God's Goodness

So I was reading through Isaiah 45 today… it’s a good chapter, but it seems to show a side of God that we don’t like to see. God does whatever the heck God wants to. We cant stand in judgement over what he does. We must simply trust in his goodness. It says that he ‘forms the light and creates darkness. He brings prosperity and creates disaster.’ We love to hear that God brings prosperity, but we never want to hear about him creating disaster. To say that God would have caused hurricane Katrina would make most people turn because ‘he would never do that.’ But it seems that scripture says that he does not just allow bad things to happen but that he creates them sometimes also.

So what are we to do with this? I think we need to see the bigger picture. First, life is not all about us and our happiness. God’s highest concern is not our comfort. It is His glory. And if something brings him more glory, then isn’t that what we are to strive for. If losing my wife brings God more glory, who am I to argue with that? Didn’t he save me? Don’t I owe him my life? Who am I to question him, one infinitely more wise than me, on his decisions?

Now, I think there is one caveat that should be inserted, one bit of information that makes what I just said OK. God is good. Let me repeat that. God is good. He is loving and kind. He wishes that none should parish. If I know that, I am ok with the bad stuff. If I really trust him, I know that that ‘bad’ stuff is for a reason. I don’t believe that God would send someone to hell without them having a chance at salvation. That means that even thought many died in Hurricane Katrina, every one of them had a chance to go to heaven. Some accepted. Some didn’t. However, through that time, many people were displaced. Many people had a chance to hear the gospel who may not have otherwise. Many people were given better lives by relocating. In the end, more people will be worshiping in the throne room of God because of that situation. Not that I understand that, but I must trust that.

God is not safe, but he is good!

Political Opinions on Abortion

So I am baffled, amazed, and generally disgusted. I was fishing around the net for political info the other day trying to get a better idea on who I should vote for. Although I generally lean republican (only because I generally agree with them on the issues), I am an independent at heart and would have no problem voting democrat if the candidate were right. So I find a site that is comparing the candidate (http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/issues/abortion/index.html). And I start looking and then I see that the middle column is the candidates opinions “ON LATE-TERM ABORTIONS A recent Supreme Court ruling upheld the 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban.” So this is whether the candidates agree with a BAN on Partial Birth Abortion.

Now, I must put in one note here because I just did a google on it and found out that I misunderstood what it is they do. I was correct in thinking that they do partially birth the baby (by reaching into the womb through the vagina with forceps and grabbing the legs and pulling it half way out). However, I found out that they do it between the 5^th and 6^th month instead of at the end of the pregnancy. The thing that shocked me and made me sick was HOW they actually aborted the child. (warning: this is not for the squeamish) The doctor actually uses the forceps to make a hole in the child’s head and then uses a vacuum to suck out the brains of the unborn child. I was absolutely speechless. I can think of few more disgusting and inhumane ways to slaughter a child.

Just Wow.

So yah, back to politics. Again, I am reading a page about the positions of each candidate on the supreme court BANNING this horrific procedure. As I go down the list, with only one exception, EVERY DEMOCRAT WAS AGAINST THE BAN!!!! THEY ARE FOR PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTIONS!!! I was totally speechless. I could not believe it. how can you be ok with this barbaric procedure?!?! (Senator Biden, the one dissenting voice, supported the ban but chided the court because he said it opened the door to appealing Roe vs Wade).

Well, that makes that decision REAL easy. Unless Biden is on the ticket, no democratic votes from me. There are a few issues that will make or break my vote… that’s one of them. It turns my stomach to think of such things and it really gives a clear picture where our society is… its disgusting. As for the republican side, all of them supported the ban. The one almost exception is Giuliani who was OK with PBA in the past but is now opposes it.

So, no that I AM going to vote Republican, but I am sure as heck not going to vote for any fool that is ok with murdering a child in such a horrendous way!

OK… now for the caveat… am I wrong somewhere? I admit that I am not an expert in this area. Do I have bad information or illogical thoughts? If so, please tell me, I want to have a cogent and intelligent opinion on this subject. What do you think?

Coming soon!! - An article I found where a MIT guy says that we will soon be marrying (and having sex with) robots! I’ll post that tomorrow. (no, I’m not kidding)

lolcat Bible - Review

So umm... Kat posted a link to the lolcat translation of the Bible. Link
Basically, it translates scripture into web-onics. Just for a refernce, here is The first part of Job 1: (by the way, if you are over 30, you will have MAJOR problems understanding this... you have been warned)

1. In teh land of Uz wuz a man calded Job. Teh man was goodz, afraid of teh Ceiling Cat and evilz. 2. Teh man hadz seven sunz and tree doters, 3. And lots of sheepz and camlez and rinoceruseses and servnts, srsly. 4. His sunz tok turns mading cookies, and they all eated them. 5. And Job wuz liek "Oh noes! Wut if cookies were sin? Gota prey, just in cased."

6. Teh ayngles wented to seez Ceiling Cat, and Saitin wented 2. 7. Ceiling Cat axt Saitin, "Wher u wuz?" Saitin saied "Oh, hai. I'z wuz in ur earth, woking up and down uponz it."8. Teh Ceiling Cat sayd "Has u seen mai servnt Job? He can has cheezburger cuz he laiks me."

9. "No wai!" sed Saitin. 10. "U just plyin favrits. 11. If u take his cheezburgers, he no laiks u no moar."

So umm... here is my review, which may surprise you).

A seminary student’s perspective on the lolcat translation of scripture:

Well, I think I will share my thoughts in the order in which they came…

Thought 1: Umm… this sounds kinda funny, but could have serious problems…I think I will check it out. However, they thought did pop into my head that they probably weren’t taking God and scripture very seriously… hmm… are they really treating him as holy?... we shall see.

Score: 0 (still neutral, with reservations)

Thought 2: (as I am reading Job 1).Umm…wow… this is actually pretty entertaining. However, they do refer to God as the Ceiling Cat… um…. I think that falls short of God Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe… but I guess I can get past that (-1 point)

Score: -1

Thought 3: Job 1:2-3 “Teh man hadz seven sunz and tree doters, And lots of sheepz and camlez and rinoceruseses and servnts, srsly.” That’s pretty funny… especially the rinoceruseses. Srsly. (+2)

Score: +1

Thought 4: (Now reading John 1) John 1:1 “In teh beginz is teh cat macro, and teh cat macro sez "Oh hai Ceiling Cat" and teh cat macro iz teh Ceiling Cat.” Well…. at least they are theologically sound… Christ = God. They may have bad grammar, but they have good theology. (+3)

Score: +4

Thought 5: (reading on in John 1) John 1:5 “Teh lite iz pwns teh darks, but teh darks iz liek ‘Wtf.’” So umm… I don’t think it’s a fabulous idea to have ‘WTF’ in the Bible, which by the way for those of you who don’t speak web-onics, is short for “What the F***.” Umm… yah.. that seems like not a fabulous idea. In fact, it seems like a TERRIBLE idea. Yah… (-5)

Then I read on, John 1:7 “He tellz teh ppl dat teh lites is tehre, so dat teh doodz sez ‘OMG’.” Umm… again, good intentions, but taking the Lord’s name in vain (which is breaking one of the top 10) is not a fabulous idea either (OMG = Oh My God). (-2)

Score: -3

Overall…. I give it a -3. Its not heretical. Its not like this is an assault on God or anything. But it doesn’t really give the honor and reverence to Christ and the Creator of the Universe that it should (but that comes from the guy who is struggling with the fact that most of my generation and younger treats God as their homie that they stick in their pocket and take out during the day when they have a problem instead of falling on their faces in reverence, awe, and holy fear.)

Second, if it were really going to get people to read scripture when they would not have before, maybe it would get some bonus points. But I highly doubt that would happen. Even if it did, they would have to move to some other translation quickly because they couldn’t really get good solid understanding of if out of this translation (HA!! Even The Message translation would be a step up in depth and accuracy!!)

So overall, funny and good for a laugh (with reservations in certain places). However, its not worth translating the whole thing. Srsly.

What Am I Doing Wrong?

So umm….. here is a post from Craig’s List in New York…

What am I doing wrong?

Okay, I'm tired of beating around the bush. I'm a beautiful (spectacularly beautiful) 25 year old girl. I'm articulate and classy. I'm not from New York. I'm looking to get married to a guy who makes at least half a million a year. I know how that sounds, but keep in mind that a million a year is middle class in New York City, so I don't think I'm overreaching at all.

Are there any guys who make 500K or more on this board? Any wives? Could you send me some tips? I dated a business man who makes average around 200 - 250. But that's where I seem to hit a roadblock. 250,000 won't get me to central park west. I know a woman in my yoga class who was married to an investment banker and lives in Tribeca, and she's not as pretty as I am, nor is she a great genius. So what is she doing right? How do I get to her level?

Here are my questions specifically:

- Where do you single rich men hang out? Give me specifics- bars, restaurants, gyms

-What are you looking for in a mate? Be honest guys, you won't hurt my feelings

-Is there an age range I should be targeting (I'm 25)?

- Why are some of the women living lavish lifestyles on the upper east side so plain? I've seen really 'plain jane' boring types who have nothing to offer married to incredibly wealthy guys. I've seen drop dead gorgeous girls in singles bars in the east village. What's the story there?

- Jobs I should look out for? Everyone knows - lawyer, investment banker, doctor. How much do those guys really make? And where do they hang out? Where do the hedge fund guys hang out?

- How you decide marriage vs. just a girlfriend? I am looking for MARRIAGE ONLY

Please hold your insults - I'm putting myself out there in an honest way. Most beautiful women are superficial; at least I'm being up frontabout it. I wouldn't be searching for these kind of guys if I wasn't able to match them - in looks, culture, sophistication, and keeping a nice home and hearth.

PostingID: 432279810

--------------------------------

I thought this was quite funny. The girl is obviously pretty shallow and has a pretty high standard of living. She is more interested in the money than the guy, that is obvious. However, then I saw the rest of the email. A guy posted a response to her and I thought it was VERY insightful. Here it is:

THE ANSWER

Dear Pers-431649184:

I read your posting with great interest and have thought meaningfully about your dilemma. I offer the following analysis of your predicament. Firstly, I'm not wasting your time, I qualify as a guy who fits your bill; that is I make more than $500K per year. That said here's how I see it.

Your offer, from the prospective of a guy like me, is plain and simple a crappy business deal. Here's why. Cutting through all the B.S., what you suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring my money. Fine, simple. But here's the rub, your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity...in fact, it is very likely that my income increases but it is an absolute certainty that you won't be getting any more beautiful!

So, in economic terms you are a depreciating asset and I am an earning asset. Not only are you a depreciating asset, your depreciation accelerates! Let me explain, you're 25 now and will likely stay pretty hot for the next 5 years, but less so each year. Then the fade begins in earnest. By 35 stick a fork in you!

So in Wall Street terms, we would call you a trading position, not a buy and hold...hence the rub...marriage. It doesn't make good business sense to "buy you" (which is what you're asking) so I'd rather lease. In case you think I'm being cruel, I would say the following. If my money were to go away, so would you, so when your beauty fades I need an out. It's as simple as that. So a deal that makes sense is dating, not marriage.

Separately, I was taught early in my career about efficient markets. So, I wonder why a girl as "articulate, classy and spectacularly beautiful" as you has been unable to find your sugar daddy. I find it hard to believe that if you are as gorgeous as you say you are that the $500K hasn't found you, if not only for a tryout.

By the way, you could always find a way to make your own money and then we wouldn't need to have this difficult conversation.

With all that said, I must say you're going about it the right way. Classic "pump and dump." I hope this is helpful, and if you want to enter into some sort of lease, let me know.

--

What a great answer! He is so right. Beauty will fade. That is why we are not supposed to chase after the hottest girls or the guys with the biggest biceps. Those looks will fade and, if we chased after hot shallow people, we will be left with simply shallow people that aren’t much fun to be married to.

It seems to me that scripture says to be careful about who you hang out with. Once again, the secular world is seeing how scripture has revealed for millennia the right way to live… we just need to open the book and see what God has already planned for us.