incipiosermo.com

I just finished reading "The Gospel Reloaded" by Chris Seay and found it interesting and thought provoking. In fact, it has made me want to watch The Matrix again just to see it with deeper insights, understanding and appreciation. Previous to reading this book (about three months ago), I also read "The Gospel According to Tony Soprano" by Seay, which I found for $1.99 in the Chapter’s bargain section. It, too, was an interesting refection. I think both of these works constitutes and explains why I think just as much conversation, discussion and spiritual good can come out of the dialogue from any “secular” movie and TV show then the Christian alternatives. I think Christians should spend more time dialoguing about the movies people are seeing, even if they disagree with them. People see movies for a reason; they resonate with them. So as Christians, I think we can have more influence, and integrity for that matter, in our culture if we can talk honestly and intelligently about the movies people are seeing.

All of that too say, although some people despise books about movies or drawing spiritual conversations out of them, and granted it too can be taken to the extreme, it is an important part of our culture and I think and important part of our dialogue within it.

Labels: book review

As you may have noticed, this site has drastically changed. After doing an evaluation and review, most participants of this site have stated that they would rather read than contribute. So I have decided to consolidate the old www.incipiosermo.com site and my personal blog.

If you are interested in the archives from the previous version of incipiosemo.com, I have put them together in pdf format and you can download it here:

www.incipiosermo.com/pdf/July-Dec2005Archive.pdf

Thanks for all those who particiapted and please feel free to participate on my blog both by reading and making comments.

Labels: article

The following are the links for my past Newsletter Articles that were previously on my personal website:

Engaging Conversation By Asking Big Questions Series

• What are the power of words
• How much does fear control us
• What is our role in creation
• How are we to give
• Illusions of Fulfillment
  

What if's of Evangelism Series

• What If #2
• What If #3
• What If #4
• What If #5
• What If #7
• What If #9
• What If #10
• What If #11
• What If #12

Labels: article

I read an interesting news story today about how scientists have to adjust the world's atomic clock in order to account for actual time this year. In other words, 2006 comes a second later. I didn't know this before, but the world moves at a non-perfect, more organic, pace according to scientists (due to various reasons) and although the atomic clock is pretty much perfect, the earth is more organic and changes.

I found that reality interesting and comforting. As a follower of Jesus and one who believes God created the world, however he did it, it is comforting that God created it beyond our scientific measurements. Even though we may have designed and "perfected" the atomic clock, the world isn't that easy to understand or predict.

It is amazing to think God's creation is beyond our scientific measurement and we have to adjust our measurements to it.

P.S. In the Google Fight of Atomic Clock verses The Earth, The Earth wins by over 100 times the amount of Atomic Clock.

Labels: misc

Congratulations, you are a Jedi - guardian of peace
and justice in the Republic.

Star Wars - What would you be in the Star Wars universe?
brought to you by Quizilla

Labels: misc

I am not sure where to begin with this picture I found on the web. Someone has way too much time on their hands.

I guess by this guy's examination I am a promoter of Satan in my house because my kids believe in Santa. Too be honest we play along, just last night I was on the phone with Santa making sure my kid's lists were in. We also took them to see Satan (I mean Santa) at the mall, they sat one his lap and they got their pictures taken with him.

Now onto something more serious - I grew up believing in Santa, my dad made boot prints in the fireplace ashes and I loved it and still do. My dad showed how much he cared and loved us by making Christmas magical. Don't get me wrong, we still read the biblical Christmas story and as I grew up I understood why Santa wasn't real (I don't think I suffered psychological damage as a result - although others may disagree).

But let's get down to brass tacks... "Santa" may be "Satan" with the letters rearranged and a sign of commercialism at Christmas, but he is a simply product of the Coca-Cola company and not a vast conspiracy of Satanists (I actually think Satan is much more subtle and deceptive then that).

I think in some small way, I am teaching my kids something about wonder, imagination and belief. They still understand the nativity and we treat Christmas as an important part of our Christian faith and heritage, but I still think Santa is fun and my kids think it is fun. And this year they will get some gifts from Santa and I will eat the Christmas cookies and Coke they leave out and I try and make Christmas magical and meaningful.

And if you disagree, and before you get your shirt in a knot, think about all we celebrate and embrace, even in the most conservative of Christian homes, at Christmas that isn't that biblical. Christmas trees, gluttony, stockings, and even our nativity scenes with the Magi in it (they most likely arrived when Jesus was two rather then with the shepherds at the manger).

All of that being said...if someone or some family decides to boycott Santa, I respect that. But I have even more respect for someone who boycotts commercialism altogether at Christmas (Unless I usually get a gift from them - tongue and cheek).

P.S. Santa my list still includes: Xbox 360, $$$ for books, Ipod, and a Motorola Razer cell phone.
P.P.S. Santa demolishs Satan on Google Fight (258,000,000 to 13,900,000).

Labels: article

You have heard of Google Whacking, now check out Google Fighting.

This is hilarious and slightly addicting.

Labels: misc

Imagine working in this place...check out the website for more pictures...it is incredible.

VW factory pictures

This is the reason I will never afford to own a vw vehicle (I guess I'm stuck with my 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan - can you sense my enthusiasm). Could you imagine the maintanence budget to keep this place clean. However, it would be a cool place to work.

Labels: misc

This is something I am apart of in March. It will be fun and I am looking forward to hanging out with friends, meeting new friends, and talking all things Small Groups.

WEB LINK: 2006 Small Group Pastor's Deconference

Labels: misc

Which 24 Character are you?

Labels: misc

I just finished reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. It was a quick and interesting read and made me continue to think about my faith and working it out in our every changing world. I liked the book, not because it was profoundly challenging, but because it put some substance and articulation to a lot of what I have been already thinking about. Granted, there are things I don't agree with, which is fine, but for what it is, I think it is definitely worth the read. In terms of critique, I find some of his interpretations of scripture troubling...not necessarily the bad kind of "troubling"...just the "I never thought about it like that before and I need to find out more" kind of "troubling" (an example would be his interpretation of Binding and Loosing).

Labels: book review

So I rented Socom 3 and played it for three hours last night. It is fun and extremely better then Socom 2. Nothing beats running around pretending, like a kid, that I am the leader of a special military unit (Note: I am not the best military strategist. That is probably an understatement, as my teammates are rountinely killed under my command. As a result, I think I serve my country best by staying out of the military.).

Labels: misc

School is over and I finally get a reprieve from reading school assigned books and doing papers. I am looking forward to these next few days and being able to read books I want. I have several on the "to read" pile that I have been looking forward to and will no doubt make some comments on them in the bloggs to follow.

Labels: book review

So my guitar's been stolen...right out of my office. Crazy and bizzare and extremely annoying. When your office is broken into, it is more then just replacing your stuff - it is the feeling of being violated but what can you do - life will go on. The problem is, I have so much homework and studying to do before tomorrow that this is a distraction and annoyance I need like a whole in the head. One the positive side, I get to go guitar shopping and get a new guitar. But when you need it for Sunday and you don't have time to buy one before then, it makes it even more annoying. I guess I can always play air guitar - no one can steal that one and I would look cool on stage with my pretend guitar. P.S. Mike, I wish you were here you go guitar shopping with me.

Labels: misc

So on Saturday morning my oldest son Nathanial (he's five) and I (a bit older then five) went out to buy our Christmas tree. I thought I would give him the great responsibility of picking out the Christmas tree this year. Well, he picked the biggest tree we have ever had. It isn't just a little bigger but it is gigantic - it's HUGE. He is proud of it and I have to admit, although extremely large, it is a nice looking tree. I think from now on Nathanial is going to be our "tree selector extraordinaire."

Labels: misc