At church tonight I think I’ve heard the most wise statement I’ve heard in a long time. Chris Seay is speaking about the story of Noah and is speaking about how we have people saying that this or that event was God taking his wrath out on someone. People say AIDS is God’s wrath to homosexuals or that Hurricane Katrina was God’s wrath to New Orleans/the black community.

Chris made a great point: He said that “… the reason you got in a car wreck or [this bad thing or that bad thing or even] got cancer, is NOT IN ANY WAY God exacting his wrath on you. When Christ was put on the cross ALL of God’s wrath was carried out and accreditted to HIM.” (By the way, that’s not an exact quote, I only used the quotes to give the man credit for what he, and not I, said)

I think that’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve heard about God in a while.

I don’t think we will ever, in this lifetime, fully understand the magnitude of Christ’s Death. I think we don’t understand a lot of things. and I think that because of that we take them for granted. I think it’s easy to forget that the cross absorbed all of God’s wrath and put it on a single human because it simply is not graspable. To me this is amazing and humbling. This “simple” christian concepts are still so foreign to us that we need constant reminders of the gospel, the MOST basic tenant. Amazing.

My good friend, Lauren, sent me a link to this churches website that her friend in college goes to. Since I am a jerk, I automatically go to the doctrinal pages to see if I find and red flags. Got one: I won’t name the church, that’s not cool.

“Telling Others About Christ
‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for hope that you have.’ I Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God brings us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to church”

THIS is a doosey: Let’s look at this scripture. Pay key attention to the part where it says “those who ASK you”

This salvation thing begins and ends with God. NOT YOU. NOT ME. PERIOD. God, through the HS, puts in you a desire for Him. No amount of evangelism can change that. Salvation does not, therefore, begin with you spewing apologetic rhetoric to everyone you cross paths with (Which is what these people like to bastardize the word of God to mean) You are there to answer questions, but there have to be questions to answer.

On the bright side, I really have no idea about anyone in the church or how it operates. It might be a great place.

The problem is this fundagelical attitude, this me-centered salvation. When, in the process of domesticating Christianity in this country, did we mess up to the point that we think this is about anything other than God and his glory? This neo-pharisee evangelize or die attitude is rediculous.

When will the american fundamentalist church wake up and realize that the reason other denoms don’t put limitations on salvation and love IS BECAUSE JESUS DIDN’T EITHER.

… One who doesn’t really like taking communion?

The fact that I should be able to participate in any sort of covenant action with God is rediculous. I know I need to partake in the bread and cup. It’s a given, it’s a nessecary sacrament. But I do it with extreme reluctance. It’s humbling. This is me, fellowshiping with God, proclaiming to the community my ties to Him through the body and the blood.

I also feel like this about prayer and worship. The fact that I can approach God just blows my mind. I was thinking back about the levites and the ark of the covenant and how exclusive God’s presence was. and the rope on the leg think before entering the tabernacle so that if you are not good enough (haha) to be in God’s presence you could be dragged out, that others might not risk their lives (or kosherness) to rescue you. God’s presence ought to kill me. but there is HOPE.

This ripping of the veil thing is big.

This salvation thing is bigger than sin. This bible thing is bigger than a promise. This God thing is bigger than our decaying world.

The Big Head Todd and the Monsters show was AWESOME

The Feature act, Jackie Greene is also pretty good. Played for about an hour. Big Head Todd played an amazing 2 hours of music. I was blown away. But it was standing room only and my legs and back hurt. And I was getting sick of this guy in front of me trying to hand me his drinks and get me drunk so I didn’t notice what an idiot he it. Then there was the pothead next to me. I just wanted to borrow a lighter to get a camel going and the guy thinks I want to stone with him. Not true.

Anyhow here’s an awesome picture some guy drew of Ryan Adams:

My dear friend Haley sent me this link and I couldn’t pass up sharing it with the rest of you.

MEGACHURCH!: The Game

A brief synopsis:

Mega Church: Networked Special Edition (For Windows XP, PC)

Tagline: Imagine if you could create the church you wanted, any way you wanted. Be the next Joel Osteen as you play Mega Church.

-Pastor a simulated church and create your own Christian empire!
- Earn points with God by winning souls for Christ
- With network play enabled, you can steal members from other churches and earn points just like you saved them yourself.

This is the best video game ever created. I want one for every major holiday.

I have a couple finallys I’d like to share:

FINALLY: I got accepted into the West Harris County Ems EMT Basic program. Now I’m doing Fire Class Tuesday and Thursday and EMT Class Monday and Wednesday. Sweet. The best part? Finally my parents (Father Asst. Fire Chief/In Nursing School, Mother EMT-Intermediate/Registered Nurse) can help me with my homework!

FINALLY: My Big Head Todd and the Monsters tickets came in. I’ve been waiting to see this band for SO LONG.

…. Job 7….

“Is not man forced to labor on earth, And are not his days like the days of a hired man? … So am I allotted months of vanity, And nights of trouble are appointed me. “When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise?’ But the night continues, And I am continually tossing until dawn… “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Am I the sea, or the sea monster, That You set a guard over me? If I say, ‘My bed will comfort me, My couch will ease my complaint,’ Then You frighten me with dreams And terrify me by visions; So that my soul would choose suffocation, Death rather than my pains … What is man that You magnify him, And that You are concerned about him, That You examine him every morning And try him every moment? Will You never turn Your gaze away from me, Nor let me alone until I swallow my spittle? Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?”
-Job 7

I hope today is more Job 8

“How long will you say these things, And the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right? … If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty, If you are pure and upright, Surely now He would rouse Himself for you And restore your righteous estate … Please (H)inquire of past generations, And consider the things searched out by their fathers. For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow.

-Job 8