Christians…They’re Silly and Sometimes Embarrassing

I found this link on Brian McLaren’s blog.  Ummm…this article reflects that it’s amazing how we think Truth can only be found in what we deem appropriate – for some, it’s not only the Bible, but certain translations of the Bible!  I feel God’s Truth is everywhere out there and it just depends on whether we feel secure enough to take our Christian-ghetto sunglasses off.

Burnt Offernings from WSJ.com

too much of a good thing…

can be too much, obviously. It’s cliche, it’s tired, it’s trite, but it’s also true.

So last night I had a Rocky Patel Battalion.  The Battalion is much like The Edge Corojo, but bigger – almost twice as big.  I’ve had several of this cigar before but I’m starting to think that with this cigar too much of a good thing isn’t good.  For example I absolutely love orange juice, have loved it my whole life and I’ll drink it all day long – think Michael P. Keaton – but one time during high school I got quite a bit carried away with screwdrivers (we’ll save the blog regarding underage drinking for another day) but after that bingeful night I couldn’t drink or even smell orange juice for several months.  My mother even started to notice and would comment but I just tried to pass it off as a stage. Haha

Back to the Battalion…so I bought this Battalion in NW AR and lit it up when I was sitting at a local saloon in Little Rock as a toast to myself for a very good day in sales.  Now last night very well could’ve been an anomaly; it could’ve been a combination of: I was tired from driving back from NW AR, or what I had eaten before getting to the local saloon, or even the pairing of the beer I was drinking while smoking the cigar, but last night I felt like I was trying to smoke two Rock Patel The Edge Corojos (second favorite cigar) at once.  It was just too much of a good thing. So that’s all I have for now, but just wanted to pass along some thoughts on the Battalion. I’ll keep smoking it and see if my attitude on it changes…it probably will.  Overall, it’s a good smoke, but I’ll spread out the goodness by just buying two The Edge Corojos and smoking them separately.

Purpose, Mission, and Christmas Bonuses

This post is from a friend/mentor of mine from back in KC (he lives in Maryland) and I found it quite interesting.  I’ll post it even while I’m still digesting some of the finer points considering my vocation.  My vocation is in sales and we are rewarded by sales, but we’re rewarded in a little different manner than typical sales positions. I might post our system of commission after I digest this a bit more and no it’s not the jelly of the month club, and as Cousin Eddy puts it, “the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.”  (the videoclip, for your enjoyment, mis-labels it as “jello of the month”) Enjoy the post…and the video…

The Best Little Auto Shop in Maryland – Mike Metzger

upcoming blogposts from yours truly…

I’ll be posting some thoughts on the movie “planet 51″, our all or nothing society, a conversation between a friend and I on if the Bible is absolutely everything we need, and some more on word intentionality and of course some good cigar and beer recommendations.  I just need to find some time!

First recommendation: Rocky Patel Renaissance cigar.  I had this over thanksgiving with my brother in law (he enjoyed his first ever Rocky Patel the Edge) and I must say this cigar actually can give the Edge a run for it’s money; although it is a little more expensive $12.50 vs. $8.50. It was a very smooth draw, has a little bit of spice and is just as tasty as the Edge; you could consider the difference between these two cigars as Vino’s Pale Ale to Diamond Bear’s Pale Ale – if you never have had either of those you don’t know what I’m talking about. sorry.   The Renasissance has an Ecuadorian Sumata wrapper and a blend of Ecuadorian and Nicaraguan filler.  I also employed the use of my bullet cutter for the first time and I think I’m now a convert to the bullet cutter.

Evacuate the Evacuation Theology

I tweeted this, and I posted it on facebook, and now I’m posting it on my blog b/c I think it’s an excellent article.

Evacuation Theology

Succinctly written that we’re not just passing through to heaven. Create heaven on earth 4 others. Excellent paragraph on why not to solely have an “evacuation theology.”

from the wes gazette

This is a post from a good friend of mine and co-leader of Eikon Church, John Hardin.  I say this b/c I am very happy that as a new church some of eikon’s first appropriated financial resources are going towards providing for the homeless and not finding or building a new church building. This is not meant as a big ol’ pat on the back or ‘atta boy, but instead if you read John’s post (link included below) he completely expresses my point of view on the new monstrosity of a church building to be built in Dallas.

Mega-churches and Luckenback, TX

The Four “R’s”.

Re-sponsible, Re-mold, Re-create, Re-deem.

My blog is therapeutic for me in many instances. It helps me process different theological thoughts that are bouncing around in my head.  In a way it’s recreation for me. Recreation in its origins means to re-create. To make something a-new that has changed.

Many things on our earth, which were either created directly by God or created by God’s creation – man, have changed from their original intent .  Institutions, organizations, politics, art, education, medicine, healthcare, the planet and so many other things have gone adrift from people “in charge” who felt no obligation to be held responsible (able to respond) to a higher truth than their own selfish pursuits. (Tragedy of the Commons)  We’re co-creators with God and with each of our own kingdoms we need to be able to: be re-sponsable, re-mold, re-create, and re-deem what was meant to bring glory to God.

Last night I had a great evening out with Tad talking about life and theology over nachos, fine malt beverages, and a very tasty Rocky Patel cigar (it was their decade series, box press, and I highly recommend it!).  My life right now is consumed with work, travel, and soccer; and last night was re-creation for me during a time of crazy busy-ness.  So all this to say that as these thoughts keep bouncing around in my head I will be more regular at posting some of these thoughts. I just sometimes need a good strong cup of mental coffee to keep me regular.

blogroll…officially gone…durnit

In changing themes it seems I have lost my blogroll option; I’d love to be able to pimp your blog but I guess I can’t.  Hopefully I’ll find a way to get them back on my blog but for now my apologies go to:

Ryan

Tad

John

Eikon Church

Brian McLaren

Cigar Blog

Cigar Aficionado

Clapham Institute

so happy together

I think I have everything linked together…kinda cool…kinda scary…but at least y’all can keep up with what’s going on now in my world via almost every possible connection.

iPhone – check

twitter – check

facebook – check

blog – check

life outside of technology – …will have to get back to you on that one…

But for now – go enjoy some good food, good beer, good wine, and a good smoke…might I recommend a nice Padron or Rocky Patel, The Edge specifically.

pics may be worth a thousand words but words are the starting point for understanding

This is a great post from a friend of mine, Tad. I love his desire to clear up confusion by posting what he means when he uses certain terms. I might have a different definition/understanding of some of his terms and that’s the point of it all; to understand Tad’s message I need to understand his starting point for a term he is using.

Words are extremely valuable and I’m a huge proponent of us (collective us) being more intentional about the words we use. ( awfully delayed…about that word awful… ) There is alot of truth in the cliche saying, “Say what you mean, mean what you say.”  And if you don’t understand what someone is trying to communicate just ask so you don’t misunderstand what is being communicated.

Read Tad’s post and his blog.

Tad\’s post