Ye Grand 'Ol Podcast Swap

Hi, my name is Andrew, and I'm addicted to podcasts.

Ok, so I would really like to start a cyber support group via this very blog for those who share this addiction, or even a tiny, eensy weensy little interest in podcasts. I am going to share a podcast I listen to each week or so for the next while....and why I listen to it.

The biggest reason of course is that I spend on average, 7 hours in front of this very computer every single day editing photos, communicating with clients, and generally doing what a good little photographer should be doing (other than of course, taking photos).
As you can imagine...it can get dull from time to time, so I have my ipod (to save system speed for photoshop, of course) and listen to podcasts. Any podcast I list can be found on itunes (which is free, and stupendous). Here is the first one!

CBC Radio: Quirks and Quarks
The host is a bit goofy, but this is definitely my favourite Science podcast. It is very educational, and often talks about pertinent cosmological theory. Of particular note (for any theists out there) is an interview with Jesuit astronomer Guy Consolmagno on theistic cosmology. For those interested, one of the very latest podcasts (I think three weeks ago) discussed the genetics of homosexuality: very interesting!

So, if you listen to podcasts (downloadable internet radio shows), let me know which ones. I am constantly looking to broaden my podcastsphere!

Another Quote

I just returned from Montreal checking out the Just for Laugh's festival there. It was extremely cool. Just to the left here, you will see my sister, Missy, and my niece (my other sister, Becca's daughter), dancing in the street at the festival wearing lovely headpieces. I am altogether really happy with the photos I got during the few weeks my sister Becca and her daughter, Arianne were here visiting from Hong Kong.

So, I have another quote from that book I am currently reading by Donald Miller. Please do let me know your thoughts on it if you feel so inclined:

"If I weren't a Christian, and I kept seeing Christian leaders on television more concerned with money, fame, and power than with grace, love, and social justice, I wouldn't want to believe in God at all. I really wouldn't. The whole thing would make me want to walk away from religion altogether because, like I was saying about Santa Claus, their god must be an idiot to see the world in such a one-sided way. The god who cares so much about getting rich must not have treasures stored up in heaven, and the god so concerned about getting even must not have very much patience, and the god who cares so much about the West must really hate the rest of the world, and that doesn't sound like a very good god to me. The televangelist can him for all I care."

What's in a Name?

The name of this blog may seem strange. I actually had in mind to make it a strict apologetical (reasons for believing) sort of site where I would research and report on various arguments for the Christian Theistic worldview. However, it has been hijacked by my personal life, and I honestly don't really feel that I want to get into that stuff right now, mostly because I seem to be at a bit of turning point as far as faith goes (it seems).

I have come to place where I really want to be real, and don't want to have to sift through piles of Christian doubespeak in order to find out who someone really is. I just graduated from Bible College, and throughly enjoyed that experience, as the school I went to wasn't a 'jam our theology down your throat' sort of place, and I learned quite a lot and became much more open minded after going through it (proof that God does work miracles). It has brought me to a bit of a crossroads, though. I'm not sure what faith is supposed to look like, or Church for that matter.

There are many things I want to blog about and talk about with friends, and whoever else finds themselves on this site. Credence is illogical in a lot of ways and I want to explore why.

So, for this first post regarding serious things, I would like to give some thoughts from a book I am currently reading, called Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. I took a picture of the book today (because I like doing such things) and would love to hear any thoughts you have on these quotes.

"The very scary thing about religion, to me, is that people actually believe God is who they think He is. By that I mean they have Him all figured out, mapped out, and as my pastor says, "dissected and put into jars on a shelf." You've got a bunch of Catholics in Rome who think one way about God, and a bunch of Baptists in Texas who think another, and that isn't even the beginning. It goes on and on and on like this, and it makes me wonder if God created us in His image or if we created Him in ours."

I have more, but I'll probably leave them for another day, so as not to overdo it.

Just one more thought and this is something that I have been thinking about the most regarding spirituality and Christianity. So I'll just quote myself:

The biggest challenge to the veracity of Christianity is the fact that so many different people reading the same source material get such different ideas out of it. You would think if there were a mediator (the Holy Spirit), they would agree much more than they do.

Weekend Off

So I didn't have a wedding this weekend (it is a nice little break). Julie and I decided to hook up with some friends and go camping. We had a pretty crappy site but switched it. Then I got out my camera and messed around with some of my new lighting equipment. One photo is above. We ran into Satan, and played some Phase 10 (he won).

Just thought I would scare the masses (all those who read this site, who, judging by the comments, is no one). Oh, if you are reading this, please leave a comment so I know i'm not a complete loser (well I do already know that, but at least I'll know people are watching me be a loser). Just look a little ways down where it says '[0] comments' and click on it. If your mouse button is broken, I'll understand.

Why Do Many Reject Faith?

There are, of course, many reasons that people reject Christianity. Here is a link to one (and likely a significant one).

CBC's Take on Benny Hinn