Kingdom Props

Egypt + Facebook + Ignorant Radio

v02468 — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:28:11 +0000

On my way to work this morning the radio announcers were poking fun at a child being named ‘Facebook‘ in Egypt. One of the announcers made a comment similar to the following: “I can’t believe they would do that despite all the turmoil going on, it’s so stupid.”

I don’t know if they are not allowed to talk about anything political, or perhaps they are as ignorant as the statement sounds, but the reason these parents named their child ’Facebook’ is not despite the turmoil going on, it is because of the turmoil going on. Facebook and Twitter (among other social media sources) are what made the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt possible.

We should keep these events firm in our minds and close to our hearts as we pray and continue our daily routines. There are hundreds of millions of people involved, some in worse situations than others. Pray for peace, justice, and human liberties. Pray that the powers in charge submit to gentleness and mercy.

Egyptian Man Names His Daughter ‘Facebook’ (jsyk.com)
Egypt’s Facebook Use Skyrockets Following Internet’s Return (huffingtonpost.com)
Egyptian Man Names His First Child Myspace Facebook! (perezhilton.com)
To Celebrate The #Jan25 Revolution, Egyptian Names His Firstborn “Facebook” (techcrunch.com)
Mubarak Shut Down The Internet, And The Internet Paid Him In Kind (techcrunch.com)

The Rolling of Punxutawney Paul

v02468 — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:32:47 +0000

Although not as famous as Pennsylvania’s Punxutawney Phil, a little known Coptic church in Egypt had their own Punxutawney Paul this year. Typically announced on January 25, the Punxutawney Coptics drug out an ancient ossuary believed to contain the bones of the Apostle Paul. Instead of looking for his shadow, these bones tell what will happen depending on the direction they face. Due to energetic debates the rolling of Paul was forced to wait until February 4th this year.

“If the skull fragments look to be facing west, we know that winter will last until September”, Bishop Arveis explained. “Eastward means winter is over!”

They rolled the Ossuary and reporters noted that the skull fragments first balanced on edge, and then fell facing east. Much to the reporters chagrin, Prime Minister Mubarak immediately arrested all who were gathered and then send out a mass message via VodaPhone. He tweets, “We need a new perspective, and Paul faced west. In September winter will be over. Paul is OK with how things are right now.”

It seems however that Egyptians, much like those in Pennsylvania are through with winter. A bystander was noted as exclaiming, “September? We are so done with winter right now! Flowers WILL be in Tahrir square soon.”

Related Posts: Once thought extinct, Citizanai Libertinus is back and spreading like fire.

I’ve Always Wondered – Great Britain? England? United Kingdom? What do they mean?

v02468 — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:16:53 +0000

HT: John Fea

Dear Intestines

v02468 — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:28:06 +0000

Intro- Crohn’s disease is considered an immune disorder where the body attacks along your gastro-intestinal track. This can be anywhere from the bottom end to the throat, although typically occurring where the small intestine dumps into the large intestine. Unlike ulcerative colitis (another inflammatory bowel disease), Crohn’s will stay with you your entire life whether you cut it out or not. Most Crohn’s patients will have surgery at least once in their life, and many of them have multiple surgeries.

Mine is diagnosed moderate to severe and I gobble up Remicade (infliximab) every 7 weeks at the hospital infusion ward, and take large quantities of other drugs in pill form. I’ve had multiple fistulas and fissures and dropped 70 pounds at one point to a low of 135 (190 is good for me).

Dear Intestines- Replacing my personal musings category is a new section called “Dear Intestines”. I always feel pain from them; they force me to adjust my diet often; they increase my fatigue; and they rebel vigorously if I exercise my core muscles. As they are so intimate, it felt only natural to begin changing my personal musings to be about my intestines. If you also have Crohn’s disease and relate or want to say hello please do. Drop me an email or a message on here and I’ll definitely get back to you.

Dear Intestines,

I wanted to let you know that I swam laps on Sunday. I could hear you gurgling that evening, but I want you to know that I’m better than you. Yes yes, I will rest you if you get louder, but I am pleased that swimming definitely is an on-the-table option for exercise. I should also let you know how difficult the swimming was. I probably haven’t swam laps in 10 good years, and my body knew it. I got out 30 laps, but that was with rests between every 2 or 4 laps. Next time I’ll be more successful, just you wait.

Gratefully yours,

Andrew Vogel

School Part 72:

v02468 — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:27:09 +0000

In the Winter of 2004 I graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies. My intent was to continue learning and I began classes that spring in their M.Div program. The year prior to this I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and following the spring semester my condition worsened. I ended up dropping in weight from 200 to 135 (180 is a good weight for me) and losing my job.

From then until now school has been a difficult task. Financially it wasn’t a difficult choice, and my Crohn’s had a nice habit of tripping me when it seemed like I was starting to make progress. I do appreciate the years it took as they gave me much time to read on my own and consider the foundations of my faith. My positions have shifted some and my understanding of hermeneutics has advanced. While I don’t feel like I have many answers, I feel that I am better equipped to approach the text of Scripture with my own consistency and voice.

This spring I begin taking Pauline Theology at PBU. Conveniently, I am their Database Administrator and onsite everyday. My health has remained stable for a few years – enough so that I now trail run and completed my second 15k race this past Sunday. I have a wonderful wife who supports me in furthering my education.

I do enter still with some trepidation. I have wanted to continue my education for the past 7 years but have had more failures than successes. Now with my health squared away and a supportive spouse, perhaps God is allowing me to move forward. What happens though if I have pushed for all those years for a degree that I am mentally or socially inadequate for? Is it a pipe dream to want to study the ANE and context of Scripture – to answer questions of how to read Scripture and why Scripture makes a difference? Is it a career dead end that will handicap my family?

I don’t know, but I still want to try and as long as my wife is with me I’ll be moving forward. At times the work load seems simple; other times it seems insurmountable. I hope to honor the abilities I have been given and use them to be an effective vessel for God. Here we go!

Lyrics – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

v02468 — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 03:30:04 +0000

I enjoy pulling up alternate translations of hymns. Seeing the word choices often revitalizes the images and makes them more real. ”A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is one of my favorite hymns – enjoy!

A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now overtaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight; on Earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabbath Lord, and there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.

Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.

The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.

Do you have a favorite hymn? Do you know of any other hymn translations that you’ve found interesting?

Geoglyphs Found in Brazil

v02468 — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 05:05:50 +0000

Do you remember Nazca lines? They are famous, mysterious shapes scraped into the ground so large that they can only be seen from the air. These lines in Peru, were apparently created during the 5th-7th century A.D. While we don’t know their purpose, speculations suggest that perhaps the Nazca people created them to speak with the gods.

Recently, there have been geoglyphs also found by Amazon road workers in Brazil. Their purpose again is unknown, but their existence (I think) is pretty cool. Treehugger has the full story: http://goo.gl/uT3G

I suppose on similar lines, I should mention that tunnels have also been found under some of the Mayan pyramids. These mesoamerican people really rock my face off. http://goo.gl/FGPx The tunnels were apparently found after a major rainstorm causing some ground to sink. Excavations later uncovered the tunnel, which is believed to have been sealed soon after the pyramid was built (perhaps slightly before). It is unknown as to what the purpose of the tunnel is still, although we can speculate based on other pyramid tunnels around the world.

With This Ring, You Are Made Holy To Me

v02468 — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:30:56 +0000

If all went well, I married the spectacular Laura Aschenbeck yesterday and am now on a flight to Miami where we will board a Western Caribbean cruise. Neither of us have been on a cruise before, and while we were planning the honeymoon we decided an all-inclusive trip (which really doesn’t end up being that much more expensive). This makes for a great experience to start our new lives together. I also managed to sneak in a childhood dream of seeing Mayan ruins, but that’s OK – the Mayans are awesome.

Also, most amazingly, Laura suggested we bring books to read on the cruise. One book in particular we will be reading together and I am quite excited about. The book is called, “Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible” by Ellen F. Davis. As Laura completes a masters in Public Horticulture this spring, this gives both of us an opportunity to reflect on some of the more agriculture themes in Scripture. So exciting!

Hot Protato, Cold Protato

v02468 — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 05:10:32 +0000

I go up and down on the benefits/risks of genetically modified food. One such option is a new “protato” that researchers in India cooked up (literally AND metaphorically). From the Arstechnica article:

Researchers in India have made transgenic potatoes that contain more protein, are nonallergenic and nontoxic, and grow in different regions and climates. Just like regular potatoes, they taste better fried than boiled. (Seriously, they tested that.) They are called “protatoes,” for potatoes plus protein. Catchy, right?

…

These protatoes are more nutritious than wild-type potatoes, they grow better in a variety of conditions, and they deliver an increased yield, yet they look and taste the same. The developers hope that they “may prove to be more acceptable to the general public than currently used genetically modified crops because AmA1 is an edible crop-derived sequence.” Acceptable or not, they should be a boon to the protein deficient multitudes who need them.

So what? Would you eat mutated potatoes?

Monday is a Dancer.

v02468 — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 05:15:12 +0000

I must. Happy Monday everyone!

If you are asking “WHY?” let me say this: At my last job, to raise spirits and have some fun I instituted Hawaiian shirt Friday, Back-in Friday, and 80′s Music Friday. The song above is a classic, and I hope you also enjoy it this Monday. If interested, my station is on Pandora and while it has songs out of the 80′s time period, the flavor is consistent.