Merry Christmas

"So, what are you getting your fiancee for Christmas?" they ask.
I reply, "Nothing."

I handed the woman her bag of groceries, and she said to me, "Merry Christmas."
I smile and nod. Usually the hundreds of customers a day that have been telling me "Merry Christmas" walk away right after saying it. Sometimes they stare at me with a big goofy smile, waiting for my reply. So I am forced to say, "Thanks" or maybe even, "And you too", sometimes I just respond, "Have a nice day."
Well this woman repeated a little bit louder, "Merry Christmas."
So I spewed out, "Thanks."
I guess she didn't like my reply, because she went on to say, "Happy Holidays. Is that better?"
I continue wearing my great big smile and say, "Actually I don't celebrate any holidays in December."
"Oh, well whenever you do celebrate a holiday, I hope you enjoy yourself."
Big smile and slight laugh, "Thank you." I appreciate what the woman was trying to do. I know she was just trying to be nice. I wasn't offended and I was trying not to offend her.

Later another woman handed me a card to scan so that a school would get some money. The school was Beth Torah Preschool, so I assumed she is Jewish. I asked her, "Do you celebrate Christmas?"
She waited a few seconds and looked a little bit scared. I understand the feeling, but I'll get to that later. She answered, "No."
"What do you say when people tell you Merry Christmas?"
"Well... I say thank you." Her voice went up at the end like she was asking a question. "Or I say, Same to you."
I told her about my encounter with the persistant Merry Christmaser.
When her order was finished she told me Happy Chanukkah.

I don't have a problem with Chanukkah. I just don't celebrate it. However I do have a problem with Christmas. Why? I'm sure some of you already know, but do a little study on the origins of Christmas and it's symbols and traditions, etc. it's pretty much pagan. You may not have known this. But there are a lot of Christians who do, yet they make excuses because they like the idea of Christmas.

"It's good to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and even though He wasn't born on December 25, that's as good a day as any to celebrate it."
Well actually, celebrating Jesus' isn't really that great. There is no mention of anyone doing it until that emporer wanted a Christian version of his sun god's birthday or something like that.
And even if it were important to celebrate Jesus' birthday, there's a much better time to do it than Dec 25. Jesus was most likely born in the fall. We know this because of the time John the Babtist's dad would have been serving in the temple, and also because of when the shepherds would or would not have been out in the fields. If Jesus, who compared himself to the Temple, who was and is God's presence dwelling among us, who is the manna from heaven, was born during autumn in a place where they keep animals; then what better time to celebrate his birth than the biblical festival in autumn that celebrates God's provision for Israel in the wilderness, the festival on which Solomon's Temple was dedicated, the festival which celebrate's God dwelling among his people, its name even means dwelling, its name also means a place where they keep animals, Sukkot, a.k.a. Feast of Tabernacles.

Yet many people feel they have to keep defending Chrismas. Pop Christianity has gotten over the whole X-mas thing. Now the big deal is "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays." But why not include the Jews and African Americans? Does all of America have to say "Christ" at least once a year in order for Christianity to feel safe and secure? But look, even non-Christians are celebrating "Christmas." Christmas is a cultural holiday. Christians and non-Christians generally celebrate Christmas in exactly the same way. The only difference is Christians might read Luke 2, and have little idols of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.

Another excuse used in defending Christmas (and Easter) is that it's a great time to witness about Jesus.

If you want to feel like an alien and a stranger on the earth, if you want to feel like a peculiar person, if you want to feel alientated, try NOT celebrating Christmas, try NOT saying "Merry Christmas."

I'm good at avoiding confrontation in person. But if you're the type of person who likes the face to face stuff, being a non-Christmasite in a country full of Christmasing sinners provides plenty of witnessing opportunity.

Or you could just be a good Americhristian and put down your Bible and pick up the Constitution and fight for your right to be just like everybody else.

review

I saw "The Passion of the Rings Junior" last night. It was enjoyable. I liked the bloodless battle scenes, the focus was on the action and the characters instead of on gore. I never really got into the Narnia books growing up. For a few years I've been thinking about going back and reading them. I still don't have the motivation to read them. I'm sure I will someday though.

On a different note. Here's a Psalm that demonstrates God's forgiveness before "Christ's incarnation." God has always given grace and mercy, and desired faith and repentance.


Psalm 32 (New Living Translation)
A psalm of David.
1
Oh, what joy for those
whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!

2
Yes, what joy for those
whose record the LORD has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

3
When I refused to confess my sin,
I was weak and miserable,
and I groaned all day long.

4
Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Interlude
5
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide them.
I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Interlude
6
Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7
For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.

Interlude
8
The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.

9
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."

10
Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

11
So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

from: http://www.biblegateway.com/

Unchurch

I just read this Real Live Preacher article. I like reading stuff like that. I've thought like that for half of my life now. It's why I always wanted to be a missionary and not a "pastor." Olive Tree, my pro-Torah congregation, is less like church a little bit more like RLP describes. No one gets paid, everybody gets to share what they learned from scripture, people find us in mysterious ways. And being part of Chi Alpha one summer led by Jeremiah Byous was like candy, it was so personal and unforced. I want to start one of those intentional group of friends gathering around scripture when I move back to Colorado. I've been waiting half my life.

A Meditation

I am but dust and ashes.
I am created in the image of God.
My life is but a breath.
I am in this moment for a Divine purpose.
The universe was created for my sake.
I was created to serve my creator.

Thanks & giving

Thanksgiving

I worked Thanksgiving day. A homeless man came in and asked for a manager. When a manager came over, the man loudly proclaimed, "I'm homeless, and I want you to give me something for free."

Now let me put this in perspective for you. First, this was Thanksgiving day. If there is ever a day on which a homeless man can find a free meal, it's Thanksgiving. School's, churches, companies, and individuals have been collecting and donating food and money all month long so that poor and homeless people can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. Second, I work at Central Market. A great company to work for, very generous and community oriented. But it's a place of business, not a charity. Again, Central Market, not your average grocery store. We sell organic, imported, and specialty foods. You can't even buy a plain old can of coke, but we have bottled Coke's from Mexico for $1.50 each. In all of Dallas, this man could not find a charity giving out free thanksgiving meals, so he resorts to coming to the fancy part of town, the regular grocery store accross the street is not good enough so he goes to the fancy grocery store. Third, this guy demanded something free. He wasn't asking. It was as if he felt that Central Market owed him some food.

A customer overheard the demand. She gathered a bag of her very own groceries and handed them to the man. "Here you go," She proclaimed, "Happy Thanksgiving and GOD... BLESS... YOU."

Hey, Left Hand, look at Right Hand.

Giving

And we're on the downhill race to the next big day. (fyi: I don't celebrate Christmas.) I think generosity is what is meant by "the spirit of christmas." Why do people have to give people presents that they don't even want just because it's the time that they're supposed to give presents? Sometimes in December there aren't a bunch of things I want. Sometimes in May there is something I want. Why don't you give me a present in May? I would rather give someone something they want to get than give something I want to give. I've gotten so many presents that the giver wanted to give and I have to say thanks for something I would actually rather not have. And I realize that it truly is better to give than to recieve. Do I give God what He wants to recieve or what I want to give?

Thanks

You might pray before you eat. Jews generally say a blessing before and after they eat. It says in Deuteronomy 8:10, When you have eaten and are satisfied you shall bless the Lord. Food is not blessed. They don't pray that they survive the meal, or that the food would do it's job and nourish their bodies (sometimes that dang food doesn't realize it needs to do some nourishing). They bless the Lord for having created and provided the food.

This rich guy threw a big party. He invited a bunch of people to his mansion. There was all kinds of food and entertainment. The guests arrived and couldn't stop thanking their host for inviting them to such an amazing party. As it got late into the night, the host announced that each guest had a room prepared and the party would continue the next day. This went on for weeks and months. The guests ate and played and just partied. Then one day the rich host announced that they all had to leave. The party was over. As the guests left they all complained about the host. Who does he think he is kicking us all out? I was just starting to have fun. He could have let us stay one more day.

Thank God for what he gave back then. Thank God for what he's been doing.

Action Pictures

A mom leaves the register to run to the cold drinks section and get an Arizona tea. The baby girl in the shopping cart (they call 'em "buggies" down here - shopping carts, not babies) starts crying. Her crying is a sort of tear filled series of alternating screams and gasps for air.

This girl was terrified. Her Source of security, comfort, sustainance, her Everything, Mom, had disappeared. Where did She go? When will She come back? Will She ever come back? How long will I be alone surrounded by all these strange people? How will I eat? Where will I sleep? Will my diaper ever be changed again?

As I studied grief in some of my counseling classes, I had this idea that maybe babies, children, and adults all mourn the same things, though not the same things. A child cries when he loses a toy. An adult cries when he loses a job. Equally tragic from different perspectives.

What about grief from the Divine perspective? Why did Jesus weep?

The next day. A pedestrian reaches on top of an SUV that is backing out of a parking space and grabs a cup of coffee. He reaches in through the window and hands it to the driver. The SUV drives away and the man walks into the store.

I see acts of kindness, rudeness and neglect every day. What leads us to choose one over the other?

On another day the man might have walked on by pretending that he didn't even see the cup on the roof. Or on anoter day he might have found someone and pointed out the driver's dumb mistake.

Hang up the phone, be patient, open your eyes. No man is an island.

rize

19:32
"You are to rise in the presence of the elderly and honor the old. Fear your God; I am the Lord.

Did you know that verse was in the Bible? When was the last time you heard somebody preach about rising in the presence of the elderly? Does this commandment not apply to you because it's in the middle of a bunch of dumb Old Testament laws that don't matter anymore, even though in the same chapter verse 18 contains the command "Love your neighbor as yourself"? Did Paul or Jesus ever say, "it's okay to stay seated in the presence of the elderly and to tell jokes about them and make fun of their infirmities."? Is this one of those "ceremonial laws" that Calvin said we don't have to obey? Maybe it's just a cultural commandment and standing up had some special significance for Jews.

Maybe it does in our culture too. Watch one of those court tv shows. When the judge enters you hear "all rise". When the honored bride walks down the aisle everyone stands. Standing is an act of respect even in our culture. Sitting all relaxed and comfortable sends another message.

Old people may be hard of hearing. They may walk bent over. They may be hard to understand. They may tell strange long stories. But why do we really mock old people in our society? We love youth. If only we could gain wisdom from the elderly. They may not be fast and quick and strong. But maybe we can learn something.

And notice the last part of the verse. Respect for senior citizens is tied to and parallels respect for God.

What if honoring the aged is not ceremonial or cultural? What if it really is a moral issue?

Uno

Rosa Parks died the night before last. I think that what makes her so great in our minds is that she proves that one person can make a difference. One small person's seemingly small act can have great and lasting effects. I think she is great in our hearts because of her unique combination of gentleness and boldness.

Causing change, righting wrongs, speaking against injustice and making the world a better place does not have to be left up to politicians and preachers. Each individual can change the world in which she finds herself. If you want to be free, then be free. If you want to be loved, love. If you want the hurting to be helped, help the hurting.

Bono's face is on the cover of Rolling Stone. Even if you've never heard a U2 song, you might have heard of how this guy with sunglasses and stringy hair is trying to rid Africa of AIDS. He preaches to preachers about real love.

I used to go to Deep Ellum on Friday nights. A group of us trying to save Dallas one soul at a time. We formed an interesting relationship with the homeless people as a whole. In many ways we were similar. Out there with an agenda, if only we could get people to stop and listen to our story. But they wanted to get something from the people. We wanted to give something to the people. So we gave to them, they got from us. Sort of a codependant relationship. They got food, clothing, occasionaly money, and to be treated with a bit of dignity. We got to feel like we were helping out, we were appreciated, we got to pray with them. Many of us had our eyes opened to some the real world that is out there.

When that group becomes individuals what do we do? Are we still looking to give? Do I believe that I can make a difference? Do I have to wait for a leader to step up and show me where to go? Do I really love people?

I complain in my mind about the dumb customers at work. But when Messiah spoke about the least of these did he mean everybody? If I think evil about a person am I thinking evil about their creator? Find the Imago Dei in each person. There's always something to love.

Love for self flows into love for people like you into love for people other than you into love for those against you into love for those you are against into love for people you don't know into love for the God you can't see.

Lifehouse

I bought the new Lifehouse CD today, and I like it. Just thought I'd let y'all know.

This Sabbath I'm going to start teaching beggining Hebrew to people in the congregation.

Return

So we went to the Jewish synagogue on sabbath. It was close to what I expected. We entered the "foyer" and were directed to put on kippas (the little circular head coverings). before we entered the main room, I noticed the cabinets over to the side. One door was open revealing books. We went over and each got a siddur (book of prayers) and a chumash (first five books of the bible with commentary in hebrew and english). An older gentleman, whom we later learned was named Paul, came over to help us out. I knew where they would be reading in the chumash, but I asked him where we would be reading in the siddur. He eplained that they had a stand displaying the page numbers on the stage.

There were only a handful of people there at first. But slowly the room filled up. The moment the tenth man got there they finished up the prayer they were on and then said the mourners kaddish. I recognized the prayer, but couldn't find it in the book. Paul explained that they waited for the tenth person and then inserted it when he arrived. Paul sat near us and helped us out explaining various things throughout the service.

I knew what was going on most of the time because their service was similar to my dad's messianic congregation in Colorado. I was able to follow along with the Hebrew when they slowed down and everybody sang together. But for the majority of the prayers everybody prayed through at their own pace with the leader occasionally saying a line loudly so that everybody would know where he was.

They read from the torah scroll. That part was very much like at my dad's congregation except these guys were way faster and read through the whole torah portion. At dad's congregation they only read 21 to 40 or so verses.

Then a rabbi preached a sermon. Because they are in the period before Yom Kippur he preached about shuva (repentance). One part stuck out to me. Repentance means to return. When we repent we are returning to our origin which is good. This is totally opposite of the Catholic-Baptist theology that man is totally evil, or the general Christian idea that man starts out bad. But we are created in God's image. That is good. We start out good. Yesterday at work I was thinking about babies and kids (there's a lot of them with their moms at the grocery store) and I think it is true that our origin is goodness, the image of God in us, but as we go through life we mar that image and become more evil.

So on and so forth. What do y'all think?

Here we go

Not much exciting has happened with me. I've been working and haven't had much of a chance to blog.

Tommorrow, Ben and I are going to a Jewish synagogue. Ben has to go to a non-Christian monotheistic service for a class at Dallas Theomological Seminary. I'm just going along with him.

N.O. Words

I'm all questions and no answers when it comes to the New Orleans situation. And my questions don't even seem worth asking. You've probably got the same questions. I don't have any great words to say about this. I doubt there are any.

A few words

In about 2 weeks I will be celebrating Yom Teruah, better known as Rosh Hashanna. Rosh Hashanna means head of the year, even though it's the first day of the 7th month. Throughout the Bible this day is usually called Yom Teruah, which means day of shouting. It is the day of the last trumpet. Shavuot (Pentecost) is the first trumpet, Yom Teruah is the last trumpet. Rabbis say that Rosh Hashanna was the day that God created Adam. It is the day that man accepts God's kingship. Later in the month are the biblical holidays of Yom Kippur and Sukkot (Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles). As I've said before, the spring festivals (i.e. Passover) point to the first coming of messiah. The fall festivals point to his second coming.

Would some Christians mind enlightening me? Jews needed Passover to point to Messiah (the shadow pattern thing) right? But it most obviously pointed backwards to the exodus to help them remember what God had done. Why dont Christians keep the Passover pointing back to help them remember what God did both in the exodus and on the cross? And why dont Christians keep the fall feasts which point to the second coming?

By the way, not eating milk and meat together, women not braiding their hair or wearing jewelry, and not eating leaven on saturday are not commands found in the torah. The first one is a rule that rabbis have made up, the hair and jewelry is from Paul, and Unleavened Bread is during the week of Passover.

And the torah does lead to Jesus. That's the whole point.

To do list

I have things to do, but is there enough time left to do them?

I have truth to seek, but will I ever be sure that I have found it?

I have things to say, but can words convey the meaning?

I have people to love, but will I know them when I see them?

I Gotta Outgo

So I went to Starbucks yesterday morning (after I went running and saw two pretty white horsies off in the distance.) to try out my wireless internet card thing (which I can't get to work with my computer anywhere except for at the school because my explorer is set to work for the school network and I dont know how to change it). And I noticed that the barista guy was way outgoing and friendly and upbeat, the way I should be at Central Market. And yesterday at work I got my performance review thing (and a raise) and was reminded that I need to engage the customers (talk to them).

I'm really working on the whole not caring a lot about what other people think of me. It holds me back from doing a lot of things. I'm afraid of looking dumb because I don't already know everything about everything. I thought I had more of a point to this post, but that's all I'm writing.

Cover a Multitude

I keep being reminded that I need to tell people not to sin, and that when I see people sinning, I should tell them to stop. But it's kinda uncomfortable when some of the things I believe are sins other people don't think are sins. It's tough enough when we both agree that what they're doing is wrong. But then when it will lead to a debate about scripture and whether this is right or wrong and why have they never even heard this before. So I've pretty much kept my mouth shut, except for on my blogs and when people ask me about what I believe. Still I'm torn, because I know there's a better way. But I'm not doing everything right. I feel like I have to stop sinning completely before I can tell anyone else what is right or wrong. So I wait for them to open the door. When they realize that I believe a bit differently they ask questions at the beginning. But then they stop. It's like they want to know sorta what I believe, but not why. I prefer the debating to the apathy; not because I have a desire to argue, but because it shows that they care; and the Bible as our standard for faith and practice is something we should care about.

John the Baptist got the whole scoop on what I believe a couple weeks ago at work. He drilled me in between customers. And we even moved on to the debate portion. But he hasn't talked about it since. He just resumed quizzing me about the Bible as he had before, i.e. what's John 17 about? He did quite a few yesterday. He would just say a chapter, and I would tell him the subject. He did it, in his words, "to see if he knows what he thinks he knows." He is impressed that I know the Bible pretty well, because so many people don't. He said he's gonna start quizzing me on the Old Testament now. He says he knows it better than the New. We'll see what happens.

Plan B

"We are the all singing all dancing crap of the world" We can preach, we can teach, we can love. We sow seed, we water. The person will either grow in God or fall away. Give up trying to change people. A teenager's life appears to be transformed and a few years later she falls back into worse despair than she was in before. A girl's prayer request every day for years is that her daddy will get saved; he comes to church and everyone rejoices; but the family is still not perfect, and years later she's shacked up with a guy who's nothing but trouble. The youth pastor's pet is a pervert. The pastor's kid is a pot-head. Teach good doctrine, teach the best doctrine you know, people will believe what they want. You can live in an area where there are 8 churches within 3 blocks and over 20 good size churches within a mile radius and still be living in the biggest dope dealing complex in south Dallas. Of course probably very few of the churches have any sound biblical teaching. Motivational speakers seem to be replacing pastors. Are church families too disconnected and dysfunctional? Shouldn't someone have seen the warning signs? What is a shepherd for, anyways?! When your church building looks like a football stadium it's probably kinda hard to keep track of all the sheep (and more than a few goats and wolves surely blend into the flock as well).

This life is supposed to be more than just waiting to get to heaven. It's more than handing out tickets for people to wait in line for heaven. I can't change anybody's mind. I can't change anybody period. Someday I'll give up trying. Then I'll be who I'm supposed to be.

The Kingdom of God

In Numbers 25, Phinechas, Aaron's grandson, thrusts a spear through a couple of fornicating idolators. God praises him for being zealous/jealous for God's honor, and stopping God's wrath. Yet even with God's wrath halted, 24,000 people had died.

The Kingdom of God. God as King. Rebellion against a king is treason and deserving of death. God had a lot of people killed in the days of Moses, Joshua, and the Judges. He used natural disasters, plagues and people to wipe out lots of people. In the prophets we see that God would use nations to punish nations.

I believe God is still the same. He can use war and nature for his own good and just purposes. Everybody dies sometime. God can decide when and how. I think we miss some of the messages he is sending by means of wrath, because we like to think that he's not like that anymore. When terrible things happen I think we should point the finger at God and ask "Why?" He might have an answer that we should listen to.

"Hear O Israel, YHVH our God, YHVH is one. Blessed be the Name of his Glorious Kingdom for all eternity." It is recited three times a day by observant Jews. In doing so, they are to be accepting God's reign in their lives. Agreeing to live as obedient servants to YHVH their King.

"The Kingdom of God is within you." Am I in my mind a slave to God's law? Am I still in my flesh a slave to sin? Am I trying to serve two masters?

With my mouth and my heart I pledge allegiance to God alone. The blood of patriots (and rebels) may give us a temporary superficial freedom, but the blood of Messiah gives us true freedom.

YHVH Nissi. The LORD is my Banner. (anybody remember the childrens church song "his banner over me is love"?)

Cuz this is just crazy!

read more about the picture here.

read more of what I've written about the Shema (Hear O Israel) here, here, here, and here.

5th of July

In case you were wondering, I had a good 4th. I got up before 6 am. and went to work at 7:15. I got off at 1:30 and went home and had a nice afternoon of quiet time. I called my mom and told her happy birthday. I spent the evening with Joy. You can read about the fireworks and stuff in her post, cuz she wrote so wonderfully and I gotta go. I just paid a bunch of bills. Yippee!

Discriminate

“Hey! Hey, man.”

I guess he’s calling me. So I get back out of my car and see the black man walking towards me in the apartment parking lot.

“Jimbo” he extends his hand.

“Joshua” we shake hands.

“Do you play guitar?”

“A little bit.”

“I don’t mean to sound racist or anything . . .”

I was unaware of the stereotype that black people have that young white males play guitar. John the Baptist at work, who happens to be of a darker skin tone, also assumed that I play guitar. But, maybe it’s not that I’m white, maybe I just look like a guitar player.

I was working next to someone from SAGU the other day. I gave a customer her change, $7.24. I told my coworker, “Her change was the same as my birthday, seven twenty-four!”

A couple of customers later a woman bought a six pack. Her total was $7.24. I told my coworker, “Wow, her beer cost the same as my birthday, seven twenty-four.”

He said something like, “Then you have an evil birthday.” His comment was based on the idea that beer is just plain bad.

We talked for a while and he held firm that he planned to never drink beer. But he said that he would probably have wine at his wedding… and dancing.

There is a stereotype in this subculture that beer drinkers are bad people.

Saturday, I mentioned to someone that I went to “church” that morning. He asked if I was Seventh day Adventist. I’m not.

In the A/G bylaws under “Legalism” they state that you shouldn’t add conditions to salvation, such as resting on the seventh day.

When people find out that I keep Sabbath and don’t eat pork they label me as “legalistic” (well, first they ask me if I’m Jewish) and they usually assume that I’m trying to earn my salvation by works. I'm not trying to earn my salvation. I'm trying to obey God.

Stereotypes and double standards. A/G bylaws state that you shouldn’t press your opinions concerning the seventh day onto others. But they also say that you should tithe the way they want you to tithe.

Why are wine and shrimp okay, but beer is bad?

I wonder if Jimbo is good at basketball. But he was kinda short so he’s probably more of a football player.

weekly

Been workin. John the Baptist tried starting theological debates with me. All the stuff he wants to argue about is so pointless. let's talk about something that has to do with our every day lives.

tonight i'm making dinner for joy and some friends. last week we had the mooy's over. i'm so grown up. ha. if you want me to make you dinner next week, email me, call me, or leave a comment.

Juneteenth

Joy doesn't want me to write about work. But all I've been doing lately is working and hanging out with her. So, with the exception of Joy, I don't have much to write about.

Juneteenth is coming up soon. I hadn't even heard of it until a couple semesters ago in MESA (Multi Ethnic Student Association). It's the celebration of when the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the slaves in Galveston, Texas in 1865, two years late.

Listening.

There's this new guy at work. His name is Jacob. He's just a bagger for now. He is short and has grey curly hair and a moustache. He has a peculiar way of moving. He reminds me of my high school Bible teacher. He also has an accent and reminds me of Robin Williams in "Jacob the Liar". I asked him were he is from and he said Russia. I asked him his last name and he said that it is too long and confusing. But I asked him again and he said it and I was able to repeat it. He was impressed by my name saying skills. He's a cool little man.

Last night, when it was getting close to closing time, the manager turned off the air conditioning. It was deafeningly silent. I noticed that there wasn't music playing like there usually is. I heard the beeps of the registers. Crinkling of bags. Carts rolling. Quiet voices. It felt like the air was thin, not full of all the extra noise. I noticed the people in the store. I wondered for a moment how the world would feel without traffic, tv's, radios, and all the background noise that we filter out of our conscious minds. Maybe we've gotten so used to filtering that we also filter out people. Voices and faces flow in and out and they seem as meaningless to us as blowing air. "Maybe we crash into each other so that we can feel something."

Andy & Crash

The wheelchair guy came into work the other day. He actually called himself the wheelchair guy. When I asked him his name, he said it is Andy. He dropped off one load of groceries, then he went and got a few more things and came back. Alice helped at the very beginning, but then she left me to help him by myself. I think she's starting to trust me. I am getting better at my job. Andy is really a kind and funny guy. He asked me about school and life. He was the best customer I've had in a while. I hung his bags on the handles of his chair. I got to slide the pen between his stubby fingers so that he could sign the receipt for his credit card. I look forward to seeing him again.

Last night I saw "Crash." Sandra Bullock has a small role in it. She plays a snobby rich person (kind of like a lot of the women who shop at Central Market). I went by myself. It was the first rated R movie I've seen in a long time. And it was definitely rated R. I enjoyed the movie though. It was what I expected. It's a movie about racism. I saw it at a theater that is usually full of black people, but I think that all five of us watching Crash were white. A day in L.A. There's no big plot. It's a bunch of small intersecting stories. We follow people of various skin tones and nations of origin as they interact with people of different races. There's no good guy or bad guy. Everyone's a little good and a little bad. Prejudices are justified and ripped down. Before I saw the movie I expected it to be (for those of you from SAGU) a "Paul Alexander movie" and I still think it is. And it's such an intense movie. I'm still shaking. Seeing "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" tonight will be a welcome change of pace.

I'm more excited about Micah's graduation than I was about mine

Last night Joy and I went to a banquet for the seniors. Micah got a bunch of cool awards. The art teacher really likes him so he got a whole bag of art stuff. If you've been to his site you can tell he's a good artist. This morning I went to his graduation rehersal, since I'm going to be handing his diploma to him tonight. It's all so exciting.

I really like Real Live Preacher. Check out this article.

Road Trip

Joy and I drove through the night and came to this wonderful town in Colorado. We made it in 13 hours. Then we took some nice naps. Looks like we're gonna be pretty busy with all my little brother's graduation stuff. I'll post when I can. I'm so tired.

The Past Few Days

At work, many people have been coming back after taking a leave of absence. One such person is “John the Baptist.” I have heard a lot about him from other people. They say that he is very dogmatic, if you don’t believe the same as him, then you’re wrong. They say that he is condescending. I haven’t had a lot of interaction with him, but I don’t think he’s that bad. People said he tries to start theological arguments with people, but he hasn’t started any with me though I almost wish he would. I would rather not hear what other people have to say about John. I want to get to know him myself. What I do know about him is that he attends a small christian college, the name of which I do not remember. He tries really hard to push the products that we are supposed to be pushing. “We have these cookies on sale for 99 cents. You should buy at least one.” He is a preacher, not a pastor. He made a big deal about it when I was in the service office. He’s taking Hebrew. When he mentioned that, my manager told him that I know Hebrew. I hadn’t told the manager that, I figured Ben must have told him, but he said he was just saying that and didn’t actually know that I knew Hebrew (did you follow that?). So anyways, John asked me if I knew what my name means in Hebrew. I told him it means “the LORD saves.” He asked me the same question several times in various ways, I tried to give him the answer he wanted giving him the answers Yehoshua, Yeshua, Yaweh saves, Jehovah saves. Then he asked me what my name is in Greek. (He doesn’t know that I also know some Greek). And I finally figured out what he was wanting me to say, and I decided to make it difficult. I said Iesous. Then he said, “Now say it in English.” Then I said, “Joshua” (hehe) pause... “or Jesus.” There ya go. He just wanted to hear me say that Joshua is the same as Jesus.

The other night I got an extra roommate. Jacob is from Kansas/Oklahoma. He’s interning at a Spanish radio station down here. Ben’s been out of town for two weeks. It’s kind of nice having someone else in the apartment, especially at night. Jacob’s cool. We went driving the other night so that he could find his way to church and work. We took a detour through Dallas. And he was just flabbergasted at the big ole buildings. He was like a little country boy in the big city (I guess he pretty much actually was).

Last night I saw Lemminy Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. It was one of those that I kind of liked but kind of didn’t. It was sort of what I expected. I like the style, but the story could have been better. It seems like they tried to pack too much in, but left a lot out. Okay, enough of my critique of a little kid’s movie.

Wednesday night I leave for Colorado for my li’l brother’s graduation!

Catch Up

I was going to post friday, but Blogger was down for the 45 minutes that I was on the net that day.

I've been listening to early Beatles. Great stuff.

Sunday my fellow torah people and I celebrated Shavuot (The Feast of Weeks/ Aka Pentecost). We had fajitas and stuff. It was fun times. So on Shavuot, Jews commemorate the giving of the Torah. As believers in Messiah, we rejoice in the Torah as well as in the great things LORD did by his spirit after Messiah's resurrection. Shavuot has all kinds of meaning for the past and the future, but I'm not going to go into that right now, but Shavuot is the completion of what was begun at Passover. The two feasts are linked in many ways. Passover is celebrates our freedom from slavery to the world. Shavuot celebrates our freedom in slavery to LORD.

You know about the manifestations in Acts 2. Exodus 20:18 says the people saw the thunderings and lightning and trumpet and smoke. Nearly everywhere else the word for thunderings is translated as voices. Nearly everywhere else the word for lightnings is translated as torches. The Rabbis have a teaching (that goes back who knows how long) that "voices" plural means that God spoke in the 70 languages (tongues) of the 70 nations of the world. 70 is just the number they use, but the point is that they taught that God gave the Torah in every single language, so we can assume that the Torah is for everybody. Because of the word "torches" and the fact that the verse says the people saw voices, the Rabbis say that God's voice broke into sparks or tongues of fire that rested on the head of each person at Mt. Sinai. I just think it's interesting how the rabbis' description of the first shavuot and the apostles' experience at the first shavuot after messiah's ascension parallel.

Onto a different subject. My car got broken into on sunday night. When I left for work monday morning I found that a little window on the back door had been broken out and my stuff was thrown around, but nothing was taken. this morning i saw that my door lock had been messed with a big rectangle's knocked out. But I'm OK. It'll be alright.

A Whole New World (not really)

I'm in my new apartment. I have been for a few days now. I found this really cool library surrounded by a nice big park about 10 minutes from the apartment. It almost feels like home. So I'm at the library. My next big feat will be to check out the laundry room at the apartment complex.

Graduation on Friday went well. It was surprizingly exciting walking accross the stage and getting my diploma. I was a zombie through the whole day because I was on Benedryl so that I wouldn't sneeze through the entire ceremony. Some of my family came down to see me graduate. We all had dinner at my apartment afterwards. The ceremony was just at the wrong time. If we had eaten before, it would have been lunch. By the time we ate it was 9 pm.

I went grocery shopping this week. I spent way too much money. I'm the only one in the apartment for a while since Ben is back home with his family for the week.

Unpacking is crazy. I have so much junk.

Moving Day

I got the key to my apartment this morning and started moving in. I have my very own bathroom. After days of wetness the sun came out this afternoon. I went to mapquest today and found libraries and stores in the area around my apartment. I don't know what my internet connection is going to be. But I will blog somehow, for all 3 of you who sometimes read this. Tomorrow, my family comes down, and tomorrow evening I walk accross the stage and graduate. Fun times. Write ya later.

Did You Check Aisle 14?

Today a Dallas police officer walked in the store and asked me, "Where do you keep your shoplifters?"

"Excuse me?"

"Where do you keep your shoplifters?"

I directed him to the office of the managers and he eventually made his way upstairs where there were two forty-something women who had been caught shoplifting.

On a different note, I decided that I really like Jones Soda. From the creative labels to the great tasting flavors, I just really like it. And it just so happens that, like so many cool things, Jones is based in Seattle, WA.

Packing

Now listening to Philmore "In My Boat"


Last night and this morning I've been packing. Ben and I should be able to move in to our new place on Thursday. So I've got boxes, bags and junk. I found a paycheck from the achievement center last night, so that's cool.

I went to today, and it turns out that today is national teacher's day. cool. Have I mentioned that I want to be a teacher?

And I'm having serious deja vu right now. what's up with that?

I don't have any more schoolwork. I graduate friday evening.

I thought I had something to write about, but this will do.

The Greatest in the Kingdom

May is Older Americans Month. I wanted to write something about the elderly last week because of a verse in the torah portion. But I'll write that later.

Read this Real Live Preacher article about children and worship. I especially like the part about Natalie.

It was refreshing to read that article tonight. It expresses part of what I dreamed about this morning at the Oaks where the "worship time" is a big production, and it is easy for people's focus to be on the performers on the stage, and where everyone doesn't know everyone.

Just so you know, I really do want to be more loving and less judging, and more worshipful and less critical.

random cuz i'm half asleep

i turned in my practicum stuff yesterday. it wasn't the greatest quality, but whatever. i'm done. i slept 1.5 hrs tuesday night. joy bought me a dr. pepper to help me stay up all night. she's so sweet. i slept all last night, but i still feel really tired. so i'm gonna take an hour and a half nap after i post this. then it's off to work.

i thought wasabi peas were great. but tuesday i discovered wasabi soynuts! rock on!

i still need to get an apartment. i dont want to be homeless after i graduate.

i'm finding leviticus 19 very interesting. i hypothesize and theorize that it is composed of sections separated by the phrase "I am the LORD." and each section has a theme, even if the commands seem unrelated. i.e. the first section - Respect mom and dad, and observe God's sabbaths. They may seem unrelated, but i think they're related.

Today is the fifth day of the week. the day that God made the birds and fishes.

coming soon: Hebrew lessons!

simmer

I've been so allergyish for I don't know how long now. Sneezing and snot and Benadryl are just a part of my life nowadays. I'm going to be working on my practicum files for the next few days, because I've been procrastinating like crazy. So I'm a little stressed. And I need to get an apartment, so I'm pretty stressed. But soon I will be a form of free. Blog ya later.

Pope, Passover, Pentecost

Yesterday, the German Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger, was elected to be the new pope. He will be known as Pope Benedict XVI. He will be "formally installed" as pope on Sunday, April 24.

That just happens to be the same day that Orthodox Jews will be celebrating Passover (a month late).

Today is the 25th day of the omer count which means we're halfway to "Pentecost" (Hebrew: "Shavuot" The Feast of Weeks). Traditionally, at Shavuot, Jews celebrate the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. As believers in Jesus we also celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit at Jerusalem. Just as Passover contains parallels between the exodus and crucifixion, so at Shavuot we see parallels between the giving of the Torah and of the Holy Spirit. I'll write more about those parallels as we get closer to Pentecost. For now have quick read of Exodus 19 and Acts 2.

This Week In Leviticus

Time
This week's Torah portion starts with a reminder of Aaron's sons that died. Aaron is then warned that he must not go into the sanctuary any time he feels like it. This gives more weight to the possibility that Nadab and Abihu were killed for going in at the wrong time.

There is such a thing as holy time. When God declares something about a day, his declaration is true. Our timing ought to line up with God's timing.

The tenth day of the seventh month is Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement. That day is unique/holy to God. The priests might want to do a good thing, but if they did it at the wrong time it was trouble.

The seventh day of each week is also holy time. Working is a good thing. But not on the Sabbath. God said so.

Misunderstanding
I've heard it taught that the High Priest had bells on the bottom of his robe and when he went into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur they would tie a rope around his foot and if the bells stopped ringing they knew he was dead and would pull him out.

Not true. The High Priest's ephod did have bells along the hem. But the one day that he would remove that ephod was on Yom Kippur. When he went into the Holy of Holies, he wore a plain linen tunic, the standard dress for any priest.

Read Leviticus 16:4,24. Have you heard the rope and bells story before?

Acts 15
This week's torah portion contains the source of the prohibitions in Acts 15.

Lev. 17:1-9 says that sacrifices needed to be brought to the Tabernacle (later the Temple) so that they wouldn't be eating sacrifices to false gods/idols.

Lev. 17:10-14 prohibits eating blood.

Lev. 17:15 prohibits eating animals found dead or killed by another animal (aka strangled, since predators attack the neck).

Lev. 18 defines sexual immorality

Acts 15:20 "Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood."

Enter the Teachings of Man.

Modern day teachers have said that in Romans and Corinthians Paul tells the believers that it's okay to eat food sacrificed to idols. Why would he contradict himself? They use 1 Corinthians 8 to say that it's okay to eat food sacrificed to idols, but in 1 Corinthians 10 Paul explained that idols are linked to demons and we should have nothing to do with demons.

Modern day teachers say it's okay to eat bloody meat. And they would probably say there's nothing immoral about eating roadkill. Where is the Biblical support?

What is sexually immoral? Lev. 18 includes incest, adultery, sex with a woman in her period, homosexuality, and bestiality. How were the Gentiles to know all this unless they studied torah? Their culture approved of all kind of perverted sex.

What is the transition from OT to NT? Do we obey everything from the Old unless it is rejected in the New? Or do we ignore everything from the Old unless it is re-commanded in the New?

The prohibition on sex with a woman in her period is not rejected in the New Testament, yet many Christians think that it's okay.

The prohibition on bestiality is not repeated in the New Testament, yet few Christians would say that it's okay.

It shouldn't be surprising that the term "Homosexual Christian" is becoming more accepted.

Without the foundation of the Torah, the structures of morality in modern day Christianity are built on sand. What a person feels or thinks becomes more important than what the Bible says. Are you building your life on the Spoken, Written and Living Word of God or on the words of men?

I Think His Name Is Andrew

Today at Central Market I checked out a man in a wheelchair. I check out a lot of people in wheelchairs, but this guy had very limited mobility.

He rolled up behind me and said, "Excuse me, sir. Could I leave these behind here with you?" He had a lap full of bags of vegetables and a bag of fish and ice. I answered sure at the same time as Alice, one of the leads. (We call the managers "leads"). We both unloaded the food from his lap into a basket. Alice (who is an interesting, even myserious, person herself) said that he's a really cool guy and she explained to me that he would pay with a credit card and he didn't have to sign the receipt.

He picked up a few more things and came back. Alice came right back to make sure that everything was handled right. He must have been feeling good because he wanted to sign the receipt. He told Alice how to slide the pen in between the appropriate fingers. He scribbled on the line and said with a smile, "It's close enough for governmental paperwork."

As Alice was putting his credit card back I saw that he has a tube over his shoulder so that he can drink water. Alice loaded the bags onto the handles on his wheelchair. She double bagged them because she knows that he takes the bus and she didn't want the bags to break.

As we helped the man I remembered a Real Live Preacher story. I read it when I got home. Click here to read it. It's slightly graphic, so read only if you're brave. Also you may want to read this story about Real Live Preacher and his wheelchair friends.

I think I wrote more tonight about Alice than about the man in the wheelchair. I think she likes to feel special and important. But then, don't we all. She's kinda mean sometimes. I think she just really wants stuff to be done right. She has moments when she's really nice. I think she's a very nice kind person deep down, but she has a very tough exterior.

Anyways, I'm going to stop writing now. Take a look at those stories, and have a nice day.

Caffeine, Beer, and It's Still MY Birthday

In French this morning, my eyes were closed through most of the class. The last time I felt as tired as today was after an overnighter. I don't know why I was so tired. I got plenty of sleep last night. I bet it was because I didn't have coffee this morning. I was dead tired until I had a Coke at work. I am a caffeine addict.

So at work, after I woke up, I carded a guy buying beer. There on the license 07-24-1983, MY Birthday. It was Zack again!! He remembered me, too. He collects beer bottles. At Central Market we have beer imported from all over the world. He said he almost has one of each of our bottles, so he will have to look elsewhere. He said something like that he's probably been an alcoholic since he was 17.

I wonder if it was when I was 17 that I became a caffeine addict. My first or second year of college I almost completely abstained from caffeine. But in the last year or two, I've gone back. I'm wondering if I should again face the tiredness and headaches of withdrawl.

What do you think about the statement, "Everyone's addicted to something." So true or no true?

FYI: Leprosy

Last week's and this week's torah portions talk about "Leprosy" but the affliction is not actually leprosy. A lot of Bible's have stopped translating it as leprosy and are translating it as infectious skin disease. But I don't know if that's exactly accurate either. It seems very supernatural. The Hebrew word is "Tzara'at." There are various kinds. Here's some info about tzara'at you may not have known or really thought about.

Tzara'at not only affects a person's skin, but it can appear on clothing (or anything made of wool, linen, or leather), and it can appear on the walls of houses (in the land of Israel).

Tzara'at on the person takes on various forms and each has different rules. It can appear as a discoloring, a scab, a bright spot, a raised spot, a burn, a boil, a sore on the scalp or beard. It can be a small spot (that a person might hide) or it could cover the whole body.

A person (or clothing or house) with tzara'at is not unclean (or clean) until a priest says he/she/it is unclean (or clean).

There is no law against touching a metzora (person with tzara'at). Priests had to do it all the time when examining the metzora. Tzara'at is not contagious. Lev. 13:11 says that a person with a chronic tzara'at is not to be put in isolation.

If every bit of a metzora's body is covered with tzara'at, they are clean. If a little bit of normal flesh later appears, then the metzora is unclean. I think, when Jesus healed the 10 lepers and only the one Samaritan leper came back to thank him, that Jesus made them all covered with tzara'at and thus clean, then when the one came back and Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well" then all of the tzara'at was completely removed from that man. Just my opinion.

Only a bald man with red and white tzara'at on the bald part of their head has to cover up and yell "unclean, unclean" and live alone outside the camp.

Interesting?

Help

Last night it rained cats and (literally) dogs. Today it was sunny. I was happier last night than I was today.

Here's a song that I really like, for those of you in chapel today, and for those of you who weren't. (a couple words are edited out because it's too racy for Christian record companies).

Heart Still Beats
by Brave Saint Saturn,

"The girl in the alley kneels with exhaustion
She's guarded by the skinny guy who limps from some infection
Behind a veil of bleached thin hair her eyes tell a story
Like a photo of Berlin, December 1944
She's looking for a handout, she's been high for several weeks now
She's too far gone for whoring and the money just gave out

And her heart still beats inside
And the blood runs in her veins
A remnant of life remains
Her heart still beats inside

The man finally comes to the door, I've seen him several times
He always looks %*$$ed off and his sunglasses stay on
I think he got his biceps and tattoos while in prison
And it doesnt seem to bother him when he says "go to #&!!"

And his heart still beats inside
The blood runs in his veins
A remnant of life remains
His heart still beats inside

The thought it comes to my mind, to somehow intervene
But it could bring me trouble, and what can I do anyway?
It's hard to be effective when it happens so often
To see a life unraveling, through drawn venetian blinds
I'm sickened by compassion, I'm stifled by my limitations
Anesthetic apathy, come take the pain away

And my heart still beats inside
The blood runs in my veins
A remnant of life remains
And my heart still beats inside

Oh God, we need you here
We're sinking fast and we dont care
The evidence is all around me, on both sides of my door
Our hearts beat"

A Day In My Life: April 5, 2005

I went to sleep way too late last night. I've been real tired all day today. Good thing I didn't have to go to work.

At tutoring, I didn't tutor, but I helped a student pre-register.

For devos, we had doughnuts and orange juice (that makes life great for me). And we watched a cheezy video. It was a Christian detective trying to solve the mystery of who stole the "How to Become a Christian" book. He questioned the usual suspects and was surprised to find Christians who didn't read their Bible, pray, or witness. gasp.

During devos, Anna (lives in Utah. I was in her wedding in December) called me and I answered the phone and told her that I was in devos and would call her afterwards. I called her after devos, but she didn't answer, so I left a message.

In Logue's class I was bored and tired. We have a test Thursday.

At lunch I saw my beautiful girlfriend who spent a great part of the day finishing up a project. I talked with our friend Julie for a while. It was cool. I've missed talking to Julie and lots of other people.

Joy and I had been planning to go this afternoon to look at an apartment that I found on the internet. So I called the place but only got a machine. I took a nap while I waited for Joy to finish her project. I slept like a rock. For over an hour I was practically non-existent. When I woke up to the ringing phone, it took me a minute to figure out who, when and where I was. So Joy and I went to look at the apartment. We didn't actually get to look at the apartment, but I mainly wanted to see the neighborhood, and we got to see that. not too exciting. I'm gonna try to check out some more friday after work.

Then I went to my last group at the counseling center. Two people graduated from the recovery program. I was thinking that I would miss them because they were graduating, but then I realized that I'm going to miss everybody because I'm leaving. I had to go through that thought process several times before that sunk in. Tomorrow I go for the last time to the counseling center, but not for group. So toward the end of the first hour, the director of the center said that to ensure that the counseling center would be a safe, drug free environment for recovery, the Drug Task Force was there. . . with dogs, and if anyone had anything they didn't want to get caught with, they needed to leave. So we were hearded to different sections of the building while the dogs and men in black with ski masks over their faces searched out the rooms. It was a bizzare experience.

As soon as I got to group I had a craving for a beef and potato burrito. So after group, I went straight to Taco Bell and got one. The beef and potatoes were all on the top and the sauce and stuff was all at the bottom, so it was pretty funky.

This evening I found this cool flash animated poem song thing by Peter Nevland and Paul Finley. You should watch it. I think Peter Nevland is cool. He's best to see in person in a small setting. He's going to be in the Dallas area next week. Depending on my work schedule I might get to see him.

Then I went to Wal-Mart with Joy. We looked at fabrics and buttons. Joy bought me a 7up. She spoils me even though mom warned her not to.

As I typed this, I cooked some pasta (lunch and dinner for the rest of the week). I went to Joy's room to ask for the collandar. There was lots of giggling and her roomate answered the door. Joy gave me the collandar wearing a pink dress with a zip up hoodie over it.

Now, I'm going to post this and go to sleep... before midnight, so maybe I won't be as tired tomorrow.

Monday Morning

Morning feels like a long time ago.

I have two days left at my practicum site. This morning was my last Monday group. I'm really gonna miss all those guys. I've gotten to know the counselors and clients. And I've learned a lot from both.

I wonder what's going to happen to some of the clients. I've gotten to see them while they're clean, so I see what great individuals they are. But any of them could slip back into being whatever they were before. I want them all to be overcomers.

I wonder what's going to happen with the guy who's there for DUI and says he's not an alcoholic, just unlucky. He seems to have decided at last that group doesn't have to be torture. He doesn't think he needs help, but he's started trying to help other people in the group. He's a smart guy and he shares what he's learned.

Denial is a strange thing. It blinds a person. You think that everything is fine. You don't have a problem. You really and truly think that you are doing fantastic. It would be too difficult to admit that you have made some bad choices. You can't see that the truth is right there in front of you. You unconsciously lie to yourself to protect yourself. You think that the people living right are the ones with the problem. Why do people keep telling you that you have a problem? Can't they see that you're just fine? This is who you are. You've been doing this for a long time and it's worked just fine so far. The ones telling you to change are just too strict and narrow minded. You have to either admit that you're wrong or deny until it's too late.

Maturing

Now listening to: Roper


I remember my freshman year, at church there was a song that said something like, "If there was only one word to describe you it would be Holy." And I just couldn't sing that song. All my life, I've firmly believed that Love is the greatest thing ever. God's love is the greastest thing about him. My quest to love God and love others led to the paradigm shift where I started to believe that we should obey even the commandments in the Old Testament. After a while, inside me the ideas of holiness and obedience stopped being results of love but became the main things themselves. Lately I have gotten back to the idea that love is key. I think it was last week's omer reading that reminded me of that process that I went through and re-emphasized the importance of Love.

I also remember how the first two years of college I thought I knew everything. I could explain everything from how God thinks to how everyone ought to behave. I looked down on Christians whose theology wasn't as logical as mine and whose devotion to prayer and witnessing was not as great as mine. But since I've started trying to love God by obeying all of his commands, I've realized how sinful I am and how little I know. Some commandments are just tough to wrap your mind around. And sometimes I feel like compromizing rather than obeying. Within obedience to the commandments of God, whether Jewish or Messianic, there is a great variance of observance. Some people are more strict than others. Some have noticed commands that others never knew were there. As a result I've learned a lot more tolerance for Christians who aren't as holy as me (j/k). I have become more accepting of people in their weaknesses because I now see more of mine. The Torah really is every great thing that the New Testament says it is.

Last night I had my 90 day evaluation when I got to work. I found out that I need to take initiative and be more friendly. So last night I absolutely forced myself to be outgoing. It was a rush. I was so happy all night. Being friendly makes me happy.

The Pope died yesterday. The new Pope will be elected later this month.

On this day, March 31, 2005

Dr. Adonna Otwell (sp?) preached in chapel this morning. She preached about being holy and seperate from the world, not compromising with sin. She listed various earthquakes in recent history, saying that they were God's judgement on unbelieving wicked nations. Some people might be taken aback by such an idea, but read your Bible, her delarations went right along with the God described in scripture. She talked about the rapture and heaven and she got me all excited about the fall festivals. She doesn't even know that's what she was talking about. During the last 10 minutes of her sermon, I wrote a couple of posts in my head that I will put up in a few months when the fall feasts are near.

Chapel went long and when I went to class, Professor Logue had already started... and locked the door. After they prayed he let in the group of us who were standing outside the door. It doesn't make sense to me that he wouldn't allow us to hear people's prayer requests and to join in prayer because we were 5 minutes late because of chapel. I asked someone who got to class on time what the deal was. She said it was so that people wouldn't walk in while we were praying. But people don't walk in during the actual praying time. They stand outside the door until the praying is finished, which I think is dumb. I agree with Dr. K who would encourage students to come right into class even while the class was praying. "If the Spirit is moving," she would say, "I want you to be a part of it. Don't miss out on what the Lord is doing by staying out in the hall until we are finished praying." Dr. K is so cool. I have great respect for the female Professors on campus.

This afternoon I went to the new Starbucks in the new Target with my girlfriend. We got frapuccinos (I think I might be spelling a lot of things wrong today). Joy got a haircut. She's so stinkin' cute.

About half an hour ago I paid off my school bill. $2,630. I'm almost broke. So I came back to my room and looked at apartments on the internet. I should have enough money by the end of the month so that I can get an apartment.

I'm gonna take a Logue test in 10 minutes. I'm leaving for work in an hour.

I'll probably write again Saturday night. Until then, leave some comments!!!

stream of consciousness 30.03.05

it's a beautiful day today. it was nice out two days ago, too. but yesterday, my day off, was rainy. know thyself. that can be so difficult. is the word individual closely related to the word indivisible. that's what one wise guy thinks. it's quite possible. a person who is a whole person and who is part of the whole. independent, though, is very different. a person who thinks that he or she is independent is actually delusional. we are always dependent. children want to be free from parents. parents can't stand their boss. the boss is restricted by the government. officials have to look out for the voters. the president is weighed down by checks and balances. a dictator has to look out for assassins. poor men want to be rich, rich men want to be kings, kings want to be gods. we are never satisfied. we are never free. but there's an unless. your attitude is more powerful than your situation. a believing slave is the Lord's freeman. every man is a slave either to sin or to the Lord. people who are oppressed in an oppressive country may be more inwardly free than a person in america held in bondage to his appetite. back to individuals. individuals are made by having their strengths recognized and their weaknesses supported. do I know my own strengths and weaknesses? locus of control. you are responsible. is your locus external? do you blame everyone and everything else for what has happened to you? or do you have an internal locus of control? do you take responsibility for your choices, actions, attitude? that was kind of fun. hope some of it made sense to you.

Consuming Fire

Nadab and Abihu were going to burn incense before the LORD, something they were supposed to do. But the way they went about it was wrong. So they got struck dead with fire from God.

Man, God was so stinkin' picky back then. Nadab and Abihu were most likely at fault in one or both of two areas: The How and/or The When. They brought fire from the wrong source and/or they brought it at the wrong time.

I bet if they hadn't been struck down nobody would have thought they were at fault. People would have probably thought that they did a good thing.

I see the same thing today. Stuff that seems good, but it's done at the wrong time or in the wrong way.

After striking down two of Aaron's sons God had a little talk with Aaron and made a big deal about distinguishing between the holy and profane, clean and unclean. Then in the next chapter God makes a big deal about what animals his holy people can or cannot eat.

Peter repeats God's command from this chapter, "Be holy because I am holy." What God has called clean or unclean, holy or common no man has the authority to call otherwise. And God doesn't change his Word, Thank God.

Holiness is a very tricky thing. It's an impossible thing. It always has been and always will be. But God can see us as though we are holy even though we're not. It has always been this way. If God calls a person holy, then that person is holy, no matter what.

God's word is final and unchanging. If only more people could accept that wonderful fact.
But it's more comfortable to pretend that God is an easygoing guy that just lets stuff slide. Some people like the thought that God is too big to care about the minute details of each person's life. The thought that God doesn't care about every little thing would terrify me.

God is holy. God is picky. God is who God is.

One day at a time

Can I live life one day at a time? Do I live life one day at a time? What does it mean to live one day at a time? I think it means focusing on the here and now and not on your future plans or past failures. I don't want to let days and weeks slip by meaninglessly because I'm focused on some far off date. I need to give each day meaning. Find the worth in each day. Maybe, once I get the hang of one day at a time, I'll move on to one hour at a time. I think the ultimate fulfilled, joyful life would be when a person finds value in every moment of life. I want to see each situation that I'm in as a precious jewel, valuable, that I ought not waste or ignore. Soak in each fleeting bit of beauty. In the happy times, the sad times, and the boring times. But for now I'm going to try to at least live one day at a time.

Counting the Omer

Today is the Feast of Firstfruits. Messiah was not resurrected when the gentiles of his day were celebrating Easter. The day of his resurrection was when the Jews were celebrating Firstfruits.

Sunday does not replace the seventh day as Sabbath because Jesus was raised on a Sunday. It wasn’t “Sunday” on which he was raised, it was “Firstfruits.” The resurrection may have been Saturday night. The first day of the week is Saturday at sunset until Sunday at sunset (Sunday night services aren’t on the first day of the week). Jesus had already been resurrected while it was still dark (John 20:1).

Pentecost (Hebrew: Shavuot. Feast of Weeks) is 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits. Pentecost and Shavuot are always on “the day after the Sabbath.” There’s no reason to say that Sunday is special because of the resurrection and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Especially since they didn’t technically happen on Sunday (which includes the first and second days of the week), but on the first day of the “Jewish” (biblical) week.

Leviticus 23:15,16 says that you’re supposed to count 50 days, day after sabbath to day after sabbath. To aid in this counting, Jews have developed a tradition called The Counting of the Omer (not Homer).

40 of these 50 counting days, Jesus spent walking the earth after his resurrection explaining from the Law and the Prophets and the Writings everything that was written about him (since he is the Word, that’s a lot of stuff). The next 9 days the disciples spent preparing for Shavuot (which I will write more about later).

I have put in some omer links. Each week explores a certain aspect of our being, such as humility or love, and each day explores a different feature of that aspect. It’s a great read if you’re into psychological philosophical stuff like I am. (Remember, day one is Saturday night to Sunday night, day four is Tuesday night to Wednesday night, and the like).

As with many things, when it comes to the counting of the omer most Jews follow tradition rather than scripture. They put Firstfruits on the day after Passover instead of the day after Sabbath, so the 50th day could be any day of the week and not necessarily the day after the seventh sabbath as scripture says.

Gimme some Comments

I figure this is a good day to talk a little about Jesus' sacrifice. I am fascinated by the parallels between the sacrifice of Jesus and Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac. If you want, read this article about how the Abraham/Isaac sacrifice was linked to the temple sacrifices.

Below, I copied a section I especially like.

From a Jewish source,
Instead, "Yitzchak's [Isaac's] fire" can refer to the spiritual reality and commitment he personally "ignited" that day when he, recognizing that he was to be the sacrifice, abandoned himself completely to the will of His Father in Heaven, and his father on earth. This, the commentators explains, is the meaning of the verse:

" ... And they walked together as one."

That is, with a single heart (Rashi) ... even after the realization that the "missing sacrifice" that Yitzchak had asked about was in fact not missing at all, but was he himself.

What is the "wood of Avraham"? Wood is fuel for the fire, and this is what Avraham had provided his son. It had been Avraham's test to bring Yitzchak up as an offering to G-d; who had set up the situation so that Yitzchak could choose to be bound and offered to G-d. This is the ultimate "gift" a parent can give to a child: the opportunity to know G-d, to love G-d, and to choose His way.

And here are some snipits from a discussion in the comments section of Why Not Remember?:

No One You Know said...
So, this has just been going around in my head for awhile, and I'd like to get your perspective on it: It's the story of when God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. God tells Abraham to break one of the commandments. Now, I understand why Abraham could obey God, knowing that God would keep His promise no matter what. But, it's still murder. How can God tell Abraham to premeditate a murder, when God has forbidden this?

Joshua said...
I like to focus on Isaac in this occurrence. How much wood does it take to completely burn a person? Probably a whole lot. Isaac was strong enough to carry it (Gen 22:6). Many commentaries say that Isaac was pretty grown up at that time. Possibly 33. There was no way that Abraham could have overpowered Isaac and tied him to the altar (without supernatural intervention). Isaac had to submit to being the sacrifice.

The Word of God that Abraham had was God’s Voice. And he obeyed that Word no matter what his understanding was, and no matter what he saw around him.

No One You Know said...
I don't believe God ever intended for Abraham to kill Isaac. I think Abraham knew God's heart well enough to know that God would either provide a way out of the death of Isaac or raise him from the dead. Plus, Abraham clearly heard God's voice, so there wasn't confusion over whether or not it was God telling him to do it like there would be today.

Joshua said...
A question for you: How is Jesus’ death just? Is it righteous to kill the innocent in place of the guilty?

No One You Know said...
Good question about Jesus' sacrifice, which brings up another question, did Jesus choose to die for us. I mean, Jesus and God knew what it would take to bring restoration to the world, so did Jesus choose to be the sacrifice and God allow it? Or, did God make Jesus be the sacrifice? Do God and Jesus have a free will? Could Jesus have decided He did not want to die on the cross?

So, what do you think about any of this?

Yeastless

Friday night begins the week-long feast of unleavened bread.

I wrote most of this a year ago:

Exodus 12:14-20; 13:6-10

"Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast - as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth." 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

It is interesting that God commanded aliens and foreigners to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, but commanded that only Jews and converted foreigners eat the passover meal (The Lamb). Most of us are familiar with the symbolic significance of the passover lamb and Christ. And it was in his sacrifice that Messiah brought unity between Jews and Gentiles who trust in him.

It is required for all people of all times to get the yeast out. As a person goes throughout the house searching for crumbs of leavened bread to throw out, they are also praying and searching their heart for sins to get rid of. Traditionally, Jews use a candle, a feather, and a wooden spoon in their search for leaven. What do you think these items might symbolize?

Even the small and/or hidden sins can have a devastating effect on the whole of our being.

Try going a week without leavened bread, maybe even go buy some matzah; and at each meal when you decide not to have a burger, sandwich, or a roll, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart for crumbs of malice and wickedness and to fill you with sincerity and truth.

woo-hoo

At last, what we've all been waiting for... pictures!



Nevermind. But I'm working on it.

File & Sort

I've known for a while that my girlfriend has an affinity for filing and sorting stuff such as papers, mostly money related.

I just realized today how much filing I have done in my life. But not having to do with money.

At my tutoring job, I file student's folders all the time and don't mind it one bit. At my practicum I've been doing a lot of filing of clients' charts and don't mind it. At Central Market we each have a little file pouch with sections in which we file the reciepts for the different credit card brands and cupons.

I remembered today how, when I was younger, I would spend hours organizing my baseball, basketball and football cards according to my favorite players, favorite teams, all star players, card brand, card number, etc.

I also had my kid novels organized according to author, subject, book distributor, etc.

I don't remember what else I sorted like that. Anywho, I guess I'm an organized guy. You can believe that because you can't see my desk.

Time and Sacrifices

Today I worked at Central Market from 7:15 am to 6:20 pm. It was fun. It's illegal to sell alcohol before noon on Sunday. There's signs all over the beer and wine section on Sunday morning stating this fact. But this foreign guy came up at 11:30 and wanted to buy a bunch of beer and wine. The checker explained that it was illegal to sell alcohol before noon on Sunday. The guy said, "but I'm going to be late for church." as if that would change the law, or cause the checker to want to break the law so this guy could get to church. He kept coming back every 5 minutes to see if he could buy it yet. I laughed at myself when I wondered if the guy had to get drunk before church or if he could just wait until it was over. Not funny though. But he waited and bought the stuff at 12:01 and was off to church.

In the Torah readings, we're in the beginning of Leviticus which describes a lot about the sacrifices; this article from torah.org brings to life what the temple was like.

Friday night my congregation will be having a Passover Seder. It will be "Good Friday" according to the Catholic calendar, but that's just a coincidence. Your calendar probably says that Passover is April 24. That's according to the traditional rabbinical timing of the holidays. But the Bible lays out a different way of keeping track of days and months. It has to do with barley and the moon. If you care at all, you can read this article about it.

Just as the temple was holy space, the Sabbath day and the biblical (not "Jewish") feast days are holy time. Just as in the temple, everything had to be done just as God said, so God is in control of times and seasons and everything should be done as he said. The feast days are closely linked with the appearances of Messiah. There is some overlap, but for the most part the Spring feasts point to Messiah's first coming (all of which he fulfilled to the very hour) and the Fall feasts point to His second coming (which will most likely be fulfilled just as precisely). The Jewish leaders in the first century didn't understand what God had been communicating to them. Now it seems Jewish and Christian leaders are missing what God has put in scripture about Messiah's second coming.

The Jews will celebrate the spring feasts a month late and ignore Jesus' role in them. The Christians will ignore the spring feasts and celebrate Jesus the way the pagans celebrated their fertility goddess.

The Jews will celebrate the fall feasts a month late and ignore Jesus' role in them. The Christians will ignore the fall feasts and celebrate Halloween inside a church building so that it doesn't seem as pagan.

All that seemingly superfluous stuff (Laws, etc.) that some Christians ignore and some make fun of and that Jews argue about, why is it in the Bible?

Why are there so many stories and illustrations in the Bible?

Why did Jesus speak in parables?

nonstop

This week was superbusy. I barely had time to breathe; no way I could have blogged. It was Spring Break, but I couldn't wait for school to start so I can get a break. Since I didn't have classes, I decided to knock out as much practicum as I could. So I was at practicum all morning and then working at Central Market all afternoon and evening. I spent the last hour or so before curfew with Joy. I squeezed in as much sleep as I could. I barely had time to eat. I have tests coming up that I haven't studied for and probably have homework that I haven't done. But I'll be done with my practicum in 3 weeks. yay! In 6 weeks I'm gonna move into my own apartment! And in 7 weeks I'm gonna graduate!

update 314

I've been enjoying the song "Lonely" by Akon. It sounds like alvin and the chipmunks singing background vocals. It's such a fun and depressing song.

I talked to my mom on the phone tonight during a break at work. She gave me an update on Nathan (I wrote about him a little here) whom I have been thinking about a lot (and praying about a little) this last month. He had/has some kind of viral disease (menengitis?) and had a big fall down last friday and was hospitalized. It was really serious.

A Really Long Post - Japanese Book, Denim Baptist, Australian Anglican, CoworkerstudentPKgirl - With A Really Long Title

A guy and his 5 year oldish son were in my line. The guy handed his son a book and said, "hold your book." I looked at the book and saw cartoon animals and symbols, the animals and symbols looked kinda Japanese. I asked the dad sortof jokingly, "Is he learning Japanese?"

Dad guy answered, "Yes, actually he is. His grandma is Japanese."

I said, "He should be able to learn it starting out this young."

"Right. I only wish I could learn it"

My mind went through thoughts about the plasticity of the young mind and how children can learn languages more readily than adults, because that's what their brains are wired to do at that age, and it's just not as easy for adults to learn new languages because they already have well worn paths in the language section of their brains. And I blurted out, "But your brain doesn't work right." Excellent.

Then my mind raced through do-something-you-idiot mode. I thought, I don't think they sell those books at Barnes & Noble. So I asked the guy, "Where did you get the book?"

And he told me that he has family in Tokyo and they mailed him the book and he said that they have really crazy stuff in Japan like cell phones the size of a pen.

Later at work, I saw a guy with a denim shirt with a clerical collar, and it made me think of Real Live Preacher, because he has one, too. I wondered for a second if it could be him, but then I realized that it wasn't because that guy didn't look like any picture of RLP, Gordon, that I have seen on the site.

This reminds me of a customer at work who I have seen a couple of times (a week ago and a couple of days ago). He wears black pants, black shirt with the clerical collar, a black vest, and a big fat crucifix. I was sliding his groceries along the scanner, and there was the big ol' cross with a guy on it hanging around an old guy's neck. He was a friendly old man. He had an accent. British I thought. So I figured he must be Anglican. I felt like talking to him, so I thought of the most original, creative thing I could, "So you're a minister."

"A Priest," he corrected me, as if it was an insult to call him a minister. Yikes, I didn't know. I knew not to call him "a Pastor" but I thought "minister" would be OK. Then he added, "An Anglican Priest."

You weren't supposed to tell me! I was gonna guess and impress you. I'll show you anyway, "Yeah, that's what I figured because of your accent. British, right."

"Close. Australian"

ooookaaaay. "Not really even close." Guess I'm not gonna be impressing you much.

A coworker and I had a break at the same time today. This coworker is also a classmate, and a friend and a PK (Pastor's Kid). I think she's curious about what I believe about Torah and whatnot, and I think she thinks I'm a little wacko. We should really talk about the Bible sometime. That's something I've noticed, all these spiritual people don't really discuss scripture much, instead they talk about what the lord told them. But I digress. The coworkerstudentPKgirl asked me about work today, like how long I had been there. I worked all day today 9:30am-7:30pm.

"Don't you feel bad about that [working instead of going to church on sunday morning]?" she asked.

"No. It's not like it's the Sabbath." (I'm such a snot)

"But that's not how you were raised."

"I wasn't raised Muslim either." Really, this is why I prefer writing to talking. When I talk, I sound so weird. The Muslim comment made no sense unless you could read my mind. I was thinking about how if someone was raised Muslim and then converted to Christianity, this girl would not be saying the same thing (i.e. "Do you feel bad about not praying to Allah 5 times a day?" "That's not how you were raised"). I don't think I'm explaining it very well. I'm just weird.

Then she asked, "If you were back home would you go to church?"

I think I answered with a "maybe." It doesn't make much difference. I would go to church back home to see friends from the past. I've seen church (as in the sunday morning church service) as pretty whack for much longer than I've observed Sabbath and all that. My apathy towards the sunday morning church service is not a result of observing the 7th day Sabbath and stuff.

I would much rather hang out with a community of believers (why can't I find one on this Christian university campus) and discuss scripture and spirituality with them. I have some friends on campus, but it's so hard to talk about God. And when we do, they get all weird. I guess I'm weird too. I dunno.

A break?

It's Spring Break. So I'll be working more hours at Central Market and at my practicum site.

I was thinking the other day, Mr. Bean would definitely be a customer at Central Market.

Today is the birthday of Beautiful Joy. Happy Birthday!

thrice

Tame the Tongue
Today I heard evil tongue. Jesus and James talked about our words. The rabbis also talk about the power of speech.

Saying something negative about someone else is called lashan hara. This is not just lying about someone. It is even saying something true but negative. Lashan hara kills three people. The speaker, the listener and the one being spoken about. If the speaker or the listener is the one being spoken about it is still dangerous. (I know of four people who have definitely been hurt by the words of this one person.)

Now there are some cases where it is necessary to say something negative about someone. For instance, if someone poses a threat, the person in danger needs to be warned. But then there is no need to go telling people who have no involvement in the matter.

Words are powerful. God created the world with words. Humans also have the ability to create with words. Once a word is spoken, it is filled with power that can bring life and death.

Before you say something harmful about someone else, stop and think about whether or not you need to say it. You probably don’t. We might not have much to talk about if we’re not bashing other people, maybe we should work on that.

Coincidence?
Today I left my backpack in the cafeteria. I got to my room and realized I had to go back and get it. Outside the cafeteria I saw Robert, the other guy on campus who believes somewhat like me. We talked for a few minutes. I now know where he lives, but I don’t have his number. I’m sure I’ll bump into him again.

Wish You Were Here
I’m so stinkin busy. On the days when I’m not busy I feel stressed because I keep thinking that there should be somewhere I need to go within the hour. Every once in a while, when I’m not focusing on what I’m doing right now and what I’m going to be doing next, I think about people that I know. But I don’t get to do this very often. I want to keep in contact with the people that I know and care about. I wonder if she’s still on the other part of the world, and where in America she is, and what he’s doing, and what he’s pondering now. I gotta make time for emailing and phone calling.

No, it's MY birthday.

So Wild. Today I met someone who's been on earth the exact same amount of time as me, give or take a few hours.

That's strange in and of itself, but the odds of that happening are mindblowing (unless I had a twin).

I met him by selling him beer. Now it's already unlikely that two people with the same birthdate, down to the year, would be in the same building.

He had like 8 cashiers to choose from and he came to my line.

He could have gone to the express line. I wasn't even working express.

He was buying beer, so I had to card him. That's how I found out that we have the exact same birthday. If he wasn't buying alcohol we never would have known.

I sold him the beer 5 minutes before I got off work. A matter of minutes and I might not have met him.

His name is Zack. His birthday is the same as mine. I'll probably never even see him again. But WOW.

Why Not Remember?

Today is the Feast of Perpetua and her Companions. We're in between the Feasts of Valentine and Patrick. Why don't we have some way of remembering these martyrs? Read the second link above.

It is also the anniversary of a Bloody Sunday in Alabama. Take a minute to read the above link and think about the brutality and sacrifice that was displayed just forty years ago today.

TWIRP'd

Tonight I went on a TWIRP (The Woman Is Required to Pay) date. It was a “blind twirp” for everyone except Joy and me. She set up four of her girl friends with four guys, and we all went out as a group. I suggested one of the couples, and I’m sure most of the group would agree they were the best match.

The guys all got mysterious notes. We met at the fountain at 8 pm. Then a group of girls came. With a row of guys and a row of girls standing there it looked and felt like a reality show. They stood anxiously waiting to be paired up. One of the guys didn’t show. Phil, my roomate, and I ran and grabbed another guy to come along with us.

So we all paired up and went to Starbucks. Our group of 11 (a sixth girl came along) busted into Starbucks at the same as another smaller group, and the “baristas” (which I learned today is Italian for bartender) were freaked out. The oldest barista asked quite rudely, “Where are you all from?” It was just kinda scary the way she asked it. We hung around the Corporate Monster Cloned Coffee house long after our overpriced unextraordinary drinks and desserts were finished. We were going to possibly do some other things like go to a drive in, ice skate or go bowling, but after Starbucks we went to a house and talked and played Cranium.

Before the date I was in my room singing “Love Me Do” by the Beatles. I stuck in the CD that Wonderful Joy bought me and listened to it. During Cranium, one of the Humdingers was “Love Me Do.” And then at the end of the night we all listened to the song.

It was a super-fantastic night. My girlfriend rocks.

And he gathered

I recently heard someone’s definitions of religion and spirituality. I’m not quoting him exactly, but. Religion or going to church is not what you do to experience or worship God. It is a gathering of individuals who have similar spirituality. Spirituality is a person’s daily private encounters with God. Spirituality is private prayer, a life of worship and an ongoing inner communion with God. Religion is where these individuals get together and symbolically express their spirituality. For example, worship songs are symbols of love for and recognition of God (words are symbols), baptism and communion are symbols. These, along with sermons and testimonies (words are symbols), are expressions of what the person has already experienced personally (spirituality).

Moses gathered together the congregation, then he re-commanded sabbath yet again. Then he commanded whoever had a willing heart to bring gifts for work on the tabernacle. They brought more than enough. As I was reading Exodus 35, I was reminded of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians concerning their giving. When we decide to give/do something for someone else, we ought to carry it out. I like to give when it’s of my own initiative, I don’t like being forced or coerced into giving. I think that most people are the same way.

Spirituality is very important. Without it, religion would be worthless. But religion is also very important. A building is non-existent without the individual stones that make it up.

Today I met someone on campus who believes similar to me. Viva community.