If you have been reading my blog, hanging out in my living room, attending aplacetotalk on Sundays, or even having a casual chat with me over a cup of coffee you know that I am wrestling with where the Bible came from and whether or not God ordained it being complied into the the exact 66 books that we carry around today. I don’t actually remember having any casual chats over a cup of coffee – I guess I just threw that in to make me sound cool and sophisticated.

Before we look at the first “possible contradiction” let me share a great video I came across about Jesus and how His life seems to be a contradiction!  Don’t judge it by my introduction… I promise you will like it:

In my research I read about the arguments many Jewish Rabbis had about whether or not to allow Proverbs to be read in public because of the apparent contradiction between Proverbs 26:4 and 26:5 in the original language. Let me share with you Proverbs 26:4&5 from the good old faithful King James Version:

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

So next time you are talking to a fool – what will you do?  Answer him according to his folly, or not?

Now as far as my decision to believe or not believe the Bible is inerrant – this contradiction doesn’t really bother me at all.  For some this is a major stumbling point, because they improperly read the Bible as a rulebook.  I think Proverbs is full of wisdom, but only a fool would attempt to read Proverbs as a rulebook.  Oops, I take that back.  I wouldn’t want to call anyone a fool, in fact I used to see the Bible as a map for my life and a rulebook for my flesh too.  I no longer look at the Bible like that.  In fact I believe that making the Bible your rulebook or your law can cause sin to increase in your life.  Romans 5:20 would support that idea.

Ok – how I understand Proverbs 26:4&5…. I think Solomon is simply saying that when you are talking to someone who is acting foolish you have two choices.

#1 – You could answer him / argue with him and possibly be as silly as he is.  Because of that possibility, sometimes you should refrain from answering or arguing at all.

#2 – On the other hand sometimes it is ok or maybe even wise to give a foolish question a foolish answer so that the fool won’t be wise in his own eyes.

My point is this… remember that Proverbs is a compilation of wisdom and in this case Solomon is illustrating that he knows both what can happen when you answer and when you don’t.  Fact is, sometimes it is wise to answer a fool and sometimes it isn’t.

I just finished watching a re-run of HOUSE. This was the episode where House has finally come to the conclusion that he can’t stop taking Vicodin because even if he goes to rehab he will cheat and take the pills. He knows that his desire to take the Vicodin is stronger than the rehab nurse’s will or ability to stop him. Cuddy is the only one who knows him well enough to search his house removing all the hidden stashes of Vicodin.

There is a clip montage / music video thing attached below – the clip isn’t exactly a clip from the show that will show you what I watched tonight – so don’t watch it unless you are just curious about the show. I really like that show but House seems to be a total agnostic or atheist. His mockery of God and all things spiritual may cause some to doubt. That doesn’t concern me because doubt may lead to a stronger faith if you search and ask for truth.

Is there something that you can’t seem to let go? Is there a drug or a habit that you can’t seem to stop? I’ve struggled with different things all my life. For a season it is pride, as a younger man it was lust (most days I’m still too young), sometimes I still struggle with pride and selfishness. I can’t put a finger on one thing that is the prevailing sin in my life but I know this – I still struggle everyday with sin. Maybe I struggle with a combination of pride, selfishness, and the inability to willingly loose or give in. When someone is “wrong” in my opinion – I feel the need to correct them. I never feel the need to be corrected, but I always feel the need to correct. I want to be loving, compassionate, caring, and kind without sacrificing truth. But I have to also remember that it isn’t my job to make others see truth. Bigger yet, I have to realize that I am not the gatekeeper to truth. There are some things that I see from an incorrect paradigm. Wow… I even struggle to admit this alone in my dining room at nearly 1 in the morning. I am wrong about some things. I am sure that there are some things that I would argue are absolutely truth that I am wrong about.

I saw Joel Osteen on TV just a few minutes ago. He was talking about the “Commanded Blessing”, I think that’s what he called it. He was telling a story about a young sells rep who was supposed to be out looking for clients, but she reported that clients just kept coming to her. Why are so many people so drawn to that prosperity message? I don’t think that message is truth – but I know I could be wrong.

I want freedom from sin. I want total freedom from sin. I want freedom from the refrigerator. I pray that soon the day will come when I am able to say no to another late night snack. Until then… I’ll keep growing in faith and truth. I am so thankful that I am free, but at the same time I don’t want my freedom to turn into an opportunity for sin.

Sorry for a rambling post. Good night, or good morning.

Until I saw the video I couldn’t imagine how or why 40 people were injured before deciding that they should get out of the bull’s way. This video makes it clear.

The regional government said the crowd was made up largely of young people, and most were able to get away from the bull quickly, avoiding a greater number of injuries. WHAT? AVOIDING A GREATER NUMBER OF INJURIES? WHAT? How many injuries are you accustomed to when a bull jumps the fence? Is 40 really a low number? You would think if you saw 39 people get hurt you would do something – like get out of the Bull’s way!

However after watching the video, I see that there wasn’t really anywhere to go.

Here are two video clips about the possible mosque @ Ground Zero. I was just wondering today what the world really thought about this issue and I decided to take a peek into the minds of someone from each side.
If there are kids in the room – you may want to call “earmuffs” before watching the second clip.

Well what do you think about the idea of a mosque @ ground zero?

Well I worked late at the office last night because I haven’t taken a vacation all summer and I wanted to take a day or two off and spend it with the kids before they go back to school on Wednesday. Usually we take a week and get out of town during the summer. It just didn’t work out this summer.

So on my way home at 8:50pm last night, I decided that I would call the Great Wolf Lodge and see about taking the family for one night at the lodge with an indoor water park!

Guess what it cost! No I mean really – go ahead and guess! Here’s a video to take up some space on your computer screen so you don’t see the answer before you guess. Now in your mind consider it is 1 night’s stay at The Great Wolf Lodge. The stay includes a visit to the lodge’s indoor water park. There are six of us. 2 adults, 4 children. Now what would you guess it would cost for 1 night?

Well I’m sure you didn’t guess $409 US! I certainly didn’t! Well needless to say, we realized that staying at home was what we really wanted to do this weekend! I do look forward to the relaxed time together.

I love my Bible… but I believe and place my faith in Jesus Christ, THE WORD OF GOD not the Holy Scriptures.

NOW PLEASE DON’T ASSUME I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THIS GUYS SAYS – I’VE NEVER MET HIM NOR HAVE I SEEN (at this point) EVEN ONE MORE OF HIS TEACHING VIDEOS. I just stumbled upon this one as I was preparing to lead a series of conversations on August 22nd & 29th titled “The Bible – Where did this book come from?”

Boston Legal is off now, but I loved this show. It always brought up real life issues and news in the funniest way. There is a quick moment in the middle of this clip where Jesus Christ and His expected return are mentioned… actually in quite a negative way. I stumbled across this as I was looking for you tube clips about what people believe about the Bible.

What do you think when you see a stab at Christianity taken in the entertainment industry?

Do you think shows like this damage the cause of Christ?

If some co-workers all saw something like this the night before work and we discussing it at the water-cooler the next day, what would that conversation sound like?

Worship will rock Sunday, don’t miss it.

The ap2t band has some stand in members this week and they are playing an exciting set! You don’t want to miss it… First is Shine down, by Collective Soul… then Come Together from the Beetles, third is Grace Flows Down, before All Who are Thristy Come, and finally something else good… but I can’t remember, sorry.

Anyway, I just dropped by ap2t and I was there just in time to hear them do a final run-through for Sunday. I actually enjoyed it…

While we will miss Peter and Connie… (they’ll be on their honeymoon) music should still be great!

Don’t forget – this Sunday is partnership Sunday, so if you want to be an ap2t partner… this is the sign-up Sunday! See ya then.