Home Run Derby

Each year it is fun to watch the HR Derby @ the All-Star Game for baseball. It is always cool to see guys just hit the ball a mile. Last year was really awesome as Justin Morneau (a Minnesota Twin!) won the contest. This year, for some reason Joe Mauer was selected to participate. He is my favorite baseball player so even though I found it odd that a guy with only 15 homers on the season was asked to participate, it was cool to see him give it a whirl. He did not even come close to winning (Prince Fielder did - including hitting one ball an estimated 503 feet!!!) but man his swing is amazing. Looking forward to seeing him bat in the 3-hole tomorrow in the actual ASG. Since I have been alive, the NL has only won the ASG 7 times (and haven't won since 96 in Philly!) so chances are the AL will win again but hopefully the game is fun to watch.

Old Hickory

I recently wrapped up a biography on Andrew Jackson which was absolutely splendid. I have been quite interested in Andrew Jackson for a number of years now, and this was a good read on his time as President. He was a man with many flaws and looking back at it him it is easy to judge him for his horrible decisions in the support of slavery and mis-treatment of different Indian groups. That being said, his staunch support of the preservation of the Union set the stage for Abraham Lincoln (who borrowed plenty of thought & action from Jackson) in the Civil War. What makes Jackson so likable is how regular he seemed to be for a President. He wasn't particularly educated (in fact most of his opponents attacked his lack of education), he was prone to a violent temper, and his life and friends were filled with suspect decision making at times. Despite all of his flaws, he somehow rose to the highest office in the land, was an incredible military general, and was one of the most well esteemed people of his time. Like him or hate him (and there were plenty of people on both sides of the fence) - he was just interesting. Meacham has not written the best book on him (Remini or Brands are probably more worthy of that title) - but it was an engaging book and an excellent piece if you are interested in learning more about the Presidency of Andrew Jackson.

North to the Future

I cannot begin to describe how incredible my trip to Alaska was. Everything about it was so absolutely perfect, from spending time with my best buddy Jesse to hiking to camping to river rafting to being outdoors in the the most spectacular, beautiful place in the world. It was so refreshing and renewing to be away from the desert (have I mentioned how much I hate Arizona? Does God really like deserts OR were they designed as places of testing & torture?). I spent the majority of my time in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. I hiked on a glacier on the Fourth of July. I spent 6 hours going down the Gulkana, Tazlina, and Copper Rivers. I camped right next to the Bonanza Copper Mine @ Kennecott - where close to 90 years ago mine workers spent their days. I saw more green, water, and actual signs of life then I have seen in a long, long time. I could not have asked for a better gift from God then that week. It is definitely the beginning of a long love affair - and I hope to visit again soon.

Balaam's Ass

"God spoke to Balaam through his ass, and God's been speaking through them ever since. So, if God chooses to speak through you don't think to highly of yourself."

-Rich Mullins-

Wall of Separation

I just finished American Gospel by Jon Meacham. It was a pretty good book, though it was rather short (only 250 pages) and could have explored topics a little bit more in-depth. I did like that Meacham pointed out that America was NOT founded as a Christian nation and that it has done its best as a nation when it straddles the middle line between hard-core religious fundamentalism & philosophy-driven secularism. Giving people freedom of choice is critical - and he does a decent job at conveying that message. People who use the Bible as a source of political or personal strength against others are ridiculous. As Meacham says it, if God doesn't force beliefs on people - who gives us the right to do it. I also like his thoughts on how people have always justified themselves based upon their interpretation of Scripture - for example: slavery. So when Christians argue that we should base everything off of Scripture - who's interpretation are you talking about? Finally, I think it is critical to remember that Christians enjoy overstepping their boundaries in the political arena when it is their own faith being supported - but what about when it is the Muslim faith or some other faith? Will they still be comfortable then? The point being - the United States was founded by a solid group of men (most of them not being Christian as we would define Christian today) who believed in freedom and republicanism. The government was based upon those principles and that is what makes this a solid nation. The values, attitude, and actions of Christ are incredible to follow - and the great thing about this country is we are allowed as citizens to do just that. But when we start blurring the line between faith & politics - we usually get a watered down version of both.

Prostitution

Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame.
Jeremiah 3:3

As I read through Isaiah & Jeremiah, I cannot help but notice how many times God compares the Israelites to prostitutes. As a people they literally gave themselves to idols, pride, and sin. Instead of being faithful to God - they chose a path of prostitution. In many ways, it seems like nothing can be so degrading as prostitution in this world. Whether it is chosen or forced upon someone, it is humiliating, degrading, and wrong. Yet how often do I choose the same route as the Israelites in my relationship with God? How often am I no more then a whore to sin? I give myself over to it in a shameful and disgraceful way, not only humiliating myself but in some ways the God I claim to have a relationship with. In reality, why would a spouse stay with their spouse if that spouse willingly chose to have sex with as many different people as possible? It sounds crude - but that is how God choose to describe it when we choose sin (often times repeatedly & without shame) over Him. So what do you do when you are the prostitute? How do you escape that life - when its all you have ever known? How do you heal your heart, reclaim your mind, improve your actions - when prostitution comes so easily? How deep is the well of God's love despite our prostitution? I feel like these are the questions that God calls us to grapple with. For it is the desire to get out of prostitution that is the first step towards reclaiming a healthy relationship with God. Until then - we remain whores to the sinful passions of our every day lives.

RIP MJ

I remember that I first started loving Michael Jackson because of my oldest brother Logan. If Logan thought he was good - then he had to be good. So since I was a little tyke, Michael Jackson has been a musical icon for me. Honestly, I think he is my favorite alltime musician. Its weird how the death of celebrity can matter so much, as if I knew the guy personally. He may have been weird, he may have had problems, but in the end he was the King of Pop. He will be missed. I always loved listening to you Michael.