Don't Tan..

Last year I was diagnosed with skin cancer. It was one of the scariest moments of my life! I always thought my sun exposure wasn't too bad. I also thought Tanning indoors wasn't bad for me (a safe tan)... Can I say my bad!!

The cancer was found very VERY early on my back (only 1 single cell of melanoma in a test area) but my forehead not so much. On my forehead I had something called Basel Cell Carcinoma it is not deadly 99.99999% of the time but it does need to get removed. It was removed through a process known as the "Mohs procedure". The Procedure itself wasn't terrible but it did mean I had a 3" x 3" chunk of skin gone from my forehead (and currently a nice scare). Since we are in the middle of summer I thought I would share a little infographic about tanning indoors what many consider to be "Safe Tanning"

Words:: Tool or Weapon?

I am taking an ethics course this semester. In general I like the course even though I have occasionally vented in frustration via Social Media. In this class I am the thinking Christian my goal is not to convert but to make sure my worldview has a fighting chance. I am careful to be respectful, thoughtful, honest and gentle. One member of this class has had zero respect for me as a person from day 1. Every point that is made she feels compelled to try to make me look the fool, sadly most of the class considers her the fool. I have asked my classmates (Particularly the ones that dont agree with me) if I have been rude, they always affirm that I have been too kind.

Today it was as if a light burst through her anger so I could see clearly. This Girl doesn't have a problem with me she has a problem with Christians. She has been hurt... it is in her voice. Based on the way she talks it seems clear that she has been hurt by harsh condemning words.

This brings me to the point of this blog:: Words are like Machetes they can be a tool or a weapon!

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" :: Proverbs 12:18

If you have used words as a weapon there is a chance you have done damage that needs to be undone. I am finding that truth, is often not about being right intellectually.. It's about offering it with the right heart.

In short Facts are easy...being wise with them is hard! I hope that I have the opportunity to communicate grace this semester.

Ishmael ... aka forced frustration

I am taking an Ethics class this semester. At times this class has been great! Other times I am the one voice standing up saying there is a right and a wrong. The latest twist has taken what was once a balanced view of the issues to an all out attack on Global Warming, and consequently Christianity (They seem unrelated but they aren't). It started with Al Gore's an Inconvenient Truth... which was inconvenient but I am still not sold on the "Truth" part. The only novel that we are reading this semester is Ishmael by Daniel Quinn a novel with an extreme naturalist view. It is very hard to explain my actual thoughts on this but I will give it a go...

1. Quinn introduces "Or" concepts that come fast. Quickly presented on a surface level with only one rational solution. Most readers probably wouldn't pick up on them because they are set against a moving plot. One "Or" conclusion drawn is the function of humans as full rulers of the world in order to create paradise. Quinn refuses to consider that maybe we (as humans) are seeing a time when there was paradise, and something inside wants to restore it.

2. Quinn suggests that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with Humanity. According to Quin the fundamentally wrong philosophy is a result of cultural messages. This to me paired with the previous point seems to shout EDEN from the mountain top. Why would things be universal amongst humanity... maybe it is that our nature knows something we refuse to see.

3. Quinn suggests that humanity "makes up" how we ought to live according to our own thoughts. Quinn suggests that there is an objective truth but everyone has it wrong! According to Quinn humanity needs to look at nature to figure the "truth" out fully. Shocker on this one I think an honest pursuit down this path will direct you toward a very moral life. I believe that morality is written on the walls of the universe.

4. Quinn often offers "facts" that are not based on facts!!! I know this is a work of fiction so stick with me on this... One fact presented is that people that live in undeveloped societies don't have Prophets. This isn't true almost every native culture has a prophet! Witchdoctors, Chiefs, leaders.. they all serve as prophets!

The most frustrating thing about this class is how poorly Christianity is getting treated in the course. My professor often takes pot shots at Christianity and the subject isn't up for discourse (understandably). I make sure I take a clear stand when relevant and respectful but 9 times out of 10 it's not. Also many of the students in my class wrongly assume that the sole goal of Christianity is control. My thought is that Christianity is all about life.. and life to the fullest, which includes radical freedom.

I should clarify one point my professor for all his knowledge has a weak understanding of true orthodoxy. He is not in my opinion honestly anti Christian just misinformed, sadly a debate wouldn't cut the fog. There is a place for love and it needs to be played out with honesty.

Vent over

Palmira the Lemon Beagle

Palmira, our Lemon Beagle, has a mind of her own.

For example, every night when she eats she has a routine. She takes one piece of food and throws it up into the air. Then tries to keep it around or flip it back up. Once this is done she eats the rest of her food. Why does she do this? No idea but it's really funny to watch.....every night.

It's become so entertaining that we started a youtube channel for her. As we capture these odd moments we'll be posting them so be sure to check back. :)

2 videos loaded so far to....

http://www.youtube.com/user/Palmirathebeagle

My Twitter Rules Are Right!

I love twitter, its one of my favorite places to hang out online. It's quick, simple, grammar rules don't always apply, and I have almost 900 friends... not just followers but people I actually like and respect. Honestly my friends on twitter in some ways are better than many of my real life friends. I honestly think a lot of it has to do with rules I follow in the way I communicate. I think it is high time I extend these rules into my every day life!

Here they are...
1. People matter and have interesting stories to tell:: This rule means I don't have to spit my thoughts out all the time. It forces me to ask more questions and to get to know people. It's less about being right and more about enjoying there content. (Jesus is all about this I have never seen a gospel story where he has written someone off as not counting)

2. Arguing is off limits:: I read a lot... I really do ..but I on twitter I try not to engage in discussion if I have a strongly differing opinion. This means I give up my right to be right. Political arguing just isn't something I let my self do. I often see stuff go by want to comment but leave it. I don't have control over major policy issues, so it isn't worth my energy to debate this stuff. There are rare occasions I break this rule (outside of hockey which is just fun banter IMO) but it is always done with respect and a genuine desire to understand someone else's point of view. (Jesus gives up this right so much he goes to the cross in part because of it)

3. Attackers get space:: In life we have people that will send us into a tale spin. They are hard people to deal with and know how to press our buttons. On twitter I give these people space. It isn't in my best interest to give them air time on my feed. Sometimes I mute people for a few days sometimes I just let people go away from my feed altogether. (Jesus uses this mentality a lot he doesn't keep people that want to rip him apart very close)

4. Look for their interests:: This goes back to my first point, however I do try to share relevant information around people's interests. The other thing I try to do is get information from them. I follow people because they are the expert in what they know... I get 10 inputs for every 1 input I offer. I listen more often than I talk. This is a hard rule for me in real life but its something I need to do. (James says "be quick to listen, slow to anger and slow to speak" I think God is on to something)

5. Help people:: I often search the word help on twitter just to see how I can help people... its pretty obvious but my generosity earns respect and helps establish a very positive tone. I don't think I need to break out the biblical rule for this one... Generosity is good!

To my twitter peeps you guys rock! And you have helped me be a better communicator in everyday life!

Been a while

... but we haven't been sleeping! Promise

Quick update::

Since the last blog post we have moved twice! -not fun but we are now settled

The Blackhawks are rocking it this season.

The Kings are rocking it this season.

My buddy Halak has the starting job in Montreal and is an Olympian. :)

We both will have our degrees at the end of this semester... which is cool but my journey keeps going Heather is undecided.

I am doing some consulting work with a friends company on the side (fun).


Im still cancer free, and generally there is nothing exciting going on... which is good :)

WOW... This is great

Check it out