No sleep and 4 states in one day.

Well, I'm in Massachusetts right now. It's 11:26pm but feels like . . . not 11:26pm. I flew from California to Albany, New York, where Amy and her sister (Lisa) and brother (Dan) picked me up. Then, we drove to her house in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Great Barrington's population? About 2,500. I know. Big town! So after getting settled in at Amy's house, me, Amy and Dan drove about an hour and fifteen minutes to Bennington, Vermont to see a war memorial from the Revolutionary War. It's big.



















Sorry this is so quick, but everyone's going to bed.

Bowl Season

It's that time of year again. The time where college crazies get to eat food and watch football almost everyday! Of course, I would never do such a thing. Tonight was just an exception. That's right. Tonight I sat in front of the television for about 4 straight hours! Some of you will say "Yuck! What a slob!" or "I can't believe Amy's dating him" or "What could possibly be that important?"

First off, I'm not too much of a slob. Secondly, I can't believe she's dating me either. Third, THE CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS WERE BUSY BEATING BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY IN THE LAS VEGAS BOWL; THAT'S WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT!

Sorry to come off all defensive, but I'm still a little jumpy since the Bears seemed to be headed to a certain meltdown in the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, they held on and won, 35-28.

*This is my abrupt, unceremonious shift in thought*

So at this time, I imagine that Joseph and Mary were getting close to the tribal allotment of Judah. Perhaps they hadn't reached Benjamin yet, but I doubt that they could have made more than 15-18 miles in a day, considering that Mary was very, very pregnant. Was Joseph worried? Did he pray that Mary could hold out until they reached Bethlehem? I always wondered why Joseph and Mary were so late in getting to Bethlehem. Maybe Joseph had to finish up a construction project before they left. Maybe it was just extra slow going, because of Mary's pregnancy. It's weird to think of (and I say this in all reverence) Jesus as a fetus, kicking and punching Mary as he neared the time of his birth. He had an umbilical cord keeping him alive just like I did. He had to learn to crawl, walk, run just like me. He did everything like I did. Except for that one most important thing.

He never sinned.

Think that one over, and then think about his parents and brothers and sisters. Humanly speaking, I don't think Jesus' brothers enjoyed growing up with a perfect boy. He NEVER, EVER did ANYthing wrong!

"Mom, it was Jesus, I saw him do it!"

"No it wasn't Jude. Jesus never does anything wrong, dear."

Yeah, I don't think I'd enjoy that. I've never had an older brother to resent, pester or annoy, but I can't imagine the frustration of living with the perfect human.

But even though I can't imagine that, I am so thankful that I know what else this perfect boy did later on as a grown man. He stumbled down an uneven road, blood dripping down the bridge of his nose, whole chunks of skin gone from his back, and a huge beam of wood on his back. The destination of his agonizing walk? Calvary, Golgotha, Death. His humiliation resulted in the most painful death imaginable. He was mocked openly, as if his execution were a sporting event and he a pitiful participant. This seeming defeat was revealed to be the event of all of world history three days later when some women visited his tomb only to find it empty. Christ's resurrection sealed Satan's fate and conquered death for all time. Now I, though undeserving and destined to an eternity without God in the lake of fire known as Hell, can live a liberated life. Liberated from sin and guilt, and filled with a joy fueled by God's past, present and future grace that assures me of an eternity communing with him in his heaven. All this because I placed my faith in the death of Jesus and his resurrection from the dead according to the Word of God. Perfection's sacrifice satisfied a holy God's wrath and enabled sinners like me to partake in a new life through Christ to God. I have the hope of heaven and the promise of a joy-filled life here on earth. Do you?

Christmas: Church or no Church?

To tell you the truth, I'm getting sick and tired of all this debate about whether or not we should have church on Christmas day. Why is everyone treating this like it's the first time it's happened in the history of mankind? I haven't heard one reference to what anybody did last time Christmas fell on a Sunday, in 1994.

Firstly, why NOT go to church? Doesn't Hebrews 10:24-25 have something to add to this debate?

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not
neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one
another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Because we traditionally meet together on Sundays to commemorate the Lord rising from the dead on Sunday because of the practice started by the apostles in the primitive (early) church, Sunday is normally the only day that we can fulfill this biblical command. In these days of rampant materialism (that is far past "invading" the church and has moved on to "festering" in the church) and advancing secularism, we are in great need of "encouraging one another," especially if there is no mid-week meeting of the saints or regular fellowship outside of Sunday.

Another thing that should be helpful in this theme are the priorities involved in decisions of whether or not to have church on Christmas. Why is the church involved not having church on Christmas day? Is it just for convenience? If so, that is a LOUSY excuse for cancelling a meeting together of a local church. If convenience was so high on the "list of important things to consider when planning church attendance" then we would be woefully empty on many days throughout summer vacation on other holidays. What Jesus did for us on the cross was in no way "convenient." Luther, Zwingli and Calvin didn't begin the Reformation because of an easier schedule and more "convenient" time spent with family. They counted the cost and believed that the supremacy of the Word of God was more important than ANYTHING.

Also, having church services on Christmas day is another HUGE way of having an impact on the community. We're supposed to be different! In so many ways we (Christians) are so like the world. We are in the world but not of the world. This is just one more way to say to the world: "We hold the meeting together of the saints to the glory of Jesus Christ as more important than sleeping in, or a more traditional morning of opening presents, or for travelling that we couldn't do the night before, etc."

Ah well, I'll let this go for now. What do you think?

Break

'Twas the day after finals,
And all through the dorm,
Everyone is still sleeping,
Staying true to their form.

Don't worry, I won't kill everyone by continuing that poetic endeavor. But I will announce to the world my joy that it's CHRISTMAS BREAK AND SCHOOL IS OUT!

Now that I got that out of my system, it's time to continue cleaning my room and figuring out what needs to come home and what can stay in my dorm room.

Amy and I went to a play last night. It was Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and we saw it at The Canyon Theatre Guild on San Fernando Road, which is only a three-minute drive. The actors were fairly good, and we weren't expecting Broadway work, so it was done very well. I especially enjoyed the actor who played Ebenezer Scrooge. He is British, so his accent was much better than all the Americans trying to muster up some sort of accent. The little boy who played Tiny Tim actually had one of the best accents, and he was only six. I had never been to the Guild, but it was an adequate little theater (I refuse to spell it the British way unless it's the official title!) with good lighting and good seating. The inside probably only fit 100-120 people, so every seat was a good seat.

Tonight, Amy leaves to go to New England. But do not despair! I get to see her in two weeks when I fly to Albany.

Time to go. Lots to do. Lots to read!

Quickly

My first grade has come in: An A- in U.S. History I. I'm really excited about that because last semester I slacked off a bit and paid for it by only getting a 2.94 GPA. This semester I worked harder and hopefully my GPA will reflect that. I'll be back with more later.

Yeah, this one was called back. 

One of the greatest catches I've ever seen! 

My Pinky and the Brain shirt that I sported for almost every football game this year. 

Amy and I at another wedding this past Saturday. 

I spilled punch at a wedding a week and a half ago. Big surprise, I know. 

Two down!

Well, that's two down and one more to go. I just finished my U.S. History I (covers discovery-age America to 1877ish) final exam and I think I did pretty well. My professor, Mr. Owen, is 69 and the oldest faculty member of The Master's College, which is why he was able to teach my dad sooooo long ago. As he handed me the test, he told me, "Outdo your dad." I don't know if I did, but I filled out my test with lots of confidence. Hopefully my grades will start being reported tomorrow or the day after.

Right now I'm filling out an RA recommendation form for Nate Boone, a guy on my wing who wants to be an RA next year but is headed to IBEX next semester. Fun stuff.

OK, gotta go. I'll update again soon.

Lion, A Few Good Men, and Exams

Because I'm a Star Wars geek (and proud of it!) I wanted to point out the unbelievable special effects in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I saw it last Thursday night in Lancaster and the drive was worth it, despite the exorbitant price of gas. Just look at Aslan and tell me that doesn't look like a lion you've seen at the zoo.

The movie was a spectacular menagerie of good vs. evil. I thought that they could have made the White Witch look a little more, I don't know . . . "white" and "witchy." She was pale, but white like Lewis describes her. Also, she's blond and very pretty. Perhaps the argument could be made that because she represents Satan, and Satan sometimes appears as an "angel of light," that she is beautiful but still evil.

Also, some key lines were either left out or ambiguously twisted. There was no menion of the Emperor-beyond-the-sea, Aslan's father and the obvious equivalent to God the Father. Aslan seemed a bit diminished to me, and this was strikingly so because he is the central figure of the whole story. Because of the PG rating, Aslan's death (mirroring the crucifixion) seemed quick and somewhat muted. However, the point was still made that he was completely innocent and acting of his own volition.

Questions have been raised as to the view of the atonement of Christ that Lewis took. The Ransom theory might be what Lewis had in mind here. That is, that the Emperor-beyond-the-sea (God the Father) and Aslan (Jesus) collaborated to pay a ransom "to Satan to satisfy any claims Satan had against man. Ultimately Satan was deceived" (Ryrie, Charles. Basic Theology. 1999. Moody.) That is not a true representation of what Scripture teaches at all. God has no responsibility to Satan or his fallacious claims. Christ died as a sinless sacrifice in my stead. He suffered the penalty that I deserved and satisfied a holy God's demand for justice.

But really, the movie was well-done and I was surprised that Disney didn't try to make more cuts at the story. One thing that I have heard from people is that it wasn't as good as The Lord of the Rings. I do agree with that statement, but I don't believe that Narnia is meant to be on par with the vastness and deep development of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth. It is a story told for children. And no, I'm not going to make some ridiculous statement about the story "touching the child in all of us." However, the themes make up the foundation of human existence and life here on earth.

On another note, the intramural championship didn't go as planned yesterday. I mean, it went according to Oak Manor's plan. My team, A Few Good Men, lost 14-6 to a team we had beaten twice during the regular season. Here's the one picture I'll show and it was crucial. This horrible defense on my part allowed Oak Manor their first touchdown.



Now that football season is over, I'm already looking forward with vigor to intramural basketball next semester!

Oh yeah, it's finals week! I dominated my Introduction to Philosophy exam this morning. Now, I have two left: U.S. History I tomorrow and Interpersonal Communication on Thursday. Both will be tough, but Interpersonal is a doozy of a test and I didn't do well on my first test so I MUST do well on it.

OK, time to go. Merry Christmas!

The Chronicles of Narnia

I'm going to see The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe tonight at a special screening in Lancaster. I just finished re-reading the book (probably for at least the fifth time!) so I could remember the plot and the characters, etc. I've only read one review and it was astonishing. Go here to read it. This reviewer is so ridiculously anti-Christian that her bias completely misinforms (sadly) everything she has to say. It is not an objective look at a film. She is so filled a "repugnance" of Christianity and its God that she cannot get past her gleeful hatred of the movie and The Chronicles in general. She praises Tolkien (well-deserved, I might add) but slams Lewis.

Praise God for his indescribable gift. Thank you Holy Spirit for your indwelling presence that allows me to see clearly.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Great Reformed Theologians in Our Time

Check out this interesting site on current giants of the faith in America.

December

I was looking at Messianic Jewish Communications calendar to catch up on all the Jewish holidays that happen during the year when I was struck by this thought:

At this time last year, I was studying for finals before coming home from
Israel!

That was a long time ago, and yet I can almost taste the warm pita in the dining hall at Yad haShmona; I can hear Scott Johnson yelling, "Ugiyot, ugiyot!"; I can picture the streets of Jerusalem like I was there haggling with shopkeepers just yesterday.

And that is why it is so hard for me to think of a new title for this blog. Reminders of Israel (and Prague and Berlin) are all over my room. Of my "Amy Pictures" on my bookself above my desk, three are in Israel and one is in Prague. I have an Israeli flag on the wall, a panoramic poster of Jerusalem, a postcard of Charles Bridge in Prague, a timeline of the Israelite Monarchies that Todd Bolen (a prof at IBEX) gave me), and a school binder with Prague and Berlin stickers on it.

This truly is my Life After Israel. But . . . I still want to change the name of my blog! Something new and fresh, but not utterly ridiculous (*cough cough* Mike *cough cough*). Still, nothing comes to mind except ridiculous titles like . . . well, never mind. I won't share them with you.

OK, time to study and hopefully I can finish The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe today. I'm reading it in preparation for the anticipated movie of the same name that's coming to theaters this Friday!

God Bless!