Eastwood Sez Podcasts
Posted on March 26, 2008
Filed Under about eastwood, truth
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Just because there hasn’t been a new post for a few days, doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy!
If you look up at the top right corner of the page, you’ll hopefully spot a new option: Podcasts
There are now three, and I’m still in testing mode, but give it a shot and see how it works for you. This is also being set up to work with iTunes and all the others once I figure everything out.
Let me know what you think!
I See Dead People
Posted on March 20, 2008
Filed Under about eastwood, life, salvation, truth
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When the movie “Sixth Sense” first came out back in 1999, the trailers convinced me that I had no interest in the latest endeavor by Director M. Night Shyamalan; as I was convinced it would be a ugly, demonic horror film. I have always made it a point to avoid those, as I simply find no entertainment in the butchering of humans or dealings of demons.
But so many people told me how “great” it was, and that my preconceptions were incorrect. I finally saw it long after the hubbub had died down, thanks to the miracle of DVDs, and the propensity of people to share the ones they love with their friends.
As movies go, it was indeed a very fresh take, and as a science fiction buff, I enjoyed it thoroughly; though as a Christian, I was saddened by the usual incorrect teaching on the afterlife and theology in general. It seems there is no end to the efforts to muddy the waters of spiritual life.
But one thing never left me, and that was the scene of the young boy Cole, played by the talented Haley Joel Osment, telling Bruce Willis,
“I see dead people…”
Willis, as Cole’s psychiatrist Dr. Malcolm Crowe , asks for more understanding, “Dead people, like in graves and coffins?”
The boy counters with, “No, walking around, like regular people… Some of them don’t know they’re dead… All the time. They’re everywhere.”
By now, you’ve either seen the movie or never will, so I’ll safely reveal that the info Cole neglected to share with the kindly shrink was that he, Dr. Malcolm Crowe was one of the dead people himself! Of course, the audience had no idea either at that point, which is what made the movie so popular; the truth wasn’t revealed until the very end of the movie!
What a completely unexpected twist! We were seeing the dead people, too, and didn’t realize it.
But I don’t say all of that to coerce you into seeing a decade old flick.
I say it because I see dead people. All the time. They’re everywhere. Walking around, like regular people… and most of them don’t know they’re dead. Read more
Go Postal
Posted on March 18, 2008
Filed Under about eastwood, opinion
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I’d like to encourage any reader of either of my blogs, He Loved Us or Eastwood Sez, aka Blog Loads of Info, to please feel very welcome to post your comments. One person actually told me he didn’t want to detract from the “importance” of my writings!
That’s just crazy talk.
In reality, your comments will be what brings this project to life! Not only will I be getting feedback that will help me in the future as I try to make things useful and exciting, but I am sure your comments will add much to the value of the entire effort. It’s not like I am some wise sage from the world’s top seminary… far from it! I’m just a layman who has struggled mightily to understand - and attempt to live - what God has given us in His Word. And I’m trying to share what I think I have learned.
Besides, when used properly, the comments area of a blog can quickly begin to resemble a forum, or community, and that’s the kind of fellowship I hope to generate among those of us who have a similar worldview.
So please, post away! Let me know how the articles affect you, or if you have something to add, or even if you have problems with something I am saying. In the end, we will all benefit from it.
Don’t imagine yourself to be “not important enough” to post… you are important enough to God, so you’re important enough for me.
Hey! Another Hot Chick!
Posted on March 18, 2008
Filed Under about eastwood, life, opinion, truth
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If frank discussion of human sexuality causes you to squirm, or you’ve taken a vow of chastity, this isn’t the post for you. Turn, and walk away.
I like sex. I always have. I am an American male still in his pre-Viagra years, and I am very much alive. My lovely wife is a beautiful, attractive, sexually exciting woman, and after nearly 20 years, she still turns me on without any effort on her part. I love her so much, it’s downright stupid.
But I am also a Christian, stuck in an era that might best be called “Rome, 64AD, minutes before Nero fiddles“.
I haven’t had cable TV for 10 years, and rarely watch many regular programs, but what I do see thanks to commercials, movie trailers and network promos (not to mention the actual shows) is a non-stop visual onslaught targeting both of my brains. If you didn’t realize that men have two brains, again I say, “Turn and walk away!”
Even if I never walked past a functioning television, though, I still work on a computer all day, and as a website designer, researcher and information junkie, those same ads are still right in my face. Even the weather.com site will have a “weight loss” ad or some beauty product banner with a hottie there smiling at me, or showing me her navel. Maybe it’s a vacation trip or cruise ad with the prerequisite bikini frolicking shot. Sooner or later, it’s coming. Again. Read more
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Posted on March 16, 2008
Filed Under about eastwood, life, opinion, salvation
3 Comments
Though this post might mean something special to virtually anyone, I’m specifically writing to those who, like me, have suffered from spending life in fear of the Lord, yet without feeling close to Him.
Fear of the Lord, in a “worshipful respect” sort of definition, is very important! But terror before the Lord, especially if it’s because you’re stuck deep in sin, isn’t something to continue. If that’s the case, you need to get on your knees, and pour out your heart in apology, being ready to repent (change your thinking) toward Him.
If you already do that, but want to have a relationship of love rather than just respectful fear, then this one is for you.
I often tell people that “God doesn’t want a religious person, but a relationship with Him”.
With all my opportunities to talk to spiritually-young Christians and unsaved seekers, a repeat question often asked is what I mean by a “relationship“?
How can we have a real relationship where we can’t see or hear the other person?
It’s a great question. It took me many years to move the “head knowledge” of what the Bible taught me - and I completely believed - down into my heart where it felt like I was a real part of the system. Before I felt it “in my heart”, I went through what seemed like eons of internal mental bickering with myself; trying to figure out how to “be good” and take God seriously, and whether I was even truly saved! That’s a headache, and enough to drive one bonkers.
One lonely faith among religions
Posted on March 14, 2008
Filed Under Jesus, about eastwood, salvation, truth
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I popped back into that thread that I mentioned in my post Killer Atheism. You might call this post Killer Atheism, Part 2.
The discussion had devolved to the moderate, but non-”religious” posters stating the fact that people would always believe whatever their culture told them, throughout history. By and large, they were absolutely correct. They also decided that all religions, while diverse with aspect to culture, had the same core principals and directives. Not quite, as one faith stands out from the rest like a sore thumb. The most feared faith of all, Biblical Christianity.
Whereas all religions tell you that you must “work” off your “bad karma”, sin or whatever by doing good, in order to gain enlightenment or get through Purgatory to enter Heaven or find Utopia, Nirvana or Utah…
There is one that says you can not. It differs radically from all the others, in telling you that you are powerless to do so and completely reliant on the mercy of God and must accept the work He did for you. This is unheard of in all other religions. It gives God the glory, rather than men. Read more
Killer Atheism
Posted on March 14, 2008
Filed Under Jesus, about eastwood, life, opinion, truth
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I was reading a secular forum tonight, where an atheist was arguing with some folks who claimed a belief in God. Despite the fact that probably two dozen different people eventually joined the fray, it was disheartening to see the lack of insight from both sides. There were a few good points made for the side of Christ, but overall nothing but belligerence from both sides, with no conclusion. “Science”, of course, was at the heart of most arguments.
This particular atheist was far less skilled at defending his position than others I have seen. Primarily tossing out pedestrian jibes like “Was God a caveman because He made man in His image?”, “The Bible was written by a 1st century goat-herder”, “Who made God, then?” and the old standard “Evolution is a proven fact!”, the poor guy quickly had to resort to name-calling to cover his frustration and angst. Sadly, few of the others involved faired much better, and I was left shaking my head in sympathy for nearly all of the posters.
It caused me to wonder what made this man so upset? And why were his “adversaries” so adversarial, rather than loving?
As an aside, his avatar was from the well-known internet picture to right, which I found humorously appropriate; the tiny yapping dog making big noise behind a plastic facade, the supposed security of his toughness. I doubt he’d agree with me, though!
I believe the anger and viciousness from the atheist was simply evidence of a deep, uncontrollable inner terror. The excessive volume of his yapping was directly correlated to the degree of anger toward his Maker, who he refuses to acknowledge, even though he surely knows internally that he’s not in any control of himself whatsoever. Read more
Does God expect me to be perfect?
Posted on March 10, 2008
Filed Under Jesus, life, opinion, salvation, truth
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For a long time, I was aware that the Lord had forgiven me. But then, forgiven me of what? I noticed that I still kept on sinning, and began to get more than a little terrified. I knew this much: during The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had said “Be perfect.” Yikes.
Oh, I knew that Jesus Christ had sacrificed Himself for my sins, by shedding His Blood on the cross, so that I didn’t have to shed my own blood.
I also knew God accepted that as payment for my crimes against Him, which was pretty nice of Him, considering He didn’t have to do that, and I had absolutely no way of paying Him. Read more
Who’s your Jesus?
Posted on March 7, 2008
Filed Under Jesus, life, opinion, today's church, truth
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A cursory reading of KJV Bible verses containing the word image would lead one to understand that God is no fan of images being used for worship. In fact, I believe one of the most obscene things man does against God, from His point of view, is worship images. Ask the ancient Jews, and they may concur.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Romans 1:22, 23
Who needs a parachute?
Posted on March 2, 2008
Filed Under life, opinion, today's church, truth
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Two men on a plane are each given a parachute and told to put it on. We’ll call them Rich and Seymour.
Rich is told the parachute will improve his flight. He’s a bit skeptical at first, and can’t see how wearing a parachute could possibly improve his flight. But he decides to experiment, just to see if the claims are true. He quickly notices the extra weight on his shoulders and has difficulty sitting upright. However, he consoles himself knowing he was told that it would improve his flight, and gives it a little more time. Read more
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