Tragedy

This is one of the freakiest Christian fiction stories I have ever read.

In rural Alabama, two couples find themselves in a fight for survival. Running from a maniac bent on killing them, they flee deep into the woods and seek refuge in a house. They soon realize the killer has purposely lured them to this house and that they are now trapped. As they huddle around an old fireplace, a tin can falls through the chimney. Scrawled on its side is a message from the killer, establishing his House Rules. The rules call for their deaths unless they kill at least one of the four.

[From Welcome to TedDekker.com | The Official Site for Ted Dekker]

It took a while to get into the book. I bought it a couple of months ago but couldn’t quite get into it. Up until yesterday I had only finished the first 100 of the 372 pages. I think it is because I just didn’t like any of the characters. However, that all changed. I finished the book today.

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Granted Dr. Ivins was only a suspect but isn’t the following quote standard for all neighbors of serial murderers?

“He did not seem to have any particular grudges or idiosyncrasies,” said Kenneth W. Hedlund, a retired physician who once worked alongside Dr. Ivins at the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Frederick. “He was the last person you would have suspected to be involved in something like this.”

[From Anthrax Suspect’s Death Is Dark End for a Family Man - NYTimes.com]

Of course the whole situation is terrible whether he was the Anthrax killer or not. What happens if it turns out Dr. Ivins was not the Anthrax killer and was bi-polar or something? I feel bad for his kids and family. It goes without saying that this is a good reminder to pray for our nation’s safety (and world’s) as well as personal prayers for those who personally survived and the families of those who died in the attacks.

BRIGHTON - The man arrested in the murder of a 20-year-old transgender person was on date with a person he thought was a woman, 9NEWS has learned. Police say when the suspect discovered his date was actually a man, he killed her.
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Allen Ray Andrade, 31, was arrested in Thornton on Tuesday and faces second-degree murder and aggravated motor vehicle theft charges.

In an arrest affidavit obtained by 9NEWS, Andrade admits to police to killing Angie Zapata, 20, who was living as a woman but born as Justin Zapata.

Zapata was found beaten to death in a Greeley apartment in the 2000 block of 4th Street on July 17. Authorities say Zapata had suffered fatal wounds to her head and face.

[From 9NEWS.com | Colorado's Online News Leader | Man arrested in murder of transgender person]

It goes without saying that what Andrade did was evil. I hope someday, somehow, he will personally seek to make amends to Zapata’s friends and family. I pray that Andrade is brought to justice, and there are plenty of laws on the books to do so. “Trans-panic” arguments are ridiculous… he committed murder and should be punished to the full extent of what the law demands. I also pray he will ask God for forgiveness concerning his murderous actions.

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***UPDATE: At the end of the post, after the jump***

I first wrote about Augusten Burroughs‘ not long ago. I was impressed with his writing ability and honesty.

I mentioned that I wasn’t really ready to read his book A Wolf At The Table because it sounded traumatizing. I knew it would trigger some of my own “stuff” and I was right.

It was horrible … very well written … but horrible.

I bought the book with a gift card I got for my birthday. It is easy to read … technically. Although, the subject matter kept my consumption of the book at a slow pace.

I was really surprised at the level of empathy I have for Augusten. Granted, I am not going to explore that in a blog post to any respectable degree. While the details of the different events in our respective lives are different I can relate to the systematic rejection, abuse and abandonment with the occasional violence and terror. Again, seperate lives and circumstances but many of the same themes and results.

Now, unlike Augusten, I never fantasized about killing my father … or anyone. Although, I did have serious other issues and ways to cope or escape.

I would recommend this for Christians interested in reading a non-Christian survival response ( I don’t think Augusten claims to be a Christian) to an abusive childhood. While the end result for Augusten is extraordinary (best selling author), his upbringing is unfortunately something millions and millions of people can relate to on some level. I would recommend this book, for the strong of heart. Augusten, again, displays a tremendous survival response, perseverance and amazing insights.

There is something about Augusten’s will to survive that speaks to the epic dignity of every human’s struggle against darkness and being able to cope in an imperfect world.

An Aside: It should be stated that Augusten’s Dad was planning to be a Pastor when he was young but he eventually fell away from faith with scorn and derision. It is a tough testimony to read.

While I do recommend the book, be warned… it could mess with your head. Make sure to take care and maintain proper stewardship of your time and attention.

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Boundless is featuring my article Grace & Gay Men.  This is what Ted Slater wrote in the announcement email.

Before I talk about the articles we published earlier this week, I want to draw your attention to the one we’re publishing tomorrow, “Grace and Gay Men.” It was a difficult article for author Randy Thomas to put to paper. I think, though, that by being so vulnerable about his experience as a gay man, Randy is able to give us more of a heart for those engaging in the gay lifestyle.

Also, my friend Brenna Kate wrote another article for them about cutting.  Both are pretty darn personal.

Welcome Boundless Readers.  Please let me know what you thought of the article.

UPDATE:  The Boundless Line blogged about the article… Denise and the folks leaving comments are very encouraging,  Thanks!

Boundless is featuring my article Grace & Gay Men.  This is what Ted Slater wrote in the announcement email.

Before I talk about the articles we published earlier this week, I want to draw your attention to the one we’re publishing tomorrow, “Grace and Gay Men.” It was a difficult article for author Randy Thomas to put to paper. I think, though, that by being so vulnerable about his experience as a gay man, Randy is able to give us more of a heart for those engaging in the gay lifestyle.

Also, my friend Brenna Kate wrote another article for them about cutting.  Both are pretty darn personal.

Welcome Boundless Readers.  Please let me know what you thought of the article.

UPDATE:  The Boundless Line blogged about the article… Denise and the folks leaving comments are very encouraging,  Thanks!

After three years in Mexico, the last two lived between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. in Mexico City’s clubs and concert venues covering music, I learned this much: no se metan con la juventud y su musica (don’t mess with the youth and their music).

Fandom is on whole ‘nother level there. For me, this was most apparent at concerts. At one memorable Rage Againt The Machine show, the energy was almost palpable and with the exception of U2, it was probably the most electrifying show I’ve ever attended.

When this energy is directed toward something positive, it’s a beautiful thing. When it’s not, well, you get this:

“The trio of long-haired teenagers grasped the plaza wall to shield their bodies as hundreds of youths kicked and punched them while filming the beating on cell phone cameras. “Kill the emos,” shouted the assailants, who had organized over the Internet to launch the attack in Mexico’s central city of Queretaro. After police eventually [emphasis mine] steamed in and made arrests, the bloody victims lay sobbing on the concrete waiting for ambulances while the mob ran through the nearby streets laughing and cheering.”

The ugly scene, which was aired on TV news bulletins, is part of a new wave of violence against this urban tribe that has sprung up in Mexico in the last decade. The emo subculture probably existed in your high school before the term even bloomed, the latest movement on a continuum represented by goths in the ’80s and alternative rockers in the ’90s. In yearbooks, they’re the kids who wear exaggerated haircuts and immerse themselves in moody music. In short: the kids jocks have been beating up for decades.

When I first read this I thought, seriously, punks? Beating up the emo kids because you don’t like their music? What kind of desmadre (mess) is this? One youth worker, however, suggests the attacks had nothing to do with music:

“At the core of this is the homophobic issue. The other arguments are just window dressing for that,” said Victor Mendoza, a youth worker in Mexico City. “This is not a battle between music styles at all. It is the conservative side of Mexican society fighting against something different.”

Well, that’s the real story. Hopefully there’ll be a follow-up. In any case, it’s just plain wrong, and stupid.

The Discovery and Development of Your Destiny “When Dreams Turn Into Nightmares” - by Pastor Clark Whitten, Grace Church Orlando

Genesis 39:1-16

1 After Joseph had been taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelites, Potiphar an Egyptian, one of Pharaoh’s officials and the manager of his household, bought him from them.

2-6 As it turned out, God was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master. His master recognized that God was with him, saw that God was working for good in everything he did. He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide. He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to him. From that moment on, God blessed the home of the Egyptian-all because of Joseph. The blessing of God spread over everything he owned, at home and in the fields, and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day.

6-7 Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master’s wife became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, “Sleep with me.”

8-9 He wouldn’t do it. He said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master doesn’t give a second thought to anything that goes on here-he’s put me in charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn’t turned over to me is you. You’re his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God?”

10 She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her.

11-15 On one of these days he came to the house to do his work and none of the household servants happened to be there. She grabbed him by his cloak, saying, “Sleep with me!” He left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house. When she realized that he had left his coat in her hand and run outside, she called to her house servants: “Look-this Hebrew shows up and before you know it he’s trying to seduce us. He tried to make love to me but I yelled as loud as I could. With all my yelling and screaming, he left his coat beside me here and ran outside.”

16-18 She kept his coat right there until his master came home. She told him the same story. She said, “The Hebrew slave, the one you brought to us, came after me and tried to use me for his plaything. When I yelled and screamed, he left his coat with me and ran outside.”

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Read Florida Victim of Anti-Gay Beating Appears in Online Video :: EDGE Boston

In this article some gay groups, activists and one blogger make the irresponsible assertion that violent crimes are created by people who disagree over the morality of homosexuality and dare to enforce existing law or affect future public policy (Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Naugle and Florida4marriage.org). Instead of focussing on the criminals who perpetrated these awful crimes … they blame people and groups that have nothing to do with these crimes.

It’s opportunistic of these activists to try and turn this horrible tragedy into an opportunity to smear those who oppose public sex and the same sex redefinition of marriage.

A friend of mine, who doesn’t have any “activist” involvement, said that he sees two waves toward what apparently “militant” gay activists want. The first one is to normalize homosexuality in every sphere possible. This has pretty much been accomplished. The second wave is to silence *any* dissent, opposing religious freedom or freedom of conscience by redefining it as hate speech which will in itself be lobbied to be reconsidered as a criminal act.

Along with the above example, I guess the second wave is in full swing.

I agree with the ending statement that Mayor Naugle could condemn the attacks. Whether he goes to the vigil or not, I hope he does, I do.  What happened to these two young men is horrible and should be denounced.  I pray that they find true justice and not a manufactured culture war campaign.