Medicine of Immortality "It's a cold, and it's a broken, 'Hallelujah!'"

Posted by Rick on December 20th, 2001

MAD. Life is mad. I am mad. MAD! MAD! MAD! When I hit chapter 6 of What Saint Paul Really Said, it really took off. I was getting into it very much. Then, horror of horrors. Page 129 was not page 129 but page 97. Pages 129-160 are replaced with 97-128 AGAIN. I could share my knowledge of why stuff like this happens (I learned all about it in English 519-Bibliography), but I am too frustrated. OH! And THEN the sound card that I installed has really messed up my computer. But, of course, I hadn’t really noticed because I was reading a book that can’t even count its pages. HMPF However, these frustrations made having to clean my mouse seem kinda fun.

Posted by Rick on December 19th, 2001

Rumor has it that it is Pastor Mark and Jennifer Horne’s tenth wedding anniversary.

I am still reading What Saint Paul Really Said. To be honest, I have been reading everything but that. I have been distracted by every other book that has crossed my path. So far Wright hasn’t impressed me with anything. I am about halfway through the book, and it’s not really keeping my attention. Maybe it is because of all the hype it got. In any case, I’ll finish it and hope it gets better. One thing I have noticed is that a lot of the techniques of scholarship he brings out are things I learned from one of my favorite professors, Lea Olsan. I think I had trouble accepting these techniques of scholarship at first, but I’ve really learned to benefit from linguistic study and anthropology. They’re subtle things Wright is slipping in there, and I am glad to see him slip them in. Of course, my reading is limited, but Peter Leithart also does a good job of bringing that kind of stuff to light. Is this a Cambridge thing?

I enjoyed David P. Henreckson’s article on Music at New Christendom journal. I also enjoyed David P. Cassidy’s article on Temperance but couldn’t help but cringe every time he insulted one of our Baptist brethren. Am I becoming a softie? In any case, he brought out some good points, and it was very well written. There were also some articles by Sproul Jr. and Sandlin, but the lesser-knowns got my vote this issue.

I received an email the other day from a list. It was “You know you’re a postmillenialist if…” This one cracked me up…”You know you’re a postmillenialist if…you think that ‘a thousand generations’ is meant to be a wryly ironic understatement.” heh heh heh

Well school is out. My math students did well on their final. I was overjoyed. One of my students, Jordan Wilkins, bought me a new shirt for Christmas. I can’t believe he got my neck size right! He didn’t even ask anyone. For anyone else buying me a shirt, it’s an 18.

However, my accomplishment of the week came in a game of hacky-sack. We play hack any chance we get at the Geneva Academy. It’s the official sport. Well, I created a stall called the Bean Dance this week. I caught the hack on my back and began to dance around in a circle in a semi-crouched position before popping it to someone else. The boys got a kick out of it, and I got recognition for a new stall. I am still trying to perfect what is affectionately known as “The Rick Stall.” The Rick Stall consists of catching the hack on the back of your ankle, and keeping it there for at least a few seconds. I am still poor at hack compared to my students, but I am getting better. Oh, you might find this interesting. I also invented a new form of hack a few weeks ago (How did I ever get away from the computer without telling you, oh sweet, sweet blogger?). This version is called “Converting the Nations.” This developed when we were trying to keep quiet while one of the students was finishing his test. Normally, we call a game called “Pressure,” where the person who drops the hack gets pegged. Those who didn’t drop the hack, throw the hack at the hackdropper’s backside. Well, we had to move to an adjacent room (the nursery) across the hall, which was quite a bit smaller. It was too small to throw the hack very hard, so I got creative (ah, all those gifted classes paid off!). I found a small bowl from a toy kitchenette set. I put the bowl in the middle of the circle. If you could stall the hack and then put it in the bowl and get it out, you got an extra throw. The person who dropped the hack served as the one we tried to convert. The hack turned into the gospel and we the bowl was worn on the head as either a mitre or yarmulke. The object was to knock off the yarmulke/mitre and win a convert. I can see all my friends analyzing this game right now. “So is he saying that the evangelizer wins the convert?” “So, you’re saying all Catholics go to Hell, huh Rick?” It was a game, and we were trying to Christianize it. Kinda like Christian music, right?

Oh! Oh! I can now quote from my favorite show without bringing it into my blog for no apparent reason. “Christian rock. Now there’s an oxymoron!”—Loralie Gilmore (i.e. Lauren Graham) from Gilmore Girls.

Fact for the day: Lauren Graham was an English major at Barnard College. Ten points goes to the one who can name the Florida writer that also went to Barnard College. Hint: She was re-popularized by Alice Walker, the author of The Color Purple and one of my least favorite people, in the 1970’s. And if you know me very well, you also know I have written three papers on this Florida writer. Oh, and The Color Purple’s “Shug” is modeled after this Florida writer. Okay, enough hints. Let’s see how literate we are.

Back to N.T. Wright. One thing I thought was wonderful was Wright’s definition of the gospel. At least in one certain way. Wright notes that the “gospel” is not how one gets saved, but rather the proclamation that Jesus Christ, the King of the Nations, has come. Too often I hear Calvinists spouting how Arminians are not saved because they believe a different gospel. Calvinism is not the gospel my friends. I do believe it is the most correct form of soteriology, but that does not mean it is the gospel.

“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” Revelation 15: 3-4

My chanting is getting better. I think I have the Venite and the Te Deum down. Here’s our closing hymn. If anyone knows anything about it, tell me. It is very fast and upbeat. I had a hard time keeping up with the words when I first started singing it. I am wondering if it is one of them “Genevan jigs.” If anyone wants to know how it goes, call me, and I’ll sing it for ya.

Rise Again Ye Lionhearted

Rise again, ye lionhearted Saints of early Christendom,
Whither is your strength departed, Whither gone your martyrdom?
Lo, love’s light is on them, Glory’s flame upon them,
And their will to die doth quell E’en the lord and prince of hell.

These the men by fear unshaken, Facing danger dauntlessly;
These no witching lust hath taken, Lust that lures to vanity.
Mid the roar and rattle of tumultous battle
In desire they soar above All that earth would have them love.

Great of heart, they know no turning, Honor, gold, they laugh to scorn,
Quench desires within them burning, By no earthly passion torn.
Mid the lion’s roaring Songs of praise outpouring,
Joyously they take their stand On th’arena’s bloody sand.

Would to God that I might even As the martyred saints of old
With the helping hand of Heaven, Steadfast stand in battle bold!
O my God, I pray Thee, In the combat stay me.
Grant that I may ever be, Loyal, staunch, and true to Thee.

Posted by Rick on December 18th, 2001

PAY ATTENTION
If you don’t, you may end up like me. Today I decide to buy my plane tickets to Moscow, Idaho for the 7th Annual Credenda/Agenda History Conference. Well I was so involved in my AIM conversations that I ended up buying tickets to Seattle, Washington. Talk about stupid. Of course they were non-refundable. So I ended up buying a ticket from Seattle to Spokane where I’ll spend some time with my friends, the Eyres, before going off to Moscow for the conference. So for all those that were wondering if I am going, I am. I am just taking a short detour to Seattle What a sense of humor our King has. I’ve always wanted to go to Seattle (Okay, no I haven’t), and now I have a great story to tell people like you. And to think, I did this on the same day I received my grade reports. I am still maintaining my 4.0. Something is seriously wrong here.

I am scared to go to Moscow in January. I am about to die of cold here. It dropped down to 76 degrees in the apartment before I turned the heat back on. It’s gonna be cold tonight!

I found Theology on Tap at the hotdogblog. This kind of reminds me of what we do at Enoch’s here in town but only on accident.

I have a little purple monkey that talks to me. He tells me all sorts of neat facts. He really annoys me, but I am somehow attached to him. He used to tell me jokes, but I told him to stop. He also has a little friend, a yellow butterfly. If you’d like, you can also download a little annoying purple monkey.

Make sure you get your copy of Touchstone magazine’s special Tolkien issue.

I give my math final tomorrow. I need to write it out still, so I should go.

Posted by Rick on December 18th, 2001

I do not quite know why I am still up. I think it is depression. Depression from spending too much time looking at other people’s blogs. People that know how to figure out their template lol. Depression from trying to figure out the blogger template. I am realizing I have no skill for making my template easier to use. In fact, some of you may actually read this blog before my template is fixed. I make HTML technicians, like Jad the Dirty Rotten Canuck, come in and fix what I mess up. So maybe you’ll read this and see how horribly pathetic I am at working this template. On the other hand, you may see this after Jad fixes it. In that case, you will think I am a wonderful HTMLer. It’s a lie! Oh, by the way, Jad is Canadian (hence DRC). I used to think all Canadians were weird because they can’t carry guns. Then I met Jad. He changed my views on Canadians. He introduced me to Smirnoff Ice. My only consolation is that Rachel Booth and Vickie Orr made cookies and dropped them off at my house. That makes everything better.

I found this musing on singleness quite funny. I have been where this girl is…often. I know some of you who still read this blog have been there too. I got a good laugh, but at the same, I know what she means!

I am adding Sensus Plenior to my blog soon. I may even get it on there today. I have the HTML code. However, there is a good chance I will screw something up along the way, and you’ll never see it. Okay, okay, I sound like that little kid on that commercial for that stuff. Ya know the one. Those drugs?

I keep getting bitten by mosquitos. Aren’t they supposed to be dead already? HAHAHA! Not in Louisiana.

My plans for free reading keep getting pushed around. I am STILL trying to read N.T. Wright’s What Saint Paul Really Said. I need to make sure I finish Dennis Bratcher’s The Concepts of Conditionality and Apostasy in Relation to the Covenant before our Pastor’s Conference. The only difference in that scedule and reality is that Pastor John Barach of Trinity Reformed Church (URCNA) is speaking instead of Dr. Norman Shepherd. Like Jad, Pastor Barach is also Canadian. I might also mention that Jad is also in the URC, but as far as I can tell, those are the only connections I have seen.

Chapel was great although I found it interesting we chanted the Nunc Dimittis, which is traditionally for vespers. I threw a pizza party for my math students today after chapel. I have been commissioned to edit a new Star-Wars book by a world renowned (okay not world-renowned) author. In any case, that will take up more of my time. However, the pay is well worth it. Okay, maybe it’s not. I can dream.

I spent a little time finding out what old high school friends are doing nowadays. One signed this petition saying that she hates God, or something along those lines. Two girls from my chemistry class are Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. Kinda weird to think I’ve had Dallas Cowgirls in my house. Another girl is an editor of a really liberal magazine. The unfortunate thing is that three of those four (all but the last) went to Fellowship of Christian Athletes back when I was the Senior Officer. I thank God he destroyed my knees so that I ended up at Belhaven and then Monroe instead of Kansas State or OSU. Ah speaking of football, I played football the other day. It made me feel really old. I have a bruise on my chest from where Jordan Wilkins tackled me. I intercepted a lateral pass and made it back to the one yard only to be tackled. I landed with my elbow in my chest and was quite out of breath for a long time. The next morning every muscle in my body was sore. Oh, here’s a football pic from high school. Oh how the mighty have fallen haha. I imagine most of y’all know I was also a cheerleader.

One last thing. I watched Memento the other day. It is worth watching. It’s rated R for language and violence. The movie is neat though.

Posted by Rick on December 15th, 2001

Anyone still read this? I know of at least five people.

Posted by Rick on December 15th, 2001

Last night I drove to Jackson to pick up Jeremy Huntington. Jeremy is 27 and quite an interesting character. He lives in coastal North Carolina and builds boats. He is, of course, from North Dakota. He laughed at the weather I was calling cold. I had the heat up the whole way back, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his mispronunciation of fundamental words. And these terms he used. When he was tired, he asked if I minded if he “punched” out on him. I ducked and hit him. Okay, not really. But he was asking if I minded him taking a nap. The trip was interesting. I was driving Courtney’s car to pick his bro up. Well, I got to the airport and locked up the car. It is, after all, Jackson. You don’t leave a car unlocked in Jackson. Well I went about 20 yards from the car when I realized that i forgot Jeremy’s itinerary. I went back to the car only to realize I couldn’t get in. You see, Courtney gave me the ignition key but not the key to the outside doors. I ended up having to call a locksmith. That one cost me $30. I wonder if Jeremy told Courtney about that. After we were on our way, we stopped off at a Burger King to get something to eat. Jeremy wanted a milkshake, so I asked the voice from the drive-thru, “Can I get a milkshake?” The response was, “No you CANNOT.” We thought the mysterious voice was just joking. No, just good wholesome Jackson, MS, service. I wish Jackson was like the rest of Mississippi.

The rest of the trip was rather uneventful. I pulled up to Courtney’s and walked in the front door. Everyone at the bachelor party waived…they were in the middle of a psalm. I think Aaron was wondering why I was so late. I don’t think even knows now that I drove to Jackson to pick up jeremy. It was about 12:30 in the morning when I got there. Jeremy went around back. Courtney met him at the back. I grabbed myself a cigar, some vodka to strengthen my voice, and a beer. I was between Aaron and Courtney. Jeremy pulled up alongside Courtney and joined in the psalm. There was another tenor voice. It mysteriously appeared. This was a surpise to everyone. The four of us were facing everyone else in the room. They saw Jeremy walk up but didn’t say anything. A verse or two later, Aaron looked to his right and then looked down and then did a double take. The look on his face was priceless. It made my four hour trip and $35 seem like nothing. I only wish I could serve others like that everyday. I can; I should.

The bachelor party was, by far, the best one I’ve ever experienced. Courtney did a wonderful job of organizing it. We sang psalms for a long long time. We even pulled off, quite nicely, 119x. Of course, Aaron had to sing the soprano part. After that we gathered round. The married guys, one by one, gave Aaron advice followed by the single guys. After that we prayed and went home. That was about 2:30 A.M.

About 9:30 Donald called. Thomas and I went out to eat at Chile Verde with a couple of the other people in Donald and Donna’s wedding (in two weeks). After that Thomas and I went to try on tuxes. I am going to be his best man. Thomas is going to be another groomsman. Donald forgot to put Thomas on the list of groomsmen, and he also forgot to tell them he wants shoes. Maybe I’ll just wear my tennis shoes with the tux. After that we went to Kinko’s and made up my Christmas cards. My goal this year is to get them sent off! My paper is an odd choice. One page is snowflakes…the other a beach. I guess I chose that because my letter had to deal with the cycles of the year. Ah those studies in the Church calendar paid off. grin After that we went to the Booth-Trisler wedding. Pastor Booth did the ceremony.

After that was the reception. Of course, I danced my little heart out. I passed on knowledge of the pretzel (swing dancing) to the younger generation. I also had a 2-3 year old girl from our church keep running up to me wanting to dance. We danced several times lol. And here I am.

For the last hour, I’ve been showing Rachel Eyre how much I know about her. In the process, I think I freaked her out. For all of you that haven’t noticed, I am an extremely observant person. After a few conversations, I can usually tell you what you do in your spare time, your worst sins, and all other sorts of things. Beware!

Posted by Rick on December 14th, 2001

Today has been interesting so far. I went to eat dinner at Courtney’s and then had math class. After class I went to pick up four books: Debora K. Shuger’s “The Renaissance Bible,” “The Polemics and Poems of Rachel Speght,” George Herbert’s “The Temple,” and “Flanney O’Connor’s “Mystery and Manners” which are selections of occasional prose.

I didn’t get much reading done today though. I did happen to read the latest issue of ETC. It is wonderful.

I’ll be leaving soon for Jackson to pick up Courtney’s brother. The after that I guess I will be at Aaron’s bachelor party.

Tomorrow will be yet another hectic day. I have to try on tuxes for Donald’s wedding in two weeks. I am his best man. And I have his graduation tomorrow. And finally, the Booth wedding. Brad has been trying to get me to worship in Ruston for awhile. I just haven’t seemed to be able to make it over there. Pastor Steel said his church John Knox PCA is the most liturgical church in the PCA, so I am eager to see what they’re doing.

Posted by Rick on December 14th, 2001

Today has been interesting so far. I went to eat dinner at Coutney’s and then had math class. After class I went to pick up four books: Debora K. Shuger’s “The Renaissance Bible,” “The Polemics and Poems of Rachel Speght,” George Herbert’s “The Temple,” and “Flanney O’Connor’s “Mystery and Manners” which are selections of occasional prose.

I didn’t get much reading done today though. I did happen to read the latest issue of ETC. It is wonderful.

I’ll be leaving soon for Jackson to pick up Courtney Huntington’s brother. The after that I guess I will be at Aaron’s bachelor party.

Tomorrow will be yet another hectic day. I have to try on tuxes for Donald’s wedding in two weeks. I am his best man. And I have his graduation tomorrow. And finally, the Booth wedding. Brad has been trying to get me to worship in Ruston for awhile. I just haven’t seemed to be able to make it over there. Pastor Steel said his church John Knox PCA is the most liturgical church in the PCA, so I am eager to see what they’re doing.

Posted by Rick on December 13th, 2001

I just finished watching crazy/beautiful with Alan. I enjoyed the end result, but the licentiousness on the way was too much for me. I must admit that I am a sucker for love stories. I carefully analyze them. When there is a good one, I dunno…I just love em. I didn’t really get as much reading done as I would have liked to do, but I got much accomplished around the house. I read an article by D.G. Hart called “Rediscovering Mother Kirk: Is High-Church Presbyterianism An Oxymoron?” It was pretty good, not as good as I heard it was though. I started N.T. Wright’s “What Did St. Paul Really Say?” I think that’s the name of it. I haven’t gotten very far, but it is good. I also started David Chilton’s Days of Vengeance to go along with my daily devotions in Revelation. It has the longest introduction in the world. It has some impressive things and some not so impressive things.

I am quite pleased with the responses I have been getting from others about the situation in St. Louis. Pastor Meyers even told me to call him to talk about it next week. I am so thankful for others taking their time out to answer my questions and concerns.

My friend Alan from church told me today that he will be moving to Matthews, NC by the end of the month. Turns out he has the opportunity to take over a branch of the company he works for. He is also going to try to marry by June. Now wouldn’t that be exciting.

I will be driving into Jackson tomorrow to pick up Courtney Huntington’s brother for the Booth-Trisler wedding Saturday. It’s a surprise so “Shhh!” I hope we’ll be back in time to not miss too much of the bachelor party. I think my weekend plans for reading are foiled once again. I have to get up early to make it for a party for the boys at Geneva. And then I have to review them for their math final. I should be in bed, shouldn’t I?

Posted by Rick on December 12th, 2001

I am a good mood right now. However, I can tell this is going to be a lonely break just sitting here in my apartment reading. So call me anytime I just finished watching “Run, Lola, Run.” If you haven’t had the chance to watch it, I recommend it. I own it and have seen it many, many times. What would happen if you were one second behind? Or one second head? If you chose blue instead of green? Fate and fortune begin to blur in this movie. Life is a game. As the security guard says, “The game lasts 90 minutes. That’s a fact. Everything else is just theory.” The whole movie takes place in about twenty minutes. Every answer leads to a new question In addition, this is the first time I have seen it since I’ve learned German. It was nice to not even have to look at the subtitles or have to get a dubbed version. Oops! I forgot to tell you. It’s a German film.

The last few days have been good. I turned in my grades early yesterday morning. I was so pleased that one of my students passed. He ended up with a 69.6 so I gave him a C. I don’t pass D’s. He really deserved to pass because he had went from making fifties on all his papers to high eighties by the end of the semester. Overall, I was pleased. Everyone in my class passed the university exam, and my class started out at the bottom of the barrel. They came a long way, and I am proud of them. I didn’t give any A’s this semester though.

I talked to Pastor Jeff Steel yesterday about Covenant Seminary. It was very encouraging. We talked for several hours. It was great to see someone with such a biblical view of the catholicity of the Church. I feel like Presbyterians really don’t understand sometimes that other Christians are our brethren. They may be goofy and stupid at times. But they ARE our brethren. I have also received encouraging emails from Jon Barlow and Pastor Mark Horne about the situation at Covenant. I have some reading material set out for tomorrow. I am going to start an N.T. Wright book and an article by D.G. Hart from Touchstone Magazine.