Sojourner's Jaunt

Halo

2006-09-07T21:08:00.000-07:00

So the new Halo preview has been out for a while. After reading Fall of Reach and The Flood, I have faithfully renewed my dedication to this cocaine of a game. After reading these, and working on First Strike I have eagerly played the first Halo, started Halo 2 (for the umpteenth time) and dutifully searched for more Halo 3 previews. These are all I could find at the time, but it sure is pretty!

P.S. Read these books even if you don't like the game. Fall of Reach is one of the most engaging fiction books I have read in a long time. I-like-it-a-lot.

Abdominals...

2006-09-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow I set out to Houston for a Kung Fu Tournament. More than likely I won't do so hot, but the potential to learn is awesome. It's funny because I'm starting to get a little nervous-this being my first competition and all since I was in elementary. I don't know much about this circuit of martial arts and my Sifu (teacher) says the "Kung Fu" tournament is relatively new and inconsistent in judging... So this is kind of a blind journey. I may be able to link a YouTube video of our performances afterwards.

The main thing I'm trying to keep in mind is that I've improved simply preparing for this, and after experiencing the competition, perhaps I will be able to take something away to improve even more! Yeah, that's the idea, in theory anyway.

Sure wish I had abs like this guy...

Rocky's Back

2006-09-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

It was just recently voted upon that the statue of Rocky Balboa should be returned to its appropriate designation. This comes after a league of "aesthetes" voted to have the statue removed from the steps of the art museum it formerly graced. My guess is that frustrated visitors and Rocky fanatics had a little to say when they made a trip to Philly and found no Rocky. That more than likely dropped the commissions given to the art museum as well. Yo, Adrienne, he did it! He did it again!

All My Road Before Me

2006-08-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

C. S. Lewis (or 'Jack' Lewis as he was so called) is chronicled in a publication called "All My Road Before Me". This is an entertaining book! It is Lewis' diary recorded between 1922 and 1927 (and I don't mind telling you the first few years are almost scandalous!).

All his personal writings were scripted in the prefatory years leading up to his salvation. There is no actual log of his salvation, however you can start to notice the changes in his attitude after about 1923. His demeanor and sensitivity start to surface while his cynicism and frustration start to ebb.

Judging from his earlier writings, one would never have guessed he would become one of the greatest Christian philosophers of our modern era. That goes to show that God knows what He is doing.

You're Cutting Off The Circulation

2006-08-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of days I've been realizing how little I actually do for God. I mean, really, whenever I don't want to do something charitable because it is an inconvenience or I don't want to lose something important I am acting selfish. At this point in my walk I feel so puerile, like a child that won't give up his toys.

"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal."

-John 12:25

In the most extreme circumstances this would mean you would be willing to sacrifice you life for a Godly purpose: Mission work in a hostile country or seeking a lost sheep in a bad neighborhood. These are the things that separate Christians from non-believers, that we hold our possessions, our lives, so loosely that we allow the Spirit to lead us in supernatural grace and servitude. Can't you see it? Armies of Christians that keep judgment day in sight at all times...

"Hello child, I see you have done many selfish things, shameful things. But then I see this. Tell me about this journey in a dangerous neighborhood."

"Well Lord, I realize how selfish I have been. I've held so tightly to things that weren't even mine. You gave me life and I acted like it was mine to keep. So I went into that neighborhood to help my brother and my sister who were in need. I came to my senses. I figured since you may decide to take my life away, why not put my life on the line for something worth dying for."

...with that kind of attitude we could really make an impact on society. When you let go of your life, prepare yourself to go at any second, that is when you truly start to live. And what a good life we can have when we keep The Circulation from being choked off.

Way Out There

2006-08-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

I saw this article about redefining the planets, if they can be so called, in our solar system. I find this a wonderful exhibition of how great God is. What's more, I read some scripture this morning that I found profound and decided to dwell on it for the day... and then I find this article!

Scientists have long debated what the definition of a planet is. Since the discovery of Pluto in 1930 scientists have stated that there are nine planets revolving in our solar system. Recently a large mass has been discovered dubbed "2003 UB313" or "Xena" for short. Why the debate? Well, apparently Xena is approximately 70 miles greater than Pluto. I love the way the article describes the debate:

Some argue that if Pluto kept its crown, Xena should be the 10th planet by
default; it is, after all, bigger. Purists maintain that there are only eight
traditional planets, and insist Pluto and Xena are poseurs."

Poor Pluto. The scripture I referred to above is from Isaiah 55:9 and reads, "For just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans."

I find amusement imagining God up there with an observant grin as earth's scientists are thrown into a quagmire over something that He already knew existed, simply because He created it. That is awesome, in the purest sense of the word.

I Ain't Got No Body

2006-08-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

Driving home today I heard a report on a controversial exhibit named "Body Worlds". A certain Dr. Gunther von Hagen seems to have invented a process called plastination in which he takes cadavers and injects them with silicon. A press release says the following:

The original Renaissance man has inspired generations of scientists and inventors after him including Dr. Gunther von Hagens. 'He is for me and for so many scientists, a spiritual father. His way of looking at the world and everything in it, allowed him to ponder the unseen and bring it to life refracted through his own imagination,' said Dr. von Hagens, who has referenced several of da Vinci's anatomical drawings in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions and strives for the heightened aesthetics of the Master."

The controversy emanates from the question, "Who was this person? What is their story?" Dr. Gunther von Hagens has approximately 200 death certificates and documents granting him permission from the body's former inhabitant to use their corpses. One problem is there are no public documents linking the documents to the actual bodies on display. The only link given is his word. The other problem is the documents grant permission for plastination, not for public display or private profit.

There are other exhibits that include bodies formally belonging to executed criminals, mental patients, and Chinese political offenders. Dr. von Hagen denies any relative means of reception.

Now for the commentary. I'm confused as to what Dr. von Hagen is trying to achieve with this exhibit. Art for everyone to see? Science for everyone to study? Does he just want everyone to see he can preserve bodies?

That's all good, but he is profiting from bodies that were donated expecting to be used for scientific study. I'm sure those who consented were expecting to be shipped for study to Oxford or Harvard, but now they are spectacles. Perhaps the most offensive attribute of this exhibit is how the bodies are modeled. There is a body skateboarding, a body playing basketball, and even one riding a stripped horse. To be placed in a position where kids can laugh at how funny the marionettes were arranged by their puppet master seems to be a far cry from a prestigious medical study...but that's just me.

TV or Not TV: That is the Question

2006-08-11T14:38:00.000-07:00

So now a great dilemma has occurred: Do I purchase a highly affordable cable plan or do I pass. I have just fixed my way into reading as a source of relaxing coupled with the perennial Gilmore Girl DVD's (the little lady's influence, of course). Let us consider the benefits of Cable TV...

History Channel
Discovery Channel
Several News Channels
Better Local Channel Reception
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network

That's a weighty list. Now the cons of owning Cable TV...

TV constantly running (and I have it running at work too)
Less productivity
Gradually increasing belt size
Wife constantly tuned into Food Network
Struggling for anything but the Food Network
Constantly in fault for changing channel from Food Network
Additional bill to Blockbuster Online
Almost no reading or quiet, relaxing evenings

If anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. Until then, I shall remain at an impasse.

So Close, Yet so Far Away

2006-08-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Mel Gibson: American movie star. Quoted "Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: President of Iran. Stated Israel should be "wiped off the map".

How do we react? I personally don't mind if someone holds Gibson accountable, but I have heard many people condemn him and condemn Israel for attacking the Iranian supported Hezbollah. So why do some condemn a drunk man for discourteous remarks about God's people and with the same breath remonstrate Israel for fighting a sober militant group with ties to a government that wants them annihilated?

Israel is trying its best to be surgical in its attacks while Hezbollah has missiles that hit randomly across Israel. Similarly we can forgive terrorists for their acts or at least negotiate with them and adversely we can not show a man who admitted his wrong and was inebriated for snide remarks.

The point? Lady Justice's twin: Moral Justice. She has a scale that seems to be tipping at odds with itself. Thank God we are free and have a prerogative to believe what we wish, but we owe Him the thanks of using that gift wisely and without favoritism (especially to 'get back' at a certain national incumbent for taking a conflict from our grounds and putting it into our enemies home front).

Yes...that does irk me. I'll try to think of something a little more uplifting next time.

Isn't it Ironic, Don'cha Think?

2006-08-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

I would like to propose a new definition of irony: some one who practices martial arts, yet is completely a pacifist. There it is. I enjoy the work outs involved and the camaraderie, even the sparring, however I've never been in a fight nor do I plan to get into one. Some call this cowardice, I'd like to believe it is the ultimate understanding of martial arts (that way I feel more noble).

Another element is my belief system. I adhere strictly to the "turn the other cheek" rule. It really is easy to get angry and throw a punch, but here's some food for thought: anger is a selfish expression of an unstable aggravation. Every day someone will make confrontation with another and will yell-what is the initial reaction? The recipient will dig their heels in and refuse to budge in the argument. Now sometimes they will eat crow, but we're talking about initial reaction. Nobody wants to reward puerile behavior.

This is what Solomon spoke of when he said:

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of
fools spreads folly.

-Proverbs 15:12

Genesis

2006-08-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

So, my first blog. This is a break through for someone suffering from "behind the times" syndrome. I owe this mile marker to Jonathon Blundell, the progressive techno-savvy...guy. He and Matt are two friends no one should be without.

First day and there is already big news about the spoiled plot of terriorists to destroy our airlines and our courage. I am curious how the worlds' response will result. One thing is for sure: I am glad we have such great allies and strategic programs in place. They really paid off.