thanks for the words of wisdom Teddy

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." -Teddy Roosevelt

I'm being pulled over for what?!? Lewd Acts!?!

Lewd Acts....I was being pulled over for lewd acts. I looked the cop in the face with a half smile and said with a chuckle in my voice "Officer, you've got the wrong guy". To backtrack if I may, It was 10:00 at night in muncie, IN; I had just left my office at Ball State University's campus and was heading home. I get to my house, and all of a sudden as the intense flashing blue and red lights reflect off my rear view mirrors straight into my eyes I know I'm bused. I new I should have changed my expired license plate. Knowing that in just four days I will be in court appealing a previous ticket, not to mention that I've been pulled over about 14 times for everything in the book, I get ready to been down in take it like the newest inmate on death row. The officer pulls up to my window and I try to open my window, but it's stuck. I make hand gestures to him indicating my inability to role down my window. My smile disguises my happiness that I can make this more difficult for him. I open my door and stay seated as he asks me for identification. I hand him my license. While he is looking at it, I turn my head to the right and look at my apartment house. I wondered what my neighbors were thinking now... probably a mixture of laughing and sympathy. I wait for the the officer to ask the infamous question, "Do you know why I stoped you", but instead he goes straight for the jugular. "I got some reports of a man matching your vehicle in description, white male with beard driving a Honda Civic, performing lewd Acts".

Now, for those who don't know, the legal definition for the term "lewd” is: “Any conduct that is considered indecent or offensive". Often the term is often used when referring to pornography, prostitution and indecent exposure. So, this is where a smile comes to my face, and this time it's a real smile. I relinquish my Drivers license, and then wait for ten minutes. After he returns I get a few grueling questions, and then with tone of surprise he declares my innocence and allows me to leave. I laugh as leave to pull along the street adjacent to my apartment. I've been pulled over for seat belt, speeding, running red light, no lights, not getting in adjacent lane to ensure police safety when pulled on shoulder of highway....but I can safely say that this by far is the first time being pulled over for a suspected exhibitionist. Funny as this is, I realize that there is still a white male still at large in a silver Honda with a beard who loves lewd.... and then my smile fades into a frown.

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. For those unfamiliar with lent, in most Christian denominations, it is a forty-day liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. In that past I have paid little head to this ancient church practice, but today I wish to start by practicing this ancient holiday. Unlike the tradition of giving up meat or food for lent (while I will fast from food, it won't be daily) I will give up the activity of TV watching. David Mcclelland suggested that worldly asceticism is specifically targeted against worldly pleasures that distract people from there calling, and may accept worldly pleasures that are not distracting. To me, the visual media falls into this category, and so to better prepare my heart and mind for the death and resurrection of my Lord, I feel it is only appropriate. Last year I did little to prepare for this event, and the experience was shallow. I believe this year I will take it more to mind and heart. Truthfully, I am not sure I can give it up for 40 days…that's how I know I need to.

short but sweet....thats what she said

Dan asked a good theological question, and I like it so I am going to ask the same. If God is omnipresent, he would have to be everywhere, right? So, with that said, Will God Be in Hell (I say will be, because Hell has not been created yet)? Let me know your opinions on this.

only live once!

Nate’s to do List:

Go skydiving at least one time.
Play a small part in an action movie
Eat dinner with a political leader in your country.
Go on a date with the President of the University.
Sing a song in front of thousands of people at a rock concert.
Travel to the moon with the astronauts on a special discovery mission.
Go bungee jumping from a very high bridge.
Drive a race car over 150 km/hr.
Spend all your money shopping for clothes.
Learn how to fly an airplane.
Travel on a submarine. Travel on a helicopter over a jungle.
Marry someone who is rich and famous.
Publish a book about your life.
Go scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Go to medical school and become a heart surgeon.
Get your PhD and work for a University.
Chat on-line with a group of friends.
Text message a friend you have not heard from for years.
Ask an employer for a raise.

Run accross the great wall of China
Invite someone to a party on New Year’s Eve.

I haven't bathed in months...

I read Romans 12 today to renew my mind, and it was if cataracts were removed from my eyes. I am reminded again why Satan desires to separate us from the Word, as it is our only offense against him. Since Satan is considered the God of this age (2 Cor. 4:4), it is no wonder that the current mind set seen in the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes, and views of the majority of people are a reflection of Him. It is this world system that he has used to blind me of the things of the true God. Sadly I have formed a clinical addiction to a number of things that are against Him. This happened because I neglected spending any time with God, and when man is left to himself he follows the system of this world , deeping his state of moral darkness. I thank God that He has put in me the desire to read His Word again and be reminded of this. Romans 12:2 reminds me that the “renewing of your mind” (eph. 5:18) is a supernatural process where the Holy Spirit literally transforms our thinking through consistent study and meditation. The best comparison I can think of to understand this transformation process is when we wake up each morning and look in a mirror and take a shower. Forgive the flawed analogy, but what if Satan was able to distract us from this step every morning? Can you imagine in just a week what a state we would be in? The problem is we would not recognize this since we were no longer looking in the mirror. Scripture lets us see ourselves for what we really look like (not just what we think we look like in our minds eye) and the other disciplines allow us to clean (sanctify) our self so that we may be clean. It’s time I get back to bathing (Spiritual disciplines). Thanks God for this reminder!

Back to the basics...

I am reminded of the simple theological truths that the world seems to totally miss regarding the Christian Faith: Jesus Loves You. People try to add things on to this statement such as: "Jesus loves you, but..." or "Jesus loves you, if...", but they are wrong. Philip Yancey in his book "What's so amazing about grace"reminds us that one of Jesus' last acts before His death was forgiving a thief hanging on a cross. Christ knew the thief had converted out of fear. He knew that thief would never read his bible or attend church. He would never make amends to those he had stolen from and hurt. "He simply said 'Jesus, remember me.' and Jesus promised 'Today you will be with me in paradise'. It is a ... shocking reminder that Grace does not depend on what we have done for God, but rather what God has done for us... all we must do is cry 'help'". I encourage you to think on this when you feel burdened that you must "do" to maintain your faith, "God dispenses gifts, not wages". Second, follow the footsteps of our founding brothers in sisters in Christ who were known as history's pesants and simple folk. The many who could not read and write still would memorize the apostle's creed to known the foundation of their beliefs. They did this to keep from being led to beliefs of those that deviate from the Historical Church, being a Christian who affirms the historical church, I probably should do the same. Check it out below:

"I believe in God, the Father Almightly, maker of heaven and earth;And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church (meaning the church as a whole, not to be confused with the "roman catholic church"), the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."