Update from Hawaii

I’m so glad Ricki and Rody found a good church. The last time I was out here I knew they were having problems finding a church. The pastor did a good lesson on taming the tongue and listening. Afterwards we went with some friends from church to an Asian pancake house which not only featured your standard pancake fare, but also unique dishes like the Moco Loco, which I had, as well as coconut and pineapple syrup. Then we drove around the island, talking and stopping whenever there was something cool to see. We particularly liked when we saw an older woman decorating a random tree along the highway with Christmas ordainments. We finished up the evening with a stop at the Dole Pineapple Plantation where I had some Pineapple ice cream. If your jealous you can’t find Pineapple ice cream back home, the only other place I know that sells it is the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, and it tastes exactly the same.

Goodbye mainland!

I love ya, but I really need a vacation. I am so ready to go. The flight was smooth except for the constant up sale for the $5 headphone rental and $15 on demand movie rental as they were blocking the aisle and people including myself really needed to go to the restroom. Guess making the extra buck is more important than ones comfort. Friendly staff though. *(pic $10 burger king meal)
Rody was in baggage claim waiting for me, so we went to his church to pick up Ricki. She was helping the pastor’s wife decorate their house, which was attached to the church, as well as the church. She was totally into the small Christmas houses. After picking up some Burger King and two of their $4 Xbox games for playing later, we drove around to see some great Christmas decorations around town. As a gift, I got Ricki a Strawberry Shortcake bath set, Rody the book A Field Guide to Evangelicals and their Habitat which is a satirical look at the Christian church, and extremely funny, and for the both of them a Mickey & Minnie ordainment. We all will pick out a tree tomorrow and decorate it! All of us played Wii Sports for quite a while before Rody and I played Gears of War before going to bed. I can’t even begin describe the how good it feels to lay down, close your eyes, and relax.

School is finished! Vacation here I come!

It has sure been a journey, but I have finally graduated! Though I will walk next year, last Tuesday was my last day of class. It still has not sunk in, as I am a little concerned that there is some stray ½ credit that is not finished or a hidden hoop I didn’t jump through, even though I have double checked everything. One chapter of my life closes while another one opens. Life is always an adventure. By the time you read this, I will be in Hawaii with my good friends Ricki and Rody for a much needed vacation. Rody is graduating with his Masters degree, and his wife Ricki will be taking off work for a week, so it will be a vacation for all of us. By the time you read this, I will already be here eating macadamia nuts and drinking pineapple juice. I will be posting pictures and updates, so be sure to check back!

My celebrity impersonators

And if I was more famous than I already am (humbleness Jason, humble), I would be:

He or he?

Ok. So I have had this NLT (New Living Translation) study bible for the last few years. It is quite good, with the history, statistics, who it was written to preceding each book. Dates, times and distances are also translated so modern Americans can understand instead of odd cubit measurements, and dates such as the fifth moon of the bawwing of the sheep.

I did much research before I switched versions, but one thing I still have not shaken though is that when a pronoun is used for God or Jesus, it is not capitalized as most translations do. The word "Lord" is capitalized, just as "God" is, but "he", "his" and "the one" when referring to God or Jesus are not. Before this NLT, I had a NAS (New American Standard) for nearly my whole life.

How do you feel about this? I don't really see it as disrespectful, as I think God is much more interested in the bowing our hearts toward him instead of capitalizing our pronouns. Yet, it still bugs me as most other bibles don't do it this way.

PS: Is it bible or Bible?

The assault is no coincidence. I have witnessed some major attacks on 10/31. Without fail nearly every year on Halloween something happens at work or some flair up happens between friends so people are pitted against each other. This is no random occurrence.

There is enemy out there and he wants your spirit crushed and bleeding. He does not want you dead. A common war strategy is to wound the enemy so they can no longer fight, and so they drag the remaining warriors down and put a strain on their resources. A wounded or discouraged Christian is excellent fodder for non-Christians to look at and not desire to be.

The attacks are usually on a personal level and have been quite unexpected, sometimes even between close friends. Be on your guard, pray, this is a spiritual battle.

Only in America

Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house). According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know. And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.

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