United 93

I'm going in about 15 minutes to see this film. I'm excited to see it, in a weird way...a somber way. When I get home I plan on posting my thoughts about the flick, so check back later...If you care about my thoughts....

So Brandon Dewitt somehow managed to stumble upon my post about him and playing guitar. Apparently Jake Bland forwarded him the link to my blog and he left a coment on it. I saw him today at a golf outing for a Mission Trip and it was really sort of embarrasing. Everything I know about the dude seems pretty cool though...

Wrigley Field, Harry Caray's, and Flight 93

Yesterday I was at beautiful Wrigley Field where I got to watch the Cubs take on the Brewers. Maddux was pitching and the Cubs worked a 6-2 victory. Our seats were not in the bleachers, (for the first time in a long time) but they were on the first baseline...about 4 rows up level with the bullpen pitchers mound. It was a sunny day, warm, and awesome!

Last night for dinner I got to enjoy the best piece of meat I've had in a long time. Harry Caray's restaurant in Chicago serves the greatest cuts of beef I've ever tasted before. I had the 23 oz. bone-in rib eye. Cooked to medium-well, I didn't even need a knife to cut through this beast....It was mouth wateringly good...If you ever go there and don't know what to order...do yourself a favor and order the bone-in rib eye!

And finally....the movie Flight 93. I haven't seen this movie yet, but I'd still like to. I've heard some dispute from both political sides, republicans mostly saying that Americans need to see this movie, and the drive by media (left wingers) saying that it's too soon. Here is my opinion...

I think that while yes, it is soon after the attacks...this is a movie that Americans need to see. It put things into perspective as to what freedom means, and that it really is not free. Now, I am not suggesting that those who died and were affected as a result of Sept. 11 deserved what happened....but as a result of what happened, we need to take a closer look at the way we feel about freedom. I think Americans have already forgotten what happened on that day, and the sad thing is, it will happen again. Freedom isn't free and those on that plane did one of the most courageous things that any American, (or any person of any citizenship) could have done. I, for one, am solemnly looking forward to seeing this movie...I hope that it helps me to view my freedom as an amazing gift and to remember those who have died representing freedom for this country. It seems the liberal media is opposed to this movie for two reasons:

1. They think it's too soon to be "Hollywoodizing" a Tragic American event.
2. They don't want anything that boosts American Moral to happen when a democrat is not in office.

This second reason might get me into some trouble, so again, this is just my opinion...but when I watch the news or listen to talk radio, sometimes it sounds like they celebrate American defeat because that means GWB has failed at something. Sometimes it seems to me that they care about their personal agendas more than they care about people. I've heard liberal talk show hosts basically celebrate American soldier deaths in Iraq just to try to throw another stone at GWB. How sad?!

This post shows off my conservative side much more than I probably actually am. I get so sick and tired of Republicans and Democrats arguing and trying to "one up" each other. It times of crisis, we should become more united than we have in the past 5 years. Democrats have simply complained about Bush instead of supporting our president. I'm not saying you have to like him, but he is the president...It will be funny to see how Republicans respond the next time Democrat holds the presidential office. I think it will be completely different, or at least I hope so... I don't think Republicans will think the only thing we can do to better the country is to complain about the president. Some people should be ashamed of themselves...not every democrat, I am very much so a liberal republican...but some people who pathetically hold influence over the people that listen to them are doing much more harm then they are good.

Greg Maddux and cheating

I friend of mine called me today and wanted to tell me that Greg Maddux is cheating, has cheated and was cheating the last time he threw against the Stl Cardinals. How ridiculous is this? The guys throws 82 mph and people for some reason think he is cheating? How insane is this/ m the actual truth is that Jim Edmonds is a deteriorating baseball player and he cannot hit a good pitch. that's the honest truth. The dude can't hit a fastball, the dude can't hit a curveball. the only pitch he can hit is mistake pitch that floats over the middle of the plate. he is washed up and should be retire graciously before he begins to suck real bad....

Rant of the day!!!

Tim Reist and Finals

This is a tribute toTim Reist. I want him to know that he is an awesome dude, a great speaker, and not too terrible a singer...So this post is for you!

Might I also add that I hate finals. I took my Church History final yesterday and I actually think I might have aced it. I am not sure of any that I missed which is odd....the only part that really sucks is that in order to get an A in the class, I need a 94% for the semester...(which is a totally ridiculous percentage) I think if I get a 100% on the final i"ll get there, but will be close...

To all you students taking finals...I feel ya! But I've only got one more semester of this crap left!!!!!

Brandon Dewitt

So this guy probably doesn't even know me, actually we've met on more than one occasion, but its been a long time...

That being said, I was listening to one of his CD's that was made a little while back. And I got inspired to get out my guitar which I unfortunately don't get to play too often anymore. I realized something today...

I wish that when I was a little kid I would have been more interested in music. It is really difficult to learn music for me. I am not very gifted when it comes to guitar or any other instrument for that matter...I have to watch something played in order to learn something new. I cannot usually just make something up that sounds cool. I think I've done that once...

So to Brandon...I wish that I could make things up on the guitar like you do...it's funny that his name is mentioned here and he'll never know it...

My guitar -------------> --------------> --------------> //

Best girl ever...

I have to start this by saying that Bethany has to be the coolest girl I know!!!

She is sick, tired, stressed, and really not that big of a Shane & Shane fan...yet tonight she took me to a concert at Lincoln Christian College that was sweet! I know, I know...most of you probably don't like S&S, but I don't care, I do!

So, thanks Bethany....You rock my socks off!!!


And Shane and Shane did too! Seriously....I know most of you complain that their songs are all the same...and that may be true...but the guitaring in those said songs is unbelievable! The way they play just catches me somehow!!!

And to top the night off....My brother taped the Cubs game for me...so I watched it in fast forward mode....only to see the Cubs come back and win a thriller 6-3....today was a gooooood day!!!!

I just finished reading...

I just finished reading And the Angels were Silent for the third time. Each year for the past few years I've "tried" to read it during the Easter week. The book outlines the last 7 days of Jesus's life as well as the resurrection day. It is a fantastic book by Max Lucado and each year it helps me put into perspective how truly amazing it was what Christ did for us. I was particularly impressed with this...

Lucado is acting out a dialogue with Jesus and asks Jesus why he said "My God my God why have you abandoned me? (some translations say forsaken)...

And Lucado goes through a series of statements that eventually leads him to this ending...

But why am I telling you? You remember. You were the one who saw me. You were the one who found me. I was lonely. I was afraid. Remember? "Why? Why me? Why has all this hurt happened?"

I know it wasn't much of a question. But it was all I knew to ask. You see, God, I felt so confused. So desolate. Sin will do that to you. Sin leaves you shipwrecked, orphaned, adrift. Sin leaves you aban--

Oh, Oh my.

My goodness God. Is that what happened? You mean sin did the same to you that it did to me?

Oh I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't understand. You were really alone, weren't you?

Your question was real, wasn't it, Jesus? You really were afraid. You really were alone. Just like I was. Only I deserved it, you didn't.

Forgive me, I spoke out of turn.

Re-reading this part especially re-answered some questions I have had...why did God forsake Jesus on the Cross? How could that be? Because He really REALLY was carrying our sin. For a moment, Jesus was full of nastiness, our nastiness...and He was in intense pain...

A recommended read for anyone who has never read this book....it is excellent

Saturday Nights!

Last night Nexus finally made its move to Saturday night! It was awesome! I have to say that I overall am really glad that we have moved. On a personal level, it's really nice to not have any "work" to do on Sunday's and can have all afternoon on Sunday to chill.

Tim Reist is singing...

So I'm sitting here at Northwoods and I'm working on some stuff for Nexus for tomorrow! I am really excited about moving to Saturday's and I hope that once everyone gets a feel for how awesome it will be to come to church on Saturday night and then not have to get up on Sunday morning, that they will jump on the bandwagon as well...

Like I said I am fdinishing up some stuff for tomorrow and tim Reist is singing. this is a normal occurence...I'm really not sure why he sings all the time...but for some reason today, it is really calming. Usually I am busy doing somtehing and it is a bit of a distraction, but for some reason today it is refreshing...weird, I know! Nothing against Tim's singing and all, but I have heard better...and worse.

Derrek Freaking Lee is out for 10 weeks minimum because of a recent injury to his right hand...As if Prior and Wood being on the DL since the beginning of the season wasn't enough....For some reason it seems as if the Cubs are the team who ALWAYS, every year have the terrible injuries that traumatically disrupt what could be a promising season....freaking crapola


9-5

Blogging Hiatus

I've been on somewhat of a blogging hiatus recently and I am returning now!

I know all 130,000 of you who read my blog are excited!!!

I spent some time today praying to God...you are probably thinking...."I should hope so"

But life has been so...I dont know, kinda weird the last few days. I'm really trying to commit myself to reading Scripture every day and not just relying on reading books written by uninspiring authors. So, I am reading through Matthew, hoping to recapture some of a passion and vision for what Christ did and what I am called to do.

It was a terrific time of prayer...I was on the golf course by myself just for about 45 minutes this evening. I have to say it was quite peaceful to be by myself with no one around. I swear that one time while I was praying after a shot I hit, and I couldn't find my ball....I asked God to show me where it was (halfway sarcasticaly) and literally within 2 seconds of praying that I found it...or I should say God showed me where my ball was. What does that mean?

I think it means ask and I'll show you...

Survivor Deck

I am proud to present to you the winner of Survivor Deck from last night/early this morning....Bethany Goodman. Bethany outplayed and outlisted three guys to make it through the final four....

This post goes to you again Bethany...way to go!!!

Survey Time

I was just thinking about Saturday night Nexus and how much better it will be (at least in my mind....)

So it's survey time....

How many of you are.....

Glad we are moving to Saturday night?

Wish that we weren't moving from Sunday?

Or don't really care either way?

Or want to see Chris publically flogged?

Did Jesus physically descend to Hell?

The Apostle's Creed and the Athanasian Creed say in them that Jesus descended to Hell. But nowhere in Scripture do we get the idea that Jesus actually went to Hell. There are two greek word for the dead. Geenna which translated into English means Hell. And Hell actually means the Lake of Fire or Eternal Fire. But there is no actual evidence in Scripture that anyone will be in Hell until after the Second Coming. The other greek word used in Scripture is the word Hadas which translated into Hades in English. Hades actually means The Region of the Dead. So now we still wonder if Jesus actually went to Hell during the time between his death and resurrection. The three creeds that are commonly read aloud in church services every weekend were literally written hundreds of years ago. Two of them written more than 1500 years ago. So why did they include the idea of Jesus going to Hell?

There was some confusion during the middle ages (and probably still a little now) with Hades and Hell. Jesus was a part of the dead for 3 days and then on the third day He ascended to Heaven. He did not literally, physically go to Hell. He was a part of the Region of the Dead.

The reason I post this here is because Bethany and I have recently wondered whether or not Jesus actually did descend to Hell. So I figured there might be a few other people who wondered the same thing. And this is a good week to think about these things as we celebrate Easter. So why do these Creeds that are read aloud in church still say something about Jesus dying, and then descending to Hell??? If you have any idea, let me know!

Getting Old

I have found that even though I am only 21 years old, I am old. It seems like I am tired much too often...and the funny thing is I don't even work full time yet. I don't even go to a school, but I have to do a lot of reading and studying on my own just to pass my classes. A part of me wishes that I was on the campus of a college, but another part of me is so glad that I am where I am at. When I look at things overall I am glad where life has brought me.

It is exciting to see what God is doing in my life, and what He is doing in the lives of the people that I am closest with. Perhaps there is a bigger purpose to why I am at home finishing school online and not on a campus. There must be. I hope that someone close to me who knows that I love Jesus will see that and desire it for themselves. The stigma that has to get out of their mind is that Christians are perfect and that's what being a Christian entails. In fact, that is exactly the opposite of what being a Christian means. In my plainest definition, being a Christian means seeing that you don't have it all together, realizing that you need help, and realizing that you'll need help the rest of your life. Salvation is not a one time decision. It effects you every day of your life......

www.swishthedish.blogspot.com

Go check that out...it's....well....just go check it out!

So if you didn't notice, the Cubs swept the Cardinals this past weekend! (Absolutely beautiful) I was at BWW when Michael Barrett hit a grand slam to take the lead in the 8th inning against Isringhausen! Absolute and utter joy was running through my veins. So to you Cardinal fans....don't worry, its April. Let us have our fun while we can. You can have fun in October.

There was an article in the Peoria Journal Star today about Northwoods...on the front page even.

There is much congestion after Sunday services because of recent growth. It is so cool to be a part of a church that is growing ridiculously. We have grown more than twice the total size of the average sized church in less than 3 months....A disclaimer: Numerical growth doesn't mean much if people aren't being shepherded. But it's still very exciting!!!

Peter Cottontail

Last night I watched the most ridiculous event I've ever seen...Ben freaking Swisher let two girls PLUCK his eye brows. How freaking ridiculous! They took his bushy "Peter Cottontail" eye brows and made them look like something that old women like to draw on their faces. Seriously, it was appalling. Thats okay Ben. Don't worry about it. And I'm not judging you, just making fun of you...

From here on you shall be named Peter

I can't wait to be done

...with school. It will be so nice to be completely finished with my bachelors degree. I've only got 21 more hours to complete. At which point I'll have a bachelors of science in biblical studies. The funny thing is, I might go to grad school to get my masters in something not even realted to ministry. It's probably not a bad idea to have a more rounded education, not to mention with an MBA I can make more money and do more things...But I really don't want to go back to school, I just want to be done right now!

Wow, I really haven't been that many places...

I really haven't been to many states. In fact, most of these states I have only been to because I have passed through them. There are probably 1oish that are like that....someday I'll make it around........

Formulas

I had tot ake a Math test yesterday for the math class I am taking through ICC. This class is fun because I've been able to take it without opening my book. I love easy online classes. But yesterday I had to take the "Final" at ICC. We could take a notecard putting on it whatever we want...so I thought I'd put the formulas for area and perimeter on it. Well, Bethany called me early yesterday to wish me good luck. During this conversation I thought I'd check her ability to remember formulas from high school...

The next few minutes I found out just how much of a nerd Bethany is...


"What is the formula for the area of a trapezoid?"

"Umm....1/2 b x h"

"What is the formula for the perimeter of a sphere?"

"umm...pie x r x d"

This sort of logical nonsense went out for four or five formulas that the normal person should not know. Now, I can understand if you're into construction, or have ever built something. Then some of these might be useful. But for a person who has never constructed anything beyond a neat card or a note folded into a triangle, this is a bit ridiculous, isn't it?

So here's to you Bethany....the biggest nerd I know!!!

Picking up sticks

So I spent most of my Saturday in the backyard with my pops and I was busy picking up sticks and fertilizing our backyard. I have to say that I never knew that there could be so many stupid freaking twigs laying on the ground.

I am pumped about this Sunday night at Nexus. We are having Jamie Markley, the radio voice of wmbd 1470's afternoon slot. He has an awesome story and is a pretty cool dude. It should be an awesome interview.

The Cubs are playing on Monday. Freaking awesome! I cannot believe how quickly baseball has gotten here...it is fantastic!!!