richard's notions.

Something has changed.

I didn't realize it then, but looking back at the past month or so, I have changed. I don't really care to argue so much anymore. I used to jump on any error I perceived, and try to debate the point. Nowadays, I don't feel like doing that so much.

Take the old alcohol debate. Should Christians drink? Well, yes, if they want to. But that's about all I'd take the argument. If someone asked me why, I would quote several passages of scripture which show that alcohol is not in and of itself sinful. Beyond that, I don't really care. Now, if it were a practical situation, I think I would keep going until my point was made. If I were going to be excommunicated for drinking a beer, I would certainly step up to the plate. But on a messageboard? Nah. Who cares? Maybe that other guy that is saying i'm bound for hell, but not me. He can think that, it doesn't really bother me.
Infant baptism? Well, I have assurance that it is proper and scriptural. It is the biblical way to do things. But I just don't see the point in arguing about it anymore. If someone is sincerely asking about it, I will present my position, and answer any questions. But I don't see a point in arguing with someone that talks down to me about it.
And I certainly don't see any point in arguing with fools. That is most definitely out the window.

So, I don't know why I feel much more lax about things these days. Maybe it's because Geneva was born and I now see how much more there is to life, and it's such a waste to be arguing. If that is the case, it has been unconscious. I didn't think of that until I started writing this blog entry. Whatever the reason, I'm glad. It has made the back40 a bit more slow, and other messageboards less exciting. I suppose one could view that as a bad thing. I don't, though.

On a side note, let me recommend some articles written by Steve Schlissel, pastor of Messiah Congregation in New York City. Anything of his would be good to read, but I really like this five part series on the Regulative Principle of Worship. Go here: http://www.messiahnyc.org/content.php?menu=13&page_id=5 and then scroll down to them. They are great, especially for any staunchly reformed types reading.

peace--

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:14.

who knew that derek webb's messageboard would have trolls?

i pictured it as a more intelligent place to spend time. oh well.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:12.

i just want to give an little plug to kristen's blogger. it's linked on the back40, but i just wanted to give it a little extra umph because it's been my favorite blogger lately.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:33.

sigh


i hate how much we, the church, make ourselves to look like israel. you'd think it was on purpose. you'd think we'd have learned by witnessing his judgement on their unbelief over and over again.

when will we ever learn?

posted by Richard Okimoto at 11:04.

so, notice anything new? how about that cool little box to the left that shows which bands are playing today, and where? it's nifty, ain't it?!

thanks to sco for making it, and helping me put it on this here blogger (along with adjusting a few other things). if you'd like the concert updater, email sco.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:34.

the heart
In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter - bitter," he answered;
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."

-stephen crane

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:07.

semper reformanda.

please send any requests or suggestions to okimotor@hotmail.com.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:01.

Psalm 109

1
O God of my praise, Do not be silent!
2
For they have opened the wicked and deceitful mouth against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
3
They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without cause.
4
In return for my love they act as my accusers; But I am in prayer.
5
Thus they have repaid me evil for good And hatred for my love.
6
Appoint a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand.
7
When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, And let his prayer become sin.
8
Let his days be few; Let another take his office.
9
Let his children be fatherless And his wife a widow.
10
Let his children wander about and beg; And let them seek sustenance far from their ruined homes.
11
Let the creditor seize all that he has, And let strangers plunder the product of his labor.
12
Let there be none to extend lovingkindness to him, Nor any to be gracious to his fatherless children.
13
Let his posterity be cut off; In a following generation let their name be blotted out.
14
Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, And do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15
Let them be before the LORD continually, That He may cut off their memory from the earth;
16
Because he did not remember to show lovingkindness, But persecuted the afflicted and needy man, And the despondent in heart, to put them to death.
17
He also loved cursing, so it came to him; And he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.
18
But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it entered into his body like water And like oil into his bones.
19
Let it be to him as a garment with which he covers himself, And for a belt with which he constantly girds himself.
20
Let this be the reward of my accusers from the LORD, And of those who speak evil against my soul.
21
But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name's sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me;
22
For I am afflicted and needy, And my heart is wounded within me.
23
I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust.
24
My knees are weak from fasting, And my flesh has grown lean, without fatness.
25
I also have become a reproach to them; When they see me, they wag their head.
26
Help me, O LORD my God; Save me according to Your lovingkindness.
27
And let them know that this is Your hand; You, LORD, have done it.
28
Let them curse, but You bless; When they arise, they shall be ashamed, But Your servant shall be glad.
29
Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
30
With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him.
31
For He stands at the right hand of the needy, To save him from those who judge his soul.


posted by Richard Okimoto at 12:24.

damn.


look everybody! i said a cuss word! i'm so cool! i'm such a rebel!

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:43.

this is pretty funny. in a way.

http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story120544.html

Saturday, November 03, 2001
1st inauguration ceremony in the community college's 35-year history
Virginia Western president ready to serve

"Planning for greatness has to be our first priority," said new president Robert Sandel.

By KATHY LU
THE ROANOKE TIMES

The 10 people who spoke before Robert Sandel at his inauguration had nothing but high expectations for the new president of Virginia Western Community College.

"Your leadership will be important," said Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke.

"You will continue to serve the Roanoke Valley with dedication and distinction," said Douglas Covington, president of Radford University.

"I believe you have the knowledge ... and foresight to take Virginia Western to the next level," said David Hadden, president of the student government association.

Daunting words, but that's just how Sandel likes it.

"The key word is expectations," Sandel said. "Without a clear sense of what is to be learned ... good learning cannot take place."

Sandel, 56, became Virginia Western's fourth president in July. He was formally installed Friday at the first inauguration ceremony in the college's 35-year history.

"I think this was nice," said Richard Okimoto, a laboratory assistant in the biology department. "I don't think it's necessary, but if you're going to do it, then this was done right."

The college budgeted $20,000 for the event, which was full of fanfare. After a U.S. Marine Corps color guard solemnly marched into the college's gym carrying flags, a brass quintet played the national anthem.

Faculty members dressed in academic robes and the college published a 14-page program and hired caterers for a post-inauguration reception. About 400 people attended the ceremony. Classes were canceled for the afternoon.

Helen Jones, the college's spokeswoman, said this was the first opportunity Virginia Western has had to hold an inauguration. Arnold Oliver, the former chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, had decided that all community colleges should hold inaugurations for new presidents.

Sandel succeeds Charles Downs, who retired in June after 20 years as president.

"You could not have chosen a more worthy successor to Downs," Covington told the crowd.

In his speech, Sandel spoke of his own expectations.

"Planning for greatness has to be our first priority," he said. "We must be advocates of the educational needs of our people."

Sandel came to Roanoke from Big Stone Gap, where he was president of Mountain Empire Community College. During his nine years there, Sandel built the school's endowment from about $500,000 to more than $6 million.

A native of South Carolina, Sandel prefers to be referred to as Bobby. Since he arrived at Virginia Western, he has made it a point to meet as many people as he can, including Okimoto.

"He seems real sincere," Okimoto said. "He really wants to get things done."

Sandel's priorities for Virginia Western include increasing community involvement in the college and strengthening ties with businesses. The college had 8,020 students enrolled in the fall semester, up from about 7,600 a decade ago.

"This is wonderful to have a new president with as much enthusiasm as he's exhibited," said James Arend, chairman of the college's local board. "He's just going to be very aggressive about building what we already have here."

people are asking me if i want to keep my job. hehe...

i only regret speaking with poor grammar. i'm gonna have to email that reporter and stir up some trouble for making me sound like a redneck.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:04.

is it worth it to not buy andrew peterson cds for the sake of music in general?

i'd say yes, except for the fact that i don't think the effect one person can make would amount to a hill of beans.

heck, i'd even go so far as to say i'd give 15 dollars to andrew peterson instead of buying his cd... and just go without his music.

friends... i have just made a resolution. it'll be hard. pray for me.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 15:52.