Little Simon Comes to Town!

Popular Publisher Simon & Schuster is set to release its own religion imprint for children. I've read this article at least three or four times and everytime come away with a different thought. Max Lucado will be lending his name to the approval for all things published, and I like and trust Lucado, so I think--good thing. Then I reread the article and listen as spokesperson points out that the theme in "Christian audience" is inspiration. She says, "[The audience for these books] is not what we have always thought of as the traditional Christian market...It's Joe Everybody. When a tsunami hits, you want to be reassuring to your kids." So that strikes me funny-it's not about depth, it's about pretty words and comforting thoughts. Have we moved so towards that? I think yes, we have. Which troubles me, and goes nicely with my Christians don't walk the walk blog article pointing out that real Christian living seems to be nearly non-existant. Troubling.

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God Gives Warning!

Read another thrilling tsunami story: God Gives Warning

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Hey Mikey, they like me!

I got it! I got the job!!

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Interview Survived!

Well, the good news is I survived. The better news is that it went really well. I was ridiculously nervous, but a good friend managed to calm me down. I felt good about it as I drove in today. Early. I went in and sat in the office, and instead of letting me sit there, the principal called me in and told me we were waiting on the rest of the interviewers. So we chatted. Normal stuff, where she grew up, what it's like being a new principal in this particular district. We share the same major, played the same sports, etc. etc. When the rest of the interviewers arrived we were in the middle of a conversation. It was great! I still don't know if I want the job, but I've put the situation in God's hands, and if I get it, then He wants me there, and if I don't, then He has something better for me! What do people do that don't have God to trust in??

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Pray for Bro. Kenneth Haney!

I've just learned that UPCI General Superintendent Kenneth Haney had a mild heart attack Sunday night. They have put two stints put in to correct the blockage, he is right now at home resting, and is expecting a full recovery in a matter of weeks. He is doing as well as could be expected, but please pray for him and his family in the coming weeks.

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Panic Attack Anyone?

Yeah, so I've managed to completely throw myself into a panic attack. I have an interview tomorrow and I've been putting my stuff together (updating my resume, etc. etc.), and I don't want to do this. I don't want to start interviewing again. I hate interviewing. It's stupid. They should interview the people on my reference page and that's how they should hire people :(... The real problem? I don't want to get into a school and be there for the next 25 years. I have so many other things I want to do. I want to write, and edit, and publish, and go back to school, and work for the Lord, and I want to get married (not that those two conflict... but I'm panicking, what can I say?).... I love teaching, but I dont' want to do this forever... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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Oh, so it's a Southern Thing!

One reader replied to the marriage question: "How far South is he? That's the key! The Pent marriage mindset has neverleft the Deep South (TX / LA/ MS/ AL)!"

He's actually only a state below me... Hmm...

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Will You Marry Me?

Last night my friend, let's call him Will, and I were ranting about the state of the union, the union of marriage that is. Will called me feeling a little frustrated. He's met a girl, and they've been talking--she's great. It's been a month of heaven for him, so now here comes the marriage pressure. I'm not kidding. His Uncle-his pastor-is pushing for a wedding next December. So is everyone else around him. She's not talking marriage, just a willingness to move south to where he is. He's my age, and saying, "Even if she is the one, I'm not ready for marriage." Marriage? Why would you be ready for marriage, you're only my age, and with a girl who is terrific, but you met 5 mins ago. His family all just says "it's time." When you can't afford it, when you've still got things you want to do first, when you're not in love, is it really time? I thought this pentecostal mindset was passing. Apparently I was wrong!

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Quote of the day!

I demolish my bridges behind me...then there is no choice but to move forward. -Firdtjof Nansen

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The End is Near! The End is Near!

Wow-I can hardly believe that I only have a few days left as blogger:January. I'm so sad. That's it, you can't have it back. I'm holding my blog hostage. No? (that's not really how it works). So a little life update: I'm enjoying my time off by working on our upcoming youth revival Committed to the Cause (ok, shameless plug #2), February 4-6. Bro. Calvin Jean is preaching, and I love him! I think he's great because the first time I met him he totally made fun of me (not mean, funny). I know an event is coming because my YP sent me 9 e-mails yesterday. Then he called, because he didn't want me to be annoyed at the e-mails. Ha!

I've only had 4 pops (that's cokes if you're from Texas) since the new year (ok, ok, ok, 4 and no more!!!), and I've worked out everyday. I'd say I'm living up to my resolutions! I've kept my rooms clean, though I'm still working on that uncluttering thing. There is much left to be thrown away. I've outlined the curriculum I'm writing, and am doing a little bit of research before completing the writing. I have a big interview on Friday. I'm still just listening to Josh Groban, and not yet married to him. And I'm enjoying the sweet feeling of a contented life.

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Quotes of the Day!

Quotes of the Day:

Only those who can see the invisible, can do the impossible. -don't know who said it

The prince is still just a prince. -Katie Holmes, First Daughter

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Scandal: Christians don't walk the walk!

Shocked? No? I wasn't either when I read Ronald J. Sider's article in Christianity Today, The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience: Why Don't Christians Live What They Preach? I wasn't surprised, but I was saddened by his words. Sider writes, "By their daily activity, most 'Christians' regularly commit treason. With their mouths they claim that Jesus is Lord, but with their actions they demonstrate allegiance to money, sex, and self-fulfillment." He points out that divorce is more common among evangelical Christians than those who claim to have no religion, and cites Josh McDowell's findings that teenage promiscuity if only slightly lower than in the church than in the secular world. Sider's point is that it's time to end the hypocritical nature and truly follow the morality that we preach. I can't say that I disagree.

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Travis Miller's Interview!

My youth pastor recently had the opportunity to meet and talk with Bro. Travis Miller. When he walked away from the discussion, he said that Bro. Miller made him feel like he wanted to meet him (my youth pastor). Not like it was Bro. Miller who was the one to meet, but that the youth pastor of a church in Michigan was somebody special. When I saw that this week's cover was an interview with Bro Miller, The Holy Spirit in Our Lives, does not Completely Change Our Human Ways, I had to sit down and read the interview immediately. What I found was someone completely normal, I even chuckled at his reference to "expanding in the typical Pentecostal dimensions." I also felt encouraged and complimented by his view on the Pentecostal youth of today. Take a moment and read up!

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Crafty Creationists trying to Weasel into Education!

You won't believe this latest article, Crafty Attacks on Evolution, by an enfuriated editor who could not believe a local school board would place an ammendment in the science textbook, claiming that evolution is a theory. Apparently school board members who, responding to a 2300 signature petition, added a sticker pointing out that evolution is a theory and should be studied and critically considered, were just swallowing the language of anti-evolutionists who were attempting to thrust religion into education. Give me a break!! This author is outraged that the school board would suggest that students be open-minded to evolution. Isn't that the exact same word they throw in the face of followers of religion, that we need to be open-minded. Apparently open-minded is bad if it goes against anything they believe as fact. Yet, our "close-mindedness" makes us something to fear??? Again, give me a break!

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