Does Leaving "Christ" in Christmas Mean Putting Up a Cross?

I was driving down the road the other day while admiring the wonderful Christmas decorations in the yards, when I came upon a house with a giant cross on their house illuminated brighter than anything else in the neighborhood.  Then, while delivering mail, I walked up onto a doorstep that had a four foot cross with miniature Christmas lights all over it.  This began to strike me as odd.  Now don't get me wrong, I am well aware of the significance of the cross and what it means in the life of a Christian.  There is no greater symbol of the sacrifice that Christ suffered for each one of us on that beautiful scandalous night on that hill they called the Skulls.  But that is Good Friday/Easter.  This...this is Christmas!  The celebration of the Saviour's birth!  This is why we give presents and parties, and bake cookies, and put up trees this time of year.  I don't see many people commemoration someones birthday by how they will or did end up dying.

So why would Christians prop up the cross to such an exalted level this time of year? I can see a couple of reasons.

1. Christians in this area want people to know that they really believe in Jesus.  Not the "false" Jesus taught by some.  The Christians know that the dominant relgion does not really feel the same way as evangelicals do about the cross.  So this is a way to seperate the "sheep from the wolves".

2.  Christians are so focused on death sometimes that we fail to see life.  Think how absurd it is that the ultimate symbol of death is so prominantly featured in these displays.  What does that say?  Does it espouse life to those who see it?  Yes Jesus died for us.  That is something that no one else could have done.  But right now...this time of year is about the life of Jesus.  It's about the miraculous conception of a baby inside a 14 year old Jewish girl 2000 years ago. 

We have plenty of time to contemplate his death on the cross.  Let's at least spend a few weeks contemplating the gift of his LIFE.

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What My Kids are Thankful For

During the month of November, I tried to have my children tell me at least one thing they were thankful for every day.  We didn't hold to the "every day" very well but I think we got a fairly good list.  I am proud of them for some of the things they came up with.  Some of the items are kinda funny.  Here are the uncensored things that my kids are thankful for this year.

Lemuel
family, electronics, funny people, friends, books, memories, warmth, church, hot chocolate, music, imagination, choices, machines

Brayden
Life, deja (his rat), holidays, pets, food, houses, pokemon, popcorn, paper, clothes, legos, cups, colors


Abigail
House, clothes, food, shoes, beds, stores, pets, water bottles, school, plants, animals, holidays, books


Keenan
pumpkin pie, brothers and sisters, feet, firewood, hats, presents, boots, months, wands, legos, poof pillows, mothers

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5 things I Have Learned This Weekend

1. Snow is not a mailman's friend
2. We are not entitled
3. Twitter can be a mean world.  I have not been called so many names since high school.  It's amazing what people say to each other when there are miles and miles between them.
4.  BSU still rocks
5.  Vikings suck

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Frustration Vs. Determination

As many of you know, I have been trying to finish my degree.  It has been a long road to earn my first degree, and I am not happy with what I have done.  I started college in 1992.  Since then I have attended 4 different school 5 different times.  I have changed my major 5 different times.  This is definitely not a formula for success.
This time around I am trying to get an IT degree with a Network Administration.  I have been doing pretty well over the past two years with a scheduled graduation date of November of next year.  At the beginning of this year, I started studying for the Configuring Windows 7 exam.  I have taken the test 4 times with negative results.  Yesterday, I took it for the 5th time...and failed. 
This last score leaves me in kind of a bind.  Microsoft's policy is to only let a person take the test 5 times within a 12 month time frame.  So, I won't be able to take the test again until November 2011 (the month I was supposed to graduate).  And, since the class was worth 6 credits (half of my class load) I did not pass enough credits for this term.  This places me on an academic probation for the next term.  I should not affect my financial aid, but it is very discouraging.
My IT mentor is going to try to get me into a Vista class so I can take a test soon.  This will keep me from having to wait 12 months to take the test again.  But it is still frustrating.  It's days like this that make me think I am an idiot and should just give up.
But I have given up too many times in my life and I am not about to give up on school for a 6th time.  It may be frustrating and a little humiliating that I have been unable to pass this test.  But, for now, my determination outweighs my frustration.
In 2011, I plan on being a graduate of Western Governor's University and earning my first Bachelor's Degree.  It is going to be hard (it has already been hard) but I will not let that deter me from reaching this goal.  I am tired of giving up.  I am tired of other people dictating what I can and can't do.  I will be an IT professional.
Thanks for reading....and GO BOISE STATE!

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What Is Holding Me Back

It has been a very long time since I have written a decent blog post.  I have had many ideas, but no time to develope them in any length.

For the past 10 months I have been trying to pass a test in configuring Windows 7 operating system.  It has been  all consuming.  Every waking moment that is not taken up by necessary duties, has been engulfed by studying for this test.  I have taken the test 4 times and have yet to pass it.  Needless to say, I am getting very discouraged. 

I am taking the test for a fifth time next week.  I would appreciate and covet your prayers for passing it this time.  If I do not pass the test I will not be able to take it again until next year (Microsoft rules).  Also, I will be put on academic probation with my school for not passing enough credits.  I would like to avoid both of these predicaments if at all possible. So, if you wouldn't mind rattling the kingdom for me just a little bit, it would be greatly appreciated.

Blessings,
Nathan

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Would Like to Post...

I am sorry for all of you blog followers for my lack of posting.  I have been very busy the past few months.  The post office is working me six days a week.  On top of that, it 's crunch time for this semester of school.  I have taken the Windows 7 test three times and have not passed it yet.  I am attempting to take again next week and would love your prayers. 

Hopefully after that, things will slow down enough that I can post a few blogs.

Blessings to you all!!!

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New GEICO Commercial Tickles My Funny Bone

GEICO has been rather creative in the commercial department for many years.  The new ones continue that tradition.  This one had me rolling on the floor

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Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody.

Okay so I just listened to a Fresh Air broadcast with the guitarist from Queen.  Did you know he has a PhD in Astro Physics?  Anyway, they discussed this version of the classic Queen song and he said he really liked it.  In fact the instruments is the actual Queen music with the muppets overdubbed on top.  So Queen gave them permission for this.  It's awesome.  LONG LIVE THE MUPPETS!!!

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Review: Newsboys...Born Again

In 1989, I purchased my first Newsboys album just because it had a cool title.  I had never heard of the band before, but with a title like "Hell is for Wimps", how I could I pass it up?  Well....As a collection of songs inspired by hair bands of the day, "Wimps" wasn't that great.  I listened to it a few times and set it in my tape shelf to gather dust.

A few years later, the Newsboys had shed the hair band image and most of the guitars as well.  They picked up a keyboard and took a few lessons from bands like Erasure and Information Society and created their first really good album.  Not Ashamed became one of my favorite albums of all time.

Not Ashamed began a string of big records for the Newsboys that grew their fan base by leaps and bounds.  By the mid 1990's they had become one of the biggest names in Christian music.  Things began to change however and with the departure of the singer John James (you can read is story here), Newsboys began to change their sound to a light hearted pop band with Peter Furler and Phil Joel trading vocals respectively. 

The new millennium found the Newsboys sinking into relative mediocrity with many of their albums.  Yes, they had a few memorable hits such as "It Is You" from their "Adoration" Cd and Million Pieces from Go.  but for the most part their music had become predictable and forgettable.

But, if history is any predictor, one should not count the Newsboys out.  Their new album Born Again has the remaining 'boys joining forces with ex DC Talker Michael Tait.  With Michael's easily recognizable chops and an increase of a more modern guitar driven rock sound, the Newsboys has released their best album in years.

The album starts of with the rocker Born Again and steadily brings song after well crafted song. Some of the highlights include the song One Shot, Impossible, and When the Boys Light Up.  And even thought I am not a big fan of Hillsongs, their rendition of Mighty to Save is admirable (truly Tait's voice that makes it memorable). The last song on the "non-deluxe" version is a remake of the DC Talk classic Jesus Freak.  I couldn't help but wonder who's idea it was to remake this classic.  It is good, but this is one song that was so perfect the first time around, it should not be redone.

If you purchase the "deluxe" version from itunes,  they so graciously add a few more songs.  I highly recommend buying this version.  "We Remember" and "Glorious" are worth the extra four dollars.  They also include the digital booklet and the video to "Born Again".

When all is said and done, my only big problem with the album is the length of most of the songs.  The majority of the songs are less than 4 minutes long and some don't even make to 3 minutes.


If early sales are any indication, this album is striking a nerve for Christian music buyers.  It's first week of sales was more successful than any other first week for the Newsboys. The iconic Michael Tait is a great addition to the iconic band.  If you are looking for great summer music, load your ipod with this well crafted album.

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5 Things I Learned This Weekend

1. B2 Bombers look like giant boomerangs
2. Jets are loud and babies don't like loud
3. Letting water into an outdoor show in 90 degree heat is a lot smarter than not letting water in 90 degree heat
4. walking 7 miles round trip in 90 degree heat is hard to do with 4 kids.
5. You can make a concession worker mad when you decide not to buy their $5 snow cone.

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Review: Picking Dandelions by Sarah Cunningham

Note: This blog is part of Sarah's summer blog tour.  I appreciate Sarah giving me the chance to participate.

The Christian Book industry has changed rather drastically over the past decade or so.  It used to be you couldn't pick up a book in the "Christian Living" section without its author telling you what kind of awful tragedy they had overcome, or what three step process will make your life better.  But with the maturation of my generation (X) and the generation right under us, things have changed.  We don't want simple and quick fixes to our problems.  We don't want somebody to tell us how they have overcome a hurt and now they are perfect.  We want to know that other people realize that life, and consequently our faith, are so daily. Sarah Cunningham is one of these authors. And her new book,Picking Dandelions is a prime example of someone reaching through the muck and mire of perfect fixes and telling us a story where it does not all work out in the end.

"Dandelions" is a quirky memoir with a serious message.  Cunningham believes that through life's weeds, we are all striving to find a little piece of Eden. Some of us may go through extremes to find it, but at it's core perhaps Eden is in front of us-even inside us.

Through light hearted dialogue laced with poignant insights, Picking Dandelions walks us along Sarah Cunningham's road of life as we see experiences that have brought her to a deeper understanding of what Eden may actually be.  Some of her memories are perhaps not that profound, such as her memory of her dad telling her about the "watch cow" that protected their small town from "lions, tigers and bears".  Some of her memories are more serious including a great chapter of her experience at ground zero after the attacks of 9/11.  Through it all, we see an image of grace emerging that helps Miss Cunningham see that Eden can become clear even in the midst of overwhelming tragedy.

The book is laid out in nine very defined sections chronicling her life from childhood growing up with a pastor for a dad, to teaching school to a bunch of obnoxious high schoolers.The sections are short and can easily be read in a sitting.  Each section begins with an attribute of the rather prolific weed known as the dandelion. Cunningham suggests that if we look beyond the obvious traits of a dandelion being a weed, we may find rather extraordinary. 

With wit, charm, and an ample supply of grace Sarah Cunningham shows in her memoir that Eden can be found in the strangest and most unlikely places.  From the farmlands of Wisconsin to the melted and warped metal of ground zero, Eden can be found.  Perhaps if we look hard enough, we be able to find a little Eden inside of us.  It isn't a destination, it is a state of being.

As I said, the Christian book industry is changing drastically.  And if Sarah Cunningham's book is any representation (and I believe it is), it is for the better.

On a side note- Sarah is collecting a list of books for summer reading, these are mine in no particular order.

-Blue Like Jazz/Donald Miller
-To Kill a Mockingbird/Harper Lee
-The Outsiders/S.E. Hinton

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Review: Raising Arizona

Raising Arizona was the next pick on our ever expanding Netflix que.  It's been quite a while since my last viewing of this classic Coen brother flick, but time has been kind to this movie.  After 23 years, the movie is just as fresh and relevant as it was in 1987 when it was first released.  The diaper theft and the ensuing chase is worth the entire movie.  This was one of the best movies that Nicholas Cage ever acted in.  He was still fresh and a bit creepy in his eternally stoned way.  His acting since then has gotten very formulaic an cliche.

I will refrain on too much synopsis since most of you have already seen this classic movie.  And the more enlightened of you have seen it more than once.

Nate's rating----- 4 out of 5 nateys

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5 Things I Learned This Independence Day Weekend

1.  Some people are very irresponsible with fireworks.
2.  Idaho Falls is a boring place 364 days of the year.
3.  Great things can happen when people work together, like a fireworks show on the 4th.

4.  Cops get really stressed out this time of year.
5.  Idaho Falls seems to be very polarized between people of the dominant religion and those that are not.  I'm no more a Mormon than the Pope, but perhaps instead of complaining about it, we ought to learn to love each other.

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5 Things I Learned This Weekend June 26-27/2010

1. It's really hard to keep the mail dry when it is resting on your arm in 80 degree weather.

2. Bluegrass music can be fun and entertaining, especially when it's free, by the river, and has David Robert King and the Lost River Boys.

3. If my pedometer really works on my new ipod, I walk about eight miles every time I do my mail route in Idaho.

4. Jerry Springer and his guests has nothing on my in laws and the antics they instigate.

5. My kids are good tent setter uppers.

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Do We Give Our Kids Too Much, or Not Enough Freedom?

In January, 16 year old Abigail Sunderland set sail to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone without stopping.  Unfortunately, yesterday she ran into some trouble on the high seas in the Indian Ocean.  Reports say that she battled 30 feet waves caused by the southern hemisphere's winter season.  During the wave swells, her mast broke and she was stranded.  She set her emergency beacons off and was found today by a plane flying overhead.  She is currently so far away from anything remotely resembling civilization, that it won't be until tomorrow before the closets ship in the area (a French fishing boat) will be able to get to her.

Many people have questioned whether or not Abby's parents should have let their 16 year old daughter take on such a feet.  Some people say she is just a child and way to young to have taken on such a venture.  Some people have even called the Sunderlands bad parents and guilty of negligence  for letting her do such a thing.

So my question to you is this.  What is too much to let out kids do?  Are we to protective of our children these days?  Do we pamper them more than we need to?  Are we hurting our children in not letting them pursue things that might be considered dangerous?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter.  If you could please your comments on the blog as opposed to facebook etc.  Blessings.

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RumorVille Has It...

There is a rumor floating around (substantiated by twitter comments) that the famous Christian Rock group DC Talk is reuniting.  I have no idea whether or not this will be just a reunion tour or if there is going to be a new album.

In just a few short years, DC Talk went from "2 honks and a Negro" doing quasi rap music to a full blown alternative rock act.  They were one of the biggest selling acts of the nineties with one of the biggest, if not the biggest, concert draws in Christian music.  In 1995 they released Jesus Freak an album that is arguably the single most influential album of the last 15 years.  All of these accolades and they actually only put out 5 albums of original material.

The reunion could come as early as next year.  I tried to find the Jesus Freak video but the embedding was removed "upon request".  So here's a blast from the past.  Nu Thang circa 1990.

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Top 5 Reasons Why I Like Little League Baseball

There are so many reasons to love watching little kids play baseball.  But I will do my best to narrow it down to five.

1. Watching the catcher try to fit into his uniform.

Most of these kids way about 50 pounds and are less than 5 feet tall.  The catchers uniform is meant to keep them safe just in case the get hit by a fastball.  First the pitcher doesn't throw that fast.  Second, the pitcher is lucky if he gets it to the catcher.  But to watch the kids fight to get the uniform on and then to watch them hobble out to the plate like a bow-legged cowboy is very entertaining.

2. Kids who sit down in the field.

What the heck man. This is boring.  The ball is never gonna be hit clear out here.  I think I'll just sit down and pick some grass.
This line of reasoning works well until the ball is actually hit in the outfield.  You can actually see the look of surprise on the kids faces when suddenly, they are forced to jump up and chase after the ball that they could have stopped if they were standing up.

3. Dad's getting in their kids faces.

First the dad has to show up.  It is surprising to me how many families just drop off their kid and then leave.  Wow that really speaks volumes to how much they love their children.  But for those dads that do stay, it's always fascinating to me how many of them live out their major league fantasies through their children.  They get upset of their son is not Nolan Ryan or Derek Jeter at the mound or the plate.  It's one thing to give them some advice, it's another to ridicule them for not throwing that perfect changup.

4. Dads getting kicked out of the park because they argue with the Umpire.

When you mix an ump who has a short fuse and a dad who can't keep his mouth shut, it makes for a volatile situation.  "Hey ump, that ball hit the runner".
"No, it didn't."
"Yes it did."
"No it didn't, I was watching it the entire way."
"Well I don't know what Sesame Street special you were watching, but that ball hit the runner."
"No it didn't."
"Yes it did"
"No it didn't"
"You're gone!  Go to your car!"
"No!"
"Yes or the game is over and your team loses!"
"Fine, but it still hit the runner."

5. Being beat by giant margins

My son's team has an overabundance of kids who are not that great.  It seems as if our coach just took the kids that no one else wanted.  I am pretty thankful for our coach.  He does as good of a job as he can do.  But it is a little disappointing to me when our team gets beat by 20 points.  The funny part is, it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal to the kids.  So why do I care so much?

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HomeBoy Industries

Yesterday I was listening to one of the many podcasts I download on a daily basis.  NPR's Fresh Air featured a ministry located in the Los Angeles area called Homeboy Industries.  It is a ministry started by a Jesuit priest by the name of Father Gregory Boyle.  This ministry is specifically dedicated to providing a way out for gang members, and giving them the ability to learn both work and life skills that will help them find jobs and stay off the streets.  Through the course of many years, Homeboy Industries has made drastic inroads into the gang infested streets of L.A.  They have seen many gang bangers come out of the lifestyle and become productive members of society.

Right now, like a lot of other types of organizations, they are suffering.  Last week they had to lay off a lot of their staff because of lack of funds.  This is a worth While ministry, and one that my wife and I have decided to support.  I would encourage you to check them out and pray about doing the same thing.

Here is their website  HomeBoy Industries

Listen to the Fresh Air podcast.   Fresh Air

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Wow Nice Party! (White House Gots Style)

I found a few pictures of the elaborate party that the White House threw in honor of the Mexican president that visited recently.  I am astonished at how much money the White House (tax payers) spent on this event.  Couldn't this money have been spent more wisely?  We have the whole gulf coast being covered in oil.  Animals are dying and the entire fishing industry is in jeopardy.  Families  are left without jobs and all that seems to be important right now is throwing a great party for our southern neighbors and spending millions of dollars to have a good time.  Can't we get our priorities straight?  This is not a left or right issue.  This is common sense.

My community just denied a school bond that would have built new schools and upgraded others.  The excuse used over and over was that we have to find better ways to spend our money. And, due to the current state of our economy we should not be adding more debt.  If this is true for our schools, it should be true for our government.

photo source: White house photo stream.

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The Holy Ghost Hokey Pokey!

I have marveled at some of the stuff that Christians do.  This one is by far one of the most original things I have seen.  They actually release the Holy Spirit's anointing by dancing the hokey pokey.  Watch the whole video.  The testimonies are incredible....I am just glad that Jesus loves us anyway.

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Tom, Jerry, After School and the 80's

I was your stereo-typical latch key kid growing up in the eighties.  My mom had to work and never made it home until after 5pm.  We didn't have dvd players, video games, or computers to keep us busy. We didn't have Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, or Disney Channel to watch our cartoons or kid friendly shows.  In fact our cable consisted of 13 channels.  And some of them were just repeats of affiliates coming out Salt Lake.  But there were shows that I watched every day.  Tom and Jerry, The Brady Bunch, and Little House on the Prairie were on every weekday from 3pm until 5pm.

I turned on Cartoon Network this afternoon and happened to catch an hour worth of classic Tom and Jerry cartoons.  All the memories came flooding back to me.  For a moment it was like it was 1982 all over again. It's funny the things that can bring back memories.

What was it like after school when you were a kid?

One of my favorites of all time....

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I'm Tired of Feeling Bad for Being a Christian

I have to admit, I have been one of those people that make fun of other Christians.  I have even been one of those Christians that have apologized for what we (the church) have done to others in the name of Christ. On one hand this needs to be done.  Christians continue to hurt others every day.  But how far does it have to go?  When do we stop apologizing?  When do we just live our lives as we should, as the bible shows us?  I for one, am tired of minimalizing my relationship with Christ.  It defines me, it makes who I am for better or worse.
I know I have screwed up in judging.  I am sorry.  I know that I have been your typical American Christian.  I am sorry.  But, I don't apologize for being a Christian.  I am not ashamed of calling myself a Christian.  I am not ashamed to admit to people that Faith is a narrow road.  I am not ashamed to tell people that there is a savior who died for their sins.  I am not ashamed to tell people there is only one way to the Father.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

What do you think?  Should we feel bad that we are Christians?  Should we constantly apologize.  Should we rethink the narrow road?  I would love to hear your feedback.

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Faithbook of Jesus: Connecting with the Twenty-Something Generation

Over the years, I have read many devotionals spanning the spectrum from Oswald Chamber's classic My Utmost for His Highest , to the small quarterly devotionals that can be picked up at almost any church published by Radio Bible Ministries. Most devotionals fit a relatively standard format of daily one page readings. Usually these readings are based on some section of scripture, and more often than not it rests on one verse. Faithbook of Jesus by Renee Johnson is no different.

Faithbook.. is a fifty-two week, daily devotional that is specifically geared towards a "twenty-something" audience. As such, most of Miss Johnson's devotions are based around things that most young adults would be dealing with in this new millennium. Originally written for her blog, these devotionals have been edited and put in book form. She deals with issues that run the gamut from pre-marital sex to how we deal with the culture around us.

As I stated before, the format of the devotionals is nothing new. There is a pithy title at the top of the page, a verse to draw inspiration from, the devotional (consisting of 3-4 paragraphs), and then an insight at the bottom of the page. The insight is meant to either get people to dig deeper or call people into action.

What is unique about the format are a few new features at the bottom of the page. Not only does Renee offer insight, but she also has taken quotes from people that have posted to her website and used them to enhance the devotional. She also has added little prayers where she addresses Jesus with different names such as "Design-Label Jesus", or "Thirst-Quenching Jesus". Granted some of these names are little distracting and kind of hokey, but all in all they help the reader see that Jesus is more than one dimensional.

My favorite feature is the call to interact and be part of the "community".  At the end of each devotional, Renee asks a question and then invites the reader to respond on her website. In this post-modern culture, this is what people are looking for. We just don't want to read someone's idea of something, we want to interact with them and share our ideas as well.

The devotions themselves are at times really good and at times rather quaint and full of bubble gum. The moments that are the most brilliant and bright are the ones in which Renee gets very personal with her struggles to stay pure and to stay satisfied in her singleness. It is these sections that draw the reader in the most, connecting with them on a level other devotionals don't.

Faithbook of Jesus is not for everyone. But the target audience will most likely receive it with open arms. The twenty-something age group is a market that has not been targeted effectively by this type of genre. Although there is room for improvement, Faithbook does connect on many levels and is worth checking out. Renee Johnson is a bright light in the next generation of Christian authors.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Of Floods, Hurricanes, and Mercy

I am always surprised at what dominates the headlines. It seems to me that there are things the national media picks up on and dwells on until it so saturates us with the images, that we throw our hands in the air and give up. I don't know if it is intentional or not, but it is just how it happens.

We were shown picture after stunning picture of the human condition after hurricane Katrina. We were shown the same thing after the earthquake that devastated Haiti. But it doesn't seem to be the same way with the floods in Nashville. All of these are tragedies that are incomprehensible. The thousands of people that were stranded in New Orleans and the amount of human death and tragedy that Haiti experienced is unfathomable. But too, Nashville is dealing with devastation, perhaps not on the level of these two other disasters but bad enough. And you can be sure that the God of the universe doesn't care if the national media doesn't deem it important enought to cover every night. You can be sure he doesn't care whether or not they are poor or rich, black or white. He cares about the problems and chaos that have landed in of the lives affected by these kinds of tragedies. Through all of this mercy will prevail...

The Choir has just released this video with some amazing photos of the floods in Nashville. Please watch, and if you can help those in need.

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Rethinking Facebook

When I first joined facebook, I was really excited at this new opportunity to connect with friends who lived great distances away. I liked the simplistic approach that facebook took. It was much more appealing to me than MySpace, which seemed to be all about how your page appeared and all of neat features that you can add to your page. Facebook seemed to be more about the relationships and staying in touch with those whom you don't have close contact with.

But, two years and 211 friends later, I am beginning to think that facebook isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Now, as I said before, the positive aspects of facebook are the relationships that are rekindled and maintained that normally would have fallen by the wayside. Friends that I haven't seen in years have contacted me and have been put on my friends lists.

I also like the feature of creating events that people can be invited to. You can create a barbecue party and invite people from your list. If you have a concert or something that you want to promote, the same feature can be used.

I also like the idea of supporting specific causes that spark your interest. If this is used correctly it can gain awareness for certain things that you believe in and help support worth while things that can make a difference in the world.

But Facebook can be polarizing. It can be place where people let others know about their opinions without much concern about anybodys feelings. You can join groups that want President Obama dead. You can also join groups that think that Bush was a child killer. Not only that people like to put comments on their profile that are not so vague attempts at slamming something one of their other friends said. On top of that, when you respond to a post somebody but on their profile, all it does is agitate the situation. There is no legitimate debate that happens on facebook, it's just little quips that each person feels the need to post to uphold their position. Nobody wins, and everybody loses.



When your miles away from the person that your are responding to, you can say anything you want with no consequence. You don't have to look them in the eye. And as long as you have the last comment on the page, you have "won" the argument. I had one friend tell me recently that because of a comment I had left on his post, that I am a prime example of why he doesn't consider himself a Christian anymore. This hurt me more deeply than the post I left on his page probably did. But, even after an apology sent to his email, he has seen fit not to respond.



This is why I am changing my use of facebook. I refuse from this point on to be sucked into these petty arguments. I refuse to join or like stupid groups that separate me from my other friends. I refuse to post stupid comments that tell other people (no matter how vaguely) I don't appreciate what they said, did, or supported. From this point on, I will post only neutral comments and keep my opinions, and ideology to myself. I have decided that facebook is not the place to share my political or religious views and should be just a place to get together and say hi to friends that I haven't seen in a while. If you feel the need to argue with me, than find someone else. I will not humor you.

If I have opinions, I will share them on my blog. ;0)

What do you think?

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Movie Review-The Hurt Locker

MPAA Rating-R (Nate's rating somewhere between PG-13 and R)

I admit, I had not heard about this movie before the Oscars. But after seeing it pull out an improbable win against some other major heavyweight movies to capture the Best Picture award, and after reading some reviews that praised the fact that it's focus (unlike most Iraq movies at this point) was not political, I decided to give it a spin.

Imagine being in the middle of a desert being suffocated by over 100 degree heat. And on top of all that you are about to put on a 100 pound bomb suit and walk over 50 meters to your destination to hopefully defuse a bomb that was hastily assembled by insurgents hell bent on doing nothing else but causing complete chaos and mayhem. That is the basic theme of The Hurt Locker.

This movie takes you an journey spanning about 30 days of Bravo Companies deployment. In the process, the special bomb unit deals with everything from bombs left in the trunk of cars, to an Iraqi man that has been forced to strap a bomb to his torso with a timer on it. The way the movie is divided up could almost be like five or six different little mini-movies.

The Hurt Locker is a graphic, gritty depiction of the Iraqi conflict. Even though there is death and much profanity, I don't think it was overdone or dramatized. In fact, I have seen many other nonsensical movies that have glorified death and dismemberment more than this movie did. The scenes are intense. You will find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat hoping that the bomb crew will survive another day.

If you have children I would have say to use caution when watching the movie with them. If you decide to let your children watch it, be present and prepared to explain what is going on and the risks that our soldiers take every day.

Although The Hurt Locker is hard to watch, it is a gripping movie that portrays war in a sobering light.

4 out of 5 Nateys

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Movie Review: Taken

MPAA Rated PG-13 (should push more towards R than the PG -13 it received)

Before watching the movie Taken, I had heard many people say that they really liked it that it was gripping and intense. Being a Liam Neesan fan, I was looking forward to watching this drama and was hoping for a good script.

Liam Neesan plays a retired Government agent that is estranged from his wife and daughter. He has just moved to California to renew relations with his 16 year old daughter when the movie opens. Neesan is beside himself when he realizes that his daughter, Jenny, wants to spend the Summer in Paris. Shortly after he relents and lets his daughter go to Paris, he finds out that she plans on traveling around Europe following the rock group U2. Because of his history, he is nervous about the situation and does not want his daughter to go. After a set of ultimatums given to his daughter he lets her go reluctantly.

Not long after the landing of Jenny and her friend in Paris, they arrive in the house of Jenny's friends cousins house. Within the course of a few minutes strange men burst in the house and kidnap both Jenny and her friend. Jenny happened to be on the phone with her father at the time and she is able to give him some description of what the perpetrators looked like. He is able to talk to one of the men foreshadows the rest of the movie telling him he will find him and wont stop until his daughter is found.

The movie is an okay action movie. There is not much dialogue and the characters are not well developed. But the movie does do a good job drawing attention the sex-slave trafficking that takes place in countries all around the world. If we walk away with nothing else from this movie hopefully we will come away with the reality that this type of stuff exists and should be dealt with.

My Rating 2 of 5 Nateys

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Christmas 2009

Here are some pics from 2009. I am a novice at this, so please show me some grace!

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5 Things I learned This Weekend

1. Apple is annoying.
2. Field goal kickers suck.
3. God still heals today.
4. Brakes and 4 wheel drive are blessing from God.
5. Disgruntled employees make good pizzas.

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10 Questions I Should Have Asked This Weekend

1. Do I get more time if I have more mail?
2. Sure you can take our order without writing anything down, but can you clean our table?
3. Is it really a good idea to put those two together?
4. Should I study or watch the new Star Trek movie?
5. Does it matter whether or not you buy it at JC Penny or Sears?
6. And why can't have sausage?
7. How do you stack wood cohesively?
8. Is Harry Reid serious?
9. Can you really score that many points in a football game?
10. Is it really faster if our kids help us?

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I am Second

I came across an interesting website today entitled "I Am Second". Check it out. I think you'll like it.

I am second

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