Kids in the Hall

"Have you finished your paper yet?"
"No, but I'm praying."

Maybe if you had done more writing and less praying you would have finished your paper by now. Just a thought.

Sermon of the Week

"Jesus is the Answer."

O.K....what's the question? I guess you have to go to find out. No thanks. I'll pass. I like it when some things remain a mystery.

Pointed Rant

Second Class Citizens:

I registered for fall classes last week. I managed to get a couple of my first choices, but then had to settle for a couple of my second choices. It would be nice if the MTS students who only have two more semesters could have priority registration, but no. The earliest times are reserved for the MDiv students who's program is three years, not two as ours is. And judging by what I've witnessed so far, they could use the extra year...or four.

This is not just me. Apparently this is a perennial gripe of MTS students here. And lately there has been a rumor swirling about that they are considering discontinuing the MTS program altogether. Well, sometimes it seems like they are doing everything they can to inconvenience, irritate, and drive us away. We are the minority by a wide margin. But still...we pay the same tuition and we are here because we want to be here, which is more than I can say for many of the MDiv students who seem to resent having to be here and endure all the unorthodox hoopla in order to become Methodist ministers. Well, if it's just so damned awful, find another denomination. There are plenty of churches around where the pastor hasn't even graduated from high school.

WOW...I've been gone a long time. It's not that nothing has happened; actually a lot has happened, and I haven't had the time (or energy) to come here and vent. Well, loyal and patient readers, the time has come to vent. Close your doors, sit down and clear your schedules. Quoting Bette Davis, "fasten your seat belts, it's gonna be a bumpy night"...

A couple of weeks ago we watched a film on Islam. Yes...this is yet another story about my favorite whipping girl and boy, Jane and John Godley. They sat behind me, as they usually do. So I was subjected to every sigh, grunt, and expression of disapproval. They resented having to watch the film, and made no effort to conceal that fact. Most of the griping came during the segment on the spread of Islam and its conquest. Yes, the sword point conversions that are an unfortunate part of Islam's past. They seemed to be particularly revolted by this. I have only one thing to say regarding such misplaced self-righteousness: Remember the bloody history of your own church. Before casting aspersions on others, look to your own house. And stop kicking my chair.

Footnote:
If I had a dime for every time I've said this, I'd be writing this blog from my Tuscan villa: "Muslim Terrorist" is an oxymoron. Terrorists are not Muslims and Muslims are not terrorists. It doesn't matter how many times they say they do this in the name of God. It doesn't make it true, and God would never own their actions. I simply cannot tolerate the continued use of the term "Muslim Terrorist" by the sensation-seeking media and the fear-mongering politicians. It is racist, bigoted, and patently false. Food for thought: when was the last time you heard an IRA bomber referred to as a Catholic terrorist?