Happy Halloween
Posted by Brian October 31, 2006 2 comments so far
Battlestar Galactica is the best show on TV
Posted by Brian October 24, 2006 5 comments so far
It just is. I will brook no disagreement on this.
This new version is not the same old cheesy show as the old version.
BG is full of contemporary questions and themes that make the viewer think. And I’m forced to constantly wonder, “who are the good guys here?”
- Religion: The “good” characters - the humans - are polytheistic. They believe in Zeus and Hera, etc. The “bad” characters - the Cylons - are monotheistic. They believe in what they call the “one true God.” In a recent episode, a Cylon said, “There is no God but God.” (Don’t the Muslims say, “There is no God but Allah”? And doesn’t “Allah” just mean “God”?)
- Violence/War: The Cylons destroyed most of the human race. But then two of them convinced the rest of the Cylons not to proceed with their ultimate destruction. Later, when the human remnant city is under occupation by the Cylons, the humans mount an “insurgency”, and struggle with the moral questions around suicide bombing.
- Relationships with the “other”: The Cylons, though they have killed most of humanity, seem fascinated with humans, and want to become more like them. And a few of the humans have become friends with some of the “good” Cylons. One even had a child with one!
The show is content to leave a lot of questions unanswered. The Cylons were created by the humans, so where did their idea of this God come from? What was going on when Dr. Baltar and the blonde Cylon kept having visions of one another? Was it just projections from their own minds? Or was there some kind of real “spiritual” connection between them? Are any of the religious beliefs in the show founded on “reality”? The humans, after all, did actually find the map to Earth predicted in their scriptures. On the other hand, the some of the Cylons seem able to predict the future, a feat they attribute to their God.
Plus, the show is just exciting. The latest episode featured the Gallactica falling from the sky in friction-induced flames, in order to deliver some fighters. Then it jumped away at the last minute with the FTL (faster than light) drive. It was a great scene.
And thank goodness Adama shaved off that hideous mustache. Now we just need Lee to lose that weight again! 
Don’t run that red light in Mayflower
Posted by Brian October 23, 2006 2 comments so far
David and I drove out to Mayflower in hopes of picking apples at the orchard. Sadly, the season is apparently over.
On the way back home, we sat a red light. And sat there. And sat there. There were no cars around (except the ones behind us).
“Just go!” David said. I nervously looked around. “Nah.”
“Oh, just run it! It’s not going to change.”
“Well, OK.”
There was a big van directly behind me. I couldn’t see the police car behind the van. But the policeman could see me.
David is lucky that I only got a warning.
By the way…
Posted by Brian October 17, 2006 2 comments so far
I’m pretty sure I’m turning into a yarn snob.
Red Heart is out.
Aurora 8 and Noro Kureyon are in.
A Quiz (of doubtful accuracy) with which to waste some time…
Posted by Brian October 17, 2006 4 comments so far
What’s your Theological Worldview?
|
| You scored as Neo orthodox. You are neo-orthodox. You reject the human-centredness and scepticism of liberal theology, but neither do you go to the other extreme and make the Bible the central issue for faith. You believe that Christ is God’s most important revelation to humanity, and the Trinity is hugely important in your theology. The Bible is also important because it points us to the revelation of Christ. You are influenced by Karl Barth and P T Forsyth. |
What’s your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com
Monastic Mumblings
Posted by Brian October 16, 2006 2 comments so far
Two interesting things to read at “Monastic Mumblings“:
and
Keep an eye on your mitre, Bishop!
Posted by Brian October 13, 2006 1 comment so far
Tonight there is a special Eucharistic celebration and reception in honor of the retiring bishop of Arkansas, Larry Maze.
David and I are going. Bishop Maze administered the sacrament of Confirmation for us when we joined the Episcopal Church a few years ago. And Bishop Maze’s yearly “visitation” to St. Michael’s is always at the Easter Vigil, so he’s always the first one to say “Christ is risen!” to us every year. So, I’m sorry to see him go.
David has warned that Maze’s mitre might turn up missing tonight. He’s coveted that folding hat ever since he first saw a bishop! (Update: I’m happy to report that David did NOT steal the mitre!)
One of the nominees for the next Bishop of Arkansas will be elected in November. That means, God willing, that our next bishop will probably be the first to be consecrated by the new Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori. That’s sort of exciting.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall nominate and those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese; and so give the gifts of wisdom and hospitality to those who are preparing us to ordain and welcome our new bishop, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Today is … not the anniversary of my baptism.
Posted by Brian October 11, 2006 6 comments so far
Well, this is a little embarrassing.
Somehow, I had it in my mind that October 11 was my baptism anniversary. That’s what I told them at St. Michael’s. We thanked God for it in prayer two Sundays ago (they mistakenly recorded it as October 1, not 11).
Last night, I was thinking that I would post something about that today. I was thinking back to the happy event, and remembered that Mom had recorded it in my Bible. I went and got the old Bible from the bookshelf. I haven’t looked at it in a long time.
It’s a cheap “gift Bible” that I received when I was a child. It’s the New American Standard Version. (Who reads the NASB?) On the front, there is a sticker of a little teddy bear holding a heart that says, “Hug Me.” I have no idea why I would have put that on there. On the inside cover, it says I was awarded the Bible for being “Best Bible Student” at Camp Manatawny.
And at the top of the page, in Mom’s handwriting, it says “Brian was baptized Aug 18, 1987.”
Ooops.
Unlike in some other churches, in the Church of Christ, I don’t think it’s that common to have baptism certificates. But Mom wrote it down for some reason. It’s a good thing she did!
Maybe I’ll save all my profound baptism blog-thoughts for the real anniversary.
Church of Christ vs. Episcopal Church
Posted by Brian October 02, 2006 6 comments so far
Though it doesn’t actually all apply to St. Michael’s, I thought this was a pretty funny comparison of two of the spiritual communities I’ve found myself in through the years:
Church of Christ vs. Episcopal Church
My favorite part:
Small groups:
CoC - Who is bringing cheese dip?
EC - Who is bringing beer?
