Should be reading but

I should be reading for CPE, but I alas I am sitting here typing away at my computer. Tonight's topic is about Melchiz'edeck. He is found in the Old Testament a couple of times and then again in Hebrews 6:20- 7:20 or so. He was the king of Salem (meaning peace according to the passage) and also the priest of the Most High God, who met with Abraham. Jesus comes from this "order of Melchiz'edeck.

Now I don't want to debate in depth too much about this guy, but more to talk about the way that Christianity in the first century felt the need to be associated to Judaism. I mean, these people did not want to be considered just another sect or cult or crazy anything but the fulfillment of the Hebrew nation. And the New Testament spends are great deal of time telling the Jews, Romans, Gentiles, and anyone who will listen that this is not something different but the same just with a fulfillment that requires something else now.

I don't exactly remember when the American League brought about the designated hitter, I don't remember when basketball brought in the three point line, and I don't recall when it was that football decided that it wasn't legal to touch a quarterback once the ball was released but those are changes within the game that have happened. These rule changes don't make baseball, basketball, or football something else, and yet one "a purist of the game" might be willing to argue that the game is different, has changed and should be called something else.

My point tonight as I ponder is this, "what should we be learning from the years of Hebrew study, dialogue, and thought that has been invested since Christ came, went and came again? Certainly there is rich tradition that has been lost, like the art of a pitcher having to practice swinging a bat just in case he is required to slap a seeing eye single through the infield to help his own cause. I don't know, just got to thinking about it. Maybe we should be talking more to those people in the strange hats who walk to the Temple? Maybe there is something rich there that we as Followers of one who is in the same order as that Melchedizinkiezkddkdo guy.

My Sister is Engaged

Today is a great day! My baby sister who I love very much is engaged! I wish that I could make her younger but truth be told she is a grown woman and about to be a married one. I am so happy for you Amanda. I love you very very much. Congratulations to Seth and welcome to our family. I know you will make a great addition because you play phase ten and because you make Amanda smile. I am very grateful to God tonight.

My Beloved Astros

A couple of facts about my Astros that you may not have known. They started as the Colt 45's (the gun)in 1962 then became the Astros in 1965 named after the space program in Houston. The first indoor stadium was the Astrodome. The initial plan was to leave the roof glassed so fans and players could see the skyline much like the field in Houston now Enron... I mean Minute Maid Park. The problem was the glare was so bad that they had to blacken the windows on the roof. This explains to me at least why it was probably the worst looking field back then. Also, we joined the National League the same year as the New York Metropolitans . Just a few facts about my beloved Astros. Come on March we are all waiting penitently.

Goodreads.com

Just signed up for goodreads.com. Sue is down with it and thought I would give it a spin to see what it is all about. Seems to be another web of people who have a love for something (this one being reading good books) and sharing that information. Think I am going to like it. If you are on goodreads look me up. My favorite thing about this site is that you can add books you want to read and therefore it becomes an easy place to have a wish list of books. (BC if you are anything like me you hear about this great book you are dying to read and then three weeks later have completely forgotten about it) Here is the website.
http://www.goodreads.com/

What's up with the days?

Two thoughts, short and sweet.
1- I haven't been able to keep up with my days since 2009 has kicked off. Is it Monday? Maybe Sunday, I don't seem to know. I hear that people often have this problem when they are depressed but I don't feel depressed. It is only early in the morning and it has been a problem. What's up with that?

2- CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) They keep telling me in this experience that I am not supposed to give advice or DO anything but be a presence and allow people to come to their own answers, work through their own grief and I am supposed to be with them and BE a presence in the midst of it all. This leads me to wonder, is there any other profession where people are called to not share the knowledge they have but rather hold back and allow others to come to their own conclusions even if you recognize a cultural pattern, individual life experience that is similar, or a theory that has been well established and not share it but instead to BE not act or share those experiences. I am trying and think this is a great experience for me but I do feel it is a little... a lot difficult for me to understand.

Any thoughts? Feb. 9th... Feb. is creeping...come on March... I need some Madness and bracketology

The frustration of this Thursday.

I woke up just fine except for the fact that I closed my eyes around 11 pm and know that my mind wandered aimlessly for at least an hour in bed. My wife woke up as usual, but not like usual I too began to wake up and there was no reason to stay in bed past 6:45. (but I am feeling pretty well and am thinking this isn't going to catch up to me until Friday night when I have to stay awake until at least 1:15 am with the college kids at Mercer.) But so far so OK. Then I go to Publix to score some great deals only to find out that the deals change on Wednesday and today is unfortunately not Wednesday but rather Thursday. I don't have the intelligence or sheer luck to realize this until in the checkout line with all the now grossly overpriced things I will not be buying, and I have two of them to make matters even more interesting. (It is like the second item snickers at me quietly and I don't appreciate it much) So I make the best of a bad situation and get some of the deals that are now newly on sale, although I still wish I could have bought last weeks sales because they were better for the Barlow household, but alas I digress. And now is now. I forgot my lunch so will be going to get something to eat and all would be a loss for the day if I didn't have an all time low on the weight loss this morning. I am at 165. (I am also probably dehydrated and intend to drink plenty of water but at least for a moment I can see the Promised Land and know that if I keep starving myself, training for the marathon and think that sugar tastes like Brussel Sprouts I might just be able to stay at 165 and then use my friends, Katie's, nifty device to see how much body fat I have and if I am close I will celebrate... but not on a Thursday, because it hasn't been good to me today. Gray's Anatomy to come tonight so Paradise is not Lost yet completely. Reading a good book, Three Cups of Tea. Will be sharing about it soon. Love a show on the CW... WB... (the station that has the show One Tree Hill) The name of the new show I love on that station is Privileged. Witty like Gilmore Girls and really not too much of the stuff that makes late night shows sell. Also interested in Lie to Me. Think it could be good.