Wait, who's the main character?

Who would have thought--turns out Garfield is a lot more funny without Garfield.

Credo

Creeds are fantastic. They are a simple, concise way of summing up what you believe, and of drawing lines between orthodoxy and heterodoxy. In the PCA church I am in now, the pastor asks us every week, "Church, what do you believe?" and we recite the Nicene Creed. The Catholic Mass also usually includes a recitation of the Nicene Creed. When they do it, they bow during the line "and was made incarnate by the Holy Spirit..." I'm not sure I fully understand the significance of the action, but it catches me off guard every time. Hopefully I will know more about the Nicene Creed in the next few days, since it is on the syllabus for our next Patristics class. The Nicene Creed is as follows:

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed is also quite common. I have read that it is known as the "Reformed Creed," but it predates the Reformers by several centuries. In my church we usually recite it before a baptism. It is as follows:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

And then there are other, more recently designed creeds. While I was at BJU, we recited such a creed daily in chapel. It mirrors in substance the Apostles' Creed, but with an added paragraph affirming the inspiration of Scripture:

I believe in the inspiration of the Bible (both the Old and the New Testaments); the creation of man by the direct act of God; the incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; His identification as the Son of God; His vicarious atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood on the cross; the resurrection of His body from the tomb; His power to save men from sin; the new birth through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit; and the gift of eternal life by the grace of God.

I suppose it is easier for students to memorize than either of the ancient creeds, and it probably says what it needs to. I'm not sure about the Apostles' Creed, but the Nicene Creed was designed somewhat in reaction to non-trinitarians. If BJU's creed is a "reaction" against anything, I imagine it would be to neglect and liberal interpretation of Scripture in contemporary Christianity.

Puck's belly in the spotlight

Lookitmykittyistotallyoncuteoverloadtoday! Awww, Puckster, you're famous!

A Theme Forgotten?

I watched Casablanca for the first time last night. I thought I'd hate it--too close to home or something. But I didn't. It's beautiful and true. And the end is perfect. You just know that Bogart is right--she would regret any other course, so famously soon and for the rest of her life.

I think it runs on the same theme as "Samson" by Regina Spektor (infra--or is it supra, since it went before even though technically it is below? I don't know.): There's a bigger picture here than What You Want, and what you choose matters in more than your personal little love story.

I was trying to think of more contemporary films that laud this theme, wondering if it was a lost or buried concept. Oddly, the only one that comes immediately to mind is Knocked Up.

The New Conservatives?

Slate is running a witty and interesting note on why Catholics may go for Obama. I think it's remarkable for its wit more than its insight--I don't find a Catholic voting for Obama to be all that shocking. The Vatican cares about abortion, yes, but about many many other issues as well. One thing I really respect about the church is how seriously it takes the call to care for our fellow man.

Couple random thoughts:

• I don't know if I'll ever stop being exasperated at all the demographic lumping that goes on in horse race politics: "The Hispanics," "The Youth," "The Soccer Moms." Sure, some of the groups do tend to vote together, but many are quite diverse. Catholics, for example.
• This made me giggle: "So instead, some Catholics may be hoping for a Huckabee miracle. Southern Baptists and Catholics haven't always gotten along, but there is something just downright Knights of Columbus-friendly about the guy—squirrel-roasting aside. Huck's delegate math will need to cash in more than a few chits with St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, but hey, in theology, if you can make do with five loaves and fishes, what's the big deal about delegates?"

More realistic daydreaming

Actually, I'd probably end up with something more like this one. It's 360 sq. ft. and goes for $695/mo. Really, it's probably about all I need. I actually kind of like the living/dining/bedroom space all together, because it's more efficient. I'd rather have all the square footage in one place so I can fit more people for dinner parties. I have a loft bed anyway, so I can put a couch partway under it. Of course, at the size of this particular place, fitting both my dining table and a twin bed in the living space at the same time could be a squeeze. The long wall of the living room can't be more than 18 feet, even without the bookcases.

Daydreaming

Floorplan of a studio apartment just blocks from downtown Charlotte, NC. For hypothetical demonstration only. This particular one is 650 sq. ft. and rents for $955/mo. Ain't it cute?

Okay, back to work.

More changes

Is it true? Do redheads have more fun?

New beginnings

I lost my cell phone. It's probably not ever coming home. I bought a new one and kept the same number, but my SIM card is gone, so I don't have any numbers in my contacts book. As frustrating as this is, to be honest, it's almost a relief. There were numbers in the old phone that I don't need and frankly would rather not have, and this saves me the trouble and emotional tinge that comes with the finality of actually deleting them manually.

If you would like me to continue to have your number in my contacts book, give me a call or email it to me.

Compassionate Conservatism?

Wondermark by David Malki

Mind the puddles.

It is 7:30. See that yellowish stuff in the 50's? That's here right now. See that purple stuff in the 10's? That'll be us in a few hours. At the rate it all appears to be moving, that blue line of scrimmage looks like it will cross us within the next two hours. Here's to driving home at 10:30 after rehearsal!

Forecast for the Day After Tomorrow

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTHERN INDIANA HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ TUESDAY TO 10 AM EST /9 AM CST/ WEDNESDAY.

A STRONG WINTER STORM WAS DEVELOPING OVER THE CENTRAL PLAINS LATE MONDAY EVENING. AN ARCTIC COLD FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS STORM WILL RACE RAPIDLY EASTWARD INTO NORTHWEST INDIANA AND SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN BY TUESDAY EVENING. AHEAD OF THIS FRONT... RAIN SHOWERS AND EVEN SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TUESDAY AFTERNOON. AS THE FRONT SWEEPS ACROSS THE REGION...WINDS WILL RAPIDLY STRENGTHEN TO 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH. THEN TEMPERATURES WILL CRASH...QUICKLY CHANGING THE RAIN TO SNOW. ANY RESIDUAL PONDING OF WATER AND SLUSHY SNOW WILL FREEZE IN PLACE... CREATING TREACHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE STRONG WINDS COMBINED WITH A PERIOD OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL CAUSE OCCASIONAL WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES... PARTICULARLY FROM MID TUESDAY EVENING TO EARLY MORNING WEDNESDAY. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED ALONG AND NORTHWEST OF A LINE FROM LOGANSPORT TO WARSAW TO COLDWATER WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE.

Do you ever think the National Weather Service just gets bored and takes out its frustrated novelist tendencies on the national broadcast system?

Samson

by Regina Spektor. This song is beautiful, but I've been a little puzzled at what exactly it means. I think I'm finally starting to understand it. Or maybe I'm just starting to develop what it means to me.

When the Saints

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I cannot let it go

And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind
it often overwhelms me
but when I think of all who've gone before and lived the faithful life
their courage compells me
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharohs court
I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul

I see the young missionary and the angry spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear

I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the dying man's side

I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door

I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

--Sara Groves

Brilliant Idea of the Month

I graduate from law school in May. This means I will possess a juris doctor degree and all of the debt that goes with it. It does not mean I will be authorized to practice law. To practice law, I have to take (and pass) the bar exam in July. This situation, common to almost all law grads (exception to those who graduate and practice in Wisconsin—an odd arrangement to be sure), inspires most of us to devote the summer following graduation solely to study and preparation for the exam.

Common way to tackle this task:

• Enroll in BarBri course ($2200)*
• Food and incidentals for 8 weeks ($150 x 8 = $1200)
• Rent and utilities for 3 months ($550 x 3 = $1650)
• Take the bar exam ($1200)

Total cost: $6250
Pros: fairly fool-proof, structured way to get the information needed to pass the test.
Cons: boring as all-get-out, spend all summer in a sterile classroom under commercial fluorescent lighting. I don’t have that much money.

Consider an alternative:

• Buy bar study books ($200)
• Find 2 to 4 friends with similar study plans to come with me (provide safety, study companions, and split up carrying books)
• Plan short distances between shelters to maximize study time during daylight hours.
• Buy hiking supplies: subtotal $910
• Sleeping bag rated 0 degrees or lower ($200)
• Sleeping pad ($100)
• camp chair ($30)
• Hiking boots ($140)
• Backpack ($200)**
• Platypus ($30)
• Water filter ($50)
• Rain gear ($70)
• Appalachian Trail guide ($50)
• Pepper spray (for bear protection) ($40)
• Plan weekends (trips into town): subtotal: $1220
• 8 Saturday nights in a hotel (sharing rooms) ($35 x 8 = $320)
• 8 Saturday dinners out ($15 x 8 = $120)
• 8 loads of coin laundry ($2.50 x 8 = $20)
• 8 trips to the grocery store for restocking ($100 x 8 = $800)
• Local church Sunday morning (free)
• Taking the test: subtotal: $1750
• Rent/utilities for 1 month ($550)
• Take the bar exam ($1200)

Total cost: $4050
Pros: WAY more fun and memorable. You only get to do this once, and it may be your last chance to structure your own time for a long while. Also, you get to bite your thumb in Barbri’s general direction by refusing to participate in its unfair competition practices. And you save money.
Cons: More risky. Have to have friends who will enforce accountability for studying.

So, um… Anybody game?

*Figures are based on the cost of taking the North Carolina bar. Other states may vary.
**I already have a backpack that may be fine.

Evidence thoughts

From United States v. James, 169 F.3d 1210 (9th Cir. 1999) (Kleinfeld, dissenting):

The victim was a bad man. Some people would say, in private and out of court, that "he deserved it," or "he needed killing." But no one says such things in a courtroom, because the law does not permit murder, even of very bad people.

Are finals over yet?

Christmas in Africa

Too good not to post. Hat tip to Ryan.

Can't wait!

The trailer for Prince Caspian is out! Coming in May.

In case you forgot...

Chris Sligh is still good. I just wanted to remind you. He's working on a recording project and it looks like he's really exploring the more explicitly Christian music side. I really like the first song on the link's demo, Empty Me. Wow. I could listen to this all day.