Inside the Mind of a Nathan

"God asks for 10%. Servers ask for about 18%. Don't ask me what percent the government asks."

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! That's how I feel sometimes. Nay, that's how I feel often. I scream often when I'm driving. It's the only place I can easily excuse being that loud.

I am trying to write a poem for my lovely wife, but I must — as I call it — Brain Drain first. Brain Drain is the stretching of the mind and writing muscles. I devised this phrase when I taught Creative Writing as a small summer class. One of my students admitted that, though he disliked the exercise, it did help him write. So, now, I attempt the same exercise.

I've feel like I've lost my mind a bit. I should probably read more and digital less. I think I need to climb a tree or stub my toe. I need to bleed a little. Maybe get a splinter.

Voila! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran cast vicariously as both villain and victim by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. … …The only verdict is vengeance. … …This vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose. Therefore, it is my very good honor to meet you, and you may call me V.

Preface I was chatting today with a friend about baptism, and I got the same spiel about "dedication," "when they get older," and "choose for themselves."

Before explaining what baptism is, it is very important to note two things that it is not: Not John the Baptist’s Firstly, baptism into Jesus Christ—the baptism that most assume they are practicing—is very distinct from John the Baptist's baptism: And he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' And they said, 'No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said, 'Into what then were you baptized?' They said, 'Into John’s baptism.' And Paul said, 'John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.' On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:2-5) Baptism is not just a singular activity; there was the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus, Jesus' being the superseding baptism. A man named Apollos illuminates this problem: Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came...

I wish I could write without my hands. My brain just wants to go so much faster. Alas, I am not a cyborg yet, and I cannot connect a computer straight to my mind.

I didn't get very far with Werbel last time I wrote, but I did write! I've been reading more, and I get the solid impression that more reading inclines me toward more activity in general — including writing.

Blah. I don't feel like writing, but, as always, it's been too long since last I wrote. I almost left it at, "it's been too long," but I put a lot of energy in trying to dodge "That's what she said!" opportunities. I overuse that dumb phrase. You overuse that dumb phrase. We're dumb, but at least I hate it.

Always, the ultimate goal is to honor God. It is not my intention to be a condemning brother; God offers immense freedom to His children—the realm of words is included. It is my intention to draw ever closer to that which would honor Him. Therefore, I invite you into an examination of His Word below. God’s Name I must preface. Using God’s names in vain is not up for debate. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7) Saying, “Oh my God!” when you are surprised is taking God’s name in vain. Saying, “Jesus Christ!” when you are frustrated is taking God’s name in vain. Saying, “Thank God!” when something positive yet trivial happens is risky business, but I can only recommend you reflect soberly about your use of the phrase. Summarily, “you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” Curses He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in bl...