The short of it is this.  Imagine you are President.  There is mass genocide in Africa due to a major civil uprising, children are being kidnapped and recruited to kill, and thousands of innocent women and children are being killed daily.  You have troops ready to go in to aid the African government in putting a stop to the killing.  Now the terrorist leader that is responsible for the war has gained control to American technology that will allow him to kill thousands of Americans through air traffic control, power grids, and the likes.  He is ordering you to remove troops from Africa or he will begin killing Americans.

Let’s see…how how about we tackle the rest of Bet’s questions.

What is your theory on Lost?
Seriously, I’m not one who sits and really tries to come up with theories on it.  I just watch and enjoy, but of course I am trying to figure out what the heck is going on the whole time.
That being said, I do like to waste my time reading mindless drivel on the internet sometimes, and I am a big fan of this theory at this point in time.  Very clever, and seems to have good answers for most everything.

What makes 24 better than Lost?
Two words…Jack Bauer.
See last post below.
Next.

What is your predestination theology stance?
Yes.
Yes, we are chosen.  The Bible says so.
Yes, we have to choose.  The Bible says so.
How are they both true?  Not sure.  But I think it’s one of those things we can’t fully understand.  I used to swing way more to the “we choose” side, but I guess being stuck in a family with all these stinking reformers has got me warming up to Calvin.
Another one of those questions that when it really comes down to it, there are great theologians who I respect and admire from over the years that disagree on this one.  I’m just not arrogant enough to think I can be the one to figure it all out.  Close…but not quite.

Do you approve of women as senior pastors in churches? Why or why not?
Geez Bet.  Thanks a lot.
This is actually one that I keep coming back to and struggling with, and let me preface it by saying that I have not studied it nearly enough to make a solid conclusion yet.  The simple answer is no.  But it’s not that simple.  Let me explain.

I definitely came out of a background that is pretty heavy against the women leading thing, both from Calvary Chapel and Knott Avenue Christian.  So I’ve been recovering.  I’ve swung pretty far away from where I used to be as I’ve looked at the cultural context of certain passages as well as the practical realities.  But Lead Pastor is definitely a place I haven’t been able to move past yet.  On the flip side, while I would not currently attend a church with a female lead pastor, I also don’t condemn those who do or the women who are.  While I may not be all for it, I hardly think it is one of those issues that when we get to heaven, God is gonna be really ticked off about because the wrong gender was expanding the kingdom.

I really would like to be OK with it.  In fact, I think it would be beneficial to the Gospel if I could be.  Here’s my biggest hang up, though.  While I get that some of the passages commonly used are cultural, I also see Paul follow them up with a theological argument.  That’s where I get stuck.  The guy says things I would never say today!  And just for clarification, at this point for me it is definitely not an ability issue, rather it’s a role issue.

Also, as a sidenote, here are a couple of interesting posts regarding this theological issue and the newfound excitement in the Christian community for Sarah Palin.  Go check those out for some thought provoking reading.

So there you have it.  I stirred the pot a little and hopefully the backlash doesn’t get too ugly.
It’s definitely something I want to commit more time and study to in the near future.
How about you other Christ followers out there?
Where do you stand on the issue?  How did you get there?
Share if you dare.

As a side note, you may have thought that LOST was a real original idea that J.J. Abrams birthed.  Apparently not.  Check out the black and white lost footage (pun sorta intended…but I recognize it was lame).

HT: Just An Ordinary Guy

I know there’s always two sides to every story, but I thought the info on here was pretty interesting, and frankly, pretty convincing. 

On the surface I would say that whether or not we have a TV show or two is fairly superficial and perhaps proof that we are overly reliant on entertainment in this country.  But on the flipside, it’s a good reminder that behind that entertainment are individuals who make a living on their creative abilities.  Maybe I’m slightly biased cause I do have some old friends who work somewhere in the industry so I have a small idea of how it works.

Check out the video.  See what you think.

HT: Bethany

NEW YORK — The writers strike has struck down the Fox thriller "24."

"24" is absent from the network’s revised, strike-affected schedule for
midseason. In its announcement, Fox explained the "Day 7" season for
the series would be indefinitely postponed to ensure an uninterrupted
run.

Read more

Bummer.  And apparently it could have a very similar effect on LOST.  Good thing I still have 2 1/2 seasons of ALIAS left to watch.  And when that ends, maybe I’ll pick up House from the beginning.

What the heck?!?!  Tony Almeida CANNOT be bad!!

24 – The greatest show ever to be on television.
Alias – Rachel and I have started watching this show from the beginning.  We started about a month and a half ago.  We’re almost done with season 2 now.

This morning on the way to work I passed a general contracting company from Salinas starting to work on the road.  They looked way to focused for plain old road workers.  I wondered if maybe they are terrorists setting up a bomb system underneath the road.

Then I passed a guy with a tow truck opening a locked car on the side of the highway.  But I didn’t see the car’s owner anywhere.  I thought maybe it was a double agent with a real CIA agent in the trunk.

I have issues.
I’m hooked though.
It’s a sickness.
Help me!

 

American Idol
Just caught the last hour of this after walking in from worship practice and volume was pretty low cause Caleb hasn’t been sleeping well.  A few thoughts…

1. (As I walked in the door, Rachel watching the show) Is that really Green day performing right now?
2. Reuben Studdard?  Oh yeah…that guy.
3. Bette Middler?  I’ve never liked her, and now I like her less.  This is horrible.
4. That final song was absolutely horrible for Blake.  of course she won.  Blake got hosed by them when they made him sing that song.
5. That song is horrible period, no matter who’s singing it.

24
Still my favorite show, and wish it were higher on the list, but this definitely wasn’t their greatest season.  Of course last year was tough to beat no matter what.  I hope next year keeps me more on the edge of my seat like this show used to.  Thoughts…

1. Wow, that was a lot of closure.  Haven’t had that much closure except for when Jack walked off into the sunset.
2. I was hoping he’d get the chick, but I’m pretty glad she didn’t open her eyes and make it cheesy, like sleeping beauty or somethin.
3. Was Jack considering suicide?  No…not possible.  There’s at least 2 more seasons ahead.  And he’s just better than that.
4. Response to Cheng: "And our country won’t torture you like yours did Jack."
5. President Logan is so still alive.

Survivor
There’s a reason this show has been around for 14 seasons.  It’s the best reality show out there.

1. Dreamz is a punk.
2. Yau-Man should have won.
3. Dreamz is a punk.
4. Jeff Probst is a stud.  And oh yeah, so is Boo.  Torn ACL?!  Dang!  And he kept at it for a while!
5. Dreamz is a punk…oh yeah, and a liar.  It wouldn’t have made sense for him to lie in his confessionals.  He didn’t have that plan all along.

LOST
There was a time in the season when I was done with this show.  Now it has gotten so good, it’s rivaling 24!  It’s nice to see some well written drama on TV, keeping me entertained and actors employed in spite of reality TV.  So many thoughts, and even more questions…where to begin?

1. Why didn’t Charlie try to swim out of the blown out window?
2. So if that was the future, why in the world did Jack say to go upstairs and get his dad.  His dad is supposedly dead.
3. Who’s in the coffin?  My guess was Ben.  Who else would no one show up for?  And Jack said he wasn’t family or friend.  Hmmm.
4. So what happens since it’s not Penny’s boat?  And will Desmond tell them in time?  They can’t get rescued, there are still 3 seasons till this thing ends.
5. Of all th shows I watch, this is the one I’m most looking forward to coming back to now, especially after this finale. 
6. And there are a lot of other questions, but those could go on for days.

There ya go.  My shows are over, and I’ve vowed not to start any new one’s right now.  More time to read, exercise, hang with the fam, etc.  My occasional dose of Jeopardy will be plenty.  And that made for a nice brainless post. 

Any thoughts to add?  Which was your favorite?