I just wanted to inform everyone that I have begun a new blog which can be found at
inhaleinternational.blogspot.com
For the past few years I have been dreaming and developing a vision for a non-profit organization titled Inhale International. I have been granted permission by the Taylor University business department to pursue the incorporation and development of this organization as a fullfillment of my practicum requirement. This means Inhale will be starting up its operations as soon as this summer. On Inhale's blog you will find the vision, goals, needs, and progress of Inhale. I would ask that you would please be praying for myself and the organization as we strive to make this vision, God's vision, a reality.
This blog will not take the place of the Wilderness blog...you can wipe away the sweat!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Thought of the Day- 7 February 2007
Pain
Today I was reading through a book of Emily Dickinson's poems, during Int'l Business Class, and I came upon a poem that has to do with pain. I know that I wrote a blog a few days ago concerning pain, but the pain I am talking about today is real pain- the kind of pain that hurts worse than any physical beating.
Pain-has an Element of Blank-
It cannot recollect
When it begun- or if there were
A time when it was not-
It has no Future- but itself-
Its infinite contain
Its Past- enlightened to perceive
New Periods- of Pain.
- Emily Dickinson
I feel like that sometimes. Like I can't remember when the pain came or what it was like before it arrived. The question that intrigues me most is whether or not it has left or if I have just become used to it. The pain is good though, I think. Brokenness is needed....just how broken must one be? is the question. I am starting to find joy in the pain however. Not that sick kind! More like a joy that comes through the realization of a change, a change that beckons, if it will bring more change, for more pain.
Today I was reading through a book of Emily Dickinson's poems, during Int'l Business Class, and I came upon a poem that has to do with pain. I know that I wrote a blog a few days ago concerning pain, but the pain I am talking about today is real pain- the kind of pain that hurts worse than any physical beating.
Pain-has an Element of Blank-
It cannot recollect
When it begun- or if there were
A time when it was not-
It has no Future- but itself-
Its infinite contain
Its Past- enlightened to perceive
New Periods- of Pain.
- Emily Dickinson
I feel like that sometimes. Like I can't remember when the pain came or what it was like before it arrived. The question that intrigues me most is whether or not it has left or if I have just become used to it. The pain is good though, I think. Brokenness is needed....just how broken must one be? is the question. I am starting to find joy in the pain however. Not that sick kind! More like a joy that comes through the realization of a change, a change that beckons, if it will bring more change, for more pain.
Change
Thought of the Yesterday
Old Geezer cont...
So like I was saying.
4th Platform- Two words, Youth Pastor! This is the spiritual giant that oversees those who dwell on the third platform. The youth pastor is okay with this though, because in order to gain access to the next level he must deal with those on the bottom four. Besides, every pastor must pay his dues to outgrow the 4th level!
5th Platform- Three words, Tired Youth Pastor (aka. Senior/Assistant Pastor). Gentlemen and Ladies (in certain denominations) when you have reached this level you "have arrived!" At this level you determine what is sin and not sin (based on your popularity and ability to produce a television show), you determine where the church's money is spent, you go play golf on a regular basis, you hear more clearly from God, and you can now handle sin that you weren't able to previously. Oh yeah, you also get to yell at the kids who are running through the church's halls because hey, everyone knows kids shouldn't be running in the House of God...After all, God doesn't like happy kids!
6th Platform- If one were to search for this platform they would find it right next to the right hand of God where Jesus is chill'n! This is where the televangelists, evangelists, Apostles, Mother Teresa, and Billy Graham are...and Mary, if your Catholic, is living right next door. This is where all the pastors on the 5th platform get their sermons. One can only get to this level by invitation (or by being perfect...Mother Teresa). At this level one can cuss someone out and it would be seen as a blessing! They can drink excessive amounts of wine and it would be called communion....pretty much, they are the sinless ones!
So there you have it....the 7 levels of Christianity! I have shown you how to climb the ladder and what is expected of you at each stop along the way. So keep climbing and some day YOU WILL ARRIVE!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
"Brandon....Brandon.....Brandon...Brandon!"
"HUH? What?"
"Are you Okay?"
"Oh, I think I was having a nightmare"
I just painted a pretty ridiculous picture of Christian maturity don't you think? Don't you? Hello! Don't you think that is ridiculous?
Unfortunately, our answer is being drowned out by our lifestyle! The picture I just painted is exactly how many, if not most, Christians in the western world are living out their faith. It is as if we are climbing a ladder of Spiritual maturity, as if there is a spiritual hiearchy that seperates the church and defines what one should do, and it is as if we are creating a group of self righteous people who have forgotten where they have come from.
Perhaps the term I have used and is used completely too much in the church is "I have arrived". Warning: I understand that in this next thing I write I am going to be stepping on some toes...oh well.
For example:
"I have arrived at a point that I am perfectly content being single."
or
"I have arrived at a point that violence doesn't affect me"
or
"I have arrived at a point that I can watch/listen to those groups again"
We act as if spiritual maturity equals our arrival at some point! We are seriously deceived.
Come back tomorrow as I continue "Old Geezers"....becoming a Mature Christian vs. Old Christian
Once Again: Please no hate comments until you let me finish.
So like I was saying.
4th Platform- Two words, Youth Pastor! This is the spiritual giant that oversees those who dwell on the third platform. The youth pastor is okay with this though, because in order to gain access to the next level he must deal with those on the bottom four. Besides, every pastor must pay his dues to outgrow the 4th level!
5th Platform- Three words, Tired Youth Pastor (aka. Senior/Assistant Pastor). Gentlemen and Ladies (in certain denominations) when you have reached this level you "have arrived!" At this level you determine what is sin and not sin (based on your popularity and ability to produce a television show), you determine where the church's money is spent, you go play golf on a regular basis, you hear more clearly from God, and you can now handle sin that you weren't able to previously. Oh yeah, you also get to yell at the kids who are running through the church's halls because hey, everyone knows kids shouldn't be running in the House of God...After all, God doesn't like happy kids!
6th Platform- If one were to search for this platform they would find it right next to the right hand of God where Jesus is chill'n! This is where the televangelists, evangelists, Apostles, Mother Teresa, and Billy Graham are...and Mary, if your Catholic, is living right next door. This is where all the pastors on the 5th platform get their sermons. One can only get to this level by invitation (or by being perfect...Mother Teresa). At this level one can cuss someone out and it would be seen as a blessing! They can drink excessive amounts of wine and it would be called communion....pretty much, they are the sinless ones!
So there you have it....the 7 levels of Christianity! I have shown you how to climb the ladder and what is expected of you at each stop along the way. So keep climbing and some day YOU WILL ARRIVE!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
"Brandon....Brandon.....Brandon...Brandon!"
"HUH? What?"
"Are you Okay?"
"Oh, I think I was having a nightmare"
I just painted a pretty ridiculous picture of Christian maturity don't you think? Don't you? Hello! Don't you think that is ridiculous?
Unfortunately, our answer is being drowned out by our lifestyle! The picture I just painted is exactly how many, if not most, Christians in the western world are living out their faith. It is as if we are climbing a ladder of Spiritual maturity, as if there is a spiritual hiearchy that seperates the church and defines what one should do, and it is as if we are creating a group of self righteous people who have forgotten where they have come from.
Perhaps the term I have used and is used completely too much in the church is "I have arrived". Warning: I understand that in this next thing I write I am going to be stepping on some toes...oh well.
For example:
"I have arrived at a point that I am perfectly content being single."
or
"I have arrived at a point that violence doesn't affect me"
or
"I have arrived at a point that I can watch/listen to those groups again"
We act as if spiritual maturity equals our arrival at some point! We are seriously deceived.
Come back tomorrow as I continue "Old Geezers"....becoming a Mature Christian vs. Old Christian
Once Again: Please no hate comments until you let me finish.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Thought of the Day- 5 February 2007
Old Geezers
The never ending cycle of spiritual growth. It is like a series of platforms stacked one on top of the other that one can ascend. The progression goes something like this.
Dirt- One is a flea infested piece of crap that doesn't deserve to walk this earth let alone worship an almighty God. God in His mercy and Grace decides that He will remember that He in fact did create this individual and will in turn permit them to come to salvation.
1st Platform- One is newly saved and is a thing (not neccisarily a person even) that is all excitement. This individual asks stupid questions in their deeper desire for God that make the 3rd or 4th platformers giggle, and they even occasionally cuss! The cussing is excused though because they need to work it out and grow in their faith.
2nd Platform- An individual usually ascends to this platform around the 6th month to 1 year mark of their conversion. Cussing is no longer tolerated, but the Christian cuss is fully permited because those on the 5th level have deemed it appropriate. The Christians on this level have a unifying battle cry that goes something like this. "WE LOVE JESUS YES WE DO, WE LOVE JESUS HOW BOUT YOU?"
3rd Platform- Now this platform is the first of the commemorative mile-markers for at this platform one has achieved the rank of "Sunday School Teacher". Those in the lower three levels look up to this individual because, in all honesty, they want to stop cleaning the toilets and start preaching the word (it doesn't matter that it is to a bunch of 2 year olds). Besides they know too much Bible knowledge to be the one to replace urinal mints.
4th Platform- Two words, Youth Pastor! This is the spiritual giant that oversees those who dwell on the third platform....
Come back tomorrow to read Brandon's conclusion to "Old vs. Mature"
Please no hate mail until you let me finish tomorrow!
The never ending cycle of spiritual growth. It is like a series of platforms stacked one on top of the other that one can ascend. The progression goes something like this.
Dirt- One is a flea infested piece of crap that doesn't deserve to walk this earth let alone worship an almighty God. God in His mercy and Grace decides that He will remember that He in fact did create this individual and will in turn permit them to come to salvation.
1st Platform- One is newly saved and is a thing (not neccisarily a person even) that is all excitement. This individual asks stupid questions in their deeper desire for God that make the 3rd or 4th platformers giggle, and they even occasionally cuss! The cussing is excused though because they need to work it out and grow in their faith.
2nd Platform- An individual usually ascends to this platform around the 6th month to 1 year mark of their conversion. Cussing is no longer tolerated, but the Christian cuss is fully permited because those on the 5th level have deemed it appropriate. The Christians on this level have a unifying battle cry that goes something like this. "WE LOVE JESUS YES WE DO, WE LOVE JESUS HOW BOUT YOU?"
3rd Platform- Now this platform is the first of the commemorative mile-markers for at this platform one has achieved the rank of "Sunday School Teacher". Those in the lower three levels look up to this individual because, in all honesty, they want to stop cleaning the toilets and start preaching the word (it doesn't matter that it is to a bunch of 2 year olds). Besides they know too much Bible knowledge to be the one to replace urinal mints.
4th Platform- Two words, Youth Pastor! This is the spiritual giant that oversees those who dwell on the third platform....
Come back tomorrow to read Brandon's conclusion to "Old vs. Mature"
Please no hate mail until you let me finish tomorrow!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Thought of the Day- 3 February 2007
Iunderstand that the daily followers of this blog are probably freaking out right now or going to have doctor check them out (or both of the above) because they are thinking
I looked for his blog for the 3rd and it wasn't there, or was it?
So, before you go spending radiculous amounts of money on health care let me ease your mind. I missed a day. Gasp! I know, I know, you are all probably wondering How can someone so perfect miss a day of bloging? Or maybe you're not thinking that at all. What you are thinking really doesn't matter right now, what matters is that my body is in pain!
I was supposed to talk about Love today but instead I am going to talk about pain. Not pain from love lost or emotional pain or anything like that at all. I am going to talk about good ol' "my body hurts like heck and I hate everyone" pain.
So here it goes. One story, one analogy, and one wrap-up statement.
I decided to go body boarding (working up into surfing) yesterday, a yesterday that followed two days of very diffucult weight lifting. Some of the waves were estimated by my roomate at 10-15 feet...that's big!
Analogy time- Have you ever seen a butcher, or your mother, or anyone who has hands take a meat tenderizer and just beat the snot out of a piece of meat?
Meat tenderizer=the waves
Meat=my body (it's a good cut of meat! haha)
Wrap-up statement
Pain Sucks! Yeah, that's it. No moral, no deeper meaning, just that...Pain sucks!
Oh yeah, one of the surfers wiped out within the first 5-10 minutes I was in the water and his board smacked me right in the face! He was cool though, he apologized all over himself. Of course I said it was no big deal...owwww.....I'm a man you know! In the pictures, the bump on my forehead is where I got hit (I put up the "tough" picture haha)
UGGHGHGHGHGHG...PAIN
Friday, February 2, 2007
Thought of the Day- 2 February 2007
So I am about to go do some Karaoke in like 5 minutes...this means that I wont be able to finish today's blog. Wait, before the weeping begins rest you troubled hearts-I will finish it in a couple of hours! Before you go into the full swing of your cold afternoon this beautful blog on love will be waiting a complete...check it out later.
Peace
Karaoke Time!
Sleep Time!!!!
So it is 3:16 AM right now and I just got back a few minutes ago! I must say, I had a really good time. The format and people truly brought a breath of fresh air. For the last couple of weeks people have been asking me if Iam going to "Skits" with them. Well, here is the deal...Skits is a bar that implements a US 20 dollar cover charge (once you get in it is unlimited drinks), so for someone who doesn't drink and likes to spend money on food this is a lot of money to dish out on a weekly basis (that is why I haven't!). Tonight I found my Skits. The Karaoke place, "Neway"! It is the same price as Skits, you get two non-alcoholic drinks with entry, and best of all it has an all you can eat buffet! Yeah, this thing has hotpot, sushi, soup, dessert, rice (we are in Asia!), etc.
So tonight I was able to hang out with students from all over the world, individuals who I am trying to build relationships with, I was able to show the world how I am truly a "lyrical assassin", and I left with a full stomache! On top of all this, people are actually going to remember it tomorrow...unless they decide to get drunk later.
That said, I will not be addressing love this fine evening/morning for I, Shaekspear, am far to tired and when addressing love I want to be at my finest. Tomorrow, ladies, I will write on love...right after I get back from surfing (10 AM)!
Peace
Karaoke Time!
Sleep Time!!!!
So it is 3:16 AM right now and I just got back a few minutes ago! I must say, I had a really good time. The format and people truly brought a breath of fresh air. For the last couple of weeks people have been asking me if Iam going to "Skits" with them. Well, here is the deal...Skits is a bar that implements a US 20 dollar cover charge (once you get in it is unlimited drinks), so for someone who doesn't drink and likes to spend money on food this is a lot of money to dish out on a weekly basis (that is why I haven't!). Tonight I found my Skits. The Karaoke place, "Neway"! It is the same price as Skits, you get two non-alcoholic drinks with entry, and best of all it has an all you can eat buffet! Yeah, this thing has hotpot, sushi, soup, dessert, rice (we are in Asia!), etc.
So tonight I was able to hang out with students from all over the world, individuals who I am trying to build relationships with, I was able to show the world how I am truly a "lyrical assassin", and I left with a full stomache! On top of all this, people are actually going to remember it tomorrow...unless they decide to get drunk later.
That said, I will not be addressing love this fine evening/morning for I, Shaekspear, am far to tired and when addressing love I want to be at my finest. Tomorrow, ladies, I will write on love...right after I get back from surfing (10 AM)!
Lyrical Assassin
Thursday, February 1, 2007
January- lol
So that's it. That wraps up the month of January. Holy Smokes! It has flown by~! No more January posts. This is the last one. I better make it stink'n sweet....no pressure!
Alright, I think I have it....funny things that Asians say but probably don't mean to say them the way they come out, and interesting stuff that comes out exactly how they mean it to.
First the names!
So, it seems to me that a lot of Hong Kong and Mainland students have given themselves their own english names, or their parents are really, ummm.....uninformed.
Here they go (this list comes from several different people)
- Circle
- Square
- Angus (that was today)
- Raider
and the #1 name is........This one needs a story!!!!!!
An individual is taking attendance for a group of people
Individual: "Virginia...Is Virginia here"
Girl: "Virginia?"
Individual: "Yes, Virginia...are you Virginia?
Girl: "No, it is [a word that is sort of spelled like virginia and is a part of a woman's anatomy]"
WHAT THE!???? hahaha
Please don't reply in the comment box on what you think it is! I am trying to give the facts but keep it PG! haha
Next: The Words that sound a little different than the speaker intends
- Piece (sounds like Piss)
- LV [as in Louis V] (sounds like L We)
-Peanuts (yeah...this one sounds like a part of a male's anatomy)
I have quite a few more culture quirks but I'll save those for next time!
Thanks for Reading! Blessings
See you all next month
Alright, I think I have it....funny things that Asians say but probably don't mean to say them the way they come out, and interesting stuff that comes out exactly how they mean it to.
First the names!
So, it seems to me that a lot of Hong Kong and Mainland students have given themselves their own english names, or their parents are really, ummm.....uninformed.
Here they go (this list comes from several different people)
- Circle
- Square
- Angus (that was today)
- Raider
and the #1 name is........This one needs a story!!!!!!
An individual is taking attendance for a group of people
Individual: "Virginia...Is Virginia here"
Girl: "Virginia?"
Individual: "Yes, Virginia...are you Virginia?
Girl: "No, it is [a word that is sort of spelled like virginia and is a part of a woman's anatomy]"
WHAT THE!???? hahaha
Please don't reply in the comment box on what you think it is! I am trying to give the facts but keep it PG! haha
Next: The Words that sound a little different than the speaker intends
- Piece (sounds like Piss)
- LV [as in Louis V] (sounds like L We)
-Peanuts (yeah...this one sounds like a part of a male's anatomy)
I have quite a few more culture quirks but I'll save those for next time!
Thanks for Reading! Blessings
See you all next month
Keep it PG
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