Somebody Smarter Said - 8

"Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow." - Mahatma Gandhi

Hey Neat-O - 5

I love Television Without Pity, or TWOP. It's full of reviews for almost every episode of any good tv show. And not just full of reviews, but full of snarky reviews. It's great if you miss an episode and need to catch up or even if you just want to relive some of your favorite moments.

Television Without Pity

Somebody Smarter Said - 7

"The writing itself can provide the solace, the illumination, the direction, the self-awareness... and it can open your heart. And there's nothing more important than that." - Anne Lamott

Hey Neat-O - 4

Fan of Donald Miller?
Check out this website he started, which advertises itself as "an online magazine presenting an alternative to franchise faith." It updates every Monday.

Burnside Writers Collective

Watch This - 2

Random Thoughts - 11

An Autobiography of Reading:

Bruce Coville
Bruce writes children's books, and I read them until I was 9 or 10. Loved them. Where else do you learn that aliens do indeed fart?
K.A. Applegate
Applegate was the author behind the Animorphs books, which I read until the series ended. They were a bridge to more adult books; the Animorphs dealt with some staggeringly adult themes; war and loss and ethics.
Christopher Pike
These were my real transition books. I remember reading one, and there was a swear word in the first chapter. I put the book away, terrified my parents would get mad at me. Eventually, I kept reading. I don't remember these books adding anything of value to my life, but they did prepare me for the next step.
Dean Koontz
Aah, the mindless thriller. Loved Dean Koontz. Still do, as a matter of fact. Something about his writing lets me just forget what it is I'm doing or what it is I'm worrying about. Some of his newer stuff has some good things to say against bioethics and stuff, so nowadays I don't see him as too much of a guilty pleasure.
Stephen King
And then we get to some of the heavyweights. King's books range from the terrifying to the thoughtful, and it was first through King that I learned that a story that stays with you is one that doesn't wrap up all the neat ends. I hate(d) that King would kill off certain characters, and I wanted to rewrite the story so that they lived. And then I realized how effective that was; I was so disturbed by the book that I found myself thinking about it long after I had read it. IT and The Stand are two of the best horror books I've ever read, and they have so much more to offer than just chills down your back.
COLLEGE
Funny enough, but I didn't read much of anything when I was in college. If I was reading, it was certainly for class, and not for the sake of reading.
Rob Bell
My first introduction into postmodernism, and I loved it. I fell too deep into it for a little while, and I needed to actually remember to read the Bible to make sure I wasn't just making crap up. Rob helped me to see postmodernity in a good light and how to balance it with the Bible.
Anne Lamott
I debated whether or not to put Donald Miller here, but I decided it would be more appropriate to go with Lamott. Lamott inspired Miller, afterall. And on my first reading of Blue Like Jazz, I didn't like it. I loved Bird by Bird (by Lamott) on the first read. I loved the realistic combined with the poetic, and the honest emotions. It helped inspire me to write Ashram, and ultimately to continue writing.

What's next?

Somebody Smarter Said - 6

"There's a fine line between healthy mistrust of humanity and outright paranoia." - Scott Adams

Watch This - 1

New Creation from FC Post on Vimeo.

Came from the reliably awesome Jim.

Writing Tips - 3

Clip Clip Clip.
Save ideas.
Clip them from newspapers, from magazines.
Highlight them in books. Bookmark them on websites.
If somebody says something you like, and you don't have the ability to write it down, take out your phone, and text it to yourself.
For example, I was listening to a sermon at Every Tuesday from a missionary. He used a phrase that I loved.
He called a little kid who was annoying him a "muppet."
Which is such a cool phrase to use in a derogatory fashion.
But I didn't have a chance to write it down, so I had to text it to myself.
And some day, I'll use that phrase in a book.
But if I hadn't saved it, I wouldn't ever use it.
So save some stuff.

Somebody Smarter Said - 5

"As any great artist will attest, it is the focus that begins the process of creating a great masterpiece; there are plenty of artists who imagine great works but never do anything." - Shawn Wood

Hey Neat-O - 3

If you're interested in being a good writer, you probably should avoid cliche's.
But how to avoid them if you don't even recognize them? Try this website; it generates a random list of 10 new cliches every time you visit.

Ten Random Cliche's!

Random Thoughts - 10

To him who is able to do immeasurably more...
To God be the glory...
Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
To the only God our Saviour be glory...
Forever and ever Amen...

Benedictions are a beautiful amazing thing.
And so I wonder what sort of benediction I'll use at my church someday.
I want to write something new and beautiful, and I want to honor the tradition of the old.

Here's my first stab:

To the God who is Life to all who believe,
To you we ascribe Glory and Honor and Power
May you teach every day to be more like you
until your Glory is achieved to the fullest.
Amen.

Random Thoughts - 9

The NotePocalypse - Why I'm Choosing Obama and Why You Should To...

Ground Rules - I'm not writing anything without backing it up.I'm posting this on Facebook and on Blogspot, and the blogspot (andyszymas.blogspot.com) will have the links and sources. Facebook won't, because facebook notes don't have great ability to incorporate links. Please stick to the subjects I've mentioned here, because I want to reach some consensus on these issues before we start talking about anything else.
One last thing. If you say anything stupid, I'll still be your friend, but I'll just think you're stupid. I reserve the right to call anything stupid by the name "stupid."

So why am I writing this? Well, to be honest, I'm seeing a lot of facebook notes with a lot of blatant misinformation and misconceptions on both sides. There are some stupid democrats and some stupid republicans, and that frustrated me enough to finally come out of the political closet and let you all know publicly who I'm supporting. So I'm rereading some of the notes and addressing what they've said on some of the issues. So with all that said, to the issues:

Abortion. The standard thinking is that McCain is pro-life because he values the sanctity of human life, while Obama is pro-choice and wants to eat your babies. Let's examine that a bit closer. So how does McCain intend to be pro-life? Well, I searched quite a bit on the internet, and all I could really find was from McCain's own website. McCain says he would nominate justices in the model of John Roberts and Samuel Alito, two supreme court justices who are pro-life in belief. I find it interesting that McCain intends to nominate a justice in the vein of Roberts, who is one of the more conservative justices on the bench. Oops, guess McCain forgot to tell you that Roberts himself said he wouldn't overturn abortion. And of course, McCain has said he wouldn't make abortion his litmus test for nominating a judge. Also, McCain should mention he voted in favor for the two most liberal justices on the bench. And finally, let's not forget that he's been pretty flip floppy on this issue.
Obama? Yeah, he's pro-choice. But unlike McCain, Obama has a plan to reduce abortions. The 95/10 initiative calls for government policy and legislation to reduce abortions by 95% in 1o years. So Obama has an actual plan in place, and it's a plan he's been committed to for some time.

Vice President - One of the silliest arguments I read was that Palin would be okay for veep because she was governor of the largest state in the USA. Well, that's a pretty dumb argument. I'm calling that one stupid. Alaska is the 47th least populated state. It's has approximately twice as many people as the city of Charleston, SC. And lest you think I'm being biased, Delaware is the 45th least populated state. So clearly, if we're talking about the size of the body you've ruled, Palin and Biden are poor choices.

Change - Here's a direct quote from a facebook note: "Obama is "changing" for whatever the people and the media want you to see. McCain is an honorable man to the core...which is why he has not spoken or attacked sooner."
This is a great example of saying something that isn't true and hoping by saying it that it becomes true. Obama has been the straight man here; he hasn't flipped any of his policies or ideas for political gain. The most you can argue is that he left a church, after the pastor embarassed himself. Obama's policies and ideas and political beliefs are still the same. I already highlighted in the above Abortion section how McCain has flipflopped on Abortion, so I don't really see the need to cite any more sources. Obviously, McCain is doing the very thing that this quote is saying he doesn't do but Obama does do. Also, McCain's not speaking or attacking sooner? The first mention of a negative ad that I can find was released by McCain. Also, did you watch the second presidential debate? It was very honorable for McCain to blatantly misquote Obama about Pakistan. Check it out; search for Katie Hamm's question, and read Obama's response. Then read what McCain has to say.

I think that's about it for this round. I'm tempted to start a discussion about war theory, and whether Jesus would bomb countries that attacked him. I'm tempted to start talking about economics, but from what I've seen, there's plenty of finger pointing going around, and noone seems to agree on anything. Republicans say everything needs to be deregulated, and democrats say everything needs to be regulated. Since we have no one's word to take but their own, I find that debate meaningless. If you want some fodder for reading on the economic side, check this out - Scott Adams did a survey of Economists, polling them about politics.

New Post Schedule

Here's some of what you can expect on this new blog initiative:

Random Thoughts - Random musings on random events and news. These will technically be published randomly, but they'll comprise the bulk of my postings.

Hey Neat-O - A cool website I've found. Expect one every Monday.

Writing Tips - Something I'm learning about writing. One should appear every Tuesday.

Somebody Smarter Said - Quotes from somebody smarter than me. There will be one at least every wednesday.

In Honor Of - A tribute to someone or something meaningful in my life. I'll post a new one every Friday.

Also, you can expect infrequent updates about my writing projects and life in general. I also learned the fine art of scheduling posts from my good friend Jim. So I should be able to post even in the midst of crazy life stuff and other writing obligations. (Nanowrimo, I'm looking at you!)

So hope you enjoy it.

In Honor of - 1

You probably have never heard of Bruce Coville.
Even if you remember what books you read as a kid, chances are you remember the megahits - the Goosebumps and the Animorphs and the Hardy Boys. All of which I read and all of which I enjoyed.
But Bruce Coville was the guy who first taught me the importance of reading.
The second book I ever read was "Aliens Ate My Homework." (If you're interested, the first was the novelization of Jurassic Park, which just proves that people don't change too much, they just get taller).
And I devoured the book. I loved it. Besides the juvenile "ha-I-don't-have-homework-to-turn-in-because-of-aliens" it was real.
I could feel the descriptions. I still, sixteen years later, can remember details of the final battle, with little green aliens on jetpacks flying around, and some dude got punched in the nose.
And so I started to read more by Mr. Coville. And I discovered that not only could books be enthralling, but they could be meaningful.
I read his My Teacher Is An Alien series and learned about the horrors of war. I read The A.I. Gang and learned about how important it is to think for yourself. I read his Magic Shop series and learned that sometimes advice is given for a reason.
I finished the "Aliens Ate My Homework" series and learned the importance of fathers and mentors.
All of that, and I learned that Aliens also pick their noses.
So here's to you, Mr Coville. You started me on a journey that got me reading, that got me thinking, and eventually, got me writing. And may other kids be blessed by your books.

Somebody Smarter Said - 4

"Omnipotence which can lay its hand so heavily upon the world can also make its touch so light that the creature receives independence." - Soren Kierkegaard

Writing Tips - 2

Read.
Seriously.
Just read.
Read something you would never have imagined yourself reading before.
I'm really bad at this.
I read a lot.
But I read the same books over and over.
And I rarely take a chance on a book.
So I'm not immune to this difficulty.
But here's the thing - If you're always pouring out, and never pouring in, you're empty.
Your writing will be empty.
And if you're not reading anything but what you know you would like, you'll never grow as a writer. Think of some of the more successful books and authors you know. How many of them 'rose to prominence' in a genre?
Probably very few. They busted the genre by taking it in a new direction.
And you will never be able to go in a new direction if you don't know any other directions.

Somebody Smarter Said - 3

"Read and write four to six hours a day. If you cannot find the time for that, you can't expect to become a good writer." - Stephen King

Writing Tips - 1

How do you become a writer?
It's one of the things I wrestle with. What makes me a writer? What makes me a good writer?
What makes me a great writer?
I'll tell you what sort of writer I want to be. I want to be CS Lewis and Mark Twain's freakish literary step child. I want the diversity and consistency of Lewis and the irreverent humor of Twain.
And I've been trying to figure out how to do that.
And there's one thing I've figured out so far.
It's so simple.
Write.
Just sit down and write.
Whatever words come out, use them.
Stephen King is, no matter what you think of him, a very prolific writer. And I read once that he said that if you aren't willing to write for four hours a day, writing isn't for you. I'll try to look up the exact quote and post it.
But four hours a day of just writing.... Wow.
I don't even come close to that. I'm making strides. It's my current commitment to write in three different places every day - blog, books, journals, etc.
If four hours a day is the yardstick, I'm doing poorly. But I'm doing better than I ever used to be.

Somebody Smarter Said - 2

"I found that I was just as likely to meet God in the sewers of the ghetto as in the halls of academia. I learned more about God from the tears of the homeless mothers than any systematic theology ever taught me." - Shane Claiborne

Random Thoughts - 8

Article on CNN.com today: Expert's Ponder Link Between Creativity, Mood Disorders

Interesting.

Doesn't it certainly fall into a category of news that you could title - "Not so surprising?"

After all, think of the most boring and sane people you know. They're the accountants, the lawyers, the managers. They aren't creative, and you on any given day know how they will act. They don't have a flair for the dramatic.

Now think of those around you that are authors, actors, singers.

They're the weirdest people you'll ever meet.

Certainly, this is playing into stereotypes a bit. I'm a writer, but I don't think of myself as overtly dramatic. And I know a few worship leaders who are very low key people.

But what does this mean? How could you interpret this information? Is there a way, based on this knowledge, to unleash creativity?

I think so, and it's based partially on my own experience. You see, what the article suggests is that mood disorders and creativity are not causally related - one doesn't cause the other. But they both have a common link - reflection.

The article does a better job of explaining this than I could, but I think that's a key to being creative. What is it that is eating your mind? Taking your time? Where are all of your trains of thought being rerouted to?

Once you've figured it out, write it. Or sing it. Or paint it. That's what I've done - Ashram arose because of a single story that I could absolutely not get out of my head. Different poems I've written have been because of things that were stealing my mind. My current projects fall in line with things that I find myself thinking about when I'm daydreaming.

So use those reflections. And if you don't reflect, well, you've got other problems.

Random Thoughts - 7

This post follows a deep conversation i had with a friend yesterday. She was desperately trying to figure out how much a person's family background should matter in a relationship. If they come from a screwed up family, and screwed-up-ness runs in the genes, is it bad to avoid a significant relationship with that person?
As someone who comes from a screwed-up family, I have some interesting thoughts on the issue. Some of that stuff does run in the family. However, I believe we all have the ability to overcome those issues.
And that was the advice I offered her. Whoever this guy is, he can't control how his family is. It would be supremely unfair to judge someone based on factors they can't control (in fact, isn't that the basis of racism and sexism?). But, if this guy is handling the matters in a way that will lead him to be replicate the problems of his family, then that's an issue.
A person can't control their family. You don't choose your parents, or your genes.
But you do choose how to react.

Jesus Wants to Save Christians Review

Jesus Wants to Save Christians
Rob Bell and Don Golden

I bought Rob Bell and Don Golden's new book recently. You might remember I posted a preview of the book, and thought it sounded very intriguing. I didn't know what to expect. And this book defied my expectations - it wasn't what I thought it was going to be at all.
Basically, Rob and Don outline a New Exodus theology. They describe how the entire Bible can be told in parallel to the story of the Exodus, and the Passover in particular.
I always sort of understood that the passover was significant, but I never paid attention to it. I have always been interested in the power of communion, and I never made the connection, like the authors do, between communion and passover. There is a reason that Jesus initiates communion on the Passover; he is drawing connection between his person and the lamb slain at passover.
If you're unfamiliar with New Exodus theology, this is a great book to start with. As far as I understand, this acts like a basic primer to this theology. For those who want to paint Rob (and Mars Hill) into an emergent and theological-less corner, this book closes that idea pretty thoroughly. Rob obviously has a theology, and here he has articulated it clearly.
Some thoughts:
There are some scathing indictments of America in here, so if your the ultra-patriotic America-is-God type, you may not enjoy this. There are also some jabs at the modern evangelical church.
Ben Witherington III has a great review. He points out some of the great thinking, as well as some of the issues where Rob and Don are off the mark, specifically regarding Philip and the Ethiopian.
I think that "Blood on the Doorposts of the Universe" is an appropriately epic chapter title.
If you were used to Rob's storytelling approach, you may be in for some shock here. This book has none of the stories that Rob used to such great extent in Sex God and Velvet Elvis. Another reason why it was not what I expected.
The Bottom line:
I really liked this book. Definitely Recommend it. I would make sure, as with all things, to do some research and not just blindly accept everything it it (another reason to read Ben Witherington). But bottom line - read it.

Random Thoughts - 6

?Who is the church for?
That's a pretty normal question in church circles. In seminary circles especially. Different Pastors have different views. I read Mark Driscoll say that the church exists for the member's who aren't there yet. I hear Rob Bell say that the church is for the oppressed. I hear Greg Surratt say the church is for the development of fully devoted followers of Christ. I hear (this morning) that the Church should be involved in meeting the needs of it's followers. So what is the answer?
It usually boils down to whether a church exists for seekers or for followers or for outreach. Is the church there to' save' people, and bring in 'new' christians? Is the church there to disciple the already-there people? Is the church there to be the light of the world, to bring hope to the hopeless?
So let's ask the question. Who owns the church?
As I've been reflecting on this, the answer is this - the church is for all of them. But none of them own it.
It's certainly for the people who aren't there yet. It's definitely for the the people who are there. And it's for the people who would never have the opportunity to be there.
But it's not.
None of these groups have the corner on 'owning' the church.
God owns the church.
And the church exists for God.
The other people matter to the extent that they matter to God.
Just something to think about.

Back

I've come to a decision. If I fancy myself a writer, I should probably actually write. So I'm committing to writing on this blog every day FOREVER. Okay, not forever. But at least the next month. So for the entire month of October, I am committing to writing a post every day. For the post to count, it can't be a review or an update, like this one. We'll see how it goes.

Other Updates:
I have started sending Ashram to agents. One rejection so far.
I am a third of the way through 300. It's now called 337.
I started writing about my Mom's death. I'm through 2 chapters.
I am planning on attempting nanowrimo this year. Basically, I need to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November.
I have written 3 poems in the last month. More will come as inspiration comes.

Random Thoughts - 5

I recently had an experience unlike any other: My first kiss. It was unique (to me) for obvious reasons; I had never kissed anyone before. It was unique for a few other reasons.

I walked Jan to her car. I care about Jan deeply. I have told Jan I love her, and she has said the same to me. Jan is also not her real name, if you're wondering. Jan and I have a long and complicated relationship. I thought things were going to perhaps stabilize once I moved back to the area, and they did, for a week. We started to casually date, and I was actually playing cards with her parents the night I walked her to her car. As we got to her car, she dropped a bombshell.

"I don't want you as much as you want me. I'm not sure; don't know if I'll ever be sure. I think we should just be friends. I'm sorry. I wish that it was easier. I wish I could be sure. I want to want you more than I do. You're not the boy I dream about."

And I am dumbfounded, blindsided by the uncertainty. As I look into the stars, there is no proper response. So I said "Screw it." and then I kissed her.

So that was my first kiss. The rest of that particular story and relationship remains to be told, but I want to focus on just that story. Because as I have been reflecting and agonizing on this, I keep coming back to the Cross.

Doesn't the story of the Cross seem to parallel this story a bit? I am certainly not comparing myself to Jesus, but I think I learned a bit about the love it must have taken to step out in faith. Let me illustrate it for you.

God and People have a long and complicated relationship. God has told People that he loved them, and People have responded in kind. But for whatever reason, People are never able to fully commit. Sin and Idolatry and Adultery keep coming in between them. God moves to the area in Jesus, and hopes for things to stabilize. But People still don't realize the love of God, and are desperately pushing Jesus away. In one last ditch effort, Jesus dies on the cross for the People who don't want him.

Maybe it's sacrilegious, but I wonder if Jesus saying "Screw it, I'll die anyway," is a stretch.