You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February, 2009.
My relationship with Pentecostalism has been strained at times. I grew up in the Lord in a pentecostal denomination and it was really the only type of church that I really knew. The problem was, I did not feel particularly “pentecostal”, more like a Baptist that spoke in tongues. Before coming to Fuller I was open to leaving it altogether and moving on to some other theological stream. But after a few quarters at Fuller the unthinkable happened, I found my fleeting Pentecostalism being affirmed and my comfort within the movement began to grow. Now I am in a place where I am actually proud to be pentecostal and have decided that this is were I fit best theologically.
One of the things that has helped me to arrive at this conclusion is a class that I am taking right now called Pentecostal and Charismatic History. It is a good class and I am learning a ton of random Pentecostal trivia that could come in useful at denominational events. For instance, the communist government in Russia actually supported and used the pentecostal movement to undermine the Russian Orthodox Church. This is not really a fact that is going to transform my life but it it fun to know.
This class has helped me to understand why the things that are so important to my denomination are actually important things. I have refrained from joining my particular denomination (as a pastor) for many years but getting this greater understanding of the denominations history removes my reticence to join, and even makes me a little excited to do so. It is amazing how just getting to know a little bit about where people are coming from can easily remove obstacles that at one point seemed utterly unmovable.
I love all sausage. If I were forced to choose, and I think I am, I would have to say that Chorizo is the king of all sausages.
I don’t understand how people can not like Disneyland. I think all the people that don’t like Disneyland should be rounded up and moved to central Wyoming. It would be really easy to avoid central Wyoming and that way all the disney haters could roam around being unhappy till they learn their lesson and allow themselves to love the magic of disney.
It was raining today and everything got wet.
Creep by Radiohead is not work appropriate. apparently.
I think Californians might be allergic to the rain. When it starts to rain they all run for cover like they are going to melt. Witches melt in the rain. All Californians must be witches.
Simon and Garfunkel are the greatest duo of all time. I dare you to think of any duo that even comes close. If you think you can name one let me know and I look forward to telling you why you are wrong.
In an attempt to blog more my blogs are becoming increasing random. At the beginning of the last sentence I intended to apologize for this randomness, but I have since realized that I am not sorry and I enjoy being semi-random.
Google Reader. Pure Awesome. When Erik told me about it I was skeptical, but then I tried it and now everything has changed. All these blog posts just get delivered to you like you are the king of Idaho and the entire world is at your feet. I can say that I have never experienced this height of luxury and I worry that I may never feel this level of excitement again.
The Welcome Wagon. Hymn Awesome. This is a group that I bought a while ago but just started listening too. it is really fun. They do some really old hymns and cover songs in a folkish way and it is nice and pleasing to the ears as well as uplifting to the soul.
Turning off the TV. Productivity Awesome. Apparently if you are not spending copious amounts of time watching TV you can do more productive things. Since I have been watching less TV I have found much more productive things to do like… write pointless blogs…surf the interwebs… sit and be contemplative. So maybe I am not more productive, but my time wasters are more varied, that is good right?
