Theology Evolved?

I love my fiance Karina very much, as a matter of fact on March 1st, I get to start calling her my wife. This is extreeeeeeeemly exciting. Notice the extra e's... indicates intensity.

I was thinking about the many reasons I don't deserve her, which are to numerous to list. And I was also thinking of the ways she is absolutely the perfect counterpart to me. Because let's face it, I am a very insecure guy a lot of the time. I am unsure, and not always quick to make decisions, or sometimes get panicky about decisions I did make.

Karina supports me, and is quick to point out the strengths of good decisions that I have made, and also is willing to help me learn from poor decisions I have also made. That honesty is amazing to me.

Karina pushes me to lead even when I feel tentative about taking the reins on things, she believes in me even when I don't.

She loves me despite my sins of the past, and my blunders of today, knowing that I will screw up in the future from time to time too.

And in whatever I do, she does more than just give me a kiss on the cheek and a hug wishing me luck, she wants to be a part of it! She wants to stand by my side, encourage and give ideas.

Of all the people in the world who deserve a shout out, she is on the top of that list.

I love you baby,

Zach

And take on the mantle of those who came before them.


Seriously after watching the video below I had a serious case of goosebumps. The video is from Sunridge Community Church and of my mentor Rich Kirkpatrick accompanying his daughter Emilie as she led Billy Foote's "You Are My King."



How amazing is it, to see a 13 years old young lady singing with such power and depth. When she wins American Idol 4-5 years from now I will be able to say, "I say at her table and ate Panda Express with her and her family." Or something ridiculous like that. Head over to Rich's Blog and tell him what you think please, give the girl some props not for the guts to sing like that, but for her God given talent and gift.

Thanks for joining my in standing in awe.

Zach

I kinda laugh because I end up googling around, and these sites all pop up listing all the biblical reasons why Christians should not do anything listed above.

I have a very basic reason for all those listed.


They are illegal. That is right against the law. And hence you should not do them. The sites, I read, did not list this as a reason. Ridiculous.

Yes, this was a rant blog.


Thanks for putting up with my momentary lapses in intelligent blogging. And theirs.

Zach

I have been thinking of the Reactions of Christians to anything that defies Christ, Christianity, etc...

And usually these reactions that make it to my ears and eyes are through the media, or a blog, which is usually spawned from something from the Media. In this case I am thinking more specifically of the realm of Fantasy Novels and their friction with the Christian mainstream.

When Harry Potter came out, I think many can remember the outrage, picketing, etc... of the Christian community towards this very "satanical literature" which would lead children to flying around on broom sticks and playing aerieal rugby. There was not a lot of kindness to be shared.

Likewise now with Philip Pullman's books His Dark Materials trilogy, and the movie "The Golden Compass." The movement is beginning.

When I hear these things I think of the Garden where Judas brought about the capture of Jesus. When the soldiers came forward to take Jesus, Simon Peter cut off a man's ear with his sword. Jesus promptly reattached the ear and pointed out that this was his duty to handle.

Likewise when someone asks if we are Christians, often time the mainstream answer is to play it off, or sometimes even deny, or makeup another name for what we are. Similar to Peter when he denied Christ three times.

All this to say, I think Peter was the best choice to be the rock of the church, because I think he represents both the positives and the negatives of humanity trying to follow Christ. From the zealousy of defending the faith, to being timid when unsure of how to be a Christian to a stranger.

So take faith Christians, remember in the end it is Christ's fight, and do not worry if you screw up with being faithful to him, he is faithful and just to forgive.

Thanks again for listening,

Zach

Often in life and more recently in my time bar-tending at the Bistro, the conversations will lead to why the heck a guy like me from Portland is living in Redding, and thent hey find out I got my degree, and what it is, and this eventually leads to some statement about somebody feels a bit burned, and overall cynical of institutions either run by Christians, or made up of Christians, or proclaiming itself to be an ambassador of Christianity. My reply is usually the same, that I am sorry to feel that way, and hope eventually those feelings fade away. But lately I have been thinking about those people, and how actually, I am both not surprised, and even a bit happy that they came away thinking this way.

That being said, this is a great way to find out how you perceive Christianity.

I mean if you think about it, you can do what I did, go to a private Christian institute of higher education, and be immersed in a world of Christians who are all at very different stages in their Christian walk, you can watch the rise and fall of those thought on the outside to be more righteous than others, or observe the dirty underbelly of Christianity not revealed in tracks and glossy brochures of a politically correct, multi-ethnic group of students, smiling and inviting you to join them. This dirty underbelly being comprised of something called.... brace yourself: Humanity. Yes that group of uncouth, degenerate sinners, who have no right to embrace that which is perfect and pure. Yep, that's right humans. You, me, Ugly Betty, all saved by grace, but still all prone to sin, nobody's perfect. What?!? Yup another heresy, we are not perfect.

So I kinda like that people walk away with their beautiful idealistic image of Christians skipping through a field being turned into something not as pretty. Maybe a war-zone, maybe Wall Street, maybe Skid Row. This can allow them to perhaps take a step to seeing Christianity as a bunch of people, who do not deserve to clean up the non-existent snot in heaven, to be viewed as a bunch of people trying so hard, but not always all the time, and not always in perfect fashion to follow Christ. And to realize they too are one of those people.

Thanks for listening again,

Zach

Yah, past couple of days have been kinda rough. Got sick at work, more sick on the drive home. More sick after I got home. Whole lot of not great going on. Good news though it appears to be only a 24 hr thing because I ate a cheese burger earlier and I am still alive.

So I remember when I started blogging I got a few head starts and encouraging words, and I just want to spread the love. So I am adding a new sidebar dedicated to infant bloggers. So head over to Wondergrove today and give some support and encouragement, let them know the blogging community is there to support!