DSCF0066

DSCF0066, originally uploaded by robjob.

this sort of thing could only be deemed "offensive" by those completely unimpressed by perfect symmetry and flawless sculpting. Cf. Michelangelo's "David."

poolhog

Here is the man of the hour . . . if there is a
"flickr" link on this post, and you want to see more
pictures, try clicking on it.

Coyotes downtown

Coyotes Spotted In DC
11-06-2004 10:57 AM

(Washington, DC) -- Coyotes are said to be taking up residence in the nation's capital. Their presence was only confirmed in September when a naturalist spotted one in the woods of a city park. Michael Bean, the chairman of the wildlife program at the Environmental Defense group, says he suspects coyotes have been in the area for some time. City-dwelling coyotes like to feed on kitchen garbage and pet food.


Copyright 2004 Metro Networks Communications Inc., A Westwood One Company

The Eagle

He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.

The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
Tennyson

The Sabbath

A friend emailed me this article. I know what I think, what do you think?

http://www.upper-register.com/mosaic_law/sabbath_eschatological_sign.html

octoburr

One finger victory salute

Go to this website before you go to the polls.
Go Bush!
http://static.vidvote.com/movies/bushuncensored.mov
I am Man of Manville, and I approve this message.

Too much Hooters for Dave (Macey that is)

Remember how Macey has been complaining about intestinal problems and a constant parasitic paranoia ever since we made that tubing trip down the sewage overflow? Well apparently something got to him, as he turned himself in to the hospital yesterday just in time for them to discover that his appendix was leaking "radioactive and highly contaminated sludge" into the rest of his body. Well, maybe it wasn't exactly radioactive, but I do imagine that whatever was oozing out of his appendix was probably a neon green color.

Anyway, all that to say, pray for Macey, because apparently while we were all out at work or school yesterday, he discovered his tummy ache was actually appendicitis, and he has since had surgery to have his appendix removed. He is recovering at Erlanger.

If you wanna e-mail the dude I'm sure he'd apprec'

reporting live from downtown Chattavegas,
the sleuth

To End All Wars

From the movie based on the true story, Dusty said,
"You know, a man can experience an incredible amount of pain and
suffering if he has hope. When he loses his hope, that's when he
dies."

Justification by faith alone controversy

New heresy within the reformed camp. The following is a good article on the Norman Shepherd teaching. Check it out.
http://rcus.org/synodreportShep3.htm

octoburr

Inside Politics with the Snoop Doog

Doug sent me a link we had found in Oxford - the Snoop Dogg Shizzolator. It will take any webpage and translate it into "Snoop Talk." www.asksnoop.com
Here's a taste from CNN.com:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. n' shit John Kerry has been like "re-electing President Big Baby Bush would create "da bomb diggity potential of a draft." " Not so, da incumbent responded: "The best way avoid da draft is vote fo' me." "

The fact that both Big Baby Bush 'n Kerry are on record opposing mandatory military service speaks volumes 'bout da audience they're targeting wit they dueling draft scares -- young voters n' shit.

In an election in which voter turnout is da bomb diggity unknown, da voting rate 'n preferences of 18- 30-year-olds may be da biggest wild card on November 2.

"One of da things that has been puzzling us is how young voters will behave on Election Day," be like Andrew Kohut, an independent pollster at da Pew Research Center n' shit. "They've been pretty volatile, sometimes strongly in Kerry's camp 'n other times driven back Big Baby Bush n' shit. "

Young voters wuz evenly divided between Big Baby Bush 'n Kerry in polling conducted this month by Ipsos-Public Affairs fo' Newsweek.com 'n The Associated Press n' shit. Among likely voters under age 30, Kerry led 52 percent 42 percent, know what I'm sayin'?

In da two most-watched states of da presidential campaign, Florida 'n Ohio, polls released Tuesday show Kerry leading Big Baby Bush by similar margins among young voters n' shit.

Exit polls from da 2000 election showed that Big Baby Bush roughly split da under-30 vote wit Democrat Al Gore, know what I'm sayin'?

Traditionally, young muthas has been among da least likely vote n' shit. Of da 24 million eligible voters aged 18 24 in 2000, only one-third of 'em cast ballots, according da U.S. Census Bureau n' shit.

This year, Kohut be like tha dude's polling shows an increase of 15 percentage points over 2000 in da number of young muthas saying they're registered vote n' shit.

The research also shows a spike in da number of youths who be like they're likely vote."

Count Nick Ford among 'em, know what I'm sayin'? The 21-year-old George Washington University student began da year favoring Big Baby Bush but is now in Kerry's camp." "I don't like da war in Iraq 'n I'm opposed da draft," be like Ford, who plans vote absentee in tha dude's hometown of New York City."

Farther down da street, fellow GWU student Ted Kennedy, 19, be like tha dude is firmly behind Big Baby Bush after briefly wavering, know what I'm sayin'?

The volunteer firefighter says Big Baby Bush deserves a second term fo' tha dude's leadership after da September 11 attacks, including da war in Iraq n' shit.

"I'm da wrong person ax 'bout da draft, because if my number came up, I'm there, know what I'm sayin'? I'd fight, know what I'm sayin'? In a minute," tha dude be like, know what I'm sayin'?

The University of Pennsylvania's National Annenberg Election survey found that half of young muthas believe Big Baby Bush wants reinstate da military draft n' shit. Only 8 percent be like Kerry wants that shiznit."

The day da poll wuz released, Big Baby Bush be like in tha dude's second debate wit Kerry, "We're not going has a draft, period, know what I'm sayin'? "

Kerry wouldn't let that shiznit go n' shit. A week later, da Democrat told The Des Moines Register "With George Big Baby Bush, da plan fo' Iraq is mo' of da same 'n da bomb diggity potential of a draft, know what I'm sayin'? " (Kerry says 'potential' fo' draft revival under Big Baby Bush)

Campaigning in a Florida community dependent on da military, Big Baby Bush fired back Saturday n' shit. "We will not has a draft." , know what I'm sayin'? .. The best way avoid a draft is vote fo' me n' shit. "

In an interview Monday wit da AP, Big Baby Bush accused Kerry of scare tactics 'n insisted tha dude would not bring back da military draft, even if there wuz a crisis wit North Korea or Iran." (Big Baby Bush discusses Iraq in post-debate interview)

"I believe we've gots da assets 'n manpower necessary be afiable deal wit another theater should one arise," Big Baby Bush be like n' shit.

Special-interest groups backing Kerry are fueling rumors of a draft in a second Big Baby Bush term, know what I'm sayin'? MoveOnStudentAction.org is launching a nationwide campus "Feel a Draft?" campaign demand an exit strategy in Iraq 'n urge Big Baby Bush detail a specific plan avoid da draft."

"There is no doubt that there is a lot of distress 'bout both da backdoor draft that already exists 'n da likelihood of instituting a regular draft if Big Baby Bush continues these go-that shiznit-alone policies," be like Kerry pollster Mark Mellman."

Kerry has argued that a "backdoor draft" exists because some U.S. forces has been required extend they military careers serve in Iraq n' shit.

Other Kerry advisers be like privately they suspect da impact of da draft issue will be minimal -- wit da economy, Iraq 'n other concerns holding mo' sway over young voters n' shit. The campaign plans dispatch Kerry surrogates college campuses across da country n' shit. The Big Baby Bush campaign is targeting college students, too."

Voter registration drives already has produced striking results, wit nearly 100,000 young muthas registering in Michigan 'n even mo' in Wisconsin." While newly registered voters are usually da least likely cast ballots, each election offers new possibilities." (Showdown states: Michigan, Wisconsin)

"We're paying attention everything," be like Nicole Bautista, a 21-year-old Kerry backer from Pittsburgh, "including da notion that we could be drafted." "

Why your church should not do Purpose Driven Church/Life

Interesting article on PCANEWS.COM, haven't read the book but I know a lot of churches are doing this, including Lookout and North Shore. Anybody read the book and want to comment?

http://www2.pcanews.com/editorial_opinion/monthly_umpired_debate/full_paper.taf?topic_ID=33&topic_paper_ID=48

- the sleuth

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

William Cowper

I found this poem in a book by Horton. It is by Cowper, the great chronically depressed hymnist friend of John Newton.

Let us love, and sing, and wonder,
Let us praise the Savior's Name!
He has hushed the Law's loud thunder.
He has quenched Mount Sinai's flame:
He has washed us in his blood.
He has brought us nigh to God.

Let us love the Lord who bought us.
Pitied us when enemies,
Called us by His grace, and taught us,
Gave us ears and gave us eyes:
He has washed us with His blood,
He presents our souls to God.

Let us wonder; grace and justice
join, and point to mercy's store;
When through grace in Christ our trust is,
justice smiles and asks no more.
He who washed us with His blood
has secured our way to God.
octoburr

Funeral Speech

In season 3 of Sopranos, Tony's mom dies. There is a sorta forced gathering in the post funeral party, and one guy who knew her well is coerced into saying the first memento of her.
Herman says,
"Well, the one thing that struck me, she didn't mince words... Between brain and mouth, there was no interlocutor."
octoburr

Calling Dave Page.

Doctor Page, if you are out there, it's high time you stop hanging out with Marla at Hooters and hit us up with some prophetic narratives from days/nights of noumenal yore.

RSVP.

Might I make a suggestion?

For all those of you who are bored with your music, I have a few recommendations of bands to check out.
1. Drive by Truckers. They just put out a cd, and it has a song about Lookout Mtn. They are supposedly the new southern rock follow up to Lynard.
2. Hope of the States. I'm going to see them tomorrow. Radioheadesque.
3. Mogwai. They headlined for the Cure.
4. Interpol. Also headlined for the Cure. New cd out called "Antics."
5. The Walkmen. New indie rock band. Haven't heard 'em.
6. Metric. Another indie rock band. Haven't heard 'em.
7. The Samples. Another band to check out from the indie rock side of things.
8. The Shins. "Chutes too narrow" is new. I haven't heard "Oh inverted world."
9. The Strokes. I'm just starting to listen to their stuff.
10. Iron and Wine. They had a song in Garden State. Mellow music as far as I know.
octoburr

Salvaged sermon notes

Rob really has the patent on that word with Sasscer.
Be that as it is, I was cleaning out the car and found some sermon notes on the back of a Sunday bulletin. I think it is well worth repeating. I don't think I do Norris justice with my notetaking or editing, but now I can get rid of the bulletin. Hope you can follow. Otherwise I guess this is simply for my benefit.
Sermon is called, "Facing Despair," by Dr. Norris, on Psalm 43.

43:1Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

The psalm speaks of loneliness/longing for God. The psalmist says it affects him so that he can't eat. He can only cry. This is a matter of the soul. "There is murder in my bones!" He feels like a rock being pummeled by a huge waterfall. "Where is God amdist this?" he asks. When was the last time you were so desperately honest with God? I suspect we are susceptible to not feeling the truth anymore. Yet the pledge has been done! When life is overwhelming, we do not feel what we know. And indeed, we are still jars of clay (II Cor. 4:17-18).
How does restoration come?
1) We can pretend - and stumble onwards - create barricades to prevent pain
Norris quoted the first stanza of William Blake's "A Poison Tree."

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I water'd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with my smiles
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright;
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole
When the night had veil'd the pole:
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree

2) Take a pill to dull our emotions.
3) We can be honest about our feelings by looking them in the eye.
There is no place for the believer to deny the honesty of his feelings.
He mentioned a novel: "The Blood of the Lamb" by Peter Denise. Apparently the main character shares these sentiments of despair in his soul.
The psalmist's sentiments are this: "My God, my rock, where are you? You are not there!"
But we must not forget that the anger of God was unleashed on Christ once for all for our sins. God is not deaf to us. He was deaf to His Son. He was not there for His Son. It is no longer, "where are you?", but "my salvation."
Hope now in God.

Advice from Dante

Dante, in a fit of blazing inferno genius, wrote once that the hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who, in time of crisis, remain neutral. One can argue about what alert level of crisis this election may hold (is it Red, Orange, or maybe Yellow?), but we all have an obligation to at least believe something. Also, to vote.

And so, as a tutor to aid you in ensuring that your beliefs are warranted, I encourage you to check out the following link. Many of the "shrieking midgets of AM radio," as Garrison Keillor lovingly refers to them, have highly recommended viewing this 12 minute documentary on John Kerry. It's fairly damning, and if you watch it you'll see why.

Given his flip flopping, one could argue that Kerry is in fact trying to remain neutral more than anything. If that is the case, and if Dante is right, then one can only wonder where Kerry is headed...may God suprise Him with the gospel of peace, and may the irresistable grace of God cause John Kerry to seek Him while he can yet be found. Regardless of the results of this election, the King is still on His throne, and may the Kingdom continue to spread througout America, Iraq, and all the nations of the earth.

www.kerryoniraq.com

(look for the section on the middle-right hand side that says watch now.

Heart of a Dog

From the book by the great Soviet writer Mikhail Bulgakov comes the story of a stray dog who is operated on by a doctor, given a human's testes with epididymus and seminal cords, and a new hypophysis. The dog survives the operation and begins to experience some radical transformations. I quote from the doctor's journal:
The heel of the foot is lengthening. Also toes. Claws.
Repeated systematic toilet training. Servants are utterly depressed.
But note must be made of the creature's quick understanding. Situation is rapidly improving.
January 11. He has completely accepted the trousers. Spoke a long, gay phrase: "Let's have a smoke, or I'll give you a poke."

For relaxing times, make it Suntory time

Here are my sermon notes on Dr. Norris' sermon, "When Doubt Descends" based on Psalm 73.
Doubt is when what we believe doesn't seem to marry with our experience. We experience more doubt when we personally suffer than any other way. Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Unbelief is the opposite of faith. Doubt is a test to faith. It gives way to greater confidence when we trust in God. Worship becomes the tool through which we look over our doubts. We need heaven's perspective.
octoburr