ABC Nightline: Is America Addicted to Porn?
I bet you never thought you would see the day when the word Porn and the name Ron Jeremy would be mentioned on my blog. For those who have never heard of XXXchurch this posted directly from their site:
XXXchurch is here to make you think, react, and to decide where you stand on the issues of porn. We’re not here to sling mud, but to shove the envelope and try and do some good.
Sometime in Feburary Donny Pauling and Craig Gross (From XXXChurch) debated porn stars Ron Jeremy and Monique Alexander with ABC Nightline’s Martin Bashir moderating at Yale University. By the way, I never knew Yale had a sex week. I do not know if this ever aired on TV, but I wish I would have known. Anyway, I do not know where everyone who comes by this blog stand is on porn, but I recommend taking time to watch. I for one fully support the ministry of XXXchurch and everything they do. I have posted a link to their web-site (not Ron Jeremy’s site, but XXXChurch) above to check out.
So we are in an age of technology where we can blow up falling satellites from the sky, heck we can even go to space. For some reason though ABC, a highly rated network by the way, is still stuck in 1998. I will not be able to embed the videos on the page and I will have to post the link to the videos below. Remember the days of clicking on links?
Bloopers
So Saturday night was the first night of our Church’s Easter production and within a few weeks I will get the family a copy of it. Over the years I have gotten over my fear of getting in front of big groups and speaking, but not acting. So needless to say I was a bit nervous Saturday night. For the most part I remembered my lines, but there were some bloopers. Blooper one, there is a scene when Mary (Jen) realizes Jesus (Me) has resurrected. After the scene I was walking backyards through a curtain and lights went out. I turn to go right to get ready for the next scene and I slammed my toe into a black wooden box. It was so loud people in the audience not only heard it some of them thought I fell. Jen was still on stage getting ready to sing her solo and wasn’t sure what to do. Before I talk about blooper two I have a quick side story. Ann, the writer of the play, her husband owns a machine shop and he actually built an ascension machine. Picture a one platform escalator. Anyways, we nicknamed it the Jesus Coaster. So blooper two, during the ascension scene before getting on the Jesus coaster I was to go and shake hands with the disciples and give hugs. Well I was in such a hurry because I had to change costumes and get mic’d up again I forgot my fake hair. I walked onto stage where everyone could see me, which some people did. Fortunately, Gary cut me off before I was on stage for too long and I went back and got my hair. Saturday morning Jen, her dad, and bunch from church went and played paintball.
Mike, Jen’s dad, loved paintball so much that afternoon when he got home he bought a paintball gun. Mike is already talking about going to his land and playing paintball there. So I think a paintball gun purchase for me and Jen are in the future.
So remembering social obligations are not really my thing…actually without Jen I would be lost. One reason I have my Blackberry is to remember these obligations. However these planned events do not always make into my Blackberry. One such event I am horrible at remembering are birthdays. Birthdays are really the worse for me, they just never tend to pop up on my radar. Simply ask my mom, my dad, my sister, or anyone really in my family because I have forgotten them all at least once. Who knows why, maybe because I tend not to make a big deal out of mine. What I do know is that I suck as a son because I have once again ladies and gentlemen forgotten my mother’s birthday. It’s not in the Bible, but I am pretty sure God will judge me and others like me differently for forgetting our mom’s birthdays. So my day is pretty much ruined and if you need me I will be playing in traffic.
Come on Spring
So we are moved out of the apartment and into the house. I took a few pictures of the new place but I don’t have them on me right now and will get them up soon. We still have a little unpacking to be done, but it is minimal.Spring is approaching here in NC and I cannot wait. I am tired of this winter stuff. It was fun at first, but seriously 5 months of the cold gets old. At least we could have gotten a bit more snow then a few inches. Then again I could be shoveling 26″ of it.
Found out I’ll be going to New York for work mid April for about a week. My boss and I will be doing training in Poughkeepsie. I’m looking forward to it. While we’re there my boss is going to try and get either Yankees or Mets tickets….come on Yankee tickets. Also found out that next year I maybe doing some international traveling. My boss asked me what my two preferences would be and I told him Australia and Brazil. Brazil because I love the Brazilian people and the country and then Australia…well how often does one get a chance to go to Australia. The international stuff is still a year away so we shall see.
I finished my first half semester of class and finished with an A and B. This week starts my second half of the semester. I’m taking another Theology class and also a Church History class. I have a feeling this is going to be my most demanding semester yet. I have a paper due just about every week either for my theology class of my church history class. Plus I have quizzes at the end of each week and my normal lectures that I need to watch.
I haven’t really mentioned this at all and not sure why, but this week is our Easter Drama.We Followed Follow the Man is the Title and I will be playing Jesus. A woman in our church wrote it and Jen is helping direct it and Jen even has some stage time. Jen is the actor and I am no actor…how I got to be the main character is beyond me. So unlike typical Easter dramas where it ends at the Resurrection we are going to continue pass that and describe what happens with each of the disciples after the death of Jesus and after His return to the Father. I’m sure we will have a video of it and I will get copies out to everyone.
I did a little bit of 3D work on the side this past week. The pictures that look like they are hand drawn is a program (AutoDESK Impression) that will take the rendered drawings and convert them into hand drawings. I wish I could take credit for 100% of the work, but I can take credit for about 95%. The chairs and the speaker cones I found online. But the speaker casing/frame, curtains, door, the screen and projector, wall scones and room layout I did.
Until next time folks….
so you think you can
Lastnight we went to see So You Think You Can Dance live show at the Bobcat Arena. Yes I said we, anyways we had a very good time lastnight. Watching it on TV is one thing, but seeing it live is a totally different experience. It is amazing what these people can do with there bodies.
Tonight is a very exciting night for me. Transformers the movie came out Tuesday so we’re having some people over to watch it with us. We’re going to BBQ some chicken and just have a good time. BBQ chicken, friends, and Transformers the movie…can it get any better.
I just finished out my Theology 201 class with a 95 and I registered for my Spring 08 classes the first 8 weeks is Theology 202 and Youth Ministry 201 and the second 8 weeks is Theology 250 and Church History 301.
Last week Quentin, the Youth Pastor, gave me permission to do a couple months worth survey lessons of the Old Testament major characters and events. I brought the idea up because the youth group is strongly lacking in Old Testament knowledge and I suggested the idea of doing a survey of it. During lessons they are asking questions of why the Jews did this, why did God do that, who is that. Maybe it’s because they’ve gotten so much preached from the New Testament by old the youth pastor who knows, but I hope the helps them understand a bit more.
I made another video lastnight. I’ve noticed in the last two videos I’ve made they come out blocky and a lower quality then what I uploaded them at. I am hoping to find another site to host them so they will not be so blocky.
Tattoo’s For Everyone
So this weekend was get your family tattooed. So this weekend Jen and I went and got tattoos. For about 3 months we have been very diligent to keep to a budget and because we have done so well we felt we would treat ourselves. I’ve been wanting to get my Hebrew name, but because of one of the many hurricanes we received back in Florida my mom thinks the certificate was destroyed when she lost her house in the hurricanes. I tried checking with the temple where I was named, but I have little faith in them having it. So I found the Alpha and Omega sign and found Adonai in Hebrew to put under it. I told the artist he could do whatever he wanted with the design of it. Jen got on her right wrist “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” in Hebrew.
This weekend I kind of bought a new mountain bike. I say kind of because I have to return it for another one or get my money back. Here’s what happen. Sunday morning Travis came up to me and said “Kendra told me not tell you and Jen this but I’m going to do it anyways.” Great way to start a conversation! When Travis was at Sun & Ski Outdoors he saw the mountain bike he bought for half price and he just had to tell me. Half price is an excellent deal for the bike he has, so of course he had to tell me. Jen who I love says “well go get it Bobby” ::cue singing angels:: So right after church we head over to Sun & Ski with Travis and his wife in tow to go and get the bike. I did a short test ride and it seemed to ride alright so I buy it. Travis and I throw the bikes in the back of his truck and head up to Lake Norman State Park to ride. Remember it’s supposed to be the same bike as Travis’ well as we look closer we start to notice a few things different on mine. We don’t think any more of it and start to ride and then I notice that the bike is kind of tight. Basically I was really close to the handlebars. We finish the course and Travis and I are looking over the bike and then ::goodbye singing angels:: we realize the bike’s frame is only a 14 incher instead of an adult 20 incher. I got a bike for probably a teenager instead of an adult. Never would we have thought to check the actual frame size. Update: I called Sun & Ski and they do not have any others in stock, but can order me one in my size and have it in 2 weeks 
. This is how much of a great deal this bike: It was mountain bike of the year for 2006 and listed originally for… I never thought I would’ve spent this much money on a bike…actually I even said I wouldn’t…but bike of the year! Honestly I don’t think I would’ve bought it if it wasn’t for such a supportive wife…Shout out to my loving wife.
I did not realize that Labor Day was right around the corner and this is important for me to know because we’re going to Tennessee for the long weekend. Every Labor Day Jen’s family, on her mother’s side, gets together and goes camping. You know what that means…I get to go mountain biking in Tennessee. Mountain biking has seriously become like a drug I’m always itching to go.
Last Wednesday night church service we had a very interesting conversation. It wasn’t a sermon or him preaching anything it was literally a conversation on something that churches do not ever tackle. He asked us how we are doing in studying our Bible. Usually all you hear is read your Bible and pray rinse and repeat. Well there are a lot of people who do not know how to read there Bibles. Heck I’m going to school for it and I still get confused while reading it. So we had a nice open discussion on why it’s hard for some and what are some methods to reading it and understanding it. Wednesday night made me wonder do other Pastor’s not do this. Why is it always just read your Bible and pray, why is it always a message on 7 steps to get out of debt or 7 steps to live close to God…why is it topical messages all the time? Whatever happened to just reading the Word of God and then tackling the issues as it comes up in scripture. The Bride of Christ is in such a sad state and Christians do not even realize it. We wonder why Christianity is attacked in the media well look at ourselves. As Matt Chandler, a pastor out of Texas states it “We as Christian are leaning up on the Cross all smug and pointing at people telling them they need to be kneeling at the cross and repenting. Instead we need to be kneeling at the cross and telling people to come there is room for all of us.”
Missions & Our Desire
I think most of you know that Jen and I have a desire to do full time missionary work one day and these past couple days really affirmed it even more. Anytime we get around missionaries whether it’s talking with them for a few minutes/hours/days, listening to them, or spending a few days with them we get excited about it. There are just some things that we need to do before we can really get into it. Mostly I just need to finish school. Oh and we have this small house back in Florida…come on hurricane season!
So on with the story. Tuesday we had some friends from back home come up and visit. Caleb and Eliana, actually those are Ryan and Lisa’s kids who I absolutely adore (Jen will understand). Ryan and Lisa are full time missionaries that we met a few months before we moved up here and they are getting ready to go to Mexico. This is like their farewell tour going to see family and friends before they leave. It’s kind of the like Eagles farewell tour, but better. OK so I have never seen the Eagles let along their farewell tour.
Continuing, they are with New Tribes Mission which is a faith based organization (meaning all of their support comes from people and churches they partner with no big organization) that go into tribal areas and work with the people in not only bringing the gospel to them, but also helping to translate the Bible into there language. They will be heading to Chihuahua, Mexico in November to begin their final part of training before they head out to a tribe. Last night they were able to speak at our church about what they will be doing and where they’ve been to get there. It was just a sweet time of fellowship between brothers and sisters of Christ.
So Tuesday night and yesterday we spent together just kind of hanging out and catching up…oh and we played spades. (Finally Lisa you were able to call blind nil). Wednesday afternoon Travis and I took Ryan mountain biking (I’m sure no one saw that coming). It was a fun time…I think Ryan had fun. I know at one point Travis said to Ryan “I bet you can’t believe you paid for this”. They left this morning and we’re hoping we can meet up one last time before they leave for Mexico and we’ve even talked about going to visit them in Mexico.
On a side note Jen had a mole or some type of pre-cancerous thing removed from her chest. It was really small and we should have the results back next weeks sometime. Till next time kids.
As Promised
It may take a minute, but just watch.
Supersize Me!
This weekend was pretty laid back for the most part. Saturday morning I went mountain bike riding with Travis (what else is new?), and then we went and had a good ol’ fashion North Carolina breakfast…not sure what good ol fashion North Carolina breakfast is, but it just sounded good. Then Jen had lunch with some girlfriends of hers.
Sunday we had church and we’re starting the book of Jude. Ah yes, the small one chapter book right before Revelation. When was the last time you heard a message from Jude, if ever? Read through it and you may know why. I’ll post more on that once we get into it more. We watched a small 6 minute video that had the whole church in tears and once I find that I’ll post it up here. After service I needed to get out and ride. I went up to the White Water Center and did about 4 miles in 45 minutes, which is pretty good for me for that course. I was telling Jen I can actually tell a difference in my body from when I originally started to now. Before I thought I was going to lose a lung every time I rode, but now I can finish pretty strong.
Last night Jen and I watched Supersize Me. If you ever want to stop eating fast food this is the movie for you. It is a documentary on the McDonald’s/fast food industry and the sad state of obesity in America. Morgan Spurlock, the genius behind this movie, goes on month long diet of only McDonald’s…breakfast, lunch and dinner. The results are astonishing. You’re probably saying to yourself, “of course they’re astonishing Bobby he ate McDonald’s for a month long. Did you think he would get in great shape?” Well you’re right, but as he states in the movie, in the society we live in today there are people who eat like that. So yeah, I’m done with fast food….don’t think your salads from there are safe as they contain as many calories as a Big Mac….scary, I know. In the month period, his body weight went from 185.5 to 210. In addition he almost destroyed his liver. One doctor actually said his liver looked the same as someone who drank alcohol.
This problem roots itself all the way into children as far back to first grade. At one point of the movie, Morgan sat down with a group of 1st graders and flash card of some pretty famous people, at least I think so. George Washington….no idea and Jesus…..no idea, actually one child said “George Bush”. But when he got to the Ronald McDonald they knew right off the bat who he was.
Here is a link to a summary of the movie. I usually don’t recommend movies, but this movie is a really must see type thing, even for kids. Here are some facts from the movie.
FYI. I know there are people who read this because you’ve told me and I check my stats. If you ever want to comment on anything you have that ability and you don’t need any sort of account. If you click where it says comments it will bring you to a comment page.
Excuse me sir but there is a tree in your way
Some of you may have heard of a show called “So You Think You Can Dance”, well Jen and I are absolutely addicted to it. If you have never heard of the show here is a quick synopsis. It’s sort of like American Idol but for dancing, young adults/kids (18-30 maybe) are in a dancing competition. However, this is not your ordinary dancing competition. Like any dancer they have there own style of dancing, but in the show they are given one of the many styles to dance i.e. the waltz, hip-hop, free style, contemporary, the samba, salsa, disco, & many more, some I don’t even know the name to. They have roughly 5 hours with the instructor and then about a week to learn it. The things these people can do with there body is just amazing. I’ve tried some of it and well the results were not good to say the least. Anyways if you have time I highly recommend it, at least give it a shot. Dad because I know how much you like disco I post a video of one of there disco routines at the bottom.
Today Jen made our covenant membership today with our church which was awesome thing to do. Travis, who doesn’t want to be called pastor, gave each of us as much time as wanted to give our testimony and then at the end he asked the church to stand in agreement for our membership. Jen talked about her past before she met me and her life in college and I talked briefly about being born and raised Jewish and I also talked briefly on Romans 11 where Paul speaks directly to the Jews. If you read Romans it almost as if Paul stopped talking to the Romans to speak to the Jews. He tells them that they’re still God’s chosen people and that Christ is who they were waiting for.
This afternoon Travis, Kendra, Jen, & I went back to the White Water Center. Travis & I mt. biked the other trail at the center and Jen & Kendra walked. I basically rode straight up a mountain and got my butt kicked. Think of a fast ride down a hill and riding straight up a wall….yeah I lost my spleen somewhere on the trail. It is so amazing the things we can do here, next weekend Jen and I are going to go to some mountain (Jen thinks it Crawford) to hike it. I was talking with Jen how we can’t do nearly as much of the things we do outdoors back in Florida. There was the beach, a few parks, and did I mention the beach.
Work is going great still. I’m still trying to get my number changed over it’s been one headache after another. Moving in general has been a headache. Actually not moving, but more or less customer service with other companies.
Dear Time Warner and Cingular if you are by some chance reading this your customer service is seriously lacking the service part.
Till next time kids.
Practice Makes Permanent
Well this weekend was quite a busy one. Jen and I finished unpacking finally….at least for the most part. I go t the surround sound and TV hooked up and Jen went to a cat show (has not one thing to do with moving). Saturday morning Jen, Mike and I went played frisbiee golf in addition to hiking. Frisbiee golf or Disc Golf and the professionals call it is basically just like golf, but you use frisbees.
Sunday we finished up our Discipleship I class and next week we will give our testimony in front of the congregation. One of the things that Travis kept hitting on in relation to churches in America was “practice makes permanent” and as I reflect on that I realized that is very true. This was the illustration he shared with me when first started going to church.
Every time this woman made ham her husband noticed that she would cut off the end of the ham and finally after many years of not knowing why he finally asked his wife. “Why do you always cut off the end of the ham”? She said “honestly I don’t know why it’s something my mother always did when she would cook ham”. So she called her mom and asked her “Why did you always cut off the end of the ham”? She said “honestly I don’t know why it’s something my mother always did when she would cook ham”. So she called her mother who was still alive and asked her “Why did you always cut off the end of the ham”? She said “I always did it because the ham didn’t fit in my pan I don’t know why you kids still do it.”
When this happens the churches are ever more like the Pharisees that Jesus spoke out against in His time on Earth. We begin to become religious and forget about grace that Jesus has given us.
Funny story time. Travis, the pastor, his wife, Kendra, Jen and I went to the US National Whitewater Center Sunday after church, which by the way is the official training site for the US Olympics. Travis and I went mountain biking riding of course and Jen and Kendra went walking on the trails (6 miles). On with the story, there are these ginormis power lines that run through the trails that I suppose are used to transfer power to sub-stations. They’re so big you can actually hear the humming of the power, pretty cool and scary at the sametime. So Travis is riding in front of me and he slows down to get readjusted on his seat and his hand gets shocked, shocked so bad that he hits his front brakes and flips over the handlebars. Apparently, this is a common problem in this area because a lot of people are getting shocked in this area. I’m not sure why this happens, but everyone I’ve talked to said it’s not that bad kind of like static electricity.
