Timbuktu and Kalamazoo

From time to time I amuse myself by thinking of how the purpose of this blogs existence has changed over time. While it was originally constructed as a playground for the HTML kindergartner , it soon became the outlet for a person that was interested to find how enjoyable it was to simply write. It then morphed into an excuse to garner the attention of someone and the possibility of interfacing with them (which if you are one of the very few reading this, there is most likely little need of explanation... :). But most recently it has again become an outlet for sharing my feelings and thoughts when I just need a different place to let go. For the last several years I have been thinking and struggling with the ideas, beliefs and traditions that I have grown up with and interacted with for many years. Some readily affirm and have become even more convinced of over time. However, one that I have fought more than others is the idea that I should be able to nail down all my theology and ...

In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas

Father in Heaven, as I survey this confussing plethora of names, which one fits me? Should I be a 41/2 point calvinist? Or perhaps a monergistic aminian? A scholistic pietist? A gracious fundamentalist? Or perhaps a conservitive neo-evangelical... Oh Father.....no matter what others may lable me, no matter what theological whims come and go, may I by your grace be known as a little Christ.

Tip #1 When one is washing clothes, do it the way your mom told you and check all the pockets rather than washing and drying the pen with the clothes. Tip #2 When one does not heed tip #1, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works well at cleaning the marks left in the landlords dryer. (Suggested time for such activities is between the hours of 11pm and 6:15am thus bypassing the need to explain why ones upper body was in the dryer for the better part of an hour.) Tip #3 When avoiding the wisdom of Tip #1, a person would do well to take care in using a hand towel that was dried with the aforementioned pen. This is done to avoid very bold ink marks on ones face caused by residual ink on said towel. Tip #4 If one should have the misfortune of arriving at the conclusion of Tip #3 due to trial and error , have no fear, because such marks can be removed by the application of a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (which may be conveniently within reach..."I mean, hey, if it worked on the dryer..."). Note: C...

I have been thinking of sharing this for a little while now. And I share it not as an accusation but as food for reflection. We know from the book of Revelation that Satan is call the "Accuser of the Brethren ." And we also find from Job that it is not just a title but also something in which he actively engages. The thing that was giving me food for thought (and in reality I have not finished thinking about) is that there was a very tangible aspect to Job's life that made Satan take up the challenge that God handed out. It was that Job was a righteous man. Not completely righteous but righteousness characterized his life. This led me to the question, "If I could choose the reason for which Satan took up the challenge to test me,what what would that reason be? Would it be because I was by God's grace winning many souls to the Kingdom? Or perhaps it was because I was a fervent preacher of God's word. It could be that I was just living a life pleasing to Go...