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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