Tony Wheeler dot Net

In the NKJV translation of the Bible, I Peter 3:15 reads like this:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

I find it interesting that the last three words are translated this way because in most other translations these words read something about gentleness and respect. But what really struck me was the NKJV reading of these words. With meekness and fear. Be ready to give reasons for what you believe, but know that there will be some fear involved. I don’t know about you, but I’m a terrible ‘evangelist’ in the classical Christian sense of the word. I’m not interested in going out and handing out tracts or preaching on the street corner. I’m not interested in damming people to hell. I’m interested in loving them into heaven. This verse was revolutionary in my thinking because it reminded me that even in my version of evangelism, there needs to be an element of fear. I have to be taken outside of my comfort zone. I have to be able to be wiling to be stretched. I’m not a Greek scholar, nor do I play one on TeeVee, so I am not sure what translation is true to the original text. Even so, I think the meekness, fear, gentleness and respect must go hand in hand in any of evangelistic effort.

Just some random thoughts from Sunny FLA. Been reading a textbook about Secular Humanism, Marxism and Christianity..so this is where my thoughts are at right now.

Sendin some sunshine your way…

Chilling yesterday at the House Blend Cafe. Truly coffee with a cause. If you are in the Ocoee, FL area you gotta check this joint out. Lot of live music, next weekend they are showing Invisible Children, they are building wells in the Dominican Republic. Just good stuff. Plus they have great food and coffee. All of their coffee is roasted right here.

Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC posted up some serious stuff. He is a great dude who writes a lot of cool stuff…but today he nailed it.

Go check it out!

If you can name the song and artist(s) for the line that is my title, you get a prize which is to be named.

I read a book a few years back called The Mystified Sojourn by Bill Grimes IV. Bill was a dude that I met while working in a home for deveolpmentally disabled adults. Bill drove the bus for my people to go to and from work. Bill was a neo-hippe white dude with a giant afro. Bill was an all around cool dude who is probably one of the most intelligent people that I have ever met. Basically this book was about Bill’s journey through life and his quest for “meaning”. This was honestly one of the guys who really got me thinking outside of my limited worldview and seeing Christianity in a different light. Bill knew who I was and we respected each other. I miss being “out there” meeting these kinds of dudes. I work with a bunch of people every day…probablem is that they all already know Jesus, even the Muslim. I’m not looking to evangelize, I’m just looking to form some relationships. The views that I used to hold about church and Christianity as a whole have pretty much been thrown out the window.

I’m not sure why I am thinking of this except for the fact that I feel like I am in a mystified sojourn…whatever that means. Having some good discussions with my circle of trust and probably heading for some transitions in several areas of life. (Don’t worry, my wife still loves me! hah!) Good stuff, but “the waiting is the hardest part”). If you can name that lyrical artist, you get to beat up the first person and steal their prize. One prize per family, please. May not be combined with any other offers. Offer void in the contigious United States.

You never can tell what will happen with the weather in Minnesota. It is currently snowing, we probably have about 3 inches. How fun is that? Well, pretty fun for me, but it isn’t sticking to the road.

Had an interesting few days. Had some serious spammers on the blog and in my email inbox. This wasn’t the usual porn or prescription medication, it was a drunk guy who personally attacked me and my family. Just letting you know, “Bobby Flay”, that we are praying for you. You obviously have some unresolved issues and I am hoping that you can find freedom from these issues. I’m taking this opportunity to let you know that if I have wronged you in some way, I am sorry. Honestly, if I can help you in any way, you know how to get in touch with me.

Other than a winter storm and childishness, things are going well. Almost done with another class, only two to go. I graduate in May, but have two classes left after that. Should be officially done in July. Then I’ll probably be starting another program locally for a new position at work. Should be fun!

I hope everyone had a great Easter. Jesus did die and rise for you and for me. Sounds simple and it really is.

I haven’t really ever thought of moving to the Pacific Northwest. Don’t get me wrong, there are some beautiful places out there, but the last 5 or 6 days have convinced me that I could never live there. I feel very funky right now…I am highly emotional, borderline depressive, lazy, melancholy and just plain blah.

The amazing thing about this planet is the profound effect that weather has on the mood of the inhabitants. It has been cold and rainy for about the past week. I am feeling that toll on my soul. The other factor at work here is the proximity of my soul to God’s word. I’ve been slacking in that area during this period. So my Journey through the Bible in 90 days will probably end up being more like Journey through the bible in 110 (just adding some days so that I feel better when I finish early!).

This weather, in addition to some other things in life, make me feel restless. It makes me want to drop everything and run. Not my wife and our baby to be, just everything else.

Sorry if I ruined the mood. If you pray, pray for me. Lots of things going on in my soul/life/family/job of concern. Thanks.