All These Thoughts In My Head

Ideas Have Consequences

2011-12-21T10:50:00.002-05:00

I love Christmas. Really, I do. I was born 10 days before it at 9:37AM on a Thursday. I love it. I've been enjoying my break from 18 hours of school and stuff. I've been reading C.S. Lewis' space trilogy and an apologetic book: I don't have enough faith to be an atheist. Here's an adapted outline:

Problems with Christianity

Emotional obstacles to Christianity: Christian exclusivism, the doctrine of hell, and the hypocrisy of Christians are emotional roadblocks to just about everyone.
Volitional obstacles: Morality, which seems [my emphasis] to restrict our choices in life. We don't want to answer to anyone, especially an omniscient being: the God of the universe - especially one who spoke billions of galaxies into existence. Scary? The issue is not refusing the evidence. It's not wanting to accept the evidence. It's a choice, based on a desire. And since there is more evidence for God and Creation, it takes more faith to be an atheist. (Premise of the book)

Geisler and Turk also have a great section on agnosticism. It's like being empty minded they say - a refusal to do anything with the evidence. They'd rather say, "I don't know" about the question of God, then "Yes" or "No."

Just read the book. I am. :-)

Palindrome Days 1-9, 11, 22

2011-11-03T19:28:00.004-05:00

11/3/11

These days I spend most of my time running in the rain to train for a 5K, killing demonic trespassing centipedes for my wife, studying my brains out for my second to last semester at school, going on dates with my wife for seafood and ice cream, hanging out with a young guy from my youth group (you could call it discipleship), studying lessons for AP bible study for senior high students at my church (HUMC), studying for Wednesday night lessons at church, preparing sermons for my professor, getting excited about spending the holidays with my families, going to a costume party at a friend's house, reading lots, watching lots of episodes of NCIS and Monk, eating food whenever I can sneak any and not endure pain as a result, take lots of medicine, commute to work and school with Switchfoot (music), go to the doctor for a 2nd opinion (after 2 years of Crohn's), practice 300+ minutes a week of piano, play guitar, drink cider and coffee galore. And I apologize not for the run-on, or the bad grammar.

What I Love About Fall

2011-10-25T06:09:00.002-05:00

1) How the moon looks when it wanes in the black sky.

2) The smell of spiced apple cider as it wafts into my olfactories.

3) The light of the sun through yellow maple leaves in my neighborhood.

4) The coolness in the morning and the warm sunshine in the afternoon.

5) Chili. Enough said.

How To Perpetuate the Rumors that Christianity is Boring

2011-08-04T18:03:00.004-05:00

Someone once said, "It is a sin to bore people with the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Following is a true story:

How To Be Ineffective

There's a man standing in a suit when you first come into the building. If you're lucky he may open the door for you. You're supposed to shake his hand and ask him how he's doing. He'll tell you things like "I'm doing." or, "I'm hanging in there." He sounds like he's divorcing his wife or she has cancer or something. I want to tell him how much Jesus makes me better than just being able to hold on.

At this place they have key phrases like "minding the Lord," "praying through," "looking to the Lord in prayer." If you're above 50 and meet certain qualifications you can stand up and tell about how horrible your life is, but how much Jesus is helping you with stuff. The tears are socially awkward, but I think you get extra points for it.

Earlier I followed people into a room in the basement. If it weren't for the attitude of my fellow students I would have though they were going to come tell us to strip off our clothes and "take a shower." Then this man who forgot about us, but said he didn't, came into the room. It got worse.

"My name is Paul. To your dismay, I'm the teacher."* Paul talked about many things. In particular there was a book named Ruth that he taught from. "Dedication" was his topical theme. How he got that from Ruth I am still not sure. "Babcock and Wilcox. I worked there for 15 years until an outside corporation took over. No dedication for the worker from the corporation." he lamented. "This is the way it is today in our society. No dedication. No effort. No pride. It is not seen in our world today. We should show the world a life that hasn't been seen."

People told Paul, "I can tell the difference in the way you work, act, and talk."
"It's nothing I've done." he said. "It's what Christ has done for me."
After relaying this conversation Paul told us, "I did the right thing. Yes, there is problems in the church. The devil's fighting us. Sometimes we have to square our shoulders and go to God and tell him our failures. We have decisions. If we didn't, we'd be a robot."

Then he told us more about Ruth and that affection toward the opposite sex is not wrong. "The lady is a weaker vessel. The Bible says so. You don't want a wife that's lazy. You want a companion. I don't ever have to remind my wife to pack my lunch. I PACK MY OWN! This is part of growing up and adulthood. Ruth had shown that she would be a good wife - clever, industrious, dedicated. Christ is saying that we can get to heaven if we overcome our perfections."

He ended with a little advice. "Be dedicated to yourself."
"My wife wants me to wear a tie." he said, wearing a tie. "I'm in a position: Sunday School teacher, usher. There will be rewards."

A bell rang later. We escaped.

Upstairs, the bass player practices his octaves and runs, during a set order of songs. I'm not sure if they're pre-set or not. Maybe they're so good the leader can pick any song at random and voila, everyone knows it. If so, I'm not sure how many is in their repetoire. The song leader looks like a Mormon convert. I'm afraid if I shook his hand it'd fall off. For a man wearing a suit he was very effeminate.

They also have unpaid actors. They're young stars - toddlers. They perform great stuff for you. Unfortunately, you can tell they are flagrantly upstaging the pastor, but we don't care, right?

*(Not his real name)

PS. I'm married

2011-07-27T17:30:00.000-05:00

Samuel & Melissa McConkey
June 11, 2011

Why I Hate Introductions

2011-04-25T12:01:00.004-05:00

I confess: I hate introductions - hate, not dislike - really hate them. I also hate prologues, prefaces, and epilogues - pretty much anything that comes between the first and last chapter. Maybe it's because I was raised on reading books like the Bible or Little Golden Books that needed no preface! Maybe it's because sometimes it informs you of unnecessary information! Maybe it's because some books have an introduction, introduction to the second edition, author's preface, preface to the second edition, and prologue, complete with epilogue, end notes, bibliography, index, and guide to astrology! I don't know.

Recently, I found an introduction that was actually useful, and this is one redeeming introduction that I can hold up as beneficial. So here is what I would list as a good introduction: 1) Five pages or less. 2) Gives a brief summary of the book. 3) Does not bore me out of my mind. Thankfully, the introduction to D. Michael Henderson's book on discipleship "One Conversation at a Time." meets these qualifications, and it's three pages in length!

Also, what is with these people that list nouns as chapter titles? Are you that unintelligent? Here are two examples from actual books: Robert Coleman's "Master Plan of Evangelism," lists its table of contents as: 1) Selection 2) Assocation 3) Consecration 4) Impartation 5) Demonstration 6) Delegation 7) Supervision 8) Reproduction. But wait, there's more! Jesse Rice's "The Church of Facebook: How the Hyperconnected Are Redefining Community" lists its table of contents as: 1) Connection 2) Revolution 3) Dispensation 4) Illumination 5) Adaptation 6) Regeneration. Are you kidding me? Could you get any more vague and unhelpful?

I recently read a 618 page version of Count of Monte Cristo, (Not Crisco) and flagrantly did not read the 19 page introduction. No thanks. I don't need that much historical background to understand what is going on in the book's plot. Frankly, the prologue in Sheldon Vanauken's "A Severe Mercy" was labeled - "I. Prologue: Glenmerle Revisited" - that horrible little Roman numeral! Chapter 2 is actually chapter 1! Oh, the humanities! And after reading the fourteen page prologue where he reminisces at the bridge, I realized that I could have really skipped it. But, no, I was deceived into thinking it was actually a part of the book!

Frankly, if the introduction was labeled "Chapter 1" I might read it. Otherwise, my hatred continues...

"And well you see, I die...in the prologue." -Jane Powell in Two Weeks with Love

Driving Smart(Aleck)

2011-04-22T14:53:00.003-05:00

There are electronic signs on 71 that say "Drive Smart. Watch for Motorcycles." What I would like to know is, What to do when I see one? Am I supposed to call the police?

Dispatcher: 911. What's your emergency?
Me: Yes, I would like to report a motorcycle.
Dispatcher: A motorcycle?
Me: Yes!
Dispatcher: Has there been an accident sir?
Me: No ma'am.
Dispatcher: If this isn't an emergency you need to call...
Me: I'm reporting a motorcycle! I'm supposed to call if one is spotted, and I just saw one!
Dispatcher: What are you talking about?
Me: The sign on the highway! It says, "Watch for motorcycles" and I've been watching.
Dispatcher: Sir, that's just a warning for safe driving.
Me: Safe driving?
Dispatcher: Yes, they are hard to see in your mirrors.
Me: I rarely see them in my mirrors. I usually see them with my eyes.
Dispatcher: Sir, if this is not an emergency you need to hang up.
Me: Oh...
*Click*

There Are Some People in the World...

2011-03-14T20:15:00.002-05:00

...who are alcoholics, chain smokers, drug addicts, compulsive gamblers, and frankly, this is just as bad: compulsive stuffed animal shopping.

Just In Case You Didn't Understand

2011-02-05T14:22:00.002-05:00

The Essence of a Easy Essay

2011-01-23T15:12:00.003-05:00

I sleep warmly - on my side, with one pillow, one sheet, one blanket, one comforter, and my feet poking out from the bottom of said laundry. Within the last week I've dreamed every time I've slept - some pleasant, and some fearful. I always sleep with a fan or some sort of white noise. It circulates the air and keeps the room cool. In fact, as a warm sleeper, I'd rather have a chill in the building - 0ne that makes the tile in the bathroom feel like walking on ice at 3:18 am, but makes your bed feel oh so warm at 3:24. I've rested on a pillow named Carlisa for 5 or more years. I bought her at a hotel in the Virginia's while on the road for work. Alas, she is growing old and slowly dying. Recently, a clearanced pillow came into my usage which was so oddly named "The Hunk" which conjures up cartoon characters or cheesy macho masculinity. It's a striped case of fluffiness. Frankly, I don't know why 100% polyester microfiber overfill should be thus termed. Also, while I'm in this department, am I the only one who believes that there is no difference between grades of pillows? Superfirm feels the same as every other pillow to me, unless there are duck, duck, geese and gander involved. And it's been entirely too long since I've whammed someone in the midriff with a pillow. I hope Mr. Profitt's proud of me.

I'm in the library...

2011-01-17T16:26:00.001-05:00

Transport

2011-01-08T23:12:00.006-05:00

I work as a patient transporter at a hospital. Here's a list of things that I have been asked or things told to me while at my job.

"Do you have a driver's license?" (To which I quickly reply, "Yes, do you want to see it?")
"How long have you worked here?"
"Do you ever get lost?" (No)
"How long did it take to learn the hospital?" (2 weeks)
"Do you ever race in the wheelchairs?" (No.)
"This hallway looks like Holiday Inn."
"You're a good driver." (Thank you)
"Can I just walk from here?"
"Have you ever thought about just letting go of the chair?"
"You have nice shoulders."
"Those people in green shirts are good drivers."
"Do you work here?" (Yes)
"You smell good."
"How old are you?" (No, not 18. I'm a senior in college)
"Are you using that wheelchair?"
"Doctor! Doctor!" (Um, that's not me...)
"Can you tell me where ______ is?"
"What floor are we going to?" (C level)
"We aren't taking any more admissions."
"You can't take that bed!" (Yes, I will)
"No, you're not!" (When told I was going to transport them)
"Something smells good." (Coffee Shop)
"I can't remember where we parked." (I hope you remember soon)
"Which entrance?"
"Where are you taking them?"
"I don't have that room." (Then please connect me to the nurse that does!)
"Did you have to receive training?" (Yes)
"Wow, I would get lost in here."
"Are you a volunteer?" (No, I get paid)
"Which floor? What number?"
"Have you ever gotten stuck in the elevator?" (Sadly, no)
"Oh! You're here already." (Did you want later?)
"You should get paid by the mile!" (I wish)
"You can just let go of the chair now." (While wheeling people down the front ramp)

Incantation.

2011-01-06T22:34:00.005-05:00

As a Christian, I seek to entertain myself with good entertainment. Animated movies just happen to be about the only thing I can watch as far as movies go. And I only mentioned them as part of a finale to my Voicemail post. But you said...

"Animated children's movies are for children? What are you talking about?"; "I will watch animated children's movies as long as there is breath in my body!"; "You may want to print a retraction on the children's movies...you could shatter countless lives with such a revelation."
So...

Please forgive me. I recant. I am hereby responding to your flabbergastedness.

Animated movies are NOT for children. I hope that I have not deeply offended the amazing adults who read my blog.

Please do not ever get the idea that Pixar makes movies for children, or produces such films to sell stuffed versions of animated characters. These animated movies are rated G and PG and therefore are only suited for the ears and eyes of adults.

Let's see here...
Toy Story? Not for kids.
Finding Nemo? Not for kids.
Cars? Not for kids.
The Incredibles? Not for kids.
Up? Not for kids.
Monsters Inc? Not for kids.
Ratatouille? Not for kids.
Despicable Me? Not for kids.

You get the idea.

Voicemails

2011-01-03T23:51:00.004-05:00

This is a transcript of the opening to a voicemail from a friend of mine sent July 18, 2009: "Sam, I'm so disappointed. What's happened to us all? Our voicemails are so bland and boring. 'Hi, this is Sam. Sorry I missed your call.' What's that about?"

Okay, all you young people, your "Please-enjoy-this-music-while-your-party-is-reached" music may be enjoyable for your friends, but enjoy it while it lasts. As soon as you get a semi-professional job you'll succumb to the professional voicemail syndrome. HR just doesn't want to hire people with sappy country or raunchy rap as their ringback tone.

And to all of you who hate my voicemail and how short and boring it is. Blame my job. Hate it even. And welcome to the real world. The boring adult world where people think animated children's movies are for children!

PS: Hello Dr. Muir

Snowy Roads and the Radio

2010-12-16T23:01:00.004-05:00

Riding home (with my brother); taking turns driving; scanning the radio for Christmas songs.

Popular pop song (#6 on the charts) floats by and says: "And no, you don’t wanna mess with us...Got Jesus on my neck-a-lace" I've heard the song before. I did a music research project for a contemporary youth issues class at college. (Very beneficial, the class AND the researching) But Jesus on my necklace? What does that have to do with anything? It really is irrelevant to the point of the song.

Frankly, it astounds me what profane nonsense our current pop culture spouts. Also, there is another song that includes a reference to Mary and Joseph. (Bottoms Up; This one is #9 on the charts) Let me give you the lyrics and explain. After 7 expletives and references to drugs and waving around a gun, the song includes these words: "Rest in peace to Anna Nicole Smith/Yes, my dear, you're so explosive/Say hi to Mary, Mary and Joseph"

Anna Nicole Smith was an actress, model and sex goddess. She gained popularity through Playboy, but most of the attention surrounded her marriage of an oil tycoon that was 63 years her senior. She died of a drug overdose in a Florida hotel.

And to this woman the musician tips his hat. Saying, "When you're in heaven, say hi to Mary and Joseph for me." Are you serious? You're just rhyming with "explosive." That's all.

And so these religious references in ungodly songs show us where are culture is bedded. It's astonishing, and yet revealing.

The Life and Work of William Bradbury

2010-12-13T23:52:00.001-05:00

Concerning the gospel song and hymnody of the nineteenth century, the name of Fanny Crosby is perhaps the most popular. Perhaps it is at least the name that comes to our mind when speaking of the gospel song. She was probably the most prolific hymn writer since Charles Wesley, and an excellent example of a Christian. What is lesser known about this lady is a co-worker of Crosby’s named William Bradbury. This paper will briefly discuss the life and work of Bradbury and his relation and influence to modern day congregational singing.

William Batchelder Bradbury was born in York, Maine on October 6th, 1816 at the beginning of the nineteenth century. His earliest years were spent both working on a farm and in a shoe shop. But his passion would not be limited to these things, he loved music and got his hands on whatever music or instrument he could. In 1830 his family moved to the big city of Boston and for the first time he heard and played the piano and organ. Actually, he later became quite proficient on the organ and was known for this skill. This led him to devote his life to music. (Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers, n.d.) Bradbury first studied music under Lowell Mason and helped to introduce the organ to church congregations in America. He was the organist at the Baptist Tabernacle in New York and taught singing lessons there. Ruffin tells us that not everyone appreciated Bradbury either. Some complained that he was not a performer, singer or composer, but was ruining American music. However, his settings won out in the end, and the people were delighted with the hymn tunes that everyone could sing. (Ruffin, 88)

Bradbury was indeed a poet, composer, writer, pioneer, publisher, and editor. While there is not a plethora of Information about the life of Bradbury, the information is not scarce. What is surprising is that much of Bradbury’s life and work is divided into three main topics. Firstly, his influence and authorship of Sunday school songs. Secondly, the information deals with his work and collaboration with Fanny Crosby. Finally, information concerning Bradbury is written about his texts, tunes, and specifically his nineteenth century hymnals. (Reynolds & Price, 95-100)

Bradbury’s name is not that popular, except in conjunction with his most popular song, “Jesus Loves Me.” Many Christian children know this song from their earliest Sunday School days. The Sunday school movement arose out of John Wesley’s methodic ways in discipline and form concerning early American piety. Further developments in regards to Sunday School were the songs sung there that appeared in the 1820’s. Bradbury was the one responsible for popularizing these gospel songs that appeared in Sunday School collections of hymns. (Reynolds, 117) A century prior, Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley published songs for children, but Bradbury was the one who truly broke through in children’s music. Keith, a Baptist church musician in his discussion on the gospel hymn and Sunday school music points out that Bradbury was one of several to write “catchy tunes and cheerful rhymes.” However, he quotes a Methodist hymnologist in regards to his concern that “songs learned in childhood carry over into adulthood.” (Keith, 135) While understand their concern, it must be said that a balance must be achieved between Sunday school music and adult singing. More than ever, we need people who will lead quality hymns in their singing and write theologically sound songs for the church.

Furthermore, next to “Jesus Loves Me,” Bradbury’s name is most popular in conjunction with the name of Fanny Crosby (Van Alstyne). She first met Bradbury in New York City. He was a thin man, with a lionlike mane of dark hair and a gigantic beard. They certainly liked each other and instantly they started off their relationship on a first name basis. “Fanny, I thank God that we have at last met, for I think you can write hymns; and I have wished for a long time to talk with you.” (Ruffin, 89) Fanny herself recounts the story later. “He asked me if I would write a hymn for him. I was delighted. I was hungry for someone to ask me that question.” It seems from this information that Bradbury was a ministry opportunity sent from God for Miss Crosby. She returned a few days later with a hymn and he set it to music. She says that “My real work as a hymn writer began from that hour...Mr. Bradbury lightened many of my darkest days and scattered sunshine over my hours of care.” (Jackson, 63-4) It is apparent that Bradbury was a real encouragement to Crosby’s music ministry. Not only this but this text and tune writer was a real help to the popularity of Fanny’s hymns. For Crosby's words, he wrote many tunes including, TO GOD BE THE GLORY, NEAR THE CROSS, I AM THINE, and PASS ME NOT. (Milburn & Price, 118) Bradbury even gave her a very difficult melody to write words to, and she wrote an excellent hymn much to Brabury’s surprise. From then on she went to work for William B. Bradbury and Company. (Ruffin, 90)

Finally, Bradbury’s work (among others) is in fact what prepared the way for Moody and Sankey’s revival work in America. This spiritual movement affected religious life in American and England and deeply intensified the Christian church. (Lorenz, 51) What is interesting is that the mention of William Bradbury is often in a list of names concerning his work with the gospel song, the Sunday School movement or American hymnody. His influence can be felt far and wide. He wrote dozens of hymn tunes and many texts as well. Bradbury's most popular songs probably include, "Jesus Loves Me", "Praise Him, Praise Him, All Ye Little Children", "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us", "The Solid Rock", "Just As I Am", "Sweet Hour of Prayer", and "Take My Life and Let it Be." (Milburn & Price, 117) Not only these songs but Bradbury also published over 70 collections of sacred and secular music. His publications include, The Psalmodist, The Golden Chain, Devotional Hymn and Tune Book, The Golden Censor, Praises of Jesus, and Sabbath School Melodies and Family Choir. (Milburn & Price 117/Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers n.d.)

Let us conclude with a brief note on Bradbury's faith. Bradbury was obviously an accomplished musician, writing and publishing hymns about a relationship with Jesus and also culturally relevant songs including one about the civil war. (Ruffin, 90) He even published a "musical pocket companion" or what is titled A Hymn and Tune Book for Prayer and Social Meetings. His comment concerning this publication is, "Can not something be done to awaken new life in our social religious meetings?" (Foote, 264) However, the truth is, little if any information is available on his decision to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Despite this, his life's work and the words he said are evidence of his commitment to the Christian faith. His life and accomplishments are an inspiration to church musicians today and we should be diligent to give our all in service to further development in the Christian music of today and God-honoring worship in this twenty-first century.

References

Foote, Henry, Three Centuries of American Hymnody, Archon Books, 1968.
Jackson, S. Trevena, Fanny Crosby’s Story, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1981.
Keith, Edmond, Christian Hymnody, Convention Press, Nashville, 1956.
Lorenz, Edmund, The Singing Church, Cokesbury Press, Nashville, 1938.
Reynolds, William & Price, Milburn, A Survey of Christian Hymnody, Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, 1999.
___________________ , A Joyful Sound, Christian Hymnody: 2nd edition, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1978.
Ruffin, Bernard, Fanny Crosby, United Church Press, Westwood, NJ, 1976

Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers, retrieved from: http://www.hymnary.org/person/Bradbury_WB?tab=texts#texts

Status Update

2010-12-13T23:49:00.002-05:00

Dear Hastings,

I need to blog more often.

Pearl Harbor Day

2010-12-08T00:29:00.003-05:00

Let's see...
Dreamed I was buying candy
Finished reading I Samuel
Went to bible study
Won another volleyball game
Listened to/played Christmas music
Think she's exhiliratingly wonderful

The Beginning of Persecution: Nero and the First Century Christians

2010-12-01T00:30:00.002-05:00

Below is a beginning draft (forgive any errors) of a term paper for an undergraduate Church History class. Please feel free to read and comment.

Introduction

Already a decade into the twenty-first century, Christianity marches on. Celebrating 2,000 plus years, the Christian church has long survived many persecutions and affliction from Satan, his demons, and men accomplishing the enemy’s will. Yet Christianity has stood the test of time, something that must be recognized. While church history has been recorded since the life of Christ, it is one period in particular that catches our attention today. In this paper we will zoom in on this period (54-68) and enumerate on the subject Christian persecution under the sixth emperor or Rome during the period of ca. 64 A.D. This paper will be split into two main sections. In section one we will also briefly discuss Nero’s life and hobbies. In section two, we will enumerate the persecution that went on and the influence of Nero’s character upon Christians living in the first century.

The Life of Nero

Nero was born on December 15th, 37. (Interestingly enough, I happen to share the month and date of his birthday.) His full name was Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. He is described as about average height, light blond hair, blue gray eyes, thin legs, thick neck, protruding stomach, suffering from spots and body odor. (Grant, 19) Nero received the typical formal education of an upper class Roman and eventually came to the throne in October of 54 (Ibid., 29, 19) The story behind his coming to power is fascinating. Filled with homicidal drama, Nero’s mother Agrippina, married the emperor Claudius and murdered him with a dish of poisonous mushrooms. Then she had Nero proclaimed as Emperor, supported by a bribed army. (Smith, 4) What is remarkable about this man and his family is the sheer amount of violence that racked his home. In Grant’s introduction to his book on Nero he states, “Nero was born of murderous parents, and brought up in a murderous atmosphere. And he too was murderous.” (Ibid., 15)

Further information about the depravity of Nero’s life concerns the emperor’s sex life. His sex life, even by the cultural standards of that day was “alarmingly depraved and versatile.” (Grant, 15) “From all accounts Nero’s tastes in this direction were inexhaustible.” He was a man filled with lust for men and woman alike. He allegedly went to bed not with his wife, but with his mother, younger boys and older men. Evident of his sexual perversion is that he never really had interest in his wife Octavia, who was 14 when he came to the throne. Furthermore, his sexual acts were not limited to slaves, but to free men. He also was said to have had a mock wedding with one such man named Doryphorus. (Grant, 42-43)

It is not known what caused emperor Nero to acquire such debaucherous tastes, but a couple of things are clear concerning this matter. Firstly, sex is a gift given from God and whenever the devil gets involved with corrupting what God has created as good, he inevitably comes onto the scene of sexual matters. This fact reminds one of C.S. Lewis’ famous novel, The Screwtape Letters in which the young demon is encouraged to do his best to slyly lead a young man to his spiritual demise. The underlying fact is that the devil doesn’t care what the issue is, he will corrupt it to lead us to our destruction. Secondly, Nero’s perversity is perhaps the result of his family life and culture. It is important that we raise gratefulness to God for any traces of His grace evident in our lives. Also, we must raise our children and teach our generation the importance of Biblical sexuality. Finally, we are not aware of what pornographic acts or materials Nero viewed or participated in as a child, but his thoughts and actions led him to the most lewd of acts. What is evident is that sin is as disgusting as the pigsty mud that the prodigal son wallowed in.

Furthermore, Nero also enjoyed the arts. It was really the areas of music, art, poetry, theatre, sports and athleticism that he really wanted to revel in. He in fact was quite famous for his charioteering. In fact, it was highly unusual for a national ruler to devote so much time and money to personal artistic success. (Grant, 15) Nero is almost seen as an immature emperor. However, in reality, when thought is given to it, this fact is not all that surprising seeing that he came to the throne when he was just a teenager.

Following the death of Agrippina, his mother, Nero turned to much personal pleasure. Primarily, his pursuits included singing, acting and racing. He devoted much of his time to being a successful singer, lyre-player and tragic actor - all the rage in those days. He even avoided fresh figs, apples and even fresh bread on certain days of the month, all in an attempt to have an excellent voice. He had a throaty bass voice which was culturally best exemplified in Greek drama and his tastes soon became very melodramatic and bizarre. Nero also played women’s rules and one such favorite was Canace, whose incestuous bastard was thrown to the hounds. This gave rise to the joke, “What is the emperor doing? He is having a baby.” In order to convey the depth to which the morals had sunk, the musical accompaniment to such performances had a deeply erotic effect. “The dramatic displays and musical performances excited listeners so much that their hands began to stray. ‘Their soft and effeminate notes provoke immodest touches and lascivious tickling.’” (Grant, 89-91) This is the kind of culture that Nero thoroughly approved and enjoyed.

Persecution under Nero

It is in the context of this man’s rule that Christians lived in Rome. An important lesson for us to take from this is that no matter how horrible things seem today in our culture, they probably aren’t the worst of times as modern pessimistic “doomsdayers” would have us believe. In reality though, we shouldn’t turn the history of Christianity into a comparative narration of which era has the most persecution. What is important for us today is to be informed about past persecution and present persecution that continues to strike at the body of Christ.

Frankly, a lot of what is available to us concerning the history of Christian persecution comes from Tacitus, a historian of the Roman Empire, in his Annals. In fact, a lot of the research completed for this paper cited the works of Tacitus in relaying the information concerning first century persecution of Christians. First called the name of “Christian” in derision, such followers of Jesus were spreading out from Palestine and into Africa, Asia and Europe thanks primarily to the work of the Holy Spirit and missionaries such as Paul and others. Merely thirty years after Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension into heaven under the earthly reign of Tiberius, the emperor Nero begins a persecution of his followers in 64 A.D. Robert C. Walton in his Charts of Church History, lists ten Roman emperors that reigned from 64-311 A.D. We simply are focusing on the first of those emperors, Nero. This first persecution was geographically limited to the area of Rome and its vicinity. The general extent of the persecution is agreed to be that Christians were made scapegoats for burning Rome. Not only this but Nero had no problem using sadistic measures in his crimes against Christians. (Chart 10)

Comparatively, the first Neronian persecution of Christians was definitely not the greatest. We award the most severe persecution to the reign of Diocletian Galerius (303-311). While not posing extremely famous martyrs, it posits such attacks as destroyed churches, burned Bibles, lack of Christian civil rights and mandatory sacrifices to the gods. However, the fame of Nero’s persecution is most likely reflected in the cruel and inhumane treatment of Christians.

Personally, I am well acquainted with the fame of Nero’s actions. In my lifetime I have heard many preachers of God’s Word recount the narratives of Nero burning Christians as torches in his garden parties. The details are that he dressed them in stiff shirts dipped in wax and tied them to trees, and then set them on fire to light the garden. (Forbush, 6) Reminiscent of human tiki torches, this act of cruel punishment seems to be the most dreadful act that the first persecution showed us. What is evident concerning the persecution is that it almost reflects the style and character of Nero himself. He delighted in sports and so made the act of killing Christians a sport for people to watch as ravenous dogs ripped into the flesh of God-fearing men and women. He also crucified them as the culture of the day prescribed for general criminals. They often were hung by roads as object lessons to any passing by. Can you imagine that? Replacing billboards, tall gallows stand by the side of the highway! Finally, the annals of history give us the impression that Nero loved to party and goof off. During his parties of revelling and drunkenness the emperor would walk among the people or race around on his chariot. Of course, the very lighting for these outdoor parties were human beings - people who suffered for following the Lord Jesus Christ. Bainton’s history of early Christianity gives us this account: “They were sewn in the skins of beasts and torn to pieces by dogs. Many died on crosses or at the stake. Others, as day declined, were burned to illumine the night. Nero gave his gardens for the spectacle and put on a circus, himself mingling with the crowd.” (Bainton, 87)

Next, while the persecution under Nero was not the greatest, it was decidedly the start of a slew of anti-Christian sentiment. This sentiment was started on the night of July 18th, in 64 A.D. with the burning of Rome. There are many ideas and statements that revolve around the infamous fire in Rome. In particular this is the event that brought about the famous phrase, “Nero fiddled while Rome burned.” Based on what we learned earlier, this musical instrument was most likely the lyre. The historian Grant agrees. “If he played any instrument it was a lyre and not a fiddle.” (Grant, 152) Nero even took lyre lessons from a professional musician named Terpnus. (Grant, 96) It was rumored that Nero had been so moved by the sight of the burning city that he took his lyre, put on his singer’s robes and sang through a tragic song of his own composition. (Grant, 152) In his song he said that he wished the ruin of all things before his death. (Forbush, 5) However, there is a bit of conjecture concerning how the fire actually started. There are basically three views. 1) Nero started the fire himself. 2) The Christians started the fire. 2) The fire was accidental and the people blamed Nero (who in turn blamed the Christians). Let’s briefly look at these three views.

Firstly, Nero could well have set the fire, this fact cannot be denied. Tacitus tells us that, “Nobody dared fight the flames...Torches, too, were openly thrown in, by men calling out that they were acting under orders.” Whose orders? They were most likely the orders of the Emperor. It was also rumored that he had been seen carrying the torches himself and rejoicing over the ruins. (Allen, 7) Secondly, it is possible that the Christians actually did start the fire and are to be blamed for the arson of Rome. However, this is the least likely view due to the principles and teachings of Jesus that the Christians would have followed. Also, church history accounts would have us know that the Christians were the true scapegoats in this matter. Thirdly, despite relief efforts from Nero’s place, it did not stop the people from believing that it was Nero who had deliberately set Rome on fire. It was customary in that day to “praise the ruler of the world whenever things went good” and so it seems natural that the people would blame the Emperor for this disaster. Grant tells us that Nero had never before been so unpopular and therefore it became “imperative to divert the charge to some other person or group.” (Grant, 152-154) And so what happened in that brief moment of decision by the emperor in the synapses of his brain, unleashed an ocean of hatred and persecution for the Christian population. The accounts tell us that, “The emperor, in turn, accused the Christians, and this began what is called the First Persecution.” (Allen, 7) Author F.F. Bruce really clues us in to the truth of the matter. He states that “rumor was not content to ascribe the fire to accident.” (Bruce, 141) And Nero played on this weakness of man. If the people wanted someone to blame, they would have a people to wreak vengeance on - the Christians!

Martyrs under Nero

There is a bit of information concerning the martyrs in the first persecution. Church historians agree, Paul and Peter were probably the most notable martyrs who were killed under Emperor Nero’s reign. The New Testament is full of information about Paul and his travels including his desires to go to Rome. The latter half of Paul’s life took place during the reign of Nero (54-68 A.D.) Paul, the apostle, the missionary, the man with an amazing conversion was finally killed with Nero in charge of the Roman Empire. Nero sent two of his esquires Ferega and Parthemius to tell Paul of his execution. They came to Paul, and asked that he would pray for them so that they could believe. Paul told them that they would be baptized at his grave. After this, soldiers led him out of the city and after his prayers, offered his neck to the sword’s swift fall. (Forbush, 4) One note of interest is that Blackburn states that Paul was beheaded at the order of Nero in 67 A.D. a few weeks before the tyrant committed suicide at the young age of 31. What an interesting contrast! Paul, a martyr of the Christian faith, Nero, the man weary of his ways. (Blackburn, 18) Peter, the disciple of Christ’s who denied him while standing around a fire outside his trial, was also killed during the persecution under Nero. The emperor sought to take his life and his Christian friends entreated him to flee the city. After a while they persuaded him, and the story is told that he left the city, but when he came to the gate he saw Jesus. Peter asked the Lord where he was going and Jesus told him, “I am come again to be crucified.” Peter understood this to be referring to his own suffering and went back into the city. From there he was crucified upside down, because from Peter’s lips it was said that he was unworthy to be killed in the same manner that his Savior was put to death. (Forbush, 4)

Fox’s Book of Martyr’s also gives us more information about other Christian martyrs who were killed during Nero’s reign. This list includes Erastus, chamerblain of Corinth; Aristarchus, the Macedonian, and Trophimus, an Ephesian, converted by Paul, and co-worker of the apostle. Also martyred were Joseph, called Barsabas, and Ananias of Damascus, each of these men being part of the seventy that Jesus sent out. (Forbush, 6)

Surprisingly enough, the results of the persecution were beneficial. Tertullian, years later would say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. (Smith, 1) Oh, how that statement rings true. As blood was spilled from the bodies of Christians it inspired others to take up their cross and follow in the bloody footsteps of the man who walked the Via Dolorosa. In effect, Tertullian’s statement (though spoken years later) spoke back in time and continues to prophetically speak into the future concerning Christians today. In effect the beginning of Christian persecution under Nero grew the church exponentially. Meeting in the catacombs and in homes, being a Christian was not a casual relationship with Jesus as it seems today. We can imply from the numbers of people who became Christians in the beginning centuries (Anno Domini) of Christianity that the persecution had the effect of multiplying the church. This is an important lesson. Sometimes we may not agree with what is happening to us or around us, but God longs to teach us a valuable lesson. He wants to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, persecution teaches us that this world is not our home. This world has nothing we need, and death is what we look forward to. Indeed, those first century Christians under Nero’s reign had to reassure themselves that Christ’s kingdom was their hope, not the Roman Empire.

Conclusions

Certainly, it is foolish to invite persecution into our life, but we must recognize it’s value in helping to shape us as Christians and to grow the church. Looking back at the first persecution under Nero, we must think about such things in a somber manner. Are we willing to count the cost and do whatever it takes to follow Jesus? Are we willing to lay everything aside in order to be a Christian? Is living for Jesus worth dying for? While this study of Neronian persecution is not intended to be a manipulative guilt-trip, we must face the truth of Jesus’ call. He said, “Come. Follow me.” and, “If anyone would be my disciple, he must count the cost, take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) With this summons to commitment, there is hope that swells up in our hearts as followers of Jesus. As Christians, we have this promise, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church! What comforting words to those who are on the verge of losing hope. It is my desire and prayer that Christians today will be inspired to do more for Christ and to truly take up their cross and follow him, that they will genuinely become committed Christians and serve God with their whole hearts. (Matthew 22:37)

References

Allen, Joseph Henry, Outline of Christian History, Little, Brown, and Company, Boston, 1884.

Bainton, Roland, Early Christianity, D. Van Nostrand Company, Princeton, 1960.

Bettenson, Henry, Documents of the Christian Church, Oxford University Press, London, 1963.

Blackburn, W. M., History of the Christian Church, Cranston & Stowe, Cincinnati, 1879.

Bruce, F.F., The Spreading Flame, W.B. Eerdmans Comany, Grand Rapids, 1958.

Forbush, William (ed.), Fox’s Book of Martyr’s, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1926.

Grant, Michael, Nero, American Heritage Press, New York, 1970.

Reasoner, Vic, Revelation, Fundamental Wesleyan, Evansville, 2006.

Smith, Larry, Christianity Versus the Empire, Church History SS 321, Lecture Notes, 2010

Walton, Robert, Charts of Church History, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1986.

Pearls Before Swine

2010-11-20T22:26:00.002-05:00

Keith...

2010-11-06T23:59:00.003-05:00

I ran in a 5K today. 28:19 was my time. I placed 368th. That's in the Top 20%. I was 12th in my division. I averaged 9:34 a mile. You should've been there 2.

Words or Phrases That Men Should Never Say:

2010-10-29T22:10:00.002-05:00

1) Tutti-frutti
2) Teensy-weensy
3) Cutsie
4) Awwwww

Any more?

Also, the Hebrew word for harp is navel. :-)

Best Friends

2010-10-24T21:57:00.002-05:00

Something Nifty.

2010-10-23T23:15:00.002-05:00

In case you were wondering what time the sun rises on your birthday, or when the next full moon will be, or how many days it is until ______. Check out timeanddate.com It's a pretty nifty site.

PS. 62 days until Christmas.

Toto and Kansas and Metaphors

2010-10-07T18:39:00.007-05:00

I went to Kansas once. It was March, still kind of cold, with enough sun to not wanna wear a sweater, and enough chill in the air to force you to. It was for my cousin's wedding, (about the longest wedding I've ever been to) and my family stopped in St. Louis on the way (Meet me in St. Louie!). We even rode to the top of the arch. And after the weekend was over, and as we drove hundreds of miles back to home, we crossed the state line, and I thought, (so aptly) "Toto... (you know the rest) we're not in Kansas anymore." (Actually, I'm still in Ohio.) But what's the meaning? It's not like it used to be. Ecclesiastes 7:10 (Oh, no! Don't pull out a Scripture reference!) says, "Do not say, 'Why is it that the former days were better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this." (NASB) So don't lament the good ol' days. Why? Because...we're not in Kansas anymore.

-Your friendly friend, blending Scripture and the Wizard of Oz. (*Gasp*)

Briana is 1

2010-10-03T20:57:00.003-05:00

...of the most amazing nieces ever.

I went to my sisters today and hung out for Bri's birthday party.

I am so proud of her. She ate her cake pretty much in a dignified manner, with her one little cute index finger.

I'm engaged!

2010-09-21T21:33:00.001-05:00

Sam McConkey & Melissa Phelps

A Week in Progress

2010-09-11T22:59:00.003-05:00

36 hours = sleep (or less)
32 hours = work (13+ miles walked)
18 hours = class
25 hours = homework (+ or -)
5 hours = piano
4 hours = exercise

Puppysitting

2010-07-23T20:00:00.002-05:00

I puppysat today. Yes, puppysat. It's like dogsitting, except worse. His name is Popeye. He's a boxer/husky mix and has one brown eye and one blue. He loves to play and would bark when I wouldn't play with him while sitting in the recliner. I was working on my sermon and he insisted on attention being paid to him. I didn't have the attention to pay until he bit my toes.

Here he is pulling his innocent face. Pshaw.

Zoological Escapades

2010-07-21T16:00:00.008-05:00

We went to the zoo. It was incredibly happy.

Elephants have dominant tusks just like we have dominant right or left hands.
I don't know what the percentage is for left-tusked elephants.

The polar bear posed perfectly and went swimming later - huge fluffy floaty thing with paws.

Ocelot that went up and said hello to the one laying down.

Mama and her cute little baby that held itself up with its arms and kept flopping it's little legs.

The white lions were sunning majestically. They thought the humans were quite amusing.

This little monkey was very depressed. You could see it in his face.

The fluffy black bear whose wild relative I just saw in Tennessee. Mel adored this guy.

The giraffe who chewed by chomping his lower jaw and caused me to imitate him. We decided they would be very hard to ride with their sloping backs.

(If he could he would - wave, Goodbye!)

Notes on Random Things

2010-07-15T17:29:00.000-05:00

I love how it doesn't get dark until 930.

I love how I can read whatever I want, whenever I want.

I noticed my surgeon drives a Lexus.

You fool, don't you know you're neked.

I always laugh when I see a product that says, "Specially formulated."

If ever I get lost, I will leave a trail of gummy bears, not breadcrumbs.

I did not know you had to be 18 to buy super glue.

There ya go.

Summer Advice

2010-07-14T19:04:00.005-05:00

To do right never gets easy. To not give in to your weakness is a choice. It's a revelation of your integrity. It's not easy to do right when you feel the temptation. Ask yourself, "How bad do I really want to keep the approval and smile of Jesus?" There are people who are watching your life. They will be disappointed. They look up to you. There are people who are watching you. Don't mess up because you will let people down. We need a few good men! By God's grace we can be. If you feel pressure, call your buddies. Pray with others. This is serious business. The devil's fighting. Don't give up! Grow. Be stronger. Choose inside you will not make provision for the flesh. -APB

Summer Things

2010-06-13T16:27:00.002-05:00

So I went to Meijer with Glowbug, got groceries and laughed about lots of stuff. On the way out I saw a bumper sticker. I thought it was hilarious.

By the way, when you go to IHOP like we did. Don't get the Tuscan Chicken Griller. It has no taste. The chicken breast wasn't good quality. And the sun-dried tomatoes tasted like I was trying to chew and swallow something inedible.

Here's my buddy messing with his cell while we waited for our food.

Beware.

2010-06-03T15:14:00.002-05:00

Poor kid didn't see it coming. By the way, that's the big blue guy himself, the Cookie Monster on his shirt. As soon as I saw him I thought, "Somebody get me some chalk." So I figure this little guy could be one of several things.

1) A homicide case for the local police department. Get the chalk and make an outline.
2) A child's mannequin for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation exercises.
3) A warning to all eaters of cookies.

Any thoughts?

Open Mouth. Insert Fork. Smile.

2010-05-27T19:27:00.004-05:00

Original flavor with strawberries.* I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. (4.5 if you want to be technical.) I rate it so because of the taste and consistency, not necessarily the price. This particular cheesecake is pretty soft and creamy. I got it because I wanted to taste the original flavor, but not be boring. My tongue told me it was worth what I paid. I even saved 1/3 of it for later. It still retained flavor and form. Out of the quality cheesecake that I've eaten so far, it's up there in the top 3.

*The Cheesecake Factory

Best Way to Defrost a Refrigerator

2010-05-26T09:53:00.003-05:00

Before I left the dorm I managed to snap this picture. Somebody decided they just didn't want to mop up the moisture. The folded paper towel on top has ink scrawled on it: "Please do not touch this!" Oh yes, and it's a public shower stall.

Your Grace

2010-05-20T23:03:00.000-05:00

Finished Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace last week. I really liked it. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. This book was amazing! (Pun intended.) I really would suggest that any Christian read it, especially those in ministry. My only critique is that he only talked about one aspect of grace, and that is unmerited favor. i.e., God's love and mercy outpoured to undeserving people. (Eph. 2:8-9) He makes no mention or implication of passages such as I Corinthians 15:10 or Titus 2:11-13. What I'm saying is, grace also includes enabling power. i.e., God giving us the power and desire to do His will.

I would re-read this book as well. It's that good. Yancey does an excellent job of pulling illustrations, quotes, and stories from all cultures and time to illustrate his points. He's got a chapter on forgiveness, a chapter on homosexuality, and so much more. Let me just quote extensively. I think that'll suffice:

"We're all bastards and God loves us anyway."

"I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least"

"Romantic love is the closest experience of pure grace."

"The world starves for grace."

"I learn grace by being graced."

"Grace does not depend on what we have done for God but rather what God has done for us."

"God reserves the right to alter the rules of retribution."

"Paul harped on grace because he knew what could happen if we believe we have earned God's love. In the dark times, if perhaps we badly fail God, or if for no good reason we simply feel unloved, we would stand on shaky ground. We would fear that God might stop loving us when he discovers the real truth about us."

"Yes, he's very fond of me."

"Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God loves us more and nothing we can do to make God loves us less."

"Grace alone melts ungrace."

"Christianity has always insisted that the cross we bear precedes the crown we wear."

"We're all oddballs but God loves us anyhow."

"I began to understand that every gay person has heard the message of judgment from the church - again and again, nothing but judgment."

"Grace dies when it becomes us versus them."

"Grace has about it a scent of scandal."

"It is the saints who have a sense of sin."

"Christ accepts us as we are, but when he accepts us, we cannot remain as we are...Every call to
conversion, includes a call to discipleship, to Christ-likeness."

"What God wants is not a good performance, but my heart."

"Blue jeans made a person spiritually suspect."

"The solution to sin is not to impose an ever-strict code of behavior. It is to know God."

"Dispensing God's grace is the Christian's main contribution."

"Every word we say or action we take should reflect God's grace."

"The United Nations reports that over ten thousand people starve to death each day, and most of you don't give a sh--. However, what is even more tragic is that most of you are more concerned about the fact that I just said a bad word than you are about the fact that ten thousand people are going to die today." -quoting Tony Campolo

And there's so much more...So just read the book. You'll be a better Christian for it.

Pomp & Circumstances

2010-05-15T16:59:00.003-05:00

I like Edward Elgar. He seems to offer something to every graduate. You know - that somewhat annoying Pomp & Circumstance. It kind of represents the slow, agonizing way in which you get your diploma. It even has words! Dah. Duh-duh-dah. Dah-duh. Da. Duh-da-dah-duh. You get the point. And then they filed out to March of the Priests - uplifting, but not motivating. May I suggest something more along the lines of Super Mario Bros. Theme or perhaps something upbeat like, It's Over by Hawk Nelson, or We Shine by Stellar Kart.

My niece Briana, happened to sit with me and wasn't afraid of being happy for a photograph.

Neither, was Krista (Melissa's cousin), who is a closet philosopher if you just give her some Italian food, coffee and a book title.

Speaking of Italian food. I am still full from Buca di Beppo's. I rawther enjoyed the Apple Gorgonzola, Cesar Salad, Ravioli, Spaghetti, and Coconut Cake. Here we are, minus the white tie and black mortarboard.

Right now, I'm distracting myself from packing. Moving out of the dorm for the summer on Monday. Accordingly, I went dumpster diving for cardboard boxes a minute ago.

[Sorry. No photograph there.]

My Day in Pictures

2010-05-11T22:14:00.002-05:00

First, I had my Junior Interview with the Ministerial Faculty this morning. Here's me with my Bible and Portfolio. Notice the tie. I employed color psychology on this one.

After the Concert on the Carpet, (which included an incredible song from "The Incredibles") we went across the river...

and partook of smoothies.

...and searched for books, and coincidentally, good book titles.

My favorite part of the day? I'll leave you to decide.

Postscript: I avoided a minefield of duck poop to take the skyline picture.

IT'S OVER! It's Over! It's over. It's over.

2010-05-10T21:38:00.006-05:00

My 5" stack of paperwork for Spring 2010 semester. (Classes include: Daniel/Revelation, Systematic Theology II, History & Literature of the American Holiness Movement, Choir, Greek IIB, Romans & Galatians, Wisdom Literature, Practicum in Drama Ministry)

Comments:

Ryan: That, my friend, is pretty serious
Cortney: Oh my word! I have no idea how big mine is
Chelsea: Nice...That's a lot of paper...That's pretty powerful.
Brennan: Wow. Is that all from this semester?
Jon: That looks humongous
Melissa: Wow. Blog-worthy picture. I believe GBS professors are single-handedly destroying the enviroment.

Hug!

2010-04-29T21:56:00.003-05:00

Sam: Good afternoon. I see the assassins have failed.

Rose: Yes, we had a long talk over coffee. They feel under appreciated and want more hugs.

Sam: Tell them I'd be willing to negotiate some increase in PDA's.

Rose: They said they want a Build-a-Bear and four tickets to Barbara Streisand

Sam: What?!? Who do you think I am? The queen of America?

And I've been thinkin a lot...

2010-04-18T21:06:00.001-05:00

I feel like a pregnant woman in these last 3 weeks of school. "Push! Push! PUSH."

This Catchphrase

2010-03-27T18:21:00.007-05:00

I would like to talk about a whiny catchphrase that seems to have caught on even among Christians, particularly my generation. Many seem to talk about how their life sucks. (Dictionary: informal "be very bad, disagreeable, or disgusting") While I want to balance my response between something like, "Grow up" and "Aw...Let me give you a hug," it seems that such comments are made by people who do not necessarily have a strong biblical perspective. And I say that carefully. I readily admit my tendency to react against something and hold too strong of an opinion [which is immunity to being told you're wrong/paper, rock and scissors they all have their pros and cons]. I also think that it's wrong to compare ourselves to starving kids in Africa (to borrow a cliche) and tell ourselves to buck up because we have it so much better than so many people! (Which is why I kinda get annoyed when people term Nick Vujicic's story as "inspiring.")

Irregardless, nevertheless, notwithstanding, I would like to proclaim a dehortative on the phrase, "My life sucks," and place it against the cohortative, "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." It's a tough balance. Sometimes there is the gritting of teeth. I leave room for sympathy. I exclude all "giddy happy-go-luckiness." But there is something at stake here - our attitude. Prayer is important. I have found that Psalm 34:1 is not a cure all, but it is a proper focus. And if we want excellent, Spirit-led lives...then why not?

Just So You Know

2010-02-24T00:03:00.003-05:00

I'm running away and getting married. We're going to the Islands and hiring her roommate as our maid. Probably going over winter break. Just to let you know.

Pre-Pay, Diverse, Tangerine, Cocoa, Car Door

2010-02-12T23:45:00.003-05:00

Methinks that my scarf smells too strongly of Ocean Breeze that the bottle accidentally expelled while I was being the test sniffer

Due to the events here at college two high-schoolers stayed in my room. If you can call it that. They went to bed after I did and were packing up when I awoke. When one asked where the bathroom was I offered to give him a quarter which I said he would need to get in. He believed me. I smiled and told him I was joking and that he didn't need the change. He smiled back and told me that I had really gotten him. Took some flack for it online. Some found it hilarious, others found it insensitive. I trust he wasn't emotionally wounded. I'm not bringing out sackcloth and ashes. I would've offered room service, but it's a college dorm.

Made no-bakes without the proper amount of oatmeal. They tasted amazing and most of them looked like pancakes.

Had an amazing evening.

Loves to play guitar.

Is so excited he can work out again.

Thinks he's addicted to abrazos.

There's An Ox In My Ditch

2010-01-24T22:42:00.002-05:00

Pulitzer prize winning photos are depressing.

There is no 'E' sound in Louisville.

I'm addicted to mint chapstick.

Naked Death

2010-01-09T15:42:00.003-05:00

The Memory Keeper's Daughter. The Heretic's Daughter. The Storyteller's Daughter. The Mistress's Daughter. The Alchemist's Daughter. The Tailor's Daughter. The Calligrapher's Daughter. The Abortionist's Daughter. Fortune's Daughter. Eve's Daughter. The General's Daughter. The Hummingbird's Daughter. The Optimist's Daughter. The Preacher's Daughter. Fiction book titles! I can help you title your book. No, really. All you have to do is pick a noun, an apostrophe and "s," then add the word "daughter." Here's some more actual book titles. The King's Concubine. The Time Traveler's Wife. Ahab's Wife. The Philosopher's Apprentice. The Sorcerer's Plague. I was in a bookstore yesterday morning and was laughing heartily at the book titles. Who tells these people to title their books like this? It's formulaic! Just make the observation next time you go to a bookstore. Oh wait, I've got more! It's also helpful to add words like "plot, death/dying, naked, and last." The Last of the Mohicans. Last Night in Montreal. The Last Battle. Seeing Me Naked. The Death of a Salesman. The Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Death in Venice. Basically, I think some author's are trying to sell the book with the title. Then there's this disgusting craze of Jane Austen knock-offs. I thought we were through with her? Stuff like, Mr. Darcy's Daughter. Rude Awakening's of a Jane Austen Addict. Alright, so I have it! The perfect book title! The Death of the Naked Dogwalker's Daughter.

My new bookmarked web page? Google Translate. I love this nifty little website. You can translate just about anything into any language (text, webpages, documents). English to Spanish and vice versa. Russian, French, Korean, Hebrew, Danish, Yiddish. I recently checked how many syllables the word "eye" was in several different languages. You can learn a foreign language by typing phrases in. The only downside I see to this is in pronunciation.

I was thinking last week about my spiritual heroes. Nobody that I idolize, but people that I thank God for. They made a big spiritual impact in my life as a kid. I think of Alice Trouten. She taught me to develop a deep love for God's Word. I remember the incentive of chocolate or something like that. It didn't matter. The reward didn't last, what lasted was the memorization of scripture. I deeply sensed her love of God. I think of Scott Sobie. Boy, I can't say enough. He taught my pre-teen Sunday school class. I loved that class. The study of the Bible and Scott's passion for discipleship for us young guys impacted me deeply. Their smiles are indelibly printed in my memory. Of course there are others. Of course I could tell stories. But I'm glad that there are people I can confidently point to, and say that they represent Jesus.

I'm in my 4th semester of Greek. It's difficult and fascinating. Meanwhile, I still discover things and I like to share. I find it interesting that the Greek word χαρισμα (charisma) is glossed as "gift, favor." It's also translated as "spiritual gift" in Romans 1:11 - something I didn't know before.

My Christmas and a Couple of Pet Peeves

2009-12-28T12:13:00.005-05:00

Christmas was amazing. I got out of the hospital, my family drifted in and finally all eight of us were home. Briana was adorable and it was wonderful to have her home, but when I got woken up by her crying several mornings I just decided in my mind that I was never having any kids. In fact, spending the holidays around so many kids has just been great birth control for me.

Irregardless, I had a wonderful time opening gifts and eating big meals with families. I also refuse to list here everything that I got for Christmas; it's rather pointless. And no I didn't receive underwear, just books and clothes and stuff.

It started snowing last night and I'm so glad! We are getting accumulation and everything is white outside. I love it. It's good payback too, because I was feeling gipped. It's still snowing right now, so that's dope.

Despite the happiness, I still manage to have a lot of stomach pain and stuff. I also caught something last night and felt very nauseated this morning. I vomited mucus and air and it was very painful. I've been trying to sleep it off. I just feel horrible.

I started reading The Church of Facebook recently in a bookstore out of curiosity. I'm afraid it's much too unhelpful but I haven't finished it yet. Basically it talks about how the social networking website changes the way we are connected to each other as people. I don't know about you, but I find myself checking my Facebook account like I check my e-mail, or even when I'm bored, and I hate that. Frankly, there is so much personal communication that we use Facebook to substitute for and I doubt it's very healthy. Sometimes I just feel so impersonal and it's disappointing and sickening me.

Furthermore, a couple of things just bug me about reading books. Firstly, I hate it when the table of contents is very vague. I've seen Tables of Content that are just a bunch of nouns ending in -tion. It drives me crazy. I've started to actually pay attention to the TOC because it usually helps to get an outline, overview of the book whether you are reading it or to see if you want to read it. Somebody needs to tell these authors! Bah. So unhelpful. Secondly, I hate-hate-hate those little quotes from the book inserted into the text. I don't know what to call them. Sneak peeks or previews? Or book quotes? Frankly, I think it's unintelligent to add these. First they distract me from reading the text, and secondly they don't really add anything to the book. If I think it's important I'll underline or highlight it. I don't need you to insert a quote that you think is important or interesting. Sometimes the sneak quotes or just plain dumb, like you just read it and then it quotes it again in the text. I just don't read them because they are taken directly from the book anyway and I'm already reading the book! Can I just read the book?

So yea...

My Body Feels Weird But My Heart Is Happy

2009-12-21T18:25:00.003-05:00

So I sit on here on the beloved couch with my head feeling kinda weird. Maybe it's the long road trip, or the amount of reading I've done, or the Percocet I took today. The absolute most wonderful news is that I'm home, and there's no feeling like it, and for the first time in my life the words of that great Christmas song, "I'll be home for Christmas" ring true for me. I'm home from the hospital. I was released a little early actually - yesterday. Spent Wednesday feeling horribly sick and Thursday morning in a little under 3 hours of surgery. Right now I'd very much like to avoid thinking about the three days after surgery in which I was in Christ Hospital. I encountered a man who I think holds the nation's record for loudest snorer. I also endured not being able to sleep, lots of pain, needles, nausea, beeping machines, and lots of other stuff I'm blocking out of my memory or refuse to talk about publicly. And through it all I'm glad that I have found strength in Jesus and am so thankful for all the people who love me. I still am dealing with pain, discomfort and lack of consistent gastrointestinal activity. But the happy outweighs the sad, and when we got home I took my niece Briana on a tour of Grandma's house and we had bonding time and I made her smile. I held her and read my book later on too. It's so nice to shower and get all clean, eat Chinese food, and spend time with my family. Please ignore my grammar as I am currently on drugs. Also, please keep praying for my recovery that I will not have so much pain and that my bowel movements will be regular once again.

My toes are cold. I have to go put socks on.

-Sammy

Overheard

2009-11-21T20:19:00.006-05:00

Being a patient transporter, I often interpose conversations in elevators. For example, I hop from the lobby's main elevators to 4 south, walk to the North wing, grab a stretcher, take the West wing elevators to C level and exit to the ED. It's a fun job. I love running around - suits my personality. Today I walked into an elevator and heard this: "crows feet. Then you would just imbricate the lesser curve..." It was one doctor talking to another. I'm thinking silently, "Wow, I need to throw around words like that in my elevator conversations." Co-workers and I later discuss the possibilty of saying stuff like, "Hey, did you imbricate that patient in 26?"

Later, I'm on 6 and see a nurse on the phone in the hall. As I pass her, she says in a loud and annoyed voice, "I shouldn't have to press 1! I'm in America."

I'm also in my second year of Greek studies in college, and I happened to run across a few words that impressed me. They're like Greek words on steroids. Multisyllabic words like the future passive indicative verb, σκανδαλισθησεσθε ("I am shocked") and future passive indicative verb, διασκορπισθησονται ("I scatter") from Mark 14:28. And let's not forget the aorist middle infinitive from Ephesians 1:10, ανακεφαλαιωσασθαι ("to recapitulate"). Σκανδαλισθησεσθε comes from the verb σκανδαλιζω (skandalidzo), which is how we got our English word, "scandalous." Hey, I'm impressed.

What?! You mean the president of the pathological liars club wasn't completely honest with you?!? I am shocked!

Agh! The "big turkey" approaches.

On Art, Images, Stories and Literature

2009-11-16T16:52:00.002-05:00

"Symbols, metaphors, allegories, and images move the whole person - the emotions and senses as well as the intellect. The rich, evocative words of literature are far more powerful than factual description." - Charles Colson, How Now Shall We Live, 440

Freshman. Ha.

2009-11-15T00:22:00.002-05:00

A freshman confided in me and I have the guts to post it on the world wide web.

He confesses, "I learned college wasn't all about fun and games. I thought college was a glorified vacation."

I chuckled politely while dying with laughter on the inside.

-Sam

postscript: "Can't wait" til thanksgiving!

Make Mine Pointy

2009-11-11T15:08:00.004-05:00

Megan: "Are you one of the guys to get a beard for the christmas program?" She queried me.
Sam: "Yes, why?" He laughed.
Megan: "Because I so want to make yours!" She replied.
Sam: "Insist that you make mine! And give me a short little point on my chin!" He inserted excitedly.
Megan: "We will see...That seems a little more king-ish. Are you a king?" She inquired, pondering.
Sam: "Bah, I'm a zealot." He said resentfully, as a true zealot would.
Megan: "Anyways, I'm gonna make yours."
(Blah, blah, blah, insert boring part here about the number of guys who need beards for the play.)
Megan: "Anyways, I'll do yours and probably Lucas' and Michael's." She replied emphatically. "Thanks! Talk to you later." She promptly said her exit line.
Sam: "Heyheyhey. No problem." He said casually. "Talk to you later. And do a good job on mine!" He said in an excited, encouraging, and demanding sort of voice.
Megan: "I most certainly will!" She saluted.
Sam: "That's all corporal."

To Whom It May Concern:

2009-11-04T21:29:00.004-05:00

My brother Jonathan, went to Starbucks tonight on the graciousness of Adam Profitt's D-group. However, someone said that he was working tonight. He's not.

Furthermore, Jonathan went to Starbucks tonight on the graciousness of Adam Profitt's D-group. However, someone said that he was going on a date tonight. He didn't.

So whoever you are...

Stop saying these things.

*chuckles*

My Eyes Feel Weird

2009-11-03T01:16:00.003-05:00

Ah, yes, college - where we laugh at teachers who try to cover topics in the last 3 minutes of class, experience "analytic shock" from writing papers, and stay up til 1 in the morning working on test reviews.

-Sam McConkey

A Critical Review

2009-11-01T19:57:00.001-05:00

The Shack
William Paul Young

Introduction

The Shack is quite frankly a narrative theology. The book is basically Young's theology with a story intertwined to state and explain his theology. What bothers me is that the narrative seems very forced. In fact, at one point the author inserts a choppy statement about God washing the dishes in between his dialogue with the main character. The first chapter uses very high diction that is very eloquent and surreal at times. Then the next several chapters recount the story of his daughter and how she was murdered, and move along very rapidly only to slow to a grueling pace that involves a teaching session with God at the shack. The book ends predictably with a dreamlike "happily ever after" ending. Furthermore, the ending brings questions to the readers mind that are never addressed when the book ends in a quaint way. Overall, the novel does not have a good flow and is poorly written.

Young admits that the book wasn't written for us. The Shack wasn't even meant to be published. However, the book has been published and so he should be willing to accept any criticism of the book and not dismiss it as irrelevant because it wasn't written to us. Also, the book is very much unlike Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, contrary to the comparison that Eugene Peterson makes. I have to take issue with several statements that Young makes. Below is enumerated the specific content which I disagree with or question.

The Bible

First of all, Young states that we have shoved God not into a box, but into a book. "Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?" (p. 68) While I understand Young's point that we can't reduce God to systematic theology lectures given by intelligentsia, I don't think that He depicts the written word of God fairly. As God's Word or message to us, shouldn't we treasure the Bible, and see it as the primary way the High King of Heaven speaks to us?

God and Violence

Young implies that God hates violence or has a strong distaste for it. "She disappeared into the cabin...still carrying the gun by two fingers, a full arm's length away from her." (p. 90) This is simply unbiblical. (Scripture) While we may question resorting to violence in a particular situation as not being Christlike, the author seems to suggest that God hates violence completely. This is just a misrepresentation of God's character.

God as a Woman

Further, the author paints God as an African-American female to break his "religious stereotype." Papa says that this gender confusion is simply a mixing of metaphors to keep him from falling back into his religious conditioning. (p. 95). Later in the book, as Mack "matures" God changes to a old man with long, white hair. While it is true that God has revealed his nature in Scripture in both masculine and feminine ways, e.g. Exodus 15:3, Psalm 68:5, Matthew 23:37, Young raises a moot point. The primary way that Scripture refers to God's nature is in a way that is masculine. It quite frankly is confusing to call God "Papa" yet see him as a woman. It doesn't seem to represent God's concern for gender distinction. (Deut. 22:5) Thankfully, we don't have this issue with the real God!

Jesus' Divinity

The main character asks, "But what about all the miracles? The healings? Raising people from the dead? Don't those prove that Jesus was God - you know, more than human?" God replies, "No, it proves that Jesus was fully human...He [healed the blind] as a dependent, limited human being trusting in [God's] life and power to be at work within him and through him." (pp. 101-102) This is utter nonsense. Jesus did act in His divinity when performing miracles, and this was one of the ways that people knew he was the son of God. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man, but he performed the miracles as divinity. Also, Young uses a poor illustration of a bird choosing not to fly to illustrate Jesus "limiting himself." The language is just confusing. It seems that Young simply misunderstands the Incarnation.

Holiness Is Not an Emotion

Later in the book, the Trinity has a time of "devotion" where Mack is surprised to see that each member of the Godhead expresses verbal love and admiration to each other instead of the Father pulling out a huge King James Bible. I quote Young here, "To be in the presence of such love expressed seemed to dislodge an inner emotional logjam, and while he didn't understand exactly what he felt - it was good. What was [Mack] witnessing? Something simply, warm, intimate, genuine; this was holy. Holiness had always been a cold and sterile concept to Mack, but this was neither." (p. 109) While I don't deny the blissful feelings the Holy Spirit sometimes imparts to our hearts, I must contend that holiness is not an emotion. Also, Young states that scars (from the crucifixion) are clearly visible on God the Father's wrists. This is patripassionism, an absolute heresy.

We Are Not all God's Children

Next, Mack tells Papa that she seems to be especially fond of a lot of people, and asks, "Are there any you are not especially fond of?" She replies, "Nope, I haven't been able to find any. Guess that's jes' the way I is." This catches Mack's interest so he asks, "Do you ever get mad at any of them?" She replies, "Sho 'nuff! What parent doesn't?...I don't like a lot of the choices they make, but that anger - especially for me - is an expression of love all the same." (p. 121) The problem here is that we are not all God's children! (John 8:44) Jesus tells us that before we enter into relationship with God we are spiritually dead and children of the devil.

Punishment

In the same conversation Papa also tells him, "I'm not who you think I am, Mackenzie. I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it." (p. 122) There is an element of truth in all this. Sin is a harsh taskmaster. The way of the transgressor is hard. (Proverbs 13:15) But to say that God doesn't need to punish sin is absolutely wrong. This calls into question God's essential character and we may ask, "So God is not a God of justice?" Love demands that justice be fulfilled. Any person in their right mind wouldn't say that a judge shouldn't sentence a murderer and rapist because the judge is a loving judge. God's love being part of his essential character demands that justice be fulfilled. Notwithstanding, in saying this we must also consider our freedom to choose right or wrong, and God's redemptive plan to save us from Hell through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Trust and Humility

Young also has an interesting perspective on trust and humility. The Holy Spirit (Sarayu) speaks and says, "You cannot produce trust, just as you cannot 'do' humility. It either is or is not. Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me." (p. 128) If the author is correct here then I could trust someone who repeatedly sinned against me as long as I knew they loved me. Of course, their actions outweigh their words, thereby nullifying my feeling of trust in them. Furthermore, I can also infer that if I don't "feel" loved then I cannot trust God. I disagree with Young here because I believe that both trust and humility are conscious choices on our part in the relationship. That is, trust is an element of faith (Hebrews 11:6) and humility is the acknowledgment that all that I am and all that I have comes from God.

Eternal Submission

Later, Jesus in speaking with Mack about eternal submission within the Godhead says, "Submission is not about authority and it is not about obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect." (p. 147) Again, there is an element of truth in this. Submission does involve love and respect, but it also necessitates obedience and submitting to authority. (cf. Ephesians 5:22-33; John 14:28) Mark Bird explains this well in a paper on eternal generation and eternal submission. He says, "Eternal submission doesn't mean that Jesus is a lesser being than the Father, or inferior in any way; it simply refers to an authority structure within the Trinity, which is reflected in human relationships." Young simply misconstrues this doctrine.

Feminism and I Corinthians 11

The author makes an interesting statement about men causing much pain in the world. Speaking as Jesus, he says, " The world in many ways would be a much calmer and gentler place if women ruled. There would have been far fewer children sacrificed to the gods of greed and power." (p. 149-150) It is interesting that the author seems to momentarily jump on the feminist's bandwagon here. Recent research has shown that women do offer a rational and placid aspect to leadership, but the best type of government/leadership is one with co-gender involvement. Later on, Jesus tells Mack that God's desire was "to create a being that had a fully equal and powerful counterpart, the male and the female." (p. 150) This is not Biblical. I Corinthians 11:3 establishes the structure in relationships. God is the head of Christ. Christ is the head of every man, and man is the head of a woman. While woman are not to be treated as inferior, men and women are not entirely equal. For example, men are responsible for spiritual leadership in the home. Wives are to submit to their husbands (within Scriptural bounds). All of this is not logical without authority structure and headship.

Jesus' Example

Young makes a gross overstatement concerning the example of Christ in Scripture. Jesus tells Mack, "Seriously, my life was not meant to be an example to copy. Being my follower is not trying to 'be like Jesus.' it means your independence is killed." (p. 151) Sure, I get that we can't ask, "What would Jesus do?" in every situation of our life, but why are we called Christians in the first place? Was it not because they saw Christ in the believers at Antioch? I understand that this can quickly turn into a form of legalism, but if being like Jesus isn't a large part of what the Christian life is about, then what is being a Christian all about? This issue can be easily misunderstood because of what Young says here in the book.

Grace Theology

The author also is a very strong supporter of grace theology. This is the belief that Christianity is "all about relationships and simply sharing life." (p. 180) This theology emphasizes God's grace and our relationship with Him to the neglect of discipleship, repentance, justice, punishment, structure, institutions and responsibilities. Grace theology is a reaction to legalism and strictness among conservative Christians. While it may sound good, it simply neglects elements of the Christian faith that are vital. Grace theology also has the potential to damn souls who live in sin, but claim God's grace and a relationship with Him. I John 2:3 clearly tells us otherwise.

Sin and Salvation

In response to Mackenzie asking for God's forgiveness regarding his sin of lying, God replies, "Did that a long time ago, Mack. If you don't believe me ask Jesus. He was there." (p. 191) This seems to cheapen the importance and sacredness of Calvary. While Christ died provisionally for all of our sins - past, present and future - we must personally appropriate his forgiveness each time we stumble and sin. Christ's work on the cross does not give us a once-and-for-all pass to automatically be forgiven when we sin. Of course, if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us. (I John 1:9)

God's Expectations

The Shack also proposes ideas about God's lack of expectations for us. Papa speaks up and says, "Honey, I've never placed an expectation on you or anyone else. This does not mesh with what Scripture says. (Genesis 17:1, I Peter 1:16) If God does not expect anything of us, then aren't we free to do whatever we want? Young states that the idea of expectation that someone doesn't know the future and is trying to get a desired result. Hence, since God knows everything about us, he has no expectations of us. Furthermore, the author tells us that because God has no expectations of us, we never disappoint him. (p. 208) This is totally false. God does have expectations of us and his heart is pained when we make wrong choices. He is a person whom the Bible describes as having emotions. i.e. anger, compassion.

Forgiveness and Repentance

Finally, the author confuses the issue of forgiveness and repentance in relation to sinning against God and against man. God opens the wound of the hurt that Mack has experienced because of losing his daughter. "So what then? I just forgive him and everything is okay and we become buddies?" Mack states softly and bitterly. God replies, "You don't have a relationship with this man, at least not yet. Forgiveness does not establish relationship. In Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me, but only some choose relationship." (p. 227) We must be careful not to confuse this issue. It is true that forgiveness does not necessarily establish a relationships with people who have wronged us, but we can only be in a right relationship with God on the basis of God's forgiveness. Philip Brown says it well in reference to forgiveness, "God is omniscient. He doesn't forget anything. When He forgives us, he removes it from the record. God can also unforgive and put sins back on the record book. His "forgetting" our sin is merely removing our sin from his focus." (cf. Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 18:15-35) Also, it is important that we understand that God doesn't forgive anyone of willful sin without repentance. We must not confuse God's forgiveness and our own forgiveness of others. It's an entirely different aspect of the issue. Furthermore, in an emotional frenzy, Mackenzie cries out, "Help me, Papa. Help me! What do I do? How do I forgive him?" God answers, "Tell him." Mack is still confused, "How Papa?" God tells him, "Just say it out loud. There is power in what my children declare." Mack begins to whisper in tones at first halfhearted and stumbling, but then with increasing conviction, "I forgive you. I forgive you. I forgive you." (p. 229) While the notion sounds nice and wonderful, this is not biblical forgiveness. Brown also says, "God requires from us a willingness to forgive, but not an act of forgiveness if they refuse to repent. If we actually forgave them, they would no longer be responsible according to the record book." (cf. Romans 12:19; Leviticus 19:18)

Conclusion

In summary, The Shack is a puppet that the author uses to explain his belief's about God. Unfortunately, many of the author's ideas are not biblical. This book should only be read by mature Christians or those who are scripturally grounded in what they believe.

I Offer No Apologies

2009-10-27T17:46:00.003-05:00

...for the lack of blogging. I've had surgery. I'm recovering. I've been catching up with homework. What I do promise is a soon coming post on the full story of my...story. Everyone's been asking about what I've gone through and how I'm doing, so I'm just about ready to start a website. Also, I plan to post Cafeteria Recipes. How to make your own food when the menu just won't do.

"Did you know your head weighs 8 pounds? So whenever I weigh myself I deduct 8 pounds."
-Esther Gary

What's Your Sign?

2009-10-13T15:21:00.000-05:00

Eden Park Drive exit. McMillan Ave before Interstate 71. Corner of Auburn. Ridge Ave South exit on the corner. Taft exit - 1st Stoplight. Homeless people with signs fashioned of cardboard and indelible black marker held up by dirty fingers. At best they're simply listing their problems and asking for help, at worst it's manipulation in 20 words or less. And I might add, they're pretty skilled. One sign says, "Homeless and hungry. Anything helps. God bless!" Another sign says, "Hungry. Out of work. Need a kidney." Wait! Kidney? Yes, kidney. Some even ask for specific items on their signs, like a certain kind of food.

The topic came up at lunch today. So the deep philosophical question was posed, "What would your cardboard sign say?" Hannah Emery's sign simply states, "Poor college student. Tired of taking mama's money. Need a car. Cell phone busted. God bless!" Mel says, "Cheap College Kid with sweet-tooth. Need Oreos." We wondered where they get the sharpie markers to write the sign. John pipes in, "It's written in blood." Here's one, "Homeless. Roommate has swine flu. Need place to live."

So the next time you see a sad face attached to a cardboard sign on the side of the road, promptly tell them, "I'M the poor college student. You give ME food and money!"

Content

2009-09-29T18:54:00.003-05:00

This is before my surgery. Right before I found out I had an incurable disease.

I'm at the hospital on my lunch break, (Just realized I used historical present tense for all you Greek scholars out there. Romans 7) Anyway, I just finished my chili and am sitting in a waiting area reading my book with the time I have left. This little boy trots up to the water fountain. Now he's about 5 years old and the same height as the fountain. His mother tags along behind him. He runs up to the fountain and turns it on and leans in. Then, a second later he turns around with a cringing look on his face and tells his mother, "Eww, up my nose."

I also went to Winton Woods Park a couple of weeks ago and on the way back passed a United Methodist Church that offered Yoga for parishioners on a weeknight and Meditation on Mondays at 7PM. I laughed incredulously.

And I just had the most amazing apple pie that my roommate made. I was impressed. Of course, he did call his mother on this whole ordeal. *strokes chin thoughtfully*

Backpack.

Whatevah happened to 'da distinction of 'da classes?

Little Pieces

2009-09-26T14:30:00.002-05:00

My life feels like a hundred little pieces right now. All this disorganization and chaos. I'm living out of cardboard boxes. There are a lot of questions I don't have answers to, and won't for a while. I'm trying to catch up with all my classes and homework. I'm torn between the privileged and the routine. The temporary apartment is so nice, but I'm torn between it and my longing for the normal. The routine. The scheduled. The semi-permanent. The comfortable.

And I'm healing.

Better.

That's how I am.

It's As If You Were Sitting Across the Room From Me, Friend...

2009-09-23T17:45:00.003-05:00

Hi guys.

Candid time.

Begin...

I'm here at the apartment. The pain is lessening every day. I showered myself today. That's a big deal for me. I still feel very weak. The most painful thing I did today was sneezed. I tensed up my abdominal muscles and it turned out very weird, like a stifled sneeze. I took my medication. I ate half a bowl of chicken noodle soup. I'm not sure when I will be able to physically or mentally go back to class. I think I can handle collateral reading, so I might start that tomorrow.

I'm so glad to be out of the hospital. You sit there and see people moving around with no pain, and laughing, eating, lifting things, walking around, and you think, If only these people knew how absolutely wonderful it is to be doing those things. What a privilege!

I don't know why I'm going through this. God is perfecting me, somehow. He's got a plan. I'm not too blind to see that. But it is quite confusing being in the middle of it. The pain, the disease, is teaching me something. It hurts. I don't know why. I don't know what. But whatever brings my God glory. Emergency surgery has a why of rearranging your life and it's perspectives and priorities. Today my concerns were shelter, food and hygiene.

Until later, I remain a recovering lover of God.
-Sam

Healing

2009-09-18T12:15:00.003-05:00

Well, I am...better...well enough to be mobile and walk in the hallways. Still not fully recovered, but the doctors say that I am progressing really fast. My diet has changed from nothing to clear liquids, and I only have minimal pain when moving around. You'd be surprised how much an incision in your stomach affects just about every move you make, especially turning in bed. I am still receiving a steady intake of drugs and have visits all the time from medical personnel. (Therefore, I can't get much sleep.) Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

From the hospital,
-Sam

WANTED: Available students to do homework for me. Any expertise in Greek II? Contact Room 5030 at the Hospital.

I Feel Fine, Okay, Happy, Perfect, Great, Good, Alright...

2009-08-06T22:18:00.003-05:00

New York Times articles: I will eventually find one that interests me. Here's a couple:

Statisticians at the University of Vermont are saying that song lyrics and blogs are adding to a new group of psychology. They state that song lyrics and blog posts are not reactive as surveys and polls are when stating one's emotional levels. These researchers feel that by using today's technology they can get results that are volunteered by people rather than getting a forced or canned answer to questions. "They’re not being surveyed in the usual way. You mess with people when you ask them questions about happiness. You’re not sure if they’re trying to make you happy, or have no idea whether they’re happy. It’s reactive.”

These researchers downloaded 232,000+ songs from 20,000+ artists. They also found 9 million sentences in blogs from 2005-2009 that included the verb form "I feel..."They even analyzed all the State of the Union speeches to find the emotional level of our country. Some findings were pretty much expected with September 11, 2001 at the low point. However, when Barack Obama was elected Americans used the word "proud" predominantly. They're even doing this in Europe, statistically finding out how the economy affects people. Danes in Denmark statistically rated the highest emotionally.

"Christmas and Valentine’s Day regularly popped as positive times, although words like “guilty” were associated with Christmas and “waste” and “lonely” with Valentine’s Day.
The researchers also analyzed the emotional content of blogs by the age of the blogger, and they found a curious pattern. Teenagers, true to form, rated the lowest, with an abundance of “sick,” “hate” and “stupid.”" So how do you feel?

I also read an interesting article about this great neglect of feet and all things foot. People are just plain embarrassed by their feet. I mean, we'll take the time to shower, shave and apply lotion, but most of us ignore our feet. Those who do pay any attention just paint their toes different colors.

"Dr. Nicholas Romansky, a podiatrist with two offices near Philadelphia, Pa., said he had patients so ashamed of their feet that they didn’t allow their spouse or fiancé to see them. “They have sex with socks on,” he said. “Some people think their feet are ugly. You see nice hands, but feet take a beating.” That’s in part because of neglect. “People don’t think about their feet until they fail them,” Dr. Romansky said, adding that many of his patients think soapy water is all that’s needed to clean the feet and don’t bother to rub with a washcloth.“We need to be proactive,” he said. “Most Americans are always in a rush or too fat to bend over.”"

I suppose it's just that feet simply smell, and get dirty more easily. Of all the body parts, they do all the work, taking the beating and rarely get any care. Suppose when it comes down to it that we just don't like the idea of messing around with our feet. Not to mention I have this friend that has podiaphobia.

Boondocks

2009-08-06T00:23:00.002-05:00

With today's technology, I can easily find out where random phrases come from. Have you ever been to someone's house in the country that lived in the boondocks? Where in the world does that come from I wondered. Come to find out...

When American GIs returned from Asia at the close of World War II, besides Victory they brought home a new word to add to the lexicon -- "boondocks". It is derived from bundok the Philippine word for mountain and decribes a place that is remote and inaccessible.

The Lining Is Silver

2009-08-05T22:20:00.002-05:00

My days have been filled with work. Saturday I worked 13 hours. 7-330, home for a nap, and 5-10 in the ER. 5 hours Monday and 8 hours yesterday and today. This morning I got up at 445. What a day. But I took a nice nap this afternoon. I've made myself a sandwich, folded laundry and put it away, listened to music, watched a few shows, and ate a full rack of Oreos.

I'm bored. Working several days and spending them without my girlfriend.

Good thing my friend Carrie and her guy are coming over tomorrow. Mel's coming back and we all are going to CE and I'm making dinner.

Isn't it nice to know
That the lining is silver
Hey!
Isn't it nice to know
That we're golden
Wa-oh

I Have A Plan

2009-08-01T16:37:00.005-05:00

I can count on my fingers the amount of suspense/horror movies I've seen in my lifetime. Problem is, horror movies are so impacting that you just remember them for a long time. Throw in my creative and imaginative mind and you can just arrest my attention. But I have a plan to rid the world of horror movies and suspenseful, scary scenes in movies. Frankly, if the characters in horror movies followed these rules, there would be no basic plot to the movie. Please don't be disappointed...it's simple.

1. Always, and I repeat, always call for backup. Police. Friends. Whoever.
2. Do not under any circumstances open the door. Especially when they knock and ring and don't respond to, "Who is it?"
3. Don't answer the phone. No, really, don't! It's probably some breathy, raspy, creepy voice on the other end. Or possibly dead air.
4. Never investigate any lights, noises, or movement. Don't ask why.
5. Never be curious! Ever! Curiosity kills. Cats too.
6. Do not even think about going inside the house. It's a death wish.
7. Never investigate the scary unknown. Be apathetic and content to just shrug it off.
8. Never split the group up for any reason. This may work in action adventure if you have a cunning plan, but not in the horror genre.
9. Do not make impulsive decisions. Think rationally. Slow down and let your brain work, not your emotions.
10. Stay away from any weird, creepy animals or people.
11. Avoid dark, isolated places. Move someplace sunny. When was the last place the set of a horror movie was sunny with lots of people?
12. Never go anyplace without a GPS, you inevitably will turn the wrong way.

(Add more as comments)

Beware: Topic Change

So I'm thrilled about my brother Jon coming to my college this fall. I was kind of having pleasant thoughts about it earlier in the summer when I found out, but now I'm really pumped about it. He and I are going to be rooming together, so after two years of college and last years fantabulous roommate, I have my brother as a college roommate. It'll be dope showing him the ropes. And as normal, it won't be a problem dealing with him. Right Jon? Right!?? I'm just kidding. But no, the more I think of it the more I see, "Jon, pick up your socks!" "Hey Jon, there's milk in the fridge and you're welcome to it anytime, but you're buying next week." Not to mention, when we want it to be, it can be our castle, our home, our world.

I anticipate good things.

Contrary To Popular Opinion

2009-07-30T13:15:00.003-05:00

I do not go out with my girlfriend and blog together with free wi-fi. We have it here at the apartments. And no wireless internet is ever free. And please note that we did not blog on the same day. No, I'm not defensive.

I don't know what is up with my patients at work. A non-psychotic dialysis patient told me I smelled good this week when I came to transport her. My job occasionally makes me smile and laugh.

As far as movie classics go, I've never seen one. One of those manly movies that a guy is supposed to watch before he dies I suppose. Saving Private Ryan. So I watched it yesterday, sitting on the couch, right after I made Tuna Fettucine Alfredo. And I had another salad crave. Zesty Italian dressing please. It was a sit-around-and-watch-things-all-day kind of day.

The World Would Be Different If We Could Read Each Other's Thought Clouds

2009-07-28T15:14:00.004-05:00

I. ask. my. kindred. friend. to. give. me. a. quote...
"Yes. You may quote me...in a quote."
Then she snorted.
"I love my pumpkin nutmeg candle."
"Also I'm gonna name my next dog Karma. Good Karma! Bad Karma! Staaaaay. Stay."
"Are you really gonna publish this?"
"Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming."
"You know once you pop, you just can't stop."
"Hey, look, a squirrel!"
Then she sipped her water bottle and returned to typing.
It's a love affair with lappy.
And. my. girlfriend. is. hanging. over. me. impatiently. wanting. me. to. go. get. icecream. with. her.

This Headache Won't Go Away

2009-07-15T21:29:00.002-05:00

*sits chuckling to self about how much legal fun he's had*

For the 4th time in my life I went to Cedar Point in Sandusky. New to this was my bro Jonathan. Welcome to the club. Mel and Rosie went too. Much happiness was had by all. You know...falling several hundred feet at 93 mph (Millenium Force), or dropping at a 95 degree angle (Maverick), or shooting down a track at 120+ mph (Top Thrill Dragster), or sniffing the air while flying through it (Raptor). One thing new was that we learned how to play games in line to pass the time. As far as everything else, well...we just won't say.

For the 1st time in my life I went tubing today. You know, tow a tube at 10-25 mph behind a boat on the lake and hold on for dear life. Or whoop, and yell, and laugh as I did. The greatest thing is being spun at the edge of a curve. You're flyin. Or there's also being bounced over waves, and getting water sprayed in your face, but mainly you just hope your arms won't get too tired, or that the waves will be relatively small. *laughs* Here's the downer. Josh and I hit a wave and my head hit his shoulder bone. Ouch.

I had so much fun I'm sad I don't have pictures to prove it. But then again, why would I produce any? Just think...I'm off to Roxbury next week.

Where's My Hug?

2009-07-10T16:08:00.003-05:00

I was looking back at my archives and saw that I could approximate how busy and stressed I was based on the number of times I blogged in the month. For example, I usually range in between 11-16 and during my crazy semester this spring it averaged 2-6 a month. Then I had a realization. Then I realized my realization. I like to say that I'm busy. People ask me how I'm doing, or how my life is, and inevitably, if I don't say that I'm doing good, then I tell them that I'm busy. I don't know why yet. An empty day on my calendar is a wasted day to me. Like, I feel I always have to be doing something. I've picked up a fast pace and I feel like I can't part with it. And I don't think that's good.

More fascinatingly is this:

"A number of academic studies have found that hugging, hand holding, and other forms of TLC ease anxiety by calming areas of the brain that register alarm and can even lower blood pressure too." -Source unknown (tacked to a bulletin board in the hospital's cancer center)

Today and Tomorrow

2009-07-09T15:57:00.003-05:00

Because my hours are scarce Central Transport at work offered to let me work down in the Cancer Center for a couple of days. Today and tomorrow. Odd and ends stuff, but it was so slow today. I took dirty linens from exam rooms to Bio and ran an errand with the HUC, but not much. Everyone down there is really nice. I learned what Dosimetry is. And they have Medical and Radiation Oncology. I sat in the Mold Room a lot and listened to the Research Freezer hum and a couple of Physicists talk about a new Nucletron from Holland.

I also found that the little spider who has been living on my driver's side car mirror was back. Unfortunately, Buck overstepped his bounds and explored my windshield. So I pressed the little button and turned on my windshied wipers. Next, I got back to my apartment and was taking off my socks and found another spider on the hardwood floor. Those nickle-sized quick runners. I murdered him viciously too. However, I think it's a sign. Ah, a movie title! Revenge of the...nevermind.

-Sammy

Eggs

2009-07-08T19:57:00.002-05:00

I called my Mom, but she wouldn't answer. I have a dozen in my fridge, but cooking my eggs easy over is just getting a little old. But how in world do you hard boil an egg? I mean, I know you put eggs in a pan and put water over them and boil them, but for how long, and what about water temperature and...? With Mom deserting my desperate cry, well not really, but please answer your phone the next time I have a life and death crisis, I set out to do what any 21st century college male adult would do...I googled it. "how do you hard boil an egg" I clicked on what looked to be most helpful. A Wikihow video website. The things you do, when you're alone, and hungry. Oh, and I prefer mine as a finger food with salt and pepper.

The Operation

2009-07-07T18:44:00.003-05:00

Performed Operation Adrianna's Rescue today. Blogging from her now. It's been a while.

It's amazing how this summer has given me an adultish outlook. Adultish. It looks like adultery or amish. Anyway, I just thought it looked weird. I just got back from grocery shopping and I went over to Katrina's apartment and Rochelle came over to, then we got Chinese. Regardless, grocery shopping, cleaning, washing dishes, laundry, going to work...makes me feel much older. Of course, then there's the junior in college this fall statement. I'd prefer not to get started on that one.

More to come...

-Sammy

I'm a Polar Bear

2009-06-21T13:01:00.003-05:00

Where'd all my bloggers go? WHAT? Is it the SUMMER or something? Oh...yea. It's a sad world people.

I absolutely refuse to drink diet soda. It's got aspartame and phenylketonurics. No thanks. Besides, it tastes nasty.

My favorite shows are Psych, Hogan's Heroes, and the Andy Griffith Show.

I love dogs, I really do. I hate it when they lick my face. Frankly, it's disgusting.

And apart from my allergies. I'm really starting to think summer's not so bad. Of course, I'm a polar bear...

Randomly,
Sam

The News

2009-06-17T21:05:00.003-05:00

There are some times when reading and watching the news is very rewarding.

For example, President Obama has got me feelin so fly. He reportedly killed a fly on CNBC daytime television that was bothering him. This happened Wednesday. Apparently, news anchors had no problem in dishing out jokes like, "This is the first expose of bugging in Washington." More was cranked out about "The No Fly Zone," "I'd like to be a fly on the wall," and "Obama is now a Ninja." Just google this: video of obama killing fly

More shocking is this: Mom goes on a crusade against junk food. No cupcakes allowed. She's targeting the school cafeteria, but even goes on campaigns against Girl Scout cookies. She is termed as the "New York City Cupcake Mom." She even calls Santa Claus fat. There's something worthwhile to dedicate your life to.

This one made a "Wow!" burst from my lips. On the today show, an 18 year old goes to a tattoo shop and asks for 3 small stars on her face. She "falls asleep" and leaves the parlor with 56! Now she's suing. Yahoo TV's Nikki Boyer has a great question, "How do you fall asleep while getting a tattoo?" This is Belgium by the way folks. No worries for you American teenagers out there. But wait, there's more. The guy doing the tattoo's says she was awake and never complained until her father got mad. You should check out the picture of the tattoo artist.

In other news, Sammy slept about 18 out of 24 hours in the last 24. I have been sick and am trying to sleep it off. I took a double dose of night-time cold/flu meds last night and am still taking my generic Z pac for this infection. Ugh.

Road Trip Home

2009-06-15T14:35:00.003-05:00

Decided to take the longest ride to church yesterday. Wanted to go to my home church so Mel and I decided to wake up early and go! So after 3 hours and 45 minutes I watched my Mom's mouth open in surprise, then turn up in a smile. It's so fun to come up and surprise family.

Haven't felt well over the weekend, and that's stating it moderately. [Insert list of symptoms here.] Spent a lot of time feeling miserable last night. Went to the doctor today. Came home with two prescriptions and a diagnosis of acute max. sinusitis and gastritis.

Worked 3 days straight @ Christ last week. Trying to rest up now and enjoy my time home.

Voila!

And stuff...

The Glass Table

2009-06-06T09:26:00.004-05:00

Rosie likes my "Everything is wet." sentence from my last blog so I decided to include her in this blog. Here we sit at the glass table

Rosie: The glass table of kitchenness!
Sam: So what do you like about the glass table?
Rosie: *laughs* It's not funny! *continues laughing*
Sam: Okay, so glass table aside, what is your favorite part of vacation?
Rosie: The people. Me likey the people. I like the people.
Sam: Why? What people? Why do you like the people?
Rosie: It's a very difficult question Sam. *thinks* Um, They're all different. They're all differently loud and crazy, you know? You know Joey, he does all those loud, "Oh no!" screams. Then he sits there and watches cartoons. We love Joey. So Miriam has all those first born tendencies She all sweet and loud and takes charge. I love vacation.
Sam: So you said everyone is differently loud and crazy? Do you think I'm loud and crazy?
Rosie: I thought that was kind of a given.
Sam: *laughs*
Rosie: Are you enjoying vacation with us? *she looks at Sam with pondering look* I'm just kinda wondering.
Sam: Yea, I am. You guys are very happy. Happy happy.
Rosie: What do you like about vacation though?
Sam: Um...
Rosie: I mean the glass table is pretty sweet.
Sam: Yes, it is. Um....I like the people. I know you already said that. I like the fact that I can relax, which I haven't been able to do for a long time. It's pure....like whatever. *Sam struggles with descriptive words* I like how you just jump in the pool at the end of the day, and go exploring at undisclosed locations, and go out to eat, you know....
Davy: Ow! Ow! Ow! *dances in pain*
Sam: That was Davy
Rosie: That was intersting
Sam: No, that was Davy. He just ran by really fast, like a tornado, and hurt himself on the glass table.
Rosie: So surprising! (Notice the sarcasm)
Sam: There's that glass table again.
Rosie: *crosses arms*
Sam: Rosie doesn't like the fact that I type everything she says and does.
Rosie: [CENSORED]
Sam: Wow. *laughs*
Rosie: Garr
Sam: So basically the point is...
Rosie: We likey vacation.
Sam: Uh-huh. And we just thought we'd share. We're so nice like that.
Rosie: We are pretty...*shrugs*...you know, awesome.
Sam: No jealousy. Just happiness. Romans 12:15 please!
Rosie: Be happy!

Can And Will

2009-06-02T06:31:00.003-05:00

Here I sit in Cleveland International Airport - Gate C26 - waiting on our flight to Orlando. Mel is next to me on the floor, curled up, eyes closed. Davy is fidgeting next to me, while the rest of the family is down a couple gates at the coffee shop. The port shows signs of life. Trucks and tugs bustle around. Steam comes from D6 across the lane. A small jet just rolled by. Everything is wet. The sky is gray. If the sun rose today, I don't know when it did. Everything outside is dismal matching the feeling of my body. I struggled to sleep early this morning and maybe somewhere around 230 was able to catch a half hour or hour. I don't know. I kept on waking up. It stormed last night, and has been raining since. My stomach has that nasty, ecky feeling that I feel whenever I am really tired and haven't gotten sleep. It's been years, literally, since I've flown commercially. It's all nostalgic for me. Heh. But I blog, because I can and will. On the contrary to what's happening right now, I am pretty rawr excited about vaca. A week in Florida, c'mon! There's a man sleeping across the walkway, flat on his back, arms across his chest, bag under his head. For those who aren't motivated by coffee and pastries, as in eating and drinking them, because drinking coffee is a great motivator, there seems to be a, "N0-thank-you-It's-too-early-to-smile" mood hovering over this terminal. I don't know if it's the weather or the fact that the clock reads 748EST. I lower my dope purple sunglasses onto my nose and smile contentedly. Ha. Vacation.

Red

2009-05-26T21:25:00.004-05:00

That's it. I'm done for. All my cousins. 4 namely, have had, are having babies, my sister makes 5. I feel incredibly adultish. Yes, adultish.

An excerpt from Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves

"On the contrary. It's Gussie's favorite dish..."
"Indeed, sir? That is very gratifying."
"Gratifying is the word. What a lesson this teaches us, Jeeves - never to despair, never to throw in the towel and turn our face to the wall, for there is always hope."
"Yes, sir. Would you be requiring anything further?"
"Not a thing, thanks. My cup runneth over."
"Then I will be saying good night, sir."
"Good night, Jeeves."

I *gasp* clapped my hands in excitement today. In fact I might be so bold as to say that I jumped up and gravity brought me back down. This process was repeated twice or thrice. The reason? The future.

To Enjoy

2009-05-25T16:08:00.003-05:00

Here I sit with brown t-shirt and green pants inwardly laughing at all those people who planned memorial day picnics today. It's raining. I planned nothing, but...

To cook my breakfast - 6 eggs and juice.
To read my books. Holy Bible, Living Water, Stiff Upper Lip Jeeves.
To officially enjoy this wet day.

-Sam

College Kid Finds New Home In Summer Apartment

2009-05-20T20:26:00.004-05:00

I can read the shocking headlines now. Sorry -No links to tabloid photos will be posted here.

I find it funny how I sit here now with everything changed.

I just moved into my apartment today with the help of my family. (Woo-hoo!) Thank you Mom, Jon & Josh! I'm sorry that I am not posting any pictures. Well, no...I'm not sorry, but anyway...you'll get over it soon.

How about now?

So out of the dorm and into the apartment for several months this summer. I'm working at Christ Hospital, and will somehow manage to do all prioritized things in between. Like vacations, youth camp, and lots of reading. My current book is Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves by Wodehouse.

It's such a blessing to have a place, especially now that the stress is gone, or severely lowered. And now I'm going to go finish dinner. (Like you cared)

=)

-Sam

Nocturnal

2009-05-07T01:23:00.003-05:00

I'm turning all nocturnal. My pupils are staying dilating and my visions is getting better. My hearing is improving. My skin is turning pale. Pretty soon I'll gain my wings. Actually, I'm quite scared. This really can't be good. I proposed to take a nap @ 2:30 yesterday afternoon and woke up @ 10:30 - 8 hours later. Accidental, of course. Now it's 2:30 AM and I'm raring to go.

Ryan, stop laughing at me!

In the home stretch of finals. Currently taking a break from working on stuff that has to be completed by tomorrow. I, uh...wonder how I'm going to get it all done. Grace + perseverance?

I work tomorrow. Ha. I wonder if I should sleep beforehand?

In a recent passing conversation with the campus pastor of my college I was impressed by wisdom. He said, "Sometimes you need to know when to preach a sermon and when to serve doughnuts." This morning, doughnuts were served. You see, wearing jeans to class and serving doughnuts for chapel is perhaps the best thing you can do for a stressed out, finals-approaching college student. Meredith commented later on combining doughnuts into the sermon, which I think is novel. The fact is, psychology must be integrated into Christianity. For all you nouthetic counselors out there, sometimes a sermon or Scripture verse is the last thing a person needs.

My plans for the weekend include going home, and going to a friend's wedding, all the while trying to finish my finals. I've gotten to the point where all my friends getting married doesn't scare me anymore. Is this maturity or have I gone mad? I'm a realist. I'm accepting reality. I'd impress you with a list of things I must do for finals, but I have neither the time nor the patience to do that. The fact that I'm turning nocturnal should clue you in on how crazy my life has been, and will yet be!

Ryan, wake up!-Sammy

Farewell to the Beloved

2009-05-04T02:20:00.002-05:00

iF you don't see me this week it's because I have died.

Well, apart from the mellowdramaticism, I'm fine. But I'll be doing nothing but homework and work. Perhaps, the two greatest combinations known to man! Okay, I couldn't help but add the sarcasm.

I'm glad that My Father has strength for me and can hold my hand. I'm glad that He counsels me. I'm so happy that at his right hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16)

So farewell to all that is good. Sleep. Friends. Perhaps food. (Okay, so I enjoy being dramatic)

*in fast, high-pitched, eager, dramatic voice* Would you like to see my list of things to do before it's over? *in low, deep, monotone voice* Uhhhhh, nevermind

Can I frown? (Psalm 34:1)

-Sam

Honesty

2009-04-29T22:25:00.004-05:00

When I leave here I want a tree with a plaque in memory of me, and a bullet hole placed in the skywalk in my honor. Oh, and please institute 24 hour cereal bar, maybe not my life but my death will accomplish something worthwhile.

I amuse.

But I am depressed. Oh yes, I leave not room for facades. The honest truth is that I am stressed out to the point of loss of appetite, anger, apathy, sickness, headaches, fatigue, wanting to avoid people, guilt, confusion, tears...Of course, I don't want your pitiful comments filled with pity. My life has torn me down spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Last night I was so tired and depressed I couldn't cry. Tonight, I cried and poured out this little heart to God. I'm just acting like a kid. He's holding my hand while He gets me through the end of this semester. It's been tough, but I've volitionally forced myself to connect my faith with my feelings. That is, deliberately choose to allow faith and my relationship with Christ to dictate how I feel and what I choose to do. So now I've raised my head.

Okay, honesty moment there.

Last week I went with a group of friends and bought candy and flew a kite at the park. Then we took a walk and bought ice cream like happy little souls. I'm sorry for cutting in line Dwayne. The kite's name was Nemo and he did a fairly good job. I like those Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. They're great. Those wax bottles? They are perhaps the nastiest, most un-candylike candy I have ever had. I spat mine out. Even after learning how to correctly eat them, I still refuse to place wax in my mouth.

Community Clean-Up was on Sat. If Highland looks any better it's because of me and others. I now have a deep hatred for all litterers. Not really. I was heavily disappointed at the lack of finding any needles or weapons. Bottles, wrappers, condoms, and cigarettes however were the nasty norm.

I worked. The hospital. Yea. I do patient transport. Quite amusing. I took a lady from the ER up to her room. Soon as I got to her room in the ER she was all nauseous and signaled for a pan to puke in. After some intravenous nausea meds, I thought, "Great, and I'm rolling her around on a stretcher." Before I go in the room, the nurse comes out again and says, "She's f----- crazy!" I thought, "Ooooooh, great." So here I go in the room, and tell the lady, "Hi. I'm Sam with Transport and I'll be taking you up to your room. She stares me in the eyes and says, "Is that your real voice?" I tell her, "Yes ma'am. It is." She responds, "Nooo. That is someone else's voice." I mean my voice is kind of deep, but I just looked around for this someone else as I placed gloves on my hand. Then she started talking nonsense and I think some of it was inappropriate, then she stares at me and says, "You have a big nose." I thought, "Ooookaaay."So then I proceed to pump up her bed and hook her up to an oxygen tank, even though she was on placebo oxygen, which made me laugh inwardly. As I unplugged the oxygen hose from the wall it makes a Psssss noise. She then freaks out and says, "Agh, the scary noise!" I laughed out loud. "No, ma'am. That's just the oxygen to help you breathe." So we finally get up to her floor and she's muttering something about someone who did her wrong and says, "I'm gonna cook 'em!" Then she lifts her head up from the bed and sees the EKG heart monitor. She looks at it and says, "Am I gonna die?" I said, "Yes ma'am, you are." Then she asks me, "How soon?" I, wanting to play along with her craziness, told her, "Oh, about 5 minutes...Get ready." She replied, "Okay." and laid her head back down on her pillow. It was incredulous. The nurse and I looked at each other and silently laughed. And that's the joy of working.

Thought I'd share.

-Sam

It's A Sign

2009-04-21T22:04:00.003-05:00

When your co-worker tells you that you look horrible. He motioned with his fingers to represent the bags he saw under my eyes. Really, now...is it that bad? It does something to you psychologically when someone tells you that you look terribly tired. Terribly horribly...and things.

On a related note. I don't want to be nominal. What sets me apart from any other person? I am striving to be someone different, and in order to be that person, I aim to be more like Christ. I'm going to be the one with a smile. I'm going to be the one with compassion. With my interaction with people, I am pledging to be like my Father.

On a non-related note. I bought Lucky Charms and "fresh" strawberries tonight.

What? Oh, yea...there's a test tomorrow.

I'm In Debt...

2009-04-20T14:16:00.000-05:00

...with time. I fully realize that it's no longer 66 and Windy. I also apologize to Trapper and others, who I have bitterly disappointed and ruined hobbies of blog surfing. I hope that you won't be too shocked or surprised.

So here I am, timidly typing out a post in what has been...weeks. I fear your response. I fear your rejection of my reasons. No, seriously. The story starts with my beloved Adrianna who fell ill over 4 weeks ago, on top of this my attempts at blogging on FS7600 were foiled by a bad connection which wouldn't let me sign in to Blogger. Then, for the last two weeks, being hounded by peers who would make comments to me about my lack of posts...every time I would sit down to blog, my conscience would bother me and I would do homework. It's not really that I don't have enough to do. It's that my self-discipline wouldn't let me spend time on blogging.

You see....you make time for what you want to do...And I didn't make time. So I now wince at the barage of comments I anticipate.

I'm not sure that I want to recap in a bulleted list everything I've done over the past month, but let me add this: I've started working at the hospital which has made my life increasingly busier.

Right now, I'm very excited about the sweet score God helped me achieve on my Greek test.

Also, I just finished talking to my high school buddy on Facebook. He's in Egypt, in the Army. Technology's amazing, but I feel so old. He told me, "I just got a car loan. Now I'm looking at houses. Two years ago my biggest worries were the weekend tournament."

And now I leave to go to drama practice. We go out next Sunday on the road. Test Wednesday. I work tomorrow 8 hours. It really...never ends.

66 and Windy

2009-03-05T18:39:00.003-05:00

My heart is flowing up to my lips.
Give me a song.

The wind blows
[What else does it do?]

It blows away the curse
Reveals my heart for spring

Thanking God that I am driving back to the hilltop with my windows down and soul up,
-Sam

Start the March

2009-03-02T23:19:00.003-05:00

Back to the march here.

Back at home? Yes, I sniffed the air. Particularly I blew my breath into it. And I hugged my puppy. And I ate awesome food.

Nice holiday it was.

I dislike past tense.

-Sam

Warning:

2009-02-26T19:19:00.000-05:00

A metaphor is a code book. A simile is like a pillow.

In reference to television in one his sermons: "People use it as a babysitter - keeps 'em quiet. Damns their soul, but keeps 'em quiet." -Dr. Brown

One the way home my college friend asked me what I thought the two biggest issues are today in working with youth. It didn't take me long to think of them. I paused and thought. "Relationships and sex." I replied. With my passion for youth, and current work and study in youth ministry I cannot deny this or not be aware of it either. With our messed up dating system, young people are more and more confused and misled by sociey on what healthy relationships are. Whether healthy same sex or opposite sex relationships, but especially the latter. Secondly, the chemicals are being ignited and unfortunately bad choices lead to consequences. Sex ranks in my opinion as one of the leading problems as well, if not the top problem. To my surprise and confirmation, she told me her youth leader back at home, concurred with my opinion.

Then out of the blue she just commented, "And your car smells like herbal essences." I laughed wholeheartedly to this. "Ummm...thanks." I said. I then explained that my Mom gave me Green Apple car fresheners for Christmas. I still laugh about this. Not only that but as we were traveling along the highway, she looks out over the fields, and snow, and farms, and perhaps a few horses, and describes the country as "classy and romantic". I laughed again and told her, "Yea, thanks. You're describing the area where I live as classy and romantic. Wow."

Tony invited me to play volleyball with our cousins and himself on Monday. I came over. It's a brilliant idea really. All the girls were at his sister-in-law's baby shower, so all the guys get together for pizza and fierce volleyball. So glad I got to hang out with him. Also told Dwayne about the computer monitor I brought home to shoot. He's like, "No. Bring it over. We'll blow it up." We both laughed. I agreed.

You may have the permission to look at me strange following this news: I have disciplined myself while home on break to complete lots of homework. Yes, yes. Okay, honestly, stop shaking your head. And I've done lots. It's a good feeling.

Tuesdays itinerary was not replete with friends. Went out to eat with Denver, Amber, Dani, RuthAnn, Angela, Keith and myself. Following, we went to [please don't laugh] Pet's Pajamas, and petted some of the puppies there. I took a casual, masculine approach to this intoxication of cuteness. Following, we graced the presence of B&N, complete with stand up relationship discussion and sit down theological discussion. Edifying is the adjective.

I went downtown today and met Netania at CC Coffee Shop. [Learned something new - Hers is a Hebrew name, like mine.] I had coffee and we talked of being adults and the old high school days. Refreshing.

I donned t-shirt and flip-flops and gave Toby a bath today since it was moderately warm. Then I played with Callie and got her all excited, but not without mud on my toes and arms. After supper Mom and I talked while I made chocolatechipcookies. Something I appreciated and made me feel home.

"I'm hoping. Spring - maybe - soon." -my brother Josh

Random.

-Sam

Somnambulism

2009-02-21T21:05:00.005-05:00

I found an interesting article online about emailing people in your sleep. Supposedly it's a side effect of prescription medication. There's one you don't see! Side effects: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Chest Pain, Dizziness, and Somnambulism. If I happen to send you any weird party invitations, disregard them.

"According to a case described in the medical journal Sleep Medicine, a 44-year-old sleepwalker logged onto her computer and emailed out party invitations to friends. Fortean Times magazine looks at this case and several other bizarre episodes of somnambulism.

From Fortean Times:
The mails themselves were perhaps not up to the woman’s waking standard; each was in a random mix of upper and lower case characters, badly formatted and containing odd expressions.

The writers of the report have dubbed this new variation of sleepwalking ‘zzz-mailing’. They say: “We believe writing an email after turning the computer on, connecting to the Internet and remembering the password displayed by our patient is novel. To our knowledge this type of complex behaviour requiring coordinated movements has not been reported before in sleepwalking. She was shocked when she saw these emails, as she did not recall writing them. She did not have any history of night terrors or sleepwalking as a child.”

Unlike simple sleepwalking, they argue, the activities the woman engaged in required complex behaviour and coordinated movement, as well being able to remember her login details. She had no memory of the events next day. It’s thought that the somnambulistic episode may have been triggered by prescription medication."

The Thrilling

2009-02-18T01:50:00.004-05:00

.
Greek IB Test complete
.
Going home for a week of break.
.
Job interview next week

-Sam

I'm Not Givin Up

2009-02-14T00:03:00.000-05:00

ασπαζομαι συ πολυς, πολυς, πλειων κρονοι

My List of Priorities:
1.) Be more materialistic
2.) Screw up work ethic
3.) Take drugs
4.) Eliminate sleeping out of my schedule
5.) Procrastinate
6.) Drink no milk
7.) Include more violence in my daily relations

"The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed" -Nicolas de Chamfort

I'm tired
And I'm resting in the grace
Of my king
I'm not giving up
Even though I've given up
Everything
[&]
I surrender
To the One
Who asks for my surrender
To my God
Who created me
I'm not ashamed
Of who I am in Christ
I'm not ashamed
Of who I am because of Him
My Abba and Adonai

I Feel...

2009-02-12T23:33:00.004-05:00

Stupid highschoolers...It's not that we don't want them here...it's just, well yea, we don't want them here. Brent and I lucked out and we sleep well tonight without intruding guests in our room. However, as I write this I can hear feet running down the hall, and walls being banged. It amuses me how so far removed we college students are from highschool, like that was forever ago. We are so mature now. *laughs* Reminds me of Keith last year. I helped him place duct tape on the floor of his room in 3x3 squares for the kids who were staying in his room - kindly labeled "Person #1" and "Person #2". We also layed a line of duct tape in the middle of the room with "DO NOT CROSS" labeled on it. Ah, memories.

-Sam

Toast

2009-02-01T00:51:00.003-05:00

The toaster popped. I jumped up from my seat with the same intensity. I strolled to the toaster thinking about why toaster's popped, and perhaps that the world's great mystery had been solved. So that's why they call them pop-tarts. Then I think of the quote "You can eat pop tarts, TM anytime of the day." I laugh to myself. However, the matter at hand is my toast. Burnt to a crisp as expected. I wave my hand about trying to get the smoke detector to be quiet. Next my attention turns to the toast at hand. Skill is a matter of importance here. Now you musn't get burnt. I could simply pull the tongs out of the drawer and remove the toast, but that would be cheating. Dainty fingers are skillful, but I don't have the fingers, just the skill. I pull my piece of toast with much precision from the hot toaster like pulling a diamond ring from a fire. With much success I let my prize slap on the countertop. Jelly is next on my agenda. Strike that, jam. I lean over and search the refrigerator door for marmalade. Blast! Jam will have to do, but jam is essential for a prize like this. And with delicious spread in hand, I begin the art of applying strawberry jam to burnt toast. Extra heavy to compensate for the taste of charcoal of course, and as I do, a "tra-la-la" comes to mind. Then suddenly, my day has started right.

-Sam

How Many Days are in January?

2009-01-30T00:19:00.005-05:00

Pshaw. It's not enough. I mean, I can still see my car! I can still open the door at the bottom of the dorm. People are driving on roads, what is this!? They lifted the snow emergency? More snow! More ice! I have charcoal and lighter fluid! Or maybe let me take back the little heater I gave to Rochelle last week, but then I'll be all set. I mean, c'mon, the professors can still escape from their homes! We're back to having classes! This is not right. I must protest. I am not satisfied. Blizzard conditions! National weather records! I want more! Last semester we had the hurricane, this semester we had a snow storm, but it's really wimpy. Level 3 Snow Emergency for Cincinnati? Level 5 please! I want to go sledding off the roof of my dormitory! Daugh.

*breaks into laughter*

-Sam

(Tree Encased in Ice. 01/28/09)

I've Never Checked the Forecast So Much

2009-01-28T19:09:00.005-05:00

If I were at home, I might take a ruler or yardstick out onto the front yard and measure the frozen precipitation. Random. Just to give you a semi-accurate account of the amount of snow received. Since I'm on the 4th floor of a dorm in Cincinnati, I shall not do that this time. However, we've gotten pounded with snow and ice in the last two days here.

This makes me happy. We've had two days off school as a benefit as well. Once again, the adventuresome group of Tattoo, Oreo, Trapper, Osprey, Falcon and Black Owl decided to be adventurous and trekked 1.2 miles through the snow to Panera. We did homework, ate, attempted to stay warm, dried our boots by the fire, and played a game. Much kudos (or as they say in the Greek "κυδος") to Black Owl for his muggable trek back to pick us up.

Due to Day 2's level 3 Snow Emergency issued in Cincinnati, we created our own Coffee Emporium in the Student Center. We did homework and played Scrabble. Crude. Rains. Pixies. Squire. Proven. Leaden. Jot. Gold. Bath. Bins. Stakes. Wider. Yews. Qua.

And I've enjoyed it all. Thank you God for the "bad" weather.

Conversations

2009-01-26T13:34:00.003-05:00

Conversation in dorm hallway:

Brennan: (upon exiting from dorm room and encountering Phil & Sam in hallway) "Hey, how are the Greek students?"

Sam: (answers for himself) "Good!"

Phil: (comments about difficulty of Greek IB)

Brennan: (who is no longer in Greek after completing one semester) "I feel like the loser and the rebel, and it feels good."

Sam: (who is in Greek IB) "I feel like the man who persevered, and it feels better."

Brennan and Sam both laugh.

Brennan and Phil exit hallway right.

Sam exits hallway left, and blogs.

The Beauty of Koine Greek

2009-01-24T16:44:00.004-05:00

How well do you know English? That's the key. If you don't you will certainly have a hard time understanding hortatory subjunctives, deliberative subjunctives, and prohibitory subjunctives. The latter is what gets me.

First an excerpt, shall we? "The subjunctive mood presents the action of the verb as probable. It expresses an action viewed as potential. Translate with auxiliaries may, might, or should." Next lesson, "Prohibitory subjunctive: The aorist subjunctive with μη prohibits an action and should be translated as a simple command." How can it be a command and be subjunctive? Oxymoronic? Maybe.

Greek also has emphatic negation. Double negatives don't cancel each other out, they increase the negation. However, since we can't use two negatives in English, we translate double negatives in Greek as increased negatives in English. Auxiliaries: never, not at all, by no means.

Indefinite Relative Clauses and....yea.

In other news, eating peanut butter from the jar helps with the confusion.

-Sam

Random

2009-01-22T14:31:00.002-05:00

1. I like to change the subject
2. My middle name is Lee
3. I love loud music
4. I love the smell of citrus
5. I bought gum today
6. I can speak short phrases in 9 languages. English. Spanish. French. German. Swahili. Greek. Russian. Hebrew. Arabic.
7. My wall calendar is missing February, March, August and September. I don't know why.
8. My house number is 3839.
9. 218 is my dorm room number.
10. My mailbox number is 313
11. On my bookshelf there are 102 books
12. My favorite shoes are converse
13. I have a deep love of scarves. Just bought a plaid one.
14. Scars fascinate me
15. I eat peanut butter straight from the jar
16. I name everything dear to me. Car: Toby. Computer: Adriana. Guitar: Oscar. Microwave: Dave. Pillow: Carlisa. Ipod: Neo. Cell phone: Sully. Rubber duckie: Chino
17. I just learned to snowboard
18. I preach on Philippians 2:12-18 soon
19. I love dreaming.
20. My Christmas tree is decorated with CD's and DVD's. It's still up.
21. My wall clock is square.
22. I write in my Bible
23. My favorite coffee shop is Coffee Emporium
24. I love punctuation
25. I am paradoxical
26. My chapstick has beeswax in it.
28. My shopping list has hydrogen peroxide and miracle whip on it - among other things.
29. My comforter is plaid. Plaid is dope.
30. I have a cartoon on my door.
31. My abilities include cooking, cleaning and laundering.
32. I have had my hair diffused.
33. I like dill pickles and green olives.
34. I've made chip dip with cottage cheese and spices. It gave my life meaning and purpose.
35. I thrive on randomness, unorginality, and eclecticism.
36. I have a plant. His name is Narcissus.
37. Allergies bother me.
38. I collect lamps
39. I've had 4 ear surgeries
40. I've flown in an airplane with Nate.
41. I've never had 2 sets of dentures.

-Σαμ ΜχΚονκη

Give Me Help

2009-01-21T22:38:00.002-05:00

Jogged at 6:00 AM. 17 degrees. I need psychological help.

Am behind on sleep. Homework is literally never-ending.

Smacked my head on the concrete floor while diving playing volleyball. Details are fuzzy. I didn't go unconscious but witnesses said I laid there for a while. I felt woozy the rest of the night, but didn't pass out. My eyes weren't dilated and I had no blurry vision. I'm fine today for which I thank God. One thing bugs me: I never had a headache.

Toby came home from the hospital today with a transplant. He's doing much better.

Sjorring, Denmark's weather calls for rain tomorrow.

And thank you, Tattoo, Black Owl, Osprey & Vulture for the many laughs at supper.

Signing off.
Sincerely and simply,
Sam