searching the sunsets

Hanging With Neil

So, I've been reading a lot of Cornelius Plantinga, Jr (A.K.A. Neil). Here in West Michigan he is something of a legend. I confess that before I moved here I had never even heard of him. This semester I have to read one of his books and I'm reading another one for fun. I borrowed them both from the library. As soon as I get the cash, I intend to buy them. There are so many good quotes that I wish I could just transpose the entire book for you. Instead, I'm going to slap up quotes on random days and call them "Hanging with Neil." They may get their own category, they may not. Either way here is the first one:

Since faith fastens on God’s benevolence, it yields gratitude, which in turn sponsors risk-taking in the service of others. Grateful people want to let themselves go; faithful people dare to do it. People tethered by to God by faith let themselves go because they know they will get themselves back.
Grateful people overflow a little, especially with thanksgiving and passed-on kindness. But they do not therefore lack discipline. In fact, self-indulgence tends to suppress gratitude; self-discipline tends to generate it.

Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin
~pp. 35

Just So We're Clear....

Was Jesus Tempted to Sin?

Was Jesus tempted to sin? Yes or No? What does that mean? Was Jesus tempted to sleep with women? Masturbate? Punch someone in the nose?

I came across this video on YouTube today and they take exception to Mark Driscoll saying yes to some of my above questions. What do you think? Please don't assume that I agree or disagree with Driscoll, or that I like or dislike him, I'm just curious what you think.

ENTP, or ENTJ: Which to be? Is it me?

Have you taken the Myers/Briggs test? As part of my course work, I have had to take it twice now.  Last time I came out an ENTJ, this time I came out an ENTP.
This is what the test says about ENTP:

Quick, ingenious, stimulating,  alert and outspoken. Resourceful in solving new and challenging problems. Adept at generating conceptual possibilities and then analyzing them strategically. Good at reading other people. Bored by routine, will seldom do something the same way, apt to turn one new interest into another.

This is what the test says about ENTJ:

Frank, decisive, assume leadership readily. Quickly see illogical and inefficient procedures and policies, develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems. Enjoy long term planning and goal setting. Usually well informed, well read, enjoy expanding their knowledge and passing it onto others. Forceful in presenting their ideas.

Basically the test agrees on the first three letters. It is the last letter that they test (or perhaps me) seems conflicted on.  Those who know me, or used to know me or just want your opinion to be heard, what do you think? Which one of the two looks the most like me?

25 Random Things About Me

This was/is done for Facebook, but I thought I'd share it here with you. Enjoy or don't.

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1.    I was deathly afraid of dogs for most of childhood, well into my teens. This was because of a tragic incident when I was about 4. I've now owned 3 dogs, one for the last 9 years.
2.    My first car was a Chevy Caprice Classic Station wagon. It was the only chevy I’ve ever owned.
3.    I learned to drive stick shift on an old truck that had the gears on the column.
4.    I’d love to own a working farm someday.
5.    I am a book nerd. I love to read almost anything, except biographies. I enjoy reading a lot of different things though, books, magazines, online newspapers etc.
6.    My favorite fictional author is James Patterson.
7.    I love movies, I love going to movies.
8.    I drive 30+ miles every week for our Sunday gathering because we love our faith community
9.    I have never slept on the couch because Erica was mad at me
10.    I have never bought her flowers because I was in trouble, this was/is a rule we established early in our marriage and I’m so glad.
11.    I have bought her many flowers simply because I love her.
12.    I want to be published some day
13.    I love being a dad, besides getting married it is the greatest thing I’ve ever done
14.    I want to be a 4.0 student, but I am not
15.    I’m a truck man, with the F-150 being my truck of choice
16.    Despite #15 being true, I do not currently own a truck
17.    I really like Classical music
18.    I haven’t been on a vacation with my family in over two years
19.    I often feel that I am too conservative for half of my friends, and too liberal for the other half.
20.    I love passionate conversation
21.    I enjoy a cold Yuengling with nice cigar or pipe
22.    I’ve been inside Comerica park for a baseball game but never actually seen a  baseball game there.
23.    I need a fan running for optimal sleeping conditions
24.    I heat my house with a little potbelly stove
25.    I am deathly afraid of failure, but not “activity failure” as in I won’t try something because I’m afraid I’ll fail. I am afraid of life failure, that is when I die, I want to be able to look back at my life and feel a sense of pride that I didn’t fail at life.

The MOVE has occurred

Both my blog and erica's blog has moved. If you found this by coming to joemartino.name, that url will still work for one more week or so after that I will not be posting to it. If you come here from the new URL, I am using the same posting service so this particular post will be featured above all others.

Please email me and I will tell you the new one. I know this is a pain but for right now, I think this is the best way to go.  joemartino.name will expire soon and I do not believe I am going to renew so if you want to keep reading either comment here and I'll send you the new links or email me. Erica's URL will remain the same for a little while longer so that her readers can get her new URL before her current one goes dark.
Thanks!

A Thought: Do You Agree or Disagree

Open rebuke is better than a love that is hidden

Do You Like Book Reviews in Blogs?

I've often thought about book reviews and blogs. Honestly, most of the time, if the review is long and chapter by chapter I skim over what is written. I don't really spend that much time going through it. If the book review is short and to the point. Few examples, few quotes and a broad overview, I read it.

What about you? Do you like book reviews in blogs? Do you prefer chapter by chapter or broad overview?

My Blog is Moving

In order to gain a little more "net-anonymity" my blog is moving.   I'll be making the change in the next few days as I figure out a few technical issues. I'll of course put up a post when the actual switch occurs.
Thanks.

Do You Ever Just Want To Scream?

I do. Sometime, I just want to pull my hair out and quit. Seriously.