Busy Summer

Sketch Dump

It has been a very busy summer. Karen and I have moved back to North Carolina. I have accepted a two point charge as a student pastorate. Technically it's a half-time position, but this is ministry so how that works exactly... Karen and I are still trying to figure out. I had one class on campus in Wilmore and I'm supposed to be working on the final for Philosophy of Christian Religion right now. I'm half way through.

However, yesterday was my Sabbath because my Friday night will be consumed with Oakboro, NC's Cruise Inn. It's a big money maker for one of my churches and we're all hoping the Cruise Inn won't be rained out. What's a Cruise Inn? A Cruise Inn is where people bring in their restored classic cars and park them up and down the main street. Then people come out to see them. Oakboro UMC will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers and lemonade, and just trying to spread the good news of Christ through our actions.

As I was saying. Sabbath. I took a little time to doodle for myself last night and it was great. I had to finish it up this morning, but it was a lot of fun. 9h drafting pencil, colored pencil and brush pen. You'll probably get all of the references. I wasn't going for anything new. I just wanted to play a bit, and it's the first time I've had a chance to doodle in months. I hope you enjoy.

10 Reasons Why I Swear

10 Reasons Why I Swear
#1 It pleases mother so much
#2 It's a fine mark of manliness.
#3 It proves I have self-control
#4 It shows how clearly my mind operates.
#5 It makes my conversation so pleasing to everybody
#6 It is an unmistakable sign of culture and refinement.
#7 It impresses people with the fact that I have more than ordinary education and vocabulary.
#8 It makes me a very desirable personality among women and children and in respectable society.
#9 It is such a useful accomplishment. of all the sins that I could commit, it brings me the largest financial and material returns.
#10 It is my way of honoring God, who said, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." -- Quoted

Sometimes I just love sarcasm. This is from a 1956 issue of "The Herald."

You know profanity is one of those things which has a place but is often misplaced and misused. If I drop a heavy object on my foot or accidentally hit my thumb with a hammer then perhaps a well placed profanity is appropriate. The trouble is I all too often catch myself swearing when nothing bad has occurred. I do not swear all the time, and when I do more often than not I stick to what the world might call the minor swear words, and abstain from the all too frequently used F-bomb, and the even worse GD. However, I sincerely believe God calls us all - not just wanna be preachers - to live a more joyful life. Check out this word from James 3:1-6 NIV

 ¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. ³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

While profanity may be culturally appropriate its frequent or flagrant use damages our credibility. I want to be understood as a credible witness of the gospel while still being genuine. I do not want to just put on an act, and that is why I try not to swear. I'm not trying to be better than anyone else, or holier than thou. I just want to be me - a person who genuinely loves God and wants to share that love with others.

Joplin, MO

These storms are too fast and furious to be believable. They make Twister look like a kids movie. Some great artists are going to be selling artwork and giving the proceeds to the folks in Joplin. I really like all the stuff they create so pop on over and check these two out. If you can swing it, pick up one or two of their pieces to help out the folks in Joplin.

SkottieScott
http://www.skottiescott.com/2011/05/joplin-mo-aid.html

 

BABY MONKEY

Baby Monkey,

Baby Monkey

Riding on a pig baby monkey

Baby Monkey

Baby Monkey

Backwards on a pig baby monkey

The world has gone insane.

And you don't know what is right.

You've got to keep on keepin on

So get on that pig and hold on tight.

Baby Monkey,

Baby Monkey

Riding on a pig baby monkey

Baby Monkey

Baby Monkey

Backwards on a pig baby monkey

Every morning I send my wife an e-mail with something animal related to let her know I'm thinking about her. It is especially important here at the end of the semester when I'm so crazed. I found this thing about a monkey riding on a pig, and she got such a kick out of it I decided to draw this for my wife. It helps me blow off steam and I hope it puts a smile on my wife's face.

Blowing off Steam

When I was in high school I think the last comic I collected faithfully was Leave It To Chance. There was something about a kid with her own dragon tromping around sewers in a town where her father was the head ghost buster, and defender against the occult that held my attention. When I saw DrawForce was dong a hot rod theme I started playing around with ideas and then I remembered Chance's air car, and decided it needed to be souped up a bit. I've actually been working on it five minutes here, ten minutes there for weeks. The end of the semester is kicking my butt and I really needed to blow off some steam so I thought I'd put the finishing touches on this one and post it.

Constantine killed the church?

You know churches are always asking for money. They're always asking for your tithe. They're always asking for a special collection for this, that, or the other. On the surface it always sounds like a good thing. Then I found this quote while writing a mercy and justice paper for a class on John Wesley's theology.

 Persecution never did, never could, give any lasting wound to genuine Christianity. But the greatest it ever received, the grand blow which was struck at the very root of that humble, gentle patient love, which is the fulfilling of the Christian law, the whole essence of true religion, was struck in the fourth century by Constantine the Great, when he called himself a Christian, and poured in a flood of riches, honours, and power, upon the Christians; more especially upon the Clergy...Then, not the golden, but the iron age of the Church commenced.ⁱi John Wesley sermons., 2:462-463. (The Mystery of Iniquity)

Wesley goes on to emphasize money and power are not the best when trying to give aid to the poor, to educate the ignorant, to bring food to the needy. Without a doubt money helps make those things happen, but without people to step out in faith, to answer the call saying, "Here I am am. I will go," money is just another trap.

This being said I never thought of Constantine having such a negative effect on the church. Thanks to Constantine the church stopped being persecuted by the Romans. Thanks to Constantine the way was paved for Roman Christianity which is Roman Catholicism. Why was this a bad thing? Putting that much money, power and influence into the hand of any human - Christian or otherwise, is a whole lot of temptation. Through the centuries the "Church" supported forcing the lower class into near slavery under the guise some people are born to lower station, and it is God's will they were born to be serfs. The Church strong armed countries in Europe to fight the crusades by refusing their people the sacraments, and then didn't provide for the spiritual development of the soldiers to prevent atrocities like the sacking of Constantinople. At Constantinople European Christian crusaders roasted Turkish Christians on spits outside the city walls. These are just the first of many atrocities committed by Christians (not just Roman Catholics) in the name of God. 

Money and power are not evil in and of themselves, but they are an awful temptation for misery - even in the hands of Christians. I'm not saying everyone should be poor. I'm saying at some point we have to be grateful for what we have, and generous enough in spirit to go to those who are hurting with more than our wallets. Perhaps we need to do more showing up for the gospel, and less looking for a handout.

The Tooth!

Evan has been pretty fussy lately, and he's only been teething for four months, but today I found it. I had started to feel something sharpish in Evan's mouth a day or so ago, but today I felt the rough edge of a front tooth. Then when I finally moved his tongue out of the way there it was. The tooth is certainly not all the way in, but the tooth has broken the gum line. If you're looking right at him it's bottom right. Finally, the tooth has broken through!

On a separate note I am pleased to announce my brother and his family now have power at their apartment in Madison. Ryan has gone back to work so I imagine Amber will gather the flock and reclaim their apartment - and then probably hit the grocery store since the had to throw everything in their refrigerator out. Still, the fact they can move back home on the fifth day when most of Harvest, Alabama, will probably be without power into next weekend is a good sign of hope. Maybe the power companies will be able to get power to Harvest sooner.

Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church

Ford's Chapel was one of six Methodist societies created in 1808. The congregation has met on the same spot for over 200 years. In the late 1980s and most of the way through the 1990's Ford's Chapel was my church home. I was in middle school and high school, and just beginning to learn about who God is for myself. A friend, Angie, invited me to come to UMYF. I began attending worship because we needed to show the congregation there actually was a youth group. In September of 1992 there was a grease fire in our home. My Dad suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 70% of his body. Pop spent six weeks in the burn ward at UAB. My family didn't attend church at the time. It was just me. When it was time for prayer concerns that next Sunday a 13 year old boy stood up among so many older congregants to ask for prayers for his father. I don't know why I did it, but it happened. Call it a prompting of the Spirit. The outpouring of love and compassion from that congregation who really didn't know me from Adam's house cat made a huge impact on my life. I did my Eagle project for that church. My brother came to Christ in that church and my Mom reaffirmed her commitment to Jesus Christ in what they now call the old sanctuary. There are so many memories attached to that building. There were Christmas Eve candle light services, and the celebration of the church's 200th birthday. I can still remember hearing the bell in the bell tower when I pull up for church. However, Wednesday nights storms put an end to the bell ringing at Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church.

I no longer live in Alabama. I haven't for over ten years. Seeing these images is difficult. For me, Ford's Chapel was like the steps to the threshold of the Kingdom of God. However, I am trying to remember the Kingdom of God is not built with bricks and mortar. The Kingdom of God is more than pianos and pews. The Kingdom of God means more than crucifixes and communion kneelers. The Kingdom of God is placed in the hearts of believers. The Kingdom of God is made manifest when the Spirit of God bears witness to the spirit of believers that these are the children of God. The Kingdom of God comes alive when the storms of life rage, and the darkness - though it may tear down our church buildings - cannot tear down the hearts of the faithful. If Ford's Chapel has suffered at the hands of Wednesday nights storms how much more must the people in the community of Harvest, the city of Huntsville, the people in Madison County? All those who have been spared have a tremendous task ahead of them, but the task is not to rebuild with brick and mortar. The task ahead is to build up the faith of those who question in the face of adversity. Which is the greater storm? The twisters which tear down brick and mortar, or the doubt that fills so many hearts and minds in the wake of these storms? It is my prayer the Spirit would blaze in the hearts of those who call Ford's Chapel their church home. I hope Ford's Chapel will reach out to their community in the same love and Spirit of God they used to reach out to a scared thirteen year old boy.

Blount Family Update

Just a quick update. I spoke with my brother Ryan and he is returning to Huntsville tonight to be with Amber, Abbie and Jacob and to figure out how to handle the no power situation. New estimates are the area will probably be without power for a week give or take a day. Ryan told me there is also a curfew in effect for Huntsville which runs from sun up to sun down. I imagine the curfew is to stop looters, break-ins and vandalism while the power is out. I will keep you posted as I find out more information.

Family Tornado Update

Since I am the only member of my family who is not in North Alabama at the moment I thought I would share this update about Mom, Dad, Ryan, Amber, Abbie and Jacob. I spoke with Mom and Pop last night from 8:30-9. Mom, Dad, Amber, Abbie and Jacob are fine. They are at home and do not have power. Ryan is in Birmingham taking depositions for a case he's been working on for four years. Ryan is the one who has done all of the background research for these depositions so he could not get out of it. Luckily everyone is safe. Mom and Pop lost two trees on the back of their property and their neighbors have water within 30 yards of their back door.

The forecasters are calling it the worst storm in 40 years with over 200 twisters on the ground. As I understand it all of the network television stations are down, and most of the local radio stations are down. There is one station in Athens which is still able to broadcast and they are now the source of information from the national weather service. CNN is giving okay updates about Alabama, but without power there are no updates with specifics out of Huntsville.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/28/severe.weather/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

Evan Update

Evan is six months old and as the pictures can attest he is picking all up kinds of new skills.  Evan enjoys grabbing the spoon when he's being fed. The trouble is he tries to either jab the spoon into his mouth or chew on it. Thank goodness for the rubber coating on the flat part of the spoon. Evan has been introduced to the sippy cup with water which he is so so about. He has even started trying to grab the bottle to feed himself. Evan can't quite handle the full bottles yet, but it doesn't stop him from trying. Most nights when I get up for the O-dawn:thirty feeding Evan has rolled himself from his back to his belly, and I've given up turning him over. Now he gets changed, fed, back to bed on his back, and by the time I get up early to study Evan has long since rolled over onto his belly again. Evan smiles now when Karen or I go into to get him up in the morning. This morning he smiled real big when I went into get him up, and then he smiled really big when Karen got up. Today was a nice change because of Good Friday. I didn't have to work today, but I got up early to study anyway. Because I didn't have to work I was able to give Karen a little break, and fed Evan breakfast this morning. Evan is recovering from a double ear infection so he's getting amoxicilan in his cereal in the morning. Nothing like pink cereal to get your day started, but Evan takes it well so it's not a real big deal. Just three more days of the antibiotic, and hopefully Evan will only have to worry about teething. Sorry to report there are no teeth yet, but his bottom row look so close we hope they'll break through any day now.

The Mountain

The Mountain

I found this on Yahoo this morning. I don't know why, but I've always looked at the sky and been awed by it's size and beauty. It's probably a direct result of growing up in tornado alley and watching for wall clouds why I mowed the lawn. Anyway, click on The Mountain to see a cool video showing the night sky video taped from a mountain top in Spain.

You Might Be Wrong

Before I came to seminary I had a lot of ideas about theology. I didn't know that's what it was called, but I had a lot of ideas. I also had a lot of things I was really confused about. What's the difference between justification and sanctification? Why do they matter? Stuff like that. Here are a few basic definitions to keep it simple.

Prevenient Grace: God is out to get you. He spent all of his anger for all the sins you and I have committed on His only Son, Jesus Christ. Now that the price has been paid, God is out to make us part of the family. God loves us. The price for our sin has been paid. God is calling us, and enabling us to accept God's grace and to become part of the family. We cannot accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior if God has not first given us the ability to do so.

Justification/Regneration: The moment we stop filling our eyes and ears with sin, the moment we stop trying to drown out the sound of the Holy Spirit, and listen for God's still small voice calling out to us. The moment our soul respond's to God's calls saying, "Abba, Father!" In that moment we are reborn and we are given the ability to resist our sinful nature.

Process of Sanctification: The race run to the end of our days to become more like Christ, and to cast off all of the sins we habitually commit in every waking breath. The purpose? To be fit for heaven. This is not a terrific example, but think of it as joining the military. Justification/Regeneration is like getting off the bus at boot camp. Your head is shaved, your clothes are sent home to Mommy, and the drill instructors set out to make you into a new person. Sometimes you're torn down, but all of the time you are in basic you are becoming stronger. Why? To be ready for what's ahead. What's ahead for Christians? Heaven. And Heaven is worth being in shape for.

Entire Sanctification: Entire sanctification is a qualitative change. You can no more earn, or build yourself into being entirely sanctified than you could earn your way to salvation. There should probably be another term to distinguish between the process of sanctification and entire sanctification. I've often been confused about the two. Entire Sanctification is like the change in the new birth except way better. If regeneration wipes away all of our past sin, and relieves us of the burden of guilt for those sins, entire sanctification takes away the stain of sin. - I think. To be honest. I'm still trying to work this one out.

I hope this helps.

A Bag of Marbles

"A sweet lesson of this kind happened to her in the case of one of her children. She was making a bag for her to hold marbles, and she wanted a string in it, and she went to put the string in with a bodkin; but when the child saw the bodkin disappear, she said, 'Mother, I want the string,' but no string appeared; and she said, with an anxious sort of brow, 'Oh, mother, do put the string'; and she said, 'Darling, trust mother.' Presently the string came out, and she tied it, and gave it to her, and the little girl looked at it thoughtfully for a moment, and then said,  'Oh, that is just like Jesus. We give Him things to do, and He don't seem to be doing the right way, but we know that Jesus knows, and we wait and don't worry, and it come out all right,' Now, that is rest. they should trust Jesus, and although they may not understand at the time His way of working, yet they leave it with Him, and he brings it out all right, and they have rest." ~ Mrs. Pearsall Smith quoted in The Baptist June 11, 1813

I'm not sure I can top the simplicity of this story. However, it seems quite relevant to my wife and I. We did not receive a student placement in the Western North Carolin Conference this year. The conference is full. I have a promise to keep to my wife so I find myself and my family in the familiar situation of looking for a job with the added responsibility of a wife and son to provide for, while I still have another year of seminary to complete. It is helpful to be able to look back on that time of unemployment and remember all of the ways God looked after me; especially as I work to continue putting my trust in God. Isn't that the definition of holiness? Instead of a laundry list of do this, and don't do that shouldn't holiness be about daily practices which help us to better trust in God? During this season of Lent when people often give up something isn't the point to learn to trust in God more? Giving up something in Lent is like "Basic Training" in the military. We give up something while we have the option not to, so when we are caught between a rock and a hard place we have practiced trusting God. What is that old phrase; first we try then we trust? Lent is about learning to trust God when life is easy so when we face trials of various kinds we have a firm foundation of trust in God and the reassurance God will see us through.

Every Ordinary Thing Can Be Sacramental

"Earth's Cramed with Heaven
And every common bush a fire with God:
But only he who sees takes off his shoes,
The rest sit around and pick black berries."
~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Tweak in Direction

My wife pointed out the reason she never reads my blog is because it is always something Biblical or religious or both. I am forced to concede she has a point. Then again I am in seminary. I do have projects and deadlines, and John Wesley sermons all running through my head so I guess some of that is to be expected. I could go on a Monday morning rant about all of the things I am struggling with in seminary. Sadly, I'd probably have more people reading this blog if I did. Suddenly there would be the drama of misery. This blog would follow the newspaper's example of "if it bleeds it leads." Okay. I took that quote from a movie, but it applies. Just look at the evening news. So what would it take to make this blog a bit more interesting? I think I need to do a better job of addressing my everyday life in seminary, as a husband, father, child of God. Wow just listing those out I think I got them out of order in terms of the priorities I hold to. I'll give it a try and see how things go.

The Line

In the life of a person of faith there is a line between what a person wills to do, and what the All Mighty empowers them to do. There is a clear distinction between the will of distruction, and the empowering force which enables us to truly live life. For those who follow the commands to Love God, love neighbor as ourselves; holiness becomes trusting God, and discovering there is power and peace, when the will of man becomes trust in God.

Psalm 4

“Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
You gave me room when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.”
                                        (Psalm 4:1 NRSV)
Under the current economic conditions there have been a lot of people over the last three or four years who have prayed this prayer; although, perhaps not in so many words. God you have provided for me in the past. Please watch over me and my family now. My company has downsized, and I am now unemployed. My family is hungry. We have bills to pay. I would gladly work, if I could only find a job. Be gracious to me O Lord and hear my call.
For the unemployed there are many aspersions, dispersions, negative connotations, and misconceptions about what it means to be unemployed. Is every person living on the street homeless because they are a drug addict, or an alcoholic? No. Is every family on unemployment just a bunch of lazy free loaders who do not want to work? No. It was not always the job of the Federal Government in this country to help those in need. How long will the children of God love vain words instead of helping their brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in need? How long will we deny Christ a drink of water at the well?
According to a February article on Bloomberg.com unemployment in the United States of America is up to 9% – Nine Percent. For those struggling to get buy it is easy to feel angry, and to let that anger lead to despair. The Psalmist urges us not to let our despair cause us to sin. Now is not the time to allow depression to cloud your mind. Now is not the time to let anger or pride misdirect your judgment. In your time of trial it is time to put your whole trust in the Lord, and to bring your plight before the altar of God. I am not promising a sign from God, or a financial wind fall. However, I have been down this road. I know what peace God can put in your heart to help you endure when the storms of life are raging. Now is the time to strengthen the foundations of your faith and your home. Put your faith in the Lord. Trust in God’s power and peace that you might lay down in safety with a roof over your head, food in your belly and the knowledge God will see you safely through the storms if you will but trust in God’s grace.

Amen.

Pandora's Box

Greek mythology explains the evils of the world with the story of Pandora's box. Pandora opened the box and all of the evils of the world were let loose so all that was left in the box was hope.

I do not place my hope for today and for the world in a metaphor from the ancient world, but in a king who lives and reigns every bit as much today as he did 2000 years ago. He came into a world already filled with the darkness and decay of our own making which had only been further complicated by the lies of the tempter. No. My King came into the darkness, and wild destructive decay of a thoroughly broken world as a pale ray of light in the form baby born to a destitute itinerant family. As He grew into adulthood he listened, and witnessed, and loved humanity because His Father loves humanity. Then in the fullness of time, while we were still willfully defiant, He gave his life that light would dawn in the darkness of the world and we would all see something so good, so wonderful, we would be both in awe of it and convicted by its grace and goodness.

All give honor and praise through the Holy Spirit to Christ for God's love that Christ has entered the world. Let the darkness hear and tremble at these words, "SUNDAY'S COMING!"

Night Owl

Wikipedia describes a night owl this way.
Night owl is a term used to describe a person who tends to stay up until late at night. Another name for a night owl is evening person 
I do not typically function this way. Usually I am one of those early to bed early to rise folks who try not to annoy the night owls first thing in the morning. However, lately I am becoming a night owl. This week it's up until midnight every night and up at five in the morning to feed Evan. Then I stay up and try to get reading done or to finish the sermon due for class on Wednesday. This is turning out to be a very busy semester which is why I'm starting to look like my fine feathered friend here. Please don't stare if you see me walking across campus with this look on my face.