Category Archives: Uncategorized
Twitter Updates for 2010-07-02
- Why does it take 30ish hours for my wordpress blog to cross post as a facebook update?! It feels so dated at that point. #
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-30
- Ryan wishes his nickname in highschool was 'the human palendrome.' #
- Ryan just overheard someone say on the bus 'i've been with five females yo. I'm a g ya know' …awesome. #
- Ryan loves his wife to the point that he'd scrub the floor with his eyelids if it made her happy. #
- Ryan just watched Vancouvers mayor get a coffee at MY coffee shop. #
- Ryan would like to change his previous update to: just saw Vancouver's mayor NOT tip at MY local coffee shop. #
- Ryan drove by 'bikini coffee' yesterday! Yes, that's right, everyone who works wears a bikini. Tacky? Yes. #
- Ryan 's friend saw this on a church reader board: "what is missing in ch–ch? U R!" if that doesn't sum up the gospel I don't know what d.. #
- Ryan Happy 5th of july!!!: Happy 5th of july!!! #
- Ryan is listening to a family xylaphone band at the farmers market. It's good…and strange…and yes, they've got a cow bell.: is listen.. #
- Ryan bought some old school tinkertoys off craigslist and sold an old modem, cell phone, and lawn mower!: bought some old school tinkerto.. #
- Ryan just saw his first praying mantice in the backyard today! The attack must be coming soon…: just saw his first praying mantice in t.. #
- Ryan wants you to go to googles homepage and type 'why is there'. As google finishes your sentence for you, notice one of the options: '… #
- Ryan preached at the Agape church in Portland this morning…and I think I didn't say anything stupid….: preached at the Agape church i.. #
- Ryan is disappointed with the magazine selection at the doctors office.: is disappointed with the magazine selection at the doctors office. #
- Ryan is reading this about the average american: spends ¤.47 of every food dollar on eating out. Watches 4.5 hours of tv a day. Eats 20 t.. #
- Ryan thinks the worst part of being Yao Ming would be that people could see your head while sitting in a public bathroom stall.: thinks t.. #
- Ryan has a working light in his fridge for the first time in a year…turns out the food stays in there at night too.: has a working ligh.. #
- Ryan walked away from our first Carter Park Neighborhood Veggie Swap with a few zuccini, pineapple mint, chives, rainbow chard, and a cup.. #
- Ryan just heard his son say to Jess 'its time to take those damn dreads off!': just heard his son say to Jess 'its time to take those dam.. #
- Ryan You are all invited to be a part of our Carter Park vegetable swap that happens every Saturday morning from 9-11 at Marcels Latte Ho.. #
- Ryan Anyone who's interested don't forget about the veggie swap tomorrow morning at Marcell's Latte House on 31st and Columbia in downtow.. #
- Ryan sitting at the veggie swap reading Moby Dick and skipping through the long 30 page chapter describing what exactly a whale is…booo.. #
- Ryan "what makes u better than anyone else?What do u have that God hasnt given u?If all u have is from God why boast as though u have don.. #
- Ryan just bought 3 books for me and 21 books for my kids at Value Village all for ¤20 bucks!: just bought 3 books for me and 21 books for.. #
- Ryan just read in the Bible where a leader of the church is sharing his dedication to 'running the race to competion'. That's my prayer f.. #
- Ryan isn't sure if its considered excersize when I don't have to peddle on my bike the whole way home from the coffee shop b/c its all do.. #
- Ryan is being taken on a mysterious Goodwill bin shopping expedition in Milwaukee.: is being taken on a mysterious Goodwill bin shopping .. #
- Ryan is going to shave his head tonight with the guys for jenna & joes wedding!: is going to shave his head tonight with the guys for jen.. #
- Ryan is setting up for jennas wedding. Grooms at the doctor, brother-in-laws car got towed…and its only 8am!: is setting up for jennas .. #
- Ryan is watching the photographer & parents trying to get 7 kids all stand still and smile in wedding photos.: is watching the photograph.. #
- Ryan thinks that farts rule (please see my wifes update!): thinks that farts rule (please see my wifes update!) #
- Ryan is regreting the title of his last blog post.: is regreting the title of his last blog post. #
- Ryan is wondering if anyone has some spare garden soaker hoses lying around.: is wondering if anyone has some spare garden soaker hoses l.. #
- Ryan is very angry that the owner is ruining 'my' coffee shop.: is very angry that the owner is ruining 'my' coffee shop. #
- Ryan just reserved the hotel for the family at disneyland in November!: just reserved the hotel for the family at disneyland in November! #
- Ryan feels guilty for lying to his neighbor when they asked to borrow his plunger…eww.: feels guilty for lying to his neighbor when the.. #
- Ryan just dropped off the wife & daughter at airport off to OKC.: just dropped off the wife & daughter at airport off to OKC. #
- Ryan is a little confused because the New Living Translation Bibile just used the word 'hucksters'…i'm very uncomfortable with that wor.. #
- Ryan just heard 'the theology of christian trinkets…' love it.: just heard 'the theology of christian trinkets…' love it. #
- Ryan just cleaned out the spice cupboard and finished drying some mint, thyme, and chives…and my wifes out of town…somethings wrong.:.. #
- Ryan is used to flying southwest and is pissed that I just paid ¤20 for my one bag!: is used to flying southwest and is pissed that I jus.. #
- Ryan is questioning why some wifi hotspots still make you pay to use it. That was so totally 2007.: is questioning why some wifi hotspots.. #
- Ryan just heard that "sucess has a way of blinding us to learning.": just heard that "sucess has a way of blinding us to learning." #
- @twfeed reminder #
- just found out that my instructor is on a first name basis and was a student of the pope. Cool. #
- wishes he was home with his wife and kids…and Brent, who now lives with us! #
- just heard his Bible instructor say that "Augustine fucked every girl he saw…but at least Augustine was honest." #
- My apologies. #
- didn't realize that he packed a dull razor…and therefore just scraped the hair off his face. #
- is uncomfortable with the fact that influential evangelical John Piper is teaching that God sent a tornado to scare the Lutheran church i.. #
- loves that Dallas Willard refers to Vampire Christians. Vampire Christians are people who say to Jesus: I'd like a little of your blood, .. #
- thinks that kissing dead people is only romantic in movies (think Matrix). In real life it's gross and weird. #
- is finally coming home! #
- …Detroit airport: surprisingly small, no starbucks, oddly empty, and very comfortable chairs. #
- wants some suggested reasons why our neighbor would come to our house EVERY DAY to borrow our vacuume (5 days straight right now). #
- is home. #
- was very blessed by our worship gathering tonight where we shared about our struggles concerning depression. That's what I call church. #
- has many quality excuses for why he did terrible in both of his fantasy drafts…but alas it doesn't really matter. #
- 10 kids inder the age of 6, 9 dogs, and a two bedroom house for the weekend! #
- will not be driving home tonight 'cause his car is torn apart in the garage! Who knows when we'll be back. #
- is on his way home! The car is running (for now), we've got our starbucks, and we're ready to go home. #
- is driving by a broken down tow truck. Ironic? #
- is very excited about tonights game! #
- is wondering if we know how to know what is better as we're trying to move toward what is best. #
- Anyone want to reply with the score of tonights game? (football). #
- is it bad that generally I keep it a secret that i'm a pastor/minister? I prefer to meet people as a person first and minister second. #
- Is there any right answer to the question "are you a contrary person?" #
- wants you to watch my children so I can spend some QT with the wife…folding laundry and doing dishes. #
- Ok, if none of you besides Rebecca (thank you by the way) is willing to babysit…who wants to come do my dishes and laundry tonight?? #
- Give me UFC or give me death. #
- Crap. I just counted 25 books (that doesn't include books for school) that are sitting on my shelf that I want to read. #
- wants you to pray for the 5 potential church planters nearing the end of their assesment with Kairos this week! #
- will someone please illegally download the soundtrack to Across the Universe for me so that my conscience will remain clear? Thanks. #
- is sick and tired of Aarons!! Last night there were 4 at my house (3 with a C last name too) Tonight at dinner Jess and I were talking ab.. #
- thinks that Milk Duds are worthless. #
- can hear Jones' screaming throughout the office as Jess helps him have his blood drawn. #
- has a sick wife who threw up all night! Poor girl. #
- is wondering which youtube video is your favorite (when I get home from Outback i'll post some of mine). #
- did not realize how long a 150 gig online backup would take!! #
- is trying to explain the differnce between Indians (from India) and Indians (native americans) to jones. #
- likes that his daughter is terrified of Swiper the fox from Dora. She often thinks that Swiper is in the garage. #
- meant to post this last night, but red wine sucks. #
- thinks that maybe we should make home insulation out of fried batter. Because the fish n chips I just ate stayed very very…very hot on.. #
- while jones and india read a human anatomy book I overheard: no India those aren't pacifiers, they're testicles. And you can't put them .. #
- just discovered that his zipper was down…way down. #
- just finished eating a maple bacon bar from Voodoo doughnuts with James and Andrea. #
- just found out that from 3-6 EVERYDAY its happy hour at PF Changs! Half off all apps! #
- just read "must not theology itself have liberation as its starting point or run the risk of being idle talk at best and at worst blasph.. #
- ran out of gas…again. Only this time a nice older couple gave me a ride to the gas station and back! #
- just got a dog. #
- jones just wondered if farmers in mexico farm weed. I said "wheat?" and he said 'no, weeds!'. #
- loved watching jones wretch from the smell and texture of pumpkin carving! #
- is listening to my wife quiz both my four and two year old about the states in America! #
- is loving listening to this guy teach about small groups and church planting…but all I can think about is eating the last brownie on t.. #
- is loving listening to this guy teach about small groups and church planting…but all I can think about is eating the last brownie on th.. #
- no joke, I didn't get my first papercut until high school. #
- is thinking about how examining the life and teachings of Jesus should (eventually) always leave us marveling at his present Spirit at wo.. #
- Jones just said "hey mom look, my pee bubbles are in the shape of Alaska!" #
- @jessica woods this is a test. #
- Please won't someone tell me why vancouver has freeway signs telling us not to transport invasive aquatic species. #
- is looking for the best nacho place in vancouver/portland. Suggestions? #
- Hmm…reggie bush, hightower, or bradshaw…hmm…who to start today… #
- is worshiping with the United Methodist church down the street. #
- just read this and am processing its implecations: "Christian theology is a cumulative process." #
- is starting to get freaked out by how smart facebook has become. #
- Anyone know when krispy kreme gives out the hot free doughnuts?? #
- just at delicious enchiladas at Glenda Crownovers home. #
- is glad that its Redemption Monday. #
- a:0:{}. #
- a:0:{}. #
- saw the bumper sticker "don't let the car fool you. My treasure is in heaven." but the dude was driving a Mercedes SUV. Isn't what makes .. #
- doesn't want to tell his wife that BOTH kids wanted to play in the grocery stores play area. She'll be jealous. #
- Trying to relax after a killer neighborhood Halloween party. Thanks to all of you from Renovatus that have helped to put this on for the .. #
- Hey all you people I've told about my daughters halloween costume, its now in my photo album and it'll be worth your time! #
- just realized how bad his facebook photo album is. Maybe its time he uploaded some photos. #
- Sissy just got out of surgery and is doing great…now if she can just recover in time for Disneyland in 12 days! #
- any of you who live in downtown Vancouver got a spare room my friend could stay in for a month? #
- Can community be defined as when me and you becomes "us". And could it be further said that "us" doesn't happen unless me and you are ab… #
- just say this bumper sticker: "i wish you had not voted for Bush." -God. #
- Is tired of being with his children today…and its not even lunch time yet! #
- the Snuggies popularity confuses me. I just saw snuggies "on the wild side", for me, for kids, and for dogs! #
- watching jess start her tat! #
- jess' tat is looking good. She's about 3/4 of the wat through! #
- is extatic that Jones found my Starbucks giftcard that went missing three years (and one house) ago! Thanks for the b-day gift Arwen…t… #
- Looking for an in n out for dinner. #
- been driving for 12 hours! #
- Interested in knowing more about the work of the 'Couves Birthight international? Let me know &. #
- I just generated a #TweetCloud out of a year of my tweets. Top three words: ryan, blog, post – http://w33.us/3zct #
- Is excited about his friend brian coming to the nw for three weeks! #
- After 25 years we installed a new director at Birthright. I feel blessed to be a vision carrier for Birthright International. #
- "He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak…those who wait on the Lord will find new strength…" #
- Mcmenamins, powells, laughing planet,burgerville, the gorge…what other nw places do I need to take brian to? #
- Mcmenamins,powells, laughing planet, burgerville,. #
- Two thoughts…we picked the coldest day of my life to cut a xmas tree & I keep pressing the wrong button and am sending my txtx early. #
- Picked the coldest day of my life pi. #
- Is sad for greg oden. #
- Wants to know who picks the huricane names and why they never pick ethnically diverse names. "Huricane Abiyoyo." #
- Got any blankets or warm clothes? Renovatus is collecting them on Sunday from 2-8 and we'd love your help! Let me know if you've got any… #
- Was just interviewed by the news as I watched firemen put out a burning Marcell's coffee shop. Sad day. #
- Playing cards with waterfalls is always boring. #
- Someone please give me a coffee carafe or two. I've got an idea. #
- Wants to know who your favorite preacher/teacher/speaker types are. #
- Yes, I did have my favorite basketball player's jersey number shaved into the back of my head when I was a kid. #
- Once upon a time in a land far away where cows dressed like chickens and people ate beef for breakfast there was a… #
- Chillin' &3 Paper Tiger coffee shop. #
- Thank you five guys burger and fries. You have made my mouth happy today. #
- Is enjoying getting his wife all riled up and talking about her hot button issues. #
- I get shivers when I sing 'in his name all oppression shall cease.'. #
- Wondering what's more silly: owning a Hummer or buying a shirt at a vintage shop for $26 when it should only be a quarter. Anything to f… #
- Now that brian is gone I no longer hear the music…beatles music. #
- Oscar is gone and I forgot to say goodbye…so…um…goodbyeoscar. #
- Jones just said "i'd rather just eat at home. You guys make better food." thanks for nothing Applebees! #
- (2 of 2) are good…" #
- (1 of 2) sthinking of the facebook induced discussions that have often occurred:"trust is what is missing from dialogue.Believing the ot… #
- Watching a $1 movieat kiggins with the kids! #
- as I left work tonight I was approached by a blind looking man who offered me a mouse. Yes, that's right, he offered me a mouse, beddin… #
- Just wrote "1-1-10" for the first time…strange. #
- Had a great time with my family at powells, at pf changs, and locking the keys in the car. #
- my eyes are barfing hearts. #
- Hot pink. #
- Yes, both my kids know the words to the Tiki Room song. #
- Just papercut my tongue while licking an envelope! Why must I lick envelopes! #
- Just found a container of millit flour in the playroom…hmm…i'll blame the daughter. #
- Is dedicated to using the word lampoon often. Like "are you lampooning me?" #
- On my way to marry my high school friend…I mean, perform the wedding of my high school friend! #
- Just found out that my cousins on the same flight as me! Leaving for detroit via salt lake in 1 hour. #
- Interesting. Just saw a comercial paid for by corn growers saying that corn syrups not bad for you. Things must be bad for the corn people. #
- I feel like i'm in Narnia. There's snow everywhere but no Christmas, and people here act as if snow's a curse- no snowmen or signs of … #
- Drinking warm Dr. Pepper for the first time…I think i'll switch to coffee! #
- The air in the atlanta airport is thick and moist like a jr high boys bedroom. #
- It's good to be home. #
- Is making plans for how to phase out myself at renovatus…it feels strange…and it's a little sad. #
- Jones: "Fuh…fuh…Fuh…I'm thinking of a word that starts with the letter F. A bad word that starts with F. Do you know one?" Jess:… #
- Is blessed to be in prayer for 30 minutes as the Renovatus community has been praying all day for Haiti. May God do the unthinkable an… #
- I'm at Paper Tiger (703 Grand Blvd, Evergreen, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/7aU6cb #
- When reading why do I always want to skip block quotes or quoted Bible verses?! #
- Proud owner of my first Moleskine. It better be good since it cost $75. #
- Loves that my kids invited me to take some cookies with them out to the homeless man digging through the neighbors recycling. We got t… #
- Why do you keep posting song lyrics as status updates! I'm always the last one to get it and i'm always concerned about you apparent angst. #
- "religious truth is that which transforms reality rather than that which describes it." #
- My kids ate dinner!!! They've been on a self imposed fast for the last eight months. Tofu, carrots, sugar snap peas, brown rice, and l… #
- Just finished watching really poorly made videos from my AIM(Adventures In Missions) years. Good times. #
- Goodbye Outback…maybe. Today could be my last shift as I take an extended leave of absence. #
- I'm at Starbucks (8720 Northeast Centerpointe Drive, NE 88th St, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/aAFvlb #
- Thank you man sitting in the back row for your awkward singing that made the bus ride this morning enjoyable. #
- So what if I teared up during an episode of SVU tonight…alone… #
- Just found a plastic cutting board stashed in the oven. Sadly I found it AFTER preheating the oven to make lunch. #
- Wow, Tulley's coffee is not good. Couldn't tell the difference between a vanilla latte and a carmel macciato. ssticking with Stumptown! #
- If outsiders have visited church services and found it wanting and don't want to go back…what then? #
- I'm at Paper Tiger (703 Grand Blvd, Evergreen, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/7aU6cb #
- For the first time in a long time I don't have plans for the superbowl…and for some reason I don't care. What's wrong with me? #
- Is wondering if the machinery at a magnet factory is made of plastic. #
- Recaulked the bathroom last night. And let me tell ya, it looks good. Proudly, I only made one caulk joke! #
- Was blessed by hearing stories from my friend Mac over pancakes! Any Outback folk want to join next time? #
- My son just recognized Tracy Morgan on a commercial. "isn't that the guy from 30 Rock?" #
- Wonders why we dont say fiveteen instead of fifteen. #
- I'm a little bit sad to find out that my wife's funnier than me. #
- Yeah, i'm wearing shorts today. #
- "Freedom is a condition of the soul whereas liberty is a condition of the body." #
- "Freedom is. #
- I'm not as sarcastic as you think. #
- One new garden box built, getting 3 yards of dirt on Monday, compost restarted…now all we need are some seeds. With all of our littl… #
- Celebrating with the Cascade Hills church that the mystery of following God is that he brings life out of death. #
- Goodbye Cascade Hills. You will be missed! #
- Any suggestions where I can find a selection of organic/heirloom seeds in portland or vancouver for my veggie garden? #
- Is gald that Jones still refers to me as Carl, jessica as Love, and he and india as Happy. It's not a joke folks, he seriously only us… #
- Trying to figure out how to use pixelpipe on my phone! http://pi.pe/-ovrxrl. #
- Trying to figure out how to use pixelpipe on my phone! http://pi.pe/-cziqmf. #
- Why in the world are there always so many copies of God's Politics at Goodwill! And why does Facebook post the books that I add to my … #
- Just received this text from my wife: "I wish I lived in a dryer." awesome. #
- Jones' "boat ride" just went from a horrific storm into a terrifical adventure and then into a safe return to port. #
- I'm at Starbucks (8720 Northeast Centerpointe Drive, NE 88th St, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/aAFvlb #
- I'm at Paper Tiger (703 Grand Blvd, Evergreen, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/7aU6cb #
- Nursing a coffee, listening to Tracy Chapman, on a date with my wife. Can life get any better? …probably. #
- Just spent the last 15 minutes with my wife practicing what it would look like if we were rockstars and were able to have special musi… #
- My 2 year old is watching a slideshow of photos of me when she says "oh dad, you're so awkward…but your nice!" #
- Who wants to join me and go down to the train yards to tag some boxcars tonight. #
- I have an amazing and beautiful wife! We're on our way to McMenamins in Forest Grove for the weekend and she totally surprised me! I a… #
- I'm teaching at renovatus this week on Jesus depicted as a warrior.If you know some of my perspective on life you'll know that this wi… #
- Goodbye Mac. You will be missed. #
- When asked today what makes him happy Jones said "pancakes and being handsome." #
- Jones woke up with a 105.9 temp tonight! #
- Why is this scripture not more core to my belief system "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" According to… #
- Last chance to change your calendar around so that you can be at the grange hall tonight at 6pm (or come for a community meal at 5) to… #
- No joke, my b.o. has been so bad the last two days that at times it makes my eyes water. An intervension might be in order. #
- Crap. Turns out everyone has finally realized i'm overweight. #
- India has croup…and she's furious about it! She's a crying ball of rage. #
- I just figured out that Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live use the exact same format. Bring in celebrities to do something goofy, b… #
- Happy birthday Hans. Thanks for the Emperors New Clothes, it was a good story. #
- I did it! I broke 600 friends! I may not know all of you, but we're friends nonetheless (that's just how I role. I'm a very accepting … #
- Either I look like i'm in my 30's or my server broke the law. I choose to think that I look older. #
- God is dead. #
- My daughter thought the egg dying tablet was candy. Her mouth is now dyed red. #
- I am not Gustav Eifell. #
- I've nearly killed all of my garden starts. Will I one day learn how to grow plants? #
- So google voice transcribes all of my voicemail messages for me and then texts me the transcription…but it does it really poorly! So… #
- Umm…where's Revelation? The last few chapters of the book of Revelation are missing from my Bible. Is God trying to tell me somethin… #
- I'm currently working on an expose piece for my blog that will be titled "Charlie Korsmo vs. Ben Savage" Needless to say I think we sh… #
- "Mercy with out justice is still imperialism." -John Perkins. #
- My kids split our family into 2 teams. Girls against boys. India named her team "team vagina" while jones named his "team fasticles." #
- I'm really worried aboit getting sucked up into a ponzi scheme. #
- Still chillin at the airport waiting for my flight and worrying (always worrying) about ponzi schemes. #
- Waiting at the airport to go to Florida! Ideally we'll come back refreshed, renewed, and more equipped to lead. #
- I just atteneded the least green conference ever! Plastic bags filled with papers wraped in bubble wrap and sealed with saran wrap flo… #
- I want to rip dvd's onto my computer. What free software do I use? #
- I wish I could wear jean cuttoff shorts. #
- jess to India: "dude, calm down." jones "mom, do not say dude to a young woman such as this!" #
- Thank you Betty White. #
- This morning Jones asked Brent (our roomie) "Where is your favorite place to be in the whole world?" Brent "Germany." Jones "Now imagi… #
- My poor garden plants keep getting attacked by hail! #
- I'm trying to be a hugger. Tonights modest (yet genuine) hug count : 5. #
- I'm at Mon Ami (1906 Main St, W 19th St, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/4HS8Tr #
- I'm at Fort Vancouver Regional Library (main library) (1007 E Mill Plain Blvd., Mill Plain and Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver) #
- I'm at Mon Ami (1906 Main St, W 19th St, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/4HS8Tr #
- I'm at Paper Tiger (703 Grand Blvd, Evergreen, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/7aU6cb #
- I'm at Lucky Labrador Beer Hall (1945 NW Quimby St, at NW 20th Ave, Portland) w/ 3 others. http://4sq.com/77BP7c #
- I'm at Buffalo Wild Wings (9810 NE Cascades Parkway, at NE Mt Hood Ave, Portland). http://4sq.com/8kuZdY #
- I'm at Paper Tiger (703 Grand Blvd, Evergreen, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/7aU6cb #
- One take home final to finish today and I am done for the summer! And half way done with my degree! #
- fascinated by the pay-what-you-want new non-profit Panera Bread restaurant open in St. Louis. I hope it works. #
- Oops. Heating up the oven for dinner. Forgot there were dishes hidden in the oven. Getting burgerville. #
- I'm at Marshall park (Fort vancouver way, Mcglouglin, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/cexFhF #
- Is enjoying watching my son learn social skills. #
- I'm at Mon Ami (1906 Main St, W 19th St, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/4HS8Tr #
- Is kind of getting into this foursquare thing (the mobile app not the kids game…though I like that too). #
- I'm at Dulins Village Cafe (1708 Main St, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/cUiBZs #
- If you do not protest in person, please protest in prayer today against the Westboro Baptist Church that is at one of our local Vancou… #
- I'm at Paper Tiger (703 Grand Blvd, Evergreen, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/7aU6cb #
- My friend Nick who was going to help us start a church in downtown Vancouver died in a motorcycle accident last night. A few of us wil… #
- The memorial celebration for Nick will be on Thursday June 10th at 4:00. It will be held at the Vancouver church of Christ. I hope the… #
- What do you call a male midwife? #
- I'm at Mon Ami (1906 Main St, W 19th St, Vancouver). http://4sq.com/4HS8Tr #
- Just discovered Cambric tea. Not bad if you have to drink tea. #
- As my wife and I went to bed last night I remembered that Nick had left me a voicemail message two days before he died that I had neve… #
- Evangelism isn't something you do but something that happens when you live like Jesus. #
- What? A Tyrannosaurus might have been a scavenger! Who would of thought? Take that Jurassic Park. #
- I'm at Bonneville Lock & Dam (Dam Rd, Cascade Locks). http://4sq.com/aMPBKM #
- Leaving Nick's memorial service. #
Update
I just want all you loyal readers out there to know that I’ll post as often as I can. More likely than not it will be a flurry of posts and then silence for a while. I’ve just begun my masters education and something in my schedule had to give. I thought about giving up playing with my kids or talking to my wife, but in the end I decided to blog less.
peace.
Dealing with THE question: If God is good then why do bad things happen
I stumbled across my good friend James Wood’s old facebook update that said “If god is good, then why do bad things happen?” and it sparked a very good and long conversation attempting to answer this question. This is not a new question by any means, but it was peoples responses that got me thinking…which turned into ranting…which translates itself into blogging. My thoughts are in no way a direct response to any one persons comments, but are just some general thoughts connected to a general feeling I have.
We all ask this question, it’s one of THE questions that human beings ask, it’s a question that must be asked. But I’m not sure it’s a question that should be can be answered in a tidy way…especially by Christians! The reason I think Christians should be hesitant to answer this question is that sadly (and interestingly enough quite unlike Jesus) Christians are often not known for being gracious but are rather known for being judgemental and critical. Or, to put it another way, unlike Jesus prostitutes, drunks, addicts, “sinners” are not drawn to Christians but are actually repelled by them. So when a well intentioned Christian says something along the lines of “God is teaching you something” or “God is disciplining you” or “God gives us free will” or…fill in the blank…it does nothing to help carry that persons pain. People ask the question because they are trying to reconcile the pain and hurt of life with the God that we want to believe in. Instead of helping to carry that persons pain it instead puts the hurt back on the person because in essence it says “deal with it”. The reality is that Christians have lost their voice. People do not listen and value our response to this question anymore because it no longer comes out of a place of grace, peace, hope, truth, etc. and instead comes from a place of superiority. This may not be true of you specifically, but you’ve got to deal with the reality that where we are in our culture is that our voice has been lost. And if you want to have a voice in this discussion again we’ve got to earn it!
When I look at Jesus I see someone who had every opportunity to give “right”* answers but instead chose to heal, empower, and lift people up.
And getting back to some of our trite answers to THE question, I’m not even sure that they fit some of the real hurts that people often speak of. Sexual abuse, starvation, homelessness, death of a child, catastrophes, etc. In many instances it’s not the direct result of a persons free will, and how can you tell someone who was habitually raped since childhood that God allowed them to go through it so that he could bring them closer to him (or some variation of this same idea)! Sorry folks, that’s neither good, nor holy, nor right!
I think its time we Christians stop trying to answer this question with anything simple, anything trite, anything tidy, and anything that is lacking grace! I’ve been pondering what I think a possibly healthy response might be…and…here’s the best I could come up with: If God is good then why do bad things happen?
I don’t know. I don’t get it. It sucks. I’m sorry.
*This is even making a giant asumption that Christians even have clarity concerning what the “right” answer is to this question!