I'm living in the Old Testament

I went to visit my dad Sunday night. He's building a second home on his property so he can move into it and tear down and then rebuild his main home. It's crazy. The new main home will have a gym and sauna and two offices, one with 250 degrees of views of the ocean. I can't believe we are related. It's seriously like the parables in the NT of the man who build a big house. My dad's house is being built solidly, (not on sand like the parable) but ultimately when it's all done, what will he have? A place to live that's not all that different than the current house. I'm not sure what to think. It's this huge investment in getting something customized to their taste, but it's simply not something I would invest that much money in. I can't believe how guilty I will feel sometimes when I spend an extra $15 at Ross and ijn comparison my dad is spending hordes of money on this new house. I don't really have an opinion on it yet, I'm still not sure if I think it's a good idea or not. But either way, it's happening.

Women and the Church and Me

So I've been having some thoughts. I'm currently without church. I'm significantly more worried about this than most of my friends, who I tell this to and they immediately say, but you've got so much church around you all the time. Which is true. I am not without friends, support, etc. If I tried to become a monk or a Buddhist, no doubt there would be a line at my front door. It seems as though as much as I try, my church comes to me, not the other way around.

Therefore, since I am without church, I'm on a quest looking for church. I've tried many. But mostly I run into some main problems. One, women are not allowed to teach. (Hence, they probably won't be psyched that I'm going to seminary or psyched to help me grow into pastoring.) Two, they have some crazy beliefs. Like they think God wants us to be rich. Or they think women should read books like: "Biblical Womanhood In the Home." Hm, that's not very subtle. Are you sensing a theme here? I'm not sure what to do.

Was RockHarbor okay with women pastoring? I think so. And for some ways that they stuck to conservative interpretations on things like communion, that's a little hermeneutical leap they took on women. What with us being half the human race, I'm glad they jumped. A happy leap for me. But alas, I'm looking for some churches around here that will take the leap. And I'm afraid all I'll find is ones where I'm shamed for taking up a perfectly good spot a man could have in seminary. Boo.

5 things you should know

1. If you're going to be counseling anyone, anywhere it is imperative that you attend at least 10 counseling sessions yourself.

2. Never, and I mean NEVER try to drive and Blackberry at the same time. It is very dangerous.

3. Unicorns are never extinct in your imagination.

4. Coffee is good for the brain and the soul.

5. Que-sa-dilla is NOT Spanish for "What's the deal?!"

Now it's your turn...tell me 5 things I should know...:)

Icing

When I was younger, pretty much up until now, I never liked icing. I barely liked cake. But I loved pie. It is an intelligent dessert that has chosen crust on top instead of icing and I strongly approve that choice.

I typically have sad birthdays. There are a few reasons for this. One, it's June 19th. Everyone has gone home from college, or school has just let out for the summer. Two, it's hot. Three, it either falls on or very near Father's Day. Four, they don't really move all the graduations around to accommodate my birthday. (They obviously didn't consult me before creating the traditional school year.)

All of which makes it a little difficult to try and celebrate the day I was born. HOWEVER...(that's a big however...) this year was spectacular. So many good things and doodads came my way.

And the icing was a free ticket to see the Police...and Five Crowns..
And I discovered what is so delectable about icing...Icing is a heavenly substance.
It's what you get when you mix sugar and magic and it's what God gives you when your cupcake just can't hold any more goodness. He just smears icing all over the top.

Life is deliciously good...it's a wonder I don't use more food metaphors in most of my writing since my first book was all about the wonder of food.