.

mein bruder in the fatherland

2007-06-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

pictures of David in Germany.

i must post before the end of the month

2007-05-31T12:46:00.000-07:00

2007-04-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

germany

2007-03-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Castle Neuschwanstein. The picture below was taken on the top of the lower mountain.

Pretty sweet shot my brother took

Dachau concentration camp

The "showers"

Munich

The Fatherland

2007-03-19T09:43:00.001-07:00

This is Castle Neuschwanstein, the castle that was supposedly used as the model for the Disneyland Castle. Riiiiiiight.

This picture was taken in Dachau, Germany, a short walk from the Dachau concentration camp. Incidentally, we did much more than point at signs. More pictures soon.

hot topic

2007-03-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

Here is an excerpt from an article by BCC's own Barb Thomas. Barb is the mother of three public-schooled kids and decided to write about her experience in this very hot topic. Very good stuff.

"...I heard comment after comment from Christian brothers and sisters, all shooting arrows at each other and their choice of schooling. Surprisingly, I even heard parents begin making negative comments about those choosing the same method they had because they were doing it differently! One homeschool mom told me she was often tempted to verbalize that children who had been homeschooled “all the way through from K through 12th” - like hers - were somehow more righteous than those who had attended public or private schools for a few years. She judged other homeschoolers based on the curriculum they chose, and how well their children behaved at public functions. Another confessed to me that she had been tempted to feel disappointment whenever her homeschool friends decided to enroll their children in a public or private school. It was like they were running a race, she said, and they “didn’t quite make it across the finish line…they quit and gave up too soon.” A Christian school mom admitted she felt like homeschoolers were “missing the best education they could have received,” and a public school single mom shared with me that she struggled with being defensive and judgmental with her words because of the hurtful comments made to her regarding her choices. More recently, a mom let me know that she knew a few people who secretly desired to see public school children like mine ‘fail.’ When I incredulously asked why, she said, “Your kids all went through a public high school, you all stayed incredibly close as a family, and your kids love the Lord and are honoring Him……They weren’t supposed to turn out that way!”

Church, what has happened to us?! When has relying on formulas - instead of relying wholly on the Lord – ever glorified Him?"

Read the rest of the article here

busy (or, life not really observed)

2007-02-27T21:55:00.000-08:00

Check out the all new and improved pastordale.com! Now with frilly edges!

Sorry for not posting blah blah blah. As many of you know I am leaving the country soon, and school has been priority #1 for me. I am currently enrolled in an art class, drawing to be exact, and have found it to be one of my most challenging classes. I now know why many artists are crazy.

Chia Pet Day 37

2007-02-13T22:43:00.000-08:00

Chia Pet Day 10

2007-01-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

Chia Pet Day 6

2007-01-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

Chia Pet Day 1

2007-01-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

first snowboarding trip of the season (or, i love snow)

2006-12-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

2006-12-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

Sure to warm your heart

Be sure to turn up the volume.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2006

2006-11-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

Our band album cover.

2006-11-20T20:19:00.001-08:00

Hey everybody check out my Brazilian buddy Pedro's blog

"Friends are Very Good to the Health"

a life observed

2006-11-18T18:41:00.001-08:00

To celebrate my 100th post, I am resurrecting this piece from the annals of Hallowed Cyberspace. I wrote this a little over a year ago for a writing class. Enjoy.

My Life
Don't rock the boat, thanks.

The destroying of the alarm clock.

I wake up by two things: the alarm clock and a huge trash truck, neither of which I am too fond of. I get up out of my comfortable bed, which smells slightly of my dog, and stumble like a drunkard downstairs.

The greeting of other parties.

I greet the other members of my family and give them a not so chipper, “Good morning!” The sun is shining brightly through the windows, marking a new and blessed day to continue life. I feel the cold wood beneath my bare feet, accenting the morning dew I see outside on the grass. I smell tea.

The drinking of the tea.

Steam rises up out of my mug, fogging my glasses. Sipping the hot tea, I ponder why anyone would take leaves and soak them in water, and I bless that person. Bad news fills my thoughts as I read the newspaper, punctuated by a few laughs as I read some funny little tidbit. I hear the tapping of a keyboard as somebody checks their e-mail in the other room.

The washing up of things.

My senses are finally awakened as I take a hot shower. I get out and brush my teeth. My family is already bustling around, heading off to whatever activity is planned. The house is warming up, distant from the cold atmosphere outside.

The stimulation of the intellectual senses.

This morning I read C. S. Lewis.

The gathering of things that I should have done last night.

I gather my books that I will need for school that day. The heavy textbooks weigh down my pack. The scattered paper lies about my room like the dead autumn leaves that rest outside. I’m ready to go.

Leaving.

I say goodbye to my family and head to my car. As I get in I wonder what mood my car will be in today. Sometimes it rumbles and shakes, as if grumpy and old. Today it does well; I back out without the least bit of whining. It is a good car. I do not have a name for my car, as I have always tried to keep from naming inanimate objects. But if my car was sentient, I’d probably have a cute pet name for it.

Learning.

I get out of my car to set off for school. It is morning, so dew still shines in the shadows of various things. I step lightly, as if afraid that I might wake the slumbering vegetation that surrounds the school. All around me other students rush off to one place or another. I wonder where all of these people go. There are many different kinds of people, all caught up in the same hustle and bustle. Seeing a few people I know, I wave, though they are rushing off to class also. There is a café nearby so I step in and am instantly met by an overabundance of smells. Big white walls and whiteboards greet me as I take my seat in the classroom. I know I will be itching to get out of this seat in about an hour, due to the hardness of the chair. I listen politely in class, sometimes letting my thoughts wander.

The continuing of education.

My attitude changes as the day goes on. Everything warms up, even the cold classrooms located deep inside the buildings. I finish my classes for the day.

Pondering.

I think about the day, and what needs to be done for tomorrow. I drive home, slightly tired, and drink some tea.

2006-11-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

I got ahold of my sister's photo editing software and look what I can do! Nice effects, eh? Note: this photo was taken at Franklin D. Roosevelt's childhood home and final burial place, which only adds to the wistful ambiance. In fact, if you look closely you can see Franlin's very own white marble coffin to my right.

This is my 100th post!

2006-11-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

Michael W. Smith CD review by Grace S. Cartwright

I would listen to this CD just because of this review, even though I don't own a single Michael W. Smith album.

2006-10-31T16:57:00.000-08:00

I think I am very good at tolerating halloween and the people who celebrate it, but it is very hard to do when you go to RCC. I brought my camera to school today and attempted to covertly snap some photos so you could see the madness, but decided against it after narrowly avoiding a confrontation with another student about "hash brownies", in which he informed me they should be legal halloween items. He also told me he was trained in some highly advanced martial art forms. No joke. So anyway as I'm writing this the madness has already begun at my house and it is not yet 5pm. The night is young, I'm afraid.

Recommended listening for today, October 31st: End of October, by David Crowder Band, from the Lime CD.

2006-10-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

go to www.veritas.org

Oktoberfuss 2006

2006-09-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

October 20-21
$25 for students.

I'm planning on going, and so are some other people. Should be a great time with some good speakers. Here is a link to the website for more info: http://www.gutenberg.edu/news/2006_oktoberfuss.php. Let me know if any of you want to go.

2006-08-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

more pics from my last two weeks in Brasil

2006-08-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

Working with the Bear Creek Team in Manaus

some pretty sweet falls

back home

2006-08-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Waterfall!

2006-07-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Boat trip!

2006-07-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

2006-07-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

I just returned from another boat trip this past week that included building benches for a church about 3 hours from Santarem. The village was Picae, and it is one of the oldest church plants. It was really great to get some new seats in that church. One of the highlights of the trip was that a cool guy named Jilton was able to come with us. We had met Jilton on the last boat trip in the village and he happened to be back in Santarem. Jilton had accepted Christ at a service we held at that village we were at. He is a former gang member and has tattoos and scars to prove it. Anyway, he is a real great guy and has faced alot of flak for accepting Christ. It was really great that he was able to come with us so we could encourage him in his walk with the Lord. We're actually going out with him to dinner tonight before he leaves to go back to the village. Please pray that he would stay strong in the faith and not go back to his old ways.

Have a great weekend!

When the Fire Hits the Fan: My Brush with Death in the Amazon

2006-07-19T14:00:00.001-07:00

A lifewithstephen.com Exclusive Photo Edition

Do not be alarmed. This is just a reenactment of events that occurred the morning of July 17.
Bizzare? Indeed. Accidental? I think not.

I was sleeping after a long day of work....

and so was Jonathan.....

when he hears a pop!

he rushes to the fan while I awake from my stupor...

and it explodes!

Always the quick-thinker, I unplug the burning fan that was just inches from my head! It still keeps burning though.

And so we rush outside!

We take a moment to reflect...

before Jonathan puts an end to the madness.

Victory!

A wedding!

2006-07-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

I was able to attend the wedding of my good friend Juan's sister. I actually don't have pictures of the bride and groom, so you'll have to pretend. Brazilians sure put on a good wedding.

Boat Trip #3

2006-07-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

On the way home we were able to hit a pristine beach

We layed bricks and poured concrete for this church in a village about 7 hours from Santarem.

Kevin

2006-07-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

flying

2006-07-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

Jerome, the mission's ultralight pilot

Santarem

Boat trip #2

2006-07-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid I don't have any pictures the last boat trip, but it was a good one. We went to two cell group parties/conferences where we ate and danced. Yes, we danced. Brazilians get a real kick in the head when they see Americans dance. But thanks to the barn dances I have attended I wasn't bad. In fact, I was pretty good. Anyway, we did a bunch of fun stuff like swimming and soccer, which, so they tell me, I'm pretty good at too. Even though I hadn't played since 4th grade. Later Sunday night we went alligator hunting and caught us a big one. We went home the next day.

It was great getting to know the Brazilian villagers on this trip. They have so little, yet they are so eager and zealous for the Lord. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to be here. God is awesome.

Today I flew in the ultralight, and that was quite a kick. Pics will come soon.

work

2006-06-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to paint the hangar

Building benches

We just got back from another boat trip this last weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures of that trip, including me with a sharp-toothed friend.

Boat trip

2006-06-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

The boat. We took concrete and roof tiles to build a church in Lago Grande, which is about 6 hours from Santarem.

This is the church. The plan was to build the new one inside the old one and then knock the old one down. We were only there for 2 nights, so were only able to help the village workers get started.

Joaquin, our boat captain, and Johnathan Best, son of the guest house missionaries.

Jonathan Bennett

The two guys on the left are Tommy and David Ackerman, short-termers from Illinois. The guys to the right of me is Juan, whom I have known since I was last there 3 years ago.

A torrent of new exciting images!

2006-06-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

Peeling potatoes to feed 200 kids at a children's retreat this last weekend

Working on the plane

Kevin putting holes in things

some pics

2006-06-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Kevin, Ashley and me. This place was awesome because we were able to jump off the dock and swim during the sunset.

Us and the mk's

2006-06-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

Thank the Lord we finally made it. Kevin, Ashley and I finally got in at about 7am Friday morning. So far it has been great. I share an apartment with Kevin and Jonathan Bennett. I just bought a pretty sweet hammock.

Our main job right now is to rebuild Benson's plane. It gets pretty complicated, but it should be okay. Everything is kinda crazy around here because the World Cup is next week. Brazil is one of top rated teams so it should be cool.

Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures sometime. If not, go to www.flickr.com/photos/jdb to see Jonathans pictures.

2006-06-05T22:35:00.000-07:00

Well so I'm off to Brazil Wednesday morning. I just finished the last off my finals today, and I am in a pretty jolly mood right now. But anyway I am really looking forward to this trip. One of my biggest hopes for this trip is that I wouldn't come home with a "spiritual high," like so many missions trips tend to do, but that I would carry down the same joy and passion for showing God's glory that the missionaries do.

I got my uke, my loaded iPod, my mom's homemade chex mix and my oh-so fluffy little towel all packed. I am rearing to go.

Hopefully I will be able to post while I'm gone and maybe post some pictures too. If any of you ever get a chance please write me so we can keep in touch. I hope you all have a great summer!

pure speed, pure ukulele

2006-06-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

I just bought a ukulele and I think I'm gonna start a band.

I've already started marketing it. Check out the sweet mousepad and plush teddy bear.

2006-05-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have been in the hangar before, this is pretty insane. I guess they have been getting record rainfall down there.

B Collision: The Eschatology of Bluegrass

2006-05-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

coming June 27th

Happy Cinco de Mayo, gringos!

2006-05-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

Here I am dressed in traditional garb.

2006-04-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

No, he's back

Funkyking and Centurion86 are dominating once again. Hooah.

2006-03-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldy passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly live in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are hid very own, eager to do what is good.

Titus 2:11-14 ESV

reminiscing

2006-03-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

Well it has been only one day since my last post, but hey, life is short, and so are my posts.

It has been one year this March since I started blogging. It has been a nice alternative to myspace. But as I was talking to my friend Nathan about the other day, who needs myspace when you've got smiley faces? ;)

Let me tell you about a pet hamster I once had. He was a good hamster, never bit me or showed any behavior umbecoming of a hamster. I had a little white ball for him and he would just run around my room, as happy as a little hamster can be. He would sit on my shoulder, his talons digging in my skin. "Hey little guy!"
One day, someone who will go unnamed left the cage open. I was crushed. My parents said he was probably blithely running among the cedar chips that is hamster nirvana. I believed them until I found half of his dismembered body one morning in our garage.

Anyway, this past year has been a good one. I am very much looking forward to this year as Kevin and I set off for Brazil.

I will now go dance the bamba and practice espanol, whilst sipping tea and dreaming of tortilla soup.

available at your nearest christian bookstore

2006-03-22T22:02:00.000-08:00

I have just started reading a book called The Irresistible Revolution. It was written by Shane Clairborne, a co-founder of an orginization called The Simple Way. I first read about this group in an article in Christianity Today. They are based in Philadelphia, and their main job is just to care for the homeless or whoever happen to pass by. I had heard about this book coming out, and have been eager to read it. I was eager to read especially after reading Under the Overpass, which was written by a Westmont student. I highly reccomend that book. Anyway, I have been reading this book and have been encouraged and also a little miffed.
Shane Clairborne is an extraordinary man who has used his talent and heart for the homeless in amazing ways. He encourages readers to be be more like Jesus, almost literally, in that he was a advocate and protector of the homeless.

Unfortunetly, Mr. Clairborne almost discourages the importance of doctrine and theology among Christians. He says the church has become too bogged down with "dusty old theology books." He puts the main emphasis on the church and how it has lost its meaning and what it was and is supposed to be. He is right about that, but how can you expect a church to stand up to scrutiny if it isn't founded upon good theology? And more importantly, how can we reach the lost if we ourselves are devoted to nothing but shallow ideals?

However, he did have good things to say about things we can do to help the homeless and get out of our comfort zone. When I go to Brazil this summer I hope this will be true for me. I have become so burned out on America, so I think it will be good to get away from friends, school, job, etc. I am praying God will give me some direction and focus while I am down there.

Anyhoo, I would read this book if just to hear about another man's great work in an area that we could all work on.

V dub in da house, ya

2006-03-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

Catapult-VW'>http://www.transbuddha.com/mediaHolder.php?id=1517">VW

Crate-VW'>http://www.transbuddha.com/mediaHolder.php?id=1519">VW

Wrecking Ball-VW'>http://www.transbuddha.com/mediaHolder.php?id=1518">VW

I prefer to celebrate diversity with people like me, thank you.

2006-03-06T21:58:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago a Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, published cartoons that depicted caricatures of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the religion itself. At first, it was just the local Danish Muslims who responded to the cartoons. But as the cartoons were circulated, more and more followers of Islam reacted to the publications. As the controversy has grown, the result has been widespread violence and rioting in Islamic areas. The cartoons have since come to America and have been published in many college newspapers that have resulted in protests and arguments within certain colleges. A student at Oregon State University wrote a column titled, “The Islamic Double Standard,” which was published in a daily newspaper at OSU. The column charged Muslims with expecting special treatment after the reaction from the Muslims responding to the Danish cartoons. Students countered by holding a vigil on campus to protest the article. They handed out fliers that stated, “While staying loyal to the main values of freedom of expression that founded this country, we also feel the need to reflect on the values of tolerance and acceptance on this campus.” Nada Mohamed, a 20-year-old junior and vice president of OSU’s Muslim Student Association, said this about the publication: “It was amazing to me that they (the campus newspaper) were allowed to publish this kind of stuff.” The cartoons have sparked debate at other colleges around America, including Harvard, and all have had the same reaction by the Muslim students.

A student newspaper at the University of Arizona did not reprint the Danish cartoons, but it did enter the fray by publishing an editorial cartoon of its own. The cartoon shows a scene with Jesus, Buddha and other religious figures along with Mohammad. Jesus is saying to Muhammad, “You really need to learn how to take a joke, Muhammad.” The cartoonist, a staff member at the newspaper, followed its usual editorial cartoon procedure: the cartoonist submitted the idea to her editors, and from there the editors met and discussed possible reverberations of the cartoon. “Our main purpose of this comic was not to offend,” said editor-in-chief Aaron Mackey. “It didn’t link Islam with terrorism. It had a definite point to it.” One columnist who disagreed with the cartoon was Yusra Tekbali. “When a paper encourages offensively depicting a revered religious individual, it reasons for doing so must be questioned; respect and sensitivity should outweigh absolute freedom of speech.” Many other college newspapers around America have published the cartoons or written editorials about them.

The same people who are holding signs that state, “Butcher those who mock Islam,” and, “Slay those who insult Islam” are the same people that are calling for religious tolerance among non-Muslims. The same college students who encourage “diversity” and “acceptance” are the same college students who are outraged and offended when they don’t receive special treatment.

At the National Black Fine Art Show in New York, a painting by Harlem artist “Tafa” depicts an upside down “Christ-like” figure with a face the resembles Osama Bin Laden. No Christians have threatened the artist, or bombed the building where it is displayed, or attacked the city government. This example can be related to the “Piss-Christ” controversy, in which artist Andres Serrano took a picture of a crucifix that was submerged in a jar of the artist’s urine. The piece won the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art’s “Awards in the Visual Arts” competition, which is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Not only did the artist not receive death threats, he won a major award.

Surprisingly, this conflict between two worlds has been made even clearer by way of an editorial cartoon. Despite what many people are saying, this battle is not about the right to free speech or the clash between two people groups. This is about two very different Gods, one real and one fake, and man's narrow interpretation of the truth. Muslims are taught that Jesus was never crucified, and instead that Allah saved him from misery and humiliation on the cross. They refuse to believe that Allah would permit such mockery to occur. John Piper, in his article Being Mocked: The Essence of Christ’s Work, Not Muhammad’s, said this:

For Christ, enduring the mockery of the cross was the essence of his mission. And for a true follower of Christ enduring suffering patiently for the glory of Christ is the essence of obedience. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Matthew 5:11). During his life on earth Jesus was called a bastard (John 8:41), a drunkard (Matthew 11:19), a blasphemer (Matthew 26:65), a devil (Matthew 10:25); and he promised his followers the same: “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household” (Matthew 10:25).
The caricature and mockery of Christ has continued to this day. Martin Scorsese portrayed Jesus in The Last Temptation of Christ as wracked with doubt and beset with sexual lust. Andres Serrano was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts to portray Jesus on a cross sunk in a bottle of urine. The Da Vinci Code portrays Jesus as a mere mortal who married and fathered children.

So what does this mean for Christians?

It means that a religion with no insulted Savior will not endure insults to win the scoffers. It means that this religion is destined to bear the impossible load of upholding the honor of one who did not die and rise again to make that possible. It means that Jesus Christ is still the only hope of peace with God and peace with man. And it means that his followers must be willing to “share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

What an honor.

-Stephen Meador

vain....so very vain

2006-02-28T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well I don't know about this whole tagging thing, but I was going to post soon anyway. Thanks Juli. Why anyone would want to know this stuff? I have no clue.

4 jobs I've had:
Lifeguard
Swim Teacher
Assistant Interior Decorater (seriously)
Swim and Tennis Club person behind the counter

4 movies I could watch many times in a row:
Rocky (that would be like, 5 times each)
Spinal Tap
Airplane
Strange Brew

4 places I have lived:
Escondido, CA
Valley Center, CA
Medford, OR
Sanatrem, Brazil (in a few months)

4 TV shows I like to watch

Well I don't really watch TV.

4 places I've been on vacation:
Yosemite, CA
Sanatarem, Brazil
New York, NY
Santa Cruz, CA

4 websites I vist daily:
aol.com
all my blog haunts
thats about it

4 of my favorite foods:
pickles
tortilla soup
mongolian bbq
popcorn

4 singers/singing groups I can't live without:
David Crowder Band
Herbie Hancock
Jack Johnson
Earth, Wind and Fire

4 places I'd rather be than here:
Santa Cruz, CA
Santarem, Brazil
Santa Barbara, CA
I don't know I kinda like medford

Well thats it folks. I feel so much better now that its out on the table.

no, its myspace

2006-02-08T21:02:00.000-08:00

Well I must say I feel as though a burden has been lifted ever since I got off of myspace. Since that time I have realized more and more what a waste it is. This has also made me consider how productive and useful blogging is, though that is a whole other issue. Myspace in itself is not bad, but there are so many outlets for foolishness and 99.9 percent of the time it is used in that way. And yet it has become a cutural phenomenon, exploding in every level and age of society. Here is a excerpt from an article in businessweek.com about the myspace generation:

"A preeminent spot among these virtual hangouts is MySpace.com, whose membership has nearly quadrupled since January alone, to 40 million members. Youngsters log on so obsessively that MySpace ranked No. 15 on the entire U.S. Internet in terms of page hits in October, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Millions also hang out at other up-and-coming networks such as Facebook.com, which connects college students, and Xanga.com, an agglomeration of shared blogs. A second tier of some 300 smaller sites, such as Buzz-Oven, Classface.com, and Photobucket.com, operate under -- and often inside or next to -- the larger ones."

"Although networks are still in their infancy, experts think they're already creating new forms of social behavior that blur the distinctions between online and real-world interactions. In fact, today's young generation largely ignores the difference. Most adults see the Web as a supplement to their daily lives. They tap into information, buy books or send flowers, exchange apartments, or link up with others who share passions for dogs, say, or opera. But for the most part, their social lives remain rooted in the traditional phone call and face-to-face interaction."

Why is myspace such an attraction? Myspace has reduced communication to its cheapest form, made it okay to be somebody that you're not, and has created another way to waste time. Users can leave comments, much like on a blog, on the person's profile. These comments usually amount to nothing but childish gibberish. I would put some samples of comments in here, but most would be too vulgar or crude to post. So what is the deal? Myspace has become a "cool" thing to have. Whether you're college age, high school age, or even still in jr. high, myspace is something that you have got to have to fit in and keep in touch with your friends.

In the most recent episode of "Dateline," the topic was online sexual predators. This is nothing new in our society, but they happened to specifically mention myspace.

"When “Dateline” surfed MySpace, we found scenes of binge drinking, apparent drug use, teens posing in underwear, and other members simulating sex, and in some cases even having it. We also found less provocative pages like Shannon's was, but potentially even more dangerous. Teens listed not only their names, and addresses, but even cell phone numbers and after school schedules.
Parry Aftab, Internet lawyer and safety expert: '[It’s] one stop shopping for sexual predators, and they can shop by catalogue. '"

I was not suprised when I saw this episode. Being that the main range of myspace users are young people, it is a candy shop for sexual predators! Not only is there access to soft porn, but kids give out personal information left and right. Here is an article from Yahoo! News:

HARTFORD, Conn. - Police are investigating whether as many as seven teenage girls have been sexually assaulted by men they met through the popular Web site MySpace.com.

The girls, ages 12 to 16, are from Middletown and say they were fondled or had consensual sex with men who turned out to be older than they claimed. None of the incidents appeared to be violent, said Middletown Police Sgt. Bill McKenna.

The social networking Web site allows users to create profiles that can include photos, personal information and even cell phone numbers.

Having said all that, I would challenge young Christians to rethink this whole myspace thing. Is it really something worthwhile? Is it helpful in our walk with Christ? When I was on myspace, I felt as though I were just like everybody else. I would leave comments that had no value, and my profile was just a very vain way of boosting my ego. I thought I would go insane if I didn't have myspace, and I am all the more happy now that I am off. I encourage all of you to seperate yourself from the world by not reducing friendship to stupid comments, but instead to challenge the norm and not do what everybody else is doing. It is a fad, and it is one that I will not be a part of.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. "
Romans 12:2

I suppose now I'll have to quit blogging. Oh, but I could never do that........

MySpace: Are We Impairing Our Capacity to Think?

2006-02-07T08:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't got around to writing the piece on myspace yet. It is good because I have had time to think it over instead of just ranting about why myspace is the devil incarnate. But I do encourage any myspace users to stop usin'. It is a fad, and a bad one at that. But that will come later. Here is a great article from yesterday's breakpoint by Chuck Colson.

Musical Mush

Are We Impairing Our Capacity to Think?

When church music directors lead the congregation in singing some praise music, I often listen stoically with teeth clenched. But one Sunday morning, I cracked. We had been led through endless repetitions of a meaningless ditty called, “Draw Me Close to You.” The song has zero theological content and could be sung in a nightclub, for that matter. When I thought it was finally and mercifully over, the music leader beamed at us and said in a cheerful voice, “Let’s sing that again, shall we?” “No!” I shouted loudly. Heads all around me spun while my wife cringed.
I admit I prefer more traditional hymns. But even given that, I am convinced that much of the music being written for the Church today reflects an unfortunate trend—slipping across the line from worship to entertainment. Evangelicals are in danger of amusing ourselves to death, to borrow the title of the classic Neil Postman book.
The trend is also true of Christian radio, historically an important source of in-depth teaching. Many stations have recently dropped serious programming in favor of all-music formats. For example, a major Baltimore station dropped four talk shows to add music. A respected broadcaster recently dropped “Focus on the Family,” claiming it had become too focused on “moral issues.”
When a Cincinnati station replaced “BreakPoint” with music, I told the station manager that believers need to think Christianly about major worldview issues. Her reply? Younger women want “something to help them cope with life.”
This view was confirmed by a Christian homemaker during a TV special on evangelicalism. She is so busy, she explained, with her kids, Bible study, cooking, and all, that she does not even get to read the newspaper. Church for her is getting her spirits lifted. Now admittedly, modern life creates enormous stress, but can’t the Church offer comfort and help people confront the culture? Of course, music is important in the life of the Church. But it cannot replace solid teaching.
The decision by Christian broadcasters to avoid moral controversies could result in the Church withdrawing from the culture as it tragically did a century ago. The great strength of radio, as with books, has been to present in-depth teaching that engages Christians cognitively. Unfortunately, thinking analytically is something Christians find increasingly difficult. According to a government study, the average college graduate’s proficient literacy in English has declined from 40 percent in 1992 to 31 percent ten years later. The study defines proficient literacy as the ability to read lengthy, complex texts and draw complicated inferences.
This is horrifying. The Gospel above everything else is revealed propositional truth—truth that speaks to all of life. Sure, the Gospel is simple enough for a child to understand. But if you want to study doctrine and worldview, you need the capacity to engage ideas cognitively. Doctrine and biblical teaching does not consist of dry, abstract notions. It is the truth that must be carried to the heart and applied. And there is no escaping that it is truth that must be learned.
When Postman published his book two decades ago, he feared television would impair our capacity to think. He was right. But can we learn from this—or are we destined to follow suit, with the Church blissfully amusing itself into irrelevance?

why i left

2006-01-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

Be watching for a new post about myspace.

supafly

2006-01-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

The winter Xgames start tomorrow! SWEET!

Salut

2006-01-24T18:45:00.000-08:00

Well, my father and sister are watching Monty Python right now so I thought i'd post. Here are some clips sure to make you giggle. I guess these have been on the internet for a long time, but I have just seen them.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/206373

or, if you prefer TWO large men:
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=8207

Don't cry for me, David Crowder

2006-01-24T12:11:00.000-08:00

I'm afraid this new post is a sad one. I will not be going to the Crowder concert. I have decided this because it is the last day David will be here for spring break. I have school that week, so I won't get to see him all that much anyway. So you all have fun and take lots of pictures. David Crowder is cool, but David Meador is cooler. Here's looking at you, David.

2006-01-21T17:26:00.000-08:00

Well I hate to say I was dissapointed by the "End of the Spear" movie. I was glad they could put the story into movie form, but now I'm thinking maybe they should have left it with the documentary and books. Here are a few reasons why I thought the movie fell short.

The movie greatly lacked in giving glory to God. In Steve Saint's book, "End of the Spear", his whole point was how God orchestrated his father's death, and in doing so directs all of the glory to God.
The movie describes a little bit of what happens after Nate Saint's death, but fails to give the big picture of how God used this tragedy for good.

There are quite a few other things I didn't like, but my goal isn't to rant about a movie as if it were intended for entertainment only. I know God will continue to use this story, and who knows, the movie just might reach alot of people. What are everybody else's thoughts?

2006-01-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

Well here I am posting from RCC, 20 minutes before my class begins. As I am looking acroos the room, my attention is drawn to a woman. This women is old enough to be my mother. The reason I am looking at her is because her cellphone just rang. Do you think I am bothered by this disturbance? Hardly. It is not the mere sound of the ring that annoys me, it is the ring itself. Yes, it is a Kelly Clarkson ringer. Oh, how I look upon this women with such dubiousness, and wishing, no, hoping she would turn the bloody thing off. Were it a young teen I might not care, yet, this women has seen many moons. I rest my plea.

2006-01-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

So I just finished End of the Spear. Excellente! Great book. The most gut-wrenching part came when Steve Saint recounts when his only daughter comes home after a missions trip and dies. Gracious! I would not be able to live with myself. But what Steve Saint says is awesome.

"Just then a close friend came into ICU from the waiting room. He told Ginny and me that everyone was praying that God would heal Stephanie. I felt a wave of appreciation sweep over me. People of faith were praying with us. But wait: Lew (the Saints friend) had said they were praying for Steph to be healed. That prayer was not theirs to decide. My mind was made up. We would trust God and let Him write our story. I heard my own voice explaining to my friend, as though I were at a distance, overhearing the conversation. 'No, Lew, ask everyone to pray that God will do whatever he think best. And ask Him to give us the courage to accept it until we see why He wanted it this way.'"

Words to drive by

2006-01-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

So I'm taking this online traffic course because of that blasted ticket, and they have you read this introduction. I thought I would share it with you all.

"Watch your thoughts, they become your words.Watch your words, they become your actions.Watch your actions, they become your habits.Watch your habits, they become your character.Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."

I'm taking a traffic school class, not a darn self-motivational class!

Miracles do happen! David Crowder Band on the West Coast!!

2006-01-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

David Crowder Band will be in Roseville, CA along with Third Day March 17th. Roseville is just a bit north of Sacramento. If anybody wants to go let me know. I hope to buy tickets once they go on sale.

Here is a link to itickets.com for info: http://www.itickets.com/events/133371.html

My two favorite Christian artists, all on one magazine cover

2006-01-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

Can it get any better than this?

I just acquired the new Chris Tomlin CD. It is excellent!

I hate sushi, but I love this book

2005-12-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

So I've been reading Praise Habit again, and I have gleaned some pretty cool things from it. I have found a cool and very simple way to read the Bible. Most of you have probably heard of it one way or another. I have only recently read about it. Its called lectio divina (or spiritual reading). There are four components that make up lectio: read, think, pray, live. This sounds very elementary but is good for a person like me.

To really benefit from the Bible, we have to saturate ourselves in it. Sometimes I feel like if I read the Bible for my quiet time in the morning, and just read it, not ponder it or really think about it, I think I have my spiritual time covered. But I need to immerse myself in it, to really think about the implications and consequences of what I'm reading.

Now I just need to do it every morning. That is the hard part.

Reason to celebrate!

2005-12-30T12:05:00.000-08:00

WOOOOOOT WOOOOOOOOT!!!!! David Crowder Band has made the Top 100 Bands list by the editors of iTunes!

They will also be gracing the cover of next months issue of CCM.

Me go write now

2005-12-28T20:21:00.000-08:00

Once again it is time for another post, as is my duty as a blogger in blog-os-phere (hey, i'm a blog-phearer. get it? just kidding). I try to keep my posts new and fresh, unlike the rest of the wasteland that is blog-os-phere.

I have made some observations of various blogs I have read. Here they are with bullets.

Unless you are posting for your own personal enjoyment, blogs are useless for swaying anyone to another viewpoint on anything as far as personal beliefs and worldviews. I can see the value in posting about meaningful stuff (very much unlike my blog). But they tend to get everyone all riled up and get Christians arguing with other Christians. This is okay in its place, say, all together in one room with a Bible and none of this answering back and forth through comments. Plus its a pain to keep typing in the word verification thingys.

Having said all that, blogs are a complete waste of time. Here I am working on my blog, while I could be doing Bible study right now or some other productive task. Blogs may have some value in that they spread information quickly, but not much else.

So why do I blog, you ask? For my own personal jollys, thats why. It is a good way to get in some good hoo-hahs. So while everyone else is posting pictures of their dogs reading books or living vicariously through another persona, you will always find me, Stephen, keeping it real. Fo' shizzle.

I have mad skillz

2005-12-19T23:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I have just blown my brains out in our annual halo 2 party. It is 11:30, my eyes are glazed and I am suffering from abdominal pain. This party was our biggest yet, with around 23 people. It was fun, in the weird nerdy sort of way. I'm just glad no major fights broke out. Oh boy, I can't wait till next year!

2005-12-15T22:42:00.001-08:00

So I was at the mall......

2005-12-15T22:42:00.000-08:00

And who do I find? Josh Mak!

I saw yellow flash before my eyes.

2005-12-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

Well, how are we all? Since you all have been whining to post more here you are. Ah, I have such a dedicated fan base. This is my 8th month of blogging, and I sure have updated it more than my website (sorry, stephenmeador.com is already taken). It has been fun, as I am able to converse with my friends without having to see their faces. Just kidding.

Would you all like to know what happened to me today? I got my first moving violation! Mommy says I'm a big boy now. I won't rationalize it or anything, but I DID NOT SEE THE BUS!!! The ticket was for a whopping $420. Apparently not stopping for a school bus is a felony around here. Oh well, none of you will be getting presents this year. The city will be getting a big one from me.

Anybody looking to hire an indentured slave for the holiday season?

2005-12-05T19:40:00.000-08:00

Nanook of the North.

2005-12-05T19:39:00.001-08:00

Central Park

2005-12-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

2005-12-05T19:38:00.001-08:00

This photo was taken a few blocks from the site where John Lennon was killed. The reason we aren't on the actual street was because it was so freakin' cold.

2005-12-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

The view from the Staten Island Ferry. You would be able to see the World Trade Centers if they were there.

2005-12-05T19:36:00.001-08:00

The ill-fated game.

2005-12-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

David and my father before the game.

Watching the Cadets march onto the field while freezing my heinie off.

2005-12-04T18:06:00.000-08:00

David is fourth from the left in the second from the right uppermost company. If you zoom in, you can make out a pixel that looks like him.

Central Park

2005-12-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

2005-12-04T17:10:00.000-08:00

Well, once again the Army-Navy game was a letdown. But then again, I've always said I don't go for the football. Sitting in sub-zero weather watching football has never really made me happy. I think the game was the coldest I've ever been. Philadephia is always a cool city to visit though. We walked around New York city today. We went to the big building with much art in it, and then Times Square. At the Hard Rock Cafe, I saw the guitar that was played by George Harrison at his concert in Bangladesh and Paul McCartney's bass. They also had the same set of clothes the Beatles wore for awhile before they became addicted to tea. It was neat. I'll have pics by Tuesday.

New York city is like a whole other country. I enjoy just watching people. In Medford this is hard to do, but in New York city you only see a person once. It also helps that you are a nobody and they don't want to talk anyway. When I watch people It is easy to tell what people are like. I'm afraid it is akin to high school. People have their own "classifications". There are drama types, people who are dressed very nicely who you wonder if they might be....you know..."cut from a different cloth". There are old, scholarly types, usually found in museums. Rich people are everywhere, in fur coats and wearing sunglasses even when it is snowing. And then the people who have become a fixture in almost every big city: Japenese tourists! These people walk a round with a dazed look on their face, constantly jabbering away. It reminds me of a quote I once heard, "If you build it, the Japenese will come."

With many people comes many different worldviews. As I watch these people, you wonder what they think about God, Theology and such. As I walk in the massive hordes I cannot help but thinking of livestock being led to the slaughter. It is sad, really. It is really hard to have a good outlook on evangelism and outreach in a big city like New York. It makes Medford seem easy, with it being so small and accessable. I hope I can do a better job of it.

NY

2005-12-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

I'll be gone till Monday in Philly for the Army-Navy game. Hopefully I'll be able to post while I'm there, and maybe put some pics on. I will have posted pics by Monday, though. Something to look forward to.
Go Army!

2005-11-27T15:00:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did, and wish the party could have lasted longer. It was so nice to just forget everything and get together with family and eat. It was also nice to have David home for a bit.

I am going through some tough times right now, so I would appreciate some prayer. I really need to rethink my life and get on the right track. It is times like these that remind me of how stupid and sinful I really am.

Maybe I should become a monk.

Army Vs. Navy

2005-11-14T10:24:00.001-08:00

"Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash."

-Sir Winston Churchill

His initials are d-a-v-i-d

2005-11-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a poem by someone who is very dear to my heart. His name is Matador190.

It is Halloween time.
Time for candy and costumes.
Pumpkins alight, on your front porch.
Little boys eating...eating.
There are ghouls and goblins, witches and princesses,
And still the little boys are eating...eating.

For more intellectual stimulation go to www.pygmychimps.blogspot.com

The Dynamics of Interbeing and Monological Imperatives in Dick and Jane: A Study in Psychic Transrelational Gender Modes

2005-11-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

I realized that the purpose of writing is to inflate weak ideas, obscure poor reasoning, and inhibit clarity. With a little practice, writing can be an intimidating and impenetrable fog!

Academia, here I come!

Theologicality

2005-10-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

You know what happened to me today? I was blown away by how stupid and depraved I really am.
I meet with two guys at least once a week. We meet to encourage each other and pray together. But we haven't met for the last two weeks. You know why? Because I feel so utterly inadequate! Who am I to pray and encourage these guys when it is so hard to keep my spiritual life in check? Who am I to confront a brother when I am hiding my own secrets? Who am I to talk to a total stranger about God when I am struggling with my own doubts?
It is very comforting to know that we have a all-powerful-God who is in control of everything. I just feel very hypocritical at times. Yes, we have been elected as God's children, but we are no less of a sinner than those we evangelize to.

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble," 1 Peter 5:5

1 Peter 5:6: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.

2005-10-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

My Life

Don't rock the boat, thanks.

The destroying of the alarm clock.
I wake up by two things: the alarm clock and a huge trash truck, neither of which I am too fond of. I get up out of my comfortable bed, which smells slightly of my dog, and stumble like a drunkard downstairs.

The greeting of other parties.
I greet the other members of my family and give them a not so chipper, “Good morning!” The sun is shining brightly through the windows, marking a new and blessed day to continue life. I feel the cold wood beneath my bare feet, accenting the morning dew I see outside on the grass. I smell tea.

The drinking of the tea.
Steam rises up out of my mug, fogging my glasses. Sipping the hot tea, I ponder why anyone would take leaves and soak them in water, and I bless that person. Bad news fills my thoughts as I read the newspaper, punctuated by a few laughs as I read some funny little tidbit. I hear the tapping of a keyboard as somebody checks their e-mail in the other room.

The washing up of things.
My senses are finally awakened as I take a hot shower. I get out and brush my teeth. My family is already bustling around, heading off to whatever activity is planned. The house is warming up, distant from the cold atmosphere outside.

The stimulation of the intellectual senses.
This morning I read C. S. Lewis.

The gathering of things that I should have done last night.
I gather my books that I will need for school that day. The heavy textbooks weigh down my pack. The scattered paper lies about my room like the dead autumn leaves that rest outside. I’m ready to go.

Leaving.
I say goodbye to my family and head to my car. As I get in I wonder what mood my car will be in today. Sometimes it rumbles and shakes, as if grumpy and old. Today it does well; I back out without the least bit of whining. It is a good car. I do not have a name for my car, as I have always tried to keep from naming inanimate objects. But if my car was sentient, I’d probably have a cute pet name for it.

Learning.
I get out of my car to set off for school. It is morning, so dew still shines in the shadows of various things. I step lightly, as if afraid that I might wake the slumbering vegetation that surrounds the school. All around me other students rush off to one place or another. I wonder where all of these people go. There are many different kinds of people, all caught up in the same hustle and bustle. Seeing a few people I know, I wave, though they are rushing off to class also. There is a café nearby so I step in and am instantly met by an overabundance of smells. Big white walls and whiteboards greet me as I take my seat in the classroom. I know I will be itching to get out of this seat in about an hour, due to the hardness of the chair. I listen politely in class, sometimes letting my thoughts wander.

The continuing of education.
My attitude changes as the day goes on. Everything warms up, even the cold classrooms located deep inside the buildings. I finish my classes for the day.

Pondering.
I think about the day, and what needs to be done for tomorrow. I drive home, slightly tired, and drink some tea.

David Crowder Band, please come to Medford!

2005-10-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, I also would like a pony.

An evening with Chris Tomlin

2005-10-16T21:41:00.000-07:00

Chris Tomlin will be in Salem along with Matt Redman and Louie Giglio! I'm going there even if I have to go by myself.

When: November 11, 7pm
Where: The Salem Armory

If anybody wants to go let me know.

Lifesong

2005-09-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to you

Let my lifesong sing to you
Let my lifesong sing to you
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to you

Lord, I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be your hands and feet

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to you

-Casting Crowns, from the album "Lifesong"

Okay, I lied. For the sake of simplicity, all pics will still be here. Thank you very much.

2005-09-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

2005-09-19T16:28:00.000-07:00

We're starting a boy band!

2005-09-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

Three wild and crazy guys

I hate whining; therefore I am

2005-09-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

We just said goodbye to my brother. He's going back to West Point. He is taking it day-by-day. He has a really hard schedule. I hate it when I hear college freshmen complain about a hard workload or high stress or being far away from home. I kinda feel guilty sometimes when I complain and then I think,"i'm really glad i'm not at west point".

That is kind of how I am with everything. We talk about how third world countries have it so hard and yet we turn around and complain about how we need a nicer car. The most prominent place I see this is at church. At least unbelievers don't talk about how they should be helping! I WANT to experience hardship somewhere just so I can feel what its like to get out of my comfortable bubble. Gosh, we have it so easy.

Cheers

As soon as I get back from NY, all pics will be posted on my Pictures and Such blog. The address is www.visuallyseestephen.blogspot.com

2005-09-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

A Picture Share!

2005-09-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

Dave with a large gun

A Picture Share!

2005-09-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

Dave's squad

A Picture Share!

2005-09-05T09:56:00.000-07:00

Dave with a large vehicle

A Picture Share!

2005-09-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

In a black hawk

A Picture Share!

2005-09-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

Mt. Hunter ski and board park

A Picture Share!

2005-09-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

The world-famous rip-van winkle sculpture