I just wanted to remind everyone that Derek Webb is coming to town to do a concert, and it should be some awesome music. It’s a pretty small and intimate setting, almost like ”Storytellers..” I’ve heard his voice described as weak (yes, you know who you are)…but I actually love it that way, it’s strong in its truth and vulnerability. You know what I’m sayin? Oh yes.

It’s only $5, and he is a very talented musician who is also really passionate and intelligent. What more can you ask for? Let me know if you want to go with or need info.

October 29, 7 pm (open at 6:30)

1316 Jones St. in the Old Market (map)

I’m throwing around the idea in my head of going back to the University to get a masters, or even to get another bachelor’s. But, of course, what scares me is the money issue. UNO isn’t too expensive, but it is still a substantial amount when you are on your own with basically no savings (gosh…I have to cut down on this traveling business).

So, I’m looking for advice from people that have gone back to school and taken out loans, and people that haven’t. Do you think it’s worth it? Keep in mind, it’s not like I’m a teacher who is going back for a masters in order to increase salary or anything like that. I’d like to study International Studies & Relations, languages, cultures, politics,…more geared to hopefully being involved perhaps in something similar to researching and adovating for social justice, or international relations. It’s a vague description, but just go with it. Anyway, the language thing is a big one, I love learning them and I want to increase my pathetic knowledge immensely….and I enjoy a classroom formal educational setting.

Not to mention I’d have a nice clean answer for, “And what do you do, Jodi?”

What advice do you wise people have for me?

Wow, I’ve had nothing to say for almost a week now. It harkens back to the good ol’ days at UNO when I had nothing to say about anything on my website. I like the word “harken.”

I have had things to say, lots of things, and thoughts have been (as usual) flying through my mind all the time, I think about a lot of things, I process through things, and mostly I worry about things. I think about things all the time, trying to solve problems, trying to learn something, whatever it is that I’m doing, and then when I step back I realize that I have nothing substantial to say as far as posting something up for others to read.

That really says something to me. A few things:

A). I talk to myself way too much.

B). Maybe all the things I sometimes spend my day thinking about are sometimes quite pointless.

C). All my thoughts are about ME.

Sad but true….

I watched Pres Bush’s press conference this morning that was on around 11:00 AM (CST) and I have to say, I was kind of unnerved by him. Did anyone else see it or feel that way? I usually don’t comment on President Bush or politics too much because I freely admit that my ignorance gives me no position to do so. And I’m not commenting on anything specific as far as what he said, but his whole mannerism made me feel, shall we say….not all that confident in him. I am the first one to say, “Hey, put yourself in the man’s shoes. He’s been President of what is thought to be the “most powerful nation in the world” during the last 6+ years which have included some of the worst things to happen to America ever. Sounds like one man can’t sanely handle all of that pressure, and of course he’s frazzled.”

But, everything he said was so jumpy and almost bordering on defensive. He was cutting reporters off with one word answers. Personally, I think he needs a break. If I was him, I probably would have bit my lip, and my chin would have quivered…and I would have had tears well up in my eyes and would have said, “(Sigh)….You know….(pause to gain composure)…I am trying my best….(voice shaking)…I’m tired and I’m scared….and I can’t do everything..(tears flowing freely)…I love you guys and I’m not perfect, but I’m really trying….I just want someone to hold me…”

And that’s why I will never be President.

Well, James linked my website, so it’s time to link him back.

He referenced a really interesting article that I think has some definite poignancy, good points. I can see this mentality affecting the world’s view of Christianity, and therefore God, as has been true throughout history.

Here’s just a smidgin of the article:

“There is a disturbing trend among a segment of evangelical Christians - a tendency to publicly [or privately] demonize people with whom we disagree theologically, politically and in various other ways.”

I just wanted to say a few things in response to my assurance of salvation comments, and then some things I read that I thought were interesting this weekend.

First, to what Jesse said in his comment, I think some of his verses have good points, definitely, but some of them I would say, not so much, in my meager opinion. :) For example, Hebrews 6:4-6, 1 Tim 1:19, Hebrews 10:26-27, 2 Peter 2:20-21, 1 Timothy 4:1, Galatians 5:4, & Revelation 3:5.

From what I read in those verses and their context, I only see the authors speaking about/to people who have received “knowledge” of God, of faith, of truth, of Jesus. This doesn’t strike me as anything different than me receiving the knowledge that pluto is NOT a planet, and not accepting it. Okay, bad example. More like, hearing the knowledge that the earth is not the center of the universe and is round in shape, and not accepting that knowledge. It is also a very poor example, but there is a difference between hearing the facts, having intellectual knowledge of the facts, and believing and owning them, giving myself up to them in a way. I’m not sure I can think of an allegory that would begin to compare to that of faith in Jesus Christ, but we might liken it to simply knowing a person. I would say falling in love, but certain people out there think love is too irrational to base arguments on…mmkay.

So, I can know about, say, JAMES GOTTRY! :) Good example. I can hear about James from Lea (his fiancee). She told me about him, she told me about his characteristics, his likes, things he’s passionate about, experiences she had with him, and so I have knowledge of James. But I don’t know him. (for those of you who know spanish, I “sé” of James, but I don’t “conozco” James). Until I met him myself, I went and spoke with him, sat down and talked to him. Now I know him (we need better words in English). It’s not *just* knowledge anymore. I know that makes sense…I hope you get me. These verses mentioned above seem to only speak of this factual second-hand knowledge, and the Revelations 3 verse doesn’t hold any merit in my eyes (in this discussion), because he says “I will never blot his name from the book of life.” How does that say that Jesus will blot someone’s name out??

Take it from Whitney Houston. “I will always love you,” isn’t her way of saying, ”but I might not.”

Okay, to what James said, I’m not too familiar with the topic of apostasy, and I’m just trying to learn here and hear what people have to say, but I’m not sure about the apostasy theory. “The apostate is beyond salvation because he has rejected the one true sacrifice for sins.” Is anyone ever beyond salvation? There’s no hope? I guess if you get into theology, God choosing those He calls, I can understand that concept, but it seems like a dangerous ground to walk in our concepts. I’ve heard people tell me they have “written someone off,” probably in conjunction to the idea of apostasy, and that is not a place to be in my opinion (James, this isn’t directed at you by *any* means, just using your comment for further discussion and learning on my part). I would guess that most people would agree. Or if not, what do you think? Where have you heard the idea of apostasy inferred or drawn upon, directly or indirectly?

And finally, I just finished the book, “A New Kind of Christian,” by Brian McLaren.

Your response is either:

1. I have no idea who/what that book is like.

2. You think the man has some really interesting thoughts and want to discuss with me or someone else.

3. Your red flag just went up.

Regardless, there are certainly some interesting and valid points in this book, and it is very challenging, and perhaps something that leaders should be discussing, in my opinion. Anyway, one point that I wrote down on Friday was the following:

“The question is not just whether Christianity is rational, credible and essentially true, but whether it can be powerful, redemptive, authentic and good, and whether it can change lives, demonstrate reconciliation and community, serve as a catalyst for the Kingdom, and lead to a desirable future. That drama must be played out on the local level, in communities of people who live by the Gospel.” ~pg. 154

I have a lot more to comment on, but I think that might lead to information overload (or boredom), so I’ll try to contain myself.