Of Castles and Catapults

Husband. Father. Writer. Reader. Theology. Philosophy. History. Music. Art. Beer.

[joekcowan]

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Lately I’ve been reading posts or statuses from friends and familiar that concern me. So, being that this has been heavy on my heart, I thought I would talk about the idea of “prosperity” gospel, or self-focussed worship. Not because I want to seize the heretical teachers and see them burned at the stake, but mostly because the teachings of the prosperity gospel are misleading. Where Christians should be looking to our savior, to the prosperity that He already is, there are many that are looking for the right “equation” in which to gain our “divine” entitlement from God. It’s a theology that is primarily bent on material needs, good-feelings, and words steeped in optimism and emptiness.

And most importantly, in its subtle concepts and crevices, it leads us away from actually knowing our father and his will, and from what following Christ actually looks like.

I might do a number of blogs on this topic, but for now we’ll talk about it from a fundamental of Christianity. Here I come to these topics with the prosperity teachings in mind, but I think this applies to a wider variety of distractions from the gospel.

The Prosperity “Gospel”

There is a thing that has arisen in modern mainstream christianity called the "Prosperity Gospel". The reason it is even called a specific kind of a gospel is because it isn't the ACTUAL gospel. The “Gospel of Prosperity” teaches a sort of message that says "the power to a better life is IN yourself. You have the power to your own destiny".  I was flipping through the channels and landed on a evangelical teaching series, and that was literally what they said. I couldn’t believe what blatant disregard for Jesus’s teachings you have to go through to arrive at that point. But that is the world we live in... I have spent some time listening to people like Joel Olsteen to see if it's really as bad as they say. And believe me, it is.

Honestly, there will be bits of truth always mixed in with deceitful messages. I have overheard some thing Joel Olsteen has said that I could confidently say, “Yeah, thats true”. Most of the things I’ve listened to, however, follow this cookie-cutter processed message of “blessings for us”, with little to no focus on what it actually means to be a disciple of Jesus. In addition, perhaps the most aggravating thing, is the scripture used in his talks are taken seriously out of context, and are used unfortunately with agenda in mind, and not original intent.

But enough of that already. I’m not trying to pick a fight or particularly rant about anyone in particular. My goal is to show the fallacy in this askewed and widely accepted view of the gospel by use of the Gospel in scripture.

The Prosperity Gospel focuses on human entitlement, human achievement, and the proper equations to activate God’s blessings. Which is admittedly attractive in this day and age.

But it doesn't work. Why?

Well here is some scripture that directly addresses the human condition, and our need for him, which would contradict the focus of Prosperity teachings: Rom 3:9, 23; Eph 2:8-9; Eccl 7:20. And in Matt 8:18-22 we see Jesus telling eager would-be disciples that following Jesus is not a walk in the park.

But I would like to expand further.

Other Gods

Let's talk about idolatry a little bit. The First Commandment states to "have no other gods before me [Yahweh]” (see Gen 20).  Now, you and I may look at this and say,"Well I got that one down good! I don't have molded idols dedicated to Baal, Magog, Melkor, or Sauron. So that command is more for primitive folk who struggled with alternative deities." The problem with that is that the 'gods' that referred here were very real to those people, and exist today in very real (but less overt) ways. The main issue was that when people worshipped other god’s, they really only worshipped prosperity.

For example. The Greeks had a god for for every need. If you were a farmer you worshipped Demeter, the God of grain, growth, and harvest. If you were a merchant, Hermes. There was one for sailors, soldiers, mother, virgins, musicians, socialites, and craftsman! The list goes on! And that’s just the Greek gods. The idea was “if I do this thing (sacrifice) for this god, I will do well in life (wealth in trade, success in career, health in life, prosperity in war, etc). So in the end, they didn’t worship those gods for gods themselves, they worshipped them in the hopes of gain. Today, we skip the graven images and make our homes the temples, or our job-sites. Our children become our anchors, or our friends, or our social status, or our education, or our marriage.

I’m using broad terms here, but anything that you subconsciously say “I must have that in order to be valued/satisfied” is actually your god, your identity. Sometimes they are hard to identify. But you can sometimes see what they are when you see what you spend the most time in, emotionally or mentally or physically. Then you can almost catch a subtle glance of the graven image--the god you pray to.

Now most of these idols are not bad things as themselves. Prosperity is a good thing. Our children and jobs and relationships are good things. But to the Christian, when they are put before God, they become idols. And you can worship anything, even doctrine and theology can take a clever place where the actual Jesus belongs. A god is anything you worship or slide right in the slot between yourself and God.

Hazards of gods

The effects of following these things as your “end-all” is that they will inevitable leave you either constantly grasping for more, or/and will eventually collapse on you while your hands flail about for the next thing that will inevitably do the same. Why is this way? Because scripture tells us these things are not designed to fulfill us. That, instead, we are designed to be fulfilled by God.

In Acts 14:8-18, as well as in Act 17:22-31 Paul addresses the greeks in Lystra and Athens and essentially tells them they are barking up the wrong tree, and that God was the thing they ultimately sought. Now that’s just a small facet of these verses, and they focus on even deeper theology and philosophy than I am giving them credit for. But the idea is this: there is nothing that will fulfill us, because God is that fulfillment

But the Prosperity gospel teaches that god is essentially a good-looking vendor that loves us. It says "ACTION (prayer, positivity) + GOD = BLESSINGS" See the focus here? It isn't God. Its actually blessings. It’s actually on us.

But that isn't Christianity. It's idolatry.

So, in other words, we are barking up the wrong tree.

What Does the Gospel say?

So what is the actual Gospel? What does the Bible teach us? Well, I'm glad you asked. It's very different, and a ba-zillion times better. Here are a couple main contradictions:

1. Prosperity "gospel" says that all God wants is for your to have a rich life. The BIBLE shows us that following God actually leads you through hardships.

It used to be a common understanding that becoming a christian does not mean your life gets better. Yes and no. I would say your life does get better, but not because it becomes easier or circumstances are magically created in which you become a millionaire. It’s because your understanding in life changes from focussed on the temporary and physical, to the eternal and the spiritual. And it changes with a tint of hope that reconciles all misfortunes and sin. But it is certainly not easier.

Lets look at the scripture for this. Matt 8:18-22

18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

We already see Jesus warning would-be followers about the hardships of following him in Matthew. As the Reformation Study Bible puts it:

8:18–22 These two events show the radical commitment Jesus demands of disciples. Those who identify with Jesus will be “sojourners and exiles” in the world (1 Pet. 2:11). Honoring one’s parents by providing a proper burial was a strict obligation in Jewish society, but Jesus demands a greater allegiance to Himself.

We also know that the first disciples (I believe all but John) were brutally martyred for their belief. And beyond that, the early church experienced waves of persecution, and in the circumstances of Roman plague, the christians deliberately endured suffering and sickly death to minister to the dying.

Our prayers should be focussed on asking God for His will in us, not our will with him as an added boost. When Jesus teaches us how to prayer, one of his first statements in the prayer is “Thy will be done...” Jesus, even wishing for another way to exact salvation, asks on the mount of olives: “not my will, but thy will...” knowing the hardships he were about to face.  And as you see through out Pauls ministry, who faces stoning, beatings, torture, and shipwrecks, Paul doesn’t ask for less hardships, but endures them knowing the gospel was worth it. C.S. Lewis says on this matter:

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done."

Even Bruce Lee had a good grasp on this concept, saying:

“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one”

The mainstream prosperity gospel doesn’t look anything like this sort of christianity.

2. Prosperity "gospel" says the power is in yourself. The BIBLE says we are all really depraved and INCAPABLE of fixing our problems.

Scripture tells us in that our hearts are corrupt. The New Testament and Old testament is steeped in the evidence of our hearts being corrupt, and our need for God’s redemption--for His grace to save us. It is the human condition (ex Mark 7:21, Jer 17:9, for start, Rom 3:23).

But on a more positive note, Genesis tells us we are made in God's image, it tells us we were declared good by our creator Himself. So our value to God is great, which is why he doesn't want us to muck about trying to gain value from other 'gods'.

Some of us know our faults. Those who don't realize their own faults are usually ignorant to them because the thing that keeps them from seeing this is their idol: "I'm not so bad, because I have this, or because my identity is in that..." WE LITERALLY SAY THIS. I said it the other day and then realized it later on, saying, “Oh man, even I say that!” But it is IMPOSSIBLE to come to knowing God without knowing our faults. Because that's what knowing God does, it reveals to us our need for him.

3. Prosperity gospel focuses heavily on getting God to get gifts. The Gospel tells us to follow God to get God.

When we come to terms with our inability to be ‘better’ people, and our need for our savior, it tends to push away the material prosperity. Because it shows us that even if we GOT THOSE GREAT THINGS (Great Job, awesome spouse, sweet house, social status at the local pub) we would still be lacking what really fulfills us: God.

As Timothy Keller put it:

“All money, talent, health, power, and pleasure in the world are God's. But the greatest treasure he can give us is life in his presence.”

And, before, C. S. Lewis said:

“Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth 'thrown in': aim at Earth and you will get neither.”

This is the point: if we focus more on the things of God (blessings, prosperity, etc) and not on God himself, who is the master and provider of those things, we miss it. And ultimately we are trying to purchase parts for a machine we don’t actually have. We are hoping in lesser goods in place of the biggest good.

The Daily Threat

Now, let me say this: we have to make God our 'god' daily. We have to make our identity Him, daily. Because we are fallen people in a fallen world, we will always return to our other 'gods' "as a dog returns to it's vomit". Which is what also adds to the relationships concept. Its not necessarily a transaction we undergo once and then , PRESTO-CHANGO! We are never wandering astray! insert kazoo sound!

No. That's not how it works. It's an ongoing account. Its a companionship a... well... a relationship. Its a constant. I'm talking here about consistency, not salvation. That's a separate theological point we can talk on later. So what I'm saying is, we need to be mindful. Because I have found that usually when I am distressed about something, or angry and bitter about someone or circumstances, or just feel abandoned, its because I was trusting in something else. I had put another ‘god’ before Yahweh, who is THE ONE GOD TO RULE THEM ALL (seriously though).

And knowing that THAT is the human condition from what the Gospel shows us--how Jesus fulfills that need for perfection, or fulfills that longing for fellowship--I know that I can look at the anger and pride and disappointment and say, "Its because I left God." And what does one do from there? He Turns to Jesus and rests. See MATT 11:28-30. And that's where the Grace is. Its where our turning, our inability to faithfully follow him is covered by HIS faithful goodness, HIS faithful relationship. See what Paul says in Romans 5:1-8

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have alsoobtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, andwe[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but werejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Conclusion

Some of you might have read this, and not being of the "Prosperity Gospel" and know what I mean by "total depravity", have realized that this isn't a message for you. But it is. It most certainly is. And I would charge you to look at your life and the things that are eating at you now (we aren't always going to be aware of them). Look at those things and say "is God my god, or has something else taken that place?" 10/10 times I am in a state of depression or worry or anger or pride, it is because it's not God who I am trusting, it isn't God who is my identity. Its usually because it is something else. It’s me barking up the wrong tree.

For more reading on this, I highly recommend Timothy Keller’s book, “Counterfeit Gods”.

[joekcowan]

JOE'S USEFUL TIPS FOR DEBATES/ARGUMENTS:

1. If you want to appeal to someone's intellect, use informed or well-grounded statements, not emotional or dogmatic statements. Being dogmatic doesn’t actually support anything you are saying.

DON'T: "Everyone knows A is better than B. B is just a bunch of crap." DO: "According to studies, A is proven more successful than B."

2. Mockery reflects the mocker as one who may not be able to back up their argument, and it lowers the opponents ability to respect you in the end (and respect often begets conviction/consideration). DON'T: "Only idiots believe in B." DO: "I'm unconvinced that B works."

3. Check to see if what you are saying people are wrongly doing is not the same method you use to point it out. That cancels out the stance. DON'T: "A people judge people and are just a bunch of bigots." (<see the hypocrisy?) DO: "My experience with A has been negative."

4. If it's technical, sight sources. Its hard to argue over things if their only opinion-based or have no real back-bone.

5. Arguments and Debates do not always have to be public. When conversations move from public to private, understanding and civility are usually restored, heated emotions are cooled, and your stop trying to make a statement and start trying to actually have a conversation.

6. (My personal endeavor) If it's a moral issue, ESTABLISH YOUR FOUNDATION OF MORAL. People don't have to agree with your reasons, but if you expect others to appeal to your morals, establish the foundation that influences that. DON'T: "A is right." (my argument would be "Why is A right? What makes Aright? Who decides what is or isn't right?" This is important. Anyone who can stand for a moral needs a reason) DO: "A is right because..." (from here you can appeal to the opponents belief or express your own). I personally believe that if you don't have a foundation for your moral arguments, than it really doesn't matter 'who killed who'.

(FOR ABOVE: I'm a Christian, therefore I personally stand for/against things based upon biblical teachings and am personal convicted that upon biblical foundations and the designs for the universe, the morality of the gospel serves as a way to direct individuals and society to fulfill the original design of the universe. I try to convince people of these purposes because I think there is a lot of weight/value/evidence that these benefit all aspects of environment, relationships, economy, art, etc, and because I actually believe in the relational and patriarchal God.

FOR EXAMPLE: I believe that misogyny is not only a fallen view of God's design for relationship [based upon biblical examples], but it clearly begets unhealthy practices that deteriorate. I believe in complimentary relationships [that man and woman are equal, but different] because of biblical teachings.)

[sosuperawesome]

Poorly Drawn Lines on Tumblr

[jonathon-reed-blog-deactivated2]

Lol I love these

[joekcowan]

Seriously?

So I follow a couple fantasy/sci-fi art forum's here on tumblr. I'm an aspiring novelist and I love medieval culture, swords, armor, historical stuff, original coscepts, awesome scenery. But probably about 80% of woman depicted in sci-fi or fantasy are either A) showing way too much butt, or B) showing way too much cleavage. It's sickening. I just want to see some wholesomely good art. But even THAT has gotten trashy. Seriously? That's what I say to myself when I see row after row of fantasy hero girls who are just STUPIDLY (and not very usefully) clad in a lack of garb. SERIOUSLY? I've been reading a lot of articles of feminism. Not the kind of feminism that get's a bad rap for being "WE DON'T NEED MEN! MEN ARE DUMB, WOMAN ARE SUPREME". I'm talking about the feminism that says, "Hey world, stop objectifying us." And it's really starting to be evident in the world. I watch closely and see, "Yeah... those people are right. Sex has gone from something beautiful to something cheap and...crappy. Music has gone from original and all about the heart or all about the effort and creativity too... canned beats and tunes that are recycled OVER AND OVER. And art (and even freakin books!) are going down to this hey-everybody-likes-half-naked-chicks-so-lets-taylor-our-creativity-to-nurture-that type crap. I can't respect that. If we aren't trying to keep our world pure, if we are trying to objectify beauty (not just woman, but beauty in general) then we are playing the same stupid capitalism game that the Creatives are supposed to be against. Let's man up and stop doing this shit! The fact that this kind of crap comes up in ART is just... it's like watching justin Beiber going from a sweet kid to a product of the mainstream music industry. Its spoiling what is pure. And it's nausiating. So, artists: SERIOUSLY? You too? K, rant over.

[joekcowan]

Back in the day. Oh man, oh man oh man. I miss these guys. You--yeah you, reader--probably don't know these guys. Why? Because the Marine Corps has this cruel thing where you make the closest and best friends from all over 'Merica, and then when you are done doing your Marine stuff, everyone goes back to their homes (which are ussually spread out all over the place). For instance, Stout there (the one in the terminator shades) lives on the EAST COAST (fortunate for me, I'm closer to the east coast myself now and look forward to getting him to get on his facebook because I don't have his number...), and Bennet (with the rock n' role hands) lives somewhere in WA stated (or something. I should have seen him and regret it so much). I shouldn't linger here. But these guys were through the shit and mud and blood and tears that I was in. But the Marines forges friendships that not even death can not seperate. Stout felt like he could have been the Clive Staples to my John Ronald Reuel. We spent HOURS discussing philosophy, theology, vocabulary, relationships, memories. We would take extra posts if it meant we landed on the same post together. And Stout had this friendship-type-honesty that is rare and worth more than a set of teeth. He would not withhold telling you bluntly how he felt. But you always knew it was because he was your friend, and that's what marks you as a good one. Bennet (that handsome nerd/metal-head/stud-muffin in the back) has put up with me far more than I diserve. From my crazy antics towards the end of my enlistment, to my uneducated knowledge of Slayer and Iron Maiden. Bennet was a crazy solid rock of a guy. He never really let anything get to him. It wasn't like he just held it in, it just floated over. I tell people to this day he is the best example of a Marine that I know. He should have been an officer or something. I respect this dude. Also, he plays the battle-axe like nobodies beez-wax. I actually have him on a tasty track playing some solo leads on a song of mine. I bet if he were alive today... (jk, he's still alive. I just wanted to throw you off for a sec). Day, the lone Marine at the bottom (sorry, Day, I stole your pic. Not really sorry). Shane Day is one of the funniest guys I know. I have fun memories of us annoying the shit our of our buddy (Flashman) by talking in italian mafia accents. Flashman didn't get it, but it was fun. Day and I have been through a lot. We've both witnessed a lot of hurts come and go in eachother's life, and we have both had words of encouragement for eachother. It's a rare find when you got a brother like that. When stationed in GA, I spent a lot of time with this dude (taking boat rides, bonefires, shannanagins...the works, really). This guy is a solid encourager, a biblical Barnabas of sorts. Luckily ths guy is still in FL, so I look forward to hanging with this dude SOON. Needless to say, I love these brothas. According to the Esprit de Corps, there is unquestionable hospitality to these men. They will always be my brothers even though we are all so far away. They will always have a place at my table.

[joekcowan]

Lord of Rain.

Lord of Rain Where trees can climb and find the shade And the dim blankets, like canvases of paint Hover above to drop water, to give thanks... I, from mud Flesh and bone and blood Armed with blades and boulders above Cry in wretched pain of the pure, slaughtered dove... You cut from the ground The tree to bear a thorn-ed crown. And then leave for me a banner's mound As if you song left the world without sound... So siletly there, I am laid down, wet and broken and bare. But awakened from the grave as a stream arises aware. Of all the good, the joy, the beauty and the fair... But forth I run, And in the rain, the darkness comes. And the 12 dead and their words succomb. To deeds so cross and nevermore to be undone.... I cry for your shape, A dialogue, or image, spec of dust from your plate, And left with the no-sound, remnants of a cold gate. I have become weary, and I lack for escape... And here your banner stands, A hope for still, as broken to the the ailing man, And I walk in defeat to know that I am. Given and taken, like the rain, like waves on land.

[itscolossal]

WATCH: Honey on Tap: A New Beehive that Automatically Extracts Honey without Disturbing Bees [video]

[officialabortionist]

WITHOU T DISTURBING THE BEES THAT IS FANTASTIC BEES ARE GREAT

[kedreeva]

You don’t understand how fabulous this is!!

This hive structure, if it works like the descriptions imply, would make beehives something super affordable, that just about anyone could install near their home and maintain. AND it would reduce the cost of harvesting honey by more than just the money-

A typical honey harvesting device costs $200-300, plus the time it takes to use to harvest. For a Langstroth hive, you have to suit up (gear which can be pricey), remove the comb (which is highly disturbing to the bees), install said comb in the extractor (scraping all the caps off the comb first), spin out the honey, RE-open the hive (after suiting up and again disturbing the bees), and put the comb back.

If you use a method that doesn’t require an extractor, you usually end up destroying the comb, which is damaging to the hive and intensively laborious for your bees because they have to completely remake the combs from scratch.

What this looks like is that you probably wouldn’t even need to suit up any time you wanted to harvest honey (though you would still need the equipment for installation of the colony and for inspections, etc, or if you’re still getting used to the colony). Removing the viewing window on a hive doesn’t disturb the bees at all (ours hardly even notice us), and the shift in the comb to start extraction is unlikely to cause enough disturbance to merit a response.

The bees get to keep/recycle all the materials they created (aside from the honey), and you get fresh, almost-effortless honey.

Perhaps the most important and AWESOME thing about this?? The “Flow Frames” that allow for this type of extraction can be used with pre-existing hive boxes. This means that folks who already own bees that are being kept in most kinds of hives, especailly the standard Langstroth hive boxes, can replace their old frames with Flow frames without having to start from scratch.

The Indiegogo campaign to start production on these launches in just a few hours (11AM AU EST, Feb. 23rd, 2015), so if you want to help these folks revolutionize bee-keeping, I would suggest signing up for their mailing list!

[joekcowan]

Thoughts On A Newfound Favorite Author: Part 2

Ok, back to the original topic.

Patrick Rothfuss.

Do me a favor. If you haven't seen a picture of Patrick Rothfuss or want to know what beards look like, look at this random link google so wonderfully provides: 

Bam. Face-bear achieved.

Now, let me talk about this newfound author of mine (well he isn't MY author, he's his mother's author. Or his book's author. Or his girlfriend's. I don't claim ownership, its a figure of speech, people.):

K, so I recently went on a quest to find good fantasy novels. I'm not talking about your normal paperback-fantasy books. I'm talking good. I don't know how to make the word 'good' mean exactly what I want it to, but I was looking for a books or author that really invades and defines the reader-to-book love relationship.

I read a lot of ok books, and a couple terrible ones. I went to Amazon and, at the price of birthday giftcards and hard earned money, I bought this guy's The Name of the Wind, along with several other books proclaimed to 'rock my world'. I am really surprised that I had never heard of him before, and more surprised that my friends who had delved deep into the tomes of everything-that-is-good-and-wholesome had not really recommended Patrick with little more than a flickering mention (if mentions can possibly flicker).

As an aspiring novelist in the same genre, I am very particular and pay attention to the skill of the author in rhythm, story, and believability. ALSO, style.

Guys, this guy takes the cake. And you are hearing it said from a reader who started with Tolkien, cursed to forever seek for an author who might be worthy to bask in his shadow. Though Patrick Rothfuss's work is not really anything similar to The Lord of the Rings (totally different kind of tale) I found myself absolutely delighted and enthralled with Rothfuss. Which is rare, and good.

Why? Because it's awesome. Rothfuss is a legendary story-teller, which—by the way—is what makes a book worth reading. As a guitarist and song-writer, I especially can relate to his main character's love for the lute and song. I am now inspired to learn how to play the lute, thanks to his books. And as a history-enthusiast, I could relate to the history and lore that peppers the books with enough mention to keep you engaged, but not drowning you in facts that will cause disinterest.

I feel, in part, that whilst reading The Name of the Wind, I was reading about a character who reminded me of me. Not because the guy is young and handsome and intelligent (those things don't apply to me) but because he was passionate, because he had been through some really hard times. He had witnessed some things that few would ever understand or believe him with. I could draw a lot of parallels with that, I suppose. Mostly, though, I felt as If I were reading about Patrick Rothfuss.

I guess that Patrick probably plays a mean acoustic guitar. He probably listens to celtic folk-songs. He might listen to Mastadon, or Iron and Wine, or the Bee Gees for all I know! But I felt like when I was reading the book I was hearing words from a open-minded, level-headed, down to earth kind of guy, and at the same time, getting to know a unique individual. And that is a warming thing when you find yourself feeling like you have become friends with an author via his book.

I really feel like I am going to spend to much time writing about the wrong sort of things regarding Rothfuss. Which is sad, because when I read something I really love, I want EVERYONE to read it. It's like meeting someone you really enjoy and wanting everyone else to enjoy equally.

Unfortunately, that can be akin to introducing your ex-girlfriend to your wife. Doesn't always work like that.

One thing I have to say is that Patrick Rothfuss seems very approachable. I've never approached him, and doubt I ever will (unless he frequents my favorite gastropub in Jacksonville, Florida). But he establishes himself as someone who doesn't only care about his fans, but is interested in them. Almost as if he was their father and they were his children.

Ok, now I'm starting to reach stalker status in my descriptions. Let's move on.

Needless to say, because of his books and all the things it reveals about him (or for what I guess it to reveal), Rothfuss seems like the kind of guy I would thoroughly enjoy a mug of (for me, at least) dark beer and hours of conversation and brain picking. So, if I ever make it to the best seller list one day, or get on the 'esteemed author' status as he has (so says I), I hope to make that kind of meeting happen.

Now, about the book: go read it. I swear you won't be upset. It is absolutely brilliant. The story is incredibly creative, thoughtful, clever, and has very few dull moments (if any). I recently recommended his stuff to a passionate reader/friend of mine who has confessed to crying at moments while reading the book (for me it was the lute case scene that did it for me in the 2nd book, The Wise Man's Fear).

Honestly, in closing, I don't know if I will ever do the author or the books justice. But I think writers are probably aware of the crap they get from critics, and need good, wholesome, and sincere acknowledgement.

Well, congratulations, Mr. Rothfuss. You have done it. You have become an author worthy of serious praise and respect. Cheers! Now go forth and make babies or whatever, because we need more story-tellers like you.

[joekcowan]

Thoughts On A Newfound Favorite Author: Part 1 (because I talk too much)

Patrick Rothfuss.

I feel like if names were soft material, Patrick Rothfuss would be akin to suede/silk/sex. That doesn't make sense, but I'm just kinda laughing to myself about how Patrick Rothfuss might feel about being compared to something like that.

Ok, so let me set some ground rules or whatever. First, I am a pretty big fan of fantasy fiction. So much, that I hate most fantasy. Why, you ask? Because I am picky. And I started with Tolkien and kinda have to work my way down. Tolkien is probably the only author I have allowed my self to become fully in love with for ages (strictly platonic, mind you). I love the "Song of Ice and Fire" books, and have grown to memorize all the lore my short-termed brain can manage, but once it started to compete with my love of Middle-earth lore, I corrected it and told it to "get behind me". I am territorial.

Anyway. So I hate most fantasy fiction. I have spent hours at bookstores amazed at how much crap makes it to the shelves (however, this is encouraging to me as an aspiring novelist to think that I may actually yet make it took bookstores). Also, I am stupidly critical. You have been warned. I am sorry.

Fantasy to me is either really bad and cliché, or it is magnificent. I will express how I feel in this short list of authors I love, followed by a list of authors I wish I loved, but don't.

LOVE: 

J. R. R. Tolkien (duh!), The Lord of the Rings: great, wide imagination and stories akin to saxony/norse mythology. I'll try not to say too much, but there is something just right about his books.

George R. R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire: actually when I first saw HBO's Game of Thrones I thought it was going to be dumb just like every other fantasy show I've seen. (Again, I am too critical). However, after hearing my wife's screams of excitements and sorrow whilst watching the show, I got into it and we both read through them. When I started reading his books, I realized he wrote in ways I had ALWAYS wanted to write. So I was jelly. Also, he knows his medieval culture. That I respect because before Tolkien, I studied everything about medieval stuff (not in school, just in a lot of history books, etc). He is a mix between J. K. Rowling and Tolkien. Which makes me wonder if they knew each other... Which leads me to:

J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter: Do I need to explain this? I got into these books like while they were making the 6th movie. I thought they would be dumb, but they weren't. The only dumb that was in Harry Potter was the first half of Dumbledore's name. Eh? See what I did there? I'll be here all week, folks!

Patrick Rothfuss, The Kingkiller Chronicles: yeah this post is supposed to be about him, so I will get to him later with full attention.

(I'm starting to regret making this list...)

NOT-LOVE:

Terry Brooks, Shannara: I like the idea of a lawyer writing fantasy. However the Sword of Shannara was just someone else's retelling of the Fellowship of the Ring, and he breaks Stephen King's no-no law. FAR TO MANY NON-DESCRIPTIVE ADVERBS (adverbs are primarily the -ly words that some writers over use when they are too lazy to be creative. Even Stephen King uses them, but he says you can't kill enough of them. By the way, he wrote the best book on writing ever. It is titled... wait for it... On Writing. Bam! Simple and to the point. Read it if you haven't, especially if you want to be bad ass. Even if you hate King. I haven't read anything other than that book and now he has my respect fully. I used an -ly word just there. I'm sorry).

IT'S COMPLICATED:

Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn, Stormlight Archives: I wasn't happy with Mistborn. If you really want to know why, go to goodreads.com and find my review there. However, I am looking forward to eventually reading The Way of Kings, in hopes that Sanderson will redeem himself. 

Mark Lawrence, The Broken Empire: We had a good run. I absolutely admire—and am quite jelly over—Lawrence's ability for maximum personality and livelihood in his books. However, some ideas and stuff he introduces were not given enough time to sink in or really be explained so halfway through the third book I had to stop because I was bored and it wasn't exciting anymore.

Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time: I only read the first book in the series. Its very close in largeness to Middle-earth, but also it draws very close parallels that most Tolkien fan's would probably get annoyed with (I imagine). If I were the kind of Ringer to get angry, it would probably make me burn a house down. But no, Terry Brooks did a better job copying Tolkien, so I can't say that about Jordan. I actually found the idea interesting. The story. However the writing felt like... he didn't know how to put sentences together. This is a flaw in writing. It is one I experience so I'm understanding about it, but I still had a hard time reading it. Good writing needs good rhythm. And this one lacked. Also, I don't like Trollocs. It's not that they scare me, I just... I feel like Jordan wanted to make orcs but couldn't because that was taken, so he made something weirder and less... just weirder. In my book. I admit that I'm being harsh, but remember that I started with Tolkien. So everything else is a byproduct of his legacy. It's true. Everyone considered fantasy mostly childish until that genius released his work. But I have to say, it was interesting. And actually I looked at a picture of trollocs on google and have to say they are more interesting. I guess I sorta get it...still...I would have done something less dire for the sake of something new.

Ok I have said plenty. My original point of this was to write an epic blog about Patrick Rothfuss, but I got off topic by talking about opinions of mine that don't matter. The opinion that DOES matter (lest ye shall all be subject of the sin of forsaking great beauty) is the one about Patrick Rothfuss on my next post. Check it.

[joekcowan]

I really thought this was a beautiful way to understand creativity and work and the purpose it serves: A page from Timothy Keller's Every Good Endeavor : If we are to be God's image-bearers with regards to creation, then we will carry on his pattern of work. His world is not hostile, so that it needs to be beaten down like an enemy. Rather, its potential is undeveloped, so it needs to be cultivated like a garden. So we are not to relate to the world as park rangers, whose job is not to change their space, but to preserve things as they are. Nor are we to "pave over the garden" of the created world to make a parking lot. No, we are to be the gardeners who take an active stance toward their charge. They do not leave the land as it is. They rearrange it in order to make it most fruitful, to draw the potentialities for growth and development out of the soil. They dig up the ground and rearange it with a goal in mind: to rearange the raw material of the garden so that it produces food, flowers, and beauty. And that is the pattern for all work. It is creative and assertive. It is rearranging the raw material of God's creation in such a way that it helps the world in general, and people in particular, thrive and flourish. This pattern is found in all kinds of work. Farming takes the physical material of soil and seed and produces food. Music takes the physics of sound and rearranges it into something beatiful and thrilling that brings meaning to life. When we take fabric and make a piece of clothing, when we push a broom and clean up a room, when we use technology to harness the forces of electricity, when we take an unformed naive human mind and teach it a subject, when we teach a couple how to resolve their relational disputes, when we take simple materials and turn them into a poignant work of art--we are continuing God's work of forming, filling, and subdoing. Whenever we bring order out of chaos, whenever we draw out creative potential, whenever we elaborate and "unfold" creation beyond where it was when we found it, we are following God's pattern of creatie cultural development. In fact, our word "culture" comes from this idea of cultivation. Just as he subdued the earth in his work of creation, so he calls us now to labor as his representatives in a continuation and extension of the work of subduing.

[joekcowan]

Saint Valentine, the Badass.

A little history on St Valentine (from wikipedia) A common hagiography describes Saint Valentine, as the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia and Amelia, a town of Umbria, in central Italy. While under house arrest of Judge Asterius, and discussing his faith with him, Valentinus (the Latin version of his name) was discussing the validity of Jesus. The judge put Valentinus to the test and brought to him the judge's adopted blind daughter. If Valentinus succeeded in restoring the girl's sight, Asterius would do anything he asked. Valentinus laid his hands on her eyes and the child's vision was restored. Immediately humbled, the judge asked Valentinus what he should do. Valentinus replied that all of the idols around the judge's house should be broken, the judge should fast for three days, and then undergo baptism. The judge obeyed and as a result, freed all the Christian inmates under his authority. The judge, his family and his forty-four member household (family members and servants) were baptized. Valentinus was later arrested again for continuing to proselytize and was sent to the prefect of Rome, to the emperor Claudius Gothicus (Claudius II) himself. Claudius took a liking to him until Valentinus tried to convince Claudius to embrace Christianity, whereupon Claudius refused and condemned Valentinus to death, commanding that Valentinus either renounce his faith or he would be beaten with clubs, and beheaded. Valentinus refused and Claudius' command was executed outside the Flaminian Gate February 14, 269.

[joekcowan]

VDAY

To those who don't get very excited for Valentines Day, I hope you have as good of a day as the next 'cute couple'. You could date your favorite book. Take it to a nice café and make love to it with your eyes. That is acceptable and wholesome. Or you could just be happy and declare that you don't need he/she to make you feel accepted by society. I apologize, this was supposed to have a tone of empathy, and it's probably coming off with 'apethy'. Either way, whatever friggin holiday it is, be awesome!

[joekcowan]

Frost.

So many thoughts To make books and books and books About what we think about You. But less is coded As to what you think of us. I think it's become a graven image. These well modern-made ideas But we have all become philosophers And intelectuals Without an ounce of You. Only good guesses at what you left. But no joy, only frost And beautiful frost But no joy.

[joekcowan]

Chairs

Sitting where chairs Don't go And standing where There is no gravity. I've got nothing but Two cents worth of chopping wood That I keep rolling off my tongue Into words that won't light. Sad faces They make me look like terror. Altogether. We have made you as great As you made us.

[joekcowan]

Daggers

Come and I will see If there is a bit of the wondering Lights, still Left to gaze at When all of this is done. I look for fields Untouched Like shade looks for a tree. And there are dagger in my body Daggers in my hands. I don't blame you if you want to run.

[joekcowan]

Why Can't I follow your blog?!

I have no idea. I've had other people follow and it worked. But I have no idea. But mine isn't all that exciting so don't worry about it lol

[joekcowan]

This is a shout out to my brotha from anotha motha, Joe Flores. Though I would like to add that Celia Flores is a close second to the mother I have. She put up with our late night ramblings and fake-blood movies we made when we were bored. So it's a shout out to a brotha from my otha motha.

Joe Flores, AKA Joe Flow, AKA Raw Noodles, AKA Joe #1 is my main man. He grew up in Davis CA and I grew up in Sac CA. But I think we both feel like we spent our childhoods growing up at both, thanks to all our overnighters (and there were close to a zillion of them).

So Joe Flores (let's call him Raw for this thingy, so you know that I'm not being a scitzo and talking about myself in 3rd person), he and I have far too many childhood and current memories that I can even think to recollect. But I will share a couple things I learned about Joe Flores:

Animal Crackers Are Subtle Weapons. I say this because when I first ever met Joe, he made me spit (unsnort?) animal crackers out my nose. It was in Jr High at Calvary Chapel that I first met the legendary Raw. I was used to being the class clown in my sunday school classes (probably because I was the PK and had no respect for paying attention). One day this smooth cat comes in and starts cracking jokes and I was like, "Hey, this guy is doing my job." But it wasn't really like he had a whole list of jokes, it was mostly he could say one word in the middle of a thought and it was the funniest thing in the world. No, it's not cause we were young and thought everything was funny from boogers to trees. It was just this powerful humor that he has that is a wonderful hybrid of bizarre improv, wholesomely home-brewed, wacky and perfectly imature notes that equal...animal crackers out my nose. And thats what happened when he said one thing and I was eating a snack at the same time. Since then I decided, "I like this dude."

Homeschooled Weirdness is the Best. We were both homsechooled which meant we both spent a lot a time at home coming up with crazy ways to entertain ourselves. I don't think I've had better relationships with people who have NOT undergone Mother Controled Education (aka Homeschooling). Obviously, there are exceptions. But because of such upbringings, Raw and I had an awesome collection of things to do on a rainy day. 1. Radio Shows: We used to listen to Adventures in Odyssey at night and maybe it was that and the fact I had some brothers who I could take pages from, but we eventually became addicts of our own creation. We would record shows (mostly unscripted) where we would act out  different characters that were usually dark but homorous. Such shows were: Jimmy the Kid, Luther the Kid, Old Man Shmoe, and more. All of which were about homicidal children or seniors who ran around punching people or shooting them. Don't worry, this was back when that was more socially acceptable. Each show came complete with ridiculous comercials and parodies. We also included a Batman talk show, a Michael Jackson talk show and a Jazz Music show that actually only interviewed bizar metal bands. As tradition, we still make these shows when we hang out. 2. Smashing Cars. We had some fun times taking toy trucks and slamming them against eachother as hard as possible untill they broke. Costly by entertaining. 3. Honorable Mention: the Others. I really don't know if I can do this justice. But I'll try. K, you know that movie "The Others" about ghosts and stuff? Well, we hadn't actually seen it at the time but thought the trailers were enough to get us freaked out. Raw, Boppy (thats Josh Flores), and I would all turn off the lights and say "The others are coming!" And our imagination litterally kept us all so creeped out that we would be confined to a single bed trying to share the blankets. However not all of us could be under the blankets at the same time, so we would force someone out from the blankets in order to keep our eyes from imagining scary ghostly people from eating us. You probably wouldn't understand (since I really don't think I can anymore), but we just had remarkably potent imagination.

Sharing is Caring. Raw and I probably "dated" (if you could call it that) every girl in our church junior high class. Litterally. First off, I'm sorry. We thought we were the coolest things and a tag team together and would semi-date girls and then break up and kind switch to someone else. Or we would have conversations like, "I like her." "Oh man, dude I like her." "Its ok, you go for her and I'll go for this other girl." "Well I actually will go for the other girl instead." Sometimes we would agree, and sometimes we would argue. Yeah it was terrible. I don't think any of us were good with the ladies but we sure had ourselves fooled. I will say I am ashamed and if I have any sons, they will be steered clear of such methods. Also, if you endured Raw and I, I am sorry. You didn't and don't deserve that.

Raw Had My Back. This is just general talk, but when we were in our gangsta phase, we thought we were so cool. We would often pick fights and get eachother's back. But probably one of the coolest thing Raw did for me was move to Utah with me. When I moved from CA to UT, Raw was there. I grew up on the same house for 16 years and then we moved to UT, leaving behind tons of nostalgia and friends. For the first summer I was there, Raw moved and lived with me. We got jobs together, flirted with the locals together (again, sorry), and spent our paychecks going to the mall and the bookstore to stay up to date on the latest fashion and music. But that meant a lot to me. Which leads me to point out some really awesome things about Joe Flores.

This dude has always been the most honest and genuine person I have known. We could argue over things and challange eachothers ideas or life choices because we were glued together and no rift could kill our friendship. On top of that, Joe Flores is really good at encouraging people. I used to present things I had done or new ideas to do and he would always be encouraging. He would go out of his way to tell me something unique about why were best friends. I say this in past tense, but its a current thing as well. To this day when I think of how I can better encourage someone I think of how Joe Flores would do it. True story. I'm terrible at encouraging people, but when I try, I think of my man Raw.

Also, this dude is a madly talented artist/musician. He has been in several succesful hardcore bands, is an excelent lyricist/rapper (I feel like there needs to be a better word for that) and still one of the funniest guys I know.

Altogether I love this guy and I really wish I could encapsulate what he means and how epic our friendship has been. But I guess it's like an inside joke. You'd have to have been there.