Eben's Blog

The Practical Catholic Podcast. Why do Catholics do that.

2012-01-29T15:05:00.003-06:00

I have returned to doing the podcast, on itunes "The Practical Catholic." Some computers will not play the audio, your iphone, ipod, ipad etc will. The current series is titled "Why do Catholics do that." It is a Biblical defense of Catechetical teachings. The series, in the podcast, starts with "Sola Fide..." There are two classes before this one. The podcasts are part of a series I am teaching here in Lubbock. There is a powerpoint and handout that goes with each class. If you would like these email me ebenemerson@gmail.com and I will email them to you.

Sola Fide. Is it faithful.

2012-01-22T15:10:00.000-06:00

Sola Fide. Is it faithful.

Sola Fide. Is it faithful?

2012-01-22T15:02:00.000-06:00

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Hail Mary, 5/31/11.

2011-05-30T21:09:00.000-05:00

Hail Mary, 5/31/11.

Love and commandments, 5/26/11.

2011-05-25T20:26:00.000-05:00

Love and commandments, 5/26/11.

Evidence of attachment, 5/25/11.

2011-05-24T19:40:00.000-05:00

Evidence of attachment, 5/25/11.

Hard to believe, 5/11/11.

2011-05-10T20:29:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe, 5/11/11.

God's abundant will, 5/6/11.

2011-05-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

God's abundant will, 5/6/11.

Past the posters, 5/4/11.

2011-05-03T19:49:00.000-05:00

Past the posters, 5/4/11.

Most important! 5/3/11

2011-05-02T19:16:00.000-05:00

Most important! 5/3/11

Fish with bread, 4/29/11.

2011-04-28T20:42:00.000-05:00

Fish with bread, 4/29/11.

Peace be with you, 4/28/11.

2011-04-27T15:16:00.000-05:00

Peace be with you, 4/28/11.

We are family, 4/26/11.

2011-04-25T18:04:00.000-05:00

We are family, 4/26/11.

Run to tell, 4/25/11.

2011-04-25T09:29:00.000-05:00

Run to tell, 4/25/11.

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, 4/22/11

2011-04-22T14:44:00.000-05:00

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, 4/22/11

Holy Thursday, Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, 4/21/11.

2011-04-21T12:33:00.000-05:00

Holy Thursday, Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, 4/21/11.

At the feast while betraying him, 4/20/11

2011-04-19T22:09:00.000-05:00

At the feast while betraying him, 4/20/11

God glorifies His servants, 4/19/11.

2011-04-18T16:21:00.000-05:00

God glorifies His servants, 4/19/11.

Look up when lust comes, 4/11/11

2011-04-11T09:07:00.000-05:00

Look up when lust comes, 4/11/11

2011-04-10T21:15:00.000-05:00

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Daniel 13:1-62 (selected texts), Psalm 23, John 8:1-11. Look up when lust comes, 4/11/11.

Credible witness, 4/7/11.

2011-04-06T18:30:00.001-05:00

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Exodus 32:7-14, Psalm 106, John 5:31-47. Credible witness, 4/7/11.

Whose calling and why? 4/6/11.

2011-04-05T15:19:00.000-05:00

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Jeremiah 49:8-15, Psalm 145, John 5:17-30. Whose calling and why? 4/6/11.

Return and be healed, 4/1/11.`

2011-03-31T20:56:00.001-05:00

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Hosea 14:2-10. Psalm 81. Mark 12:28-34. Return and be healed, 4/1/11.

When we listen, 3/31/11.

2011-03-31T08:18:00.000-05:00

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Jeremiah 7:23-28, Psalm 95, Luke 11:14-23. When we listen 3/31/11.

Evidence of wisdom, 3/30/11

2011-03-30T07:43:00.000-05:00

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Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, Psalm 147, Matthew 5:17-19. Evidence of wisdom 3/30/11.

Go get washed Leper, 3/28/11.

2011-03-27T17:05:00.000-05:00

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2Kings 5:1-15, Psalm 42, Luke 4:24-30. Go get washed Leper, 3/28/11.

Sacrificial Servant 3/23/11

2011-03-22T20:30:00.000-05:00

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Jeremiah 18:18-20, Psalm 31, Matthew 20:17-28. Sacrificial Servant 3/23/11.

Offer yourself as sacrifice and servant, 3/22/11.

2011-03-21T19:57:00.000-05:00

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Isaiah 1:10, 16-20. Psalm 50, Matthew 23:1-12. Offer yourself as sacrifice and servant 3/22/11.

Invitation to pray, 3/17/11

2011-03-17T10:14:00.000-05:00

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Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25, Psalm 138, Matthew 7:7-12. Invitation to pray, 3/17/11.

Is it time to fast? 3/16/11

2011-03-16T13:32:00.000-05:00

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Jonah 3:1-10, Psalm 51, Luke 11:29-32. Is it time to fast? 3/16/11.

Lived Word is Fruitful, 3/15/11

2011-03-15T11:00:00.001-05:00

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Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 34, Matthew 6:7-15. Lived word is fruitful, 3/15/11.

Refreshing and right, 3/14/11

2011-03-13T23:00:00.001-05:00

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Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18, Psalm 19, Matthew 25:31-46. Refreshing and right, 3/14/11.

Take care of the poor if you want God to listen, 3/11/11

2011-03-10T21:43:00.000-06:00

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Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalm 51, Matthew 9:14-15. Take care of the poor if you want God to listen, 3/11/11.

Obey is the way 3/10/11

2011-03-10T08:41:00.001-06:00

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Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1, Luke 9:22-25. Obey is the way 3/10/11.

Be reconciled to God-Ash Wednesday 3/9/11

2011-03-08T21:23:00.000-06:00

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Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 51, 2Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. Be reconciled to God-Ash Wednesday 3/9/11.

Give to those you owe, 3/8/11

2011-03-08T11:00:00.001-06:00

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Tobit 2:9-14. Psalm 112. Mark 12:13-17. Give to those you owe, 3/8/11.

To the death, 3/7/11.

2011-03-07T12:18:00.001-06:00

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Tobit 1:3, 2:1-8. Psalm 112. Mark 12:1-12. Memorial of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs. To the death, 3/7/11.

Jesus cursed it 3/4/11

2011-03-04T07:14:00.000-06:00

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Sirach 44:1, 9-13. Psalm 149. Mark 11:11-26. Jesus cured it 3/4/11.

The Word of the Lord 3/3/11

2011-03-02T21:25:00.000-06:00

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Sirach 45:15-25. Psalm 33. Mark 10:46-52. The Word of the Lord 3/3/11.

Otherness prayer 3/2/11

2011-03-01T20:27:00.000-06:00

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Sirach 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17. Psalm 79. Mark 10:32-45. Otherness prayer. 3/2/11

Stuff and Self 3/1/11

2011-02-28T21:15:00.001-06:00

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Sirach 35:1-12. Psalm 50. Mark 10:28-41. Self and stuff 3/1/11.

Turn and crawl 2/28/11

2011-02-27T14:30:00.000-06:00

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Sirach 17:20-24. Psalm 32. Mark 10:17-27. Turn and crawl 2/28/11.

Radio program

2011-02-25T11:43:00.000-06:00

God made us for relationship 2/25/11

2011-02-24T20:21:00.000-06:00

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Sirach 6:5-17. Psalm 119. Mark 10:1-12. God made us for relationship.

Tree or kindling 2/24/11

2011-02-24T07:20:00.000-06:00

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Sirach 5:1-8. Psalm 1. Mark 9:41-50. Tree or kindling.

Seek wisdom and live. 2/23/11

2011-02-22T18:50:00.001-06:00

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Memorial of Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr. Sirach 4:11-19. Psalm 119. Mark 9:38-40.

Shepherd and Head. 2/22/11

2011-02-21T21:44:00.000-06:00

1Peter 5:1-4. Psalm 23. Matthew 16:13-19. Shepherd and Head.

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Only by Prayer 2/21/11

2011-02-20T19:02:00.000-06:00

Sirach 1:1-10. Psalm 93. Mark 9:14-29. Only by prayer

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Complete Surrender 2/18/11

2011-02-17T23:40:00.003-06:00

Genesis 11:1-9. Psalm 33. Mark 8:34-9:1. Complete Surrender.

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Change your mind 2/17/11

2011-02-16T21:16:00.000-06:00

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Genesis 9:1-13. Psalm 102. Mark 8:27-33. Jesus' name is thrown around as a defense for every possible position imaginable. His character and true intent are constantly being redefined. Genesis and Mark's gospel teach us who Jesus really is. Jesus fulfills covenant and Jesus is the Christ. If we will make His true nature our study our minds will be changed. The problem, of falsely defining Christ, existed even from the time Jesus walked on the earth. Everyone had an opinion but the opinions missed His true nature and mission. If we will change our minds we will be transformed into His image. Renew and change your mind about who He is and what He wants from you. Change your mind daily.

Progress or Regress? 2/16/11

2011-02-15T21:31:00.001-06:00

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Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22. Psalm 116. Mark 8:22-26. Church culture has become a couch for us to rest our lazy spiritual lives on. Challenge has been replaced by compromise and sermons, homilies, that used to call us to a deeper relationship and greater responsibility talk about how much we need to do around our buildings. Sad indeed. I know this isn't the case everywhere. The three readings today show a spiritual progression that takes place in the lives of those who are God's children. We are saved by sacrifice, are supposed to fulfill our vows and then continually go to Jesus for better spiritual vision. Are we making progress spiritually?

Avoid contact 2/15/11

2011-02-14T18:59:00.000-06:00

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Genesis 6:5-8, 7:1-5,10. Psalm 29. Mark 8:14-21. The effects of sin, and sin itself, are seldom talked about. The response of God to sin during Noah's time should show us His disdain for our sin. Jesus raises the bar by asking us to avoid contact with sinful influences. Avoid contact with sin. If in a sin remember God's view of it and repent of it. Avoid contact.

Let it go! 2/14/11

2011-02-13T23:09:00.000-06:00

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Genesis 4:1-15, 25. Psalm 50. Mark 8:11-13. Resentment rots our spirituality. The story of Cain and Abel is one we can all identify with. Someone will always have more, be better looking, do better work etc. How does that effect us. We should be thankful for their contribution and move on. However, because we are insecure and defensive we let the success of others eat at us sometimes. Cain was no exception. The difference with Cain is that he killed the one he was jealous of. We have got to learn to let resentment go! It eats away at who we are and sooner or later it defines our spiritual walk with the Father. If you are harboring resentment it's time to let it go. It is killing your spiritual life. Don't wait for them, make excuses and continue to pout about it just let it go. Let it go!

Fall in the right direction 2/11/11

2011-02-10T20:34:00.000-06:00

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Genesis 3:1-8. Psalm 32. Mark 7:31-37. All of us fall in one direction or the other. We either fall into sin or at the feet of God begging for His help when tempted. The Genesis text records the first sin of Adam and Eve and the effects of that sin. The primary effect being a scared relationship with God. They fell in the wrong direction because they trusted themselves. The Psalm text shows the appropriate response to our sin, falling before God. This is falling in the right direction. The gospel text really brings it all home. Mark tells us about a deaf man who was healed by Jesus. The texts encourage us to do one thing which is fall in the right direction. Trusting God rather than self. Falling toward Him rather than away from Him. Fall in the right direction.

Responsible family 2/10/11

2011-02-10T08:11:00.000-06:00

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Genesis 2:18-25. Psalm 128. Mark 7:24-30. Family is the spiritual training ground for it's members. All of us are responsible to feed and impart faith to our families. It is not enough to simply feed our families we must impart faith to them and take spiritual responsibility for what they are. We are called to be a responsible family feeding and imparting faith to our family members. Are you doing that?

We are cultivators 2/9/11

2011-02-08T22:06:00.001-06:00

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Genesis 2:4-9,15+17. Psalm 104. Mark 7:14-23. The last two podcasts gave us a direction and purpose. We, like creation, came out of chaos into Christ and were given a mission. As we fulfill this mission we are also called to work. Work as a profession and work on the human heart, ours and others. Adam was very blessed to have been given the land and been amazingly blessed by God. The blessing comes with the responsibility to work. Work for God and work for those for whom we are responsible. We are cultivators. The more we cultivate the better the soil becomes. Cultivate cultivator!

Out of Chaos II 2/8/11

2011-02-07T22:40:00.001-06:00

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Genesis 1:20-2:4. Psalm 8. Mark 7:1-13. In the last podcast we learned the creative power of God. His ability to form the world and our lives out of a formlessness reveals His power. Out of the chaos God created order. Today we will see what role we play with God. God not only takes away chaos He gives us a purpose. God's purpose for us is multiplication. Whether through the family or sharing the message of Christ and the Church we participate with God's mission which is to have more people know Him. Our God is amazing! He takes us out of chaos and gives us form. That form is being His child. Then He shows us our mission as His children. Our mission is to bring more people to Him. Out of chaos God gives us a family and a role to play in that family. Are you fulfilling your role?

Out of chaos 2/7/11

2011-02-05T23:47:00.000-06:00

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Genesis 1:1-19. Psalm 104. Mark 6:53-56. Often when we look at the story of creation we focus on what we have figured out about the world's beginnings. This may miss the point. Genesis, though certainly accurate, paints a picture of who God is and who His people are to Him. The creation story and the gospel both point to the fact that God is able to create order out of chaos. He is able to take something formless and void and create a wonderful and functional system. He is also able to take our dysfunctional and chaotic lives and bring order to them. God creates order for a purpose. That purpose is primarily that things would fulfill their God-given function. This can only start if God has first brought peace out of chaos. Is your life chaotic? Do you struggle to find your place? Come to Jesus. He creates order of of chaos.

Consider the outcome 2/4/11

2011-02-03T21:11:00.001-06:00

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Hebrews 13:1-8. Psalm 27. Mark 6:14-29. Considering how we should act toward people and stuff and may ensure an outcome that would honor God. The three readings call us to radical obedience because we see in the gospel the potential cost of following God's Word in Hebrews. How we treat others should honor God and that can be dangerous. We should also consider being content with what we have. The message of simplicity and contentedness is a Biblical one. Consider how you treat people and stuff. Does it honor God?

Approach God approach people 2/3/11

2011-02-02T19:40:00.000-06:00

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Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24. Psalm 48. Mark 6:7-13. How we approach God and people demonstrates our respect and honor for both. Israel and Moses didn't have one of the greatest benefits of Jesus' New Covenant namely the ability to approach God. How do we approach God? If we are in Christ we should have confidence to approach Him and live for Him in a manner that honors Him and places our true selves before Him. Jesus used, and uses, people to bring His message of reconciliation to the world. How we deal with people shows how much worth we believe they have. There worth is tremendous because God loves them and Jesus wants to save them. Approach and God and people in the same way prayerfully and personally.

Deep in Scripture Radio Program

2011-02-02T15:45:00.002-06:00

I did an interview-radio program with Deep in Scripture a program produced by Coming Home International and distributed by EWTN.
If you would like to listen to the live show you can do so at this link here.

It was done live and I really appreciated what Marcus and I had the opportunity to talk about.

We are the sacrifice 2/2/11

2011-02-01T21:52:00.001-06:00

Listen to the podcast here.

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The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Malachi 3:1-4. Psalm 24. Hebrews 2:14-18. Luke 2:22-32. Malachi points forward to the time when Jesus would come to the earth to purify God's people. Though we have explored Hebrews 2:14-18 previously we now see that the purpose of Jesus' coming was to purify us and to call us to be continually purified. Our faith, of greater worth than silver, is refined through offering ourselves to be purified. Sometimes it is purified the same way, through fire and trial. Jesus purified us and by offering ourselves he continues to purify us. We have to offer ourselves for this purification. Will we? Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice allowing us to offer ourselves. Purified and being purified we are the sacrifice!

Interview with Coming Home

2011-02-01T15:41:00.002-06:00

I have had several people ask me to post the interview about my conversion.
Here it is from youtube.

He did we should 2/1/11

2011-02-01T10:05:00.000-06:00

Listen to the podcast here.

Hebrews 12:1-4. Psalm 22. Mark 5:21-43. Hebrews sets a stage for us to operate on. We are being watched and cheered on by those heroes in the faith that have were profiled in the previous chapter. Now the call of Hebrews is to share with Christ in his perseverance, suffering and final destination. Then the gospel is where the rubber meets the road. Mark shows us that Christ was with and loved the people. He touched them, physically and spiritually. His spiritual life extended beyond quotes and anticipation of the sweet by and by. He lived a life that honored God and drew people closer to Him. Will we live the life required to be who Jesus was? He did it. We should!

Gonna be on TV

2011-01-30T18:48:00.002-06:00

I know this is a little late but...

I am going to be on TV tomorrow night talking about my journey to the Catholic Church.

The channel is EWTN, the time is 7 central. It is a program called The Journey Home.

I don't know who reads this blog or listens to the podcasts (which are getting better as I feel more comfortable talking to a little recorder) but check it out.

If you want to comment on the show, my conversion or podcast please do so.

We are Legion 1/31/11

2011-01-30T08:03:00.003-06:00

Listen to the podcast here.

Memorial of St. John Bosco, Hebrews 11:32-40. Psalm 31. Mark 5:1-20. Everyone has a hidden sin, personality or habit that needs to be dealt with. The demon possessed man in Mark's gospel teaches us how to deal with those things that keep us from becoming a hero of the faith. The heroes of the faith we read about in Hebrews did not start that way, they all developed over time. We are no different. How do we deal with those things that keep us distant from Jesus? Have we even dealt with them? We are legion. He is Jesus.

Endure small seed 1/28/11

2011-01-28T08:17:00.003-06:00

Click here to listen to podcast.

Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the church. Hebrews 10:32-39. Psalm 37. Mark 4:26-34. The persecution of the early church was horrific. The things they went through required a faith that endured through trials and real persecution. The mustard seed was a small seed that through cultivation became a large tree. Such is our faith. Persecution and trial, when coupled with faith in what God has done and will do, cultivate a strong faith. Endurance through those rough times is what separates those who will make it and those who will not. What kind of faith do you have? Would it last if actually tried?

How do you deal with others? 1/27/11

2011-01-27T07:41:00.002-06:00

The new podcast is here.

Hebrews 10:19-25. Psalm 24. Mark 4:21-25. As Jesus invites us into the sanctuary with Him we must reflect on how we treat people. The Hebrew text shows us that we are able to enter into the sanctuary with Christ but also shows us how we are to treat other people as well. The power of what Jesus did to allow us entrance into His presence is priceless. We can help others start their relationship with Jesus by how we treat them. We can also encourage those who are His followers to better works of faith and a deeper relationship with Him. Consider how you treat people.

We are Legion. Podcast.

2011-01-24T14:45:00.002-06:00

Listen to the we are Legion podcast here. Most of what I am doing now is on this site. I am doing a daily podcast over the Mass readings Monday through Friday. You can listen to the podcast through the website or on itunes. I recommend, if you have itunes, to listen to it that way.

If this is your first time I recommend going back to the first podcast and listening to it here. This first episode was pretty rough. They have since improved so if you prefer just jump ahead and listen to the podcast respective for the day.

I have a job so I don't get to spend as much time with the publishing side of this so bear with me and my technical weaknesses.

Thanks for stopping by,

Eben

2011-01-22T14:20:00.001-06:00

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Tithe?

2010-09-26T17:01:00.003-05:00

Churches would be able to fund their mission projects, outreach and benevolence if all the members would tithe. (10%)

Christian tradition and scriptures seem to make it clear that we should be.

Jesus said where we spend our money shows our heart.

Why don't we tithe?

I don't know who all reads this but please give some response.

Thanks.

Also look for ebenemerson.com soon.

Ok ok ok!

2010-07-21T23:43:00.002-05:00

Well the last several months have left me wondering what I am supposed to do with my life.

-Am I supposed to build my current business?

-Am I supposed to get back into some kind of teaching ministry?

It is a very hard call because I am not sure how ministry, that I am familiar with, would manifest itself as a Catholic....Then tonight happened.

We live in town and so we have dumpsters. Jennifer asked me to take out the trash and the compost. I dumped the compost in our natural fertilizer bin and then proceeded to the dumpster. I opened the gate, the dogs running to mark their spots.

When I opened the dumpster there was a black three ring binder on top that said "Sermon on the Mount, Eben Emerson." What is that all about? I haven't thrown anything like that away, certainly not since the last time the trash ran. It usually runs every three days. I pulled it out and asked Jennifer is she was doing some cleaning and threw it away. She did not.

I opened the folder and some of the study series from that folder was gone but there were several other studies that I had done years ago. I was really freaked out. We checked all the areas where things like that are stored and didn't find any sign of things being moved.

What is going on?

I was a little freaked out. Jennifer sent me to the store to get oil for fried okra and I just kept thinking about it. Did I throw it away? Why was it in the dumpster? It had my name on it!!! And I didn't throw it away!!! What is going on?!?!?!

When I began to look through the folder I found notes from a class from Richard Rogers and several sermon notes and outlines I had preached. There were also many many pages of research I had done on those respective sermons.

As I looked through them I remembered how much I loved preaching. It is the only thing I ever felt I was supposed to do.

I am very skeptical of signs and modern miracles. Not because I don't believe they still happen but because of the way I think, more later.

I don't know what is going on but I will say that now, more than ever, I want to be back in ministry. I don't know how or what but I loved it and tonight's events reminded me of that.

I thought I would have things figured out!

2010-06-04T21:34:00.002-05:00

If you would have asked me at 18 if I would have things figured out by 33 I would have eagerly responded "yes." I had thought for so long that I knew what I was supposed to do. I had spent all of my energies working to that end only to realize that that very journey led me to a place where I have more questions than answers. I do believe that I have certain gifts suited for some kind of ministry but what kind? I struggle with this daily. What am I supposed to do with my life? What career am I supposed to pursue etc? Those who are most certain of their own contribution to the world, i.e. how much they have figured out etc. repulse me, it's just misguided arrogance or maybe insecurity. (I would explain but I am not in the mood for apologetics right now.) Then there are those who seem to have figured somethings out and yet humbly would say the journey may very well be their destination. Who knows? I certainly don't.

The only thing that I have learned this far in my bewildered journey is:

I know that God made Jennifer McGuire to be my wife.

I know that I was given a gift I am too confused to know how to use.

I know that there is a God and He has sent Jesus so that I may know Him.

I know I have much to learn.

I just want to know what I am supposed to do. I am considering going and getting another masters but I am past the point in my life of wanting to go for going sake. Anyway, I wish I knew as much as I pretend to know at times.

2010-04-16T22:14:00.003-05:00

I sit on a mower for the greater part of the summer. My ipod is in my ears around 4-6 hours a day. It is much better to listen to music than the constant loud hum of landscape equipment. Last weekend the worst thing happened. I was bouncing around, the ipod fell out of my pocket and was run over by the mower deck. It didn't survive.

When I turn it on the screen still comes on, a sign that life still exists in my fallen friend. There is little hope though that any music or audiobooks will ever be shared with me from my little pearl white buddy ever again.

Whether it's an ipod or not nothing can sustain a horrible beating and then be expected to play for us. Paul tells us that the body of Christ is like the human body with Christ as our head. If one part of that body is cut off, damaged or destroyed it the mutual responsibility of the body to get that person singing with the choir again. After all that is what we collectively make up, a sacrificial choir. Offering ourselves and our gifts as an instrument to God's glory. My question would be have we thrown some of the most valued members under the deck to the detriment of the body or are we seeking to build up what we have destroyed.

I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to have been around some wonderful encouraging people in my walk with God but I know that others have not. The light is on but because of the beatings there is no music.

Because I busted my ipod I have been on ebay hunting for a deal. Did you know that you can find ipods that are refurbished? I was stoked about that because they are cheaper and they work like they were new.

"Encourage one another as long as it is called today."

Do what?

2010-04-03T07:37:00.003-05:00

"There are only 2 people in the world who hate what the Catholic church is, there are millions who hate what they think it is." Padre Pio.

The Catholic Church is the most misunderstood church in the world. Especially in the Bible belt where protestant churches have taught classes on what the Catholic church is. I used sit in some of the these classes. In my journey of studying the history of Christianity I took out some notes from a class I took in AIM called "Catholicism." By this time I had been studying the Catholic church, from their literature, for a couple of months and was hoping to rebuke the whore of Babylon. I read four pages of notes and realized that none of it was true. Everything I had been taught about the Catholic church was wrong. It was also equally absurd that I had been taught that a protestant church was the church of the first century only that it was founded in the 1800s. The reformation of the 1500s forever hurt Christianity. I am not saying that the church was/is perfect, it is not. I am convinced that if anyone will take an honest look at the Catholic church and their own protestant church they will either become Catholic or at least appreciate Catholicism. However, because of the misinformation there remains a wall that will forever stand and be built up by misinformed "experts" on the Catholic church.

I write this because we were eating out last night and the folks behind us were talking about what the Catholic church teaches. It was absurd but I used to think those things too.

I am eternally grateful to be a Catholic. Especially now! Look around at the continual splintering of Christianity caused by the reformation. Now it has got so bad that if you don't like what the church you are a part of teaches you just leave, start your own church and define your own doctrine. Be honest you know it happens. Some of those who worry most about my being Catholic are members of churches that were started in response to what another church wasn't doing right.

I am just rambling now but if you really want to know what the Catholic church teaches ask a faithful Catholic. There are many unfaithful ones, who claim to be Catholic, that perpetuate the misinformation. Just because their grandparents were Catholic and they went four times in the last ten years does not mean they know what the church teaches. You can also read the Catechism. If you want to ask questions ask.

Kwan and Jwan

2010-03-12T22:15:00.004-06:00

Saint Philomena (sp?) was venerated on the basis of her intercession alone. I know that most of the people who read this are protestant and don't appreciate, nor accept, the intercession of the faithful who have already died. I have a favor to ask just listen.

The last several weeks Jennifer and I have been asking for the intercession of a great prayer, person not act. Her name was Mary. Several times we have asked Mary to pray for a friend of ours. We will call her Kwanva. The first two initials may have something to do with the name. I use the funny name because you never know who might read this. Anyway...Kwanva had confided in Jennifer and I several weeks ago that she had a hard time conceiving. That is getting pregnant, when you want to. She is married to a good man who I know would be a good father.

This may seem out of line but please follow me here. A couple of nights ago Jennifer and I learned about St. Philomena. She is the only saint to have been inducted on the basis of her intercession alone. In other words lots of people prayed to her and the prayers were answered. Thus the induction into sainthood. I thought I would ask her to pray for Kwanva. We, Jennifer and I, still regularly ask Mary to pray to our Lord for Kwanva's most intimate desire; to have a child.

We had supper with Kwanva and Jwanva, her husband...duh, tonight. We found out she is pregnant.

I write this for two reasons. One, because blogging about my prayer life helps me remember that it actually is a worthy cause. Second, to let everyone know that Kwan and Jwan will prayerfully be parents.

Praise God. Thank God. Thank you Mary and Philomena for your prayers.

2010-03-08T23:11:00.002-06:00

The idea of a teaching authority in the Catholic Church used to make me indignant. I really do mean indignant. My view about the Catholic church was formed by people who knew little, if anything, about the real teachings of the church. This is usually the basis for all bigotry and close-minded prejudice. As I began, 4 years ago now, objectively studying the history of Christianity I realized that all of Christianity had a teaching and final authority up to the time of the reformation in the late 1500s. Where does this come from?

I think Sacred Scripture speaks much more powerfully to this than I can. Jesus tells Peter that upon "this rock" He would build the church. Matthew 16, whole chapter. Jesus doesn't say "upon this confession." Then in John 20-21 he was given the great responsibility of feeding the followers and binding and loosing forgiveness to those followers who would come from the Great Event in chapter 20.

I have been reading "Coming Home" lately. It is a book about former protestant ministers who became Catholic. (There are tons of ministers who have done this.) I was reading the other day about a fundamentalist preacher. I think he was Baptist. It was a great story. The analogy he made really stuck out; paraphrased "in observance of the law in the constitution it is clear that we need a legal authority like the supreme court to uphold the law contained therein....likewise there is a need for a qualified ecclesial body to guide us into all truth."

What if you don't agree with the words of Christ? What if you disagree with the analogy or many others? Well, I feel ya because I used to hear those very things and still thought "nay nay sir."

In all honesty what has the absence of a teaching authority done for protestant Christianity, with thousands of people interpreting scriptures for themselves? Some believe that homosexuality, abortion and adultery are OK. This may repulse those with more traditional senses. You know what the big scandals were after Luther? Two big ones. First, some were teaching Christ wasn't present in the Eucharist (Lord's Supper). Second, that Mary wasn't actually the Mother of the Church. Wow!

Jump forward 500 years....Now most protestant church reject both of the above and many accept those things I mentioned first. What in the world happened? It wasn't a lack of faith. It wasn't a lack of sincerity. That is for sure. It was the inevitable misdirection that takes place when you don't have a final authority to guide you. It is the church which is the pillar and foundation of all truth. When the church ceases to be this for the members you have 33000 different divisions.

There are now 33000 different denominations. What happened? What makes your view any more valid than someone else who proof-texts their way to their conclusion?

I am so thankful for my brothers in protestant churches. Acknowledging the fact that some of them don't accept my faith as valid Christianity I irrespectively am grateful for what God has done in their respective tradition(s). However, I will admit I want everyone to come to fullness of the faith which was and always has been in the one true Apostolic Church.

Please support the culture of life.

2010-03-07T23:56:00.001-06:00

Please support the culture of life.

End abortion.

Spiritual Anarchy

2010-03-02T21:56:00.004-06:00

When I was little kid my cousin was "punk." Not like you may think. He was actually was part of a subculture that was born out of late 70s and early 80s music by people like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. It was America's response to the heavy metal-in your face- music revolution across the pond. I love many different types of music but must admit I never cared for punk, even now and I like everything. I remember he had a jacket with an anarchy symbol on it. It looked neat and at the time I thought he was telling someone they were a real "A." Well my bleached blonde leather-bound punk cousin tried to explain to an 8yo Eben Wyatt what anarchy was. I don't remember much about the conversation. It sounded like "blah blah blah Billy Idol has great hair blah blah blah." "Do you understand Eben Wyatt?" I responded "yes, you too have great hair....white wedding." When I got a little older, and semantics actually started to mean something, I wanted to learn what it meant. Anarchy, in a very simple sense, means no ruler or enforced authority. This seems to be any church without a living authority.

The protestant authority idea was born with Luther in the 16th century "Sola Scriptura" the Bible alone. If this is actually a viable platform for the church why, since the reformation, have 33,000+ denominations sprung up? The initial desire of Luther was noble and much needed. However, years later it has evolved into spiritual anarchy. If people don't agree with the preacher or get anything out of the service they leave. If the church they are attending offends them they leave and find one that wont. If they can't find one, no problem, just start your own. Paul said something about gathering teachers who said what you wanted to hear. I used to think this applied to Catholics. I now realize this applies to the whole of protestant Christianity. Paul said the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth was the House of God. 1Tim 3. There has to be a living authority. In fact if you accept your New Testament as inspired you have already conceded the authority of the Catholic Church. It was the Catholic Church that decided what would be in it.

Where am I really meaning to go? Simply this...without a living authority, like the one accepted by all of Christianity until the mid 1500s, it is spiritual anarchy. Churches that used to have a Biblical platforms have devolved into accepting homosexual ministers, abortion and any number of things. Why wouldn't they though, there is no ultimate authority.

I know many will disagree. However, it is clear that sola scriptura, while noble, has devolved into spiritual anarchy.

What would you do if your church taught something you disagreed with? What if they used the same Bible you did to defend their position? Who would be right? How many people have left your church because they disagreed and were ostracized for it? Do you accept the authority of the Catholic church?

He says it well.

2010-02-03T17:05:00.005-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWYwBDqFsuE

This is a great video by Fr. Barron about the sense of authority in protestant Christianity. (Which is any church other than Catholic because they came out of a reformation and subsequent reformations or restorations.)

Take a watch, whole thing, and let me know what you think.

Chief. All that is wrong with the world.

2010-01-07T15:55:00.003-06:00

My sister Erin, for whom I have the deepest respect, co-owns a worthless canine named Chief. Co-owns because Chief has become the responsibility of an entire community of helpful citizens in the town of Elkins Arkansas. Chief is all that is wrong with the world! I can explain.

Chief doesn't really have a single place to live. He floats from house to house and is fed by many members of the community. I once saw an poor lady at the local grocery store buying dog food with her last few dollars. She couldn't buy food for herself. This was/is not an isolated incident, this is how he lives. He literally walks all over town and goes from house to house eating the food people put out for him. Yes, there is an animal control in Elkins. However, Chief is immune to being taken in by them. Why? Because it is an unspoken rule in the town that no one arrests Chief. I really believe that when he dies the community will pool their money and give him a regular funeral. A snow day may be taken in mid August so that the many school children can properly mourn their fallen buddy. I know the picture doesn't show it well but Chief has a real problem with the pounds. Why wouldn't he, all he does is eat and lay down. He waddles, literally, from house to house. Now there are exceptions. For example this thanksgiving we cooked outside, I fried a delicious turkey and Trent made succulent ribs. Guess who showed up? That's right Chief did. Why? We were cooking outside, he could smell it. Why do I think that Chief is all that is wrong with the world? He embodies what all of us are burdened by. He is lazy. He has no problem laying around all day. Now that is OK if one owner takes care of him. Such as the mother who is in the unenviable position of taking care of child well into their adulthood. It stinks but it would be their problem. Well Chief isn't one person's problem he is everyone's problem. Remember the lady in the grocery store? I live close to some people that are too lazy to work. If their families were taking care of them I wouldn't care but they don't I do. I work so that they don't have to. Sound familiar? Also because of Chief's laziness he is morbidly obese. Who do you think will pay for the medical treatment due to his physical neglect. Chief thinks working out or being active is having the water and food bowl placed more than 5ft. apart. Also we have the immunity thing. How many times have law officers been burdened by those people who will cry foul if held accountable for their actions. Chief we don't want to take you in because you are a dog but because you are breaking the law. I could go on but I think you get the point. Chief all the wrong with the world.

Postscript,

I would like to apologize for disparaging comments I made about my own dog "Puppy" I now realize Puppy is a great dog.

A humbling reality.

2009-12-23T13:43:00.002-06:00

As the year closes I try to take an honest look at my walk with the Lord and life in general. I have noticed a few things about myself that make me cringe. Those things which I hate in others are those things I possess. I wish I had been born with the ability to communicate personally like I do publicly. I have no problem teaching or speaking but I can not write well and I usually communicate what I want to say in a horrible manner. I have done damage to many people because of my mouth/blog. I so wish I could take back some of the things I have said. I can't though. I wonder if it's not best to just close it. If I am as bad a person as my blogging/facebooking/ interneting self appears then I am stinking pile. I am not trying to say that I don't believe in those things which defend the faith, I do, but the evidence is negated by how I say it. This next year I want to become the person that I have expected others to be. So what's the plan?

Continue to read daily and pray the liturgy of the hours.

Think before I open my mouth. (That will be hard)

Workout, eat better and get to bed before 1am.

The foolish things we say.

2009-12-21T00:29:00.006-06:00

I posted something here a while back that was exceptionally negative. I took it off and I apologize if it offended anyone. I realized that posting nonsense like that defeats the intended purpose.

Travel Trailer

2009-11-30T20:00:00.001-06:00

Jennifer and I love to travel. This last week when we visited my family in Arkansas we stayed in Trent's (Erin's fiance) travel trailer. It was great. I am convinced that we are going to get one. We can't really afford anything big. I would really just like to find something with a bed, heat and/or air and a place to cook. If we could even find a small one that needed a little work that would be great. I mean I like to camp but sometimes the hassle of loading up to go freeze and sleep on the ground get's old. We would like to hitch up and go. If you have any ideas let me know. I hope you and your family have a very blessed time. The holidays are a wonderful to rekindle a prayer life and an attitude of thankfulness.

It has been a long time

2009-11-02T21:57:00.004-06:00

This past summer didn't allow much time to blog. When I get home I just want to crash and the last thing on my mind is blogging. Tonight I went through some of my old blogs and responses. I blogged most when I lived in Tulia and that was close to two years ago now. It doesn't seem that long ago but it was, wow. Much has changed in that time. I am not sure if situations or those people in my life, that form those situations, have changed as much as I have changed how I look at those things. I hope that my children will never have to experience some of the things I have in the last few years. I don't want them to have that taste in their mouth. I don't want them to know what's it like to be hated. However, I hope that everyone I know goes through times where they dig and ask questions, get rejected, act like a moron and have to pay for it and learn the fallible character of all of us. I don't envy the initial journey of these situations but in the end it really forces a person to look at a few things. I pray that when I have kids they will seek and not fear the consequences of that search. Even though wrong actions and mistakes have plagued many of my decisions those consequences helped form either a stronger resolve or questions that precipitated more questions. I hope that as I grow up in faith that I will learn to listen and wait. Presumption is the killer of wisdom. There are so many things I want to say but I fear saying them. I never thought I would see the day when I would shut up.

The longer I live as a Catholic a few things have started to take root. I am convinced that irrespective of the sect, denomination or church if a person is a follower of Jesus they are on the team I want to be a part of. The reformation splintered the church but now it's time to work on unification. It will take a lot of work. I also become more convinced that those we are closest to will see the true character we have not the character we wished we had.

Last night Jennifer and I took a girl who is here studying from Sweden out to the farm. She was quite in awe of the "big machines." It was neat. We asked a million questions about her culture and she our's. We tried to explain lobbyist. Her English was perfect but I am not sure she understood how we could allow it. Naturally the conversation turned to health care. I am really tired of hearing people who follow Jesus of Nazareth defend a system that is ran by greed to the detriment of the working poor. Then acting like the conviction is based on anything other than money. It's not about politics if it was then write your representative and ask them how much money they have received from the medical lobby. I can assure you that the amount they receive from the lobby has had more to do with the public's perception of the debate than our letters have. I just wish I would see a letter campaign asking for full disclosure on what they have received from these lobbies rather that false information from people with an agenda.

Anyway, as usual I just sat down and wrote what was on my mind. Most of time writing is in prep for a class I am teaching on John. I love it and still believe I was only made to do one thing.

I just rambled tonight. I write these mainly for myself.

List of 5 things I want to do this summer.

2009-07-09T18:03:00.001-05:00

1. Go on vacation.
2. Get out of debt.
3. Read some good books.
4. Re-connect with lost friends.
5. Be a better Christian.

No big deal

2009-07-01T22:40:00.003-05:00

It's really no big deal but, I have learned a few things these last several months.
1. As a person's relationship with God develops it becomes more like a relationship.
2. This is big to me because of my experience; when people will listen to what other say you are, and did, rather than the truth just move on. Defending yourself against willing ignorance is a waste of time.
3. People who have learned that perfect love casts out fear are the people who will model best what is Christianity.
4. Don't be suprised when people act as people.
5. Draw close to Christ in His Word and the Eucharist.
6. Debating with people who only listen to their side is like chasing a chicken.
7. The kingdom of God is not about great sermons, it is about living in a way that pleases God and serving others. I can't remember 1/25 of the sermons I have heard but always remember how people have acted.
8. If people form their opinions about you and your situation based on what others say move on and live like Jesus.

Some of these things come up because recently I have come to terms with the fact that fact is not what formed the opinion of our changes. I feel sorry and sad for those who have listened to third parties rather than the truth. I just hope to live a life worthy of God. I hope to serve others in a way that shows that true faith is lived not talked about, and then negated when the crap hits the fan. Peace.

St. Paul

2009-05-03T20:47:00.004-05:00

St. Paul is my favorite author, Bible character, church planter, saint and leader. A few reasons why.

1. His conversion experience teaches that the validity of conversion is found in the change of the person.

2. He was willing to stand up for what was right even if it went against popular Christian thought.

3. He wrote pastoral letters in a time when it would have been easier to sulk over his situation.

4. He knew what he was talking about yet was gentle and firm.

5. He was more concerned that Christ was proclaimed than he was with who was proclaiming Him.

There are many things I love about St. Paul. I think he may have been the first ecumenist but he wasn't one because it was easy to do. He knew the nature of God as revealed in the Law and as He was revealing Himself to the early church.

Random Information

2009-04-30T18:59:00.003-05:00

I thought I would post some odds and ends.
1. I think exmark mowers are the best ever made. If you are thinking about getting a commercial mower buy an exmark, they are not cheap but they are the best. I also like Shindaiwa trimmers and Stihl everything else. I like the torque on the Shindaiwas but the stihl 4mix engine is hard to beat. I know that means nothing to most who read this.
2. Tonight we are meeting some friends at Buffalo Wild Wings. I think I will order the mango habanero, Caribbean jerk and a beer. Yes it is good.
3. Tomorrow I am helping my friend Kirk get his house packed up. They finally bought a house and Christy, his wife is pregnant. We have been telling them to buy even if they move in a few they will still not be throwing their money away. Lubbock is a great renters market.
4. I was looking at a list of things I want to do. I was wondering, 'what am I waiting for.' I have been very blessed to get to this point in my life why wont I just do it. I guess I like quiet routine too much.
5. I am a protagonist. Jennifer would laugh if she heard that and say, "you should say you are really a protagonist."
6. I love to teach, in fact I think I was made for it. I am not a minister anymore, in the traditional sense anyway, but nothing gets me going like teaching through scripture. Scripture was intended to be studied from front to back. I hate the proof texting that resulted from the reformation. Pick whichever text suits you without the context, makes me gag. I am really looking forward to teaching through the letters of Paul this summer at church.
7. I wish I lived closer to water. I love the South Plains but I grew up with a few ponds, a lake and river all within a bike ride from my house. I bet I drove 15 miles a day with a pole over the handlebars and a tackle box strapped under the seat. I don't get to fish much. It's my fault though I got invited last weekend by Kirk to go to Allen Henry and didn't go.
8. I miss some old friends. I am a loner but I like BBQ and hanging out.
9. I am considering taking a photography class. I want to do a coffee table book of abandoned W. Texas towns and need to have some good pictures. If you have been to my facebook/myspace you know I am not a great photographer.
10. I want to live on a house in the middle of four sections I own. 2 grass, 1 grain and 1 wheat or hay. I want to be far away from others and have a sustainable operation. Some day I think it will happen, not anytime soon.
I have to go eat hot wings.

Last Night

2009-04-28T19:56:00.002-05:00

What a night. I sleep pretty light but lately I have been way too tired to care about the dogs barkings, a big fly in the room or the homey's bass pumping down the block. Last night was an exception. The dogs would not be quiet. I go to bed really late, like 1 or later usually. I went outside several times and told the dogs to hush. They usually listen the first time and bow their heads as if to say 'sorry daddy.' Well I told them a few times and was too tired to see what they were barking about. I just closed my eyes, prayed and with drool on chin I dreamed of my life in St.Lucia. The alarm went off at 6 and the dogs were still barking. What in the world is their problem. Really my first thought was how embarrassed I was to have "those" dogs on the block that never shut up. I went outside and Aja, my lab, had a possum against the fence. She wouldn't touch it because it was under the hot wire I put on the bottom of the fence, she didn't know it wasn't plugged in. It was about 6 so Jennifer was sound asleep, I think she was dreaming of my life in St. Lucia. I called to Jennifer, she came to the window but without her glasses. She has really bad eyesight. So bad in fact she ran to the bedroom, grabbed the pistol in the night stand and said "go shoot that Sasquatch." It's a possum, calm down. Anyway I had to lock the dogs in the dog house to let the possum out. I think that he/she looked at me with a very thankful look as if to say 'I just wanted some dog food, I didn't want the neighbors to think you had "that" dog.' Thanks Mr. Possum, were cool.

2009-04-14T22:15:00.003-05:00

Ten things I want to do, in no particular order, other than 1 to 10.
1. Backpack all over Europe with Jennifer.
2. Go to Mass at the Vatican.
3. Write a BBQ cook book.
4. Take my nephews to Disneyland.
5. Skydive.
6. Become humble and patient.
7. Do a pictorial coffee table book of ghost towns in Panhandle and South Plains.
8. Visit Tristan da Cunha.
9. Get my restricted Ornamental spraying license.
10. Do a deer grand slam with a bow.

The dark truth about Puppy.

2009-04-09T23:31:00.004-05:00

Before you read popular blogs about things like "what I'd like to do in Europe" I think you should know what Jennifer and I are dealing with. I have decided to allow you into the dark secret of our life. We have created the economic crisis by allowing "puppy" to live in peace and harmony in our back yard. Even though the recession is ending it is true that puppy has been a role model and guide to all that has created these troubles. Allow me to explain. We found puppy after church one night in Tulia. He was outside the door when we left and Jennifer and I felt sorry for him. This should have been our first clue. You know, he hangs around waiting for someone to feel sorry for him when he is capable of walking home by himself. We took him home, gave him a bath and fed him. I told Jennifer "we are not keeping that dog." After giving him a nice bath and some vittles we set out to find puppy's home. Everyone shrugged their shoulders...he's not ours and we don't know whose he is. The first sign-responsibility for the problem would not be taken. We learned to like puppy. He jumped on my lap and "kissed" me. OK we can keep him. Little did I know this would result in the US economic collapse. You see puppy is a prototype, a foreshadowing if you will, of what was to come. Why do I say this? Well let's look at the evidence.
Puppy is a mooch. I know what you're thinking, "he's a dog." WRONG! He is what is wrong with America. Hanging out where good hearted people congregate to get something for free hoping someone will 'pick up the tab' while he smiles and looks cute giving the conciliatory lick on the face when needed. Puppy also doesn't want to claim responsibility and refuses to stay clean. Did I hear someone say deregulation and laziness? I thought so. However, it is our fault because we have allowed puppy to live in the lap of luxury while we struggle to survive so we can feed him. He who does not work, refuses to be regulated by baths and looks the other way when called to accountability. I am not an economist but I think the real problem is Puppy. Please follow Bob Barker's advice have your pet spayed or neutered and refuse to partake in the shenanigans of Puppy the great deceiver.

I couldn't make this up

2009-04-02T22:37:00.004-05:00

Me and my brother in law were playing golf last week. It was a perfect day and we had a great time. There was a huge group of people in front of us who were playing really slow. I am not a great golfer but I hit it long off the tee and I hit into them two times in a row. I would like to say it was an accident but I wanted them to speed up. After the ball hit the tire on their cart they sped up. Well there was a twosome behind us and, of course, they caught up to us. They seemed to be nice and after asking we decided to let them play with us. I thought it would be fun. On the next hole one of the guys in the group asked us what we did for a living. "I own a print screening company...I run a small lawn business..." so on a so forth. Their response, "ok so you're not cops." Well no we are not police officers. We didn't know and didn't really care why he asked. I mean alot of people drink too much beer when they play golf, that's the best time to play for quarters. Then the man says "well I like to smoke pot when I play golf." We both laughed, we thought he was joking. We played a few holes, they were great to play with. We got to the next tbox and the questioner goes to his bag and kneels down for a while. All of the sudden I could smell what he was smoking. He was not joking. It was pretty awkward but we laughed about it later. Well we played a few more on the back nine. We were by far better golfers. We are not great but they were not good. We stopped at the turn, got a hot dog, hit the head and looked at the score card. As we were driving to 10 they asked if we wanted to play for money. Like real money. "No, I don't like to do that." We were playing pretty well. Them...not so much. He goes to hit his pipe and we look up and there are two police officers on the course. The guy was freaking out. We were laughing so hard. The officers were there for something else. He then told us he couldn't play golf very well because he was too high. I asked him, "so you all still want to play for money."

my new hair

2009-03-17T18:17:00.003-05:00

What is going on?

2009-03-05T21:25:00.003-06:00

The last couple of weeks have been fairly uneventful. We are in the season of Lent and I am really trying to take advantage of the season to allow Christ to refine my faith. Work is about to get busy and that is good, I hate it when I am slow. One thing that I am really excited about is this summer I am going to teach a class through the letters of Paul. I have enjoyed teaching apologetics but I really prefer to study texts and go through them. The class will introduce the background, theme and the message of each letter. As well it will include an application from the message of the letter. I really think, more now than ever, that study of Sacred Scripture has got to inform the mind with the goal of changing the person. This will be the over-arching goal of the class. When texts are studied within their context and not just picked apart, as never was the intention, the beauty of what God was saying is much more powerful.
In a few weeks my sister Erin, her boyfriend Trent and my two nephews are coming to see Jennifer and me. I am very excited. We don't have kids yet and I love those boys very much.
We have lived in Lubbock for over a year now and I have to say I love our life. We have fun. Well I will go now I hope you are well and God is real to you.

25 things

2009-02-19T22:03:00.002-06:00

There has been a post on facebook called 25 random things about you. I have been tagged a few times but hate signing up for apps so I will post them here. I hope I can think of 25 things.
1. I am listening to 80s music.
2. I have twin sisters Erin and Emily.
3. My mom was born in Germany
4. My dad and I have the same middle name, Wyatt
5. I have three dogs, charlie, aja, and puppy
6. Two of my dogs are named after Steely Dan songs
7. I like to hunt
8. I fished everyday from the ages of 7 and 12, everyday
9. I used to stand on the ice on the edge of the river and fish, mom would kill me
10. I enjoy and nice chiante and some fave beans
11. I watch king of the hill if I don't fall asleep first
12. I look forward to having kids
13. I have eaten guinea pig
14. I hate that we focus on paparazzi when we are in a recession and at war
15. I like history
16. I think I am a good golfer until I play
17. I love my wife more than I ever thought possible
18. I like being my own boss
19. I woke myself up farting on a plane when I was 13 sitting next to a good looking girl
20. I have eaten Jamaican jerk in Jamaica
21. I love prime rib
22. I teach apologetics at church
23. I have little tolerance for ignorance
24. I hate the bailout
25. I don't like religion light
26. I love the Catholic church
27. I love my nephews
28. I let Aja in when Jennifer has gone to bed, we fall asleep in the recliner
29. Peggy has big feet Hank has a narrow urethra
30. I like having the best grass in town
31. I want to live in Montana, or at least a place where the closest neighbor is 50 miles
32. I am quiet until I know you, then I don't shut up
33. I am not a good dancer
34. I do not practice transcendental meditation
35. I suck at guitar hero
36. I would like to meet John Wayne and Jesus
37. I am argumentative
38. I thought I would be a lawyer when young cause I could talk my way out of anything
39. I told my wife the other day to take my hand we'll make it I swear because we were living on a prayer
40. I think I will make an 80s music 25-40 random things

Mary the Mother of God

2009-02-15T12:25:00.007-06:00

Most converts from Protestant churches to the Catholic church will tell you that the most difficult teachings of the Church are those regarding Mary. Intellectually the arguments are not that difficult but to overcome years of conditioning is difficult to say the least. There was conference in Lubbock this weekend that dealt with the Biblical reasons for the Church's teachings on Mary. It helped me to have a deeper appreciation for Biblicity of the Church's actual teachings on Mary. Many of you had the opportunity to go and hear some of their recommended readings. I would like to suggest a few as well. First is "Catholic for a Reason II, Scripture and the Mystery of the Mother of God." Ed. Hahn and Suprenant. Second, "Hail Holy Queen," Hahn. I am sure there are other great books. Of course you know my two favs on most matters are Armstrong "Biblical Defense of Catholicism" and Romero's "Unabridged Christianity."

I would like to take a couple of minutes and address two things. 1. Why the uneasiness surrounding the Church's teachings on Mary. 2. A brief look at the Biblical background for those teachings. For those of you in my class this is a brief description of what we are studying.

1. Jennifer and I were working out at the gym a couple of weeks ago. They have four thousand tvs at the gym that play everything from Oprah to Fox News. One of the stations was a rap a channel. There was a guy singing about his great love for his, well, woman. Showing a great deal of disregard for women and decency at the same time. On his jacket were two pictures. On the left a Rosary on the right La Virgen de Guadalupe. (Mary as she revealed herself to Juan Diego, more about it later.) I got mad at seeing it but wasn't surprised. Mary in many parts of the world has become more of a cultural icon than a guide to holiness. This is one of the reasons there is such uneasiness about Mary...she is seldom understood by the vast majority of people who claim to be Catholic and this representation carries over into the world. When a protestant asks a Catholic about their worship of Mary rather than saying we don't worship her they don't know for the above reasons. I thought for the longest time that Catholics worshipped Mary to the neglect of Jesus. I was right and wrong. Many fallen away and other mildly committed Catholics plaster their walls with pictures of Mary and neglect the One she wishes we would go to. I was wrong because the Church is clear about the fact that Catholics are not supposed to worship Mary. She is our guide, she is the mother of God, she is our mother but she is not God. So when I as a protestant I felt weird about being around people who seemed to worship her to the neglect of Christ. As well I had been taught many things that the Catholic church supposedly taught about Mary. Most were not true. I viewed her as a great follower who had been given a wonderful responsibility of bearing Christ. After Jesus though I believed her work was done and she lived faithful to God at best. I never looked at her from a Biblical lens and knew few people who had. So, the cultural misrepresentations, the weak Catholics and the false preconditioning left me wanting to run from any idea of honoring Mary. When I converted I could make a Biblical argument but my heart was still tense about the matter. I assumed this will take a while to overcome. However it is important to understand that what the Catholic church teaches about Mary is Biblical. Someone who speaks as an authority about what the Catholic church teaches, from outside the church, usually does so based on the information provided by marginally informed Catholics. I would encourage both Protestant and Catholic Christians to read what the Church teaches on Mary. Catechism of the Catholic Church 963 and following.

2. Is there any Biblical evidence for what the Church teaches about Mary?

I have already written too much so I will list some verses below with a brief description of why. Read them in their greater Biblical context. As well ask questions if you want, I am not saying I have the answers but you can ask.

Revelation 11:19= John sees the Ark of the Covenant. Revelation 12 the Ark, it is Mary.

Parallels between 2Sam 6 and Luke 1

-Arose and went to Judah

-Blessed

-Mother/Ark come to me

-Leaping

-Three months

(You have to read the text for that to make sense, but look for those key words when you do.)

The brothers of Jesus are from another Mary, according to the New Testament

-Matthew 13:55

-Matt 27:55-56; 27:61; 28:1

-John 19:25

She is identified as Mary the mother of the others then John tells us she is the other Mary.

Ok that is a good start and I am running out of time. I don't get to hang out on the computer all the time.

Best Tortilla Soup in the World

2009-01-19T20:53:00.002-06:00

I love Mexican food. For example a guy that works for me told me that he was having stomach problems because every day at lunch we had to eat Mexican food. It may not have been the food but how fast we ate. I tell them when I am done eating we are leaving, not literally but we do eat fast in the summer. I have a few favs. I love Abuelos for a higher end meal. You know Sunday after church or date night. I also like any hole in the wall place where the accents are thick and the salsa is hot. Jennifer is a good cook. She usually cooks healthy food. I didn't like it at first because I wanted something to fill me up. Tonight she made tortilla soup. It was the best in the world. If there is a cook-off somewhere I am going to encourage her to enter it. Really if there is a rockin smart, cool, awesome, spiritual, smart, good looking wife contest I would encourage her to enter that too. She is the best. When I consider that God has let me live my life with her I am filled with such a quiet satisfaction that I thank God.
Things here are going well. Work is slow this time of year, which is cool. Jennifer is still plugging away at school and we are making new friends. That is easier for Jennifer than me.
Hope you are well and that God is real to you.

2008

2009-01-05T23:53:00.003-06:00

What a year. It was by far the craziest year of our lives. There were a lot of mistakes made and many graces granted. I feel very fortunate. Jennifer continues with her school. I am still in business but who am I kidding I will probably end up teaching scripture, somehow. Well here is a link to many 08 pictures of ours.
http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq7/ebenwyatt/2008/

What a great life

2008-12-01T22:18:00.002-06:00

I have a great life and feel very blessed. I have the best wife in the world. She is the best woman I know. A woman of prayer and humility. I thank God for allowing me to marry her. I couldn't imagine living with anyone else. She is intelligent and beautiful. Though our backgrounds are very different those things that made us different made us for one another. I enjoy our conversations. I think that we are both open minded people and when we talk it is evident to me that I could not possible have been married to anyone else. Most of all she is an example of faithfulness. During our marriage their have been some discouraging times, I suppose every married couple has these times, but she has always had her focus on God. She doesn't worry like I do because of her reliance upon the Lord. She thinks about and internalizes her faith which manifests itself in her love of others and God. It is not just a part of her background that formed habits it is a life she lives. During my conversion I had hid a lot of things from her that were going on inside of me. She was raised Catholic and I didn't want to bring it up because I didn't want her to worry and there were other reasons. I see now that I should have opened up to her about what I was studying and thinking the whole time. I would imagine every husband looks back at one time or another and rethinks their actions. She has stood behind me and supported me in what I have decided but in the end it is me who stands besides her wondering if what I am doing will be the best thing for her. I take this seriously and know that in the end it will be God and my wonderful wife that will help me live a more faithful life. I have great life because I have a wonderful Lord and a wonderful wife.