I generally do not post on firearms, but i will now. I have been asked several times by friends, "Why do you usually carry a snubby .38 instead of one of your semiautos (like my Glock)??"
Believe it or not there is a reason for this! Last year I was doing some wheeling and dealing and came across a good bargain for a very newish Taurus 85. For those fo you who do not know, Taurus is an incredibly large manufacturer of firearms from Brasil. This particular model is an Ultralite in stainless steel. It is very, very light and the stainless construction makes it a breeze to clean. The reason I carry it is because it is light, and it's size lets it ride perfectly in my in-the-pants holster, my preferred method. Out of a two inch barrel, the .38 spcl still maintains decent ballistics, especially when it is a +P load. I figure if I needed to use, the 5 rounds should suffice. If you have never held a J-frame revolver, then you do not know what you are missing! They are made for pointing! My brother who is not a wheel gun fan really enjoys how it points, as he had been trained in point shooting.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wow. It has been a long time since I have updated my blog. I have been very, very busy lately. I have been taking mixed-martial arts lessons, and I am now in a band
I think I will be trying to cover a more narrow range of topics, and update it at least once a week. What say you? What would you like me to pontificate about? I have opinions on nearly everything, as you well know! 
I am thinking about why it is I generally tote a Taurus 85 .38 spcl snub, even though I have a Glock. I think I will will publish a tome extolling the virtues of the J-Frame revolver.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
You might be a Independent Fundamentalist Baptist if...
1) You feel called to witness to Presbyterians
2) You told a friend that Michael Card is inspired by Satan as he uses "syncopated jungle beats".
3) You are certain CS Lewis is burning in hell because he died a "papist".
4) Every church service ends with 13 stanzas of "Just as I Am" preceding the altar call.
5) Welch's grape juice was transformed from water by Jesus at a wedding.
6) You would never allow any female to be seen wearing pants. For any reason.
7) Spending time looking for backmasking on records of Puccini's operettas seem fun.
8) Dancing is only ok in Roger and Hammerstein musicals.
9) Papists are only tolerated as nuns in "The Sound of Music"
10) You believe that Jesus and the Apostle Paul solely used the 1611 Authorized King James.
11) You won't let your kids read Francis Schaeffer, as he promotes a spirit of rebellion with his long hippy hair, goatee and lederhosen.
12) Pressuring your coworkers to "just say the prayer" is your sole method of evangelizing.
13) You know the meaning of "mixed bathing"
14) The name "John Calvin" is anathema at church at church dinners.
15) The pastor weighs more than the piano.
16) Favourite Christian book publisher won't allow women authors, as they shouldn't be in authority over men. Only man-childs.
17) You believe the only spiritual gift given to women after Pentecost is that of hospitality and making three-bean salad.
18) The word deaconess is acknowledged as the only possible mistranslation in the Authorized 1611 KJV.
2) You told a friend that Michael Card is inspired by Satan as he uses "syncopated jungle beats".
3) You are certain CS Lewis is burning in hell because he died a "papist".
4) Every church service ends with 13 stanzas of "Just as I Am" preceding the altar call.
5) Welch's grape juice was transformed from water by Jesus at a wedding.
6) You would never allow any female to be seen wearing pants. For any reason.
7) Spending time looking for backmasking on records of Puccini's operettas seem fun.
8) Dancing is only ok in Roger and Hammerstein musicals.
9) Papists are only tolerated as nuns in "The Sound of Music"
10) You believe that Jesus and the Apostle Paul solely used the 1611 Authorized King James.
11) You won't let your kids read Francis Schaeffer, as he promotes a spirit of rebellion with his long hippy hair, goatee and lederhosen.
12) Pressuring your coworkers to "just say the prayer" is your sole method of evangelizing.
13) You know the meaning of "mixed bathing"
14) The name "John Calvin" is anathema at church at church dinners.
15) The pastor weighs more than the piano.
16) Favourite Christian book publisher won't allow women authors, as they shouldn't be in authority over men. Only man-childs.
17) You believe the only spiritual gift given to women after Pentecost is that of hospitality and making three-bean salad.
18) The word deaconess is acknowledged as the only possible mistranslation in the Authorized 1611 KJV.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Draw Towards Orthodoxy
My response to http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Orthodox/2007/09/Why-Orthodox-Men-Love-Church.aspx?p=2
As I continue my spiritual journey, I am often confronted with comparisons and contrasts between the different branches of Christianity. Growing up I had little to no exposure to the Eastern Rite or Orthodox (with a big "O") Church with exception of buying Greek pastries from St. Basil's. I was curious as to what the history of Eastern Orthodox was, and what its relationship was to the rest of Christendom.
Fundies generally recognize the Catholic Church as either an apostasy, or as The Great Whore of Babylon/False Prophet of the Revelations to St. John. When it comes to Orthodoxy, fundies really don't have much to say. I was also intrigued to learn that one of Luther's criticisms of the HRCC (Holy Roman Catholic Church) was that they did not recognize the Eastern Church as being saved, as they were out of relations with the "one, true and holy Church".
A quick view of the major theological tenets of Orthodoxy would be very familiar to anyone who has a basic understanding of orthodox/fundamental Christianity. The Eastern Church lays claim that they are the "true" church (like everyone else), a direct descendant of the Apostolic Age. Their structure has a very, very vague resemblance to the HRCC. The Orthodox Church does not prohibit their priests do marry, nor do they (claim) to worship Mary. I feel that their veneration of Mary borders on clear idolatry, but perhaps this is a conclusion based on my Reformation influenced distrust of anything resembling the Papist system.
I do appreciate the use of ikons. Although no image should be worshipped, prayed to (or through), it is important to remind ourselves of Godly examples saints of old have set.
I sympathize with the article's list of why people are drawn to Orthodoxy.
1) It is not easy! Modern evangelicalism is rife with examples of easy Salvation (just pray this prayer and you will be "in"!) , drive-thru edification and God-is-a-genie preaching (see Olsteinism). Christianity-lite is believing church is a place you go, clock in, sing a song and go home. Orthodoxy has things you must do.
2) It is not mamby-pamby! Orthodoxy does not paint Christ as a "meek and mild" effeminate metro-sexual that seems to be relatively common in certain Evangelicals. The Orthodox church has Christ as Creator, Conqueror and King, not a gentle hippie you meet up with for lattes.
3) Serious services Despite their protests, Evangelicals DO have a liturgy for their services. Sing, sit, pray, stand, sing, message, offering, altar call and endless repetition of "Just as I am" seem to be the Independent Baptist's style.
Orthodox services do have a liturgy, but they lack vapid "praise" music. But the Orthodox do pray in vain repetition like the heathen, i.e. The Lord's Prayer....ooops. I guess Jesus did teach that to his disciples....
As I continue my spiritual journey, I am often confronted with comparisons and contrasts between the different branches of Christianity. Growing up I had little to no exposure to the Eastern Rite or Orthodox (with a big "O") Church with exception of buying Greek pastries from St. Basil's. I was curious as to what the history of Eastern Orthodox was, and what its relationship was to the rest of Christendom.
Fundies generally recognize the Catholic Church as either an apostasy, or as The Great Whore of Babylon/False Prophet of the Revelations to St. John. When it comes to Orthodoxy, fundies really don't have much to say. I was also intrigued to learn that one of Luther's criticisms of the HRCC (Holy Roman Catholic Church) was that they did not recognize the Eastern Church as being saved, as they were out of relations with the "one, true and holy Church".
A quick view of the major theological tenets of Orthodoxy would be very familiar to anyone who has a basic understanding of orthodox/fundamental Christianity. The Eastern Church lays claim that they are the "true" church (like everyone else), a direct descendant of the Apostolic Age. Their structure has a very, very vague resemblance to the HRCC. The Orthodox Church does not prohibit their priests do marry, nor do they (claim) to worship Mary. I feel that their veneration of Mary borders on clear idolatry, but perhaps this is a conclusion based on my Reformation influenced distrust of anything resembling the Papist system.
I do appreciate the use of ikons. Although no image should be worshipped, prayed to (or through), it is important to remind ourselves of Godly examples saints of old have set.
I sympathize with the article's list of why people are drawn to Orthodoxy.
1) It is not easy! Modern evangelicalism is rife with examples of easy Salvation (just pray this prayer and you will be "in"!) , drive-thru edification and God-is-a-genie preaching (see Olsteinism). Christianity-lite is believing church is a place you go, clock in, sing a song and go home. Orthodoxy has things you must do.
2) It is not mamby-pamby! Orthodoxy does not paint Christ as a "meek and mild" effeminate metro-sexual that seems to be relatively common in certain Evangelicals. The Orthodox church has Christ as Creator, Conqueror and King, not a gentle hippie you meet up with for lattes.
3) Serious services Despite their protests, Evangelicals DO have a liturgy for their services. Sing, sit, pray, stand, sing, message, offering, altar call and endless repetition of "Just as I am" seem to be the Independent Baptist's style.
Orthodox services do have a liturgy, but they lack vapid "praise" music. But the Orthodox do pray in vain repetition like the heathen, i.e. The Lord's Prayer....ooops. I guess Jesus did teach that to his disciples....
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
World Made by Hand
If any of you have spoken to me lately about the state of global affairs, we may have touched on the subject of Peak Oil. If you are not sure what that is, Bing.com it yourself!
The novel, World Made by Hand, by James Howard Kunstler, places the Peak Oil setting in a time and space. Kunstler is a naysayer regarding modern dystopian suburbia and our utter reliance on cheap, foreign oil in all aspects of our economy. He weaves a tale that follows the escapades of a former banker, turned carpenter. After society imploded, the sleepy Hudson Valley community finds itself struggling to feed itself and maintain a semblance of civilization.
Unlike Cormac McCarthy's dark, dismal and ultimately hopeless anthem The Road, World Made by Hand hopefully envisions a future that eerily resembles our collective pre-industrial society. Kunstler stresses the importance of relationships over technology in the ability of the characters to adapt.
I highly recommend this book. It is lacking in some of its story-telling characteristics, such as moving towards three-dimensional characters. I could describe the feel of the book as authentic, as if it were "made by hand".
The novel, World Made by Hand, by James Howard Kunstler, places the Peak Oil setting in a time and space. Kunstler is a naysayer regarding modern dystopian suburbia and our utter reliance on cheap, foreign oil in all aspects of our economy. He weaves a tale that follows the escapades of a former banker, turned carpenter. After society imploded, the sleepy Hudson Valley community finds itself struggling to feed itself and maintain a semblance of civilization.
Unlike Cormac McCarthy's dark, dismal and ultimately hopeless anthem The Road, World Made by Hand hopefully envisions a future that eerily resembles our collective pre-industrial society. Kunstler stresses the importance of relationships over technology in the ability of the characters to adapt.
I highly recommend this book. It is lacking in some of its story-telling characteristics, such as moving towards three-dimensional characters. I could describe the feel of the book as authentic, as if it were "made by hand".
Monday, June 22, 2009
Welcome to my Blog
Greetings friends and enemies. I decided to begin a blog, as I needed a forum to voice my opinions and reflections. I will only use Facebook for socialnetworking purposes, all of my pontifications will be found here.
I would like this blog to be a conversation. Where we can play tennis with different ideas, and gain insight to different perspectives.
I would like to cover diverse topics, such as politics, religion, popular culture, music, financial matters and my own hobbies.
I would like this blog to be a conversation. Where we can play tennis with different ideas, and gain insight to different perspectives.
I would like to cover diverse topics, such as politics, religion, popular culture, music, financial matters and my own hobbies.
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