, if you want to certainly let others know that you're a stereotypical Christian, that'll work...but it probably won't draw them to Christ. Those methods no longer work, if they ever did.

Today, evangelism exists in societal communion, and perhaps it always has. We are to go to them, not the other way around. People respond in relationships, not to random people with suits and big-ass Bibles. As believers, we are to meet the needs of those around us; physical, emotional, and spiritual. We are "lights" to the world in that we show others a "new way to be human" (thanks Switchfoot). You have to get your hands dirty. Some unbelievers may only be reached by those "lights" that light-up with them at the local bar. Christians have the bad habit of seeing something they can't relate to, and then proclaiming it as sin. We persecuted Nicolaus Copernicus because he declared that the Earth wasn't the center of our universe. We used to think coffee was evil. Today it's smoking, drinking, rap, cursing, and dancing. "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything!" Yet, we stand for the wrong reasons. Instead of making up rules, try standing for the poor, or the homeless; you know, the dirty, bearded guy that always irritates you and makes you feel uncomfortable as he asks for your hard-earned money that you know he'll just spend on cigarettes and alcohol. Jesus didn't say, "quit smoking and follow me." He wanted his followers to give up their lives and follow him. Rather, I'm sure Jesus said, "grab your cigs and let's go!" Believe it or not, Jesus drank. It's not factual or historical to say that the only reason they drank wine was because the water was bad (there were plenty of other options if that were the case). No, the wine wasn't diluted or non-alcoholic either. It was the real deal. And I'm sure, if it were available to him, he might have popped a cigarette in his mouth if the situation called for it...not in front of the disciples though so as not to offend them! Excess of certain things is sin. That's Biblical.

And no, this wasn't a justification of what I have done (well, on a technical level it was). I am merely providing an honest rational of why I'm giving up smoking. So pray for me that I'll stick to this. I'll live longer for it!

I'm Not Abandoning You Sweet Blogger

2010-02-17T01:31:00.004-06:00

Tonight I decided to try out another blog world called Tumblr. There are several friends of mine who use it, and I wanted to see what it was all about. However, the more and more I look into it, the more and more I feel that it is going to be useless or unnecessary unless I utilize the nice iPhone app that tumblr has available. Blogger (this blog's host) has definitely dropped the ball when it comes to the mobile world. So if you want to check out the look and feel of it, my blog's address is garrettmathis.tumblr.com.

Also, I added a Follower application to this blog (below the Books I'm Reading section) so that I can see how many are actually following it (if any), as opposed to how many begin to follow the tumblr blog. We'll see who wins. I'm cheering for this one, but tumblr seems to be becoming quite popular in search fields.

Response to a TC question

2010-02-04T12:27:00.006-06:00

This is in response to a dialogue that is underway between Scott and his dad:

I believe the correct response to "Who has time?" with regard to TC should rather be "We can't afford not to have time! How can we be honest and let these variants go unnoticed?" It means we must get there. Sure, this process might not see the "end" until generations after we have passed, but this certainly does not mean we should abandon the task. If the Scriptures are indeed God's Word to people, how can we ignore those texts that have been used by churches since the beginning of Christianity? If we accept the MT as being the end all underlying text that we should hold fast to, we must say that Christianity was simply out of luck for the first eight centuries of its inception. We know of no extant MT manuscripts before the 8th century. Yes, there are Byzantine evidences in 9 manuscripts before this date, but there are considerable differences in what you have in those 9 manuscripts, and what you have from the 8th century on. Was the Holy Spirit shooting blanks at those poor souls before that time? If only Augustine or Origin had the TR...then they would have had better theology.

With regard to the Holy Spirit's guidance with translation, were the translators of the NKJV, NAS, NASB, NIV, NLT, ESV, NET, or the TNIV no less convinced that they were dealing with the "word of God?" I suppose it was all for the money...except, as far as I can recall, they aren't paid much at all. Plus, we both know scholars who have worked on the NKJV, NASB, NIV, NLT, ESV, NET, and the TNIV and they don't seem like the "in it for the money" type, but that's a moot point...just as moot as saying that the KJV translators were, without question, pure at heart and had the godliest of intentions. Moving on.

KJV wording: To say that to take away the King James's frustrating syntax loses the intended "original punch" is to totally abandon the whole point of translation. Translations, in and of themselves, are still operations of fallible human beings. For the most part, they make do with the resources that are available. If we really believe that God left us with his "word" in a 400 year old (it's birthday is next year!) high-English translation, perhaps God needs to update the system. There were countless of translations before the KJV. Why did it stop? Did we reach translation perfection in a language we no longer speak? No, it was meant to be translated into the language of the people of today, or its target language. The real issue of the matter is the same as it was with the arrival of the KJV. People hate and fear change. When something comes along and competes with an already established system, people resort to hype and name calling. Consider these English translations: from Wyclif's Bible, to the Tyndale Bible, to the Geneva Bible, each of these translations met opposition from those who loved the previous translation. The same holds true to the King James Version. It was met with much contempt from card-carrying holders of the Geneva Bible. The underlying "conviction" that we see with present day KJV advocates is the blind acceptance of what is tradition and the intolerance of novelty.

Blessed TR: I believe what is lacking is the knowledge of how we actually got the so-called TR. It's not as if Desiderius simply worked on one text, and then it became the TR. Rather, he produced five editions. But this was not solely used by the KJV translators. Skipping over various important points, it was not until Theodore Beza (Calvin's successor, oh no!) published nine more editions, really utilizing Stephanus's fourth edition. Thus, the KJV translators relied mainly on Beza's editions. But wait, there's more! We don't have the TR yet! How can this be? A KJV before a TR, impossible! It wasn't until 1624 (13 years after the KJV's publication!) that a Greek text was published by the Elzevir brothers. This would eventually have a second edition (1633), where they then coined the term "textum receptum." What did this mean? It meant that they utilized the "standard text" of their day...nothing more special or God-derived than that. In other words, to see total purity in the arrival of the TR, or the KJV, regardless of good intentions, is logically fallible.

Textual Honesty: In my opinion, it seems much more honest to deal with the some 300,000 real variants than to deal with a published text that only utilized several extant Greek texts at that time, not one of them containing the whole New Testament, and none of them being earlier than the 12th century. Or considering the fact that Erasmus, God bless him, used conjectural emendation when the MSS he had were lacking (e.g., the last leaf of Revelation: Erasmus translated the Latin Vulgate back into Greek). This isn't rocket science. We are lucky that we have so many extant manuscripts and their bountiful variants because we have no need to simply guess at what the text says...thus the need for a critical edition with apparatus. To say that retrieving the original text of any ancient document is easy is ignorant. Luckily, like I've mentioned (alot), the New Testament has a wealth of manuscripts that we can utilize to try to piece this puzzle together. In a world where no two manuscripts agree, we shoot ourselves in the foot by being selective of a few very late witness. However, we aren't as blessed when it comes to the Hebrew Scriptures (anachronistically, the Old Testament). We only have a "hand-full" of Hebrew witness, and scholars have had to utilize much later texts than when the originals were actually written. This has also meant that alot of conjectural emendation has been used to put together that Masoretic text. If they don't have the Hebrew attestation for it, they have to go to the Septuagint (which isn't necessarily a bad thing because I believe that the real value of the Septuagint has been grossly underestimated). The point is: the work of restoring original wording is not easy or clean-cut. However, it is invaluable to anyone who wants to read the Bible...or what they think is the Bible.

To conclude, the importance of textual criticism cannot be overstated when it comes to our Biblical texts. If we ignore it, and settle with what we have, or what we've had, or what we're used to, we may be missing what God really said. To claim that God promised to always have his complete "word" with us is to misunderstand his sayings on promises and to ignore the reality of textual transmission (as well as perhaps 2 Kings 22:8, where the Book of the Law had apparently been lost...not to mention exilic or captured Hebrews no longer had the Scriptures). It gets silly, doesn't it?

Never too late for thanks

2009-12-27T08:21:00.005-06:00

Well, this year's Thanksgiving was great. For the first time in like 7 or 8 years, I was actually able to spend time back "home" with my family. Mom and dad were great. Whitney was able to see the whole Mathis clan in action, which was exciting/daunting. We'll see what happens after the Christmas Mathis get together. After this wild annual occurrence, no girlfriend lasts more than 3 to 4 months...and all parties attribute it to this event. We are a very unusual clan. I was also able to spend it with my future families, the Adkins's and the Finney's. We all chortled and chuckled and ate till nausea. All in all, it was really good.

Now, i find myself thinking of what I am really thankful for. I am also wondering what order I would place those things I am most thankful for. As I go down this list, I see that, from a "Christian" point of view, it doesn't exactly lay out in a pretty taxonomy. However, this is the way I feel at this current moment.

First, I am thankful for my fiance Whitney. She has seen me through many a hard day and many, many good ones. She is my life and without her I'm not sure what I'd do, be, or say. She encourages me, stays with me, puts me in my place, and teaches me many things. She has wisdom that is uncommon for her age, and I absorb it when I can. In my experience, love can be a terrible thing, but it can also be the greatest happiness. It can make you throw caution to the wind, become weak in the knees, and can destroy you without blinking an eye. It can also give you perspective, comfort you, and keep you from loneliness...if one is prone to loneliness and deep boredom as I am. Whitney is the air I breathe (literally, which is unfortunate right now because she is terribly sick and I've gotten it bad as well). Many who know me know that around this time I usually lose interest in my "love" affairs and begin looking for newer more "exciting" venues. However, on Christmas day, we celebrated our one year anniversary. As I think of her, I couldn't imagine going elsewhere. I love her just as I did when we first went out. I also know that I shall keep a commitment promised to her regardless of fleeting thoughts, or perhaps valleys of trouble that our relationship may go through. Thank you Whitney. You stay by my side, knowing the whole time that I can be dead wrong about things, that my logic isn't always helpful, and that my ADHD can be very troublesome to cut through.

Secondly, I am thankful for my friends. After I left Dallas, I never anticipated the yearning and emptiness that I would experience with not having them around. I moved to a place with a much younger clientele that didn't really appeal to me. I made some friends, but nothing solid and most of them through Whitney's prior relationship to them. I also realized that I probably would not be able to attain the depth of a friendship that I was able to make with those in Dallas. I miss these friends more than life itself. It is almost paralyzing to think that I will never be able to revisit these experiences again. I miss coming home and finding Scott on the porch and running to join him. I miss playing tennis with Tim for unhealthy amounts of time. I miss wrestling with Bailey as Jon makes me laugh until I'm sick. I miss jumping in the hot tub naked with John Lowery. I miss going to Ryan's house and playing spades with him and Amy. I miss lighting it up every Friday night with Diggy. I REALLY miss life in the dorm. Those who down it I pity. I could name a dozen or so fellow dorm mates that enriched my life in so many ways (e.g., Derek Newberry, Sweet Poppa, and Chris Hatton). I miss Saturday morning coffee. I miss my apartment roommates perhaps to the point that it makes me ill. I miss playing racquetball in a mad fury. I miss Friday night poker. Even many at TTU make me what to relive those odd days (e.g., George Lemonaikes, Danny Lancaster, Joshua Kempf, and Daniel Kempf). How I yearn that I could revisit all of these days in my dreams every night. They brought me unspeakable joy. Thank you friends. Thank you for giving me unbelievable memories. Thank those of you for keeping in touch with me. Your continued friendship is invaluable in every sense of that weighty word.

Third, I am thankful for my parents. We have never had a perfect relationship. We rarely see eye to eye. At times it seems that the best we can do is tolerate the other. It seems to them our ideals and beliefs are galaxies apart...even though I know this is not the case. However, my parents have never given up on me (in practice). They have been there for me through everything, since birth. I have put them through things that I wouldn't wish on an enemy, yet, they're there. They love me relentlessly, and I really don't know how to relate to that. They have enough going on in their own lives, and yet they make time for this big kid-of-a-26-year-old. Oddly enough, I have never experienced homesickness. Never. Perhaps it is because of being an only child and an incredibly independent/stubborn/arrogant/pain in the butt. However, I do know this: I would be lost without them. They mean more to me today than they ever have. Thank you mom and dad, for being there. For not giving up on me. For not turning your backs on me when I've strayed so far from what you would have wanted for my life. For treating Whitney like one of your own. I love you two. We may not know how to relate to each other very well, but I am so very thankful for you. Thank you. Thank you very very much.

Fourth, I am thankful for Jesus. I really don't have much to say on this, which I know sounds badly. I have run so far from you. I forget you. Your kingdom isn't even a blip on my radar. I know your theology. I know your Scriptures. I know what you did (2,000 summers ago...attempt at solemn humor). As you have witnessed, I really don't care. However, you have yet to give me peace. Not one day passes that I do not feel a terrible unrest. I feel unsettled; uneasy. I fear death. I fear damnation. I question and highly doubt my Christianity just about every day. So I run. Fast. I get involved with anything that will make me stop thinking about you and this dread. Maybe a book. Maybe failblog. Perhaps a movie. Perhaps a beer and a smoke. So thank you, Jesus, for making my life miserable. I know why you do it, and I'm thankful. You are drawing me back. You haven't forgotten me, though I may feel you have. You are in hot pursuit of me. I run, but I'm sure you're faster. Thank you Jesus, for loving an asshole like me.

There are other things for which I am quite thankful (e.g., having professors that haven't forgotten about me and that give me life experiences that many only dream of, being able to find odd job after odd job in order to stay afloat, and for not dying yet). Yet, I just wanted to lay out four biggies in my life. Thank you four biggies.

It takes a real man...

2009-12-06T21:43:00.004-06:00

It takes a real "man" to know when he (or she) has bitten off more than what is intelligently or pragmatically chewable. After completely writing out the fourth chapter of the Mounce Greek lesson on here, I came to the realization that I just don't want to regurgitate a book on here. It is WAYYYYY too time consuming, monotonous, and daunting (just imagining having to type out all 315 Greek vocabulary words alone with all of the accents is scary enough). So I admit it. I can't/won't do this. If you want to learn Greek, just buy the book! I understand that no one who reads my blog will benefit from these lessons besides me, and there are easier ways to relearn Greek. I apologize for quitting, but someone has to do it. Instead, I have decided to do Gary Pratico's Hebrew Grammar on here instead...

Unneglect

2009-11-20T22:11:00.002-06:00

Do not fret all of you (yes you, the one or two or ten thousand that read my blog) who have been chomping at the bit for chapter 4 to show up. I have not lost steam or interest. I have been helping Whitney's mom move into her new house as well as gutting my new house. As soon as I have more than 3 minutes to spend on the computer I will start plopping more Greek studies down. I really do hope that this is helpful. Even just perusing what I'm writing about Greek will at least provide a quick refresher. Yet if in the end I'm the only person who gave %&*# (poop) about these Greek lessons, I will have more senses helping me relearn it (seeing, typing, and smelling the book just 'cause). I'll be back SOON.

Chapter 3: The Alphabet and Pronunciation

2009-11-16T15:34:00.003-06:00

The Greek alphabet has 24 letters.

α Α
β Β
γ Γ
δ Δ
ε Ε
ζ Ζ
η Η
θ Θ
ι Ι
κ Κ
λ Λ
μ Μ
ν Ν
ξ Ξ
ο Ο
π Π
ρ Ρ
σ Σ (ς is used when the word ends with a sigma)
τ Τ
υ Υ
φ Φ
χ Χ
ψ Ψ
ω Ω

Vowels: α, ε, η, ι, ο, υ, ω

Gamma Nasal: when the gamma is followed by γ, κ, χ, or ξ, it is pronounced as an "n." γγ is the most common.

Breathing Marks:
-Rough Breathing: ῾ is placed over the first vowel and adds an "h" sound.
-Smooth Breathing: ᾽ is placed over the first vowel and is not pronounced.

Diphthongs: (not Greek lingerie) - these vowels produce one sound.
αι (aisle)
ει (eight)
οι (oil)
αυ (sauerkraut)
ου (soup)
υι (suite)
ευ, ηυ (feud)
(υι, ηυ) these two are less common

Improper Diphthong: (not indecent Greek lingerie)
-this is made up of a vowel and an iota subscript (a small iota written under the vowels α, η, and ω. This doesn't affect pronunciation, but it is essential for translation obviously.
ᾳ , ῃ , ῳ

If the word begins with a diphthong, the breathing mark is placed over the second vowel of the diphthong. If the word begins with two vowels that do not form a diphthong, the breathing mark precedes the first vowel.

In some words, two vowels that normally form a diphthong are pronounced separately. At this point, a diaeresis (a horizontal colon...nonanatomical: ¨) is placed over the second vowel.

Chapter 2: Learning Greek

2009-11-16T15:30:00.003-06:00

Goal: to better understand and communicate God's Word.

Greek is important. Paul used it, the best commentaries use it..."if it's good 'nough for them there two, it's good 'nough." It's worth the effort. If you don't think knowing Greek is essential, you'll probably not make it through the course.

It takes effort, memorization, and discipline...so most Americans will probably fail at this task. Good luck readers.

Chapter 1: The Greek Language cont'd

2009-11-16T15:15:00.002-06:00

(perhaps the previous post was not as "exhaustive" as it could have been)

Greek language: 13th century B.C. - today

"Linear B" - earliest form

Classical Greek - 8th century B.C. (Homer) - 4th century B.C. (Plato)
-Classical Greek existed in many dialects, of which these 3 were primary: Doric, Aeolic, and Ionic
-Attic was a branch of the Ionic

Enter Alexander. His daddio, King Philip of Macedonia, conquered Athens in the fourth century B.C. Aristotle, Greek philosopher, tutored Alexander (pretty cool). Alexander becomes "Great" and conquers the known world and desired to spread Greek culture and language. Alexander spoke Attic. Thus begins the Hellenistic Age.

As Greek spread, it was adapted and altered by the different languages. Thus, Koine, the language of the New Testament, the LXX, and the Apostolic Fathers, was the common (koine) language of the day. It was not and is not Holy Ghost language. Everybody be speakin it.

So, the New Testament and the Gospel came at a time when the "whole world" could understand it.

Chapter 1: The Greek Language

2009-11-16T15:14:00.000-06:00

Greek is old.

Studies in New Testament Greek

2009-11-16T14:56:00.003-06:00

So, it has come to my attention that some former Greek students, and students of the New Testament, (me in particular) have a glazing sensation in the eyes when they are attempting to read the New Testament. Well, after chats with JD and Timmy J about how to reapproach this scary task of relearning this deadly dead language, I have decided to go back to the basics...back to "the basics of liiiiiiffeeee." And also back to the Basics of Biblical Greek by Bill Mounce. So, with that said, I will be going back over EVERY chapter of this grammar and posting the "need to know" items on here. I suggest you follow along (since most of my readers have at one point studied Greek and potentially have forgotten alot like lil ol' me). This means that much of what I will post will already be known by the reader, but it will in the very least be helpful to recap.

Scott Grace

2009-11-15T11:40:00.014-06:00

Well, this past Tuesday I made the trek to Rochester, NY to see my brother Scooty. I figured either I was going to have to do it, or it wouldn't happen at all. He said he would come visit me in Buckhannon, WV in the summer...then in September...maybe October...probably November...perhaps Thanksgiving? Of course, none of those would happen. Scoot has apparently been the busiest man on the planet. And yes, after being there and hearing from his sister, I can attest to his busy-ness. Since the beginning of the school year, he has left for work at around 7 or 7:30 in the morning, and wouldn't return home until 9 or 9:30 at night. He teaches psychology and accounting, and has been the varsity soccer coach up until 3 weeks ago. He's been busy. Like most teachers in high school, he is having to learn or relearn what he will teach his students the day before...unless you've been teaching for 30 or so years. So when I found out that soccer had ended, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity. And I did!

When I arrived at his place, it was 11:30PM. I had gotten lost in gloomy Pittsburgh, as I always do, because I had to get a battery swapped out for my Macbook. There were no lights on at the place, and I wasn't sure it was the right place, except that his iconic red Oldsmobile Alero was in the drive way, and of course, the peach scented car freshener, which he has had for four or so years, was hanging from his rear view mirror. When I called, he was actually asleep. Unbeknownst to me, grandpa Scoot goes to bed quite early since he's been teaching. When he woke up, after much grogginess and kissing and hugging and necking, we walked two or so miles around his neighborhood just talking. Then we went to bed. Once again, he wouldn't let me sleep in his bed with him...which has always bugged me! The next morning we went to Bruegger's (a Rochester original...of course, everything we did was Rochestery) for a bagel and coffee. We then went to his school so he could prepare for the next day's lesson. He is referred to as "Coach" and "Coach Grace," which I thought was pretty cool. When he had finished, we visited Steve T's Hots and Potatoes and ate "garbage plates," and then went downtown.

Downtown Rochester, and Rochester in general, is really great in my opinion. It is not "Rottenchester," as Scooty so affectionately calls it. Kodak, and basically photography, started here...and clearly fell here with the digital age. We grabbed some coffee from The Spot, an enormous and quite eclectic coffee dive (if coffee and dive can be used together).
We then walked a block down to a used bookstore that I had spotted. This place was great. Scoot snagged a great copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird," and I grabbed several books, one notable was C. G. Jung Letters 1906-1950, for $40 and it is selling for $160 something on Amazon and Half.com. We eventually wound up on the pier where the Genesee River runs into/out of Lake Ontario. He then took me to the house where he grew up, which was right beside Cranberry Pond where he used to play hockey when it would freeze over when he was younger. That night, upon my request, we went to Rohrbach Brewing company where I officially had the best vanilla porter of my life. So splendid. I also got my waitress to give me a mug! Being quite the gentleman, Scoot refrained from drinking because of his job (more for me!) .Then we went home, talked in the back yard like the good ol' Dallas apartment days, and returned to the History channel inside. I think it was about the KKK and skin heads.

The next day he had school, and I went to Bill Gray's and ate so much that I got sick. I had three bowls of Abbott's custard, and almost died. It is the best custard/yogurt ice cream in the world. That night we went to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and had a great time. I got a mug from my waitress there too! We contemplated going into the abandoned underground subway, but got scared and thought otherwise. That night we retired to the backyard chats and then to the History channel...Mayan predictions of 2012. The following day, I considered leaving but decided against it because Whitney would be at work that night and the next morning anyway. So I went to an Indian buffet with Scott's sister Stephanie and her boyfriend Eric, and ate till I was sick again. When Scoot was off work, we went to Borders because I had buyers remorse from earlier that day and got something else: the Dharma Bums by Kerouac. That night we went to his parent's place and had pizza. It was enjoyable. I bit my lip when I saw Boettner's "Reformed Doctrine of Predestination" and C. Gordon Olson's book on Calvinism (with a forward by Tim Layahe...I wonder what bent it has?). Then back to the backyard, and then to the History channel...Gangland (I think at least, I may be getting my History channel days confused). Of course, he continued his torture of the cat Buddy , by constantly putting the whole cat's head in his mouth , by kicking/sliding him across the floor, and by putting him in a plastic bag and swinging him around . I guess the cat had it coming. Buddy smelled like he wore a coat of poop. The following morning, we went back to Bruegger's and said our goodbyes. It was very very sad, at least for me. I had missed Scoot something awful, and it was so great to be with him again. Hopefully our paths will pass soon again.

Books I've Been Reading

2009-11-03T19:29:00.004-06:00

Well, what began last year as a result of looking at Tim's library certainly picked up this year. At some point last year it was brought to my attention that I was terribly under-read when it came to classic works of fiction. It's certainly true. Having come from an incredibly sheltered high school, and aside from The Scarlett Letter, Great Expectations, and Tale of Two Cities, I can't remember reading any other great works of literature. Now sure, I've read biblical and extra biblical material out the wazoo. Nonfictional works in grammar and history I am quite familiar with, but with fictional literature, I'm a dud. It was at that saddening moment that I decided I needed to culture myself in great works that most kids read in high school. I believe I began with Animal Farm last year (sad, isn't it, that I hadn't even read Animal Farm?).

So, after reading...oh yeah! I had read all seven books of Harry Potter, and in my opinion they were excellent. Beyond excellent, and I'm not sure I've read anything better since. And I guess I had read/listened to all of the books in Chronicles of Narnia. Oh yes, beginning this year, I unashamedly read all of the books in the Twilight series (no, I'm not calling these classics. I just wanted to be "up to date" with what was popular literature at the time...and my secret romance with vampires and werewolves). Sorry, back on track now. The few books of literature that most would consider classics that I dived into this year, if you haven't noticed in the column to the right of this post, have been really great to get into. I started with On the Road, which I slowly read over six months worth of time. It's awesome. Whitney got me into him. Whitney, by the way, made me feel the most pathetic of all. In her library she had at least a hundred classics, whereas my library contained thousands of grammars, Theological, and Christian works. It was hard pressed to find anything outside of a doctrinal book, aside a C.S. Lewis here and there, and even then, that was still under the "Christian" category. From there, I went on to read Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird. Can you believe I hadn't read those two classics until now? Am I just retarded or what?!? To Kill a Mockingbird is simply unbelievably greatly greatestering (yes, I made that up because I did. It's pronounced: Gray-test-ter-ring. It means super duper). I also read a "kids" book called "The Hunger Games," which got really great reviews and is quite good actually. Right now, I am in the process of reading East of Eden which has been superb. This book is huge, as at least Scott, Ryan, and Whitney know by now, and is worth every bit. Of course, being a creature of habit, I'm also reading German: How to Speak and Write It, and diving into Hammer's German Grammar and Usage.

I'm really glad that I got to these books eventually. My evolution as a book reader was as follows: 1) Very young: read everything; 2) Middle School: read nothing; 3) High School: the Bible is the only book worth reading; 4) College: the Bible and nonfictional works (about the Bible) are the only books worth reading; 5) Seminary: I don't have time to read shit!; 6) Post-Seminary: Read everything I can get my hands on, starting with the classics. Yes, I would have missed out on so much. Next on the docket after East of Eden (if there is an after, and if I can actually finish it's gargantuanicity...another new word!), will be The Catcher in the Rye, Life of Pi, Atlas Shrugged, Middlesex, Slaughterhouse-Five, A Farewell to Arms (finish), In Cold Blood, and finish The Lovely Bones (which is actually really good). I've started most of these, but of course, I'll have to reread them because my ADHD hates when I stick with something for more than five minutes, and because my memory sucks. So, if anyone would like to read any of these books with me, I'd enjoy the company and we could discuss them (if we wanted to; or at least have the comfort and satisfaction that someone else is in the same battle as we are. Accountability book partners!). Let me know!

duration...

2009-11-03T17:06:00.004-06:00

Well, it's been a very long time since I've last written on this blog, or frequented any blog for that matter. I suppose Whitney and Twitter have something to do with that. So I suppose I should update everyone (just humor me, I know those of you who actually read my posts follow me on Twitter). I have decided to start writing again. Not just on this blog (which I will be using to get my creative juices flowing), but I have begun on two children's books that I will be coauthoring with John Lowery. Then from there, I have a couple of story ideas I'd like to entertain. For as long as I know, I have wanted to write; to be an author, and have been eagerly encouraged to do so by others (thanks mom and dad...and a few others of course). In my opinion, now's the time. So, to begin my journey back into the blogasphere (spelling will be wrong, I assure you), I will be sharing what has become of me.

As you know, last December I entered into a relationship with Whitney Adkins. This was a girl I had previously met two years ago at an American Eagle in Huntington, WV. I was with my mother at the time, as I had just returned from Albania. Shortly after we had entered the store, I laid eyes on the most gorgeous girl I had ever seen. She was across the store, but we eventually made eye contact and she smiled at me (which she later confessed was simply a courtesy grin). Well, I was smitten. As we left the store, I was completely uneasy. Something wasn't right. I turned to my mother and told her that I had to take care of something, and that I'd meet her in the food court (I believe). I hastily reentered the store, and found the gorgeous girl restocking the jeans in the men's section...breathtaking (note the dramatics, just for splendid effect). Well, I approached her and nervously jumped right to the point. I told her that she was beyond beautiful, and that I'd like to take her out, even if it was just for coffee or lunch. She was breathtaking. Of course, she kindly told me that I was very sweet, but then said absolutely not (or something short of that in my opinion). She was going off to college (and I later found out that she had a boyfriend). However, she did suggest that I look her up on Facebook and that we could keep in touch through that digital avenue. Fast forward to 2008. Now this is where I'm going to really condense the story so as to not let the reader lose too much interest. I was on Facebook, and saw that a Whitney Adkins was online, and I didn't think I knew anyone by that name. So I clicked on her page, and wall-a, it was the girl from American Eagle. So I wrote her and told her that I'd be coming into Huntington soon, and that we should get together. On and off we talked, whether by text or by Facebook. Eventually, we had our first date at Woody's in Huntington (an establishment that is now closed however), as we awkwardly ate our hot, messy mushrooms without utensils. Then off to Starbucks, which solidified our preexisting passion for coffee. Previously she had told me that she'd probably only have a couple of days free to go out. Well, that turned into two weeks of nonstop togetherness...she even spent Christmas day with me and my family! So back to Dallas I went to discuss plans to go to Greece, and back to college she went.

A month later I returned to West Virginia, this time to Buckhannon, WV to spend two weeks with her. One week in a girl's dorm (woohoo!), and the next at the Baxa Hotel; which, by the way, is the worst hotel/motel in the world...at least in regards to the owner, who actually got into a shouting match with me saying that I was flooding my bathroom and that it was damaging his "antique luggage" directly below my room. During this weird period, I applied for job after job on Craiglist, and eventually got a bite as an upper-level math teacher for Sylvan Learning. I interviewed, and the man thought that I would be a good choice to teach everything from basic Algebra to Trigonometry and Calculus...despite my lack of study and/or training in each. This teaches us another lesson: Sylvan Learning sucks. If you send your money and your kids there, you lose. The teachers do most everything on the fly, and half of them know very little about the subject they teach. I was perhaps the highest paid teacher there, and had less experience than the other teachers. I also was assigned to teach Reading, Writing, and Science. What were my degrees in again? Anyways, lousy company. After I had returned from Greece, I had decided that a long distance relationship just would not do. I needed to be with Whitney. So I concluded that the best solution would be to move to where she was and put off working on my Ph.D. I assumed that Cambridge would still be around when she had finished. So I moved to Buckhannon, WV. I had found an apartment, and an amazing landlord. Mike, you will never be forgotten.

So, Whitney was/is a fulltime student at WV Wesleyan and a barista at the local coffee shop: the Daily Grind. As Whitney's birthday was rolling around in May, I noticed that I had the weekend off. So I took her to New York City and proposed to her on her birthday. We spent the weekend in NYC, and stayed with a former coworker of mine from Apple (working now at the SoHo store). Life was great. I eventually quit Sylvan, thank goodness, and became a bartender/server and the Eighty-Eight Restaurant and Lounge (apparently a pretty big to-do in West Virginia, as people come from as far as California to eat there). Once again, I was out of my league. I had never had food experience in my life, aside from successfully making great pancakes for Scott and John one evening. Well, it served its purpose for a time. Whitney and I also work at the bookstore directly below my apartment, which was immensely fun. I even got certified to substitute teach. For $100, I can now teach what I couldn't teach with my $60,000 plus Masters: pre-k. Life couldn't get much better.

Well, in some ways I guess it could. I had left most of my friends in Dallas. I had comforted myself by thinking that Scott was moving back to Rochester, Tim was getting married, Kelly was doing who knows what, and those were just my roommates. I also comforted myself with the knowledge that my exgirlfriend had becoming nothing short of an atom bomb in many of my most dear relationships in Dallas. Her terrible influence and "friendship" had spread aggresively and more all-consuming than kudzu. It was good to flee Dallas in that regard. However, my friends were greatly greatly missed. Enter Twitter. This application that I had scoffed at since it came around has been a life/friend saver. I can keep up with many of my Dallas friends and it is, as Tim says, "like a party that never stops." On top of Twitter, I keep in touch by other digital means. First, it began with Gears of War 2 with John Lowery. There are few days that pass that we aren't killing people and Horde together. This is invaluable to me. When John sold his XBox 360 two weeks ago, I was crushed and thought I had lost an amazing outlet for us to communicate. He felt this grievance of mine, and purchased another within the following two weeks, and we are happily at it again. Tim Ricchuiti and I play chess like there's no tomorrow. He is vastly superior to me, and when I think I've got him trapped, he's only lured me in for a trap and kill of his own. We also play Scrabble, but he beats me so badly at it that I don't bother playing that often. Jon Lemming and I talk on the phone around once every two weeks. We laugh, and then we're off for the next couple of weeks. Scott Grace and I toy with seeing each other, but he usually drops the ball or it just doesn't work out. Ryan Smith and I email/text back and forth about harddrive prices and all things Mac. That's about the extend of my non-Twitter interactions with friends. It's sufficed.

The most recent update is that Whitney and I are going to be moving back to Huntington. She is going to finish up her college career at Marshall in Business, and I'm going to substitute teach and work on an education Masters (so that I can actually teach full-time)...at least until Tim convinces me to uproot and get my Ph.D. when our rendezvous in West Virginia is over.

And so there you have it. This has been, believe it or not, a rather condensed summary of my year so far. Hopefully, I will stand true to my word about blogging more often. I hope you enjoyed this update, and if not, I hope you got a good nap from it. Adios.

2009 Resolutions

2009-01-07T17:50:00.004-06:00

I figured that I'd actually make resolutions this year...at least ones that I plan on keeping. It's also a short, but heavy list. If it were any longer, you could just forget about it.

1) Breathe Jesus-I do not want anything to come before Christ this year, regardless of importance. He must be the center.
2) Live simply-I want to quit being so materialistic. I love toys and things, and I'm tired of it. I don't need everything I want.
3) Love passionately-I want to love Jesus, my girlfriend, my parents, and my closest friends with all of my being and without reserve.
4) Relearn all I've forgotten-Too much to talk about...some of which I've forgotten what I've forgotten.
5) LGN-I want to begin the LGN diet/workout...the Look Good Naked workout.
6) Become a mathematician-Only paralleled by Einstein.

I think that should do it. We'll see what happens!

This guy's resolution is to wear clean underwear:

Twilight Again...

2009-01-07T17:26:00.005-06:00

I am so angry. These stupid books have made me more furious than any other, especially the last two, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. It's also going to be difficult giving away any spoilers in this post. To begin, the first book, Twilight, presents very much a great love story. The second book, New Moon, is decent and still enjoyable. It just goes downhill from there. The story remains interesting, but I hate what happens. Bella has become to me the biggest whore and bitch I've ever read about. I hope no one takes her side or sympathizes with her decisions...she doesn't deserve anyone. I wish Edward would have killed her in the beginning. And Jacob...let's just say that this guy is the biggest douche bag you could ever imagine. You'll never find a bigger asshole or whine-bag in your whole life. It's terrible seeing him in the 3rd person in Eclipse, but even more unbearable seeing things through his eyes in Breaking Dawn...and most painful listening to the guy read it in the audio book. Jacob is a moody guy without equal. If I ever saw him, I'd kill him for sure. Edward shows more patience with Bella and Jacob than any guy would be able to handle...and he's a fool for it. Anyways, just my thoughts on the matter.

2008 in Review

2009-01-07T16:03:00.007-06:00

Inspired by my roommate Scott's blog, I'll also post my own "highlights" of the year A.D. 2008.

Turned 25 and actually began my quarter-life crisis.
Had my thesis rejected by one of my graders.
Somehow passed Elliot Johnson's class...a miracle, no doubt.
Graduated from my Masters program, Dallas Theological Cemetary (an old fundie joke).
Walked in May, but didn't get the diploma until August (was late in submission).
Promoted to Full Time Specialist at Apple.
Broke up with my girlfriend, Raelen, of 7 or 8 months.
Lost many of my Dallas friends because of the breakup and from gross misunderstandings of why the breakup happened.
Almost killed my roommate for dating my ex.
Felt completely alone.
Almost moved to Greece.
Went to a Marines recruiter.
Applied for the Highland Park Police force...and made it to the last level of the process.
Experienced depression and severe boredom.
Went a little wild this summer.
Picked up some bad habits...but kept only one.
Finished the Harry Potter series...and was blown away.
Bought a Fender Telecaster and Vox AC-30 amp...returned both.
Bought an HD-DVD player with multiple videos for it...returned it all.
Bought a hunting bow and equipment...returned it all.
Bought a Canon 40D with a 50mm lense...kept it.
Bought a 42" Panasonic Plasma TV...kept it.
Didn't vote.
Began learning humility.
Started going to church when I could.
Gained back my lost friends...finally got the chance the share the whole/accurate story.
Quit Apple.
Lost and gained money with gambling...No-limit Texas Holdem and cash games are some of my weaknesses.
Shared in an accountability group with Tim, Scott, and Diggy Dog.
Joined a bi-weekly Theology Reading group...and loved it.
Was diagnosed with ADHD, and could start taking adderal...legally this time!
As a result, finally understood why I could never get anything done, why I was impulsive (especially with buying stuff), and why I loved kicks!
Went snowboarding both in the Spring and during Christmas (at Snowshoe and Winterplace...both sucked this year).
Spent Christmas with my parents
Got a girlfriend for Christmas. Thank you Whitney.
Fell in love.
Almost didn't come back to Dallas.

In summary, 2008 was the hardest year of my life...much of which I failed to mention in the list. Basically, I stopped loving Jesus. Then, he captured me in the Fall and took his rightful place as my center of thinking, believing, and living. I have high hopes for 2009! ;)

Confessions, Part 1

2008-12-23T10:23:00.008-06:00

They say, "confession is good for the soul." Augustine said it, and now I'm going to (not saying I am anywhere near the same league as him, or that my confessions will be of the same caliber or nature). So this begins my posting of confessions. This may turn into a never ending series of shameless (some even shameful) admissions. So here goes.

Confession 1

Nickelback. To many, the name brings a cringe, a hardy chuckle, or a roll of the eyes. Most everyone, at least those I know who claim to have a good palette for music (my dad withstanding), would say that Nickelback sucks. No question to it. They don't have one creative note in their whole musical repertoire. Every song sounds the same. Every verse is the same length of time, and every chorus arrives and ends right on cue. Totally predictable. When I talked to John Lowery, whom I consider a valid source for an educated opinion since he is a very skilled guitarist/musician, he said that Nickelback was basically "crap." Their style follows in the same line as Creed's, and their music is simply canned and packaged to satisfy the simple delights of most pop culture. Yet, does putting out music that people like disqualify them as being good musicians?...for doing what they do best: pop rock? Just listen to some of their lyrics. Try "Animals" for instance. Yes, it is perverted, but it's catchy and quite witty...which totally redeems it! ;) Charlie Davis, my best friend in junior high, the guy who convinced me to pick up the guitar and an accomplished guitarist in his own right: guitar tutor at Marshall (full ride as well), lead singer of The Love Coats (who have played with Blues Traveler), once said that people don't care if you can fly up and down the fretboard, or play the most complex songs. They like simple songs, often in G, C, and D. I was told this when I went over to his house a couple of years back and was trying to impress him with how far I had stretched my guitar playing. Then he proceeded to blow me away with the simplest of songs that sounded incredible. The point is: who cares how complex the song is? What matters is if the song sounds good to you and others. (N.B., I am in no way saying that Charlie would endorse Nickelback, and in fact would probably dislike them...actually, he's even a member of the Facebook group, "I bet I can find 69,000 People who Hate Nickelback," so there you go). I admit, it's fun to hate Nickelback. I have since the beginning...until I actually gave them a chance a week ago. I did so in the process of actually making fun of dad for liking such a prepackaged band. But they're actually not. They wanted to be a band growing up just like everyone else did...they just actually talk about it in their songs (which maybe a mistake I guess). They weren't put together by some producer like Matchbox 20. Why take this from them? Have they not earned it?

So I confess, I like Nickelback. Not all of their songs, but many of them I thoroughly enjoy. Yes, there are many reasons to make fun of them...but I think that many of their songs are worthwhile. I do think this Facebook's slogan is quite amusing though: "WWJD? Hate Nickelback..." Listen, you don't have to like the band to appreciate some of their catchy songs. So stop throwing rocks at them!

Twilight Saga

2008-12-22T20:36:00.005-06:00

Don't get me wrong, I like the series. I just finished book 2, New Moon, and am excited about the next one. I suppose I've turned in my "man card" and have joined the millions of teenage girls and moms in the obsession. So be it. I think it's an intriguing concept. I'm a sucker for any type of book that provides a window into a person's way of thinking. Just that will hold my attention...and I love vampires and werewolves (sorry Anne Rice, I'm not giving them up). With the Twilight books, it's really this girl Bella's thoughts...though they're mostly of how beautiful Edward is. The movie, to be honest, was immensely lackluster. The best looking person by far was Alice, Edward's sister. In my opinion, she emulates the beauty in which she is described in the book most accurately. I probably would have been a better candidate for Edward, but that's politics for you. Robert Pattinson also had Harry Potter movies under his belt, so I guess that helped.

This video provides just a glimpse of how people (girls, and me) have honestly lost control over the books, and especially over the actors. It's really rather...uncanny? Take a look at this.

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Burning the Ships

2008-11-28T11:40:00.009-06:00

Legend has it that in 1519, Hernando Cortés, along with 500 Spaniards, 300 natives, around a dozen horses, and several canons, set out to conquer the Aztecs and more importantly, take their treasures. Upon reaching the shore, those who had travelled with Cortés looked back to see that their ships were ablaze. Cortés had ordered the ships to be burned so that there would be no retreat for his men. They were going all in. He told them, "we have only one option: victory." They were burning all bridges. They had no choice but success, or it would cost them their very lives. Since then, the phrase "burning the ships" has been used as a symbol of unshakeable resolution. No looking back. Of course, fuddy dud "historians" have come along and have tried to present what "actually" happened, contrary to what has normally been accepted. They say that he had nine of the ships sail around to another breaching point on the beach so as to "surround" the Aztec Empire and/or have a way out. No one is really sure what happened to the other three ships. Some say they may have been burned, but others attribute the "burning" to a derivation of sloppy handwriting (i.e., the "burning" could actually been "breaking," depending on which Spanish word was used). At any rate, once again historians are taking the fun and flavor out of "true" history, similar to the doubts they disseminate with regards to real historical figures like William Shakespeare and Santa Clause. I mean, come on, there's no way many dads out their could fit down their chimneys. At my first house we didn't even have a chimney, and yet, I still received presents at Christmas! Please, people, let's be reasonable.

Anyways, the point of Cortés's story is that I have officially left Apple...as of December 8 (I know, this is a bit overdue. I started this post on the 28th of November; hence the reason it's been given that date). There were many reasons for leaving, but a few forced my hand. Most importantly, I believe that I was losing track of what I believe God wants for me. I had become quite comfortable with my job, and could have perhaps never really followed my occupational dreams/aspirations as a result of convenience. Also, at this point in my life, I need some stability. A little consistency if you will. I want to know, that no matter what happens, there is one day I can count on to be off. In my case, I yearn for Sundays. I miss knowing that I'll always be able to attend the believing communities' gathering that morning. In that same vein, I'm tired of having out of control schedules. I often wouldn't know what my schedule was until a little before that week, making plans impossible. I also had to have open availability being full time. I could work anywhere from 7:45am-4:45pm, 11:15am-8:15pm, or my personal favorite (not) 1:00pm-10:00pm. In other words, only one of my options would give me any real time during the day, and those days were few and far between. You may say, "Garrett, that's just retail. Suck it up!" I agree in part, but I would have liked at least a little bit of control over my schedule, considering 1) I was 1 of 3 full-timers out of over 130 specialists, and 2) I was solutions leader for 9 months in a row. I say this, not to toot my own horn (well, maybe a little), but I at least thought Apple would meet me somewhere in the middle. Oh well. No love from Steve Jobs. Why do you think Apple's stock (AAPL) has plummeted like it has? Correct answer: My anticipated departure. Wrong answers: Declining economy, or Steve Jobs's supposed failing health. The last reason I will give is that my quitting enabled me to spend Christmas with my parents. Apple was only letting me have 2 days to spend with them...thanks. I'm currently thoroughly enjoying my time in West Virginia with mum and dad. I will, however, miss the friendships that I made at Apple...although some I will continue to enjoy when I return to Dallas.

So what's the future look like? Well, I've decided to retire. I plan on living with my parents for the rest of my life, or I guess the rest of their lives. False. I'm not sure if any of us would be able to handle that. In actuality, I have decided to go on with my original plans of being a professional student. So hopefully next fall I'll be working on my Ph.D. Hopefully I'll be able to afford it; meaning, the school better pay for it, or it's going to be rough treading! I am excited and anxious about this next endeavor. We'll see what happens, and what God has in mind I suppose.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T21:30:00.005-06:00

Thanksgiving is such a good time of the year. It's a time when families can get together and pretty much engorge themselves with as much food as possible. Some watch the parades, but I usually find myself watching the "Rocky" movies which seem to always find their place on the Thanksgiving Day TV lineup. This time of year can also be mingled with feelings of loneliness and loss. Many deeply miss spending this time with loved ones who have passed away. For my family, it was Granny and Papaw. Every year at this time we would travel up to their house in Lavalette, WV a little before noon in preparation for Granny's breathtaking home-cooked meals. Yes, she would fix the traditional meal (i.e., turkey, stuffing, gravy, that cranberry jelly stuff), but she would also through in other items from the garden that gave it an even more authentic feel. Perhaps my most favorite thing was the dessert. We would always have pumpkin, cherry, and pineapple pies, but I think I miss her raspberry and blackberry cobblers the most. Granny's cooking was without a doubt the ninth wonder of the world. So delicious. Actually, I think the only thing on the table that wasn't raised in their garden was the big bowl of Ramen noodles that she always made for me because she knew I loved the way she fixed it. We would stuff our faces until we were either sick or close to comatose as a result of all the tryptophan flowing through the blood stream.

Well, as a result of being away at school since 2002, I've only been able to eat with my family on two occasions: my last year of college and my second year of seminary, the last Thanksgiving we would share with Granny. This can be quite depressing. Yet, I have never been without some other family to share the time together with (except perhaps being with the soccer team during college). For instance, during one year of my seminary career, Mark Matthews (a fellow student of both my college and seminary) and his family had me over to share the experience with them. This year was no different. Jon and Katie Lemming, along with their parents who made the trek to Dallas, invited me into their home. Katie and Mary prepared an absolutely splendid meal. It is so good to have those who love you and care for you, those who aren't even of blood relation. For this, I am most thankful.

Many do without on a regular basis, and I thank God for the undeserved grace that he gives me.

The World Of Men

2008-11-16T23:44:00.009-06:00

On June 4, 2008, I received a text from Diggy Dog (formerly known as Chris Katulka) saying, "Karen and i are engaged!" In other words, he was leaving the world of men for the woman of his dreams. He was leaving the doldrums of singularity. He was moving on from living in a little dilapidated dorm called Lincoln Hall, which we all called home and cherished. He was setting aside Friday nights in the cool evening air enjoying Cubans outside of City Cigars. He was surrendering his all-star role of drummer extraordinaire at Northwest Bible Church. He was all out running from living in an apartment where he and three other chaps shared one room. He had finally found his greener grass in his 26 year journey of life. So, as his friends, we had to bid him an appropriate farewell. Thus, two nights ago, Scott, his best man, put together a little "going away" party...or as most call it, a bachelor party. Twelve of Dig's close comrades showed up to celebrate and mourn the loss of a dear friend. After the debauchery had settled and the male and female strippers went home and we were too inebriated to do anything else,* we presented him with an iPhone 3G that Scott had picked up earlier that day. We all had pitched in to get him the one thing that perhaps rivaled his complete adoration of Karen. Dig had not stopped talking about wanting that darn phone since it first came out. Needless to say, he was tickled pink.

All in all, we rejoice in his happiness. Several of us will be making the trek over to Pensacola, Florida in a week to bid our final respects and wishes as he and Karen exchange vows. Chris, may God keep his warm love over you both as you make this transition. May he give you grace to shower Karen with love as Jesus did for his church. May he give you the perseverance to make it through this coming week! We love you.

*Just kidding about the debaucheries.

Giving Up On Life

2008-11-13T23:20:00.010-06:00

As of this morning, I have officially decided that Life sucks. I'm tired of the let downs. Every day when I wake up, I get excited for the prospect of a new and better experience with Life. Yet, within minutes, my hopes and expectations come tumbling down. Something with so much promise, but so little payoff. We are encouraged to "look at life in a new way," "make the most of rainy days," and "reach new heights."* Well, I simply cannot go on with it. Every time I pour the delicious 2% milk on top of that cereal, I have around 20 seconds to consume the whole bowl or it basically turns into oatmeal...in this instance, "Mapel & Brown Sugar" oatmeal. There really aren't many redeemable qualities to it. Sure, it tastes good during the first couple of bites, but by around the third, you're slurping down a soup of sorts. This may be an extreme reaction, but I am forever giving up on Life. Yes, you heard it, I am no longer pro-Life. I encourage you to do the same.

*Quotes taken from my (last) box of Quaker's Life: Maple & Brown Sugar cereal.

Farewell To A Friend

2008-11-11T21:21:00.006-06:00

Today I bid adieu to a friend that I've had for over four years. This friend taught me many things, helped me get through school, and shared many memories with me. This was my 12" PowerBook 1.5 Ghz, 1.256 GB of Ram...the classic, highly coveted laptop of Apple enthusiasts. It was the first Apple product that I ever owned. Well, that and the little 4 Gb iPod Mini that it came with because of the student "deal" (which simply means that they were trying to get rid of the Minis in general to make way for the iPod Nanos that were released a month later). My beloved Granny, Rose Mills, gave me the money to make this purchase. I can't really remember why she gave me the money, perhaps for college graduation or because she loved like few else could, but it has been one of the greatest gifts that I had ever received. It has been quite priceless to me. With it, I have influenced several other people to switch over to a Mac: Tim Ricchuiti, Jon Lemming, Travis Williams, Mark Matthews, Scott Grace, and perhaps soon: Ryan Smith and my Dad (a staunch Dell fanatic...though he's never owned one, and probably just raves about it to get under my skin). I am no Apple fanboy, but I do appreciate what many of their products and services have to offer. No, I'm not just saying that because I'm a Specialist at Apple! You lose enough data and hours of work on a Greek exegetical because of the quarks of a PC and you'll say the same.

Anyways, today I traded my coworker and manager, Leo Amposta, my precious Powerbook for his white MacBook (the series that followed the iBook, the consumer version of the Powerbook; i.e., the Powerbook would have been the predecessor of the MacBook Pro). This MacBook, which I am now typing on, is 13.3", has 2.2Ghz and is capable of 4 GB of ram (or possibly 6 GB after some reading I did today). He purchased it in November of last year. So in my opinion, I made out pretty well today. Yes, there is certainly the sentimental aspect of my other laptop, but this was simply too practical to pass up. I mean, this one has two more years of Apple Care Protection on it (Apple's fancy warranty), whereas the PowerBook has not been covered for several years. Thus, tonight is a very bittersweet experience...perhaps more so on the sweet side. I thank God that this opportunity befell me, and that he has provided yet again in another unusual way.

My sweet and faithful Powerbook, you will be missed. May you always stay in the right hands.

Learning To Let Things Go

2008-11-10T21:55:00.005-06:00

All today at work, I had been looking forward to one thing: getting home. Not getting home for home's sake, but to get on Xbox Live with John Lowery so that we could wipe out some Hoarde on Gears of War 2! We had played just a little bit earlier, but it simply wasn't enough. Crack cocaine has nothing on this game. Anyways, like I was saying, I couldn't wait to get home. Five minutes before I left work, John told me that he was getting on it and would be waiting...I basically flew home. When I stepped in the door, my heart sank. There sat Joel Reemtsma, the newest addition to my roommates, and Ian Duncan, a friend of ours, playing Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Las Vegas on the Xbox 360. I then spotted Kelly Graham, a would-be roommate of mine, except that he went back on his word and ditched us to live with some old man...bless his heart. He was in Scott's room at the time. I knew this couldn't be good. I told Joel that I had planned on playing with John online when I got home, and he told me that they had rented a movie...basically, showing me the trump card. Everything within me wanted to show them a trump card of my own: that was my 42" Panasonic Plasma pumping out equally wonderful sound out of my Panasonic stereo system. I decide when I get on it, and when others get off it! I went to my room and called John and told him that I wasn't terribly familiar with what "roommate ethics" would have me to do at a time like this. With his never-ceasing wisdom, he told me "no dice," and that we could just play tomorrow...so we are set for 8...in the morning. Yes, we're those guys. So from then I grabbed my 12" Powerbook and headed for the porch to set in solitude and watch the rain pummel the ground. Interestingly enough, as I was perusing the internet, Joel opened the sliding door to ask me how he could adjust the sound on my stereo system...the utter audacity!

"What in the world is wrong with you?" some would ask. "Are you serious? Getting upset over something as menial as this?" Yes, as a matter of fact, I was. Only-children tend to have a strong sense of fairness and justice. The way I saw it was that I work all day, and I want to be (and ought to be) able to come home and enjoy myself and those things that are mine. Joel has no job, thanks to a freebie given from Alaska. He basically does whatever he wants during the day. I don't have that luxury. I work 8 or so hours a day, with schedules never to my choosing, and normally not to my liking. I have to make do with the times I am allotted. In my opinion, it was my right to use my own TV. Did I mention that some claim that only-children also struggle with sharing? Nah, really no reason to bring that up.

So what's my problem? Besides the fact that I insist on justice (or at least my version of it) at every turn, I really struggle with letting things go. I have to be right. I have to have last word. I am reminded of an escapade that happened last Thursday night with my accountability group. I was the last to come onto the porch, everyone had already lit up and was immersed in conversation. I pulled out my lighter to do the same, and then was asked by Tim if he could use it to get his going again. Then, he gave it to Scott. I'm not sure how it started, but I suppose I either reached for it or asked for it, and Scott claimed that it was his. I honestly didn't know what to make of that. Then, both Tim and Chris said the same. They simply could not understand that I would have the same exact small blue Bic lighter that Scott had lent them just minutes before. Everyone was completely sure they were right...especially me, since I pulled the darn thing out of my pocket. I got up and searched both Scott's and my room for vindication. It was not to be found. We must have argued for over a half an hour about it. How could I be wrong?! I felt like reality was simply being ripped away from me. I would not let this go. They argued just as adamantly as I did. To make a needlessly long story short, I had just spotted Scott putting a lighter in his pocket. The very next moment, I leaned up and saw a lighter on the ground. I quickly stood up and told Scott to empty his pockets. Come to find out, that on my second searching of our rooms, he had found the other one, but was not about to saying anything! Unbelievable. The point is: I have a debilitating tendency to not rest until I am right/vindicated, and everyone knows it. How sad.

Needless to say, after tonight's happening, I have to come to grips with a blind spot that needs correcting. I do not have to have the last say. I don't have to right all wrongs...if in fact they are such. Injustices will happen...every day. It's not my responsibility to correct everybody; or anybody for that matter. Yes, as a believer, I have an obligation to stand for truth. Yet, no doubt, the majority of times that I think a situation calls for my remedial attention, it's because I want those involved to know that I am right. What I ought to do is shut my mouth, put things into perspective, and blow off steam on some blog or something. All in all, I need to learn to let things go. I love you Joel, and if I had received such an awesome stipend from the land of the frozen, I wouldn't be working either. You use that TV anytime you want. Scott, you should know better. You know I'm never wrong...that goes for you too Tim; and Chris as well.

Lord Jesus, help me to get over...me.

Where is Superman?

2008-11-09T17:12:00.000-06:00

My lifelong friend, Jon Lemming, and I were having a most fascinating discussion last night. Of course, this was no ordinary conversation. This one resonated from the very souls of two kindred spirits...and probably only we would entertain such thoughts, especially on a Saturday night. The issue: Superman. The conflict: Why hasn't the next major Superman film been released? Are they even working on it? What in the world is going on?!
Are we nerds? To be sure.

Ever since the first issue of Action Comics in June of 1938, with only twelve pages of coverage, the Man of Steel captured the hearts of this nation...and soon after, the world. So please, for a moment, allow me wax eloquent as I trace the timeline of Superman's journey to the silver screen. It all began in 1941 with 17 episodes of the beloved classic animated cartoon series. Seven years later, in 1948, the first actual Superman movie, starring Kirk Alyn, was released. The second movie, with the same general cast, came out in 1950. Then from 1953-1957, George Reeves brought us a Superman that the people could warm up to and grow alongside of season after season. Although there was an Indian Superman movie released in 1960, the real Superman movies that most look back on began on December 15, 1978, starring the late Christopher Reeve. This and Superman II, which came in 1980, are without a doubt the best movies of the franchise's history. Superman III (1983), starring Richard Pryor (bad decision), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987; directed by Reeve...worse decision) are without a doubt the worst movies of the franchise's history. 1993-1997 proved to be decent years for the mild-mannered reporter with the "hit" TV series, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures, starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. Other than the best selling comic book of all time when Superman was killed by Doomsday in 1992, this flaky TV show actually moved many non-comic reading fans to purchase the Superman issue in October of 1996, when Superman married long-time love Lois Lane. Briefly mentioning the TV movie release of Superman: The Last Son of Krypton in 1996, which combined the first three episodes of the cartoon, the longest lasting TV show that has given us Superman has been Smallville. In it's 8th season (perhaps its last), this very popular series traces the the steps of Clark Kent on his journey towards his true identity as Superman. It wasn't until Superman Returns, released in 2006, that Superman was brought back on the big screen...almost 20 years since the last major motion picture! Even with all of the technological advances, most were disappointed with it...even devout fans. Three or so years later we are asking, "where is Superman?"

Which leads me to the point at hand: Why can't we get the act together for the greatest superhero of all time? Has DC simply dumbed out? Why isn't this franchise taking off in movie production? How come the two recent Batman movies starring Christian Bale have been amazing? What about the recent Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk (round two) movies...blockbusters! Even the Spiderman and X-Men movies in previous years have been great in part. But what about Superman? Is there no creativity left over? Has it all been used up? This comic legend has limitless powers...and all they can put together is a failing plot and Supes blowing his icy dentine breath to put out the fire making it's way through Metropolis's tunnels. Pathetic. I guess another question that begs to be answer is, why do Superman sequels suck? With the popularity of Superman, they should be able to pump out at least two QUALITY movies a year. Brandon Routh, are you even still alive?

I know I'm not alone in this. Please DC, if you are reading this, we beg you to give us Superman. Give us quality Superman. In the very least, give us more Superman. We've been holding our breaths for too long.

What is SIN?

2008-11-06T12:28:00.001-06:00

It's strange, sometimes, how the best insight or even life changing wisdom can come from the least likely of sources. Last night I had a discussion with a friend of mine about what exactly sin entails. There I was with my fancy undergraduate degree and master's, both in biblical studies...and there they were with no biblical training whatsoever outside of the teaching from the pastorate of the local church. Yes, I could have given many a well-thought-out diatribe of carefully selected phrases strewn together that resemble perhaps a paragraph copied out of some Wayne Grudem novel; or the Hebrew maxim of "missing the mark;" or possibly even punting and quoting scripture by saying that sin is when "we fall short of the glory of God." Yes, yes, we know these responses, but what do they mean? How does knowing that help me determine whether or not a future action I take is going to count as sin. This is one area that I don't want to miss the mark.

In my opinion, we've overcomplicated sin. We've made it where unless the scriptures absolutely prohibit the action, everything basically falls in that amorphous category that we loved to refer in junior high and high school as "grey areas." Sadly, even as "mature" Christian adults we operate within similar paradigms; only we use more elegant or refined terms to classify them. Well, I am eternally (literally!) in debt to my unsuspecting friend. What they revealed from their relatively untrained mind was that if an action or behavior in question appears to be cuddled safely in the grey zone, ask of it, "will what I am about to do bring glory to Jesus Christ?" Sound simple? It is. It may be possible that many never overcome sin in their lives because they spend them struggling with what is right or wrong, and usually defaulting into doing what appears permitted. Whether it's cursing, telling a crude joke, masturbation, smoking, drinking, physical aspects in relationships outside of marriage, extra-marital fraternizing, half-assing in the work place...if you cannot say in good conscience that it brings glory to Jesus, it is sin. Basically, anything you do in your day, if you do not do it in order to bring glory to God, you have sinned...perhaps even when you've done nothing at all. Talk about a perfect accountability partner! This simple question is a veritable bulwark that, unless simply ignored, should press believers to act differently. I now have a better or real-to-life understanding of verses such as, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).

Could I have come up with this understanding of how to determine sin? Perhaps, but probably not with the same force tantamount to that with how I received it. Now to be sure, there are still some actions that are debatable. Yet, that once lengthy list is greatly waning. It should be said, though, that asking the question whether this or that will bring glory to God is not meant to be a foolproof systematization of how every action or thought works. Motives also come into play. Even more so, even good things that are done without the intentionality of bringing Jesus glory are sin. However, it is, in my opinion, an incredibly useful or better way of gauging scenarios and situations. Yet the point is, if I can't say it will bring glory to God, it probably won't, and therefore it will count as sin. Of course, this may just be an issue with me. Perhaps everyone already had this well-formulated in their theological thinking. If so, it's good to be on board, and thanks for reading the meanderings of a daft theologian.

A New Beginning

2008-11-05T16:24:00.000-06:00

Finally, the time has come. As a result of the American polls yesterday, Barak Obama has been announced as the next President of the United States of America. He defeated John McCain in just about a landslide of popular vote: 52-46; out of the electoral college: 364-163. Not only is President-elect Obama the first major party African-American nominee, he will be the first African-American president of this nation. He is the first democrat since Jimmy Carter to win an outright majority of the voters. He is the first non-incumbent since Dwight Eisenhower to win 52% of the popular vote. Today is the start of a new era (even though his presidency doesn't officially start until January 20, 2009)...and thus I thought it would be appropriate to begin my blogging as well. This presidential race has, without a doubt, been the most exiting and historic race of at least my lifetime. To some, it was a fight against the status quo lead by a warmonger in a declining economy...against another George W. Bush, so to speak. For some, it was a plea against liberalism, socialism, and even a battle of good versus evil. Last night on Facebook, the recurring posting themes were "Finally, I can be proud to be an American" and "I'm moving to Europe; prepare for socialism America!" So whether the outstanding turnout of voters was resultant of a hatred for George W., fear for the economy, or an honest desire for change, the American people got what they wanted.

One thing is certain though, I have never seen such a hype surrounding a presidential candidate...even to the point of messiah-like status (e.g., my roommate Tim had a shrine in the corner of his room to which he prayed every morning and evening). I have seen countless magazines, and even countless t-shirts bearing catchy phrases and propaganda, that paved the way for Obama to become the new face of pop culture. President-elect Obama has many high aspirations, some admirable, some perhaps a bit too lofty. With slogans such as "Change You Can Believe In" and "Change We Need," the weight of the nation's future will certainly rest heavily on Obama's shoulders. With that being said, I believe that it is counterproductive and in bad taste to stand in eager anticipation for the President-elect to fail or to come up short with what he promised...this should be doubly true of believers, who should be praying for him rather than defaming him. Though we belong to a different King, kingdom, and race (not as in black and white), we still have a responsibility while we are here to respect and support the Commander-in-Chief. therefore, Mr. Obama, I know you'll be reading this soon, so I want you to know that although you were not the man I was gunning for, you have my respect and I hope that you do wonders in office. I am excited to see what the future may hold. Let's do lunch soon, I've got some pretty good ideas.

Scott, thanks for the penny...sorry it took so long to find it.