I've really gotta work on this

...because it seems like I never update this, but I enjoy hammering out some thoughts whenever I do. Who knew that we don't always do what's good for us? *looks at God, and sees him raising his hand*

Which brings me to my next point...I've been trying to boil down my faith to something that I can easily explain that doesn't rely on Christian-ese. When I'm surrounded every day by people who literally laugh at the thought of a God that has a relationship with people...referencing the Bible to explain why Christianity is my "world view of choice" just doesn't seem to work well. Go figure.

So when you're not allowed to reference the Bible...what does Christianity boil down to. And if there is a God, why bother following Him? If He cared, wouldn't he let you know? Why hide, right? And why in the world would you wake up on Sunday morning to listen to some crazy guy read from an old, error prone book, just to tell you that the world came into being over 6 days, and is less than 10,000 years old?

Valid questions, I've got to admit.

Sure, we know that Jesus died for our sins, and we know that God loves us, and we don't want the people around us to burn in h-e-double hockey sticks, right? The bible says that we shouldn't lie, shouldn't kill, and it definitely gives us the responsibility to go into Iraq and bomb Sadaam out of power, right? He was a bad guy! Maybe these are all true, maybe they aren't...but the point is that those are all hot button issues that will get you ignored if you assert them with evidence that starts with "The Bible says that..."

As Christians, we've got to quit talking to each other so much. Fellowship is important, I get that. But when Fellowship Halls are more used than the altars...we have a problem. When Fellowship halls are only used for Christians to get together, and not for communities, "unsaved" friends, and people wether or not they belong to the church, why are we meeting on Sundays again?

Now don't get me wrong...I love learning about Jesus on Sunday morning, and Jesus taught in the synagogue "as was his custom" so we know that the Big Guy thought that church and meeting as believers was important. But I think that Jesus spent far more effort on the sick than the healthy...and I bet he didn't quote the Law to the Gentiles. Not because it didn't apply, but probably because He knew better than today's church does that the people who don't respect God already won't respect that old book that is supposedly "written" by him.

I think we need to simplify our view of Christianity. It's not about systematic theology, excatalogical speculation, and certainly not dogmatic teachings of one denomination over another. I wonder if Jesus would head over to the Playboy Mansion to try to chat with Heff about God. I wonder how many churches today would condemn any public evangelist who went into the Playboy mansion. I wonder how concerned Jesus was with "avoiding the very appearance of Evil." Yes, to clarify that one a bit. I don't think Jesus engaged in sinful activity...but that doesn't mean that he didn't go to a (likely shady) party with tax collectors that got him severely judged by the religious establishment of the day.

Jesus was simple. Jesus was clear. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We want to get to The Father, we go through Him. God isn't into this whole complicated business...we live His way, we go to heaven. No debates over Eternal Security, Denominations, whose church condoned slavery 150 years ago...none of it matters.

So here's my take on Christianity. You may feel like I left something out, but I challenge anyone to find something wrong with it.

1) God made us for a relationship with Him

2) We (as humans in general) ran off

3) God sacrificed Jesus to restore our relationship

4) EVERY rule in the Bible is there for our benefit, because He knows what we need better than we do.

5) Our job is to follow those rules, because it's in Him and in fulfilling our purpose that we are truly happy.

Not lying, not coveting, not stealing, killing, or being a jerk to the cashier in line in front of us. It's all for our benefit. Jesus put it well. "Love God with everything you've got. Love people as much as you love yourself." (the Kevin Paraphrased Translation) It's that simple, and I'm sick of people getting wrapped up in the details.

So you want to know how to talk to an unsaved person about God? Tell your own story. I guarantee that we all have a story about that time that we committed a sin and it screwed us over. Tell them about a God that loves us enough to give us all the answers we need. He made us for a relationship with him. We messed up, so he made a huge sacrifice to fix it. If we want to, we can live His way and be happy.

Who wouldn't want that?

Bachelorhood is overrated.

So I'm sitting in the office at work, and I'm pondering why I haven't updated the blog in [INSERT APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME HERE].  It's been forever, and I missed writing on here, but somehow I never seem to get around to it.  I was politely reminded by a few of my relatives (side note: "relative" is the word that knocked me out of the third grade splling bee...I got second place) that I hadn't kept this even remotely up to date.

One of the biggest things that has happened lately is that I am totally finished with grad school classes.  No more sitting and trying to learn nonlinear spectroscopy, viral biology, or mechanics of ribozymes.  No sir.  Now that doesn't mean I walk out with a PhD yet, I've still got to finish up 3-4 years of research (or more, but hopefully 3-4 years).  Then I can graduate, and fulfill the dream that Ben and I had Sophomore year at SAU...walk into a crowded room of worried people and say "It's ok, I'm a doctor!"

On the research front, things are going fairly well...I have what we at the SAU chemistry department called a "minion."  There's an undergrad who's working in the lab, and Dr. Rueda thought we'd get along well, and we do.  His name is John, and he's actually a Math major, which means that he's taken to the data analysis we do pretty well.  Now it's just a matter of trying to make lots of pretty graphs this week because...

I'm headed to Wisconsin next week for a national RNA conference where I'm giving a poster presentation.  It's kindof like a science fair on steroids, only we're trying to do things like cure AIDS instead of make a Lemon power a light bulb.  Which one was cooler is debatable.  But in any case, I'm signed up for time on the "scope" (also known as the lasers in the dark room) this week because I figured Rueda would have some last minute project for me to work on that I didn't see coming.  At least Mel is gone this week so I don't have to be frustrated in case I end up pulling some ridiculously long day on Wednesday to finish everything up.

About Mel being gone...it's reduced me to hoping that she cooked enough good food in the fridge, because I've now realized how accustomed I've been to having someone share my schedule with me on a regular basis.  I almost forgot to eat lunch yesterday after church because she wasn't around to remind me I was hungry.  Pitiful, I know.

Speaking of yesterday, it was pretty exciting.  I went to church in the morning, and after doing the Bass guitar in the worship band thing, and then doing the whole church biz...but I'm getting ahead of myself.  When I was leaving the house in the morning, I locked the door behind me.  With the door still open, I realized that I didn't have my keys on me.  I was running a bit late, and I was planning on picking up a house key for my in-laws who are going to stay in the house on Friday anyway.  So I locked the door behind me, planning on using the church's spare key to let myself in, and leave it for Mom2 and Dad2.

Back to after church finished...we couldn't find the key.  All of a sudden I was filled with visions of myself sleeping outside...or worse yet, driving to Detroit and sleeping in the lab for the next 5-6 days.  Rueda would be thrilled to see such "diligence" from a grad student, but even so, I was less than excited about the prospect.  After we started a search party and scoured the church for the key, turns out that it was hanging in the key cabinet...but there were about five slots for a parsonage key...and we only checked four of them the first time through.  =(

So if you're going about your week this week and you have someone do something nice, like your wife cooks you dinner, think of me, and thank the nice person that's keeping you happy.  Anyway, now I've gotta go cure AIDS with lasers.  Enjoy yourselves today, even if it is a Monday.

The beginning of the tournament, girl scouts, and Ayn Rand

Well, I was appalled this morning when I realized that I was going to be actually in the office by 7:30 or so.  =D  One thing that I'm actually getting pretty happy about March Madness starting up, I'm going to have to pick up a guitar pick on the way home.  Then I can spend this evening in the basement trying to figure out how to play while watching Basketball...I'm hoping YouTube pulls through for me with some good lesson videos on electric guitar.  

To comment on the last 66.66% of the title, I heard an interesting story this morning about how there was a girl scout who posted a YouTube video about how everyone should buy girl scout cookies because they're tasty.  She became one of those viral videos that apparently tons of people linked to (although I totally missed it...) and she ended up selling a boatload of cookies.

Here's the squeeze...you're not allowed to sell girl scout cookies online.  So even though she (and her parents, obviously) thought that it was ok to advertise online and sell by mail, the other moms in the troop (or whatever they're called...the "pan" of brownies?) started complaining, and she was disqualified.

Now I understand, she was skirting (no sexism intended) the edges of the rule about selling online...but I'm awfully tired of America's obsession with mediocrity.  It's like that de-motivator poster (http://www.tarantulas.net/funny/graphics/demotivation/underachievement.jpg) that tells you that the best way to get attacked and cut down is to do something that other's can't or didn't think to do.  Yes, she got an "unfair advantage" because she had a video online that others didn't.  She was smarter than the other girl scouts...she got the video up, and followed the letter of the law in taking mail orders, which are not using the internet.  I'm just irritated that our culture has taken to telling little kids that they have to do it a certain way...you'd think we'd be trying to get them to think more entraprenurial instead of stifling the best idea to hit girl scout cookie marketing in years.  

I don't know, maybe I'm way off, but I would have liked to see her get the credit that I think she was due.

Wow, this is lame...but kindof fun...

1.If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say?

I'd call CNN and ask Oprah for a million for an interview...I totally one-upped that other preggers guy...

2. Do you trust all of your friends?

If I didn't, they wouldn't be my friends.

3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?

If I didn't...I wouldn't really love them.  (these questions show a lot about the general opinion of your "friends" and the people you "love"...

4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

*looks at the Bible*.....yep

5. Can you make a dollar in change right now?

nope, I carry plastic.  But my plastic is worth enough I can have a field day in the dollar store...want to come?

6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?

considering I'm in a PhD program, answering that question would make all my other friends mad...so I'm going to say Mel.

7. Are you afraid of falling in love?

...who writes these questions?  *looks at his wedding ring*

9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?

Mr. Rodgers just popped into my mind.  Did you hear the urban legend that he was a sniper in WW2 and has a full sleeve of tattoos?

10. What’s your most favorite scar?

The one from Lion King

11. When was the longest flight you were on?

the one from New York to Detroit...after not seeing Mel for 12 weeks.

12. What did the last text message you sent say?

I don't text.

13. What features do you find most attractive in the preferred sex?

interesting question...below I will either keep this PG rated by not answering, or answer honestly.

14. Fill in the blank. I love:

my hat...that I haven't met yet.  And Mel.  Has anyone found a really cool hat?  Cause it's mine...even though it doesn't know it yet.

15.What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future?

learn to play guitar...and find an awesome hat.

16. If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended time who would you call?

Ghost Busters!

17. How many kids do you want to have?

enough.  Or 3, whichever comes first.

18. Would you make a good parent?

Ask the youth group.  =D  But yeah, I'll have fun putting the fear of God into the kids that come to date my daughters, and my sons will know that women are God's gift to men for being made first.  We don't deserve it, but instead of questioning it, treat the gift well and run away with her before God or the woman can change her mind!

*wonders how many people now disagree with my answer to #18*

19. Where was your profile picture taken?

in front of the house...next to the awesomest snowman ever.

20. What’s your middle name?

Michael

21. Honestly, what’s on your mind right now?

the electric guitar I want to buy...but I wish it were the awesome hat I own that I haven't found yet.

22. If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?

Great Scott!  Haven't you people seen back to the future!  You could alter the fabric of the space-time continuum and destroy space-time as we know it!  Besides, I haven't finished the flux capacitor yet...

23. Who would be the maid of honor in your wedding?

I'm starting to become very suspicious that this test was designed for women.

24. What are you wearing right now?

jeans and an awesome sweatshirt from the concert Sat night.  And my wedding band.  And the hat that I haven't found yet, but that's just in my head, not on it...yet.

25. Righty or Lefty?

Righty-tighty, lefty loosey.

26. Best place to eat?

Wherever Mel is, but just out of arms reach so she doesn't steal bites.  =D

27. Favorite jeans?

comfy ones.

28.Favorite animal?

PENGUINS!

29. Favorite juice?

Apple Cider, but not the crappy type...the kind that you can actually taste the apples...otherwise it's just dirty apple juice.

30. Have you had the chicken pox?

heh, that's a funny disease.  Yes.

31. Have you had a sore throat?

if you haven't...you should come see me so I can cough on you.  It's only fair.

32. Ever had a bar fight?

ummm...no.

33. Who knows you the best?

This guy...named Jesus...but he cheated, cause he wrote the test.  So I guess Mel wins by default.

34. Shoe size?

anywhere from 9.5-11

35. Do you wear contact lenses or glasses?

yes

36. Ever been in a fight with your pet?

yes...she won, but I think she cheated.

37. Been to Mexico?

yes...I recommend NOT eating the pickeled pork rinds...they taste as good as they sound.

38. Did you buy something today?

not yet, but I'm hoping to buy an electric guitar...and an awesome hat.

39. Did you get sick today?

you're about 3 days late with this question, but thanks.

40. Do you miss someone today?

nope, I've been practicing.

41. Did you get in a fight with someone today?

no, but it's only 8:30 AM

42. When is the last time you had a massage?

not sure.

43. Last person to lie in your bed?

Mel...I hope.  *looks angrily south*

44. Last person to see you cry?

honestly not sure, but it was probably Mel...

45. Who made you cry?

probably me.

46. What was the last TV show you watched?

Cold Case, but I almost never pay attention to TV.  Someone gets shot, someone dies in the first 3 minutes, and somehow it seems entertaining to spend an hour dwelling on the topic of death...

47. What are your plans for the weekend?

just finished it, but the concert was sweet.

48. Who do you think will repost this?

I don't know, but a bunch of my friends just lost the game.

49. Who was the last person you hung out with?

probably your mom, but I'm not sure.

50. If your significant other asked you to marry them TODAY what would you say?

I'd look at her weird, and then we'd laugh.  Then I'd say yes.

being sick is overrated

You know, it's kindof ironic that I got sick this past week after talking with Mel about how she's always sick.  Apparently God (or the evil little viruses floating around...or both) thought that it'd be amusing to take my faith in my immune system down a notch.

Mel did a great job of taking care of me, and I'd like to think that I didn't complain too much...although yesterday I was pretty out of it.  I actually had to stay home from work for the day, which is something I haven't done in a very long time...probably since my Junior year of college.  Luckily Thursday is a day where I don't have any classes, so I didn't miss anything, and I did read a paper or two and go over some data during the day, so it wasn't completely unproductive.  Just pretty close.

Just wanted to post real quick, so I don't get out of the habit (if posting once got me IN the habit...we can debate that later).  Mel, thanks for being a sweet wife and making pizza.  =D

February went away, so I guess this is the march update...

It's weird, because I like writing in the blog, but I never seem to find myself doing it.  I guess it's one of those things like working out...when you're done you're usually glad you did it, but you always avoid it like it's out to get you.  Human nature for you, I guess.

Anyway, the youth group is going well, and I'm really starting to enjoy working with the chillins.  =D  I understand a little bit more about how all the adults in my life interacted with me when I was a teen...you always want to keep other people from making hte mistakes you did.

One of the biggest mistakes thatI keep making is that I don't read my Bible anywhere near as much as I should.  Also, I spend a lot of my time "rushing to relax" which effectively ruins any shot I had at enjoying the things that I do for my job, or around the house, etc.  I was listening to a podcast by Mars Hill church this morning from a few months back about contentment, and it made me realize that I should be more content with the "dull" things.  Too often I find myself doing the minimum on my homework, trying to rush through the papers I need to read so I can get to the "fun" things.  Maybe if I just realized that I picked to do Chemistry for a reason, I might start enjoying my job more.

Something else important: My wife is awesome.  She made a lemon merangue pie http://adorkablerecipes.blogspot.com/ which pretty much makes her the coolest person ever in my book.  (As if she weren't already)  And the nicest thing about being married (Yes, Britt, I know you're down below three months now) is that even if I have a 12-13 hour workday like today, I know she'll be there when I get home.

One other thing that I'm looking forward to is the weather changing.  I've felt very sedentary this winter (yay cool words!), and I would love to get outside and play frisbee, basketball (there's a hoop in the church parking lot), or catch with a ball and glove with Mel.  I used to have a decent shot in basketball (back when I was 14 or so) and I wouldn't mind getting back into practice.

In any case, I'm going to run out on everyone...partly because I'm hungry, and partly because I feel like checking facebook. 

\o

Where did January go...?

...we must have skipped it because obviously there's no way that I would have gone a full month without blogging...and no, don't look at the history to prove me wrong, just go with the lie, k?

In any case, it's been forever, and I could pretend like I was super busy and didn't have a moment to spare, but the reality is that I just didn't feel like blogging for some reason.  Ironically enough, contentment has been on my mind...I feel like I've just finished a very busy month or two, but the reality is that I have time to relax on a regular basis.  Maybe it's more that I'm in such a hurry to get to my "relaxing" time, that I forgot to slow down and enjoy everything else...which I can say from experience that looking forward to something only keeps you from enjoying the present.

That said, Mel and I had our first harried adventure to the ER this past Sunday, as most of you have probably heard.  It went from a relatively calm day at 3:00, gearing up for Youth group Sunday night...and then Mel felt sick.  4 hours later, when she hadn't gone more than 15 minutes without throwing up, or ejecting water in every way the body is capable of, I was worried that she might be starting to get dehydrated, and I took her to the ER.

There is one advantage to being in severe pain and throwing up bile while in the ER...you get a room very quickly.  Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe (a convenient 10 minutes from the house) did a good job of getting her in to see a doctor, and she ended up getting a shot of medicine for the nausea after the Doctor determined that it was probably Gastral Inuritis (no idea if I spelled that right).  Once her somach had calmed to the point where she wasn't convulsing constantly, she could finally relax and go to sleep.  

One abdominal X-ray, one prescription for a very strong medication, and a $5 copay later ($5 for a prescription and ER visit...I love my health insurance), we were headed home at about midnight or so.  I would say that she's finally feeling better tonight, but after Mel weighed herself the following morning, she'd lost 4 pounds in about 12 hours.  Did I mention that I was glad we live close to an ER and have good health insurance?

In other news, I just found out that Dr. Rueda wants to send me to a RNA seminar to give a poster presentation in May.  This is a 5-day conference that he'd pick up the bill for housing and such, and probably quite a bit of the food costs.  This sounds pretty spiffy, until I realized that not only is it good for my resume (pretend I know how to put the accent in there), but  there are a few of the people in lab who haven't gotten to go to a conference, even after 2-3 years!  Combine that with Dr. Rueda thinking that I could be writing my first paper by mid-summer, and there's actually a decent chance that I might get out of here quickly...maybe 4 years!

In any case, class is starting, so I should pay attention to that and not to the blog, but I just thought that everyone deserved an update.  Be cool, stay in school.