His Story: Loose Change to Loosen Chains

My Must See Summer 2008 Movies

With the release of "Prince Caspian", the summer blockbuster season officially began for me. Seeing that it get's really hard to have a night away from the kids for Beth and I to have a date night, we'll probably only see 3 or 4 of these in the theater. Below is my list of the top movies that are must see for me.

1) The Happening (M. Night Shyamalan, need I say more?)
2) The Dark Knight (After M. Night, the Nolan brothers are my favorite writers/directors)
3) The Incredible Hulk (Name me a bad Edward Norton movie, plus we need something to erase the memory of the last Hulk movie)
4) Prince Caspian (Lion, witch and wardrobe was great, this is suppose to be better)
5) Indiana Jones (Can my childhood hero live up to my childhood memories)
6) Step Brothers (Go watch the trailer for Will Ferrell's newest film and you'll see why it's top 10)
7) Hancock (As with # 3, name me a bad Will Smith movie)
8) Get Smart (Steve Carrell = Funny stuff)
9) The Mummy 3 (We'll just forget Scorpion King ever happened)
10) Tropic Thunder (Ben Stiller making a movie-within-a-movie comedy about the Vietnam War - how can that miss?)

His Story II: New Nooma Video Preview "Shells"

From now until Wednesday, Nooma is offering a free preview of their newest video on facebook. You can check it out here: NOOMA's Videos: NOOMA Shells 020 Rob Bell Facebook

His Story: Ministry or Job?

My friend Sam sent this to me. I think it's something good to ponder on...

"Is it a Ministry or Just a Job?"

If you are doing it because no one else will, it's a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry.
If you are doing it just well enough to get by, it's a job.
If you are doing it to the best of your ability, it's a ministry.
If you will do it only so long as it doesn't interfere with other activities, it's a job.
If you are committed to staying with it, even when it means letting go of other things, it's a ministry.
If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it was a job.
If you stay with it even when no one seems to notice, it's a ministry.
If you do it because someone else says it needs to be done, it's a job.
If you do it because you are convinced it needs to be done, it's a ministry.

It is hard to get excited about a job. It is almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry. People may say, "Well done," when you do your job. The Lord will say, "Well done," when you complete your ministry. An average church is filled with people doing jobs. A great church is filled with people involved in ministry.

As I read this I poem I thought about the above scripture that we are all a part of the body with our own unique gifts and talents given by our Lord. We can use these gifts and talents in many ways, but are we using them as a job or a ministry? Are we using them out of obligation or out of an unexplainable passion? I was reminded once again of this great quote on passion.

“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive!” -Gil Baillie

I am taking the liberty to change it just slightly to prompt our thinking; “Don't ask yourself what the church needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the church needs is people who have come alive (in ministry)!”

Not sure? Ask God to awaken the passions He created you with and use them to serve in His calling in your life!

My Seinfeld Season 2 Quotes

George: I think I swallowed a fly! I swallowed a fly! What do I do? What can happen?

Jerry: He's a doctor. You gotta pay what he says.
George: Oh, no, no, no. I pay what I say.

George: I think you absolutely have to say something to this guy. Confront him.
Elaine: Really?
George: Yes.
Elaine: Would you do that?
George: If I was a different person.

Elaine: Did you get a haircut?
Jerry: Nope. Shower.

Elaine: You're a little homophobic aren't ya?
George: Is it that obvious?

Jerry: I hate anybody who had a pony growing up.
Manya: I had a pony!
Jerry: Well, I didn't mean a pony per se…
Manya: When I was a little girl in Poland, we all had ponies. My sister had pony, my cousin had pony. So, what's wrong with that?
Jerry: Nothing. Nothing at all. I was just expressing…
Helen: Should we have coffee? Who's having coffee?
Manya: He was a beautiful pony. And I loved him!
Jerry: Well, I'm sure you did. Who wouldn't love a pony? Who wouldn't love a person who had a pony?
Manya: You! You said so!

(George, Jerry and Elaine are sitting at a table. Jerry and George are wearing baseball uniforms.)
George: Who gets picked off in softball? It's unheard of.
Jerry: It's never happened to me before.
Elaine: I remember saying to myself, "Why is Jerry so far off the base?"
Jerry: I'll have to live with this shame for the rest of my life.
(George consults his stat sheet of the game)
George: And then in the fifth inning, why did you take off on the pop fly?
Jerry: I thought there were two outs.
Elaine: I couldn't believe it when I saw you running. (laughing) I thought maybe they had changed the rules or something.
Jerry: It was the single worst moment of my life.
George: What about Sharon Besser?
Jerry: Oh, well, of course. Nineteen seventy three.
Elaine: Makes you wonder, though, doesn't it?
Jerry: Wonder about what?
Elaine: You know… (looking up) the spirit world.
Jerry: You think Manya showed up during the game and put a hex on me?
Elaine: I never saw anyone play like that.
Jerry: But I went to the funeral.
Elaine: Yeah, but that doesn't make up for killing her.
George: Maybe Manya missed the funeral because she was off visiting another galaxy that day.
Jerry: Don't you think she would've heard I was there?
George: Not necessarily.
(pause)
Jerry: Who figures an immigrant's gonna have a pony?
(Elaine laughs)

George: I cannot envision any circumstance in which I’ll ever have the opportunity to have sex again. How’s it gonna happen? I just don’t see how it could occur.

George: I just don't see what purpose is it going to serve your going? I mean, you think dead people care who's at the funeral? They don't even know they're having a funeral. It's not like she's hanging out in the back going, "I can't believe Jerry didn't show up".
Elaine: Maybe she's there in spirit. How about that?
George: If you're a spirit, and you can travel to other dimensions and galaxies, and find out the mysteries of the universe, you think she's going to want to hang around Drexler's funeral home on Ocean Parkway?

Jerry: I had a leather jacket that got ruined. Now, why does moisture ruin leather? I don't get this. Aren't cows outside most of the time? I don't understand it. When it's raining do cows go up to the farmhouse, "Let us in, we're all wearing leather. Open the door! We're gonna ruin the whole outfit here!" "Is it suede?" "I am suede, the whole thing is suede, I can't have this cleaned. It's all I got!"

George: And I'll tell you something else, I'm not even going to ask you. I want to know. But I'm not gonna ask. You'll tell me when you feel comfortable. So what was it? Four hundred? Five hundred? Did you pay five hundred for this? (Jerry coyly ignores George's questions, while George grows increasingly serious.) Over six? Can't be seven. Don't tell me you paid seven hundred dollars for this jacket! Did you pay seven hundred dollars for this jacket? Is that what you're saying to me? You are sick! Is that what you paid for this jacket? Over seven hundred? What did you pay for this jacket? I won't say anything. I wanna know what you paid for this jacket! Oh my God! A thousand dollars? You paid a thousand dollars for this jacket? All right, fine. (George heads for the door) I'm walking outta here right now thinking you paid a thousand dollars for this jacket, unless you tell me different. (Jerry remains silent) Oh, ho! All right! I'll tell you what, if you don't say anything in the next five seconds, I'll know it was over a thousand.

George: I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed Fair Game. I thought it was just brilliant.
Mr. Benes: Drivel.
George: Maybe some parts.
Mr. Benes: What parts?
George: The drivel parts.

Jerry: This jacket has completely changed my life.
George: Can I say one thing to you? And I say this with an unblemished record of staunched heterosexuality. It’s fabulous.

Mr. Benes: We had a funny guy with us in Korea. Tailgunner. They blew his brains out all over the Pacific… There's nothing funny about that.

George: Instead of doing a wash, I just keep buying underwear. My goal is to have over 360 pair. That way I only have to do wash once a year.

Elaine: (to George) I don't know what your parents did to you.

Jerry: I love my phone machine. I wish I was a phone machine. I wish if I saw somebody on the street I didn't want to talk to, I could go, "Excuse me; I'm not in right now. If you would just leave a message, I could walk away." I also have a cordless phone, but I don't like that as much, because you can't slam down a cordless phone. You get mad at somebody on a real phone – "You can't talk to me like that!" Bang! You know. You get mad at somebody on a cordless phone – "You can't talk to me like that!" (Jerry searches for the 'off' button on his mimed phone, and presses it feebly, in a comedic sort of way) "I told him!"

Jerry: I'm lactose intolerant. I have no tolerance for lactose… and I won't stand for it!

Donna: I asked some friends of mine this week, and all of them liked the commercial.
Jerry: (sarcastic) Boy, I bet you got a regular Algonquin round table there.

Jerry: Well, I painted my apartment again. I've been living in this apartment for years and years, and every time I paint it, it kinda gets me down. I look around, and I think, well, it's a little bit smaller now. You know, I realize it's just the thickness of the paint, but I'm aware of it. It just coming in and coming in. Every time I paint it, it's closer and closer. I don't even know where the wall outlets are anymore. I just look for like a lump with two slots in it. Kinda looks like a pig is trying to push his way through from the other side. That's where I plug in. My idea of the perfect living room would be the bridge on the Starship Enterprise. You know what I mean? Big chair, nice screen, remote control… That's why Star Trek really was the ultimate male fantasy. Just hurtling through space in your living room, watching TV. That's why all the aliens were always dropping in, because Kirk was the only one that had the big screen. They came over Friday nights, Klingon boxing, gotta be there.

Jerry: People don't turn down money! It's what separates us from the animals.

Harold: (to Manny) I told you I don't like these sponges -- they're too small! I want a big sponge! You can't pick up anything with these! There's no absorption!

Jerry: You know, I used to think that the universe is a random, chaotic, sequence of meaningless events, but I see now that there is reason and purpose to all things.
George: What happened to you?
Jerry: Religion, my friend, that's what happened to me.

Jerry: (to Rava) So, where's this boyfriend of yours? I can't wait much longer. I've got a flight.
Elaine: Oh, probably caught in traffic.
Rava: Or maybe he's dead.
Jerry: So what do you write, children's books?

George: Students can't clean. It's anathema. (explaining) They don't like it.
Jerry: How long have you been waiting to squeeze that into a conversation?

George: When I was ten years old, my parents had this very same statue on the mantle of our apartment. Exactly, and, one day, I grabbed it, and I was using it as a microphone. I was singing, "MacArthur Park", and I got to the part about, "I'll never have that recipe again," and it slipped out of my hand and it broke. My parents looked at me like I smashed the Ten Commandments. To this day, they bring it up. It was the single most damaging experience in my life, aside from seeing my father naked.

Jerry: (to Kramer) You're like Lex Luthor!

George: I'm emotional!
Jerry: That's right. You're emotional!

George: I like sports. I could do something in sports.
Jerry: Uh-huh. Uh-huh. In what capacity?
George: You know, like the general manager of a baseball team or something.
Jerry: Yeah. Well, that - that could be tough to get.
George: Well, it doesn't even have to be the general manager. Maybe I could be like, an announcer. Like a colour man. You know how I always make those interesting comments during the game.
Jerry: Yeah. Yeah. You make good comments.
George: What about that?
Jerry: Well, they tend to give those jobs to ex-ballplayers and people that are, you know, in broadcasting.
George: Well, that's really not fair.
Jerry: I know. Well, okay. Okay. What else do you like?
George: Movies. I like to watch movies.
Jerry: Yeah. Yeah.
George: Do they pay people to watch movies?
Jerry: Projectionists.
George: That's true.
Jerry: But you gotta know how to work the projector.
George: Right.
Jerry: And it's probably a union thing.
George: (scoffs) Those unions. (sighs) Okay. Sports, movies… what about a talk show host?
Jerry: Talk show host. That's good.
George: I think I'd be good at that. I talk to people all the time. Someone even told me once they thought I'd be a good talk show host.
Jerry: Really?
George: Yeah. A couple of people. I don't get that, though. Where do you start?
Jerry: Well, that's where it gets tricky.
George: You can't just walk into a building and say "I wanna be a talk show host".
Jerry: I wouldn't think so.
George: It's all politics.
Jerry: All right, okay. Sports, movies, talk show host. What else?
George: This could have been a huge mistake.
Jerry: Well, it doesn't sound like you completely thought this through.

Jerry: That's it! Flaming globes of Sigmund! Flaming globes of Sigmund! That's my note! That's what I thought was so funny? That's not funny. There's nothing funny about that.

Elaine: A kiss? With the tongue? The glossa with the bumps and the papillae? Yuck, I don't think so.

Jerry: Couch grass and cramp bark? You know, I think that's what killed Curly.

George: Why can't I have a heart attack? I'm allowed.

Jerry: (reading his note) 'Fax me some halibut.' Is that funny? Is that a joke?

Jerry: (about Elaine's birthday) What did you end up getting her?
George (irritated): $91.
Jerry: Yeah, sorry about that.

Kramer: Man, it's the nineties…it's Hammer time!

George: Someday, before I die, mark my words… I'm gonna tell that woman exactly what I think of her. I'll never be able to forgive myself until I do.
Jerry: And if you do?
George: I still won't be able to forgive myself, but at least it won't be about this.

Jerry: Explain to me how this baby shower thing works.
Elaine: What do you wanna know?
Jerry: Well, I mean, does it ever erupt into a drunken orgy of violence?
Elaine: Rarely.

George: Every woman on the face of the Earth has complete control of my life and yet, I want them all. Is that irony?

Jerry: Sometimes the road less travelled is less travelled for a reason.

Elaine: Remember when you first went out to eat with your parents? Remember, it was such a treat. You go and they serve you this different food that you never saw before. They put it in front of you and it was such a delicious and exciting adventure… and now I just feel like a big sweaty hog waiting for them to fill up the trough.

George: If anything happens here can I count on you?
Jerry: What?
George: If we decide to go at it.
Jerry: Yeah, I want to get into a rumble.

Elaine: You ever notice how happy people are when they finally get a table? They feel so special because they’ve been chosen. It's enough to make you SICK!!
Jerry: Boy. You are REALLY hungry.

(After the restaurant owner makes George miss Tatiana's phone call.)
George: She called. He yelled 'Cartwright'. I missed her.
Jerry: Who's Cartwright?
George: (pause)...I'm Cartwright.
Jerry: You're not Cartwright.
George: OF COURSE I'M NOT CARTWRIGHT!

George: The only excuse she might possibly have accepted is if I told her I am in reality Batman, and I’m very sorry I just saw the Bat-signal!

Kramer: Cats run away all the time. You know, my aunt, she had a cat. Ran away. Showed up three years later. You never know. They've got things in their brains where they remember where they're from. Unless, of course, somebody else starts feeding him. See, that's what you've gotta worry about.

Jerry: Anywhere in the city?
George: Anywhere in the city - I'll tell you the best public toilet.
Jerry: Okay… Fifty-fourth and Sixth?
George: Sperry Rand Building. 14th floor, Morgan Apparel. Mention my name - she'll give you the key.
Jerry: Alright… Sixty-fifth and Tenth.
George: (Scoffs) Are you kidding? Lincoln Center. Alice Tully Hall, the Met. Magnificent facilities.

Elaine: I never knew I could drive like that. I was going faster than I've ever gone before, and yet, it all seemed to be happening in slow motion. I was seeing three and four moves ahead, weaving in and out of lanes like an Olympic skier on a gold medal run. I knew I was challenging the very laws of physics. At Queens Boulevard, I took the shoulder. At Jewel Avenue, I used the median. I had it. I was there. And then, I hit the Van Wyck. They say no one's ever beaten the Van Wyck, but gentlemen, I tell you this… I came as close as anyone ever has. And if it hadn't been for that five-car pile-up on Rockaway Boulevard, that numbskull would be on a plane for Seattle right now instead of looking for a parking space downstairs.

Elaine: If I don't get this guy on a plane to Seattle and out of my life, I'm gonna kill him, and everyone who tries to stop me.

Jerry: Are you still using that same old alarm clock?
Elaine: Oh no no, I bought a new one today. It’s got everything! You oversleep more than ten minutes, a hand comes out and slaps you in the face.

My Office Quotes: Goodbye, Toby (Plus my thoughts on the Finale and Office Spin-off news)

After a subpar season of The Office (I'll blame the writers strike for that), last nights season four finale was not only the best Office finale yet but one of their best episodes ever. From the awkwardness, gut wrenching conversations and situations, to the many surprise twist and the multiple story lines being set up for season five, there is no way the writers could have pulled off any better of an episode. Well done!! 4 Stars!

Spin-Off News
NBC has confirmed that there will be an Office Spin-off show debuting next season. The current thought it is will begin after the Superbowl. Here is the NBC link http://www.nbc.com/Primetime/The_Office_Spin-Off/index.shtml

Now to the quotes...

Michael Scott: Today is Toby Flenderson's last day. I couldn't sleep last night. [cuts to clips of Michael dancing around the empty office] I came in extra early, so much energy. There's certain days that you know you will remember for the rest of your life. And I just have a feeling that today is one of those days.

Jim Halpert: [after Jim paired his headset with Dwight's cell phone] Hello this is Dwight.
Pam Beesly: [over the phone] Hello is this Dwight?
Jim Halpert: Yes it is.
Pam Beesly: Oh my goodness you sound sexy.
Jim Halpert: Oh, thank you. I've been working out.
Dwight Schrute: Woah woah woah! Pam! Pam! You are not talking to Dwight right now. You are talking to Jim.
Pam Beesly: [into phone] Dwight?
Dwight Schrute: No! [waving] I'm over here!
Pam Beesly: I'm confused.

Michael: You cheated on me? When I specifically told you not to?

Dwight: Hazing is a fun way to show a new employee that she is not welcome or liked.

Toby: Morning.
Michael: Mornin'. [to camera] So here we go, just a matter of hours now, until his horribleness has left the building. I'm going to set my watch alarm... And... [watch beeps]

Creed: [shaking Holly's hand] The pleasure's all mine.
Holly: Oh, thanks. I'm really looking forward to sitting down with you and finding out more about what you do here.
Creed: Any time.
Holly: What do you do here?
Creed: ...Excuse me.

Creed: What is wrong with this woman? She's asking about stuff that's nobody's business. 'What do I do?' What do I do, I do here. I should have written it down. 'Qua' something. Quaaa. Quarr. Quab. Quall. Qwer. Quobbity! Quobbity assurance!

Michael Scott: I want an anti-gravity machine. I saw it in a movie. You drink the potion, and then you just start floating all around.
Pam Beesly: So how much anti-gravity potion do you want?

Pam Beesly: I wouldn't go if things weren't so solid with Jim. And down the road, we have a family I couldn't go then either. So the timing's perfect. [pause] And that is the first time I've ever used the word perfect in here.

Dwight Schrute: Have you been introduced to Kevin?
Holly: Which one's Kevin?
Dwight Schrute: He's here on a special work program. He's slow, you know, in his brain.
Holly: Oh. Good for you guys.
Dwight Schrute: Yeah.

Holly: [after being told Kevin was 'slow in the brain'] Hi!
Kevin: Hi.
Holly: What do you do?
Kevin: I do the numbers.
Holly: Oh, good for you!
Kevin: You want an M&M
Holly: Oh, no that is so sweet. Thank you though.
Kevin: I keep them here at my desk so that everybody doesn't take them.
Holly: Well that is a very safe place for them.
Kevin: [smiling] Yeah.

Phyllis: [over the speakerphone] Hi, are there any local companies that rent anti-gravity machines?
Woman: Anti-gravity machines?
Phyllis: That's right, yeah.
Woman: What do they do exactly?
Phyllis: They make you feel lighter.
Woman: [looking it up] Anti-gravity... um... anti-depressant? I could put you through to someone on that?
Phyllis: [pause] Okay.

Michael Scott: Question. Are you real, or are you a 'hollygram'?
Holly: Thanks I've never heard that one before actually, that's good.

Michael Scott: Well, you're not a romantic.
Jim Halpert: Actually I think I am. And, I have a little bit of experience in office romance.
Michael Scott: Oh really.
Jim Halpert: Yeah.
Michael Scott: With who?
Jim Halpert: We've been through this.
Michael Scott: Pam?
Jim Halpert: Yes. We are still dating. And guess what? I took it slow.
Michael Scott: Yeah you took it too slow.
Jim Halpert: Well we're really happy.

Michael Scott: Woah. What are you doing? You don't, uh... you don't have to do that. I mean we have already put together chairs. That's how we buy them actually.
Holly: I was trying to adjust the lumbar support on Toby's chair and that made this up-down lever not work and I took the whole chair apart and that is the story of me on the floor. Pretty good right? I'm gonna film movie rights.
Michael Scott: Sequel - Woman stands at desk and works.

Michael: I did it! [exhales]
Jim: What'd you do?
Michael: I talked to her-Holly. Just pleasantries, nothing, you know... not like, do you want kids or, religion, or what side of the bed do you want. Hey, I can take either side of the bed at this point.
Jim: Wow. Okay, so how'd that feel?
Michael: It was hard. I wanted to kiss her.
Jim: Oh, I'm so glad you didn't.
Michael: Whew, oh God. [inhales] Laying a base. Laying a base...
Jim: There you go. There's plenty of base-laying left, right?... Hey. Hey!
Michael: [giddy] Yeah...

Oscar: Well this is what happened. Uh, Ryan's big project was the website. Which wasn't doing so well. So Ryan, to give the impression of sales, recorded them twice. Once as offices and once in the website sales, which is what we refer to in the business as misleading the shareholders. Another good term is fraud. The real crime, I think, was the beard.

Holly: Cool! You drive your own car?
Kevin: Yup. This is my car. Do you drive your own car?
Holly: Yep. Just like you.
Kevin: Okay bye.
Holly: Bye... Kevin, I'm really proud of you.

Michael Scott: Hi, Jan. It's Michael. I just, um, I just want to let you know that I am going to go to your Lamaze class tomorrow. And if there's any details you need to fill me in on like, what exactly Lamaze is, that would be great. And I will see you tomorrow morning. I'm going to be... kind of a daddy.

Pam Beesly: Guess who just got into the Pratt school of Design.
Jim Halpert: No way. What did I say? I said that they'd love those sketches. [hugging Pam] Congratulations!
Pam Beesly: Oh thank you! I don't know what you doubted it because I'm so clearly awesome.
Jim Halpert: Yes. When do you start?
Pam Beesly: I don't know I didn't read it carefully. I just saw congratulations and I skimmed the list and I saw my name and I came in here to tell you and get a snack.

Holly: Man someone doesn't like HR.
Michael Scott: Yeah.
Holly: [to Toby] What did you do to him?
Toby: Nothing.
Michael Scott: No he tortured me. With his awfulness.
Holly: Yeah I know what you mean. I nearly feel asleep when he gave me a tour of the files. Um well look I'll let you get back to work but I really look forward to working with you Mr. Scott.
Michael Scott: [stammering] Y-you can call-- Michael.

Michael Scott: Thanks to Toby I have a very strong prejudice against Human Resources. I believe that the department is a breeding ground for monsters. What I failed to consider though, is that not all monsters are bad. Like ET. Is Holly our extra-terrestrial? Maybe. Or maybe she's just an awesome woman from this planet.

Michael Scott: You know, if we hung Holly from the ceiling, we'd have to kiss underneath her.

Michael Scott: I am downloading some N3P music--
Jim Halpert: [quickly] That's not it. Yep?
Michael Scott: --for a CD mix tape--
Jim Halpert: Of course.
Michael Scott: --for Holly. And I am looking for perfect songs that work on two levels.
Jim Halpert: What are the two levels?
Michael Scott: The two levels being, welcome to Scranton and I love you.

Jim Halpert: I was thinking... fireworks. For the party.
Phyllis: Oh boy. I appreciate your help but I can't do--
Jim Halpert: Oh no no I just meant I wanted to pay, to have fireworks at the party.
Phyllis: Why would you do that?
Jim Halpert: Because I am going to miss Toby. Yep. That's it. He's a good guy and I think we should send him out right.

Jim Halpert: I am going to propose tonight. Holy crap!

Phyllis: Hello Angela.
Angela: Phyllis, you look like you're going to have a heart attack.
Phyllis: Can I get a list of your vendors.
Angela: I shredded it.
Phyllis: Why did you do that?
Angela: Gosh I don't know, why do you think?
Phyllis: [knocks papers of Angela's desk] Sorry.

Michael Scott: Toby has been cruisin' for a bruisin' for twelve years. And I am now his cruise director. And my name is Captain Bruisin'.

Pam Beesley: So what is your gift?
Michael Scott: My gift's forthcoming, Pam.
Pam Beesley: What is it?
Michael Scott: I am going to give Toby...
Pam Beesley: Your watch?
Michael Scott: Yes. I am. How would you know that?
Pam Beesley: I just knew.

Jim Halpert: Would you do me a favor and get my Ryan?
Pam Beesley: Absolutely. [hands Jim the phone]
Jim Halpert: Went to voicemail. Hey, Ryan. It's Jim. You know what? Totally disregard that last voicemail because you obviously have your hands tied. Good luck!

Michael Scott: Holly is sweet, and simple. Like a lady baker. I- would not be surprised to find out that she had worked in a bakery before coming here. She has that kind of warmth. [thinking] I'm pretty sure she's baked on a professional level.

Kevin: Cool! Bouncy house!
Phyllis: Kevin take your shoes off first!

Holly: It was a pretty good company but I just couldn't see a future there. They kept hiring from the outside. It was easy to get in but impossible to rise up.
Michael Scott: That's what she-- A lot of places are like that.
Holly: I think it's really good you hired Kevin.
Michael Scott: Thanks.

Michael Scott: Dwight, I want you to look at Holly right now. Everybody I want you to look at Holly right now. And maybe if you look at her deeply enough you will see what I see in her. And that is that we are all very lucky to have her here. Holly is the best thing that has happened to this company since World War II! Fifty years. She is the best!

Michael Scott: Don't move a muscle, I will be back momentarily. [laughing] Finish your drink and I'll be back.

Jan: It's not just any sperm bank I mean it's really-- this is a really, really great place. It's amazing actually. I'm gonna bring you the catalog. You should look through it, it's-- and in fact it's right next to that little breakfast place that you like in the city where you can draw on the tables.
Michael Scott: IHOP.
Jan: IHOP.

Jan: If I was 22 and I had lots of time.. to have lots of children, then sure let's let Michael have a shot at one of them but honestly I have to make this one count.

Michael Scott: I can see Andy proposing to Angela. I can also see him proposing to Oscar.

Michael Scott: Well this is it. I'm here to see you off.
[camera pans out showing Michael with the security guard]
Toby: Really, Michael?
Michael Scott: Sorry, corporate policy.
Toby: It's not.
Michael Scott: You can take something.
Security guard: I don't think he's gonna take anything.
Michael Scott: Ok, security guard.

Michael: First thing on the agenda-actually, the only thing on the agenda, is the status of Toby's going away party.
Angela: We have a buttercream cake and a slideshow of Toby.
Michael: Okay.
Angela: But so far we only have two pictures of him.
Michael: Okay, well, this will not do. Toby is going away forever, and uh, we need to do something very very special. In some cultures, when somebody leaves, like New Orleans culture, they have a parade and they have a band and people party in the streets...
Pam: Do you mean, leaves as in dies? You want us to throw Toby a New Orleans' funeral?
Michael: If the Devil were to explode, and evil were gone forever, what sort of party would you have?
Angela: Michael...
Michael: Like a beach blowout? Or a toga, toga-
Angela: No. You know-no!
Michael: Toga!
Angela: You always do this! We have a nice, modest party planned, and then you come in and demand the world. Let me be clear. There is simply no money for anything other than a cake and to develop a few more slides... although Toby won't be in them.
Michael: I thought that you might say that. [takes off his shoe; hums; takes out cash from shoe]

Michael: Every year, my sweet, sweet grandmother sends me a check on my birthday for fifty dollars. And lately, she has been sending me, like nine or ten checks a year... uh, as Nana starts to... but, I knew I should be saving it for something, I just didn't know what I should be saving it for. And then I had an awakening. "Michael, buy a motorcycle." So I put the money in my shoe, and then I forgot about it until now.

Michael: I want a party that makes me feel like I am flying through the air without this... ugly weight holding me down, you know?... I want an antigravity machine. I saw it in a movie. You drink a potion, and then you just start floating all around.
Pam: So how much antigravity potion do you want?
Angela: No! No! You know what? This is not a party-planning committee anymore! And I don't want your foot money, and I feel uncomfortable participating.
Michael: Phyllis, can you do this?
Phyllis: [whispers] Yes.

Michael Scott: What, uh, what is your commute like? How long does it take to get in? You know, I should make you a mix. Do you have a, uh, cd player?

Michael Scott: What's the group, that were from Scranton and made it big? Was that U2?
Jim Halpert: Yes.

Michael Scott: A lot of you know that I am an accomplished song writer.
Pam Beesley: Song parody writer.
Michael Scott: I have done things like, um, Beers In Heaven.
Jim Halpert: Classic.
Michael Scott: Or Total Eclipse of a Fart.

Andy: I've been carrying that ring around in my wallet for six years. Because you never know when you're going to meet the right girl and the moment's gonna be right. And tonight, with the fireworks and the music and everything. It was right.

Kelly: Can I be your bridesmaid?
Angela: No.

My Heavenly Question About Eternity

Simple question:

"If there was no promise of an afterlife. If there was no spending eternity with God / Jesus after you died. Would you still make the decision to become a believer and follow Christ?"

I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'll share mine in a week or so.

My Thoughts On Religious Critics (Part Deux)

I'm not a controversial person. My human nature side tends to try to avoid controversy if at all possible. I think it has a lot to do with the introvert in me. So you can imagine the surprise when my previous "religious critics" blog caused a bit of a stir. I didn't write it to to cause division or confrontation. I was simply sharing my heart as I am about to do in this new "controversal" blog.
The previous blog was written to address my feelings on the countless personal attacks I'm hearing and reading against some of today's most popular Christian pastor's and preachers. Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Andy Stanley, Joel Osteen, and even Billy Graham seem to be walking around holding a ten foot lighting rod now-a-days. 99.9% of the attacks are made by people who have never met or even spent the least amount of time around these guys or their teachings. The critics read a quote here and a blurb there and end up throwing the baby out with the bath water. The latest bash that finally drove me to "vent" about religious critics stems from what Rob bell said (actually what he didn't say) at last month's "Seeds of Compassion" event. Rob was seated with several other leaders from various world "religions" in a panel discussion built around dealing with violence and combating it with love. Rob has been ripped apart for not using typical church lingo (aka Christianese) when he instead spoke of love, grace, and resurrection in what I would call and more "relational conversation" where he seemed to be answering the questions in a way most relational evangelist would the first time they meet someone. It wasn't full of church words or a turn or burn mentality. It was a very humble, let's get to know each other kind of tone. Did he answer every question the way I would have? Nope. But that's ok. Because I'm confident the Holy Spirit is big enough to use whatever Rob said to reach those that needed to hear it. Below is a blog I borrowed from a good friend of mine who actually attends Rob's church, Mars Hill, in Grand Rapids, MI. He and his wife experience Rob and all God is doing there every week and I feel have a much better take on him and his ministry then anyone else could that might just be watching his interview clips, listening to his sermons online, watching the Nooma videos, or reading his books. Here is what my buddy Mike and his wife had to say about the recent Rob Bell controversy:

(Begin Blog Quote)
I am tired of people getting amped up on others when they don't say the particular "catch phrases" about Christians sharing Jesus with others. The last couple of weeks, I have been reading various blogs and having face-to-face conversations with some who are upset at certain people because they apparently missed an "opportunity to share the gospel." Specifically, I hear that of one of my pastors, Rob Bell, when he's out and about at things (the Seeds of Compassion conference comes to mind) as well as his weekly teachings.

My friends, in response to this let me ask a question, is it possible to speak about something, or a truth, without ever mentioning its name or label? I think anyone with any shred of common sense could answer that. Assuming you know the correct answer, wouldn't it be possible for someone to share the truth of Jesus without going through the standard mantra of description?
My wife (who is 1000 times more brilliant than I could ever dream, posted a comment on my friend Erica's blog regarding this:

"Okay, I just watched the clips of Rob at the Seeds of Compassion event. As a follower of Jesus and a member of Mars Hill I must say I am very proud of how Rob spoke beautiful truths in response to those questions. I am blessed to have the privilege to be engaged in those truths each and every time I hear him teach. I am blessed that he has spoken such truth into my life personally and directly. To say that he did not share Christ is absurd! As Christians, aren't we supposed to share Christ with our lives? If all truth is God's truth, then when we speak truth are we not sharing Christ?

As for not sharing the power of the cross, I am in complete disagreement. I have no idea whether he gave a "gospel presentation" off camera, but the words he spoke were indeed the power of the cross! Redemption and forgiveness and resurrection were the issues he spoke on - if that's not the power of the cross, I don't know what is! He did not need to use the specific phrases we are so used to hearing in our churches to share the power of the cross. There are those people who somehow seem to think that the depth of our faith can only be felt and heard with those certain words. How that shortchanges the ability of God to penetrate into the hearts and minds of all people! Rob may have gained more respect from his honest, thoughtful, and poignant responses than if he had done nothing but preach a mini-sermon. He may have lost respect. What if his answers encourage people who wouldn't normally take interest in what Christians had to say to listen to him and be curious about his writings and teachings? From my own personal experience, people who are dis-interested in or turned off by Christians are more than likely to take an interest in Christ from the Christ they see demonstrated in my life, not the the "Christian" words I speak to them."

Some think that because some of these words were not mentioned, the message of the gospel (which could be one of the issues, as that word in itself needs defined) has been "watered-down." If I speak on the power of forgiveness, of death, and resurrection, do you think it would have any possibility of speaking of Christ, and especially the cross?!

I think people come to listen to Rob, or Doug Pagitt, or whoever else you want to label as a heretic, evil, or bad (or you fill in the blank), already come with an agenda to nitpick anything they can find (and will take things out of context quickly) without considering that they can speak some truth. I am always trying to be aware when I take that posture with those whose views I don't totally adhere to (a certain seminary prof comes to mind), but at the same time, I am asking God for the humility to be open to truths that emerge. If your mind is too shallow to not even consider the person speaking truth, then you are shutting off the Holy Spirit. What are you so afraid of?

I think people like Rob are showing those who don't profess in Jesus that there are Christians who do want to make the world a better place, who in my mind actually put love on display. What powerful words Rob spoke in those few minutes regarding violence in our world. It was a tough question, and he handled it beautifully and spoke with such hope.

So please, for the love of Christ and His Kingdom, please consider this plea to be humble; to acknowledge that God can teach us from anybody, anything, or any circumstance, no matter what our feelings toward them are. We will become more like Christ because of it.
(End Blog Quote)

There are a lot of pastors, teachers, and preachers I look up to and learn from. Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Andy Stanley, Erwin McManus, Francis Chan, John Eldredge, and Jim Cymbala are just a few. And none of them I agree with 100%. But does that mean I need to discount everything they teach just because one of their personal views doesn't line up with mine? Just because they handle their church or ministry opportunities in a different method then I would, does that make me right and them wrong? I'm going to say this again, and will continue to do so until I die,: "God is a lot bigger then any of us give Him credit for and we're a lot smaller then any of us would like to think we are". When you begin to understand that God is God and you are not, that opens a whole lot more room for the Holy Spirit to use your life in way you never would have imagined.

My Seinfeld Season One Quotes

I was trying to look up a specific Seinfeld quote today and realized how limited those sites are. So I've decided to go through all nine seasons and give the world one of the most complete Seinfeld quote collections around. Enjoy.

Season One

Jerry: I swear, I have absolutely no idea what women are thinking. I don't get it, okay? I… I… I admit, I, I'm not getting the signals. I am not getting it! Women, they're so subtle, their little… everything they do is subtle. Men are not subtle, we are obvious. Women know what men want, men know what men want, what do we want? We want women, that's it! It's the only thing we know for sure, it really is. We want women. How do we get them? Oh, we don't know 'bout that, we don't know. The next step after that we have no idea. This is why you see men honking car-horns, yelling from construction sites. These are the best ideas we've had so far. The car-horn honk, is that a beauty? Have you seen men doing this? What is this? The man is in the car, the woman walks by the front of the car, he honks. E-eeehh, eehhh, eehhh! This man is out of ideas. How does it…? E-e-e-eeeehhhh! "I don't think she likes me." The amazing thing is, that we still get women, don't we? Men, I mean, men are with women. You see men with women. How are men getting women, many people wonder. Let me tell you a little bit about our organization. Wherever women are, we have a man working on the situation right now. Now, he may not be our best man, okay, we have a lot of areas to cover, but someone from our staff is on the scene. That's why, I think, men get frustrated, when we see women reading articles, like "Where to meet men?" We're here, we are everywhere. We're honking our horns to serve you better.

George: Listen, your stuff has to be done by know, why don't you just see if it's dried?

Jerry: No, no, no, don't interrupt the cycle. The machine is working, it, it knows what it's doing, just let it finish.

George: You're gonna over dry it.

Jerry: You, you can't over dry.

George: Why not?

Jerry: Same as you can't over wet. You see, once something is wet, it's wet. Same thing with dead: like once you die you're dead, right? Let's say you drop dead and I shoot you: you're not gonna die again, you're already dead. You can't over die, you can't over dry.

Jerry: "Quone"?

Helen: …30…31…

Jerry: "Quone"? No, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to challenge that.(Jerry picks up the dictionary.)

Helen: …32…

Kramer: No, you don't have to challenge that. That's a word. That's a definite word.

Jerry: I am challenging.

Kramer: Quone. To quone something.

Jerry: Uh-huh.(Jerry looks up the word.)

Helen: I'm not playing with you anymore.

Morty: Quone's not a word.

Jerry: No good. Sorry. There it is. Get it off.

Helen: (to Kramer) Why did you make me put that down?

Kramer: Nah, we need a medical dictionary! If a patient gets difficult, you quone him.

Vanessa: Why don't you relax and take your jacket off?

Jerry: Oh, I can't. I have a tendency to get chilly.

Vanessa: How masculine.

Jerry: Plus I'm wearing short sleeves. I don't want to expose my tattoos.

Policeman: Well, Mr. Seinfeld, we'll look into it and, uh, we'll let you know if we find anything.

Jerry: Do you ever find anything?

Policeman: No.

Policeman: Let's see, that's uh, one TV, a stereo, one leather jacket, a VCR and a computer is that 'bout it?

Elaine: Answering machine.

Jerry: Answering machine. Oh, I hate the idea of someone out there returning my calls.

Jerry: How late are the stores open? I'm thinking of maybe of buying a new TV and smash it over my head.

Elaine: Come on. Let's go do something. I don't want to just sit around here. Wanna get something to eat?

Jerry: Where?

Elaine: I don't care. I'm not hungry.

Jerry: We could go to one of those cappuccino places. They let you just sit there.

Elaine: What are we gonna do there, talk?

Jerry: We can talk.

Elaine: I'll go if I don't have to talk.

Jerry: Then we'll just sit there.

Jerry: (on George's fanny pack) Looks like your belt is digesting a small animal.

George: Why did I tell her I like her? I have this sick compulsion to tell women how I feel.

George: Can you change this (penny jug) into bills?

Bank Teller: I'm sorry sir, we can't do that.

George: Look, they did this for me before!

Bank Teller: Look, I can give you these (penny rolls) and you can roll them yourself.

George: You want me to roll 6,000 of these?! What? should I quit my job?!

Elaine: What evidence is there that cats are so smart anyway? What do they do? Because they're clean? I'm sorry. My uncle Pete showers four times a day and he can't count to 10 so don't give me hygiene.

Jerry: I think Superman probably has a very good sense of humor.

George: I never heard him say anything really funny.

Jerry: But it’s common sense. He’s got super strength, super speed… I’m sure he’s got super humor.

Dry Cleaner: (to Jerry) May I help you?

Jerry: Yeah. I picked up this shirt here yesterday. It's completely shrunk. There's absolutely no way I can wear it.

Dry Cleaner: When did you bring it in?

Jerry: What's the difference? Look at it! Do you see the size of this shirt?

Dry Cleaner: You got a receipt?

Jerry: I can't find the receipt.

Dry Cleaner: You should get the receipt.

Jerry: Look, forget about the receipt, all right? Even if I had the receipt- look at it! It's a hand puppet. What am I gonna do with this?

Dry Cleaner: Yes, but how do I know we did the shirt?

Jerry: What do you think this is a little scam I have? I take this tiny shirt all over the city conning dry cleaners out of money? In fact, forget the money. I don't even want the money. Just once, I would like to hear a dry cleaner admit that something was their fault. That's what I want. I want an admission of guilt.

Dry Cleaner: Maybe you asked for it to be washed.

Jerry: No! Dry-cleaned!

Dry Cleaner: Let me explain to you something, okay? With certain types of fabrics, different chemicals can react, causing --

Jerry: You shrunk it! You know you shrunk it! Just tell me that you shrunk it!

Dry Cleaner: (looks around making sure not too many people are listening) I shrunk it.

Feel free to add any I may have missed in the comment section.

My Brother Where Art Thou

This past Saturday night my church served a thank you supper to all the firefighters of our town. As the night went on and our church members had a chance to chat and listen to our local heroes, one thing became obviously clear, the firefighters of Kernersville have a better idea of what it means to be a church more than most churches do. One example was told in a story of a fellow firefighter that was in the process of moving when they were injured. Out of 65 firefighters in Kernersville, over 50 showed up to help them finish moving. The comment was made by one of our volunteers that there wasn't a church in our town that would have 50 people show up to help a fellow church member move. We could learn a lot about community from watching the men and women from our local fire and police departments.

As I was sharing the story with Beth, another thought hit me. Not only was there a since of community between the fire departments but there was a feeling of brotherhood almost like a fraternity. Recently I've noticed through my own life and the lives of other pastoral colleagues just how lacking of a brotherhood there is among ministers.

The more I thought about it the harder it was for me to think of a group of three or four ministers that were legitimate friends. Friends that would call themselves brothers and would do anything for each other. After thinking long and hard I could only come up with five friends that I have that are also pastors. And out of those five, three are also mentors which means those relationships are not quite as open and real as they should be. Only because of my on insecurities of not wanting to let them down if they knew the real me. So that leaves me with only two friends that are also pastors. And they have never met each other. So although I have pastor friends, I have no pastor brotherhood.

Why is it pastors seem to lack this one element that every other profession in America has. Beth says there's a feeling of brotherhood among her attorney friends. There may be some she doesn't agree with or like but she never tears them down to other attorneys. The same with doctors, nurses, teachers, or garbage workers, they all have an unspoken bond to pull together and support one another. They realize that although they may disagree they are on the same team working for the same goals.

That's not the case with most pastors. In ministry it truly is a dog eat dog world. If one of our own goes down we're right there help keep them down. If a fellow pastor is getting ripped then we're right there to join in. Defend them? What's that? Kick them while they're down and let God show them grace, that's our motto,

And why do we act this way? Ego? Pride? I'm right and your wrong mentality? Isn't it enough we as pastors get beat down day-in and-day-out by want-to-be pastors that fill our churches and pews? Why do we feel the need to add to those beatings? Why can't we be more like those firefighters? Where's the brotherhood?

My Office Quotes: "Job Fair"

Michael Scott: Come here. [talking about Pam] I would never say this to her face, but she is a wonderful person and a gifted artist.
Oscar: What? Why wouldn't you say that to her face?

Pam Beesly: Michael. Do you remember you specifically told me to bring one sheet of paper. You said it only takes one sheet to make a difference. I said, 'are you sure Michael?' And you said, 'Pam! Pam! Pam!' And then you sneezed in my tea and then you said, 'don't worry it's just allergies.' Do you remember that?

Michael Scott: Yeah, I'm trying to lure these kids into my booth. But, uhh, kids are very weary of being lured, these days. Thank you Dateline.

Michael Scott: Yeah kiss her. Kiss her good.

Andy: Short cut! Short cut! [goes flying out of a golf cart] I fell in the sand trap.

Michael Scott: Today I am headed over to the job fair at Valleyview high school to find some new interns. Get some fresh blood. Um, euthanize this place.

Andy: Hit about twelve hundred balls last night in preparation for the day so hands are a little tender. [shows blistered hands to camera] It's actually not funny at all it's incredibly painful.

Pam Beesly: So many memories in this old gym: Pretending to have PMS so I didn't have to play volleyball. Pretending to have PMS so I didn't have to play basketball. [pause] Those were the days.

Kelly: Oh my god, Darryl. You look like Barack Obama. Everybody I'm dating Barack Obama.

Michael Scott: Why are you dressed like that?
Darryl: Like what?
Michael Scott: Like you're applying for a loan.
Dwight Schrute: Maybe he's going to church. Or court.

Michael Scott: Uh, Darryl will hire some kids for the warehouse. We don't have to worry about internships with them because they definitely ain't goin' to college.
Darryl: What college did you go to Mike?
Michael Scott: Let's go!

Jim Halpert: Today, I am meeting a potential client on the golf course because, Ryan put me on probation. You remember Ryan he was the temp here. Yeah. And, uh, it is not a good time for me to lose my job. Since I have some pretty big long term plans in my personal life with Pam that I'd like her parents to be psyched about. So, I am about to do something very bold in this job that I've never done before: Try.

Meredith: Guys, do we have to stay all day?
Phyllis: I mean Michael's gone can't we just go?
Creed: Yeah and I finished my work months ago.

Pam Beesly: Are you serious?
Michael Scott: Yes. And don't call me Shirley.

Jim Halpert: You know, it's a tough thing, seeing a grown man take six shots to get out of a sand trap, but I have to give Phil credit for not quitting. Which is what I told him. I also told him that I don't quit either, and I'd call him every single day until he gave me his business. Which he did, after fifteen minutes of me blocking his car. So I am now his paper supplier! And I shot a 102 today so I'm feeling pretty good.

Mr. McGuire: Let's make it interesting, say, uh, ten bucks a hole?
Jim Halpert: Great.
Kevin: What are we talking? Skins? Acee Deucee? Bingo Bango Bongo? Sandies? Barkies? Wolf? What?

Michael Scott: All of these jobs, suck. I would rather live jobless, on a beach somewhere, off the money from a large inheritance, than have to work in any one of these crapholes. They suck.

Michael Scott: Justin is the ugly girl in the movie who takes off her glasses and she's hot. And you realize she was always hot she was just wearing glasses. And that you were the blind one. [pause] He's the most important thing in my life right now.

Michael Scott: I want you, to meet my family. Come on. Oscar Martinez, accountant extraordinare, this is Justin. This is Darryl Philbin. Isn't he big? And you already met her, Pam Beesly, office hottie. She will do you. [chuckling as Pam has a look of disgust] No, but she has already dated two guys in the office-- that we know of. So, this could be number three. You never kn-- [Pam walks off]

Dwight Schrute: Excuse me, people. It has come to my attention that some of you have forgotten who is in charge here. When Michael is gone [pause] Jim is in charge. When Jim is gone, Andy and I are in charge. When Andy is gone, you answer to me. Okay?

Michael Scott: [to high school student] Hey. How you doin'? Listen, I think that a handsome, funny, smart, funny lookin' kid like you shouldn't limit himself. You can do whatever you wanna do. You can be a classy janitor or a cashier with dignity. Or a... migraine worker. Maybe for you paper should be more of a hobby.
Student: Sorry for wasting your time.
Michael Scott: Oh no problem.

Michael Scott: Today I did something stupid. I questioned myself, and I will never do that again. Because I look at somebody like Jim Halpert and I think, that guy can do anything he wants to do. He could, do anything. And he choses to work here, selling paper, just like me.

Michael Scott: [picking up a microphone] If you can hear me, I would like you to look around at all these companies, and know, that none of them are good enough for you. H&R Block? Come on. I mean I don't even know what they do. Frank Regan Funeral Home? Too much formaldehyde! The Air Force? [Air Force staffer stares at Michael] Air Force is cool. The refreshments? Bush league, you know! That's not what you want! Dunder-- that-- ok I see security is coming so I just wanna say come to Dunder Mifflin. Dunder Mifflin, a great place to work! Anybody? Show of hands, anybody want to intern at Dunder Mifflin. We do not offer college credit, we can not give you any sort of pay, but it is a really fun work environment. Anybody? Show of hands? Damn- it. Ok. I'm gonna wrap it up here. Thank you, for your time. And drive safe!

Michael Scott: Just-in time.
Justin: Hi.
Michael Scott: Just-in case. What's your last name?
Justin: Paulsnake.
Michael Scott: This just-in! Justin Paulsnake!

[Angela picks up her phone]
Angela: Extension 128.
Creed: Hiya Pumpkin, it's Creed. So we're gonna ditch this bitch. You in?
Angela: No.
Creed: You out? [Angela hangs up] Pumpkin's out! Let's go gang!
[Creed, Phyllis and Meredith walk out of the office]

My Shema

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:4-5

The Shema – meaning: to hear and to act upon

Sometime after the Israelites returned from captivity, the Shema became a central part of daily Jewish life. During the second temple period, these verses were recited every morning and evening fulfilling the words, and you shall talk about them when you lie down and when you get up. (Deut. 6:7)

In the Mishnah, the oral teachings of the sages, the rabbi’s referred to the recitation of the Shema as “receiving the Kingdom of heaven.” The Shema was a daily way of acknowledging God’s personal rule in your life, a way of making a personal reconfirmation of the covenant with God.

The rabbis made it clear that one could not carry out the teachings of God as an obedient follower without first accepting that God’s Kingdom was above all others. Recitation of the Shema brought the Kingdom of God to earth. The ancient sages, including Jesus himself, agreed that turning one’s heart to God everyday was a prerequisite for obedience.

During Jesus’ day, it seems that the observant Jewish community spoke the ancient words of the Shema with passion and devotion. It is in this context, that Jesus responds to the question of what is the greatest commandment with these words from Deuteronomy.

“Of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”

Jesus speaks about obedience to God as an issue of personal devotion of the heart and soul to God. As followers of Jesus, it is important that our hearts are in tune with the Shema. To memorize the Shema, to have these words upon our hearts, is to be a part of an ancient tradition of placing God’s Kingdom first every day. The Shema helps to orient our being to God’s rule; our thoughts, our will and our actions.

Jesus, the disciples, the apostle Paul, and likely most of the early church all spoke these words every morning and evening. By God’s design, his sacred text lives upon the lips of His people. The text becomes a living text. Memorizing the Shema and beginning your day with these ancient words is to be a part of a long history of daily devotion. The Shema reminds us of whose Kingdom we are really in and opens the door to fulfilling what Jesus calls the greatest commandment.

My Thoughts on Religious Critics (part one)

On the opening night of The Orange Conference, main session speaker and TOC leader Reggie Joyner made a statement that I had never thought about before but couldn't agree with more. He said, "If Pharisees were alive today they'd all be bloggers".

Let that sink in.

What was the main goal of Pharisees anyway? To keep the laws as they interpreted them and make sure eveyone else did too? They made life as difficult as possible for Jesus and his gang of trouble makers who dared live out God's word differently then the righteous Pharisees. The Pharisees took every possible chance to tear down the ministry of Jesus by trying to prevent Him from healing on the sabbath, speaking with prostitutes, and dining with sinners. If Pharisees walked the earth today they'd be spending their time blogging about the short comings or heresy of guys like Rob Bell, Andy Stanley, Donald Miller, or Joel Osteen.

These modern day Pharisee-bloggers are basically a group of folks who have done very little with their own faith except bash the ones that are actually doing ministry. They're a bunch of know-it-all, self-righteous, their-way-or-the-highway Christians that give the other followers of Jesus a bad name. The hard part is there is no way to pick them out of a crowd. Back in the day it was easy because at least they had the guts to come out in public and address their accused face to face. Much like the Pharisees in Jesus time. But now were left with hidden Pharisees who hide behind their blogs and message boards, spreading hate through ill-will and nasty comments about people they have never met or even had the guts to confront.

There are a lot of well know preachers and teachers out there that I don't agree with, but how can I argue with the results? People are coming to know Christ under their ministry and countless more are growing in their faith. Love him or hate him, I'd be willing to bet more people have come to know Christ under Joel Osteen then all of his strongest critics combined. For whatever reason though his critics feel as if those people are less-saved because they surrendered to God through Joel's method then the way of the Pharisees.

Stuart Hall put it this way, "An inability or unwillingness to be unconditionally accepting says more about your own personal insecurities and weaknesses than it does your righteousness or holiness."

Here's a crazy idea Pharisee-bloggers , why don't you devote more time to loving the God who created you, acting justly to the people He created, and walking humbly with Him and less time trying to play God, being judge / jury / executioner to those that are actually living out their faith, and stop to consider for just a moment how much more God could use you to do HIS will versus YOUR will.

My prayer is God shows these modern day Pharisees- bloggers more grace then they show their fellow believers.

My North Carolina Voting Experience or My No. 325

Today was our NC primary, which in every other year has meant very little since our primary comes so late. But not this year. This go around we're the feature on every national newscast. But since I'm registered Republican I still didn't have a chance to effect the outcome of the closest nomination battle in recent memory. So I did the same thing I've done for the past two primaries, I cast my vote for president to Mr. Alan Keyes. http://www.alankeyes.com/

I did make a few observations while I was casting my vote:
1) I was never asked to prove who I was. I gave the lady my name, she looked it up, then told me to move to the next table. Isn't this how voter fraud happens? I should have went back in a few more time to vote for Alan.
2) When I got to the next table the guy asked me if I was Republican or Democrat then gave me the matching voter form. I really believe if I had told him Democrat I could have voted for Clinton or Obama.
3) The guy at the table then hands me a pen and paper that looks a lot like an SAT form. When I made my way to the voting booth I realized this was no more then a color-in-the-circle form. No electronic touch screen or hanging chad. Just a good old mark the dot. You would think that in 2008 we'd be well past these types of forms.

As I left, I entered my form into an automated machine and saw that I was just the 325th person to vote at my precinct today. Which leads me to one last rant. If you are a US citizen and do not vote each and every time you have the opportunity, you should be fined $100. Unfortunately voting is just like most everything in our country, we see it as a hassle or a burden and not the amazing right and privilege we have that most other people in this world don't.

My Gift of Worship

While I was looking for a video clip for my message this week on "A Passion For Worship" I came across an absolutely amazing video by Sermonspice. The video is put to the song "Sweetly Broken" by Jeremy Riddle.