After fighting the temptation (yes I mean sin!) to join MySpace for the better part of the last 3 months, I recognized that since I am such a community oriented fella, it would be a sin not to!
If you wish to check out My Space click here and save it to your favorites. I hope to add you to my network of friends if you have a MySpace account. My URL name is westwardwolf in case you want to do a search at MySpace.
August 29, 2006
Return to the Desert
It is well known by now (especially among college football fans), that my Ohio State Buckeyes are ranked as the pre-season #1! I am not a college football analyst by any means and this post will not appear to be anything other than my apparent bias as a Buckeye!
Ohio State looks great on offense with returning starters and Heisman candidates Troy Smith at QB, Antonio Pittman at RB and Ted Ginn, Jr. at WR/KR. I think that Coach Tressel (who usually opts for a more conservative style offense) will not be afraid to use his big 3 on offense to put some big numbers up on the scoreboard.
The question for Ohio State is on their defense who lost 9 starters from last year. But if there is anything that Ohio State has been known for it is their defense and I think that it may take a game or two for the defense to really get its footing, once that happens watch out! For the first time in decades Ohio State could be known for their defense AND offense and that my friends is the combination for a return to the desert for a National Championship showdown. Now the picks:
I believe that we will see a rematch this year at the Fiesta Bowl with Ohio State taking on Notre Dame. Either team could be #1 or #2 at the end of the season. My prediction is that the game will not resemble last year's game in which Ohio State compiled over 600 yards of total offense shutting down the Irish 34-20. The difference then was that OSU had the #1 ranked defense in the nation. So this years game will be much closer and an offensive battle.
My prediction: Ohio State 35 Notre Dame 31
August 25, 2006
Turning a corner
After completing my first week of classes here at IPFW, I believe that I can say that I have learned one more thing about myself. If my major does end up being Anthropology (right now it is more like Anthropology 75% Sociology 25%) I believe that my area of interest within the discipline of Anthropology would be Cultural Anthropology. Here are the 4 areas of academic study within Anthropology:
Archeology
Biological
Cultural
Linguistic
Archeology
Biological
Cultural
Linguistic
The Need for Elders
This past weekend Brenda and I had an opportunity to spend some time with one of her old professors from college as well as the prof's husband, 17 lb. cat and two Siberian Huskies. We have been blessed to get to spend time with them (especially since we only see them twice a year), but this time was different.
Aside from the typical intellectual conversation that happens around a wonderful lunch, I began to have this sense that I was relating to them in a way that I had not previously. Any other time we got together I viewed them more as Brendas friends than mine.
Yet here I found myself after nearly 5 hours of visiting; connecting with Ed (the husband, who also has a Ph.D.) on a completely different level than before. Here is a man who was raised Jewish yet identifies himself more as a Unitarian. He shared with me stories of when he was living in Arizona, how he did a week-long Vision Quest to be initiated into the Hopi tradition and is the only Caucasian to have ever been allowed to join the Bear clan (a prominent group of Hopi that live on a pueblo in the shadow of the Navajo Mountain). How his border collie once saved his life one night when he was in the desert as it protected him from a coyote. Not only did the dog protect him, but it killed the coyote. We talked religion, politics, interspecies communication, string theory and how it all interweaves into our life journey. Even though he teaches Macroeconomics at a local college his deep sense of spirit, intellect and intention transcends his profession. It was almost as if I was sitting at the feet of the Elder that I never had. I know that I will make more of an attempt to spend time with him in the future. We share a lot of the same interests and I feel as though when we converse we are equals (even though I regard him more as an Elder). I could go on and on but I am still in awe and need days to really process all this.
Maybe that is what I have been missing. I have had many mentors and still do. But I have not had a lot of Elders. By that I mean a man who has been wounded and rather than transmitting the wound to others he allows it to transform him for the sake of himself and others around him. I mean a man who carries in his being the essence of life: adventure, purpose and wisdom. A man who holds in tension the masculine and the feminine.
When we got in the car to head back home Sunday afternoon, I told Brenda that if God should be gracious and give me as many years to live as Ed (guesstimating that he is around 70) I want my life to resemble his. Full of adventure, grace, discovery and wisdom.
Aside from the typical intellectual conversation that happens around a wonderful lunch, I began to have this sense that I was relating to them in a way that I had not previously. Any other time we got together I viewed them more as Brendas friends than mine.
Yet here I found myself after nearly 5 hours of visiting; connecting with Ed (the husband, who also has a Ph.D.) on a completely different level than before. Here is a man who was raised Jewish yet identifies himself more as a Unitarian. He shared with me stories of when he was living in Arizona, how he did a week-long Vision Quest to be initiated into the Hopi tradition and is the only Caucasian to have ever been allowed to join the Bear clan (a prominent group of Hopi that live on a pueblo in the shadow of the Navajo Mountain). How his border collie once saved his life one night when he was in the desert as it protected him from a coyote. Not only did the dog protect him, but it killed the coyote. We talked religion, politics, interspecies communication, string theory and how it all interweaves into our life journey. Even though he teaches Macroeconomics at a local college his deep sense of spirit, intellect and intention transcends his profession. It was almost as if I was sitting at the feet of the Elder that I never had. I know that I will make more of an attempt to spend time with him in the future. We share a lot of the same interests and I feel as though when we converse we are equals (even though I regard him more as an Elder). I could go on and on but I am still in awe and need days to really process all this.
Maybe that is what I have been missing. I have had many mentors and still do. But I have not had a lot of Elders. By that I mean a man who has been wounded and rather than transmitting the wound to others he allows it to transform him for the sake of himself and others around him. I mean a man who carries in his being the essence of life: adventure, purpose and wisdom. A man who holds in tension the masculine and the feminine.
When we got in the car to head back home Sunday afternoon, I told Brenda that if God should be gracious and give me as many years to live as Ed (guesstimating that he is around 70) I want my life to resemble his. Full of adventure, grace, discovery and wisdom.
August 16, 2006
Mnemonic... schemnemonic!
It looks like you can forget the old mnemonic sentence: My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is debating what constitutes as a planet and will vote on August 24 whether to include Ceres, Charon and Xena as planets in our solar system. If accepted the order would look like this: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Charon and Xena.
I created my own mnemonic sentence to accomodate the change:
My Veterinarian Elbowed My Cat Jack Stirring Up New Psychological Condition Xenophobia.
What did you come up with?
I created my own mnemonic sentence to accomodate the change:
My Veterinarian Elbowed My Cat Jack Stirring Up New Psychological Condition Xenophobia.
What did you come up with?
August 15, 2006
I wish I'd thought of that
Most of you know that I am a whitewater rafting enthusiast. I am equally interested in kayaking as well. One site that I have been browsing is Perception Kayaks and the website has a really great marketing slogan that I wish I could use for this blog description, unfortunatley due to copyright restrictions the best I can do is post it. I think it also represents our life of faith in Christ. Keep in mind I say yes to this, here it is:
Welcome to the Renaissance of Yes.
It's the rebirth of possibility.
Discovery re-launched.
And it starts by saying Yes!
Yes to any question of discovery.
To feel that kind of honest exhaustion
we knew when we first used Yes!
Welcome to the Renaissance of Yes.
It's the rebirth of possibility.
Discovery re-launched.
And it starts by saying Yes!
Yes to any question of discovery.
To feel that kind of honest exhaustion
we knew when we first used Yes!
August 11, 2006
Initiation
This was taken from the M.A.L.Es website in their June 2005 Newsletter. I thought that it had some bearing on what a man encounters on his journey. Enjoy.
I see men walking wounded:
hairy men, muscular men,
fathers, lovers full of sex,
but dripping with blood,
scarlet sons of pain cut by grief,
drawn and quartered by failure,
stabbed with jagged fear.
Some wise, bearded father,
some elder with a masculine embrace
has touched them with his own red-stained hand,
blessed them with crucified words,
sent them where they did not wish to go,
smeared them with divine musky oil,
named them beloved sons.
They have given up mountain climbing.
They have come down from the great bluff.
They have descended the shadowed canyon by a knotted rope.
When they reach the end, dangling over mysterious,
unknown ground, they let their grip slip
and land on soft snow in the middle of summer.
These men are my brothers.
I thought I had none.
I thought I had suffered the
male anguish alone.
But see:
We are wounded together,
broken in just the right places,
a company of bleeders,
each of us marked for death,
and we are still walking.
by Michael Coffey, AZ MROP 2005
I see men walking wounded:
hairy men, muscular men,
fathers, lovers full of sex,
but dripping with blood,
scarlet sons of pain cut by grief,
drawn and quartered by failure,
stabbed with jagged fear.
Some wise, bearded father,
some elder with a masculine embrace
has touched them with his own red-stained hand,
blessed them with crucified words,
sent them where they did not wish to go,
smeared them with divine musky oil,
named them beloved sons.
They have given up mountain climbing.
They have come down from the great bluff.
They have descended the shadowed canyon by a knotted rope.
When they reach the end, dangling over mysterious,
unknown ground, they let their grip slip
and land on soft snow in the middle of summer.
These men are my brothers.
I thought I had none.
I thought I had suffered the
male anguish alone.
But see:
We are wounded together,
broken in just the right places,
a company of bleeders,
each of us marked for death,
and we are still walking.
by Michael Coffey, AZ MROP 2005
August 08, 2006
Image friend
I'm not sure how long it will be on there but there is a picture of a good friend of mine from college on the Image Journal. Some of you know Jake Crist or have heard me talk about him; I haven't seen him since last October at his wedding. I guess this is what he is up to of late.
Career Objective & Path
Teach/lead workshops and retreats on male spirituality, incorporating initiation methods such as Vision Quest, a voluntary simplistic living philosophy and practicing wilderness survival skills as way of developing a vital, spiritual and whole masculinity.
Education Path:
Bethany Theological Seminary, Richmond, IN
Master of Divinity (M. Div)
Christian Spirituality, emphasis
*Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), Fort Wayne, IN
B.A. Anthropology 2006-present
Religious Studies, minor
Native American Studies, certificate
Manchester College, North Manchester, IN
B.A. Religion, not completed 1999-2001, 2005-2006
Greenville Senior High School, Greenville, OH
Vocational Carpentry Program 1995-1999
Related Experience:
Earth Heart Wilderness Vision Quest, Pine Barrens, NJ
Protector Course
Mens Rites of Passage (MROP), Ghost Ranch, NM
Discovery about masculine spirituality
Tom Browns Tracker School, Waretown, NJ
Standard Course
Earth Heart Wilderness Vision Quest, Pine Barrens, NJ
Four-Day Fast & Quest
*Licensed Minister, Pitsburg Church of the Brethren, Arcanum, OH
Southern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren 2000-present
- Note: In italics represents that I am planning to participate/attend but haven't done so yet.
* represents my current status.
Education Path:
Bethany Theological Seminary, Richmond, IN
Master of Divinity (M. Div)
Christian Spirituality, emphasis
*Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), Fort Wayne, IN
B.A. Anthropology 2006-present
Religious Studies, minor
Native American Studies, certificate
Manchester College, North Manchester, IN
B.A. Religion, not completed 1999-2001, 2005-2006
Greenville Senior High School, Greenville, OH
Vocational Carpentry Program 1995-1999
Related Experience:
Earth Heart Wilderness Vision Quest, Pine Barrens, NJ
Protector Course
Mens Rites of Passage (MROP), Ghost Ranch, NM
Discovery about masculine spirituality
Tom Browns Tracker School, Waretown, NJ
Standard Course
Earth Heart Wilderness Vision Quest, Pine Barrens, NJ
Four-Day Fast & Quest
*Licensed Minister, Pitsburg Church of the Brethren, Arcanum, OH
Southern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren 2000-present
- Note: In italics represents that I am planning to participate/attend but haven't done so yet.
* represents my current status.
Some kind of 'ology
For the better part of the last 7 years my major has been Religion. Since I transferred to IPFW they only have Religious Studies as a minor. And thankfully all my Religion courses from MC transferred, so I already have the minor in Religious Studies. So I was left with the choice of what will I choose to major in?
I have had numerous fields of study interest me of late, I actually came to college seven years ago as a Religion and Psychology double major, but I found out that Psychology doesn't interest me like other areas do. You might think that the logical choice would be Philosophy, it too doesn't keep my attention in the way its sibling, Religion does. I am very interested in Sociology with the cultural aspects that tie into religion. I even flirted with the idea of Biology in order to study wildlife better. Forestry and Natural Resources fascinate me to better understand and live off the earth.
I think I have found the major that fits me the most, Anthropology. The possibility of being a Sociology major is still there but I have two courses this fall in Anthropology and I will see if it is where I see myself. First off, I think Anthropology is a better fit than anything else because of my interest in older tribal cultures (i.e. Native American, Mayan, Incan, Aborigine etc.) and initiation rites. With a certificate in Native American Studies, it will encapsulate the specific areas of study that I want for my life at the present. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin this transition, it will most likely take just under two years to complete.
I have had numerous fields of study interest me of late, I actually came to college seven years ago as a Religion and Psychology double major, but I found out that Psychology doesn't interest me like other areas do. You might think that the logical choice would be Philosophy, it too doesn't keep my attention in the way its sibling, Religion does. I am very interested in Sociology with the cultural aspects that tie into religion. I even flirted with the idea of Biology in order to study wildlife better. Forestry and Natural Resources fascinate me to better understand and live off the earth.
I think I have found the major that fits me the most, Anthropology. The possibility of being a Sociology major is still there but I have two courses this fall in Anthropology and I will see if it is where I see myself. First off, I think Anthropology is a better fit than anything else because of my interest in older tribal cultures (i.e. Native American, Mayan, Incan, Aborigine etc.) and initiation rites. With a certificate in Native American Studies, it will encapsulate the specific areas of study that I want for my life at the present. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin this transition, it will most likely take just under two years to complete.
August 01, 2006
Christians support Israel to speed the Second Coming
Pastor John Hagee believes in putting up a replica Western Wall, affixing to the frames of doors, Mezuzahs, cases filled with a prayer and usually found in Jewish homes and a corridor decorated with pictures of all of Israel's Prime Ministers in his evangelical church in San Antonio. Now he is forming the first Christian PAC dedicated entirely to supporting Israel.
So in other words, he's willing to do virtually everything in his power to support Israel except convert! I think that Christianity has forgotten that Jesus was both a Jew and a Palestinian.
So in other words, he's willing to do virtually everything in his power to support Israel except convert! I think that Christianity has forgotten that Jesus was both a Jew and a Palestinian.