Tyro

"a beginner in learning; a novice"
(please read this slowly)
I started at Caribou Coffee today. I started at 5:30am.
I made some 50 vats of coffee and greeted some 100 people.
I got a blister on my foot. I did not stand still for longer than a minute.
I loved it.
And I get free coffee and other stuff too. Don't ask me for free coffee yet.
I'll let you know when though.

I'm a Credo-phile

Evangelical fingertips are burning. There has been quite a buzz in the blogosphere resulting from a statement by John Piper on the idea of credobaptism (believer's baptism) as a requirement to join the local church. Involved in this discussion are names such as Al Mohler, Wayne Grudem, Mark Dever, and Sam Storms - whoever he is.

The crux is that some unbaptized believers (UBs) don't deem it necessary to be dunked to join the church, based on their understanding of Scripture. Some pastors do deem it necessary to be baptized, based on their understanding of Scripture.

The question was raised, and cautiously so, "is this an example of unrepentant sin?" While the UBs would take this ad hominem, the credobaptists have a point. Scripture plainly says to be baptized after conversion (cf Matt 28:19-20, for more, you look it up). But the UBs would argue that faith alone has saved them, and in the case they are paedobaptists (dunked as an infant) their claim is they have already been baptized into the local church. Though I would side with the pastors here, what are the ramifications for the UBs in future church fellowship?

Let's get ready to RUMBLE! In our stomachs, that is.

If refusing baptism is indeed unrepentant sin, then UBs should not be partaking of the Lord's Supper. Paul warns the Corinthians of frivolously taking the Lord's Supper, which resulted in sickness and death for them, and dishonor for God. There is also the issue of these UBs serving in positions as deacon and elder in the church, and whether or not they have any say whatsoever in the church.

While all that is food for thought, the humorist in me makes the following assertions...
1. Are you really that convicted about baptism, or is it that you're an aqua-phobe?
2. Two was too racy, I deleted Two.
3. If a bunch of UBs get sick from eating the Lord's Supper, then we'll know what's up.

until next time...

Dumb Christians

We need a cough drop here, amen.
Why are Christians losing their voice in the public squares? Notice I did not insist airwaves, blogs, or seminaries. It would seem that the scholars are doing it right. Preaching, teaching, learning, reading, combatting...but what about Jack and Jane?
Too often I don't think. I exist. I'm good at day to days.
While all around me, important questions are being raised and I either get hyper-Calvinistic or deterministic. TV shows too demeaning? Brush it off as liberal media. People swearing and maligning? Forget about it. Family members or friends stuck in misconstrued worldviews? It's their choice. This is how to interact, if you have no regard for the name of Christ.
Enter my Christian Philosophy class, Dr. Bruce Little presiding.
I am learning to think, with information. Learning how to understand the basic argument and how to refute it. Learning the power of the gospel and how to work it into each and every life I come in contact with. This reminds me of a time...(hear the wavey flashback music crescendoing in)

Once in downtown Athens, Luke Newton and I were parousing some dusty old shop, looking for souvenirs. As we started to leave, a Greek man came up to us and asked why we were there. I told him we were doing a "Footsteps of Paul" tour through Turkey and Greece. He introduced himself as "Constantine." This began one of the most memorable nights of my life.
Constantine was not a fan, to say the least, of Jesus. When he learned we were Christians, he promptly pulled out a Bible, and began to flip through it, showing us all the "contradictions" of the New Testament. Luke and I, and a man that looked like Chris Tomlin (also on the tour), whose name escapes me at the moment, vigorously refuted arguments, and defended Christ. After 45 minutes or so the Holy Spirit adrenalin began to subside and we bid our adieus and began to leave. At this point, another one of my friends who had said nothing the whole time, turns to Constantine and says, "We preach Jesus Christ crucified by the power of the Holy Spirit!" Or something along those lines.
I turned to myself and exhaled a quandary, "What did that accomplish?"
The more I think about it, the more I don't blame my friend. But I do. He is now doing great things for Jesus, I'm sure.
At this point I did want to shake and bake him a little.
Do we preach Jesus? Yes! To whom? Everyone! That is not the issue. The issue is that there is a time and a place to discuss Jesus, and react to unbelievers' questions about the Way. There are questions that if answered could move someone closer to an understanding of Christ. That is why we argue and refute; we exalt the name of Christ. Just like Paul. Just like Paul.
And we were in Athens! We were probably 5 block from Mars' Hill! You know, where Paul debated with the Philosophers of Athens and won some of them to Christ. Time and a place.
So where do you and I come in? We learn Christ, in and out. We learn how to think logically next. We then learn what our world is thinking, and understand that ideas have consequences. Then we make ourselves readily available to talk with unbelievers. It's really that simple. By doing so, we win the square. Just like 4 square...which is in the shape of a cross.
Long post.

I Clicked

So, while checking my facebook, I noticed a little iPhone jumping up and down on the side of my screen.
'Hey, I've heard of those,' I thought. Now I know alot about them...
I clicked it. I know, I know, somehow I've just dehumanized myself in your eyes, but let me tell you.
I have a Mac. No viruses. Anyway...
I filled out a survey, and 'participated' with 5 sponsors. So far I've received a free $20 gas card, lots of coupons, 2 CD's for $6.99 each (free shipping), and got signed up for Netflix. (I also bought a vile of Vioderm and sent it back (my wrinkles persist) and I host a web-domain named "jointhemayhem.com," which is humorous.)
So then, withhold your nays. I should be getting a free iPhone in 3 months.
If I don't then you can laugh at me. Really.
If I do...does anyone need an iPhone? I'd rather sell it than pay $80 a month in charges.

I really hope they aren't outdated by then...

The Fuzz

I was pulled a while ago for easing through a 4-way stop in rural Wake Forest, NC, at 12:30am. With a highfalutin smirk, I was issued a ticket and a date to represent myself, if I would so choose, in the Courthouse building in downtown Raleigh. As I graciously nodded and rode away, I began to vent all the way into Raleigh...all that I thought was "Great, another PFJ." Thank you NC for praying that my judgment would be more concise, next time (w/in the next 3 yrs).
One moment.
This is not a rant against what the police do. Thank you for taking care of rapists, murderers, pedophiles, thieves, and hooligans. But no thank you for lurking in shadows in podunk towns and tracking down otherwise law-abiding citizens. I think Wake Forest is the safest place in NC. Maybe that's why. Johnny long-arm pulls a Stretch Armstrong and, in my obvious opinion, devalues the importance of law-enforcement. Give grace, not prayers; I will respect you more.

Well, if there are quotas to meet in the WFPD, at least I put food on someone's table.

Meet Joe Black

Anthony Hopkins is my hero.
This movie was creative. I'll give it that. Death meandering about in a handsome body, falls in love, to realize his place in the 'grand scheme of things.' The only annoying part was the melodrama and, say the 178 minutes long it was. But hey, thanks to Netflix and free trials, that's okay.

Just an idea of the melodrama

Lesbians

I recently attended the civil union of my aunt and her friend Alice.
Not only did I attend, I also did most of the photography for the wedding. I say mostly because nowadays everyone and their cousin has a digital camera. While shooting I had people getting irritated at me, because I was in their shot. Yeah.
Inconsequential point. What I'm shooting for here is a discussion. I was one of the lone family members at the event. No one really showed up, because it was 'disgraceful' to the family. Was my attendance compromising to the message I adhere to? If God is indeed handing people like this over to their 'degrading passions,' then should I?
It would seem that Jesus would reach out here as well. I may not have a great case for going, but I do know one thing. I have respect in her eyes as someone she can trust now, because I put aside my shunning glances and label-makers to tell her that I still love her. What do you think? Is there a difference between attending/celebrating the marriage of unbelievers and this?

Also one funny aside: At the end of the ceremony, the lady preacher stated, "and by no authority invested in me by the State of Virginia, I now announce you, wives." I laughed.

Where's Cosby

I think she speaks for us all...

Idiot Wind

Dan Hawkins gave me my first Bob Dylan CD, "Blood on the Tracks."
"Idiot Wind" is a song on that CD, where Dylan is venting about his relationship with his estranged wife, and more universally, his qualms with those who communicate slander, malice, lies, etc.
This blog isn't quite a rant or rave. But it is.
I also realize I'm not as eloquent as I will be...
so much of what I communicate is in fact, Idiot Wind.