The Blog Effect

As many of my readers know, I had intended this blog to only last for a certain period of time. I never intended this little blog to last as long as it has. I never thought that people would link to my blog. I never thought it would be read in other countries. These things have all amazed me.

Most importantly, I never thought that I would have any effect on other people's lives. I think of this blog the same way I think of eating dinner, get home, eat dinner and write the post for the night. It has changed my life too. I was stunned when the one and only Zuma Dogg sent me a comment and linked to me. I was thrilled when a professional writer became a follower. I cannot begin to say the complexity of emotions I have over the response to my words on Pastor Carol Daniels. How could I begin to have known that would happen in 2008 when I started this blog?

When I am writing, I sort of forget that some of my readers know me personally. When I am writing, I am so focused on what I am talking about that I forget people know me and that this is my blog. A while back I discovered that a friend was concerned over my not dating because they had read about it on my blog. When I am writing, I forget that some people see my face and me in my writing, I have to or my writing would be less truthful, I would hold back more and that would cheat my words meaning.

I was reminded of the effect this blog has on my personal life over the past couple of days. One person told me that I had to keep writing, that the things I bring up need to be brought up. That was my lead pastor. Just because he is out of the hospital doesn't stop him from being an evil task master. Another stopped me and wanted to discuss something I had written and offer me some personal advice. Isn't that wonderful?

I don't cuss on my blog and I don't allow profanity in comments. I read the news everyday and think about what I am going to post. I follow the proper etiquette for quoting other sources and I provide links to the best sources I can find. I attribute where I get my information from so that the reader can check for themselves and so that the originator of the story is given proper credit.

This is not the work of a professional writer, this is not subject specific, this is neither meant to be controversial or noncontroversial, it is meant to be truthful. I do not claim to be the source of all knowledge, more often than not, I am raising questions, you supply your own answers. I don't worry about how it looks, I don't worry about grammar, I worry about content and type it as fast as I think it. This is flow of consciousness at it's ugliest.

For me, the act of writing is sublime and transformative at the same time. Writing requires that we think a little more, the act of codifying a thought conveys that message. If we see something in writing we know someone had a pause between the thought and the act, that it was contemplative. You don't see that with Twitter, no thought behind what is said, that is why it only allows so many letters in a post, so you don't have time to think.

We have stopped teaching cursive handwriting in school and eventually we will stop requiring people to even write then we will end the need for typing, everything will go video. If you knew what was allowed in schools you would understand. We are raising a generation that has no patience and is no longer taught how things work. If the technology goes down, their lives are drastically impacted. The website "Twitter" was having problems and people were freaking out, they felt cut off from their friends, they felt alone.

Writing this blog has been powerful to me on a personal level and I never thought it would be. It effects me because I discovered it effected others. The written word is one of God's greatest gifts to us, it is the power of expression that can last from generation to generation.

I think about our lead pastor tonight, I doubt he would have known about certain things if it were not for the fact that I have written about them here on my little blog. When we write, we should write, we should be truthful, we should express our thought and beliefs in a manner that we think will allow others to understand where we are coming from. We don't have to be right, we have to be honest for that is when writing attains it's worth.

The conundrum of life is which is more important, truth or love? If they can diverge, which should win? Unknowing love or unloving knowledge? Both must exist for their to be lives of worth. There can be no joy in life if either or both is absent. Where does writing fit in with any of this? Writing must be an expression that includes both.

To the people who know me and those who do not know me in person. Thanks for sticking around, I wish you all well.

Open to Dating - I Think

I spoke to someone today who said that they thought I should date again and they even asked me why I was not. I told the truth, relationships are a lot of work. My youngest spoke to me about it also, she told me she thought I should just date a bunch of women and not be in a relationship.

It has been 5 years since my ex-wife asked for the divorce. I dated a handful of women, enjoyed each date and met some wonderful people. I never had a complaint. I enjoyed the conversations with people close to my age (only one person I dated was older than me, just worked out that way).

Anyways, I began asking myself what it is I would like to see in a woman, what kind of woman would the Pimpernel like to date. I will begin with the physical as it is the least important. I like women that are petite, with dark hair and blue eyes or green eyes. I like a well balanced proportion and nice legs. And if she was tall, red headed with brown eyes, that could be nice too. I just mentioned my preference, not a requirement.

More important things to consider in who I would choose to date. First and foremost they would have to be a Christian and committed to ministry of some type. Seeing as how I preach on the weekends, I sort of figure people who didn't feel the same way would probably not want to date me anyways.

One of the things I liked the best about dating was that the women were all intelligent. I love that in a woman, a keen mind and a good sense of humor. I could date someone that others found less than attractive; but, I could not date someone that was incapable of having a deep and meaningful conversation even if we disagreed. I wish to be challenged and I wish to challenge the people I interact with.

The real deal closer is gentleness. I like a lady to be a lady, I like a tender partner. I am not talking about someone who is submissive and a slave, I am talking about someone who actually cares about how those around her are feeling and doing. Tenderness of soul rather than a voracious need for stuff and "self-fulfillment" regardless of their effect on others.

I have a problem with people who have a 110 item long list on their requirements for a wife. I don't think my list is that long and I think it is reasonable, at a minimum, it is the type of person I would be happy with. Oh, I also want them to be about my age. I don't want to have any more children and I don't want to raise my partner. I don't have a specific age range; but, late forties to early fifties is about right.

Now, here comes the rub. If I met someone who met and exceeded all of my wishes, I still don't know if I would date them regularly. I am lonely at times; but, not often. I like female companionship; but, dread having to report all of my actions and thoughts. I am not so much afraid of being hurt again as I am of wasting my time on someone who will betray me and take advantage of my efforts. It is a lot of work to be in a relationship and I am just not sure it is worth the risk of making another mistake. I do believe there are good women out there; but, I don't think I can handle being wrong again.

Fear is a funny thing, I haven't felt it very often. I consider it sort of useless. I determined early that there are only so many ways that a situation can turn out. It can get better is the best situation or you can die. If you die, you really don't have any more problems. Therefore the worst case scenario is that your problems go away. Short term you could feel pain; but, lets face it, I guarantee you will die so even pain is temporary. I think I just want to avoid some pain in between now and then.

In my life I have been shot at, cut and beat with bamboo. I don't remember the pain of any of it. The worst pains I have felt in my life were when I needed a root canal and when I herniated my intestine. Those were the sharpest pains, the cluster headaches I had till I was about 30 were shear hell; but, less sharp. I know I can find a better partner then the one I had; but, I could also make some really bad mistakes. The betrayal was worse then any physical pain I ever had.

Do you like being my therapist? My therapist used to read my blog, maybe he still does. If he does then I want to thank him for listening to my nonsense for as long as he did. If I ever see him again, I might tell him the rest of the story; but, it just got weirder and weirder.

I don't know what kind of woman would want to be with me. I am not saying I think I am not worthy of being with, it is just I don't know who I would be right for. I think they would have to be smart and tender; but, I don't know what type of person would want to be with me. I think to be with me a woman would have to be secure in themselves. They would have to want to be with someone who preaches on the weekends. I think that leaves out a lot of people.

Well there it is, the ramblings of the Pimpernel saying what is in his heart. Thoughts with no conclusions, I am still learning who I am. Take care kiddies.

Mapping You and Creating You

Two articles for my dear readers today and all tied together in one post. The first article includes a video, I recommend you watch it as it is only 6 and a half minutes long. The article is about DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and yes I know I placed the anagram first. DARPA is basically the same people who brought you the internet and all of the scary military stuff. If you want any idea of what is going on in the world, whenever you see the name DARPA, read the article.

So, our good friends at DARPA want to have your computer identify you by your unique habits and characteristics including your writing style. I want my readers to really think about how many times a day their habits are tracked. If you have a rewards card, your every purchase is tracked. If you have a smart meter then your every use of energy is tracked. Your cell phone and your car's gps chip track your every movement, the same is true for your dog if it is chipped. Finally of course your internet provider has access to your every online keystroke and all the websites you have visited, including your choice in music. Now they want to identify you based on how you move a mouse across a computer screen.

According to the representative from DARPA (in the video) all of this is being done to protect your identity from everyone except the government. Remember anything which is transmitted over the internet is not protected, you have no expectation or right to privacy on the internet according to the courts. Now, lets consider what you would look like to the government if they managed to combine all of the different information available. They would be able to identify you just based on your habits, a false name would be meaningless. So, here is the article.

Design News - DARPA to Develop 'Cognitive Fingerprint'

Do you ever get the feeling that you are little Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf just wants to see you better?

The second article is very creepy indeed and something that I wrote about in the past and said was coming. It has been reported that 30 babies have been born in the united states and that they were genetically modified. Babies have been born with the genes from three different people and it is only now being made public. Just to remind you, your opinion does not matter, they are going to do what they want.

I tell people about these things and they want to believe this is a long way off, it is not, it is now and it is real and it has so many bad implications. Designer babies. People will be thrilled to design the perfect child, the perfectly obedient, handsome and intelligent child. Heck they might even throw in creativity if you pay enough.

We know about the one child law in China and about the forced abortions. There are people calling for similar laws in the United States. The image of Octomom is shoved in our face and people call for limits on how many children someone should be allowed to have.

Yesterday we discussed circumcision being outlawed in Germany. What if it was illegal to allow a blind baby to be born or a child with Muscular Dystrophy? A few weeks ago it was announced that we are now capable of identifying 3,500 genetic problems in the unborn. What if such testing was mandatory? What if they outlawed Autism, you would never see another me (and yes, I know there are many who would be pleased with such a result; but, I would not).

What if you could pick your child's IQ? Would you and wouldn't you want them to be a genius? A world filled with a super race, the next generation of humans, the evolved perfect person. We know that most abortions are for selecting the sex of the child, I doubt people would be any better about looks, strength or intelligence.

Then again, who would bother having new children when they could just clone themselves and let their clone inherit all of their wealth. The article mentions how three people had already approached the scientist who genetically modified the babies and had requested to be cloned. Of course, if you were not a superior human or incredibly wealthy, you would not be allowed to clone yourself.

Mail Online - World's first GM babies are born


I know of one person who takes this very seriously, Madonna. SF Examiner - Madonna to cleanup team: Leave no DNA behind

More on Circumcision

This always happens, whenever I write about circumcision there is always more than one article in the same day. Okay, so we just discussed outlawing circumcision, now comes an article where in Zimbabwe, the country is pushing for all the men to get circumcised because they believe it can decrease the chances of getting AIDS by 60%.

What if this were true? Would German courts change their mind if circumcision could decrease people's chances of getting AIDS? Lets play with this a bit. The German court said that you could circumcise your child; but, only if their was a medical reason, religious reasons are not good enough. Now, if I bring my baby in to be circumcised and say that I am having it done for a health reason the German court would let me do it. Now, if on the other hand I say I am doing it for religious reasons, will I have to lie and say it was for health reasons?

I think we did the same thing with gays when the military had a "don't ask don't tell" policy. Why do we want people to lie? I remember when I first came to work for my organization. I was told that perception was as important as reality. I disagreed and have lived that career. I exactly what I mean and mean what I say. Lying does not change the perception long term; however, long term, the truth cannot be ignored and you will be seen for who you are even if they hate you.

AFP via Yahoo News - Zimbabwe MPs circumcised in anti-AIDS drive

I know this is a short post, it is for a relative who has an interest in the subject. I just don't feel like discussing it that much; but, want him to have the information that he is interested in.

Circumcision Illegal in Germany if Done for Religious Reasons

A German court has ruled that circumcision for boys for religious reasons is a crime. While the New Testament is clear that Christians do not need to be circumcised, both Muslims and Jews believe it is a requirement of their religion. In fact, in Judaism, to be uncircumcised means that one will be separated from their people.

There was a move in San Francisco recently to also outlaw circumcision. There is definitely a movement in the United States to outlaw it. What is interesting is that in Germany, they didn't bother voting on it. Whether you agree or disagree with the decision, is it fair to make a fundamental belief and practice of a religious group without a vote? In fact, one criminal law expert said, "Unlike many politicians, the court has not allowed itself to be scared off by charges of anti-Semitism or religious intolerance," added Putzke.

Did you get that. His feeling was that if the elected officials wouldn't pass the law the court should. Sounds like democracy isn't too important in Germany. This, by the way, is the same country that is calling for a Europe of less democracy. Germany and France are saying that the solution to their economic crisis in to have the European Union decide what countries budgets should be in they are in the EU.

But, none of this is the aspect of the story that I am interested in. Lets say that you are a Jew or Muslim living in Germany. Would you stay if it meant that you could not practice your religion? Both the United States and Israel have about 5 million Jews. In the United States they make up less than 2% of the population. If circumcision were to be outlawed in the United States, my question is how many American Jews would emigrate to Israel?

It would be a true test of faith. Perhaps there would be a movement within the Jewish community that justified not circumcising, I am sure that some would, they would claim it is only a ritual and could be symbolic without actually removing the foreskin. If American Jews stayed and stopped circumcising their kids, would they still be considered Jewish by the Jews in Israel? Maybe not.

The Book of Revelations says that everyone will be required during the end times to have a mark on their right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell. I think I could ask the same question of Christians. I should point out that I do not believe the RFID chip that is being implanted in some people is the mark, I know there are many that do; but, I am not one of them and I still wouldn't take a chip. I think many Christians would take a mark and convince themselves that it wasn't "the" mark.

I was speaking to someone today who told me that they had been a Presbyterian. He said he liked it because all he had to do was go to church on Sunday for 45 minutes and then go back to living his life the way he wanted. He said he liked a religion that didn't require too much of you. I think most people feel that way. They are good with a God that they can ask things of, the giant slot machine in the sky; but they don't really want to bother reading the bible, having to forgive or having to be married to have sex.

This post is not about circumcision, Germany or Jews, it is about Christians. To any Christians reading this, my question is, would you take the mark? I think we will see both Fundamentalists and Liberal Christians take a mark if they needed to in order to buy or sell. I also believe there are some atheists and agnostics that would refuse to take a mark.

I like to play with scenarios in my head, contingency thinking. You take every possible outcome and ask what the best way to respond is. Just imagine that the world's economy goes completely bust, disease and war about. Now a man comes onto the scene and makes all the problems go away. He then convinces people that all the evil in the world is caused by religion. Now, lets go a little further. The same person then makes all the problems go away. For 3 1/2 years the world goes to on the brink to wonderful and prosperous. The same person then goes to Jerusalem and sits on the temple mount and declares that the only real God is him and us. He states that we are all Gods or can become Gods. He asks all the "good" people who have helped turn things around to take a mark saying they are their God. What if the name of the person on the mark of the beast was "Myself"?

One of the people that was on the show "Jackass" had a tattoo on him, probably on his rear end. He would tell people that he had their name written on him and show them the tattoo, I believe it said "Your Name". Cute, right? Well, actually, I don't like tattoos; but, a nice joke.

Back to our hypothetical. Imagine being a Christian who took the mark and then heard this person say that we are God or he is God. Wouldn't you feel stupid? What is my point, my point is, how much do you really believe? Do you believe your religion enough to give up everything in your life?

You Are Confused

Want to hear the first rap song, it was by some white guys from Boston. The J Geils Band, it was called "Musta Got Lost", listen to it and tell me I am wrong.

YouTube - Musta Got Lost - J Geils Band

Music is not owned by a race or a person, it is universal. Music is something that can touch us all, that means it is owned by us all. Why would you deny anyone that freedom, that music? Stop being a douche and look for everyone to participate in joy.

A Surprise for Sunday - I Had to Preach

I woke up early today and had a text message on my phone. The lead pastor of our church was taken to the emergency room and he wanted me to lead the service today. I was absolutely unprepared as I wasn't going to speak until next week and I hadn't even decided what I am going to speak on next week.

When I got to the church I was told that the pastor had been released from the hospital and was resting at home. I said that if he showed up at the church he was going to get a piece of my mind. The service went well and we all enjoyed some home made fruit salad afterwards.

The service was a simple one and although I rarely post about religion on this blog, I wish to summarize it for my dear readers. I turned to the congregation and asked them what they would do if the lead pastor had died. We are a small church and it is primarily Hispanic. I should point out that the services are in Spanish and I have to be translated because I don't speak Spanish.

I asked the congregation if they understood that it was their church and not the pastors. I mentioned how Paul started churches and might have only visited them once or twice. A church is not a building, it is not a pastor, it is the congregation of believers. The pastor may be responsible for advising and teaching; but, it is the congregations responsibility to bring people in and participate together in doing the work of the Lord.

You can go to church everyday of your life and hear as many sermons as possible and it still will not make you a Christian. You can be as sinless as possible and still not be a Christian. If you are truly a Christian then you will be of service to others. If this world is truly a spiritual battle then I cannot understand why anyone would go in unarmed. Our service to others and our living our beliefs is our armor and weapons.

Everyone told me the service went well and I was relieved. I joke a lot in my services and I always worry that the jokes wont be understood, I worry my humor will be lost in the translation; but, so far so good. I joke because, while I am not a fire and brimstone sort of a person, I deliver messages of responsibility and relationship. I am not there to make people feel good about themselves or beat them up for past sins, I am there to tell them what it means to be a Christian and explain parts of the bible that they may not have understood.

After the service someone came up to me and thanked me for my sermon. He told me that he thought I was a good speaker and thought it was interesting that I was able to take anything available and preach on it. I didn't know how to explain it to him. It is like this blog, I don't plan it out. I know what I believe and everything else is just an example.

That was all just a lead in to say this. I haven't read the news today and have nothing on my mind. Oh and we have a new follower. Hello Raye. Welcome to a look into my twisted little mind at work.