Which Sci-Fi/Fantasy Character Are You?

"A venerated sage with vast power and knowledge, you gently guide forces around you while serving as a champion of the light."

Judge me by my size, do you? And well you should not - for my ally is the Force. And a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us, and binds us. Luminescent beings are we, not this crude matter! You must feel the Force around you, everywhere.

Hat tip: Vicki

Devotional Art Blogging

Matthew Akins reflected on Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Beata Beatrix. I like this work's mediation of Rossetti's normally rigidly hard lines. It's a marvelous reflection on the beautiful agony of prayer.

Weekend Rabbit Blogging

Caption Contest

Previous contest winner

WINNER: Gavin Richardson:

the government is testing the "do not remove" stipulations to consumer goods by targeting mothers

Art Blogging: Norman Bel Geddes

Norman Bel Geddes (1893-1958) was an American Art Deco theatre and industrial designer. Although born into a wealthy family in Michigan, his father lost his fortune in the stock market, and then his life in alcoholism a few years later. Though he now grew up poor, his mother was highly cultured and exposed her son to the arts. Expelled from school in the ninth grade, he was able to get into the Cleveland Institute of Art. Geddes initially entered the field of theatre set design, where he developed innovate techniques in lighting, but later turned to the industrial arts.

Manhattan Cocktail Set (1937). His style reflected norms of Art Deco: precise, symmetrical, machine-made lines formed in the quintessential Art Deco medium: stainless steel.

Geddes was among the first designers to apply the principles of aerodynamics to products, such as this fanciful 1934 car, which never reached mass production.

Geddes is most famous for his creation of Futurama, the pavilion of General Motors at the 1939 World's Fair. This elaborate complex of displays showed Geddes' vision of an industrialized future of peace, prosperity, and flying cars. This is a picture of his scale model city, featuring new transportation flow concepts which would allow for faster, safer traffic of people and products.

The television show Futurama was named in honor of this highly optimistic vision of the future.

Movie Review: Oasis of the Zombies

This 1983 Spanish film describes a particular nest of zombies in an oasis in the Sahara, first discovered by German troops in 1942. The Germans buried treasure there and were then (presumably) attacked by a zombie and themselves turned to the undead. A former Allied officer present at the time tried to reach the treasure twenty years later, but was betrayed and murdered by his partner, whose party itself was wiped out by the zombies. The officer's teenage son vowed to find the treasure. Naturally, he trotted off unarmed with friends to the site, against the warnings of local Arab tribesmen who consider the place cursed. Zombie-related havoc ensues, and the teens desperately defend themselves with Molotov cocktails. Two survive.

The film is not as realistic as it could have been, implicitly suggesting that zombies only attack at night and wait until their prey is resting and off guard before striking. In reality, zombies attack at the first sight or smell of fresh meat. However, the film accurately portrayed the normal human reaction to an initial encounter with zombies: fear-inducing paralysis.

But overall, it was an acceptable zombie movie. It is in the public domain now, and you can watch the whole thing here.

Amazon.com Serves the Zombie-Concerned Customer

Amazon.com: your source for zombie-attack preparedness.

Hat tip: Jeff the Baptist

Caption Contest

Previous contest winner

WINNER: TrueVyne: Honestly George, I'm not sure the sidekick position will still be available in 2008.

Art Blogging: Kreg Yingst

Kreg Yingst is an American painter and printmaker. Educated at Trinity University and Eastern Illinois University, he now resides in Pensacola, FL. Although he paints, his primary medium since the mid-90s is the linocut. It will be his usage of that medium that this post focuses on.

Good Dog.












The Barren Tree.












Pop!/Blend.

Baptists and the Eucharist

Jeff the Baptist on the frequency (or lack thereof) of communion:

This whole thing got start because at many times in church history, there haven't been enough ministers to go around. The colonial period. The westward expansion. Even now some denominations like the Methodists are having trouble meeting their staffing needs. Many denominations solved this by having ministers "ride the circuit" to several churches. You had communion when you had a minister in town, otherwise not. Depending on the size of the circuit this meant you probably wouldn't have communion more than once a month and sometimes it was a lot longer than that depending on staffing and geography. Even though a lot of churches now have their own pastors, they rarely have communion more than once a month. Why? Well because once a month was good enough back in grandpa's day... etc. The exception became common and then became the new norm.

In short, our communion schedule is more about liturgical tradition than any theological reasoning.

That's certainly true in American Methodist history, and sacramental issues were among the primary reasons why an independent Methodist denomination formed in the US apart from Anglicanism.

When I was a Southern Baptist, I never experienced a Eucharist, but as I recall, it was held twice a year on Sunday evenings, and was served to members only.

Methodist Blogger Profile: Vicki

Vicki of Words and Cats

I was baptized and raised in the Methodist Church long before it became The United Methodist Church. I’m a native Kentuckian who feels a bit displaced living in Florida. I met my future husband when we were classmates in the first grade, and then we ended up in the same UM church when my family transferred membership to another church. I graduated from a small UM-affiliated college with a degree in Religion and Philosophy, on the pre-ministerial track. My intent was to go on to obtain a masters degree in Christian Education, but instead I ended up marrying my husband and supporting him through graduate school. His work as a hospital professional within the Veterans Administration is the reason we have lived in Kentucky, Texas, and now Florida. I took my own early “retirement” in 2003 in order to be able to travel with my husband on his frequent business trips. We are the proud parents of two adult children: our daughter, Laura, who is married to a wonderful young man and is employed in computer technology and support at a large university, and our son, Ryan, who works as an IT professional. The head of our household is a rescued cat named Spooky. My husband and I are active members of our UM Church near Orlando, FL.

Why do you blog?
I originally did not intend to blog, but only registered as a commenter on a friend’s blog. Six months later, I decided to do something with that spot and write something. That was in July 2006. By January 2007, a fellow blogger sort of inspired me to start up a second blog, and then invited me to join the MethoBlog. I guess I would have to say that my primary reason for blogging is for the mental exercise (and it boggles the minds of my kids, my nieces, and my nephews to think that I would do this!).

What has been your best blogging experience?
Having my kids compliment me on a post.

What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
Well, I do still consider myself a novice, but I would encourage the new blogger to be honest, proofread everything, visit other blogs and leave comments…be conversational. And play nice.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
That would be a difficult decision. There are quite a few that I try to read (or at least check on) each day. I try to start my day by reading Carolanne’s Reasons to be Thankful Today (as well as her main blog, COutsidetheBox), simply because it reminds me to think about all my blessings. I enjoy reading Art’s blog (what a character!). I like the variety of goodies on John’s blog (make that cash, please!). I always check my daughter’s blog, although she stays too busy to keep up with it much. I like what Questing Parson has to say. I enjoy Will’s blog. I always hit the MethoBlog aggregator because you can hit the highlights or pull out the articles that attract your attention at that point in time. Please, please, please don’t make me choose only three!

Who are your spiritual heroes?
You mean, besides Jesus? I’d have to name my mother most of all. She raised the five of us on her own, taught us manners, morals, and insisted that we go to church. She listened to our prayers, and was always available to listen to our thoughts and concerns. Even though she is widowed, suffers from many health problems, and has been a “senior citizen” for a long time now, she is such an inspiration! She is lay leader of her church, chairs the social committee, is active in the women’s group, works in the preschool, and helps to feed the masses (and then cleans up afterwards)…and much more. Most of all, she loves God and will tell anyone she meets! I want to grow up to be just like her!

What are you reading at the moment?
I’m actually in between books, because I’m anticipating a run to the library and bookstore. I’m participating in a very in-depth Bible study on Romans right now, and my personal daily Lenten readings are in I and II Samuel, Psalms, and Mark (this is a reading program that members of my church are doing).

What is your favorite hymn and why?
Oh, tough choice! “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” would have to be one of my favorites. I love the tune, of course, but I also love the reassurances of God’s love and saving grace. These lines are from verses not commonly sung in most churches:

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
close to my soul applied;
me, me He loved, the Son of God,
for me, for me He died!

And:

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
your God, ye fallen race!
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
be justified by grace!

Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've changed your mind?
That would have to be the death penalty. There was a time when I supported it, no questions asked. I have changed my mind…’nuff said.

What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
There is no way that we’ll ever know the complete truth about everything and anything while we are still here on this earth. It’s just possible that we’re not all correct.

If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
As I get older, and as I observe the challenges being faced by my mother and my mother-in-law, I realize the importance of the need for better health care reform. Medical insurance and health care are issues that need to be tackled; affordability and accessibility are critical to us all.

If you could effect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?
Ummm, sometimes, it is best if I just sit back and keep my mouth closed.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Be loving, forgiving, and accepting of each other, and keep Jesus in the midst of everything.

What, if anything, do you worry about?
What do I not worry about? Everyone that knows me knows I’m a worrywart. My biggest fault is my failure to turn my worries over to God and quit worrying about the things that are out of my control.

If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
I would pay more attention to those in the know and take better care of myself. I’d stay more physically active, eat more nutritiously, and exercise more. Then, in my later years, I wouldn’t have to work so hard to lose weight and get in better shape.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
I don’t think there is a perfect spot. I live in Florida; I love the winters here. However, I’m a native Kentuckian and I do get homesick! When I visited Alaska and Washington State, I fell in love with those areas. I’ve wished that I lived in North Carolina and Tennessee, and I miss living in Texas. I think I could be happy living anyway as long as I’m with my hubby. If and when grandkids come into the picture, I may wish I lived next door to them.

What do you like doing in your spare time?
I like crafty things – I do cross-stitch, basket-weaving (no jokes!), and other little projects. I am working on a massive genealogy project that started out as a request from my mother to organize her late uncle’s work and continue from where he stopped. It has expanded greatly from there, which is a scary thing.

What is your most treasured possession?
Being unable to think of any thing that I treasure most of all, I tried to think about this question in terms of “what would be the one thing I would grab in case of a fire?” It was still difficult. I believe it would be most important to me to be sure that any person in the house would be gotten out, and if there was time, I would probably only think of what was convenient for me – assuming it was nighttime - my glasses and/or contacts, a change of clothes, my purse (which never has any cash in it). I don’t believe I actually have a treasured possession; I would be sad to lose family photos and videos, and all of my genealogy research and other things on my computer, but there is no tangible item that I truly treasure more than the people I love.

What talent would you most like to have?
I’ve always wanted to be musical – I can’t play any instrument, I can’t read music, and I certainly can’t sing.

If you could have any three guests, past or present to dinner, who would they be?
Of course, the expected answer is Jesus, but He’s always present! I love history, and I believe I would choose historical figures, such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Wesley. Ronald Reagan would be a great guest, too. Hmm, so would Albert Einstein. Do I have to stop with three? There are guests I would choose who aren’t so famous, such as certain ancestors who left their homes and loved ones behind to travel to this strange country, whether for religious freedom or exploration or whatever. Just imagine the personal stories they could share.

Caption Contest

Previous contest winner

WINNER: Oloryn:

The tough part of being SuperCat is convincing people that a cat wearing glasses is perfectly normal.

Art Blogging: A.M. Cassandre

A.M. Cassandre (1901-1968) was a French Art Deco commercial illustrator and typeface designer. Born in the Ukraine, he and his family moved to Paris in 1915. Cassandre studied at Academie de la Grande Chaumiere and at the Academie Julian. Influenced by Cubism, he created simplified forms and lines. He formed his own highly successful advertising agency during the 1930s until its collapse in the chaos following the 1940 fall of France. Cassandre continued to work in various media, including stage design, until his suicide in 1968.

Normandie (1935) is his most famous work today. The shape of this liner is vastly exaggerated vertically to give it a regal splendor and strength.













Northern Express (1935) is my favorite of Cassandre's works. The dynamic angles stretching out into the distance speak of the era's optimism about technology, and the narrow parallel lines which frame it are representative of Art Deco's concept of symmetrical elegance. Compare.




Although a stylish and classy typeface, Cassandre ironically created it in 1937 for practical reasons of legibility on posters. Its most famous use was on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Caption Contest

Previous contest winners

WINNER:

Andy Bryan: As Andy sat down to write his caption for the contest, he could not decide which aspect of pop culture would make him appear more hip.

Southern Baptists and the Eucharist

It is common in many Southern Baptist churches to offer communion only two to four times a year. Michael Spencer thinks that this is tragic, and has for several years began participating in it weekly:

The aspect of weekly communion that has been the most significant for me is the constant reminder that inclusion in the community of Jesus comes with the reception of forgiveness. The community of Jesus is not formed by miracles or testimonies, but by Christ’s forgiveness of sinners. Rather than focusing on “walking the aisle,” weekly communion focuses on constant forgiveness from Christ himself. In communion, Christ is active, faith is receptive and I am passive.

In my Baptist upbringing, we were frequently told that weekly communion turned the supper into a meaningless, rote ritual. Roman Catholics and those in the “Disciples of Christ” churches were examples. Of course, this same standard didn’t seem to apply to preaching, the offering, choir specials, hymns and, of course, the offering. It is was always obvious to me that the kinds of demeaning language used in describing frequent communion was not rooted in the Bible, but is simple prejudice: we don’t want to be like the Catholics.

The difference has become clear. When communion is properly elevated in worship, the meaning of communion is elevated. I am not particularly fond of the idea of dividing the service into “two” liturgies. I prefer to keep communion in the area where Baptists typically think about the invitation, but instead of walking the aisle, we are offered Christ in the Lord’s Supper.

This is interesting. I would like to invite regular reader and Anabaptist Dan Trabue to share his thoughts on the Eucharist in the comments, if he would be so kind.

Ninja and Zombie

An episodic series about the adventures of an impoverished ninja and a lazy zombie in their quest for rent money.


Hat tip to J-Norm, who suggests forming a reconciling ministries network to better welcome Zombie-Americans into our churches. It sounds like a pretty good idea, if you can get past the smell and flesh-eating issues.

Question of the Day

Previously, I wrote:

One cannot be both wealthy and a Christian. 'Wealthy' is a subjective term, and I suppose that as a Christian grows richer, s/he tends to define the term ever upward. But whatever we may definitively nail down as 'wealthy' is alien to Christianity.

In the comments, Bob responded to my statement:

John, I don't think Christianity and wealth are at odds. The problem as I see it with wealth is if it consumes your time and thoughts making it an idol to be worshipped.

What do you think?

Is wealth compatible with the Christian faith?

UPDATE: Those of you who answer 'yes', please account for the following passages:

Mat 19:24: Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mar 10:25: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Luk 18:25: For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mat 6:19-21: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Mat 6:24: No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth.

1 Ti 6:9-10: But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. Forthe love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 John 3:17: But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Halt, Chicken Police! Nobody Move!

Caption Contest

Previous contest winner

WINNERS:

Willie Deuel: No, dad, I think we'll open our presents NOW!

Scotte Hodel: Then the grinch met Cindy-Lou Who, who carried a .22.

Useless Pop Technology

When I first bought a cell phone, I sent a text message to my wife's phone in order to learn how to do it. Since then, I have never sent a text message. I have never needed to. I would rather express myself faster and easier with voicemail than give myself arthritis by poking laboriously at tiny cell phone buttons. Along these lines, Guardian columnist Charlie Brooker is highly skeptical of the many 'features' on his cell phone:

It is lumbered with a bewildering array of unnecessary "features" aimed at idiots, including a mode that scans each text message and turns some of the words into tiny ani- mations, so if someone texts to say they have just run over your child in their car, the word "car" is replaced by a wacky cartoon vehicle putt-putting onto the screen. There is also a crap built-in game in which you play a rabbit ("Step into the role of Bobby Carrot - the new star of cute, mind-cracking carrot action!").

When you dial a number, you have a choice of seeing said number in a gigantic, ghastly typeface, or watching it moronically scribbled on parchment by an animated quill. I can't find an option to see it in small, uniform numbers. The whole thing is the visual equivalent of a moronic clip-art jumble sale poster designed in the dark by a myopic divorcee experiencing a freak biorhythmic high. Worst of all, it seems to have an unmarked omnipresent shortcut to Orange's internet service, which means that whether you are confused by the menu, or the typeface, or the user- confounding buttons, you are never more than one click away from accidentally plunging into an overpriced galaxy of idiocy, which, rather than politely restricting itself to news headlines and train timetables, thunders "BUFF OR ROUGH? GET VOTING!" and starts hurling cameraphone snaps of "babes and hunks" in their underwear at you, presumably because some pin-brained coven of marketing gonks discovered the average Orange internet user was teenage and incredibly stupid, so they set about mercilessly tailoring all their "content" toward priapic halfwits, thereby assuring no one outside this slim demographic will ever use their gaudy, insulting service ever again. And then they probably reached across the table and high-fived each other for skilfully delivering "targeted content" or something, even though what they should really have done, if there was any justice in the world, is smash the desk to pieces, select the longest wooden splinters they could find, then drive them firmly into their imbecilic, atrophied, world-wrecking rodent brains.

My phone offers a variety of ringtones, and I know that I can purchase whatever sound I wish online and load it into my cell phone. But I prefer the simple, discreet sound of a ringing telephone, which is the default setting.

My old phone -- the one that died in a washing machine -- made a beep when it turned on. My new phone plays a long cascade of notes, which I cannot turn off. This is inconvenient when I find that I have left on my phone in some place improper, like class or church, and must turn it off.

I don't have a mp3 player, nor an IPod. I don't even have a stereo in my car, and barely a functional radio. It stays off anyway, because I like the quiet of driving. The sheer lack of sound in my car is soothing in a world of endless noise: ringtones that play Welcome to the Jungle, cars with stereos so loud that my car vibrates when I stop next to them at a red light, and display TVs with the volume turned all the way up at the Wal-Mart.

Later in the column, Brooker attacks the concept of 'bling':

The word "bling" refers to any unnecessary accumulation of metal or jewellery which impresses the simple-minded. Examples of bling-related activity include: driving a car with shiny platinum rims, arriving at a movie premiere in a hat made of glittering diamonds, or pointing at a big block of gold and cooing away for hours on end like an unforgivable moron whose mere existence ultimately cheapens us all. Bling is the single most shallow, boring and wilfully superficial cultural phenomenon ever to excite humankind, which is saying something for a species already hooked on internet poker.

Hat tip: Instapundit