Da Vinci "controversy"

I finally bought the paperback version of "The Da Vinci Code" last night; I figured I should read it for two reasons: 1) so that the novel wouldn't be ruined by the movie and 2) to see what all this "controversy" is about. Its been 3 years since Dan Brown came out with the book, and I've heard all kinds of things about it especially from the Christian community. And now with the film coming out, mainstream Christianity is up in arms about it again, trying to counter it with clever campaigns like "Da Vinci Didn't Convince Me" created by Evangelical Christian publisher Tyndale House or books like "The Da Vinci Deception" written by Erwin Lutzer (an Evangelical minister in Chicago). This is what Lutzer says about the whole thing: " 'The Da Vinci Code' is the most serious assault against Christianity that I have ever witnessed."
Oh, really? Thats a bit dramatic for a piece of literary work categorized as FICTION, isn't it? I'm no expert but I think that means it isn't true by definition. And this whole thing about the book being "the most serious assault against Christianity" is ridiculous! I can think of a few things (Pat Robertson, politicizing God, mega-church mentality, Christian "culture", apathy towards social justice) that might warrant that top spot, Mr. Lutzer. And besides, won't all this protesting and counter-attacking actually give it more credence and viability? I honestly would not be reading it if there wasn't so much angst and hostility towards it. Just take it for what it is, a highly entertaining novel that contains some religious and historical elements. I can't fathom why Christians are so threatened by fictionalized novels? Like my buddy Ric said, it takes alot to place that many inaccuracies in one book; so let's not neglect the fact that the book is flippin' FICTION!
Oh yeah, aren't the "Left Behind" series fiction as well? I'm sure they are not that much more accurate than "The Da Vinci Code". Here's yet another example of Christians propagating trivialities while missing out on the larger picture of God's kingdom.

Christians Against Pat(Robertson) Speaking

Haha, signing this online petition totally made my day. Thank you Tom Ponchak for starting the petition.

Dear Rev. Robertson,
We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to ministry over the years, but we are now asking that you please retire or at least stop making unfounded, insane-sounding comments and trying to pass them off as mainstream Christian thought such as:
1. Calling for the assassination of foreign heads of state (Hugo Chavez). 2. Telling people God will abandon or punish/destroy them (Dover, PA residents) because they exercised their right to vote against intelligent design supporting school board members. 3. Saying that morbidly overweight, elderly heads of state (Ariel Sharon) have strokes as the result of punishments from God for seeking peace rather than simple cardiovascular disease.
Seriously Pat, you're embarrassing the rest of us Christians who are trying to demonstrate God's love and mercy to a broken world already suspicious of religion and religious people.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Starbucks entertainment

One of the previews for Thank You for Smoking (which was an excellent movie mainly b/c I'm a big fan of satires) was Akeelah and the Bee. The movie looked good enough but what surprised me was the fact that it was produced by Starbucks...what the heck? I thought they made coffee? In related news, Tom Hanks is set to film a movie titled How Starbucks Saved My Life...no, really, that's actually true. This all comes as further proof that Starbucks is on a quest to best Oprah for world dominance.

bracket update:busted!

So all of my Final Four teams have lost...none more heartbreakin' than #11 George Mason defeating #1 UConn who I had winning it all. By the way, who the heck is George Mason?! College basketball is stupid...I'm done watching it (this year)!

Real Life Simpsons Intro

Yo, if you like the Simpsons whatsoever, you have to check out this video!!!

I suck.

So after coming to the realization on Sunday that I sinfully revel in self-addiction, I came across this passage in Philippians from The Message as I was preparing to facilitate our small group Tuesday:
"If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand."
That really just floored me...I really don't know what to say; words can't convey the anguish that grips my heart as those words penetrate through the facade...Father, forgive me.

theology?

We had a lively discussion last night in our Hi-Riser group on the merits of theology. Now, obviously, the study of God and the knowledge gleaned from Scripture is worthy of our attention and encouraged in the Bible. However, these words from Paul in the first book of Corinthians created some uneasiness in me: "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
The question I have to ask myself is, if "Jesus Christ and him crucified" was all Paul wanted to be about, why then do we have all this other stuff outside of that? I know theology is a man-made system to answer the questions we have about God and it has its value but it seems like it creates more divisions among us than it does unity...even in that passage, Paul notes that "your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." I don't believe we should stop asking questions or pose serious doubts about our faith, but systematic doctrinal analysis can't be the only provision of resolution, right? I can't help but think how this institution of knowledge with its seminaries and professors and colleges and commentaries has become its own entity, seemingly a new religion of sorts; knowledge for the sake of knowledge? How much of theology actually clutter things up rather than clear them up?

Bracket update: 2nd round

10-6 ain't that bad, I guess. Four Big East teams made it to the Sweet 16, and my Final Four are still alive.

Its hard not to like a Honda

A recent article from the New York Times reports that "luxury sport utilities are becoming decidedly less cool than just three years ago, when they were the hottest things on wheels and dealers had long waiting lists for the most popular models." Why? Well, because "the higher cost of gasoline plays a big role, as it has for the last year of high oil prices. But wealthy buyers, who used to shrug off the expense, are shifting gears, as excessive energy consumption is becoming socially embarrassing."
About flippin' time you H2 freaks come to your senses! I'm glad that folks out there are if not speaking out against then at least frowning upon popular trends that are grossly detrimental and largely unnecessary; in this case, ginormous tank-like vehicles that guzzle gas and destroy our environment. Its a good sign that some sort of social consciousness (however limited it may be) is out there influencing the manner in which we live.

personal synopsis

Upon finishing Blue Like Jazz, I realize that my vice of choice is self-addiction.

Bracket update: 1st round

I went 22-10 in the 32 games of the first round. So far, all my final four teams are still intact. But Kansas and Michigan State lost so thats gonna screw up some of my 2nd round and Sweet 16 picks. And yes, I owe you a dollar Maggie...stupid Syracuse!

Ronnie D and his gee-tar

Ronnie played a full set of his tunes last night at the Knitting Factory and though he admirably won't admit it, the guy is good...I mean really good. As in, I'd buy his CD if he had one (imagine that, people still buying CD's and not downloading them on iPod's...); I'm very picky about purchasing CD's and I'd only buy music from about 2 or 3 musicians who I know personally (I'd buy your CD, Shan...and Frank Prats' too as well as Mike's) so that's saying alot. But then again, its coming from me so maybe its not saying so much. I don't know...but what I do know is that I didn't feel like I was watching someone perform necessarily...it resembled, in my mind, more of a conversation with his music being one side of that conversation and my reactions to them the other. Its a weird way to describe it, I know, but I liken it to friends naturally interacting with each other, one sharing his story and the other actively taking it all in. Even though some of the songs were kinda heavy, his mannerisms and presence eased the tension of the words and one can see the genuineness of emotion behind the chords and lyrics. I think the song that most resonated with me was "January" which conveyed a sense of undeniable uneasiness that is always intertwined with the changes of life and the passing of loved ones.
So in other words, the boy has skills. And can I just mention how amazing it is to be part of the worship that he leads musically every week. Sweet.

16 Blocks

Paraphrased from the movie:
"You are driving a car in a hurricane and come to a bus stop. At the stop, there is an old lady who is dying, your best friend who saved your life, and the girl of your dreams. You only have room for one. Who do you take?" (Don't answer if you've seen the movie.)

Budgets are Moral Documents

From Sojourners:"On Feb. 6, President Bush started the budget process for fiscal year 2007 – which begins Oct. 1, 2006, and ends Sept. 30, 2007 – by sending his $2.77 trillion budget proposal to Congress. His budget cuts domestic program spending by $183 billion during five years. Cuts include nearly $14 billion from Medicaid, $706 million from food stamps, $1 billion from child care support, and $36 billion from Medicare. Military spending would increase by 6.9% to $439 billion, not including an additional $50 billion for war spending in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, the president's budget calls for billions of dollars in tax cuts that will benefit the wealthiest Americans. Noticeably absent from the budget proposal is funding for Iraq and Afghanistan after 2007, as well as the cost of extending relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax after 2006. Moreover, the proposal omits figures for years after 2011. This sidesteps customary budget practice. Ignoring these major expenses intentionally masks the impact of current tax and deficit policies on our long-term stability."
At a rally concerning the proposed 2007 budget on Capitol Hill, Jim Wallis recently remarked,"You see, we believe that fiscal choices, economic choices are also moral choices and, for us, even religious choices. Who is important? And who is not? What is important? And what is not? Who do we most value? And who don't we value at all? They are fiscal choices, but also moral and religious matters.
Overcoming poverty must be a bipartisan commitment and a nonpartisan cause. The religious community will ask Democrats to stand firm against this budget violence against poor people, to make the moral choice of favoring the poor over the rich - which is also a biblical choice. Democrats must get religion on the budget.
And we will ask Republicans: Follow your conscience, not your party. Help your party make better moral choices than favoring the rich over the poor - stop turning the biblical wisdom upside down - and then having the nerve to claim that you are the religion-friendly party! It's time for Republicans to get religion on this budget."
As I read this article, my eyes were drawn to the words "Faith in Action"...I kept thinking how the changes I wanted to be a part of and the social injustices that I want to take on start with me. That it was, first and foremost, my faith and my action that had to change and be catalytic. As I looked back on how much time I wasted arguing and debating instead of doing and being, I feel that I've let someone out there down...I disappoint myself all the time but to know I disappoint God especially in this area...it completely brings me to my knees. But at the same time, it makes my resolution to make informative choices and kingdom-impacting decisions by truly seeking His will all the more stronger.

The Big Dance

I just got done filling out my tourney bracket. If you're interested, you too can participate in this sports ritual. I predict all Big East teams make it into the second round. I'm calling the biggest upset in the first round to be (15) Winthrop over (2) Tennessee. The final four will be UConn, Villanova, Gonzaga, and Duke with the Huskies beating the Blue Devils in the finals to become the 2006 champs. Let's get this party started!

me and the 411

Last night was the final meeting of our Connections group which is basically the new members class at the 411. Pastor Scott shared the origin of the church and the vision and planning behind it all. Its a very cool and intricate story that shows how God is using people and circumstances to love this great city. Hearing all the background stuff and Scott's heart for this special ministry in NYC really made me desire to become a bigger part of God's work here with this community of faith.
What's funny is that before I moved out here, I believed God would lead me to such a church. This might seem strange, but I had prayed for specific conditions for Him to meet in whatever church He would connect me with. That might sound weird or picky or whatever but I really knew that such an environment would be the necessary step in my development and maturity as a disciple of His. So I was like," Father, you know what I need but just for the record, how about this, this , and that." And you know what? God totally honored my prayer by bringing me to the 411. This church is centered around many of the things I had asked God for...its incredible when I think about how I knew I belonged here from the very first Sunday I visited. It is such a wonderful gift from the Lord...one I'm most thankful for right now in my life. To be part of this awesome ministry, surrounded by amazing people, in a place that is so ready for something more than what life itself offers...I'm getting goose-bumps as these thoughts and dreams run through my mind...

So, when I look out my window in Queens, I see the side of the house next door. When Scott looks out his window, he sees that...who said being a pastor doesn't have its benefits?

waiting or missing out?

Do you believe in soulmates? Someone you have been destined to find and marry? I have a hard time with idea because its difficult for me to believe that God has set aside a specific companion for the journey of my life. Is it, then, on me to find her? What happens if I don't or, even worse, make some wrong choices along the way that preclude us from ever meeting?
The one thing running through my mind all last night is that I am now 26 and have never been in a relationship. Never. Sure, there are alot of factors that go into that like rejection, missed opportunities, bad timing, immaturity, work, school, shallow-mindedness...I can go on. I've attributed this whole thing to the notion of not being ready for a relationship in the past, that I need to mature as a man and as a person and as a disciple some more. However, there is this sinking feeling that there is more to it than just that now; a thought that suggests there is something wrong with me which prevents me from finding true companionship. And its not like I crave having a girlfriend but its a special bond just about everyone my age has experienced except me. I don't feel sorry for myself or anything but I find it a strange and peculiar situation to be in...haha, it is probably the weirdest thing in my life right now.
I know the answer in all this is to simply wait upon Him to reveal the right girl at the right time while continuing to grow in my relationship with Him. That is the all-encompassing response in the stuff I've read. However, such an answer is based on previous relational experience. But being how I've never had one, how do I know the difference between waiting and missing out?

SNL 3/11

Yo, I had one of the best seats in the studio last night! I was sitting with Matt Dillon's buddies in the second row right in the middle...I mean Matt Dillon was basically looking at us the whole time. I was stoked that Bill Hader did his Vincent Price sketch which was hilarious, as always. Weekend Update was funny with the Will Forte sing-along. The spring break opening had everyone rolling! After the show, I got to meet Josh Lucas("Sweet Home Alabama"/"Glory Road") and Kal Penn(Kumar from Harold&Kumar) who were both very cool guys.

Get yer dancin' shoes on, folks!

March Madness officially begins today with Selection Sunday underway. Duke beat BC to win the ACC earlier cementing their status as a #1 seed. G-mac played out of his mind by hitting big-time clutch shots to lead Syracuse into the Big Dance by becoming Big East champs. They had to win four close games against Cincy, #1 UConn, #23 G-town, and #16 Pitt! The insanity has commenced...

iPope

It's official: Pope Benedict is now an iPodite. Aaron, we've lost another one to the dark side; but not just anyone, its the flippin' Pope. I'm stunned at such tragic news...
What picked me up was reading that upon receiving the iPod, the Pope said,"Computer technology is the future." Wow, really? No way...I can't believe the Pope would go out on a limb like that and make such a bold prediction. It must've been "Let's pretend we're living in the 70's" day at the Vatican again.

The weather today in Manhattan was amazing; it even reached into the 70's, I think. Reminded me of what I left behind in California. Oh well, its raining over there right now. Haha, suckas!

Can ministry be done without the headache and heartache of politics? Would God's work be more effective if His servants weren't hindered by extraneous meetings, non-productive conferences and spirit-less committees? What would happen if the church, as a body, no longer tolerated unwarranted criticism and spirit-crushing gossip? Could more people be cared for? More needs met? More love felt?

Bono in Chile

It should not be a surprise when Bono and U2 receive awards; throughout the band's illustrious career, they have won an inordinate amount of them. However, what is remarkable is the type of recognition and honor bestowed upon them nowadays. During their recent concert in Chile, President Ricardo Lagos gave Bono the nation's highest award for the arts. Also, the individual members of U2 were awarded Amnesty International's 2005 "Ambassador of Conscience" award right before the concert. The ceremony was attended by President-elect Michelle Bachelet, Chile's first female leader, who had this to say to Bono,"You are a reminder to all of us that the world is not changed only by politicians and governments . The world is changed by all of us."

sports review

Tiger, Tiger Woods y'all! My boy won Doral again on Sunday beating out Toms to win by one making it career victory number 48. Tiger has now won three of his first five starts this season. He's is absolutely on fire! Yeah, I don't hear anyone criticizing his swing now.
Team USA blanked Mexico yesterday 2-0 in the World Baseball Classic. The Domincan Republic team is stacked! On paper, they look much better USA but they ain't got the Rocket!
Kobe made the sic-est shot in the world! He was chasing the ball down on the right side of the court as it was heading out of bounds towards the baseline. He grabs it, aims off of one foot as he is carried by his forward momentum, shoots it not only with his left hand but banks it off glass...all this in one smooth motion before the buzzer sounded as time expired in the third quarter! What?!
So, St. John's failed to make the Big East tourney this year...which means they won't be invited to the NCAA as well. The Big East tourney might get interesting with a couple of teams needing to do well to get in the NCAA and a possible match-up of #1 UConn and #2 Villanova in the Big East finals. Thats how strong this conference is with five teams in the top 25. My Final Four predictions are the top four teams in the nation: UConn, Nova, Duke, and the Zags. I think Reddick should get POY over Morrison because he played against a higher level of competition in a better conference, and Duke has a much better RPI.

Academy Awards shindig

I would like to start by saying that I had the most correct picks(11) last night at our little Oscars party. Thank you, thank you very much. The two winners that surprised everyone was 3 Six Mafia for Best Song and "Crash" for Best Picture. I don't think anyone of us chose either of the two. Three 6 Mafia, hahaha...to para-phrase Jon Stewart," Martin Scorsese=zero Oscars. Three 6 Mafia=one." Speaking of Jon Stewart, I thought he was flippin' hilarious. He dropped some good jokes; some of them aimed at right at Hollywood too. However, the majority of the celebrities in front of him didn't get most of his political humor or nuanced mannerisms or satirical wit at all...the cameras kept cutting to Jamie Foxx who was choking with laughter because he was the only celebrity who didn't think of himself too highly to laugh. And that has become the inherent problem of the Oscars: stars who take the whole night way too seriously. I mean the four acceptance speeches that showed emotion or feeling or class were the Three 6 Mafia, the director of "Tsotsi", Reese Witherspoon, and George Clooney. Everyone else was either boring or snobby, and us common folk want to see people having a blast and thrilled to win not looking constipated or comatose.
The bits by Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, and Steve Carell worked really well. Stewart's mock campaign ads and the gay cowboy video montage were great too. My three favorite Stewart jokes: 1) "I do have some sad news to report. Bjork couldn't be here tonight. She was trying on her Oscar dress and Dick Cheney shot her." 2) "A lot of people say that this town is too liberal, out of touch with mainstream America, an atheistic pleasure dome, a modern-day, beachfront Sodom and Gomorrah, a moral black hole where innocence is obliterated in an endless orgy of sexual gratification and greed. I don't really have a joke here. I just thought you should know a lot of people are saying that." 3) "The Oscars is really I guess the one night of the year when you can see all your favorite stars without having to donate any money to the Democratic Party. And it's exciting for the stars as well because it's the first time many of you have ever voted for a winner."

SNL 3/4

It was a pretty good show last night despite Fall Out Boy(sorry, Aaron). Their first song sounded horrible and if you sound awful on SNL, then you're just awful period. Will Forte was great as President Bush again...I didn't realize Natalie Portman(who is definitely on my top ten list) is that small in real life. She had a pretty funny opening monologue involving Star Wars stuff. Natalie had on a t-shirt that read "Stop Wars" which I thought was sweet. The best moment of the show was her hardcore musical video that provided a glimpse into what a typical day is like for her. Mad funny! You have to check it out, and if you haven't seen the Chronic(what?)cles of Narnia video, what's wrong with you?

drive-in church

I have never been to a drive-in movie let alone a drive-in church.

George Clooney

The last two movies involving George Clooney were politically charged films that carried undeniable messages that took aim at the wayward direction the American govt., namely the Bush administration, has been leading the American people. In "Good Night, and Good Luck", Clooney cleverly correlates the inability , and subsequent persecution, of Americans accused of Communism to face their accusers in the 1950's to the "un-Patriotic" contempt smeared upon Americans who questioned the motives and objectives of the Bush administration before the war in Iraq was initiated; I think the manner by which both groups of people were deemed "traitors" by the governing body should not be forgotten so shortly. In a recent interview, Clooney remarked,"The whole world has turned much more political in the past four or five years. But I think it’s hard to say, with so many American kids being shot at, that those of us who spoke out weren’t fairly right about the war. I wasn’t going to listen to the leader of my country say, “You’re either with us or with the enemy.” Not just “You’re with us or against us,” but literally “with us or engaging in acts of treason.” You can’t call people traitors because they believe in dissent. That’s what this country was based on."
Along with Stephan Gaghan, Clooney addresses the long-standing issue of America's dependence upon Middle Eastern oil in "Syriana". When asked if the Iraqi war is based on this dependence, Clooney responded," Of course I do. If it wasn’t about oil, getting Saddam Hussein out, who was a really evil dictator, would stand well behind getting Robert Mugabe out. If it was about getting a dictator out, you know Pinochet was no sweetheart, either. Of course it’s about oil. This isn’t a problem of the last five years started by the Bush administration. It’s 60 years of flawed policy in the Middle East. I don’t think there’s a person out there from the Middle East to America that would disagree with that. So the question then becomes, What do we do? And I don’t think we—Hollywood—should supply those answers. Perhaps when we are at our best in Hollywood is when we raise questions. And when we are not at our best is when we try to supply all the answers."
I think everyone knows that Clooney is pretty liberal and outspoken against what he believes are grave injustices perpetuated by this current presidency. I don't want to go as far as to say that I wholeheartedly concur with everything he brings to the table but I would be closed-minded if I don't find the objections presented in these two movies to be valid, if not pretty accurate. I'm always leery of celebrities taking to the political and social arena for many reasons. However, there are a few who do so with a convicting voice of influence possessing the potential of catalyzing change and starting conversations that, otherwise, would be non-existent. The article intros the interview with this assessment of Clooney: "No one this side of Bono has so deftly put his celebrity at the service of his politics. No one that side of Mel Gibson has leveraged his stardom to make risky projects that would otherwise sit on the shelf." What more can you say about the guy? Not only does he make great films but he actually stands for a few things worth championing.