2009 Year in Review via Tweets

A lot of people are publishing their "Year in Review."

Well I wanted to do the same except with a slight tweek - or more appropraitely - tweet.

I downloaded every tweet i made in 2009 (all 2000 of them) and went through and identified the 100 most memoriable, significant or important tweets this year.

Some are news related, some are political, some are insights, some are fond memories, some are not so fond memories. If they don't make sense out of context, you just have to understand that they are important to me.

So here it is. My 100 top tweets:

1. I just won $250 on the Trojans Victory. Fight on! 5:43 PM Jan 1st

2. Did not watch the inauguration 12:14 PM Jan 20th

3. Finished a project and got grilled for it! Loved every minute.... 8:10 AM Jan 27th

4. Is going to be in Michigan for and hour and a half and hopes he doesn't get arrested. 9:26 AM Jan 28th

5. Congratulations chairman michael steele 1:15 PM Jan 30th

6. Just found out sarah lynn kelley is 25! Out of this world 12:09 AM Feb 4th

7. Congratulation neil patrick butler. Welcome to the world! 11:55 AM Feb 6th

8. Glen Beck has made me fall in love with Fox News all over again 2:41 AM Feb 8th

9. Mr. President, bipartisanship doesn't mean republicans becoming your yes men. Thank you Sen Gregg. #TCOT 6:42 PM Feb 12th

10. First George W Bush shout out at CR meeting with applause. #tcot #cagop 3:18 PM Feb 21st

11. Thank you to @davidall & @techrepublican for posting my #rnc video application to their website http://tinyurl.com/ah4r4u #tcot #techgop 1:39 PM Feb 24th

12. I have an interview with a direct mail company who wants to expand into social media in 10 minutes #tcot #techgop @TheRightJobs 1:22 PM Mar 10th

13. My life is in my car (as are two pledges) 11:38 AM Mar 20th

14. Contemplating why Christian women are so complicated. Why can't I find a nice atheist to date. Oh yeah, already tried that-epic fail 6:46 AM Mar 22nd

15. Why is it everywhere I go SHE miraculously shows up?!?! I serious can't get her out of my life. I might as well ask her out again. 7:38 PM Mar 24th

16. Met a girl named susan marie tonight. She was nice but I'll probably never see her again. 1:38 AM Apr 1st

17. sometimes a head on someone else's shoulder is like a boot crushing your broken heart. 10:29 PM Apr 1st

18. She likes "when men take charge". Take charge! | I'm totally failing at this right now 5:02 AM Apr 6th

19. Just Because @}--,---'--- 11:23 PM Apr 6th

20. I was just told that I am undateable. Probably true. 8:56 PM Apr 8th

21. A single text message (not even sent to me) just made my day. 3:57 AM Apr 9th

22. Beat geoff at chess. Now eating mushroom caps 1:24 PM Apr 12th

23. I'm turning in my shingle. Oh wait, I already did 10:14 PM Apr 13th

24. Happy tax day! Why is it happy? Because today marks the beginning of Americans taking back their country with #teaparty protest! #tcot 2:22 AM Apr 15th

25. Watched ADX become a force on campus, ate chinese food with friends, walked songfest directors home, and "she" liked the hat. Great night! 4:23 AM Apr 18th

26. Brad Schell is my favorite new active (not to be confused with my new favorite active) 2:10 AM Apr 19th

27. Changing a friends tire, dinner at soup plantation with @stevenmw8 & jensen, driving around L.A randomly, quite the adventure 8:20 PM Apr 24th

28. She's getting married today. I wish her the best of luck. Hopefully I'll get over her soon but for now my wasted heart remains alone 8:40 AM Apr 25th

29. Like moonlight through rustling branches on a cold spring night; my faith may tremble or quiver but in the end never fail to shine 2:25 PM Apr 26th

30. RT @VBSchmuck: Sen Specter just switched to Democrat. #patcot #tcot see www.pagop.org for soon to be released statement by the PA Rep. Party 10:47 AM Apr 28th

31. I promised elizabeth stinnett that I wouldn't tweet during el cholo. 6:57 PM Apr 28th

32. MY FRIEND DOESN'T HAVE SWINE FLU!!!!! 10:11 AM Apr 29th

33. I may not be a prince but she'll always be a princess to me 4:28 PM May 2nd

34. My problem isn't that I fall in love too easily; its that I fall out of love too hard 9:49 PM May 5th

35. The sweetest milkshakes are often the ones you never taste. 12:37 AM May 10th

36. She had to bring up dodger date night. 8:27 PM May 18th

37. Kris allen wins american idol! Red states win! 10:05 PM May 20th

38. Everytime I look at my phone I see that smile and it it keeps me awake. Maybe that's why I feel I haven't slept in days. 12:34 AM May 29th

39. Totally exhausted, the meg whitman john mccain event was fun but tiring. Thanks @bryanwatkins for lunch. Sleep now. Door build tomorrow! 2:52 PM May 29th

40. Just found out that the last girl I "kissed" ended up joining the army. 9:24 PM May 30th

41. At the yardhouse for @justincgrubbs going away dinner. 6:46 PM Jun 3rd

42. I hate when people text me claiming to be my friend when they never talk to me except when they want something. 1:00 AM Jun 6th

43. At the 2-9 with angelika and bob. 7:57 PM Jun 6th

44. My prayers go out to the victims of the holocaust museum shooting 2:22 PM Jun 10th

45. What I wish I could say to her- "You're amazing, you're perfect & I would willingly give you my heart but unfortunately you already have it" 10:26 PM Jun 10th

46. I hated (absolutely hated) "she's just not that into you" 12:04 AM Jun 16th

47. Success doe not equal freedom. But failure equals tyranny #iranelection #iran #tcot 1:17 PM Jun 20th

48. From TMZ: Michael Jackson has died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, RIP 2:53 PM Jun 25th

49. Love is an inappropriate response to negative stimulus 8:53 PM Jun 30th

50. Sarah Palin announces she's resigning down as Alaska Governor. #tcot 1:12 PM Jul 3rd

51. Tricked into lunch, and my Heart for Jesus has been reinvigorated. Also reaffirmed that a BLT has no turkey :) 11:46 AM Jul 16th

52. I got an annymous mention in #jakeandlindsay wedding slideshow as the "other fraternity guy". So sad I wasn't memorable 9:35 PM Jul 23rd

53. People think I'm wasteful for throwing away my socks. Well my country is thrwoing away perfectly usuable cars. 3:53 PM Aug 3rd

54. I had a dream that I found a new girlfriend who was amazing and made me want to be a better person. Now I just have to find her. 5:25 PM Aug 8th

55. I'm at a party with a bottle cap bowl. How classy 4:54 PM Aug 22nd

56. Edward kennedy is dead. May God bless his family and friends 10:45 PM Aug 25th

57. Found a Piper book in the quint. Sticking around to read 6:44 PM Aug 31st

58. AMEN RT @joyfulrhythm: God is in sovereign control over all things according to His wise, gracious, Christ-glorifying plan. 11:11 PM Aug 31st

59. Watching a Mark Driscoll podcast on friendship, was just praying about this yesterday. Amazing God! #RFML 3:03 PM Sep 2nd

60. Ponce just told me to "shut the F* up". Good work AGO 5:46 PM Sep 6th

61. If you get beyond the liberal undertones, GLEE is amazing! 10:00 PM Sep 9th

62. Never Forget... http://bit.ly/gfn14 8:57 PM Sep 11th

63. We're Trojans- it's what we do 9:23 PM Sep 12th

64. "True freedom is slavery to Christ" -Tim Chaddick #RFML 4:42 PM Sep 15th

65. Win, we praise Him. Lose, we praise Him 3:49 PM Sep 19th

66. The left wing light show nearly killed me. Thanks #DTLA 12:01 AM Sep 20th

67. Meeting someone for the first time you've only tweeted with is so much fun because small talk isn't neccessary. Thanks @ReporterHaley 1:04 AM Sep 24th

68. Just got hit on by a hot republican cougar. 4:57 PM Sep 25th

69. Anaheim Angels paying tribute to adenhartj who was killed by a drunk driver, by pouring beer on his jersey. Outrageous! 6:25 PM Sep 29th

70. Going to the house of pies with 2 ADX pledges, switchleap and his roomate. 12:02 AM Oct 4th

71. You can't beileve how difficult it is to get a box of jellybeans through airport security. 12:49 PM Oct 4th

72. RT @PeteCarroll: This is stafon...thank you all 4 the prayers and love I truly feel it... We ride 2gether we die 2gther umma TROJAN 4 LIFE 2:36 PM Oct 4th

73. I had a good time tonight. I learned that I was an introvert and I'm okay with that 11:07 PM Oct 8th

74. Going to vegas.... Don't know why 3:16 PM Oct 11th

75. I agree completely! RT @hiphoponpop: I would be *lucky* to have a woman as committed and loving as Terri Schuester. <3 her. #Glee 10:59 PM Oct 14th

76. I enjoy it when people re-friend me on facebook after un-friending me. It actually made my day 1:29 AM Oct 19th

77. RT @marinalynn: How come in college simply dating is practically unhear of?! College boys are so timid. Ask girls on dates!! We like it!! 10:12 PM Oct 21st

78. Chase Edler: in life I barely knew you. In death, you changed my life. Happy Birthday... 11:45 PM Oct 21st

79. At the Hat, saying goodbye to Don 7:11 PM Oct 22nd

80. I will never go to Lucky Boy’s ever again http://bit.ly/4DDpLk 5:22 AM Oct 25th

81. PLEASE PRAY FOR JENNY YANG http://bit.ly/1AbOCS 12:18 PM Oct 30th

82. For halloween I'm going to be myself; because its the biggest mask I ever wear 7:59 PM Oct 31st

83. Sometimes a single message can start the week off right :) 12:19 AM Nov 2nd

84. RT @mindyfinn: Prayers for #fthood victims' families. Tragic. It's one of those events we won't forget soon. House calls moment of silence. 5:43 PM Nov 5th

85. A celebration of the fall of the Berlin wall without a single mention of Reagan but chants of "Yes we can." Seriously people! 1:29 AM Nov 9th

86. Thought I'd be sweet and get someone ice cream but ended up just buying two couples some. Atleast they're happy.... 12:08 AM Nov 15th

87. No Believe... In Holiday Magic tonight. More time to spend with friends on my last night in D-Land. 9:46 PM Nov 15th

88. Congratulations barejumper, buddy, knack, sixty, porky, ltd and planeteer. New AGO E-Board 7:15 PM Nov 16th

89. Congratulations Tim Callahan and Bonnie Hui. 12:24 PM Nov 28th

90. Cooked for a couple hundred people, made food float on an indoor river, got caught checking out a girl; now am officially exhausted 1:04 AM Dec 7th

91. I know I should punt but I just keep taking delay of game penalties 10:33 PM Dec 8th

92. Enjoyed President Obama's nobel peace prize speech. There is evil in the world, and jihadists are a disservice to faith. #tcot 5:22 AM Dec 10th

93. What the difference between tiger woods and santa clause? Santa clause stops at 3 ho's. LOL 10:34 PM Dec 11th

94. A woman called me stupid for liking Sarah Palin and that she exploits her downsyndrom baby. its sad to see Palinphobia in real life #tcot 11:11 PM Dec 11th

95. Just finished writing a letter that took a month and a half to write. 1:01 AM Dec 21st

96. Sitting on the phone with Toys 'r Us on hold for an hour and a half is like being at the dentist without the cute nurse to look at. #itslove 5:36 PM Dec 21st

97. Rudy Giuliani won't run for office in 2010. I would have followed him anywhere #tcot 8:34 AM Dec 22nd

98. Why is it when someone needs something broken into they call me? 3:28 PM Dec 23rd

99. I saw Michael Buble on Glenn Beck the other day so I bought his CD and haven't stopped listening to it ever since. 11:05 AM Dec 24th

100. #USC 24 BC 13. Its cold and my phone is about to die. 8:28 PM Dec 26th

The Gift of Generosity, the Perfect Christmas Present and Michael Buble.

Today is Christmas Eve. And the reality is that I haven’t bought a lot of gifts for people. But I bought one gift for someone that is incredibly thoughtful; and I realize just how in trouble it is going to get me into when I give it to them.

A few months ago I was sitting around a campfire with some people and like most such situations of similar vein; we were talking about our feelings and lives.

And someone said to me that I had the spiritual gift of giving. I buy people lunch or dinner all the time, if I know someone will like something I’ll get them a present, and I help out when I don’t need to. And I don’t mean to say these things so that I should boast. In fact, my generosity has generally gotten me more in trouble than it’s worth.

I often give to my own detriment; financially, in terms of time and even socially. The same person who said that my spiritual gift was giving also said that sometimes my generosity is mistaken for some ill-willed purpose.

Let me give you an example.

A few months ago I wanted to hang out with a particular someone. They told me they couldn’t go because they had to study. I realize a more cynical person could have believed it was their way of blowing me off but I assumed they were genuine. I felt bad they couldn’t hang out so I bought them their favorite pie from my favorite pie place. Now I didn’t mean anything by it. I just wanted to be friends and thought it would be a nice gesture. But after I gave this gift I really never heard from them again. We’ve never hung out, we’ve never really talked. I don't know why, I don't think about it. I just accept it. I’m just glad they enjoyed the pie. And that was enough for me.

Another example of this happened recently (or might happen soon).

I was shopping with my sister on Monday. She was looking for an Easy Bake Oven for her God-daughter. I was just walking up and down the aisles looking for nothing in particular for anyone in particular.

An advertisement taped to one of the shelves in the store caught my eye. Initially I don’t know why. It was a simple white piece of paper that just the word SALE on the top with a generic description of the item.

Out of almost pure curiosity, I searched the shelf for the mysterious sale item but I couldn’t find it. It was the week of Christmas and the store looked like a stampede of three-legged bulls had run through the aisles. (Four legged bulls would have done a better job at not knocking stuff off)

Being a member of 24/7 connected grid, I searched for the item on my blackberry via the item number on the advertisement. Remember I had no idea what it actually looked like.

And when I saw the picture on my phone, I was instantly floored by what I realize I was looking for. It was the perfect Christmas Gift. And I knew I had to get it.

I don’t want to explain what it was or who it is for (because I don’t want to give away the surprise, especially if this gift is for you) but you just have to realize for the point of this story that is incredibly thoughtful and they would love it tremendously and I knew that. It was one of those gifts that couldn’t be more perfect.

Maybe it was fate that I find this gift for this person and had the means and compulsion to give it to them.

But I had two problems.

My first problem was that I knew that this could end my relationship with this person. I know that sounds weird but I’m used to it.

I like this person – a lot. And I’ve made no secret in terms of my effort in trying to hang out with this person more. I’ve had a great time every time we’ve hung out and I’ve been very intentional and not vague about this. Unfortunately she (first gender specific pronoun I’ve used in this but I think it should be obvious at this point) hasn’t reciprocated the way I would like. She hasn’t blown me off or anything. But I like her enough to believe every excuse she gives me. But I’m legitimately trying.

I realize that the gift isn’t something you would give to just a friend. And if/when I give it to her, would she see too much into it because the reality is if I didn’t like her, I still would probably get it for her. And there is no way for me to prove that to you. But that’s just who I am.

And if she does perceive too much of it, she may get freaked out by me and not want to see me anymore. But she would still love the gift; there is no doubt about it. Basically my dilemma is whether her moment of joy is worth the risk never having another moment with her.

But before I got to that point, I had another problem.

I realized that the store that I was at didn’t have any. I went up to the customer service counter and asked if they had any in the back. They said no.

I checked the website of the store and it said it was out of stock online. I called the store’s national customer service hotline and asked about it. They said it was a discontinued item and whatever is left at stores is all that there are. And because it was discontinued, they don’t track their availability so to find it I’d have to call individual stores.

Not so bad I thought.

Several hours on the phone later (mostly on hold), a few hours driving and a couple days later there was literally not one of the items I was looking for in any one of 100 stores in a 100 mile radius.

But I wasn’t deterred.

I expanded my search and found one 400 miles away.


THANKS BE THE LORD!!!

I knew of one person who was willing and able to go to a particular store and buy it for me. I gave them a call and they did what I asked without question (except for the obvious “who is this for” which I didn’t get into). They bought it for me so now after my vigilant search I have one sitting at an apartment a couple hundred miles away.

I’ll have to wait a couple days to pick it up and give it to her, but that’s okay, she’s not around anyway (travelling for the holidays).

So while my second problem has been solved (By God’s plentiful grace) my first still exists.

Should I give this gift at all?

On one hand I could give it to her and she would love it, understand that I was doing something nice for her and everything will be okay. On the other hand I could give it to her and she would love it, but think she is leading me on or think we are moving too fast and she’d break all ties with me.

Or I could not give it and continue to move slowly and everything will be okay. Or I could not give it, and she already thinks she’s leading me on or thinks we are moving too fast and she’d break all ties with me.

It’s like I’m back in my political foreign relations class discussing game theory.

Going back and forth on the issue, I was watching Fox News and Glenn Beck had an hour long interview with Michael Buble. Intriguing as I found it, I had never been a fan of Michael Buble, but after the interview I checkout some of his music. I bought his CD and haven’t put it down yet.

He’s newest single “Haven't Met You Yet.” The opening verse is as following:

I'm not surprised.
Not everything lasts.
I've broken my heart so many times I stopped keeping track.
Talk myself in.
I talk myself out.
I get all worked up, then I let myself down.

I tried so very hard not to lose it.
I came up with a million excuses.
I thought I thought of every possibility.

And I know someday that it'll all turn out.
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out.
And promise you, kid, that I'll give so much more than I get.
I just haven't met you yet.

It basically sounds like my life right now.

I’m never surprised. Nothing lasts. My heart has been broken. I talk myself into way too much, trying to convince me of something. I think too much and then get disappointed. I try not to lose it, I clearly have excuses everywhere, and my game theory is basically every possibility. My faith encourages me to believe that it will all work out.

But the line that really spoke to me was giving more than I get. It’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about all day and night. The exception of course is maybe I have met her. Who knows…?

I’m going to give her the gift and let the chips fall where they may.

Wish me luck (or talk me out of it)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

6 Reasons Jesus is Not Homeless or Poor

I was talking to my roommate the other day and in the progression of our discussion, which are always interesting, he mentioned an interesting belief – that Jesus Christ was homeless and/or poor.

It was an idea propagated and forwarded to him by his pastor; Erwin McManus, of Mosiac "church." I quickly rejected his supposition regarding our mutual Lord and Savior. It became the topic of discussion for the several days following.

Now I want to outline my top 6 argument for why Jesus was not homeless or poor but first a few caveats regarding this issue.

First, I realize that the arguments for a wealthy Jesus are often used in the Health, Wealth and Prosperity Gospel. I do not subscribe to the health, wealth and prosperity gospel; technically. I believe that God grants us health, wealth and prosperity but only relative to the fact that we deserve nothing as sinful depraved humans. I do not believe God wants all of us to have Ferrari's.

Second, I do not believe Jesus was "wealthy." The point of this discussion is to refute that he was poor. Basically I'm coming at this from the hypothesis that Jesus was a middle class individual in the least.

Third, the question is going to arise why this matters. Well it matters because Christian folk lore has often been confused with the true gospel. Especially during the Christmas season its important to have a true vision of who Jesus was and what exactly he did in his life. There was no drummer boy at the birth of Jesus. Does this change the fundamentals of the gospel? Absolutely not. But just as it is wrong to say Jesus was a blue-eyed white guy, its equally wrong to say that Jesus was an impoverished homeless guy.

Well back to my main points regarding Jesus not being homeless or poor; here are my 6 main points. The first three are refutes of common arguments made that Jesus was homeless or poor. The later three are evidence that he was neither homeless nor poor.

1. It is often said to be of clear evidence that Jesus was poor by the fact that He was born in a manger. Well that only supposes to prove that Jesus was born poor. It says nothing to how he lived the rest of his life. Bill Gates may have been born into poverty but you cannot conclude that he is now poor as a result. But lets examine the bible more closely. It says in Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

It does not say that Mary gave birth in a manger because she couldn't afford to stay at the inn. It says there was "no room for them" suggesting they had the money for an inn. The inn was just full. The truly poor wouldn't even try to stay at the inn.

2. Eight days later after Jesus' birth, Mary brings Jesus to the temple to be circumcised. She must give an offering according to the law. People who use the poor Jesus narrative say that the fact that she uses "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" according to Luke 2:23-24 as evidence of their poverty. Its an offering to those who cannot afford a lamb. But just like the point above, its simply proves that they were poor at the time - not for the rest of Jesus' life. And evidence suggests that Mary and Joseph did not remain poor. Matthew 2:11 is clear that Jesus receives gifts from wise men including gold. Now unlike the traditional Christmas narrative, this did not happen at the time of His birth but rather a couple years later. Do you suppose that the wise men gave Jesus gifts the way you give a homeless man a quarter? That may be one of the problems with the homeless Jesus narrative. The wise men considered Jesus to rightly be the King of the World, and I believe they treated him as such. They gave exorbitantly to Jesus and his family and Jesus and his family most likely lived off this gift and probably funded Jesus' ministry.

3. The evidence that Jesus was homeless comes from Matthew 8:20

And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

I think this verse is taken out of context by those who believe it suggests that Jesus has no home. The verse before it says:

And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.

The context of Jesus' statement is an allusion to his future death. The scribe is asking to follow Jesus and Jesus is responding by telling him that where Jesus is going, no man can follow nor should they follow. It is not a reference to having no where to sleep. In fact Jesus has used this type of figurative speech before. In John 11:11 Jesus refers to death as sleep once again.

After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."

4. In fact, I believe the bible makes it quite clear that Jesus has a home. In Mark 2 in the English Standard Version, it makes two references to Jesus' home.

Mark 2:1

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home

Mark 2:15

And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

Now part of the problem with this argument is translation. In the NKJ, the first verse suggests that it was someone else's house. In the NIV, the second verse says that it was Levi's house. I've become a bigger and bigger fan of the ESV and generally turn toward it for my readings (though I own no ESV bible, only an NIV and NKJ). For further study of the Greek you can check out this website and look at it yourself. But I believe that a proper translation says that it was Jesus' home.

5. Now lets examine Jesus' ministry as evidence of Jesus' wealth. In John 12:4-6 it says:

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

How many poor people had treasurers? Basically Jesus had an entourage (which included doctors, tax-collectors and successful fisherman) and enough money that someone else was in-charge of it. But I believe the verse actually speaks more about Jesus' wealth.

Many argue that the money that Judas carries is the ministries and not Jesus' personal wealth. That makes sense but not when you examine the verse closely and understand who Jesus is. Its very clear that Judas is stealing from the bag which he is in charge. What that says is that it isn't a small amount of money in the bag. If you're going to steal and remain unnoticed, there needs to be a significant amount of money in there. It also infers that Jesus knows Judas is stealing from the bag. I mean Jesus knows that Judas is going to betray Him. It's very likely that Jesus knows that Judas is stealing from Him. Yet Jesus does not confront Judas or stop him. If it is the ministries money, then it is a sin for Jesus to not prevent the theft. But Jesus is sinless, as the bible teaches. There is only one explanation that continues Jesus' righteousness in this situation - The money is Jesus' and Jesus' alone. Judas is stealing only from Jesus, Jesus knows and continues to forgive him (as he continues to forgive us) , therefore Jesus remains sinless in this transaction.

6. The most compelling argument for Jesus' humble background is that he is carpenter and the son of a carpenter. I don't believe either are true. Matthew 13:55 says in reference to Jesus

Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

Mark 6:3 says

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

First, Jesus never admits to this claim. The people "accuse" Jesus of being a carpenter. That doesn't make it so. Jesus is also accused of being "a glutton and a drunkard" in Matthew 11:19 and no one takes those accusations at face value.

Second, lets suppose the accusations are true. Is carpenter the right word? I think not.

The word used in the Greek is "tekton" which properly translated should not mean carpenter. In the least its more like an architect or artisan. The word does not suggest that Jesus is a blue-collar worker; rather, a white collar planner. he basically has a middle class job or better. Again, an example of the Christian narrative polluted with tradition rather than scripture.

In conclusion; Jesus was neither poor nor homeless. He may have been born into poverty but not abdject povery. He was given gold worthy of a king. He owns a house, keeps a treasurer with him and had a good job before starting his ministry.

Now I realize some of you may now think I'm a heretic so I'd love some points of view. But hopefully I've taught you something you've never heard before.

“Let's go get the shit kicked out of us by love.”

As I sit laying on a couch this cold, rainy, lonely Saturday night I’m once again watching “Love Actually” only being interrupted by the occasional sneer of judgment from Christian brothers; I realize that I’ve had too many nights like this one before.

And I ask myself the simple question: Why am I still single?

Why do I have no one to share moments like this with? Why do I not have anyone to laugh with, anyone to cry with, anyone to call or anyone look forward to seeing?

Relationships have been on the forefront of my mind recently. Not mine but others.

One friend told me how he told his girlfriend of 3 months that he loved her. (A little soon in my view)

Another friend told me that despite the fact that the person they “like” also likes them, that they can’t date because of perceived cosmic circumstances.

Finally another friend, whom I playful refer to as my nemesis, is now almost dating my true nemesis.

And then there is me.

The reason I truly enjoy watching Love Actually is because it’s such an idealized view of love. And while I’m not an idealist, I wish I could be in regards to love. I don’t think it’s boastful to call myself a hopeless romantic, but the reality is that I’m legitimately just hopeless. I still think true love exists out there. And I try to find it.

I go out a lot; at least I try to. I’ve never been shy about asking a young lady for a nice dinner or cup of frozen yogurt. But I’ve never found anything fulfilling that way.

I’ve started a fair number of relationships that way, even long term ones, but none that have worked out the way I would have wanted to.

I’ve spent too many nights standing in the rain with hot chocolate for someone I wanted to get to know better. I’ve remembered too many little facts to find that thoughtful gift I could get a special woman I find amazing. I’ve bought too many flowers that were never meant to be more than a friendly act designed to make a wonderful young lady smile.

I realize there are a lot of things about my dating philosophy that have lead to these circumstances.

I never date friends, usually just strangers I just met. Because my friends are my friends and I don’t believe I should think of them otherwise.

If I ever really like someone I never ask them out. Because then I feel that I might potentially lose something.

I’ve been told that I’m too generous and that generosity comes off badly, even as that dreaded “C” word – creepy.

I also have a lot of relationship baggage. I can’t remember my first kiss, and the last one nearly got me killed. I’ve been married and engaged – in that order.

What I have to learn is that my relationship status must conform to my belief in an all powerful, sovereign God.

Just as Romans 9 discusses that some are created to show God’s wrath, so too must I recognize that some are created to not find that earthly love. And maybe the quicker I realize that, the quicker I will realize that God’s grace and love are sufficient, not the company and love of a woman. But it is the heart that God rejuvenates within us that allows us to do the amazing things our depraved flesh is incapable of doing – namely love.

But that’s not going to stop me from continuing to seek both because they are one in the same – God and Love.

I think I’m capable of love. I didn’t always. Now I just have to test that theory.

I can’t settle. I need to take chances - both in love and faith. To quote the movie, “Let's go get the shit kicked out of us by love.”

Social Media (like Mocktails) is not private

Last night l helped put on a cocktail party (mocktails as they refer to it because of the lack of alcohol) for my fraternity. I was really stressed out by it, ate very little and slept even less for the few days preceding and during the party.

My personal investment into the project was my vision of having all the food floating on an indoor river. After a few naysayers (with a healthy does of skepticism) we successfully built and operated our gimmick to the party.

It was great success.

Though I would have enjoyed the vast array of people there to talk to, I found my joy somewhere else - the kitchen. I worked the entire party, cooking and preparing food. Its how I have fun.

Even after the event, I texted a few people my regrets about how I couldn't talk to them.

I didn't do it for the glory and in fact felt uncomfortable when guys and girls thanked me.

But one mention really made my day.

I woke up this morning with a google alert on my blackberry of someones blog mentioning mocktails and how much they liked our river of food which they referred to as "the best part."

I'm glad she had a good time.

I preceded to tweet the blog post and shared it to everyone in the fraternity via email thread.

That is the basis of all social media and its true power; the ability to create original content and also share that content with people very quickly and effectively.

Now the person who wrote the blog is someone I only know in passing. I don't even remember seeing her there at the party. And I could tell she was what I call a passive aggressive blogger - someone who blogs often but make no effort to publicize their writing. I had no idea it would upset her that I found it.

I recently found out that she didn't want anyone reading her blog.

Really? Then why create a blog?

Her reasons are her own and I can respect that but I hope this can be a message of the perils of social media and an outright misunderstanding of what privacy in a digital age really means.

Blogging is one of the first and foremost forms of social media and is not designed for private correspondence. Within hours of me publicizing her blog, she restricted access to it (which is what she should have done in the first place).

My philosophy is that social media is not private. True private acts shouldn't go up on social media at all. Its like reading a book on a street corner and getting upset when people notice the title of the book and ask you how you like it. I realize for some, that would be an invasion of their privacy.

It's clearly not.

Or, more aptly, if you had come to mocktails and someone complimented you on your shoes. Could you legitimately turn to them and claim that your shoes are private and politely ask them to stop looking at them?

Of course not!

The lesson is that you can't expect to post something on the internet and expect it to be private. Quite the opposite in fact.

I would always say if you wanted to know me, read my blog and you'll get the best insights into who I am and how I think. If I didn't want you to know that, I wouldn't have posted it.

When I found her blog, I found the posts fascinating and read a good number of them going back several months. I was quite impressed that she was blogging frequently and regularly. But now I'm really sad if I've upset her by discovering this little window into her life and sharing it with others.

I guess now that window is shut.
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