Thoughts?

If you look down in comments you’ll find two amazing Men of God who lay the case out pretty effectively. Scott Roche (spiritualtramp) and Jason Ackerman (jasonmonster) are two fairly well balanced Christian men of whom I’ve had the honor to work on a few things with and as far as I can tell, they know what they’re talking about.

The bottom line is quotes and ideas that both Scott and Jason point out. This one got me (and Scott) going. “I just didn’t feel God would tell a person to deny a big part of who they are and to keep it a secret.” When you sign up to be a Christian (as the name implies – CHRIST-like) you’re setting yourself apart from the world of sin. Mind you, we’re going to sin everyday but the focus of being a Christian is to work against that part of our humanity. We strive to be Christ in everything we do and if we’re going to even break even on that agreement we’re going to have some rules about what is cool and what is not cool.

In the eyes of God/Jesus/HolySpirit, the act of homosexual sex is a sin. We can’t argue with that. When you sign up with God it’s a whole new ballgame. Accepting Jesus into your life and heart is an agreement to turn your life over to Him and what He commands. You can’t start making up your own rules about the basic tenets of Christianity because it makes you feel better or because you think it’s the way it should be. If Christianity isn’t your bag (and it certainly isn’t for everyone*) there’s plenty of other religions out there and probably multiples willing to be more liberal and free with certain things.

*When I say it isn’t for everyone, I was meaning to say not everyone makes the choice to join up. Everyone should have the choice to choose Jesus but if you aren’t willing to sacrifice yourself and the sin you’ve worn for so long…as they say “YOR DOING IT RONG!”

Jason breaks it down in comments with this nugget -

It’s an issue of crossing the line from saying ‘we love you no matter who you are or what you’ve done, and believe there’s a place in God’s familiy for you’ and ‘your sin is justified, because God wouldn’t possibly want you to be unhappy’. That’s a dangerous line to cross, in my opinion. It actually IS a sin to act in accordance with your nature – that’s the whole point of redemption, that our nature is exactly what is stopping us from being in relationship with the God that created us.

The last point I’d like to make (and it’s one I’ve made more times than I care to count) is that Christianity can’t be reinvented, reworked or reimagined. (kudos to grant on twitter for saying, “”Christianity can’t be reinvented, reworked or reimagined.” Isn’t that the entire history of Christianity?” and to that I say I’m speaking more or less to “modern” Christianity and I hope that makes sense…)

At the end of the day it’s about Jesus, you and living a life according to Him as best as you can every day, day by day.

And if you aren’t down with that…well, that’s your decision. And I ain’t about to try and run yours or anyone else’s life. I have enough trouble keeping mine out of the repair shop.

I love this kind o’ storms.

edited 9/2/ @ 6:17pm

Yep, the power just went out….but because my cable modem has backup power….I can still get the internet until it kicks the bucket! Woot!

edited 9/2 @ 8:02pm

Well, the power came right back on after like five minutes of being out. It has been raining since about five o’clock here in Denver and it is the most wonderful thing to have the rain, the thunder and the screen doors open. First the smell of rain is amazing. I think it’s like crack to me. I love deep breathing the scent of recently fallen water into my nostrils. My brain goes into a tizzy and I get a little dizzy.

Almost started rapping there for a second. On second thought. For Monday’s Videoblogthing, I’m doing a rap video.

I’m just sitting here sipping on my other crack (earl grey tea with two sugars) and just relaxing on a quiet Sunday evening as the spring storms overstay a little longer in Denver. Until the snow comes. Then my doors and screendoors will be shut. Cause it’ll be to frackin’ cold out there.

All this to say…I love Denver.

edited 9/2 @ 11:06pm

I had a old desktop computer back in the day and it’s been gathering dust.  I finally hooked it up and…got it to work!  And the thing is…this was where all my old mp3 files that I miss so much were…meaning…I found all my old music I loved but could never listen to again…can I just say I’m pleased with myself that I managed to coax it back to life.  However, I don’t think I can ever shut it off ever again.

A TORNADO WARNING is in effect for Adams County and northeast Denver County until 7:15 p.m. after a funnel cloud was spotted near DIA.

via 9news.com.

Updated again

A TORNADO WARNING is in effect for eastern Arapahoe County until 7:45 p.m. after a tornado was spotted on the ground near Deer Trail.

update:

KUSA – Tornado sirens went of in several parts of the eastern metro area on Thursday evening and a tornado reportedly touched down in eastern Arapahoe County.

The tornado reportedly touched down nine miles west of Deer Trail and about 36 miles northwest of Limon.

It is not clear if there was any damage or injuries.

A funnel cloud was also spotted northeast of Denver International Airport, but a spokesperson for DIA says they do not believe it touched down.

Some flights were rerouted to different runways and an announcement was made to airport passengers and employees to stay alert for more instructions.

A tornado warning went into effect for Adams and Denver Counties because of the funnel cloud.

As evidence I present the weather forecast from 9news.com

You ever have those friends that no matter how long you stay away there’s always something keeping the connection alive?  One of those friends is Vanessa and she’s a peach and a half.  She’s put up with my eccentric oddity since High School (we made it through somehow alive) when I was a junior and she was a freshman.  I leaned on her, she leaned on me and a solid friendship was born.  She’s totally opposite of me in politics, beliefs, religion and everything else…and yet I still treasure her as my friend.

Today we wandered around the city.  The new Art Museum was on the list of things we had both wanted to do but due to insane parking (Downtown Denver you vex me with your parking!) we had to downgrade to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  Only it wasn’t a downgrade.  I hadn’t been in just about forever and it was a comforting thing just walking around the exhibits talking about life with an old friend.

We manged to find ourselves to the greatest section in the entire Museum.  Not the IMAX.  Not the Planetarium.  Not even the new Ben Franklin exhibit (although it’s cool too).  We found our way to the Rocks and Gems displays on the first floor and spent the better part of an hour and a half just moving from display to display in awe of just how cool the rocks were.

Yes, we are geeks.  Vanessa and myself managed to break out into song at least once (it happens when two massive theatre geeks get together) and it was a song from West Side Story.  I’ve also prepared for resident commenter Patrick to accuse me of being less of a man.  It was fun all the same.

It’s comforting to be able to talk to friends and open yourself to them in being real and honest.  It’s never easy to trust someone with your feelings and tales of woe.  We walked around a little more and then headed out.  Me for home and Vanessa to a concert with a cousin or something.

As I drove away I allowed myself a small smile.  It was good to be home again and with friends.

My living room:

Rest of the living room:

Bathroom:

More bathroom:

And…

I have a washer and dryer in unit…and all this for…

$524.00!  It’s amazing that I managed to get such a good deal.  I’ll have more pictures including the kitchen and the bedroom in the next week as I get those rooms cleaned up and ready.  My parents come into town next week so I really want to have everything in order.  None of the furniture cost me a thing.  I’m so thankful to have friends kind enough to help me.

I’ve been back in Denver since Thursday.  I’ve ventured out to explore my new neighborhood and I’ve found a countless Korean restaurants, Mexican food places and tons of fun lookin’ food places that I’ll need to sample over time.  I’ve actually discovered that I live near a famous Denver eatery called Sam’s #3.  This place has been featured in the Denver Post and The Rocky Mountain News along with the various media outlets here in the Mile High City.  To say I’m required by law to visit this place soon is understating it.

I’ve lived in Denver more than twelve years and I’ve never actually gone out and explored this great city.  That’s about to change.  In my mind this is the greatest city in the world (sorry New York, don’t beat me up) and has so much to offer.  I’ll chronicle my adventures here.

I’m all moved in and only lacking a dinner table.  Everything else was free.  I would like to thank Kim Taylor, Renee Papazian, Kevin Gregory and Heather D. for everything they managed to secure for me to have via donation.  It was so amazing.  Thank you!  Pictures will be up as soon as my darn camera recharges.

I went to get my hair cut at the nearby Great Clips and walked in and almost chuckled.  Inside were three stylists.  One was a African American, another was Chinese and the other was of course Filipino.  It was almost the opening lines to some terrible joke.  I was sat down in the chair of Conchita (a Spanish name oddly enough) and started talking.

Come to find out she grew up near Clarke (Pampangas I hope I spelled it right) which is about two to three hours away from where I worked in Quezon City (shout out to the agents in QC!  AYOS!).  We soon were talking about the country and when she left (1983) and why she left the country (She married a military man.  I didn’t ask if that was still on.  Another topic for another time).  Anyway it was amazing to find a Filipino in the midst of all that’s been going on in the past few days with the move in and it reminded me that where I live is literally multicultural central.  I’ve got Hispanics, Koreans, African Americans, Filipinos, Chinese and then there’s the Caucasians.

I’m excited about the future here in Denver/Aurora.  Good things coming.

Oh and the Academy Awards are tonight.  Another show I’ll watch until someone mentions politics.  Then I’m calling somebody.  I don’t know who, but I’m calling someone.  So watch it Academy Awards.  I’ve got my eyes on you.

On the 27th, I’ll be eating at Prime 121 which is a nice little place in Cherry Creek.  Never heard of it and it looks like a new place so we’ll see how it goes.  I’m excited to get out and do something with my little life.

The nice thing is the price during the week is set at 26.40 for one person.  I’m excited to dine at places I would never have a chance at normally.  Gives a regular workin’ man a chance to live the high life.  If you’re a Denver person, take a peek at the website above and take part in supporting the city!