T. Boone Pickens and The Pickens Plan (click T. Boone for the website and The Pickens Plan for the pdf).

If I am asked, as a purely intellectual question, why I believe in Christianity, I can ony answer, “For the same reason that an intelligent agnostic disbelieves in Christianity.”  I believe in it quite rationally upon the evidence.  But the evidence in my case, as in that of the intelligent agnostic, is not realy in this or that alleged demonstration; it is in a enormous accumulation of small but unanimous facts.

pg. 216, Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton

G.K. then goes on for around about 10 pages… giving examples of and arguments against that which an intelligent agnostic would use to disprove God, or in the least to give reasons one could not believe in God.  Which in G.K.’s mind is a decision based on un-true demonstrations or as he puts it chance rationalist arguments.  To begin to follow his line is a exercise of the mind, though it is very logical, it is also very philosophical (meaning: big words and complex sentences).   I encourage anyone to pick up this book and ponder its words… I often recommend Orthodoxy to people with intelligent determination and ambitious doubts as it took me 2 years and many a G2 to sift through the language, thoughts and arguments.

Last week I pulled the pin and dropped a grenade into my comfortable life… In the aftermath many are confused and I am staggering about… not in a daze, but in apprehension. It seems I have a limited time to decide what is next, and in this angst, I am constantly seeking out God’s word for my life.

This morning I found myself reading and meditating on 1 Samuel 3. Samuel’s initial response to God’s voice was to think that Eli was calling him, not realizing it was God who was speaking, Samuel went in and woke Eli up 3 times… before he finally was advised by Eli to say to the Lord, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

I have always had a deep affinity with Samuel, who plays a pivotal role in the transition from Israel being ruled by prophetic Judges to the appointment of a King, and the beginning of the end of the Kingdom of Israel. In such a time of upheaval, the people of Israel show brash arrogance and envy. Wanting to be like the kingdoms that surround them, they give up their submission to a loving and protective God to put their trust in a man, a king. And throughout this turbulent time, Samuel stays his course as a messenger of God… speaking truth while the Israelite’s turn their backs on God best!

And as I sit amid this great upheaval in America, I say the same thing to God, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

Just wanted to know your thoughts on this statement.

Agree or disagree???

The greatest adventure in life is not an exotic safari, a booming business success or a love relationship with that perfect someone.  Rather, it’s discovering the purpose for our lives.

A few months ago a blogging friend of mine (girlfriday blog) threatened to begin a thread of blogs entitled: A Case Against Barack Obama.

Preface: I really like her writing, she is smart, witty, and well read… I will disagree with her in this arena (mainly politics) but it is not a reflection of what I think of her personally… which makes this endeavor even more fun.  Her goal is to convince you not to vote for him, and mine will be the opposite, to convince you to vote for him.  “You,” being the moderate Republican who is sitting on the fence between John McCain and not voting at all….

This will be a discussion of issues and not a judgment of character. In this light I will do my best to be polite, tactful, and I will to stick to the issues and not make anything personal.

So expect a post on this later today/tonite.

Scarcity - In economics, scarcity is the problem of infinite human needs and wants, in a world of finite resources. In other words, society does not have sufficient productive resources to fulfill those wants and needs. (wikipedia)

It is in the mind that we battle the reality of the world. We read about it, hear about it and see it all around us, but it is as if our mind is playing the like monkey figurines found in touristy stores, and airports…
See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil.

Question: In a blind, deaf and dumb world, who is king?

What happens when we turn a blind eye to the signs impending scarcity? When we tune out the cries of scientist’s and environmental advocates as they speak of the damage our excess is causing? Who then is foolish one, the tree hugger or the one who no longer has a tree to hug?

As I sit and contemplate these things, my mind battles on… YOU ARE THE GUILTY ONE! YOU ARE APART OF THE PROBLEM! YOU ARE TO BLAME! and this internal battle is beginning to hurt. It is time to change, time to modify my behavior… They say it takes 90 days to change a behavior/habit. 90 days! That is 3 months of constantly choosing against the feelings of your body and mind, of using some self-control. Like Paul says in the good book, it is hard to make your body your slave… it is against our fleshly desires of greed, want and instant gratification.

Some people are getting it, but unfortunately the citizens of the Midwest are stalwarts and laggards in this green movement. What can I do that actually reduces my carbon footprint (mine is 19.505 tonnes, which is a tad below the US average of 20.4)? I must begin to do the things I have ignored… Can I do reduce and still live in abundance? That depends on my definition of abundance…

An abundance of friends, smiles and food or an abundance of clothes, styles, and stuff.

Abundance in the former is the scarcest of all commodities (something that is useful and/or valuable). We are (forgive the use of this next word) “brainwashed” to be ill content, to compare and to always want more, better and the best. Contentment that is rooted in simplicity and selflessness, is hard to come by in a consumerist world, driven by advertisements the illusion of “lack”. There is a scarcity of common sense, self-control and contentment in this world, it is this problem that must be overcome to provide a solution to the other scarcity problem on this world.

Think about this provocative quote:

If the earth dies, you die. If you die the earth survives. - The Day the Earth Stood Still

Tell me, why is it that life ebbs and flows? Screamingly fast, one second; and excruciatingly slow the next. It is a fact of life, and there is no other explanation than this: God loves to screw with our routines… sorry, mess with our routines (much more God-like lingo).

And as an acquaintance of mine recently said, “It is life that is messy, life that is fast-paced, life that is unpredictable… and we might as well stop fighting it and just go with the flow no matter the clip.” Ok, my acquaintance didn’t say this, I cannot remember exactly what he said… this is my interpretation of the idea he so eloquently stated. No matter how it is stated the take-away is the same: stop relying on yourself, start relying on Jesus. Stop trying to control the frenzy that is life on this spinning piece of rock and clay; start opening your hands, loosen the grip on your dreams, desires, possessions and accomplishments. Take the strengths, talents and abilities God has given you and give them back; to be used for His purpose and calling, and not your own.

This doesn’t mean quit your job, sell your car and become a hobo. It means different things for different people… I cannot tell you what has superseded Christ in your life… you have to take stock of your own lot and let the chaff be burned away… uncovering God’s best for you, the grain/fruit that nourishes others and brings you joy. Cause that is what our gifts, talents and abilities are ultimately for, to lead others to the nourishing waters of Christ. Cool.

creative, lyrically driven, political, rebellious spouting… Find him here.

Some lively banter on the air waves… as passed to me by my friend Jason.  James Dobson seems to be on a frenzy and seems to be throwing knives on this one, though I respect some of the work he has done this is over the top… I believe it is a great example of the ‘religious right’ using their influence for political reasons, rather than for the Glory of God.  And Obama’s remarks seem quite in line with a separation of Church and State, and the right of all to worship and live in this free country…  In his speech (that is under attack by Dobson… found here) Obama cited Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as, “a passage that is so radical that it’s doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application.”  Now that is truth I could stand on.

You can find a comparison of words here: jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com

This past weekend I spent some time with my family at b-e-a-utiful Lake Tahoe. It was a trip. Not only was the weekend enjoyable, and filled with swimming, floating and biking… it was also chalked full of quality family time. It amazes me how well we all get along, despite or in spite of the differences. It is all about family, and mine is a dang fun one! Here is a pick of me and the moms biking it up to Squaw Valley!