I'm done

As much as I've enjoyed utilizing this blog as an outlet to post thoughts that would rarely come up in normal conversation yet must get off my bosom, the blog has come to an end. There are better things to do with time. People to invest in, books to read, tanning beds to lie in, christmas thank-you notes to write, teeth to brush, olympics to watch on repeat, pyramid schemes to get involved in, and other much better blogs to read. I feel like I've wasted 80% of my free time over the past year, and now with my new job (i forgot to blog about my promotion), I have much much less. Although a useful outlet, this blog also can feel like a responsibility. Not because people demand posts, but because I demand affirmation.....the need to put something out there and it not be rejected (most of the time). I am unable to blog and not have that lingering in the background behind every post. It's time to let it go. May none of us waste our lives serving ourselves. God bless. Hugs not drugs. Keep in touch. Go dawgs.

-Martin

Anti- FishMagnet

Why would you put the Christian fish on the back of your car? Seriously, what is your reason. I am against it in pretty much all forms. Here’s why:

The Cons:
1) NO ONE drives good enough to represent Christ
2) When you by chance slip up and drive poorly, it’s mainly noticed by people behind you (where the fish is); when you are a considerate driver, thinking of others before yourself, it’s mainly noticed by people who are now in front you of (where the fish ain’t). So either have the fish over your front light beams, or not at all.
3) It doesn’t send a message. It is merely a label that could mean one of twenty different things to the onlooker. If it doesn’t send a message, what’s the point? (Although the Christian “Truth” fish that eats the “Darwin” fish does send a message)
4) It doesn’t mean the person follows Jesus. Think about this: if you were a con-artist or a dishonest business owner....wouldn’t you put a fish on your car to better deceive people?
5) Your car is now harder to sell with a fish logo forever branded on your car (even if you remove the magnet, the coloration is different due to the sun)

The Pros:
1) It can encourage other Christians. I’m sure some Christians will see that fish and be like “Hey, there’s another brother/sister in Christ....maybe.”
2) I can’t think of any more. But the pros definitely do not outweigh the damage done by the cons.


(they parked on the line)

Conspiracy

Myself when I was 8 years old: "I will never be friends with someone who cusses."

After recalling this memory, I have three thoughts:
1) My how things have changed
2) What a lame-o. Why didn't he get beat up more.
3) How come I was convinced that the greatest sin one could commit was saying a cuss word? And even so, why was I convinced that being a friend to sinners (as if i wasn't one) was bad? Oh yeah, I went to a Christian school.....And I was 8.

But still, that makes me disappointed in my church, my school, and somewhat my parents that the Gospel was so rarely taught, that I could come away making such a bold statement. I'm sure that if there was more of an emphasis on being taught the Gospel, I may have thought that 8yr old thought, but I would have known better than to proclaim it so boldly. How come sin was explained as cussing, disobeying parents, being mean, complaining, and not getting good grades instead of what sin really is? Was it bad theology or did people have alterior motives? It makes me wonder if those three areas of influence used Christianity more as a way of control and discipline than a means to know God. But then again, I was 8.

Uh oh

7:25pm I lock my keys in my 1994 Honda Accord EX for the first time in 13 years
7:35pm I successfully break into my car (while damaging nothing but the coat hanger and its coat of white paint).

7:36pm I am ecstatic at my success yet scared at how easy it is to break into my car.


To car thieves who also read blogs:
my cd player has already been stolen. don't bother.

Profoundedness found at bottom of post

Speaking of lists to the fourth degree, ever heard of the 4 Spiritual Laws? I’ve never liked them because they’re not completely accurate and they miss the point. I’ll argue with you about them later if you’d like. Cancel that, let’s do it now. We’ll just take Law #1: God loves you and has a great plan for your life. Flaw 1) What if you already have a decent plan for your life.....then why would you need God? Flaw 2) although that statement is true, the fact that it is mentioned in all 4 'spiritual laws' seems to imply a "God exists to bring about your story" theme rather than a “God is at work to bring about His Kingdom and you can be along for the ride” theme (which seems to be much more in line with the Bible's message).

Anyways, I recently heard someone explain the Gospel in what he called "the 4 REAL Spiritual Laws”. Even though the emphasis on ‘REAL’ seemed pious, nevertheless he was right, and I loved them. It was brilliant because of how concise, accurate, beautiful, and true they are. I shall pass them along to you:

1) God is God
2) You aren't
3) Sin is getting 1) and 2) confused
4) Jesus came to take care of 3) and straighten us out on 1) and 2)

Forgive me

THE 4 TYPES OF PEOPLE THAT ARE THE HARDEST FOR ME TO FORGIVE (or not think I'm better than):
1) Those who make fun of others who aren't as cool/gifted/blessed as them while the victim of the mocking is present
-Unfortunately, there exist a couple guys (solid Christians even) that to this day I strongly disdain because of this.

2) Those who are extremely judgmental among the Christian faith
-Forgiving them, I can do easier because I understand that this is due to a lack of understanding the Gospel...something that is only brought about by the grace of God. However, I have a hard time not thinking I'm better than these people often (which interestingly, is due to a lack of understanding the Gospel on my part).

3) Anyone involved on the supply side (not the demand side) of the sex trafficking industry
- A man who's looked at porn so much, his life so mundane, that he has to do something scandalous and exciting for him to continue living (a.ka. the demand side).....I can understand, although not condone by any means. However, the person who wants to arrange the meeting between this man and a 15 yr old enslaved girl.....that person I would permanently maim in a heart beat.

4) Stuck-up sorority girls
-need I elaborate?

I hate ventroloquism

...but I am amazed by this guy's talent (he won America's Got Talent; I'd recommend seeing all his other impressions) and this other ventroloquite's (Kevin Johnson).

Unbelievable. I wish I had talent. Basically I'm saying "I wish I could somehow get a ton of glory." I'm jealous of these guys because I'm dying to know what it feels like for people to be that impressed by you. I'd love to interview these guys. I'd want to ask them what's it like receiving all that praise. Wait no, I'd like to ask them 10 years from now how it felt. Because basically I'd want to figure out if it's worth me spending a lifetime trying to achieve that same feeling.

Proverbs 24:16

There will be 3 blog posts posted post July 6th. I cannot promise they will be posted on this blog, but somewhere posted they shall be. In the meantime...

Spain's got it right: 30hr work weeks

[Hypothetical conversation]
Inquisitive professional small-talker: So what do you do in your free time?
Martin: I work


This is me subtly venting about my recent 82 hour (mostly optional) work week in which I only had enough time for 2 bowel movements and a blog post.

I watch it proudly

It's the "In" thing to make fun of or be too cool to watch American Idol. I'd love to ask these 'cool' people, "why don't you watch it? Do you not like music? Or competition? Or attractive girls singing?" Yes, the female audience members in the front who always wave their hands to slow songs is lame; yes, American Idol picking pretty-boys as contestants for the sake of appealing to 11yr old girls is lame; yes, Ryan Seacrest; yes, many of the judges staged comments and interactions are lame.....but still, you don't boycott something just because it contains lameness (if that's the case, you'd have to boycott your kids). Get over yourself and watch it for its greatness.

I hope the Spirit used my preaching to convict you. Anyways, this video is, in my opinion, the best, most enjoyable performance of this American Idol season (honorable mention: Michael Johns Bohemian Rhapsody performance). And Chikezie got only 10th place. If he makes an album with this type of music, I will buy it...and will also buy one for you for Christmas.

This post has nothing to do with gas prices

If anything has ever been said by myself that contained wisdom, it was secondhand wisdom, unoriginal wisdom; basically, I'm good at quoting people. But the other day seemed to be the first time I'd ever said anything wise that was originally phrased (not an original thought though).

Allen: dude, here's what you've got to do....you've got to make her your f*** buddy.
Martin: Nah man, the more meaningless sex you have the more meaningless all your sex will be.
Allen: Hmm
Martin's conscience: wow, that made sense and was almost profound. you're probably really proud of yourself right now. and would probably blog about this if you weren't so worried about people thinking you're bragging.

Conclusion: regardless, praise God truth came out boldly, coherent, and unbabbled.

The Veritas Forum: Belief in an Age of Skepticism?

You Tube video that couldn't post on my blog for some reason...probably b/c it is 1.52 hours long...or because youtube is anti boldly proclaimed truth

Tim Keller lecture at Berkley. The first 44 minutes is the lecture followed by Q & A. The lecture is unbelievable...must watch. After watching it, I find myself surprisingly gripped by the truth I already know to be true. What a brilliant man. I sometimes get trapped into thinking "How do Christians survive without him?" to which my conscience responds "they have for thousands of years." Touche conscience.