Being Caleb M. Saarela

Dead

2010-05-28T22:57:00.001-06:00

This blog is dead, you should check out my new one, Numbers 13, at numbers13.wordpress.com, thanks!
Caleb the Spy

Good Day

2009-07-18T10:15:00.005-06:00

So my wife went out with a friend this morning leaving me and the little one at home for the morning. We played a little, we ran around the house, did some laundry and a couple other things around the house, and laughed a lot. I listened to a radio interview with Lecrae, I listened to Rebel for like the 25th time this week, and then I turned on this Mark Driscoll sermon on marriage that I have been meaning to listen to for awhile. It is a good sermon. He doesn't hold back that is for sure. I like a lot of what Driscoll says I just pray that the Lord would continue to keep his ears open to the older Christian leaders in his life. Stay humble Mark the Lord is using you brother.

Anyway not what I wanted to say. So nice morning with Micah. So Driscoll sermon and wanted to check something on our budget and send an e-mail so I ask Micah to go play a little. Micah goes off and is playing with her kitchen set. After about ten minuets I look up and she is laying on the floor snuggling with her teddy bear. So I watched her for a couple minuets and then she rolled over and looked at me and smiled.

She looked at me and decided to get up and walk over to daddy (that's me) and signaled "Up please." So I picked her up and she started snuggling up with me. So we (Micah, her teddy bear and myself) are sitting on the couch and all of a sudden I see her eyes start to close and all of sudden she is snoring.

I share this just because it was a sweet moment between my daughter and I. As I sit here typing with one hand while my daughter takes a little nap on me, I guess I'm excite for another one next year...
Caleb

Jesus Paid It All

2009-04-11T12:13:00.005-06:00

I can't stop listening to this song, great Easter song, I hope we sing it tomorrow I know we will be in my house. I love this version even if the theatrics are a little corny...
Caleb

Jesus Paid it All

I hear the Savior say, Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the lepers spots And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save" my lips shall still repeat

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Understanding Poverty (a paper I wrote)

2009-03-14T11:57:00.004-06:00

A Framework for Understanding Poverty and Its Impact on Educational Events

Over the past several years I have had numerous conversations with friends, family members, and other individuals—about the topic of poverty and its impact on a person. I have always argued that poverty was not something that a person just decided they would throw off and move away from. It is not like an annoying friend that your mother forced you to play with when you were a child, and now that you are older you have decided to avoid. Many times during these discussions I have tried to articulate this point, but have not had the proper language or facts to back up my opinions. For this assignment, I wanted to look deeper into the topic of poverty and its impact on an individual. I chose to read the book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Dr. Ruby K. Payne. In this book, she outlines how and why poverty has an incredible impact on a person’s education experience, and why poverty is not something we just walk away from.

The main argument I hear over and over again about people in poverty, is that they are impoverished because they have not tried hard enough to change their situation; they just make bad choices with their money, or they just don’t care. Basically, if they pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, they would be able to pull themselves out of their impoverished state. When we talk about poverty this way we make the assumption that poverty is solely an economic state that can be resolved through working harder and getting a better job. Dr. Payne would argue that a person’s ability to move from poverty to the middle class, depends more on the other resources a person has (Ruby, 1998). She would define poverty differently; her definition does not revolve around a lack of financial resources, although that is included (Ruby, 1998). Payne would argue that poverty is a lack of a combination of the following resources: financial, emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, support systems, relationship/role models, and knowledge of hidden rules (Ruby, 1998). Some individuals may have a shortage in a few or all of these areas, which keeps them in poverty.

I feel this distinction is an important one for educators to make. For many educators and individuals who come from middle class families, we carry with us our cultural assumptions about poverty. I have briefly lived in what is defined as situational poverty; this type of poverty is defined as poverty that is caused by some sort of event (Ruby, 1998). For a time when I was a young child, my parents were struggling to make ends meet and were living off of government assistance. After a couple of years my father completed a night school program, which allowed him to improve his employment situation. After this my mother went back to school and finished her college degree, which also helped her improve her employment situation. My father came from a family that walked a fine line between the middle class and poverty, but would probably be considered middle class. My mother came from an upper middle class family. So although for a time they were struggling to support themselves, they had access to many of the resources needed to move out of poverty. They were able to utilize these resources so our time living under the poverty line was limited. I have never experienced what Payne would define as generational poverty—a family unit that has been in poverty for two or more generations (Ruby, 1998).

Even though my personal experience with poverty is limited, it has had a profound impact on my thoughts toward the subject. My parents would not have been able to change their economic state without utilizing the many other resources that they had available to them. Even before reading A Framework for Understanding Poverty, I understood that my parents were fortunate to have the resources to help them make this move; but after reading Dr. Payne’s work I had the words to articulate what had happened. I believe my parents’ experience highlights four of the resources needed to move from poverty to the middle class. The first two of these resources are emotional support, and a strong support system. My parents were able to support each other, and they had friends and family that lived nearby. These friends and family were able to help watch my sister and I, provide hand-me-downs, and encourage them as they made sacrifices to move forward. One of these sacrifices came in the form of personal relationships. My parents did not see each other a lot during those years my dad would come home and my mom was off to school. Dr. Payne makes the point numerous times that in order to move from poverty to the middle class, or from the middle class to the wealthy, an individual often has to sacrifice personal relationships (Ruby, 1998). In generational poverty relationships are highly valued, and this makes the move from poverty to middle class difficult (Ruby, 1998).

The other two resources my parents had are also closely tied together as well. First, my parents had knowledge of the hidden rules of the middle class. Secondly, they had role models and relationships within the middle class. An example of one of these hidden rules is that in the middle class we see money as something we manage; while in poverty money seen as something you spend (amongst the wealthy money is invested) (Ruby, 1998). Because my parents had both grown up in middle class families, they understood this concept and knew this rule. Now this alone did not make their transition possible, but it was to their advantage. If my parents had been in generational poverty, relationships with individuals in the middle class would have been vital for the acquisition of the hidden rules of the middle class (Ruby, 1998). Even though my parents knew the rules, they did need these middle class relationships as they supplied them with resources. There were a number of times where my mother’s parents helped my parents. Whether it was helping pay for groceries or helping fix the car—my parents had help. This resource in family members is probably not something someone in generational poverty will have available.

Poverty has a profound impact on the educational setting; and it is important for educators to be conscious of the difficulties children from poverty will face. One of the biggest barriers that many students from poverty face is language difficulties (Ruby, 1998). In an education and work setting we use formal register, while most individuals in generational poverty only use casual register (Ruby, 1998). Register can be described as the style in which language is used. When children from poverty use casual register in a school setting—their work is perceived as poor, and this impacts their grade. When children are unable to participate using the correct register, they have difficulty finding academic success (Ruby, 1998).

Reacting to discipline can be another area where children from poverty can struggle (Ruby, 1998). Dr. Payne describes a patter of discipline in which a child makes a mistake, is belittled by their parent and then is feed by that parent (Ruby, 1998). This leads to the child using the child voice where they become defensive and withdrawn (Ruby, 1998). The parent voice is authoritative and judgmental; it doesn’t give the child choices and presents a situation where the child must follow directions or face the consequences (Ruby, 1998). The adult voice is the key to disciplining children from poverty (Ruby, 1998). The adult voice gives a child choices, is non- judgmental, and avoids being negative (Ruby, 1998). Many children from poverty don’t even realize they have other options, and working with them using the adult voice allows them to discover other options and problem solve difficult social situations (Ruby, 1998).

Another reason children from poverty have trouble in a school setting is because they do not have the support system to help them achieve academic success (Ruby, 1998). If a child’s parents are working two jobs, or are in and out of jail—they may not be able to get the help they need with assignments. In addition, many children in poverty are forced to take on adult responsibilities at a young age, and as a result have less time for schoolwork (Ruby, 1998). Or in some cases a parent may have difficulty reading, or struggle with high-level math or science, making it difficult for them to help with assignments. Flexibility is often needed in these situations, and many schools have started to implement a school-wide support system that helps children in many of these difficult situations (Ruby, 1998).

The list of difficulties that many children from poverty will face in school is a long list. We as educators need to be very intentional about our interactions with these children and their parents. I grew up in a middle class family; and I am confident that the majority of educators also grew up in middle class families. This means that we bring many middle class assumptions into our interactions with our students, and their parents from poverty. If we are not intentional about our actions, we will have difficulty helping these students have academic success; academic success that could possibly help them move from poverty to middle class.

References

Ruby, P. K. (1998). A framework for understanding poverty (Rev. ed.). Baytown, Texas: RFT Publishing Co.

You're Batman!!!

2009-03-08T20:21:00.004-06:00

Kramer is Batman!!!

And a thing I read on Slavery.

Interesting...

Caleb

Worship Music

2009-02-13T20:43:00.005-06:00

So over the years I have shared my issues with a lot of Worship albums put out by pop bands. Not worship music at church, I like that it makes sense it fits, I'm not talking about that. There is something that has always rubbed me the wrong way about the worship album. Maybe it is the worship albums that has the lead singer on the cover (weird), or when the band thanks their stylist but it has always felt strange to me. I totally understand if you love it, that's fine, just has never been my thing.

Well recently at church I was sitting behind this family and they had a little girl about the age of 4 or 5. I doubt she can read but when they started playing the songs let me tell you she was belting them out. I just though now that is super cool.

I started thinking about my family, yes weird my family and I totally want my kids to be able to belt it out in their worst voice just like mom and dad. So recently I have been buying worship songs, just trying to find some of my favorite songs from church so we can sing them around our house and hopefully they will become the songs of our souls, well that and Five Iron, and bS2 and some others.

On a side note been listening to a lot of Switchfoot/Jon Foreman lately, good stuff...

Cheers,
Caleb

Why the Saarela Family will buy nothing.

2008-11-28T13:46:00.005-06:00

So a couple of years ago a wrote about why I participate in the holdiay "Buy Nothing Day." I still feel this is an important holiday to celebrate and this story is just fuel to my fire.

Another year is upon us and once again we have another chance to set ourselves apart and say "American consumerism is bad for the county, bad for the planet, and I want people to know that some things in life are more important than 50% off on a DVD player."

Again I celebrate the spirit of the holiday if it is possible I will avoid buying anything on the day but I must confess this year I got my wife a redbox dvd and some ice cream because she is in bed with a horrilbe cold. It's more about the spirit of the thing, do your Christmas shopping next week.

Cheers!
Caleb

P.S. New Brave Saint Saturn album is available on iTunes, or better yet buy it from them. Just wait until tomorrow...

P.P.S. Here is another link to another story , the death toll climbs to three over toys and DVD players.

Reese Roper Interviews

2008-11-16T22:03:00.003-06:00

Reese Roper is the lead singer of Five Iron Frenzy and Brave Saint Saturn. He did some interviews recently. Check them out, support good music.

Jesus Freak Hideout

Interview on Five Iron Frenzy.com

Support good music.

Caleb

Greatest Albums Ever!!!

2008-11-13T18:59:00.006-06:00

I saw someone with a list of “1001 albums you need to listen to before you die!!!” Now I am not crazy enough to think that you need to listen to these 136 albums before you die, but it was something to do during my down time at work and in the middle of class. So here it is, my favorite 136 albums. The (*) ones are the next level of favorite, like super favorites. If you ever want to ask questions about any of these bands I love talking about useless crap. P.S. I don’t agree with all of these artists ideologically. I thought about getting links to all these but forget that crap...

Enjoy!

+Alternative Rock+

Anti Meridian – Brave Saint Saturn*
Accents – Dennis Bayne*
The Lean and Tender Years – Model Engine*
Consolers of the Lonely – The Raconteurs
5 Years, 50,000 Miles Davis (EP) – Black Eyed Sceva*
White Blood Cells – The White Stripes
Weezer (The Blue Album) – Weezer*
Weezer (The Green Album) – Weezer
Weezer (The Red Album) – Weezer*
Way Before the Flood – Black Eyed Sceva
The Kindest Days – Aaron Sprinkle
Learning To Breathe – Switchfoot*
The Light of Things Hoped For – Brave Saint Saturn*
Live at Hyde Park – Foo Fighters*
Liver – Steve Taylor
New Way to be Human – Switchfoot
Flood – They Might be Giants
Icky Thump – The White Stripes*
In Utero – Nirvana
The Hunger – Seven Day Jesus
Bareface – Aaron Sprinkle
Beautiful Letdown – Switchfoot*
The Worst-Case Scenario – Fair*
The Blackpool Deluxe EP – The White Stripes
Broken Boy Soldiers – The Raconteurs
The Colour and the Shape – Foo Fighters*
Commonwealth – Plankeye*
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace – Foo Fighters*
Elephant – The White Stripes*
Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters
Grace – Jeff Buckley
In Your Honor – Foo Fighters
Lullabies to Paralyze – Queens of the Stone Age
Mercury – The Prayer Chain
Aaron Sprinkle – Moontraveler
MTV Unplugged In New York – Nirvana*
Nevermind – Nirvana*
The One and Only – Plankeye
A Picture of the Eighth Wonder – Poor Old Lu
Pinkerton – Weezer*
Pocketwatch – Late
Relocation – Plankeye
Seven Day Jesus – Seven Day Jesus
Sin – Poor Old Lu
So Far From Home – Brave Saint Saturn*
So Much for the Afterglow – Everclear
Songs for the Deaf – Queens of the Stone Age
The Spark – Plankeye
Squint – Steve Taylor*
Straight Six (EP) – Poor Old Lu
There is Nothing Left to Lose – Foo Fighers
The Waiting Room – Poor Old Lu
Walking with a Ghost – The White Stripes

+Ska+

Beuatiful World – The Bruce Lee Band*
Anthem – Less Than Jake*
All the Hype that Money can Buy – Five Iron Frenzy*
The End is Here – Five Iron Frenzy*
Upbeats and Beatdowns – Five Iron Frenzy*
The Green Album – Skankin’ Pickle
The Adventures of the O.C. Supertones – O.C. Supertones
The End is Near – Five Iron Frenzy*
Fight of Your Life – The Insyderz
Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electiric Boogaloo – Five Iron Frenzy*
Losing Streak – Less Than Jake
Motor City Ska – The Insyderz
Our Newest Album Ever – Five Iron Frenzy*
Proof that Youth are Revolting – Five Iron Frenzy*
Sing Along with Skankin’ Pickle – Skankin’ Pickle*
Soundtrack to a Revolution –The Insyderz
Supertones Strike Back – O.C. Supertones

+Punk+

Brace Yourself for Mediocre – Roper*
Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing – NOFX
It’s Never Enough – Ace Troubleshooter
Life in General – MxPx
On the Cover (EP) – MxPx
Guerilla Rodeo (EP) – Guerilla Rodeo*
American Idiot – Green Day
The Tennessee EP – Relient K
Dookie – Green Day*
Five Score and Seven Years – Relient K*
Mmhmm – Relient K
Philmore – Philmore
The Bare Truth About Philmore – Philmore
Punk in Drublic – NOFX*
Rock Against Bush Vol 2 – Various
Sumo Surprise –Ghoti Hook
War on Errorism – NOFX*

+Rock+

10,000 Days – Tool
Led Zeppelin I – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin
Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium – Rage Against the Machine*
Live Killers – Queen
How to Live with a Curse – Stavesacre
The Battle of Los Angeles – Rage Against the Machine*
Bull Takes Fighter (EP)– Stavesacre
Morning View – Incubus
A Night at the Opera – Queen*
Probot – Probot
Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine
S&M – Metallica
Speakeasy – Stavesacre*
Stavesacre – Stavesacre
Evil Empire – Rage Against the Machine

+Folk+

Modern Times – Bob Dylan*
Blood on the Tracks – Bob Dylan*
Infidels – Bob Dylan
Black Sheep – Martin Sexton
The Bootleg Series Vol 1-3 – Bob Dylan
North Hangook Fallin – Mike Park*
Saved – Bob Dylan
Slow Train Coming – Bob Dylan*
Wonder Bar – Martin Sexton

+Country+

American IV: The Man Comes Around – Johnny Cash
O Brother, Where Art Thou – Various*

+Rap+

Backbreakanomics – Mars Ill
Hindsight – John Reuben*
Hello Nasty – The Beastie Boys
MTV Unplugged – Jay Z
Pigeon John Sings the Blues – Pigeon John

+Pop+

X&Y – Coldplay
Madman Across the Water – Elton John

*So I don’t love best of albums because there is something good about listening to the album, the way the artist wanted it at the time, but if you really want to sample an artist a best of album is usually a good way...

+Best of Albums that are really worth it+

Legend – Bob Marley & The Wailers*
Best of Bob Dylan Vol 1 – Bob Dylan*
Best of Bob Dylan Vol 2 – Bob Dylan*
Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Collective – Stavesacre*
The Essential Electric Light Orchestra – Electric Light Orchestra*
The Greatest and the Rarest – The Insyderz
The Greatest Songs Ever Written (by Us) – NOFX*
Queen’s Greatest Hits – Queen*
Roten Apples – Smashing Pumpkins
20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection – Sublime
Wave of Mutilation – Pixies
16 biggest Hits – Johnny Cash
Rearviewmirror – Pearl Jam

Yea Music!!!

Another crappy post on Politics!!!

2008-10-30T16:26:00.005-06:00

So I know a lot of people have posted a lot of political junk and I know I’m happy that most of it will be over in a week.

I guess I wanted to through my hat into the mix but first I want to make two disclaimers…

First I’m writing this in class so if the grammar and spelling are bad, my bad…

I AM NOT TRYING TO TELL ANYONE WHO THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR!!!

O.K. lets go!

First I want to share two really great resources that I think everyone should take a look at. The first is www.ontheissues.org. This website is run by a non-partisan organization that wants people to vote based primarily on issues. So you can go on there and look at a ton of candidates and what they have said or how they have voted on a variety of issues. For most candidates it also shows how compliant they are with different organizations from both the left and the right. An example is that McCain was “Rated 75% by the NRLC (National Right to Life Committee), indicating a mixed record on abortion.” And “Rated 0% by NARAL (Pro-Choice America), indicating a pro-life voting record.” The website sites all their sources so you can see where they got their information (newspaper article, or library of congress for voting records).

I love this website I totally recommend checking it out; you can also click on the state, like Minnesota and you can look at different candidates from Minnesota.

The second website is www.myballot.net. This website will show you who is going to be on your ballot. You type in your zip code and then find your street and it will show you what your ballot will look like. So you at least see what you are getting into, every time I go to vote there are like thirty people running for judges seats and they are running against themselves. So you can at least look them up see who you would support. Again I thought it was a nice little tool.

O.K. now a quote that I totally stole from Jared Lorence’s facebook page (I think). It is from John Quincy Adams and it goes like this,

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

So the last couple years I have voted for “the lesser of two evils” and I’m determined not to do that this year, so I am probably not voting for either Obama or McCain because I don’t agree with them on a number of issues. If you actually want to know why I can go into more detail, but I probably won’t, mostly because I don’t like you, no wait…

Anyway my amazing wife has really struggled with this idea that “I’m wasting my vote.” I just don’t think I am, I want to vote for someone I believe in, and I don’t really care if they win or lose.

So my Christian worldview has lead me to believe that God is sovereign over everything therefore He is sovereign over the election. God will not be surprised by who wins and I think all that is required of me is to pray about it and vote for who my conscience has lead me to vote for. Which is not a waste of my vote! Again I may not feel this way in two or four years but that is the way I feel right now.

O.K. let the playa hating begin!!!

Cheers,
Caleb

This has been on my mind...

2008-10-18T16:25:00.003-06:00

i love you

and some of this...

Everybody to the Limit

Take that...

Go buy brave saint saturn's cd's on iTunes!!!

The new one will be there soon...

Cheers,
Caleb

Sloop John B

2008-10-05T14:24:00.006-06:00

So I am lame. That is pretty common knowledge. Example; in one week I forgot my wife’s birthday. I remembered pretty last minuet but still totally blew it. Secondly I forgot all about my dad’s birthday, which is in the same week. That was pretty much the end of it, I forgot, I’m a jerk moving on.

Then Thursday I was ridding the train home from class and I was listening to Relient K’s “Five Score and Seven Years” CD. Side Note: Good CD, don’t tell me they are not proclaiming Christ while succeeding in the mainstream media: End Side Note.

The bonus song that you get when you buy the album from iTunes is Sloop John B. This is originally a song by The Beach Boys. Well it was actually done by someone else first but you can look that up on Wikipedia for yourself. I really like the Relient K’s version; it’s a catchy little pop song. So I’m sitting there and I remembered a story… Flashback time!!!

So before I tell this story there is a Native American phrase that one of my professors always uses when telling stories it is “I don’t know if this is how it happened but I know it’s true.” So basically I don’t know if these are the exact details but this is what I remember. O.K. Flashback…

The year was, ah I can’t remember the year, it was like 4th or 5th grade. I am one super dorky kid. I am pretty sure I should not listen to KDWB because it is bad and I should be a Christian and be different, but for some reason I love The Beach Boys, I don’t think I have any of their tapes (remember I’m old no CD’s yet) but I think I like them a lot. Well my class from school went roller-skating for a field trip and while we are there I am just having a great time. This is like the coolest thing I have ever done and they are playing music and the lights I am taken away to a whole different world. Well the D.J. says he is taking requests, so I’m like “This is great!” I go and request some Beach Boys song and sure enough he plays it. Awesome!!!

I get home that night and I am like, “Mom, Dad, we have got to go roller-skating as a family it was so fun, the music, the lights, the going around in circles. And I asked them to play a Beach Boys song and they did.”

So this is where the story shifts from me being a dork to how amazing my parents and especially my dad were and are. So we didn’t have a bunch of extra money but my parents said they would give it a shot. I can’t remember if just my dad and I went or if the whole family was there but the next Friday night there we are at the roller-skating rink, paying way to much money to go around in circles. And in my pocket I have my list of Beach Boys songs (So the story is still kind of about me being a dork). The list must have had like 12 to 15 songs on it. And I was going to request them all. We head in get our skates and the scene is a little different. The Friday night crowd is not my 5th grade class; it is a ton of older kids and they are going fast and listening to music I don’t really like.

So I go around a couple times and it’s all right but I am not feeling as good about things I’m going slow and feel like I’m this little kid in the way. But I am here to listen to my Beach Boys and skate. So I want to request my songs but I’m feeling a little nervous and out of place and the D.J. doesn’t look quite as friendly as he did when my class was here. I don’t know if I asked my dad to request the songs for me or he offered but there he is standing in the middle of the roller-skating rink in Woodbury shouting 12 to 15 Beach Boys song names to some 20 something punk of a D.J. while his kid sits off to the side feeling this mixture of excitement and smallness as the older kids go flying by.

I don’t know if he was embarrassed or annoyed that his stupid dorky kid was asking him to do this, if he did feel that way, he never showed it (looking back I feel embarrassed for him, man I was a dorky kid). He made my request for me and we stayed until they played one of my crappy Beach Boy songs, then we went home.

End of Flashback. That story is a small little snippet of my childhood, one little dinky Friday night. But I remember that moment like it was today. That story is a great example of who my dad is. Quiet, yet strong, slow to anger, patient, and endless in his lover for his family and others. No question was a stupid question with my dad. And I knew that if I woke up early enough in the morning there my dad would be, under three comforters in our freezing basement, on his knees in prayer.

If you don’t know we named Micah after my dad. His name is Michael, so we wanted to spice things up a little but little miss Micah Mae is named after her patient, kind, loving, wise, soft spoken grandfather. Our first night after she was born, Missy was holding her in bed and I got out my Bible and read Micah 6:8 and prayed for her. Micah 6:8 says

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”

This is what we want for her life and if she needs an example of it she can watch her Grandpa. He is a great example of this verse and I hope that when Micah and my Dad read this verse it will hold a special place in their hearts, just like it does for me.

I love you dad, thanks for always being there for me. And for being a man of God, I hope some day I am half the man you are.

At the rehearsal dinner before Missy and I got married my dad read the lyrics from “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan. So dad, here are some lyrics for you, they aren’t Bob but I like them.

Cheers,
Caleb

“Always Just Beneath the Dawn”

Battle Creek
Something that you said last week
Is eating me with sharpened teeth
And I am so afraid
Not something thrown out flippantly
But to my heart and very core
I may not see you anymore
Or something even worse
And in my bones
Your twenty-three same chromosomes
Reside in twisted prophecy
Likening our destinies
I genuflect. I'll hold my breath
I'll wait and see
Your blood is swimming inside me
And there is no love
Like fathers have for their sons

I am weak
But believe me when I softly speak
If there is strength inside of me
It's you who put it there
And I concede
That something stabbed
And made you bleed
Stole the light you once believed
Yes I still do
Do you believe
Is saw your father in a dream?
He said that he is safe and well
And waiting up for us
And there is no love
Like fathers have for their sons

Boys need fathers, every daughter
Every broken heart so gone
I believe that Love is greater
Never ceasing, always hoping
Always just beneath the dawn

R. Roper

Review of the new Brave Saint Saturn CD

2008-09-26T18:20:00.009-06:00

Edited on 11/16

So this is the newest CD from Brave Saint Saturn (bS2). It is entitled Anti-Meridian. Brave Saint Saturn is basically the spin off/side project from Five Iron Frenzy (5Fe) ...

If you don't know 5Fe is by far and away my favorite band ever they still rock my socks off. Brave Saint Saturn was a band created so Reese (lead singer) could write songs with darker themes. Brave Saint Saturn is much more mainstream music. It is pretty standard power pop, alternative rock with a space theme. Basically they use space as a metaphor. The albums all have three different themes that are based around a made up space mission to mars. The first album "So Far From Home" is centered around being alone. The second album "The Light of Things Hoped For" is about being lost and then being found. Then the third album is about coming home, starting over and finding victory.

The members of 5Fe are hero’s of mine. They just did things right as a Christian band and I have commented on them before. I connect with Reese and Dennis’s music and lyrics like no other they always seem to hit a cord with me. So here it my review of Anit-Meridian.

The album is different, if you were expecting the next The Light of Things Hoped For (TLOTHF) then yea the album is way different. I think what I had in mind going in is that it’s been 5 year so they have changed, so I was expecting something different.

Also this is totally on their own, they didn’t have to answer to anyone they got to do what ever they wanted so they tried some new stuff. I think the other thing is they wanted to get as many songs on to plastic as they could. So if the album has any fault maybe they should have cut some stuff, but cut 5 tracks and holy crap there are some good songs here.

Blow by Blow with my rating our of 5 stars

1. Here is the News – Nice start to the album not a blow you out of your seat song but it the one song Reese has always wanted too cover, and it is still a fun song 4 star

2. Mercenary – This is a great song. Super catchy hook, and it’s bashing the Christian/mainstream music industry. 5 Star song.

3. Starling – I think the words to this song are alright. Why must helpless creatures die. I like the metaphor and the music is good it’s different but I like the sound again very different. 4 star

4. Underground – Good song reminds me of Accents but about how Dennis sees the music/political climate. “Real love doesn’t come from a mandate. Real love you cannot mandate.” 4 star

5. When you burn to Fast – O.K. I don’t get this song, I think they were going for a Giants sound I don’t think it worked, weird. 2 to 3 stars not ready to give up on it.

6. Through Depths of Twilight – Great song, good message about racism it again super catchy hook. 5 star.

7. Hero's Homecoming – Again nice song it has that classic Dennis sound. Super catchy hook. Again it’s like a four star song.

8. AMMODRAMUS – These are dumb, wish they wouldn’t have done that but they split the album up, we kind of have the intro songs with the exception of burn to fast are all really solid song. So then we transition into the heavy stuff if the album drags it’s here a little but we still find some good stuff.

9. Fields of the Fallen – This is the one Dennis song that is just O.K. I really don’t have much to add it’s O.K.

10. Always Just Beneath the Dawn – So as a new dad yea this song hits a cord and as a person who feels like his dad is great again I just feel like this song hits a cord with me. I cried at work today thinking about my baby girl. 4 star.

11. Fortress of Solitude – Reese said he needed to write this song to kill the demons left over from 5Fe. Random people calling him because he is probably to nice (check out the bS2 message board, totally accessible). The crescendo saves the song. There are a bunch of superman references in this song. And Reese has also has said that the song changed to be more about how his perfectionism was not cool. This song grows on me every time I listen to it 3 star but it’s growing.

Edit* I was wrong it started as that but now see this.

Quote... "Tell me about the song "Fortress of Solitude". Strange sounds and angry lyrics - influences and reasons?
Reese: Well, writing Anti-Meridian made me crazy. I have made so many mistakes in my musical career, and I was overwhelmed enough by them to try and somehow work to make this album into some sort of all-out trench fight to not make them again. Mostly it was because of the issues of writing songs as filler, or compromising lyrics and music for some record label deadline, or watering songs down by having to make music for the tastes of an eight-person band, instead of just making the greatest song you are able to make. I thought that if I wrote, performed, and recorded it all myself, I could avoid all of that. The problem with that idea, was that it was way above my pay grade to do all three of those things. I just didn't have the ability to make it sound the way that I envisioned the songs in my head. "Fortress of Solitude" is about me dealing with that. I made a pretty song with a lot of Superman allusions, and then just destroyed it sonically, to say that I am not Superman - just some washed-up, musical hack who had spent four years making an album that should have been done in one. I guess it was kind of therapeutic."

12. Blessed are the Land Mines – I love this song it is a great assessment of the church and the Christian right, I love the passion. And I love the little Pat Robertson click while Reese reads the beatitudes (super subtle stuff like that really grows on you). 4 songs

13. AEGOLIUS – Don’t need it but se transition to three awesome songs.

14. Begin Again – So catchy, so good, great song about new birth or starting over. This song is one of Dennis’s best the issue is that where does it fit on the album, I think the song kind of throws us off, like wow I didn’t see that coming. 4 Stars.

15. These Frail Hands – Awesome song, I love this song, fade out with Gloria in the background. This song encourages me to keep on working to be a special education teacher…

“And I am overwhelmed
With grievousness and suffering,
For those who lack the voice to speak
For those of us left uttering”
Awesome!!! 5 Stars!

16. INVICTUS – Fantastic praise song. Great way to end the trilogy by praising God for being perfect!!! 4 Stars.

Cut 5 – 8 – 9 – 13 – and 17 obviously and this album becomes much more dense. But even with these songs the CD is still solid the album grows on you. I keep on listening to it and gets better every time.

In the end give it a listen it grows on you, it did on me. It’s different but really all three albums are totally different.

If you read this, go buy their albums, support some real artist.

Cheers,
Caleb

2008-09-01T21:02:00.006-06:00

Todaybor Day is Labor Day!

Well the weekend was not relaxing but I had a couple of great talks with my wife, and it looks like my classes will work and I remembered how good Switchfoot, Five Iron Frenzy, Jack White, and Weezer's new album are. O.K. so the real reason I wanted to post this was to see if it will end up on facebook, I'm dumb...
Godspeed
Caleb

P.S. Find the link to a fun cartoon.

What is this, A post get out of here...

2008-08-22T23:26:00.005-06:00

So this is a response to an e-mail Scott sent out, I like my response so I thought I would post it. In the e-mail Scott talked about an article by Frank Schaeffer. So here are my thoughts on it. I am coming from a Christian perspective and am probably talking more about what should motivate a Christian and what bugs me when we Christians talk about politics. Anyway enjoy...

O.K. so I am really torn on the upcoming election, I voted for Bush the last two elections because I really didn't like my other choices, and I hated voting for Bush each time, hated it. I hated it to the point were I am going to have to sike myself up to vote again... I am tired of voting for the lesser of two evils.

I enjoy the website on the issues .com, I have found it to be pretty unbiased and a pretty good tool. It lists what people have said and their voting history. I trust it as much as I trust anything in politics...

Speaking of things I don't trust. I don't trust FRANK SCHAEFFER. In this article he talks about the old days when he was so smug, and then rants about the shortcomings of everyone else while proclaiming his vast knowledge of the state of America and the world, he complains about his economic state, and then promptly plugs his book. He is selling something.

He may be right, but that doesn't mean I trust him. His comment about Russia and Georgia is interesting. In the climate of the world we don't blink twice (my words). I think some of his thoughts on McCain are probably true. They are based on observation of the past. But then he says a better education system (which I want), a better economy (which I want), a better health care system (which we need) would result in less abortions. Maybe, possibly, maybe not, who knows? Can he predict the future? I don't think there will ever be fewer abortions. Abortion has become normal; our society has come to accept abortion as a part of life. My opinions about peace in the Middle East and abortion are the same; the only solution is the return of Christ. I pray I'm wrong but revival is the only thing that will decrease or stop abortions in this country. Yet I don't believe we stop "the fight” we don't give up, we don't stop praying and hoping for change... So what do we do? Seriously I'm asking.

I once heard of a Chinese student who said "Someday I want to become Prime Minister." He was then asked, "Won't that be difficult?" And he replied, "Yes, I will have to kill some people." And I'm told he said it all with a straight face. I don't know if either McCain or Obama have killed people, but I have a hard time believing you can be a Christian and run for president. You have to compromise your faith too much. A true God honoring, God fearing, Bible saturated, Christ embracing, walking with the Holy Spirit, heaven focused person can't win the presidential race. This is not a slam on McCain or Obama; it is an observation about America.

Schaeffer says, "As a born-again Christ-centered believer Obama offers a spiritual vision of life founded on the Sermon On the Mount” This is scary. I don't think Obama is a Christian, and yes that is between him and God but his supporters and him I suppose are saying Obama is a Christian, I think that opens it up for comment, even if in the end it is between him and God. He thinks sin is not doing what you believe is right, he does not think homosexuality is morally wrong, he thinks partial birth abortions are O.K. and the list goes on. These all stand in sharp contradiction to God's word. He might be a "good guy" and maybe not as liberal as others but is he a Christian?

What pisses me off about this is Schaeffer is using Obama's faith as a selling point, "Vote for Obama he is a Christian too." No!!! Vote for him because you think he will lead the country well, vote for him because you are tired of Republicans, but if you vote for anyone because you think they are a Christian I think you have been fooled.

Again the idea of McCain in the White House scares me a little too. Education, health care, the environment all suffer when a republican is in the white house. I don't know if we can survive another 4-8 years. In fact the swing back and forth just might be good for the country, every 8 years the political direction of the country will swing back the other way and somewhere in the middle some good things get done. And now it is clear I have no clue what I'm talking about.

What to do, I don't know... I once read this thing about how a Christian should vote and I like it, I will sum it up like this
-We believe that God is sovereign he knows who will win elections and directs who will win the elections. So what is the Christian's responsibility in an elections? Not the outcome. We should vote for who ever we feel will lead the best, who we are convicted to vote for, who best fits our ideals. You may think republican, you may thing democrat, you may think so crazy nut job third party, you may think my dad. It's not about voting for who you don't want, or who you think God doesn't want, it's about voting for who you think is best even if that person loses every time. I like that... Maybe... I'm not sure...

I don't know if I can vote for either of these men...
I think I'm voting for my dad again...
Saarela 08

Godspeed,
Caleb

Stuff Going On, or should I say going ORRFFF!!!

2007-02-25T20:00:00.001-06:00

Well trying to get this back up and running.

Currently Listening to: NoFX, Five Iron, Skankin Pickle, Asian Man Records

Movies Recently Seen:
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - Weird
The Great Escape (1963) - Good
Spirited Away (2002) - Already seen it, but still really good
Jackass Number Two (2006) - O.K. when they are hitting each other

Movies I've seen that I liked since I stopped Blogging...
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Children of Men (2006)
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Rebecca (1940)
Strangers on a Train (1951)
Rear Window (1954)
Munich (2005)

So despite what was a very weird start to the week things are going good. I am continuing to adjust to marriage. It is way harder then I ever thought it would be. I was single for so long that it is hard to kind of relearn, or learn, how to live this close to someone else. It is little things but they add up and it is almost like I need to be on full scale alert for someone else needs, wants, and feelings 100% of the time. But it is getting better...

So I love my Church!!! Seriously it rules!!! John Piper finished up Romans and then he has been doing a series on marriage, perfect timing... Anyway it has been awesome. No skits, no movie clips, no T.V. show clips, non of that crap just straight up, hard hitting marriage stuff. So if you don't go to Bethlehem you should listen to them, hey you can download them for free. Just go to DesiringGod.com and you can experience them.

Once again I just want to say thank you for all your prayers. The peace I feel about my up coming surgery is kind of overwhelming I was so worried for a couple days I just felt like I was going to throw up but God has instilled his peace on me and I am so thankful, thank God He is control and not worried about what will happen.
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Life Update #2 Modified

2007-02-22T23:29:00.001-06:00

A letter sent to my friends and family...

Well it has been almost 6 weeks since I got the pleasure of marring my beautiful wife. We have adjusted to living together, well almost, we are still learning but we are happy to be leaning. My stuff is moved in and I am trying not to mess things up.

"Where does this dish go? I can dry these pants but not these one's? Why!?!?"

First off we just want to say Thank You so much for being our friends and family and making our wedding so special.

Missy's got herself a regular job that will hopefully turn into a full time, real, teaching job before next school year. I am still a bum...

On a more serious note, as some of you have heard on Tuesday we found out that the mole on my left cheek is cancerous.

It was by far and away one the most surreal moments of my life. To hear a doctor say "you have skin cancer" on a Tuesday afternoon while sitting in the hall of the school was beyond strange. I think I was in shock for the first 24 hours.

I have Basal Cell Carcinoma Sclerosing. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and is not usually a major problem if treated quickly. Tumors can be removed and don't have any long-term effects. And Sclerosing just means scar like in nature.

But it was still a little scary and took a little time to settle into. There were also a lot of nagging questions that I didn't know the answers to. Some people can lose a nose or an ear if they have tumors on those parts of the body. Is mine too close to my ear or my eye? I have had this mole since high school will the length I have had it, the size it is, be a problem? Would my medical insurance cover this? How much would we have to pay? All that stuff just kept running through my mind. And I can't lie to you I did think about what if this was something worse, something life threatening...

Missy was great she kept me calm and thinking positively, we had some good conversations about how thankful we are that God is in control and although I was shocked, God wasn't. And in the grand scope the small spot on my face is just that, small...

Today we went to see the surgeon who will be performing my Mohs Surgery, and we were able to get all of our questions answered. He was doubtful that there would be any long-term problems and seemed optimistic that the only lasting affect will be a three to four inch scar on my face. Which is fine by me.

We both walked out relieved and feeling like a weight has been lifted. We are not totally out of the woods, but we are feeling like we have a little more light and or on the right path. I have basically felt like throwing up for the last two days, but started feeling better yesterday as I thought, prayed and learned about the characteristics of my cancer.

I will have surgery on March 6th, and because the surgery is done in three or four stages it could take almost all day, and then a day or two to recover.

Anyway I know this is brief but just wanted to let people know what was going on, and to say thank you for your prayers. I know they carried us through these last couple days. So again thank you, we love you, and we will keep you posted on how things go.

Godspeed,
Caleb and Missy

Life Update #2 Coming this week...

2007-02-13T06:27:00.000-06:00

Really

Racial Prejudice

2007-02-13T06:26:00.001-06:00

Written 9/2/06

I was waiting in line at the post office. I was second or third in line. There were two clerks helping out, one was helping a lady send something to an international destination. The other was helping a lady with her and her husbands P.O. Box. Apparently the two are separated and are trying to switch the name the P.O. Box was under so it is under her name and not his.

Because her husband was not there and she did not have matching ID's there was nothing the post office could do. The clerk attending to her was doing a great job explaining why it was a security issue that they could not switch the Box over without her husband present. She was doing her best to figure out a way to help her but it just didn't seem like it was going to work. The lady trying to get the box changed was getting more and more frustrated and starting to get a little rude with the clerk.

So this is the point were I guess I will relate my story to the Title of my blog. The lady trying to change the P.O. Box was a larger African American woman, with a number of piercings on her face. Everyone else in the place was white.

Written 2/13/07 as best as I could remember...
This is were things got really interesting, it seemed to me that all these racial stereotypes started to kick in. The manager took over at this point and was so rude with this woman. The people in line started to role their eyes and the mood became very uncomfortable. It was almost like they were thinking, "Well what do you expect." Then the woman started to act like there was a great offense being perpetrated against her like somehow the clerk was doing something wrong by not letting her switch the P.O Box.

In the end the lady left cursing and very upset. The manager made some comment about how unbelievable that was, and I sat there and thought... I would never assume I was being persecuted if a clerk couldn't help me. I have never had a manager yell at me. Both of these women and a couple of people in line just seemed to feed off each other’s disdain for each other. It was very sad...
Godspeed,
Caleb

New Ones Coming

2006-08-03T20:55:00.000-06:00

Somethings have kept me pretty busy but new ones are coming in late August or early September.
Godspeed,
Caleb

It's been a while...

2006-04-28T17:45:00.001-06:00

Well one of the best parts of the summer is to ride around in your car and make everyone else listen to the music you are listening to. And as you can see I am ready for this summer!!!

The other great thing about the summer is trying new and interesting experiences, like new restaurants. Like this awesome Indian restaurant with super smart and amazing waiters...

O.K. So the new Stavesacre is really good. And I'm still stoaked for the other new CD's coming out. Anyway I will do some more post after school ends. Sorry I just am to tired to give it a try right now...

Peace,
Caleb

Mars Ill

2006-04-14T11:51:00.001-06:00

So there is one more CD that I am excited for this spring it is "ProPain" from Mars Ill

They are by far and away the best Christian Rap/Hip-Hop thing out there. And are my favorite Rap/Hip-Hop group, artist!!! I don't even know if there is a close second, maybe Outkast, maybe. They are gritting and not supper popy but they are amazing. Anyway the album "ProPain" has been delayed for 533 days because of a bunch of legal complications with samples... Anyway I have had this CD on order from musicforce.com for almost two years, I am excited you should definatly check these guys out. If you like Hip-Hop even a little these are the guys for you!!!

Peace,
Caleb

Weezer

2006-04-10T16:55:00.001-06:00

Well life will be pretty busy for a while but so is life. Anyway I wanted to say hi post something quick before class starts.

How about those Twins? It could be a long season. We will see, long way to go.

Here is a little play list for you. I love Weezer they are a super cool band. Everyone knows all their hits but I think it is their other songs that make them sweet. I saw them in October (I think) it was awesome (ah I don't think it was awesome, the concert was, I think it was in October). It was way better then I expected it to be. I know they are a little weird and smoke a lot of dope, but Nerds Rule, and Weezer Rocks!!!

Album is Bold

Best of Weezer by Caleb
My Name Is Jonas---Weezer
Dope Nose---Maladroit
Perfect Situation---Make Believe
Buddy Holly---Weezer
Why Bother---Pinkerton
Susanne (Single Version)---Weezer (Deluxe Edition)
El Scorcho---Pinkerton
Don't Let Go---Weezer (Green Album)
Pink Triangle---Pinkerton
Hold Me---Make Believe
In The Garage---Weezer
Hash Pipe---Weezer (Green Album)
Peace---Make Believe
Surf Wax America (Live)---Weezer (Deluxe Edition)
Across The Sea---Pinkerton
Butterfly---Pinkerton
Island In the Sun (Live)---Islands In the Sun (Live) - Single
Undone (The Sweater Song)---Weezer
Say It Ain't So---Weezer
Only In Dreams ---Weezer

O.K. there are some more posts coming soon I swear but this is the best I can do right now. Peace…
Caleb M. Saarela

Baseball is Back!!! and So is Ron Gardenhire!!!

2006-04-03T16:45:00.002-06:00

O.K. I love my Twins but the one move they continue to mess up every year is Ron Gardenhire. The man could not manage himself out of a paper bag and yet here we are watching him destroy another Twins season... I have been saying it for years but man I can't stand him. I think he is the worst coach in baseball. Hands down no exception. Horrible...
Here is an article about the Twins final cuts and roster spots. Seriously what is he doing? The talk all spring is the Twins need offense, last in the AL last year and if they repeat that they will finish third in the division again. This is not the AL Central of three years ago; you have to hit at least a little. Anyway so we need the hitting and who is going to be our opening day third baseman and shortstop. It is Tony Batista and Juan Castro... Let's look at the stats from this spring... Batista BA=.224 Castro BA=.176 and he is a lifetime .230 hitter. Bartlet the future shortstop who was optioned back to AAA hit this spring .382 So I'm glad the team who needs the offense is going with the guy hitting .176... The Batista thing I understand a little he is not going to hit for a high average but he will hopefully hit some dinggers. But if you know he is a question mark why not keep Tiffee around he is hitting .333 this spring instead we keep Lew Ford around the guy has got to be paying Gardenhire, he has not hit well since the first three months of last year yet he is on the team... And Cuddyer wins the starting right field spot. Lets see, 4 years (I think) ago that was his spot and what happened he lost it half way through the season, and then last year scorching it up in Spring Training, wins the third base spot and then what? Nothing all year and we are now putting Batista there. Give the RF job to Kubel and be done with it, his spring was so-so but he is coming off the knee injury, if he is healthy he is the only guy for the job in my opinion. Instead we are going to play musical positions for the next 3 months, as Gardenhire gets thrown out of games and says "Well we are just looking for the right mix..." THAT IS WHAT SPRING TRAINING IS FOR YOU MORON!!! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING ALL SPRING? Bowling and pulling your hamstring!!! On top of it all it won't be Bartlet backing up Castro it will be Nick Punto another guy who I am pretty sure is paying Gardenhire so he can have a spot on the team... Maybe he will hit .250 this year… He is a great utility man not our second option at short…

My hope for this team lies in one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, which should make us a top five team but no… So instead I put my baseball hope in them being so bad that Gardenhire is fired... I will sing for joy on that day…

One last thing: Denny Hocking!!! As a late game pinch hitter. Need I say more?

On a lighter not here is a funny thing from ESPN.com it goes on for a while and is probably only funny to baseball fans. But it made me laugh out loud...
Caleb

Spring Sure is Exciting

2006-03-28T10:15:00.001-06:00

Music: O.K. ready for this, tons of variety... Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunckle, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Wallflowers, Probot, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, White Stripes, Stavesacre, and "Steady, as She Goes" by The Raconteurs...

Well I have so many things to be excited for this Spring. Baseball starts in like one week and the Twins could be a contender. It kind of depends on if the gambles they took pay off we will see. Go Twinkies!!!

Reason number two to be excited this spring is all the super cool music coming out. Here are probably more but three big ones for me are...

1. Stavesacre:How to Live with a Curse, April 18th. They are one of the coolest Hard Rock bands out there. Their concerts are super intense and they are probably the best band you have never heard of. They have these great lyrics and just this intense sound. I heard someone once call them the Emo version of Tool, which probably annoyed them and I am not a huge fan of people making random comparisons like that but you get the point.

2. The Raconteurs: Broken Boy Soldiers, May 16th. This is a group consisting of Jack White of The White Stripes and Brendan Benson an old friend of Jack's from Detroit and then Jack Lawrence of The Greenhornes and Patrick Keeler also of The Greenhornes. Their first single is called "Steady, as She Goes." You can find it on their web-site which can be a little finicky at times but it is really cool, the song, the web-site is pretty clever. Anyway I'm pretty excited for that album.

3. Less Than Jake: In with the Out Crowd, May 23rd. Their last album Anthem was really good super solid punk-rock-ska album. So I'm pretty excited for their new one. There aren't a whole lot of ska bands that are still around making cool music so I like it when one is still doing their thing.

Also just doing all the stuff getting ready for this summer. I need to find a summer job and try and get into a class or two, time is running out... Yikes, but I am excited to keep on going with the whole nursing thing. I was definitely using this semester as a litmus test. Do I really want to subject myself to endlessly tiring weeks for the purpose of pursuing this career.

And the usual fun things about spring and summer, nice weather, weddings (way to go Andy), Softball starts in like thirty three days, and just a chance to take a break for my school job I'm super excited!!!

Probably the thing I'm most excited for is the worst part of my week...

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Times Like These
Dave Grohl

Happy 50th Post!!!

2006-03-23T22:45:00.001-06:00

The Black is Back!!!
Music: Lots of Alternative Rock and band you should check out is Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. Taylor Hawkins is the drummer for the Foo Fighters and the album is pretty good. I've been jamming to it.

Well here it is I am feeling the pressure since I have been talking about this for a while. I made this fun little video introduction but google video was not being nice to me so sorry about that, I know my sister wants more videos so I will have to work the kinks out of that. The basic point of it was this, I just want to say a huge thank you to anyone who reads, shows it to friends, makes comments, and tells me they like my blog. I love putting it together and just want to say Thank You So Much!!!

So what you are getting is what I consider to be they best eight posts with a couple posts that were originally two posts combined, a bonus post from Lunch with Scotitch and Nathleb, and some honorable mentions. All of the posts have been digitally re-mastered, well actually I just went back over them and added some links and might have taken out some unnecessary pictures. You will find a link to the posts below. They have been reposted on a greatest hits blog because when I linked them on my blog it would go straight to the bottom of all the comments and it just wasn’t right, so that’s why the new blog, if you have comments they have to be left on the bottom of this one it’s not an option on the linked post, ah that is pretty confusing sorry…

1. The Theory of Cuteness: This one is first just because it kind of set the tone and people kept on telling me how much they liked it and told their friends about it. In reality I had been writing this one for like ten years this was just the first time I got to put it in a place for people to see.

2. Why I Will Buy Nothing: This one is long and I was feeling inspired I like the issues addressed sorry it is still super long.

3. Being Green: Again I like the argument and the way this one was written, I also like the issues addressed.

4. The Better Gift 1 and 2: So in light of the past three months this is a pretty funny one but it doesn’t mean I don’t believe what I wrote in this post. I still believe that Singleness is still the Better Gift, and it was the peace I needed to hear, and if the Lord would have it for me I would be single the rest of my life…

5. God’s Sovereignty Part 1 and 2: God’s Sovereignty is important.

6. Darkness, Light, and Christmas: I really like this poem, I thought it was good and I worked hard on it and that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

7. Dear Francis,: So the more I think about this post and movie the more I liked it, again if you get the chance to see this movie you should.

8. The Old Man and Christian Music: So the old man post was really random and then the music one was pretty serious and I like the music one.

9. 93 Dollars and 26 Cents, That’s a lot of Bling: Well this one still makes me laugh every time I read it, lint, arby’s, and hiding in barns and noble…

Some things that didn’t make the list but are worth mentioning are…
“Random Monday Rants” 1/16/06: I liked the poem about my shoes, the comments about risk, and the funny picture of my mustache.
“Christmas reflections and other random stuff” 12/28/05: Mostly I like the comments about girls, I was so confused at the time because of a certain someone.
“What’s Up” 2/28/06: Lot’s of links to HomestarRunner.com
“Funny Quote about my life” 12/13/06: I’m Lazy
“North Hangook Falling” 2/05/06: North Korea
“Down at Colfax and Broadway” 1/31/06: Five Iron Frenzy Rules!!!

One I wish would have been better was the Post about Poverty 2/26/06 the Re-Cap salvaged it a little but it was not my best work.

Anyway there it is the best of the best. Again thanks for reading, I really appreciate it a ton. It has totally become a great way for me to relax and have some fun. Time to start counting down to 100!!!
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Race and Housing

2006-03-18T17:43:00.001-06:00

Music: Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Wallflowers, The Shins, Smashing Pumpkins, Coldplay, The Pixies, Violent Femmes, and lots of White Stripes.

So this is a little break from my homework. No really I have gotten a lot done today no really, all right who am I kidding…

Anyway like two weeks ago at the Sunday school class I have gotten to go to a couple times Ben Piper showed the third part of a PBS show about race, entitled Race: The Power of Illusion. I have actually seen it before a couple years ago and most of it is pretty good but the standout portion of it is part three The Houses We Live In. It is a very good explanation of the difference we now see in the general displacement of wealth in our county.

A friend of mine once asked me “Slavery was abolished over a hundred years ago and the civil rights movement fixed the other problems forty years ago why are black people still so poor?” I had no answers, his conclusion was that basically there was something wrong with them, my conclusion was that there was still some sort of carry over that we were fighting against, what that was I didn’t know…

Then after seeing this half an hour video I started to have a better idea what that barrier might be. I am just so glad I got to see this again and to see the concepts for a second time. So now I share them with you…

The idea is this, after WWII is when the idea of a long-term low monthly payment loan was first made available. Returning soldiers where given the chance to settle down and buy a home for basically nothing. The Government were the ones who were giving out the loans and deciding who qualified and they basically came to the decision that ethnic minorities did not qualify. Yes this has been made right in the 1960’s but it is interesting what it setup.

I am going to simplify a ton here cause you should try and see this for yourself or look up the information and I need to get back to my studying. Most Americans possess the majority of their wealth in their home and “Wealth isn't just luxury or profit; it's the starting point for the next generation.” So after world war two is when American started to own homes and the suburbs were built. And this ability to buy a house was only given to whites. Ethnic minorities were considered to be to much of a risk and so my grandfather was given a great chance to get ahead and I am still reaping the benefits. On the whole that continues to be passed down and we are still dealing with that difference today.

To correct this discrepancy it will take radical lifestyle choices by those who have started from an advantage.

O.K. that is it there is more to say but that is all I have time for go read the information presented here it is worth your time and if possible you should try and find a copy of this video.

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

No Way Back
D. Grohl

Coming Soon...
Caleb's 50th Post, it is actually going to be pretty dull just a little thing we call...
CALEB'S GREATEST HITS!!!

Best of Cd's

2006-03-15T17:55:00.001-06:00

Music: Stavesacre, little Coldplay, Jeff Buckley, Foo Fighters. On Monday night I finally found an acoustic version of Everlong, it is awesome, I have been looking forever...

So something is jacked up and messing up my “photo” on my profile and everywhere I go it is messing things up. So if it looks like everything has loaded but that. Just stop the loading process, sorry if I messed up anyone else’s blog, my bad…

So this is just a great way to waste some time here and there but not really doing anything serious. So I made this Best of Five Iron Frenzy Cd for Missy and thought I would post the list and see if anyone thinks there are songs missing. I think I will do this periodically with other bands too. I think it will be fun, I don’t know maybe I am crazy. Maybe everyone will be totally bored with it but this was perfect I could do it in like 20 minutes before class started. Bands that I would like to do this for would be Stavesacre, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Black Eyed Sceva/Model Engine, Poor Old Lu, Plank Eye, and a couple others. Anyway here is my Five Iron Cds, oh yea Five Iron gets two Cd’s every other band will probably just be one. Suckers…

Album name is Bold

1. The Old West Upbeats & Beatdowns
2. Where Zero Meets Fifteen (Live) Extra Fun Stuff
3. Cool Enough For You Upbeats & Beatdowns
4. A Flowery Song Upbeats & Beatdowns
5. Cannonball The End Is Near
6. Third World Think Tank (Live) in Holland Winter Wonderland
7. One Girl Army (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
8. Pre-Ex-Girlfriend Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
9. The Phantom Mullet All The Hype That Money Can Buy
10. Sweet Talkin' Woman Quantity Is Job 1 (EP)
11. Pootermobile The Cheeses of Nazareth
12. Blue Comb (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
13. Rhubarb Pie The Cheeses of Nazareth
14. You Probably Shouldn't Move Here (Live) The End is Here
15. Canada (Live) The End is Here
16. Farenheit All The Hype That Money Can Buy
17. Four-Fifty-One All The Hype That Money Can Buy
18. Handbook For The Sellout (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
19. New Years Eve The End Is Near
20. Far Far Away Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
21. A New Hope (Live) The End is Here
22. Something Like Laughter The End Is Near
23. That's How The Story Ends The End Is Near
24. On Distant Shores The End Is Near

1. My Evil Plan To Save The World Quantity Is Job 1 (EP)
2. At Least I'm Not Like All Those Other Old Guys (Live) The End is Here
3. Arnold & Willis & Mr. Drumond (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
4. You Can't Handle This Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
5. Anthem (Live) Proof That The Youth Are Revolting
6. Vultures (Live) The End is Here
7. Amalgamate Upbeats & Beatdowns
8. Giants All The Hype That Money Can Buy
9. Juggernaut Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
10. Banner Year Our Newest Album Ever
11. Milestone Upbeats & Beatdowns
12. See The Flames Begin To Crawl The End Is Near
13. Suckerpunch Our Newest Album Ever
14. It's Not Unusual All The Hype That Money Can Buy
15. Mayonnaise Taco Monday (Live) Live From Cornerstone 2003
16. Pootermobile (Live) Live From Cornerstone 2003
17. Wizard Needs Food, Badly The End Is Near
18. Marty The Cheeses of Nazareth
19. Most Likely To Succeed Our Newest Album Ever
20. When I Go Out Quantity Is Job 1 (EP)
21. Farsighted Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
22. Spartan Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo
23. The Greatest Story Ever Told All The Hype That Money Can Buy
24. Dandelions Quantity Is Job 1 (EP)
25. World Without End All The Hype That Money Can Buy
26. Every New Day (Live) The End is Here

Let me know what you think, also if you know me and would like to borrow this collection to check out the coolest band ever or other bands I do this for let me know and I can make it happen, the first would be free you know just to get you hooked…
Caleb

A New Look for a New Year?

2006-03-13T16:40:00.001-06:00

Music: Since my last post I have been listening to a lot of Foo Fighters, Folk, older country, Johnny Cash, O Brother Soundtrack, also Coldplay and other calmed down rock but today has been lots of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock with some Foo Fighters and Weezer. Lots of Metallica, Incubus, Rage Against the Machine, Stavesacre, P.O.D., and Probot...

Look it looks differenty. I changed a bunch of my links and it kind of messed up the side bar so it felt like the time to iron out the kinks and make her pretty again.

Well the next couple weeks are going to be pretty busy so if there is not a whole lot new up here sorry about that. I got some things coming but the two papers and bio test coming up will probably put a halt to my blogging for a little while. Well a hault to my long winded rants anyway, these pointless ones I might be able to keep up. Yea for wasting your valuable time...
Caleb

New Post Coming, Good Bye Kirby...

2006-03-07T17:00:00.000-06:00

Music: Foo Fighters and more Foo Fighters. I love that band, Everlong Rules!!! Times Like These, End Over End, MonkeyWrench, Learn to Fly, M.I.A., Come Back, Stacked Actors, My Hero, Razer, Best of You, and New Way Home!!! Just to name a few. I love that band!!!

Anyway got a post in the works for later this week, called "The Way I Write" It's going to question if I write form to much of a Christian Worldview. Just a thought it won't be anything special and if I were you I wouldn't read it.

Last things last...

Good Bye Kirby, I will miss you... I know stuff happened after your retirement but man you were a great player. The 1991 World Series!!! I still look back and see that as the end of my childhood, one last summer and fall to be a kid to jump up and down on the couch to cheer like crazy for every pitch, catch, hit, homerun... And that was Kirby's series!!! The catch to rob Ron Grant, the homerun in the 10th, him waddling around the bases pumping his fist... I will never forget that series and that game six, it made game seven even better. Thanks Kirby, you made me want to play outfield the way I do, reckless... Here are a couple good articles about Kirby...
Article One
Article Two

Thanks Again Kirby

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Centerfield
John Fogerty

Dear Francis,

2006-03-04T15:30:00.001-06:00

Updated 3/6/06 8:00am. Music: I am rocking my Christian Rock Best of Playlist, which includes bands like Switchfoot, Aaron Sprinkle, Poor Old Lu, Brave Saint Saturn, Black Eyed Sceva, and Model Engine. Rock and Roll!!!
Anyway it was brought to my attention that the Handshake link is a bit confusing. Handshake is a song by Black Eyed Sceva written by Jeremy Post. The song is about Jeremy's interaction with a homosexual individual who has AIDS, and dealing with his own homophobia and fear about AIDS. Sorry if that was confusing.

Music: Well I listened to a lot of Hip-Hop this week, lots of Mars Ill and Pigeon John. Today I have listened to Model Engine and Black Eyed Sceva, Foo Fighters, and am curently rocking out to Switchfoot…

Well I am feeling way ahead in my classes and this being Spring Break we are going to blog and then get to some homework later, oh I am a bad man!!!

Well last night a bunch of us went to see Dear Francis, at what has been named “First Friday Films” at Bethlehem Baptist. Their link has also been added to my link section and any of the movies I see there can be accessed from their little blog.

Anyway a little setup about the film. Unlike the last film we saw (Seoul Train) this film had more of a faith-based perspective. It basically chronicles a trip taken by two college students to the country of Swaziland. If you have never heard of Swaziland don’t be totally alarmed I hadn’t either. You can read more by clicking on Swaziland above. The link above will tell you that Swaziland has one of the highest rates of infection of HIV/AIDS in the world. Well that is not exactly true, it actually has the highest rate. In 2003 it is estimated that 38% of the population was infected with the virus and then we heard after the film that the most recent report the number had gone up again to 42%. In adults 25-29 (I think those were the number) it is estimated that 48% of the people are infected. Here are a couple more statistics that I found on the website. Of those between the ages of 15-23, 53% of are HIV positive. Of rural Swazis, 20% of the children are orphans from HIV/AIDS. 88% of 15 year-old boys will be dead by 2015 because of AIDS. Those statistics are breathtaking… If you can, don’t just read over those statistics but take a second and let them sink in… I saw them and have a hard time feeling the whole weight of what that means.

But now lets add some faces to those statistics. The two students were going with an organization that presents abstinence to adolescence as a way of fighting the epidemic, along with encouraging students to get tested for the virus instead of just living without knowing. The two students were naive and under prepared for what they would encounter as apposed to all the rest of college students who set out on short-term mission trips to devastated areas of the world.

What they encounter is that the problem, like most problems around the world and in our lives, is not so cut and dry. Poverty, blending of cultures, fear, apathy, shame, desperation of the oppressed, and the sinfulness of man muddy the waters of the situation. It is compelling to see the discovery of this and the way the two students deal with it.

Kelly (one of the two students) visited an orphanage/foster care center and learned about how deep the problem goes, how often children’s parents will die and the children will exchange sex for food instead of starving. She also learned more about the issue of child abuse and rape in Swaziland, it was amazing to hear how many of the girls had been raped by family members, teachers, or other people that should be protecting them. She heard story after story of the abuse of the powerless by the powerful. She was talking with the director of the orphanage and you can see him break down as he tells stories of abuse and as his voice finally fails him he mumbles “No Justice, No Justice…”

One of the students (Lance) establishes a relationship with a young man (Senzo) who like many of the students could possibly be infected because he has been sexually active and had a father die of an “unknown” illness. Lance is able to convince Senzo to go and be tested for AIDS. It was heart wrenching (my body hurt from the stress) to watch them go in and take the test wait for the results and then receive the news. Unlike Lance (who also takes the test) Senzo has probably a 50/50 chance of having the virus. I will not tell you the results cause you should try and see the movie yourself. Even today as I was driving over to Macalester College to study, I was fighting back tears thinking about Senzo and his bravery, and the drama of his story and his life.

I don’t know stress…

Missy asked me as we were driving home, “So why do you think it is important to watch things like this?” And I added “And what can we do now that we have seen it?” Or something like that (sorry Mis). I will start with what I told her, I do think she knew the answer I was going to give but it was nice of her to ask. Awareness is the first step towards action! As Christians we need to be more aware of what the rest of the world is going through. So that we can tell others, pray and hopefully get involved, whether it is by going over and serving short term or long term or helping and encouraging others to go. More importantly we can pray, and be on our faces before God asking for justice and hope for these people. At DearFrancis.org you can find information on how to help. There are ways to help financially and there continues to be teams that go on similar trips. There are also tons of organizations who do great things in Swaziland and the other countries of Africa to fight the AIDS epidemic.

See this movie, it was very moving. My emotions are easily stirred when I see children in pain and hurting, and in some ways this story hits just a little to close to home as I have seen someone close to me die of this horrible disease… So maybe I am not the best critic, maybe I am to emotionally involved, but I guess I will let you be the judge, “Go, go see this movie…”

I know my posts have been heavy as of late and have been talking about weighty issues but I really think it is important for these things to be on our mind and really effect they way we live our lives. We may not all be able to help financially or go right now but there are things we can do… Again remember the story of the Good Samaritan. My neighbor is anyone I can show mercy to. I love you all very much, thanks for reading, it does mean a lot to me when people say they read what I wrote and sometimes even liked it. I have found great joy in rambling, and am thankful for this stress reliever. And thankful for anyone who would take time to read this...
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

If you do not own or have never heard “The Beautiful Letdown” by Switchfoot you should check it out. I’m on fire when I think of the carnage of the world...

Handshake
Jeremy Post

Poverty Re-Cap

2006-03-01T09:00:00.001-06:00

Music: I am listening to Yellow Second, Roper, and the best of my punk rock, little Green Day right now.

So when I wrote the poverty thing I was pretty tired and so I want to just say a couple things I was thinking about. One, I don't think everyone is called to live in the ghetto and do ministry by living in that community and giving of yourself in that way. Some people are called to live in the suburbs and do ministry that way, I pray that God would not lead me to that, that would suck. But that being said I do think that trying to bring about equality is something that we should all be striving for, not only in the way we "see", or "respect" others, but we should also strive for equality in standard of living and money. It is amazing to me that Jesus has become the poster child for capitalism... It is a strange thing that has happened. Also I am not a communist and please don't tell me I am a communist or anything stupid like that, comments stating such things will most likely be deleted for lack of logic and for just missing the point. I point you to 2 Corinthians 8 look at the hole thing but then specifically look at verse 13, for "fairness". Very interesting. Anyway I think it ends up being he question I presented before, when asking the question of who is my neighbor the answer Jesus provides is that it is anyone we can show mercy to.

I am still learning how to do this better, how do I get to know my neighbors and minister to them; it is socially awkward for a single guy to be involved in the lives of families around him. But I don’t care I want to do better to be involved, do I think we are called to that at the very least, yes, I do, strongly. Are you supposed to pass out money to every beggar or panhandler you see, probably not, but we can be striving for equality and helping people in those situations. If you are a woman should you consistently put yourself in danger or high risk situations? Not if you want to have a lasting long sacrificing lifetime of ministry. We can do some great things by getting involved in people’s lives. There are organizations that can help people in those situations and can help equip you to help them. Another great resource would be #211 (I think, if that is wrong Eileen or Missy help me out). Apparently they are a great source of information when it comes to social services. Like if you called them and said, “I need information about chemical dependency programs for males over the age of 18 they will give you a list. Pretty cool. Anyway I’m done…
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

“If I had a nickel for every single time
I've tried to classify the populace around me with a word,
or a catchy phrase, I could quit my job for good
and play Nintendo until my fingers ached.

Am I an idiot, too lazy to think twice?
I point the finger, but I can't take my own advice.
I put a name on something and ever since,
I've made an art of building my counterfeit intelligence.

Seemingly to me,
I am straightening a world of cluttered thoughts
and a debris inside my head,
but I think instead of prejudiced
and I give people names to make me feel safe.

How does it feel what does it take to make me understand?
If I could only walk a mile in the shoes of another man.
If I could look out through his eyes
and know what it means to bleed the same red blood that I do.

What is economic status, and tell me what is race?
who decides to Classified taxonomy of grace?
If one man gets less that another is it true,
that he is all that different,
that he is less than you?”
R. Roper

What's up?

2006-02-28T08:36:00.001-06:00

Well the last couple blogs have been pretty serious so we will lighten the mood. This is my 43 post which is pretty cool, that I have actually done over 40 of these. I don't know if I would say any of the 43 posts have been of any value, but that is not for me to decide. Anyway I have a pretty cool/funny idea for my 50th so that will be coming along soon enough. I think it will be my best work ever, well I don't know about that. It will be Blogrific, amaBlogzingr, Blogsome, Blogool, Blogonitical, a great Blogtunity, Blogtubular, CowaBlog, and Absolutley BLOGTASTIC!!! Ah, well I don’t know what any of those mean but, whatever. Anyway it will be coming soon. Until then I got nothing to say. So watch these…

Here are some HomeStar Runner Cartoons
Experimental Film
or
Bug in mouth, Caleb Rules, ha ha
or
Your Friends
or
Caper
or
Teen Girl Squad 10
or
Dragon

O.K. that is enough for now, those are some of my favoriets...

Caleb

One More...
Sorry I remembered this one and it makes me cry when I watch it cause it's so funny.
Caffeine
O.K. I'm done for now.
Caleb

Poverty

2006-02-26T21:30:00.001-06:00

Sorry this isn't very good. I don't have any good pictures either sorry...

Music: Less than Jake, The Bruce Lee Band, Brave Saint Saturn, Sum 41, The Peacocks, The Lawrence Arms, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Coldplay, R.E.M., Skank’in Pickle, Mike Park, King Apparatus, Bagheera, The Rudiments, Let’s Go Bowling, Slapstick, Bob Dylan, Roper, Mu330, Relient K, Philmore, Ghoti Hook, Ace Troubleshooter, and Five Iron Frenzy

Well I hope this post finds you well, life here is going good nothing to big, work, study, and seeing friends. Why work tomorrow, oh so sad...

Hey a couple of things. If you get the chance you should see the movie Why We Fight it looks good, very interesting, I saw a long trailer and it doesn’t look like it is one sided but just asks the question how did America get to be the defender of the world and our money and armies get so intertwined.

Also if you live in the Twin Cities on Friday March 3rd at 7:00pm at Bethlehem we are going to watch a documentary about the AIDS crisis in Africa. It is called Dear Francis,. It should be good and then after the documentary they do a phone interview with the filmmaker and then all are invited to The Corner (that's what Mitch and I call the house, we are very clever) to hang out, talk about the movie, or play games and have some fun.

Anyway poverty. In reality I am not the best person to talk about this, Missy, Eileen and Scott have been going to this class for about six months so if you want to talk more about the idea of poverty, race, and redemption they would be the best people to talk to. If you don’t know them ah, well I got nothing for you, so sorry, my bad, my bad…

Well they had a special activity for the class last week; it was called a poverty simulation. It is an exercise where you have to handle the finances for a family of five on a little over minimum wage. You have to make decisions like do we own a car or ride the bus, rent or own, how to handle health care, and child care. There is some chance involved like people get sick or you get a promotion at work, some good some bad, it seemed pretty “realistic” considering it was a simulation. If you ran out of money you could go to social services for help or try and get a new job, or a second job or a third job.

Our family “made it” meaning we had money at the end of the month well we had zero dollars left but we didn’t have less than zero dollars. Hooray for us!!! Anyway we did the right things we decided to own, we bought a car, we didn’t have health insurance, which wasn’t good, but that is the way things go. We had to make some tough choices. Anyway what I noticed was that me made it, but at what cost. Dad was working at night mom was working two jobs one on the weekend or dad was working seven days a week. We lived in a neighborhood where we were “scared” for our safety, or the game told us we were, but we decided to stick it out.

Yes, financially our family survived but we would be in shambles, we would never see each other, we had no recreational activities. I mean how long would we be able to pull that off, we struggled through for a month and a simulation and we were all stressed by then end of it, well I was stressed. The values that most people judge their lives like how do we give the best and most opportunities to our children, how do we let our interpersonal relationships of our family thrive were thrown out the window. The bottom line became the bottom line. Money in the end was all that mattered.

We, like every other group, had to make a trip to social services and “they” (Ben Piper) told us we made to much money. We would have to be making about half of what we were making, somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,500 a month.

Anyway it really put into question the idea that anyone can work themselves out of poverty. It would have taken one big disaster and we would have been sunk. And even the though of doing this for years and years it is easy, very easy to see why these families don’t make it. Why many marriages that are dealing with this end in separation or divorce.

If you have a chance to ever go through a poverty simulation, do it. It will help your worldview; help increase your heart for helping those around you who struggle financially. I don’t think I need to let people know about helping the poor. We need to help more, we need to care and, we need to do more. And we need to have compassion we need to get involved, it will not be and easy road, it will be difficult and you will get hurt and it will be tough but we can start making a difference. It’s time to care...
Sorry this is probably grammatically bad and not very good spelling either.

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

“Wealth is a Ghetto”
unknown

Take advantage

2006-02-22T19:38:00.001-06:00

*Updated 2/23/06 Around 9:00 taking advantage of the internet and a little free time at work.

Well I will take advantage of the quality Internet connection (at home ours has been wacky to say the least), and my total lack of motivation to study, and do a music update and then I think I will blog on the poverty thing this weekend. We will see though.

So Music: I have been listening to this strange mix of punk, ska, and alternative rock. Lots of Switchfoot, Black Eyed Sceva, Model Engine, The Bruce Lee Band, Less Than Jake, Skank'in Pickle, and Roper. I have also been totally addicted to Mike Park’s new Cd "North Hangook Falling" which is a reference to North Korea. I don't know it's not like this amazing Cd in the sense that it is just him and an acoustic guitar for the most part and it's not like he has an amazing voice but it is just a great Cd. I really like it. I have also changed my links around. One of them is to Mike's record company Asian Man Records. He runs it how all record companies should be run, out of his garage with help from his dad. Awesome!!!

*The other band that I am just starting to realize is awesome is The Bruce Lee Band. It is another Mike Park thing but they have this sweet 6 song EP that is available through iTunes and Asian Man Records, it is named "Beautiful World". It is cheap and is a great little ska EP which is really catching and cool. So cool, so wicked awesome... Check it out or I will poke your eyes out with a stick...
Anyway see you all around.
Caleb M. Saarela

Being Green

2006-02-20T21:22:00.001-06:00

*Hey I updated this again at 8:00am on 2/22/06. I found a better link to the statement that I referenced in my blog. It is called Climate Change:An Evangelical call to action. I think it would be good to check it out and see what it is saying.

Updated 2/21/06 Around 9:00am and again at 12:30pm. Remember check out the links they will take you to more information and if you click on any of the photos you will be able to see larger versions of them. Peace.

Music: Bob Dylan, The Shins, O' Brother Where art Thou?, Some Alt Rock, Rage Against the Machine, Martin Sexton, Aaron Sprinkle, Reese Roper, Nirvana, ELO, The Foo Fighters, and it is kind of implied that 5Fe is in there too.

Poverty and a Better World

Well it has been another busy weekend of balancing studying, time with friends, and events that affect my life and spirituality. On Saturday night I went to an informational meeting on what they called “Creation Care.” I would call it in simple terms “Being Green for the Glory of God.” On Sunday I joined two of my friends Scott and Missy at their Sunday school class for a poverty exercise. Scott, Missy, and Eileen have been attending this class (Race Redemption and Poverty) for about six months or so and I have never had the motivation to get involved with it but this event has probably solidified it for me and I would like to return and join them for the rest of the year. So there it is a weekend filled with talking and thinking through two huge issues. I will discuss the idea of Being Green first and then come back to the poverty one later in the week or next week perhaps.

My interest about being more “Green” started probably right after I got back from China. It wasn’t a huge interest but it has grown on me the more I have read and looked into the subject. These ideas do not come out of an attempt to “save the earth” for that end but to care for it to give glory to God. Nowhere in this post will you hear me say we should worship the earth or mother earth. All of the ideas flow from the idea that the creator is worthy of praise, and caring for the planet is a way of caring for other human beings. I hope in this little post you will see why I think being green should be part of our Christian lives.

Some time last week some leaders of the evangelical community released a statement on climate change. It is not a huge thing but the evangelical community has been eerily silent on environmental issues over the last 20 years. So much so that when this statement came out many news sources took note and it was the topic of much conversation.

What type of conversation? Well a lot of them have been about how some of the “big name” evangelicals are not part of the group who signed this. Some examples are James Dobson, Chuck Coleson, and Franklin Graham. NPR had a little thing on it and it gives some of the reasons that some evangelical leaders did not sign the statement. Here is part of their argument as stated in the NPR article.

“Land, along with Colson and Dobson, wrote a letter opposing the Evangelical Call to Action because, he says, there is not consensus about climate change among evangelicals. Land says the Bible makes clear that God expects human beings to take care of the earth. But "human beings come first in God's created order," he adds. "And that primacy must be given to human beings and for human betterment. If that means that other parts of nature take a back seat, well, then they take a back seat,

Land argues that slowing economic growth and development by overly strict environmental controls will harm human beings.”

To say I was disappointed to read this was a bit of an understatement. Especially the end of it, remember people are important but not as important as economic growth, no new taxes!!! I don’t know that just sounds like such old political rhetoric. But the statement was a great start. I applaud the people who did sign it.

Here are a couple verses that point to the idea of being mindful of creation. Genesis 1:1 God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:26-31 God give the earth to man and entrusts it’s care to him. Just like anything else God has entrusted, it should not be wasted. Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of the Lord. The earth was created to display God’s glory we should value that display. There are tons of other verses like this that talk about praising God because of the wonders of his creation. Romans 8:18-25 This verse is arguably the most interesting. In verse 21 the earth “will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Creation will be redeemed in a similar way to the children of God, it groans in pains of childbirth. I always was under the assumption that the earth would be destroyed, like we would sit up in heaven and then God would blow the thing up and we would cheer and oh and ah it would be kind of like the fourth of July. But these verses make it sound more like creation, the earth, will be set right, or renewed to how it was intended to be. There are many more I am just drawing a couple little scratches in what is a beautiful and large picture.

I think there are two problems. The first is that in the evangelical community being Green is considered liberal, and being liberal is considered wrong or even sinful. So being Green is considered wrong or even sinful. Did everyone catch that logical process A=B, B=C, and so A=C. Hooray for college… Now I doubt that anyone actually thinks that. I don’t think the Christian community actually thinks being Green is sinful but there is a stigma attached to it and I think it has something to do with A=C. So maybe we think I want to do more to care for this world God created but then we are afraid that we will be labeled as liberal.

The issue is that these “liberals” are putting us to shame when it comes to caring for God’s creation. They look around and wonder where are the people of God? Why don’t they say something? Why don’t they do something? And I think they are right to question us.

Another problem is that we do not associate environmental issues with people’s lives. In most of the rest of the world people see the connection very clearly. In Kenya and most other places in the world they see a direct connection to conserving the earth and people living. If we deforest the land the land will erode and we will not be able to farm the land and we will die. Most of the rest of the world sees the direct connection. I use Kenya as an example, I was talking to lady who had been there in the mid-eighties and then again last year. She said that the change was visably noticiable. In about twenty years things had gotten so bad that recoving is going to be an incredible up hill battle. In America this has not pushed our comfort level yet. When we waste water, or use up our natural resources, don’t recycle, or destroy our land people don’t die. It may cost us a little more money or be a little inconvenient but no one in our lives dies. In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus tells about the judgement and is saying when you the least of these you did this for me. Being Green is something we can do for the least of these, even though we are not affected directly yet. In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus asks the lawyer “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” I guess I want to know who do we consider to be our neighbor? It is anyone we can show mercy to, and a way we can show mercy is by being more environmentally minded.

So what can we do? Well that is a tricky one, I will be honest, we can’t change the world but we can do our part, I think. One thing I know we can do is to start seeing the connection between protecting God’s creation and protecting people. That is where I think Dobson, Coleson, and Land have missed the point they are not thinking big enough, why I don’t know. But lets love our neighbors by being more conscious of what we do to the environment.

Here are some other things, I think most people know them but there is a small list. The NDRC has some good tips or ideas that you can look at but here some others too. Recycle, you can recycle more than you probably know. Drive Less, Drive Smart,don’t drive to work by yourself everyday, use mass transit, or use a bike. Now I know that here in Minneapolis this is not possible all the time, the Twin Cities are very spread out and it is freezing outside for about half the year but again lets start small and see what we can do. I need to start riding my bike to work again; I have let the cold get the better of me. But you know we can do things like getting rides together with coworkers or friends, again it can be a little more inconvenient but it’s a start. Water conservation, turn off the water when you brush your teeth take shorter showers. I have said it before; I think the next world war will be over water not oil. Energy Conversation, not only is this good for the environment but for your budget.

Those are just a couple little things but find out for yourself don’t take my word for it.

Again I think it is so important for us to make the connection between our actions and the way it affects people around the world. I know we are busy and have stresses to deal with here infront of us and it is hard to think about people all around the world, but when it comes right down to it, I think we need to.
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

How Great Thou Art

Little talk

2006-02-15T19:21:00.001-06:00

Little break after bio and before I finish up Medical Terminology and take my test...

Music: Still a lot of Queen, weird. A little 5Fe, Foo Fighters and Mike Park, what a weird mix...

Hey all thanks to anyone who prays for me. School is going really well I am working hard and getting things done, and actually doing well. Yea!!! Just one thing and then I will let you all go. Go read Scott's blog. It is better than mine by like leaps and bounds. Anyway go read it. I love you all even those who make fun of my punctuation and spelling.
Godspeed,
Caleb

"I have met rocks smarter than me."
The Refrigerator Guy

"Thank God sanctification does not come first."
Caleb M. Saarela

Christian Music

2006-02-12T22:20:00.001-06:00

(Updated February 13th, after reading Scott's comment)*

So I have to really knock this one out of the park and then head to bed quick but I need a little break to write and “speak on it.”

Music of the Day(s): So 5Fe off and on the last couple days, but lots of Electric Light Orchestra, Punk Rawk, with a little Plank Eye thrown in there, and Queen. I have been listening to “A Night at the Opera” by Queen which is awesome it has “Bohemian Rhapsody” on it which is arguably their best song ever but another song that I think just rules and I have been listening to a lot is ”39”. I don’t think it is one of there more famous songs but it rules, really cool sounding and pretty cool lyrics. Two other highlights, Queen’s “No One but You” and Plank Eye's “Beautiful.” Sweet Songs!!! (well you knew I had to say it once)

A note on Hemmingway, I liked the story that is all I was saying I don’t really care about his life or what he was trying to say or what anyone else thought he was saying… I just liked it, I hope I did not imply otherwise…

Now on to the subject of Christian Music. I am not sure what I was originally saying was totally understood, maybe it was but let me sum up and give a good example. A lot of super popular bands lyrics are not very good and we like them because we are told we should when there are artist out there who say it better and with more heart and passion but they don’t look the part and are thrown to the way side.
Example: Big House by Audio Adrenaline and World Without End by Five Iron Frenzy

Both are songs about the hope we have in heaven but look at the lyrics which one exudes the passion you want expressed about the one place we will finally feel at home in? I guess that was my point that I wish more Christian artist would write stuff that had some depth. And it doesn’t just have to be “Christian” stuff. It can be the hurt and pain and doubt and struggle of the Christian life. But again so many of the “big” songs about this just leave me lacking and wanting more. No offense to AA but I guess I have grown…

Also I love “secular” music. The Foo Fighters are one of my favorite bands and “Everlong” is one of my all time favorite songs, that song rocks… Can God use a secular artist to bring them to know him? I think that’s kind of a dumb question, God can use anything, heck he could even use me which is ten times more amazing considering I have no talents, especially compared to some the amazing artist that he has blessed with amazing gifts, not only in music but in other stuff (sorry Eileen that sentence was long but that is just the way my mind works). I don't like it for the same reason I like most Christian music I listen to but I still love it. More on this in two paragraphs…

O.K. other general thoughts on Christian music. First I will say this I don’t know their hearts I am just connecting the dots from what I have seen or read to come to these conclusions. I understand that God can and will use any band but that being said, I think we should hold Christian Artist to a Higher Standard then Non-Christian Artist even though it might be more difficult for them.

Artist that are not making music for the glory of God are making it for their own reasons, like money, power, fame, or enjoyment. Let’s call this purpose A. When I listen to music made by people searching after purpose A music then any enjoyment I receive from it is cool, but I don’t have that expectation going in. If it brings me closer to God so be it. One thing I believe strongly about this type A music, it should never be used in church services. Romans 14:23. Why use music like that when you could use music that people had intended to Glorify God (purpose B).

But when someone is attempting to make type B music and I am listening to it, it is O.K. for me to expect that this music should move me in some way, hopefully. Side note not every song on a CD needs to be a “spiritual” song and not every cd needs to be a worship cd. It is O.K. to write songs about life and girlfriends and silly songs about where you live, but there should be more than just that. In fact I don’t like worship cd’s that much, I would rater listen to a band that can write about Jesus, friends, heartaches, life, death, loss, love, random crap, important issues and other stuff and it moves me to worship.

I think the problem that Christian music runs into is that the lines are getting blurred. Like Scott probably more eloquently pointed out the Christian music industry is just that an industry and what is the purpose? It is to sell a product.

I will pick on one band here that most people like but totally turned me off a couple years ago and maybe through this you all will be able to see why. The band is Third Day. I loved the Offerings album I thought it was cool. It had a Bob Dylan cover on it which was nice and the song “Ten Thousand Hills” was a team theme song my first year in China. But on the album “Come Together” there was something on it that changed the way I saw them and their music. In the cd notes they thanked their stylist. This is a person you pay to fix your hair and pick out your clothing so you have the right look. Some people have tried to say well they are very busy, but I’m not buying, they are going for a look. Why are they going for a look? Well the conclusion I came to was that they are selling a product. Which makes their music fall into category A. It was an interesting turn of events and I don’t know if that is truly their intentions but the Chevy sponsorship doesn’t help their case and their treatment of roadies at the 2003(?) Lifefest is another strike against them. Anyway it changed how I looked at there music and them. I am sure they are nice guys and who knows maybe there is a reason that they are paying someone to dress them, but you got me…

*So what does this mean for me? Well I will probably not buy anymore Third Day cd's or go see any Third Day shows. Does that mean you shouldn't? I don't really think so, but I know I was never able to look at them the same. And it is true for a lot of bands. I guess I would like to avoid supporting Type A music that is claiming to be Type B. I don't know it is tough and I don't have it all figured out, just my thoughts...

My point is this, how does the Christian music industry balance being “rock stars” with being Christians called to humility, looking at others as more valuable then yourself and exulting Christ. How do they stay out of category A? It’s tough, few bands and individuals have done it. Keith Green was the original and he got it right. If you don’t know how he did music, learn (I mean that learn you can start by clicking on his name find out how much he chaged for cd's and compare to today’s bands, you will be shocked). Five Iron copied him a lot so you can learn from them to, but much props to Keith Green for being ahead of his time and for doing it right. His music was pretty good too.

Last thought sorry this is long and I know it has a ton of mistakes and incomplete thoughts. Every comment made is automatically e-mailed to me so I read them all, even the ones making fun of me and I smile, cause I know I am dumb. I wanted to get it out there for conversation and I want to hear from people, and I mean that, if I don’t respond this week forgive me school and work and all it won’t be until next weekend that I will for sure have time to check back.

I guess I will leave you with a similar thought as last time, Christian music should be ahead of secular music. Bach was, Steve Taylor was, Keith Green was, I believe Five Iron was, and I am sure there are hundred of other great examples but don’t just eat what the record labels are telling you is good. God is bigger than any band and just because they say His name doesn’t mean anything, look into things for yourself. Don’t just accept things as they appear, hold Christian artist to a higher standard the same way I believe God will because they had a voice, maybe not the same as pastors but... Christian Rock Stars are our generations pastors, and the preaching lacks depth. I’m done I promise… Don't settle for Type A music!!!
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Blue Mix
R.Roper

Funny Quote

2006-02-08T12:17:00.001-06:00

Music of the Day: Model Engine and Black Eyed Sceva, Steve Taylor, Weezer, Stavesacre, and I feel a Hip-Hop night coming on, we will see. Highlight, Justified by Black Eyed Sceva

"Partial insanity is tough, but total insanity is total freedom."
Dr. Nathan McLean

"Man I'm tired"
Me

"Bye"
Me

The Old Man and the Sea, and a new music feature and a little rant about Music

2006-02-07T17:50:00.001-06:00

Music of the Day:
I have seen on some other people's blogs they list what they are listening to, well I listen to music a ton (like today I have listened about eighty songs today and its only 4:30 in the afternoon, and there have been a couple days this year where I have hit 200) so I will have to do genres with some highlights, it's rare I stick on one CD for more then one time through.
Music of the Day um it’s already up there ^ anyway one more time…
Music of the Day: Punk/Ska or Skunk, I started the day with Bob Marley then switched over to mostly punk, highlight of the day- “$13,000 dollars is a lot of food” by Skank’in Pickle, I love that song…

Also I just figured out how to do links in the text, Blogger had not let me do it before because of Safari, that’s the Internet browser I use, anyway I will probably add a ton of them from now on especially when I talk about lyrics from songs you will be able to just go to the link instead of having to search all over on my blog. Like in my last post I added one to Asian Man Records, which is Mike Park’s record company. I like him he is cool…

So I guess everyone else on the planet was forced to read “The Old Man and the Sea” in high school except me. Stupid Woodbury High School, once again you have failed me, I bet someone is going to take my lunch money now…

I think I need to start doing things I don’t like so I could put a bad review on here sometime. Maybe I will have to go see “Ice Age 2” or “Curious George” those both look like they would make me vomit uncontrollably. After watching the first “Ice Age” I had a serious case of the jibblies, and spewed my lunch for some time on all my friends, what a horrible story, the vomiting well “Ice Age” was a pretty horrible story too. Where was I?

Oh, yea “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway. It rocked!!! I have never read any Hemingway before and he is cool. The story was explained so well and with such sweet details. I really felt for the old man and felt his pain and what he was going through man it was a really great story. I think that is what entertainment is about. Telling a story. I don’t need all the explosions or flash and glamour, man just give me something to care about, even with music if the production is crappy and the music is not even that great but you are telling a great story in a great way man let me have it. Maybe that is part of the reason I have such a general disdain for the Christian Music Industry. They should have the best stories to tell yet so many “artist” just suck. On top of that they have the greatest story to tell ever. Not like kind of a really good one but the best one, lets be honest what story compares to the redemption of man through the blood of God’s only Son, Jesus. And we fill albums with crap, stupid Thousand Foot Crutch, Life Liberty and what, Toby-Who? Help me out if I forget any, Jeremy Post, Aaron Sprinkle, Joe Yerke, Scott, Hunter, Scott Kerr, guys from Plank Eye, Steve Taylor, Dennis Culp, Mark Salomon, Larry Norman, Steve Green, Rich Mullins, Brian McSweeney, and most of all Reese Roper where have you gone? Save us from Rebecca St. James…

Anyway I like “The Old Man and the Sea” I though it was a great story and am excited to read more Hemingway when I get the chance there are a few other books in front of his others but I’ll get there. Thanks for reading sorry I am so boring…
Aim high with your musical selection and I’ll aim high with my spelling deal?
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. If you want info on who those guys are let me know I will hook you up with a rock’in Christian Compilation that will knock your socks off…

P.P.S. I guess the Christian Music Industry could be worse... The previous link may not be suitable for anyone with good taste...

“I was indeed surrounded
by self-proclaimed mental giants
in ryan's driveway
better a fool in the eyes of men than a fool in the eyes of God
watching minds descend under the blacktop
baited-breath, cigarettes, in the cab of a volkswagen van
eight-teen, born again, arguing the origins of man
teeth grit, fist clenched, I swing and strike the dashboard
how can they be so blind they want to blaspheme my Lord
the weakness of God is stronger than the strength of men
wisdom is proved right by her children
drew a thumbnail sketch of the cross in the window steam
from the thumbnail sketch inspiration came”
J. Post

North Hangook Falling

2006-02-05T21:30:00.001-06:00

O.K. well this will be quick just got done studying for like six or seven hours and am feeling ready for the week. But the weekend was really good. I got to brew beer on Saturday afternoon with some fellas it was sweat we are brewing what should be an awesome oatmeal stout. I am super excited to get it in two weeks. It's really the only beer I am buying this spring so it sounds so good.

Anyway Friday was super busy. I went to a lecture about where science and faith intersect. After that I had a sweat homemade dinner with Scott and then we headed over to Bethlehem to meet Mitch and watch “Seoul Train” a documentary about North Korean refuges. That is what the title of the blog is about it is the title of a song by Mike Park former front man of Skank’in Pickle about North Korea.

So the movie “Seoul Train” was amazing. I said that I think it would be good if everyone read “Searching for God Knows What” well I am saying you need to see “Seoul Train.” It is a powerful and very informative. It really did a great job of explaining the general hopelessness of the situation. I am not going to go into a whole lot of details I am going to give you the link and let you know this. North Korea needs our prayers and anything else we can give. So go to seoultrain.com there will be a link on the side. Go check it out learn more and get involved, it’s not the only place in the world that is hurting but I can think of few that are hurting more.
Last thing came down from all the studying and there were like 15 people in the living room so here is a picture of them watching the game, I got in there too.
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. I tried to get all the red eye out sorry...

Down at Colfax and Broadway

2006-01-31T07:15:00.001-06:00

So I am leaving class yesterday, walking out to my peice of crap smashed to heck car, feeling a little tired and worn out from class, studying, being super poor, living in a neirborhood where your car gets broken into, and trying to balance all these things with the relationships that matter most in life. The first song to pop onto my Ipod is "Where the Zero Meets the Fifteen" (lyrics below) by Five Iron Frenzy (yes I still listen to them all the time). I have always liked the song, I mean it's about dealing with all the stuff and still wanting to share in and share Christ with others, right at that moment a guy comes up to me and asks if I have a cigerate and I say "No, I don't smoke." (read the lyrics) And as he walks away all I can do is laugh and smile that God is good and at the very least thinks it's funny (funny in a good way like "Caleb your so cute when your tired, I died for your sins) that I would struggle with the amazing stuff He has given me and put in my life. Anyway I have never connected with this song so much in my life. Favorite line "How can I ever save the world, on cup-o-soup and student loans?" Good thing it's not up to me all I have to do is trust He will fill me up and when I'm bumped He will spill out. Anyway above is a picture of the intersection the song is about, after my senior year in high school my family took a trip to Colorado and I asked my parents if we could swing by downtown Denver to take a picture of this intersection. And how cool are my parents they actually let me, totally an hour out of the way, it's funny what parents will do for their children... Thank God for His grace, Thank God for parents, Thank God for being busy and having things in my life to care about...
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

"My car broke down in Arizona,
have to ride the bus again,
at ten-o-clock on Tuesday night,
with thirteen cents and a broken pen.
I put my backpack on the bench,
tell two people I don’t smoke,
see the cop across the street,
he thinks that I am selling dope,
I could have walked another block,
to get away from the scene.
Why does it always come to this,
where zero meets fifteen?

And so I gave my thirteen cents,
to the man who peed his pants.
He passes out and falls on me,
I watch my change fall from his hand.
I see the lady next to me,
holds her baby black blue.
The junkie gutter-punks keeps asking,
where I got my new tattoo.
What does it matter anyway,
thirteen cents or all I own?
How can I ever save the world,
on cup-o-soup and student loans?

I want to try and save the world,
but it never goes that way.
God I don’t know what to do,
down at Colfax and Broadway.

Now the man with no shoes on,
says I don’t know how to play.
He says I fumble all the time.
He thinks that I am John Elway.
I put my face down in my hands,
water wells inside my eyes.
What do I have to give them?
Does it matter if I try?
I can’t stand to see yousuffer,
I try to intellectualize,
a formula to end you pain,
it doesn’t work,
God knows I’ve tried.
Sometimes my cup is overfilled.
Sometimes I’m too afraid that I’m going to spill."
R. Roper

New Link

2006-01-30T09:15:00.001-06:00

Hi all, I have added a link to Scott Teece's blog. He is the coolest guy I know. He is smart and will probably have useful information on his blog instead of just endless ramblings. Anyway my blog actually has a link on his that is what the coolness reference is to. Anyway you will have to check it out. Ha Ha now I have put all sorts of pressure on him to come through and be entertaining he is sure to fail. Then I will rule the world!!! Or I will get a chicken sandwich or I will get to do a jig with a small man in a funny hat, it's one of those oh well I guess we will have to wait and see.
Getting hungry for a chicken sandwich,
Caleb

P.S. I used "to" correctly there! Right? You know who you are "Bandit Grammar Checker" or the "BGC" for short and one day I will find out who you are and hit you with vowels...

P.P.S. I am in a very strange mood...

One more cool picture

2006-01-29T22:00:00.001-06:00

So on Friday Mitch and myself were waiting for Scott and I took this picture of Mitch off of his stereo. Anyway I think it is a pretty sweat picture it is titled "digital reflections." Hope you hate it.
Caleb

A Night with Little to do

2006-01-29T21:45:00.001-06:00

Well I have a night here were I actually have some time to relax and do some fun stuff. I still should do some Medical Terminology exercises, but am starting to feel O.K. about where I am at with the subject. First test next week. This is the first test I have taken since May of 2001. Wow I'm old; it's been four and a half years since I was in college. Well that proves there is hope for all of yall who are not sure what you want to do with your life.

I know some people's blogs are like these huge theological places where people share the monstrous ideas. Then there is mine, a bunch of funny pictures with the occasional story about how weird life is.
Well this time I have more pictures and a book review, how bout them apples.

First the book, I just finished (like two minutes ago) "Searching for God Knows What" by Donald Miller, who is the author of "Blue Like Jazz." Special thanks to Eileen for letting me borrow it forever you can have it back now, sorry I'm a loser. I really liked the book it made me feel the same way "Blue Like Jazz" did that. “How did it make you feel Caleb?” Well since you asked I have a lot of these thoughts or inclinations in my head but don't know exactly how to explain them and then you read Donald’s writing and you are like “Yes that’s it, I’m so glad he explained it.” I enjoyed his ideas about how our society lives in lifeboat. Meaning the whole thing is going down we had better try to get to the front of the line so we don’t get thrown out like how we value the cool looking people. And we do this even more in the Christian culture. A great experiment is go to best buy or someplace that sells CD’s and look for one with an ugly person on it. It will be a little tricky but you can do it. Especially if you go somewhere off the beaten path like cheapo or electric fetus. Then go to a Christian music distributor and try and do the same thing. Anyway it will be harder to find one at the Christian bookstore. Very interesting.
The other central idea is that the Christian life is about a relationship with God and relationships with others not about solving your problems with formulas. The Bible doesn’t use them. God didn’t put any in the Bible it’s about a story. Anyway formulas are bad they will not solve our problems. They may bring us comfort for a time, but in the end it is only God who can take away the pain. Even the gospel has been turned into a formula. Anyway I think everyone should read Donald Miller's books. Mostly because he gives a different perspective that is not often found in the American Christian culture. I think his books would be highly frowned upon in many churches, which is bad, becuase I think he is right on with a lot of stuff. I don't know if I agree with every word he says and I am sure we would have some theological differences, but the point is this he is thinking outside the box and pushing the American church to think long and hard about what we believe and why we believe it.

Now time for some fun stuff. People have been making fun of me cause all the pictures on my blog are of me and I am really self absorbed, oh wait I wasn’t supposed to say that out loud, my bad, I mean all of you really love me, oh wait that doesn’t sound right either. Anyway a friend who has moved away from the great state of Minnesota was in town last night and he and some friends were over. Here are some pictures of them. I can’t put up pictures of the children at work you know I would be fired and I kind of like my job. So here are some pictures of other people and one of me… Ha Ha…
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. You can click on the pictures or any of the pictures on my blog and you will get to see a larger version of them, just so you know.

Feeling a little better

2006-01-27T21:00:00.001-06:00

Well I am feeling a little better, good talk with a friend after work and good time hanging with a Scott, Mitch and Nathan. This is a funny picture I mean really funny. And Justin took the other one.
Caleb

Well this has to be short

2006-01-22T21:15:00.001-06:00

Just a quick post and then it's off to bed. I had this like super busy but super productive weekend. I studied a ton saw my parents hung out with friends got my hair cut studied some more, and went to a congragational meeting. Anyway here are some pictures of my hair cut (below) before and after. Scott my friend cut it he did an amazing job it looks like a profesional, which I can't spell. Anyway I'm amazed at his...

BARBZERDRY

. Here is a link to a Strong Bad e-mail about such things remember to click on barbzerdry in the e-mail and then after the paper comes down remember to click on napping strong sad (the words) and eyebrow style the words you can also click on the poster while the box is dancing and you will find another easter egg. If you understand any of that last sentence you are my new best friend. BFFTW!!! Yes best friend for this week, I can't settle down you know, I am the cat's meow... O.K. just getting weird now, bye...
Caleb

Random Monday Rants...

2006-01-16T20:15:00.001-06:00

All right this is going to be a ton of little different things.
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Here is a link to Dr. King’s I have a dream speech.

Yesterday Nathan, Mitch, Brent and myself went up to Bethlehem to watch the documentary “Citizen King” about Dr. King’s life from 1963 to 1968. It was really good, a little mix of information and emotions. If you ever get the chance you should check it out.

Yesterday at church we sang the song “I’m on the Battlefield” arr. by Ron Porter it was a nice song. What I really liked was Pastor Kenny Stokes prayer afterward. I liked how he described becoming a Christian is like being born onto a battlefield. It’s just an interesting way of looking at it. It reminded me of the scene in the movie “12 Monkeys” when Bruce Willis’s character goes back in time and ends up in World War I. He is naked and confused and needs the help of others. Like every analogy it kind of starts to break down but remember when you first came to faith or had that experience that put you back on the path with the Lord, how crazy excited were you? You charged the line, absolutely fearless. As time goes on you need to regroup, refocus, retool, sharpen your sword, and all of the other great war analogies. Anyway it made me think.

Next, my favorite pair of shoes have finally hit their end. It’s over they have been the best shoes for the last three years. I got them two days after I got back from China. I will swear by Vans they are the best, super durable. So I wrote a poem about them. It’s funny and not meant to be taken seriously at all.

My Vans
My skateboard shoes are dying
Holes on all sides explode
They have never seen a skateboard flying
Pops and squeaks along the road

Brown with blue, spots of tan
Lace drag, seams thread barren
Feet slide in and I’m the man
I walk by the chicks are stare’en

I’ve worn them everywhere
In every situation, on my feet
Through horror, trial and care
Now their end they face defeat

Their task completed the quest is over
The insides have been laid to waste
I will see them like my brother
Forty dollars later they will be replaced
Caleb M. Saarela

Goodbye my shoes, oh so sad…

Next, I want to write one little thing about the article on Jonathan Christman’s blog. I believe that there is risk in every relationship. EVERY relationship! It is the risk that makes the relationships in our life worthwhile. If you never take a risk in any relationship you will never get to know anyone intimately. I think about the relationships that have meant the most in my life they are with people who have asked me the hard questions and who I have shared my soul with. I will use my relationship with my roommate Mitch as an example. I have only known Mitch a year and we have lived together for five months. We have gotten to know each other pretty well, we have had the chance to share very personal things with each other, we lead a Bible study together, and we have many of the same friends in our church communities. The risk we have taken is that if we would have a falling out it would affect so many aspects of our lives. I actually think we could pull off the living together just fine. People live together all the time and never interact it isn’t fun but it is doable, but it would have an affect on our friends, Bible study, and we would both lose the joy of the relationship. We have made a decision and said this relationship is worth the risk.
I feel like many people try and create risk free relationships and I just don’t think they exist on a deep level. I am not promoting recklessness but we all take calculated risks in relationships and I think that is a good thing. I have a glued hand analogy but this is getting long so that will have to wait for another time.

One more thing…

Rock N’ Roll
I am such a dork

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Check it out...

2006-01-13T15:40:00.000-06:00

So you should all check out Jonathan Christman's newest blog, it is about dating. I am interested to see what people think about it. Actually I'm really interested to see what Jonathan has to say. Please excuse my horrendous spelling on my post I was writting fast at work. Anyway check it out there is a link on the side.
Godspeed,
Caleb

So this is tired

2006-01-11T08:43:00.001-06:00

I think I am starting to get it. I mean what it really means to be tired. To run from one thing to the next for like three days straight, and to forget the joys of more than five hours of sleep. I think this is what most people call "real life". Already in the morning I hear myself saying things like "God don't let me be rude or short tempered today because of my lack of sleep." And I'm not even that far into this. Anyway I think that is a good place to be, not resting on myself to keep my temperament but resting in God to keep it. Trusting that even though I am tired and the students are not listening I am going to be loving and it has nothing to do with me. In the end it comes down to being satisfied in God and Him getting the glory and me getting the joy, really Christian Hedonism in practice, yea... O.K. I got to get back to work. I now have an e-mail address I can check at work it is, saar0068@metnet.edu
O.K. bye...
Caleb M. Saarela

This made me laugh this morning from the Five Iron Frenzy song named "O' Canada"

"They've got trees, and mooses, and sled dogs,
Lots of lumber, and lumberjacks, and logs!
We all think it's kind of a drag,
That you have to go there to get milk in a bag.
They say "eh?" instead of "what?" or "duh?"
That's the mighty power of Canada.
I want to be where lemmings run into the sea,
Where the marmosets can attack me.

Let's go to Canada, let's leave today,
Canada, oh, Canada, I Sil Vous Plait."
R. Roper

So nice to be back

2006-01-09T08:43:00.001-06:00

Wow it's nice to be back at work. I am not complaining about the huge amount of time we had off but it is nice to be doing something. It was nice to see Justin again he really liked my new camera, he likes taking pictures of random things and then erasing them. I'm really interested to see how this all works heading pretty much straight to school after work. I know millions of people throughout the history of the world have done this it's just I never have. I will be going from three years of "aimless nothing" to a focused direction. It's funny how much things can change in like three months, or even in a matter of weeks... It's funny how one little thing can change how you see things, your life, the world.
Anyway, one of the most horrible things on the planet starts later this month. That's right American Idol is back. I would never watch the show and don't really mind when others do, way to go mom, but what I hate is the way people treat it like news.
"This morning on action news an American Idol update, and some other news about our community but back to the important stuff." "Last night in a stunning turn of events someone sang!!!" It's a show, not news. I think I want to vomit...
Singing with the Kings,
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. I didn't spell check this or grammer check it, sorry just writting at a break at work...

I need to go back to work

2006-01-07T18:05:00.001-06:00

Seriously I am climbing the walls I need to go back to work. I was too good with my time the week and now I have nothing to do. So I have sat and read like the whole day finished my paper and at least the Gopher hockey team is on tonight. Anyway I would put my affirmation of faith on here but it is pretty boreing. Well everything starts monday back to work back to school. There are so many cool things going on in my life right now I will tell you about them later. O.K. I love you all Five Iron Frenzy and the movie "Grosse Pointe Blank" rule... Bye
Caleb M. Saarela

Have I been Super Sized

2006-01-02T19:00:00.001-06:00

Well I finally saw Super Size Me. I'm probably the last person on the planet to see it but I am on my two-week movie binge. Anyway I really liked it and was challenged by it. I felt like it really had a good balance and a healthy view of the concepts they are looking at. If you don't know the concept they are basically saying fast food is bad. But what I like is that they don't place all the blame squarely on companies like McDonalds, they are able to find a nice balance between personal responsibility and corporate responsibility, which is rare in most scare tactic movies. The thing that affected me the most was the shock his doctor was in. When his doctor basically sees the effects on his liver as the same affects of a long drinking binge and then comments, "I didn't know you could do that with a diet high in fat." Amazing, the shock of the doctor still makes me laugh.

I know some people have seen this movie and have not eaten fast food since, I don't think that will happen to me, but I will take the free advice for the many nutritionist in the movie and try and limit how often I eat a fast food restaurants to once a month or so. Anyway you should see it for the comedic value and for the interview with the author of Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser. O.K. that’s all I got man I’m super boring these during my break.

Oh a note about the New Year. I don’t know who reads this really but if I haven’t gotten the chance to hear about what the change of year means to you in 2006 I would love to hear from you. Especially right now I have time to hear from you so e-mail me let me know your thoughts on the New Year, cmsaarela@yahoo.com. O.K. talk to you soon.

Hungry Hungry Hippo(ing),
Caleb

"My body... officially hates me."
Morgan Spurlock

New Year

2005-12-31T17:15:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!!!

I think this is a funny time of year; everyone gets all sentimental and starts questioning their life… But in reality this has been a big year for me and writing this is probably just good for me to look back but probably not that interesting sorry. The spring was pretty quite I guess the biggest thing was the development of my relationship with Justin (the student I work with). I really think it was early this year where he really started to trust me and this was a catalyst to the relationship. The begging of the summer was a little weird. Then this summer I got the chance to go to camp with Justin, it was a long week for him but we made it through and he really started to have fun by the end of the week. Probably the biggest highlight of the week was getting Justin to sleep, he was super nervous and to get him to settle down at night I would sing to him I ended up singing a song from the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. It was pretty sweat, it maybe strange but God has blessed me so much through Justin, he is by far the most interesting friend I have and I’m blessed to know him.

Also in the summer I started to help lead the bible study I have been attending for about two years. “Taking over” even just in part was a pretty humbling experience. Jake and Jonathan are these awesome charismatic leaders with extensive biblical knowledge, so in the summer Nathan, Mitch and myself took over most of the responsibilities. It was a pretty big deal Jonathan and me had talked about it before but when it came to it I was pretty scared. Then in the fall as the group multiplied Mitch and myself took on the leading responsibilities, as Nathan really needed to be focused on school. It has been a blessing to have this opportunity to have some shepherding responsibilities with Bethlehem. I am still humbled buy the opportunity to help lead this group. Many of us were apprehensive about the initial split but it has allowed us to go deeper in the two groups that evolved out of the one while also making room for new members. Anyway the multiplication did exactly what it was supposed to.

The end of year was filled with revelations about singleness, family, career goals, theology, and hope for the future. Anyway I’m thankful for 2005 God has used it to refine me and bring more consistency to my spiritual life.

So Happy New Year! Thanks for reading this, for praying for me, for being my friend. May God bless your 2006 and put things in your life that draw you closer to Him.

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

“This New Years Eve, something must change me inside,
I'm crooked and misguided, and tired of being tired.
This New Years Eve, I'm waiting for tomorrow.
My heart is on my sleeve, and yes I still believe, in You.”
R. Roper

We've got videos or I've got videos

2005-12-30T22:10:00.001-06:00

O.K. so just click on the picture and you can see a video of Mitch's cat. I'm just learning how to use this stuff so it's not funny or anything but I guess that's all I really got.

Hey it works...
Hope you hate it,
Caleb M. Saarela

New Snow

2005-12-30T11:58:00.001-06:00

I love new snow. It’s as close to a do over as we get. I love how it covers everything, hides everything, makes to world new, yes it’s just a cover but there is a whole new world to discover. My favorite song ever is a song called Every New Day. It talks about how every new day is new with God. Anyway here are some pictures and a little poem (very little and not very good) about new snow.

New Snow
I wake to find the world has changed
The dirt and grim have been exchanged
With white that covers, and keeps us warm
Spartan soldiers keep us from harm
A new life I’ve been given
Sins of old have been hidden
New snow a closer look at new earth
To remind us of second birth
From heavens hand to break our dawn
Caleb M. Saarela

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Christmas reflections and other random stuff

2005-12-28T18:40:00.001-06:00

Well I had a great Christmas season. I usually hate this time of the year. The over commercialization of Christmas, Santa Clause all the fighting about “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas.”

Anyway for me the season was great. Usually my Novembers are really crappy, but this one was great. God was totally protecting me and watching over me. Anyway early on in December I was struck with the awesomeness of the incarnation and overwhelmed with the joy of the season. This is a new experience for me maybe this happens for everyone else, I don’t know. So anyway I was really excited about Christmas this year. One thing that I do like about Christmas is singing the old Christmas Carols every year at church. I know the songs are old and routine and a lot of churches feel the need to jazz them up. As you can probably guess I’m not a huge fan of that.

One song that stuck out to me this year was Joy to the World. Simple song right nothing big. Anyway the song ends with Wonders of his Love. I spent a little time thinking about this. It is amazing. The wonders of his love, when we really think about the whole situation, His love is overwhelming. The Creator of the universe born in not just a dirty smelly barn, but also a dirty breaking down body. I don’t know I was just overwhelmed by His love for the glory of God, and for the redemption of man. Anyway I had an amazing Christmas it was great.

Movie Reviews:
Movies I’ve seen and I’m reviewing so suck it up and read…
Fun with Dick and Jane: Funny really funny. I liked it a ton. It makes fun of mainstream America and big companies. It wasn’t like the most amazing thing I had ever seen but it was worth seeing. Yes it is a remake but at least it is a new take on it. And it is a ton funnier then the original. If you like Jim Carry you will like this and Téa Leoni has great comedic timing she is really funny.
Grizzly Man: Ah pretty good nothing special. It was all right. I had heard that ended differently so I was kind of expecting more. It was interesting though. What I found really funny was the idea that this guy really thought he was doing something and I guess I don’t think he was doing anything. In the end I just think the guy was crazy. Not inspiring at all. O.K. I’m done making fun of the guy who got eaten by the bears.
Shawshank Redemption: You have all seen it a hundred times, it rules.

Random thoughts on girls, dating girls is tough man my brain hurts. I mean I am not even dating anyone or know if there is any future for any relationships but man you ladies confuse the heck out of me. Marzipan why don’t you love me? It is so confusing, I am now accepting applications and advice on how to use my brain, Ha Ha I’m funny… (In case anyone is wondering I am kind of joking around)

Random Recommendations:
I have added a link on my blog. It is a blog called Google Video of the Day. Most of the stuff is pretty appropriate you can use your judgment. Some of the stuff is a riot; check out the Wallace and Gromit. Really funny, anyway I that is some of my ramblings I feel like my brain isn’t really working to well so if this is hard to understand sorry…

Hope you hate my ideas.
Caleb M. Saarela

“Just say 'Jack , do you adore me?'
Well I would Holly but love really bores me
Well I guess we should just be friends
I'm just kidding Holly
You know that I'll love you 'til the end”
J. White

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T22:25:00.001-06:00

Well Merry Christmas everyone. My parents are the best, I mentioned how cool it would be to have a digital camera and they totally surprised me with one for Christmas I was shocked and super excited. Here is the first picture.
Anyway I will be blogging this week on at least a couple things. I will be posting some Christmas reflections, maybe a couple more poems, and a post I'm calling why we study theology. Wow should be boring. I hope you hate them.
Merry Christmas
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. My mom hates this picture. Comb your hair...

Funny Quote about my life

2005-12-13T22:20:00.001-06:00

So every week at Bible Study the guys from the group go upstairs and share prayer requests. This week I was talking about how it has become harder and harder to wake up in the morning. It is cold and dark and I just don't want to roll out of bed. The issue is that the longer I stay in bed the shorter my time with the Lord is, so that was my prayer request, but while I was describing the situation I was transitioning into sharing the request with the guys and it came out something like this.

"So I have been getting up later and later, I don't care that I'm lazy...bla bla bla, prayer request"

Wow, now that is a profound statement about my life. Laziness not a concern, got it by the truckloads...
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

"Up to now in my life I have failed
all I’ve tried, it’s too hard
I think I’ve found my calling now
laying down, in the yard
Don’t you cry Momma, don’t you even weep
‘cause you know your son excels at sleep."
R. Roper

A Saturday to Remember...

2005-12-12T15:30:00.001-06:00

Well if you have known me long or haven't known me long it is pretty easy to figure out that I am a passionate person. No really the things I get excited for I really get excited for. I am still of the belief that the Lord of the Rings (although three of the greatest movies ever) should have been six movies of all the same length. This may not be the most practical idea but man that would have ruled. Anyway on Saturday I went to go see the first installment of the Chronicles of Narnia. I was really excited to see this movie but also pretty hesitant. I was read the books as a child, have re-read them as an adult, and generally love the writings of C.S. Lewis so I feel a pretty strong connection to these stories and characters

I was under the impression and still am that if the movie did not have the line that describes Aslan as "a wild lion" or "not safe" or "not tame" but "good" there would be no point in making the movie. This is such a great description of God and his relation to western culture. We can't control Him, tell Him what to do, contain Him, or make better plans than Him. Living your life by God's standards and following Him with all your heart is reckless and not safe. It will lead to the reckless love of others and to fearless joy we will make decisions that make no sense to our non-believing friends and family and sometimes even to our believing friends and family. God is not safe but He is good and His promises will endure forever. I love that... Our lives are so simple by faith, love God with all our hearts, and trust that His son Jesus died for your sins and cling to Him as your everything. The rest is well the rest... Thank God He is good, and we can trust Him above anything else *(I will be talking about the movie from here to the other asterisk so if you don't want to hear stuff skip ahead).

So the movie and my thoughts:
Cons - One thing the movie has going against it is that the four stars are all children and for children to have to convey the emotions sometime required in these stories is tuff. On top of that it is usually the youngest of the four that has to convey the most emotion. You have to believe that Lucy is crushed by Edmond's lie, you have to believe that Lucy and Susan have never seen anything worse then the death of the great lion. Overall I think they did a good job considering it was the first movie for all of them with the exception of Anna Popplewell (Susan). Another con is the CGI was average it was no Lord of the Rings but it was better then some of the Shots form the first Harry Potter or the second Matrix which both had parts that were horrible. So none of it was appalling but it could have been better. Third con and this is getting a little picky, there is so much explanation of Aslan and people's reaction to him in the books. It is arguable the best parts of the books and I could have done with more of that, talk and reaction to how amazing Aslan is.

Pros - They did a good job of holding to the books. The allegory of redemption through a savoir is very evident. The line(s) that had to be in there were. "He is not a tame lion but he's good." Yes!!! I almost cheered out loud. Especially since they made me wait the whole movie for it. The death and resurrection at the stone table was great. The professor who is not a major character was just right. I have the feeling that if you are not a lover of the books you might not enjoy the movie quite as much but even without them I still think it is a great kids movie. I just feel they got the right parts right. I would endorse it 100%.

* O.K. I'm done talking about the movie. The other cool thing about Saturday involved free trade coffee. I found out a while ago that Dunn Brothers sells free trade coffee. Even before that I had chosen Dunn Brothers as my coffee shop of choice (both Caribou and Starbucks are evil). So while we were having coffee and talking about the movie I thought I would check it out. The thing I was worried about was the price. I want to try and buy more fair trade products but I've heard some of them get pretty expensive, but to my surprise and joy it was not a bad price. So anyway you should check out maketradefair.com and the next time you buy coffee you should at least check out Dunn Brothers fair trade stuff. It's worth looking at.

Anyway all in all it was a great weekend busy but fun thanks to everyone who planned cool stuff to do, I'm glad I got to have fun with you. Hooray for having friends...
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. Dunn Brothers website and the recipie for Turkish Delight bellow, man does that stuff looks gross...

http://www.dunnbros.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Delight

Darkness, Light, and Christmas

2005-12-09T18:45:00.001-06:00

Well I have taken on Ugly things, the institute of Marriage, and American consumerism, so what's next. Well I'm taking on Darkness. Well I just wrote a little poem about darkness light and Christmas it is based off of Isaiah 9:2-6. It's nothing amazing but Isaiah filled me with such joy and this was the result. So I thought I would share it with anyone who wants to listen... Merry Christmas see you all soon...
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Isaiah 9:2-6
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
3You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

"In the darkness"
In the darkness we have walked
In the darkness, souls are locked
Sitting in pale unbroken cold
Sitting, longing, anything to hold
The darkness finds me rotten
The darkness leaves me forgotten
Evils are hidden from sight
Evils are hidden from the light
Never ceasing, bitter, biting
Never ceasing, slowly killing
Endless darkness, endless night
Endless darkness, listless sight

We have seen a great light
We have seen darkness take flight
A spark, a change, kindled heart
A spark of light, a new start
Exposing injustice, wailing
Exposing sin, constant failings
Light burst in, cuts through
Light breaks in, makes all things new
Cleansing, healing broken people
Cleansing, giving strength to the feeble
Daylight sets us free
Daylight given to me
To us the useless, the scorn
To us a child is born

His name brought light for us to see
His name has set us free
His name shall be,
Wonderful Counselor, Might God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Caleb M. Saarela

An open letter of update...

2005-12-05T17:00:00.001-06:00

Well I know I haven't posted in a while sorry life has been busy and there was some good discussion on the money stuff. Anyway the big news is that I got into the classes I wanted to for the spring so it looks like Caleb is a student again. Thank you to anyone who has been praying for me to get into these classes and also who has prayed for me over the last three years that I would get my life together.
Today as I was walking out of the office with my little piece of paper saying, “I was on my way” I had such and overwhelming sense of God’s faithfulness. How many times had I started to doubt and question what God was doing in my life. Anyway thanks to everyone, especially my family, for sticking with this loser I’ll let you know how things go…
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. Those are the same lyrics as before but they just fit so well, sorry I'm lame. I'm working on a little poem it's almost done and then I'll post that soon...

"Fathomless your endless mercy,
weight I could not lift.
Where do I fit in this puzzle,
what good are these gifts?
Not a martyr, or a saint,
scarcely can I struggle through.
All that I have ever wanted,
was to give my best to you.

Lord, search my heart,
create in me something clean.
Dandelions
you see flowers in these weeds.

Gently lifting hands to heaven,
softened by the sweetest hush,
a Father sings over his children,
loving them so very much.
More than words could warrant,
deeper than the darkest blue,
more than sacrifice could merit,
Lord, I give my heart to you."
R. Roper

For I know the plans I have for you...

2005-11-26T18:10:00.001-06:00

What am I here for? How many times in my life have I uttered those words into the night? Especially in the last three years when it has seemed like life has stood still and I have sat there quoting that stupid Michael W. Smith song… Well I’m here to offer some hope to those who feel the same way.

If you know me well or have talked with me much in the last three years you know that not knowing my future has been the major frustration in my life. So how do we trust God in those times? How do we keep a positive attitude about aimlessly wondering from job to job? How do we decide what were to go in life? Well by no means am I going to answer all those questions I will leave that to professionals who get paid the big bucks. This is more of an encouragement “to keep ya head up” like 2-Pac always said.

The big ones are easy Jeremiah 29:11 God knows the plans he has for us, Romans 8:18,31-39 God has our best in mind and He is for us what do we have to worry about. Those are great reminders for all of us that God has a plan and we will never slip from where he wants us.

I think this is even more important. If we believe that God is sovereign and he has a divine plan for everything. Then the place your in is where God wants you. The place you are in is the best place for you to glorify God. I think that is a comfort for me; God has me in a state of uncertainty for my own good. For me on a day like this when I am more prone to look back it's good to know that this is the way God has brought me for my own good.
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. Read the lyrics below they are from one of my favorite songs ever...

"In a field of yellow flowers,
underneath the sun,
bluest eyes that spark with lightning,
boy with shoes undone.
He is young, so full of hope,
reveling in tiny dreams,
filling up his arms with flowers,
right for giving any queen.

Running to her beaming bright,
while cradling his prize.
A flickering of yellow light,
within his mother's eyes.
She holds them to her heart,
keeping them where they'll be safe,
clasped within her very marrow,
dandelions in a vase.

She sees love, where anyone else would see weeds.
All hope is found.
Here is everything he needs.

Fathomless Your endless mercy,
weight I could not lift.
Where do I fit in this puzzle,
what good are these gifts?
Not a martyr, or a saint,
scarcely can I struggle through.
All that I have ever wanted,
was to give my best to You.

Lord, search my heart,
create in me something clean.
Dandelions
You see flowers in these weeds.

Gently lifting hands to heaven,
softened by the sweetest hush,
a Father sings over his children,
loving them so very much.
More than words could warrant,
deeper than the darkest blue,
more than sacrifice could merit,
Lord, I give my heart to You.

Lord, search my heart,
create in me something clean.
Dandelions
You see flowers in these weeds."
R. Roper

Why I will buy nothing (updated 12/19/05)

2005-11-19T12:15:00.001-06:00

So because of some heat I have taken for my comments supporting "Buy Nothing Day" (BND) and the ideals behind it I have decided to write an explanation of why I do support this holiday. Not just because of the secular ideals behind it (I am not sure if that is the right wording but I mean that even if I was not a Christian I would support this idea) but also why my faith in Jesus has compelled me to support it. After I wrote this post I realized that it is really long but I hope it is enlightening and challenging and worth reading I think it is one of the best things I have ever written and comes from my heart. The grammar and spelling might be bad but I felt the need to get it up and out now and fix parts later.

American (Western) consumption is out of control. We are killing the earth and the people who will live on it in the future. American’s greed has distorted the word “need” and has lead us to be a culture that consumes unmercifully. If you want to learn more about how this is happening look, you can find the information anywhere (find out when South Africa will run out of water, that one will scare the crap out of you (google south Africa water crisis that’s a start)). So the day after thanksgiving is the pinnacle of Western consumption and it is a day to stand up and say I think this is bad and we should do something about it. Because of those reasons alone I support this holiday but that is not where it ends for me and now my faith takes over and pushes me further.

Now I know many people will say “O.K. I see not wanting to hurt the people who live on the earth but the earth itself doesn’t matter.” Yes God will destroy the earth one day and so if it looks a little dented who cares. Well I believe God cares, at least a little. The world was created out of an overflow of joy and to display His glory. So I feel we should honor the earth, clearly not as much as we honor God, God’s Word, or people but to say it is something that is important to us is not wrong.

Now I think those are great reasons to enjoy BND but I think there are even more. My major reason for celebrating this day is: “I see this day as a great way to protest or make a statement about how we as Americans spend our money.” This day above all others makes the most sense to me. It is the day where American consumerism is not only seen as O.K. it is embraced and glorified. I am not saying anytime we buy something it is bad. I buy things, I just see this day as a day to stand up and set myself apart with an extreme statement that hopefully represents how I live my life and spend my money the other 364 days of the year. I would love to see other Christians stand up and do the same, but in no way do I think they are doing anything wrong by going out and shopping that day, I think when pushed this at first that is what I might have implied and that was wrong of me to do, BUT I think I am really on the right track with the stuff that follows and if you think I’m way off I would love to discus it more because I will be making some strong statements. To stand up and say we have a problem and it’s getting worse.

So the rest of this is basically why I feel we who claim to be Christians need to set ourselves apart from American culture when it comes to our spending habits.
Recently at a church in Minnesota a sermon was given saying “It is O.K. for a Christian to own a Lexus.” I disagree with this idea; I think a Christian should not own a Lexus or a million dollar home. Most people’s first response, “You are judging them.” No, I see their actions and am making a comment about what I see and how it affects their relationship with God. I want what is best for them and I feel they are missing a better blessing form God by using their money in a way that does not bring Him glory.

I believe Jesus was very specific how we should spend our money he did not avoid the issue I think Jesus has called us to a higher standard of living (what a play on words someone buy me a hotdog). Jesus talks about money more than anyone in the Bible so we have a great spot to start from and a great high priest who has not been silent on the subject. I think I could spend weeks looking at every different passage but to keep it a little shorter I would like to just briefly look at a couple of these and let you look at more if you feel the need to. I would like to establish the ideas that 1. Love of money puts us at odds with God. 2. How we spend our money reflects what we find most valuable and ultimately trust money, worldly possessions, or God. 3. It is not how much we give but how we give. 4. God desires for us to live simple lives for His glory and our joy.

1. Love of money puts us at odds with God and diminishes how much we value Him. Matthew 6:24 (ESV) ”24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.“ So that is a good place to start you cannot serve money and God. The desire for money will be at war with the desire for God in your heart. Mark 10:23-25 says, “23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." Money will make it difficult for some to enter God’s kingdom. Some will find money more desirable then God.

2. How we spend our money reflects what we find most valuable and ultimately trust money, worldly possessions, or God. Matthew 6:19-21 “19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The things we own and do are a reflection of what we desire and what we see as supremely valuable. There are other verses that would support the idea that when we trust anything but God it is sin.

3. It is not how much we give but how we give. Luke 21:1-4 “1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Jesus has no concern with how much the widow gave the amount is not important it is the heart behind it. God still loves the giving heart of the rich but the better blessing is bestowed upon the widow.

4. God desires for us to live simple lives for His glory and our joy. Luke 12:32-34 says, 32"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Here is what John Piper says about these verses in a message given on December 14, 1997.
“Focus for a moment on the words, "Sell your possessions." Who was he talking to? Verse 22 gives the answer: "Then Jesus said to his disciples." Now these people were by and large not wealthy. They didn't have a lot of possessions. But still he says, "Sell your possessions." He doesn't say how many possessions to sell. To the rich ruler in Luke 18:22 Jesus said, "Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Sell all your possessions. When Zaccheus met Jesus, he said (Luke 19:8), "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." So Zaccheus gave fifty percent of his possessions. In Acts 4:37 it says, "Barnabas sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet." So he sold at least one field.
So the Bible doesn't tell us how many possessions to sell. But why does it say sell possessions at all? Why? Giving alms - using your money to show love for those without the necessities of life and without the gospel (the necessity of eternal life) - is so important that if you don't have any liquid assets to give, you should sell something so you can give. But now think what this means in context. These disciples are not cash-poor rich people whose money is all tied up in bonds or real estate. Most people like that do, in fact, usually have fairly deep savings. But Jesus didn't say, "Take some of your savings and give alms." He said, "Sell something, and give alms." Why? The simplest assumption is that these folks lived close enough to the edge that they did not have cash to give and had to sell something so they could give. And Jesus wanted his people to move toward simplification, not accumulation.
So what's the point? The point is that there is a powerful impulse in the Christian life toward simplicity rather than accumulation. The impulse comes from treasuring God as Shepherd and Father and King more than we treasure all our possessions. And the impulse is a strong impulse for two reasons. One is that Jesus said, "How hard it is for the rich (literally: those who have things) to enter the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:24). In Luke 8:14 Jesus said that riches "choke" the word of God. But we want to enter the kingdom vastly more than we want things. And we don't want the word of God choked in our lives. So there is a strong impulse to simplify rather than accumulate. The other reason is that we want the preciousness of God to be manifest to the world. And Jesus tells us here that selling things and giving alms is one way to show that God is real and precious as Shepherd, Father and King.
So the second point is that trusting God as Shepherd, Father and King carries a strong impulse toward simplicity rather than accumulation. And this brings worship out from the inner, hidden place of the heart into more visible actions for the glory of God.”

I agree one hundred percent and believe in a simple lifestyle.

Now back to the Lexus and the American church. Do we live our life like that? Does someone who owns a Lexus or a million dollar home live like that? I just don’t think they do. There possessions speak of what they treasure. They may give away loads of money and then say well this is left over so I’ll buy some extravagant things for myself, and while they may not be sinning they are certainly missing out on a blessing God desires to give them.

So those are big things that's easy, what about the small things? Is it ever appropriate to buy a new car or something that we want? When do we cross the line of simple to extravagant? How do we make judgments about what to buy? Well it's a fine line we must walk. We should think hard and pray hard about every decision I guess I would ask this question as a guideline though. How often do we as a culture and individuals error on the side of being too simple? It is pretty rare and I know there is Christian liberties but I would hate to see us fight for the liberties of the rich while the hungry, needy, and lost of the world continue to fight for food, water, shelter, and even more imporatantly while the lost of the world continue to wander in the dark.

I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew here. First off I’m the chief sinner, I still buy things I don’t need, I am working on it and praying God would refine my heart in this area, so do not think I’m saying I’m with out guilt.

In the end I ask the question about November 25th, 2005. Where do you want to stand, is it in line to get ten percent off on mittens? Or do you want to stand up and say America, American Christians we have lost our way let us value and trust Christ above everything else! Here is where we draw the line. Here is where the revolution starts…
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

P.S. Usually I have "cool" lyrics here but this is too long if you are really interested go read the song Vultures below.

Buy Nothing Day

2005-11-16T06:15:00.001-06:00

Hey November 25th the day after Thanksgiving. What is commonly known as "green Friday." Some people have created a new holiday called "buy nothing day." It is a chance to set our selves apart from the monster that is American consumerism. So join me and don't buy anything. I put a link to a good website with information about the day. Don't be sucked into American consumerism.
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

"Watching Mrs. Brady prime the brand new Kenmore washer
see the brilliant gleam of the automatic tooth flosser
Beautiful the china, what a lovely cup and saucer
yeah I saw your Rolex, but I think its an impostor
Wave to the pretty ladies
with your brand new hairpiece, baby
Ahh, the smell of cash, its good to be alive
Im going to spend some dough like its 1985
Rip the tags off mattresses
youll buy more anyway
Is the paint on that SUV
some brand new type of gray?

Chorus:
Believe in anything
Vultures circling
Open, swallow, you're so hollow
Yeah.

My teeth are getting yellow from the mocha I just drank
I need to bleach them out, but my breath will still be rank
Did you you see the new computers,
arent they oh so obsolete?
And that shade of black you wear,
its so Tuesday of last week
You need a better life
Have you tried another wife?
I used to be an amateur but now Im going pro
It once was Mile High but you sold it to Invesco
The empire grows
you can see its massive span
beneath the golden arches
somewhere in Japan.

And the vultures circle
theyve paved the way
Theyve bit and clawed their path
to top floors in L.A.
And beneath the brazen windows
you can hear the sound
they say the word on the street
is somethings going down?
When the revolution comes."
R. Roper

A Funny Story

2005-11-15T10:01:00.001-06:00

I posted a funny story on the other blog I contribute to, so if your looking for something to do you can read that. It's at www.93dollars26cents.blogspot.com it is also a link on the side, Lunch with Scoitch and Nathleb, over there ->
O.K. Bye
Caleb

The Better Gift again

2005-11-14T19:00:00.001-06:00

So Silas a friend of mine had some concerns about the singleness post so here is my response...

Hey Silas valid concerns but let me address a couple things that I hope will clarify. First I would like to address the comment that “singleness is NOT your gift (of which I am fairly sure from the lofty height of 20 years), is it then incumbent upon you to STOP striving for singleness?” My thought is that singleness is your gift until you are married or at least until you are engaged. It’s the idea that both singleness and marriage are gifts and until singleness is taken away, it is your gift. Just like living on this earth, we often say that every breath is a gift that flows from God’s grace, but soon that will be taken away for a better gift, the gift of eternal communion with our creator. The gift of singleness just works in reverse; we have it until it is taken away, but even in that situation singleness will be given back to us all in heaven so we can be “the bride of Christ.” I think this is the reason Paul sees it as better here on earth, those who are married are troubled with the concerns of this world, those who are single are concerned with the things of the Gospel.

The second thing is how we define contentment will greatly effect how we see these gifts. I think the status quo in young Christian culture especially among men is to say I’m content with our singleness but what we really mean is we struggle through until something better comes along I find this is no good, even to say its O.K. for now really doesn’t do our singleness justice. If we ask a married person how is your marriage? And they say “I’m content.” Using the definition which many single people use for “content” this would be totally unacceptable. No married couple would want to say they are struggling through until something better comes along or it’s O.K. for now. That is part of the reason I didn’t use the word “content” when I was talking about singleness a couple weeks ago, especially if so many people would associate it with the feelings expressed above. So I would say, “We should strive to be totally satisfied or content with our singleness just as we would strive to be totally satisfied or content with our marriage” Meaning God has given me the gift of singleness right now so that is what God deems is that best thing for me right now, and we need to be satisfied in God and his will for us.

I think the idea of “striving to be satisfied in singleness and marriage” is a cool idea. Knowing that we should never be totally satisfied in a situation here on earth. It is a process that we will never see completed while we still live. In fact the second we are satisfied with our marriage and state of our singleness is the moment you quit working at it, and that is the moment it starts to fall apart.

You also said “In order to EVER get married, we (men) have to, at some point, quit being content for long enough to go after a woman with determination, and take the risk of... well, I'm sure you know what risks relationships entail. The point is, too much contentment is complacency, which isn't just unwise, it's sinful too. It's a fine line we have to walk.” I agree and disagree, if we use the first definition of content, please quit being content, do it now. But I don't think we should eve quite being content (in the good way) with the situation God has put you in. Hopefully your desire will come from a desire for a person or a desire for a more complete ministry.

Anyway I'm not sure if that helps but if you want to talk more about this let us and anyone else who wants to contribute please do.

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

I wish I could get my head out of the sand
Cos I think we'd make a good team
And you would keep my fingernails clean
But that's just a stupid dream that I won't realize
Cos I can't even look in your eyes without shaking, and I ain't faking
I'll bring home the turkey if you bring home the bacon
R. Cuomo

The Theory of Cuteness

2005-11-07T17:45:00.001-06:00

All right the last couple blogs have been pretty serious so we will tone it down a little and have some fun. Then maybe I will post something totally depressing I guess we will all have to just keep hoping. Ha Ha…

So if you have known me for a while you have probably heard my Theory of Cuteness, I formulated this in high school because I had friends who were girls. That is all it takes and you can be a scientist. But this is the first time it has been written down in publish-ability form. This is meant as a total joke, I am really not sexist or anything like that just hear me out to the end and consider it a funny observation. Although by saying that upfront I have probably set myself up for hate mail. So all hate mail should be sent to mitchellloper@hotmail.com that is my e-mail address for when my name was Mitchell it was like some time last year, I’m not having all my hate mail sent to my roommate.

”My hypothesis is that “All (remember it’s a joke) miniature items (people and animals will be items), that is items that have a larger version, are going to be considered cute in the eyes of all (remember it’s a joke) of the female persuasion. Now this is not a condition for cuteness, items can be cute without being a miniature version of a particular item. An example of this would be a man in his mid thirties can be cute without being a miniature version, a large elephant can be cute, but a baby elephant is always cute no mater what. So an item does not have to be a miniature to be cute but if it is a miniature it is cute.

So now that every female I have ever met is appalled and disgusted let us test my theory. I will start with the easy ones. Babies are miniature versions of humans, babies are cute. Those small Pop cans that are supposed to make us feel better about not drinking so much processed sugar, cute! Miniature M&M’s CUTE!!! You are having a romantic walk through the park and see those little purple flowers (miniature flowers, there are bigger ones right? I’m no flower expert) and you say “oh look so CUTE!!!” You are at the pet store and see a little puppy (miniature dog) and you say “Oh look a tha widdle puppy, oh come here boy I wuv you so much I just wana kiss you and hug you and wuv you foeva, cause you are just so CUTE!!!” At this point I pull out all my hair and go running into oncoming traffic.

So some of those items are cute without being smaller but a pop can who thinks pop cans are cute, ah only crazy people. Let’s look at some other normal everyday items and see if miniature items would be considered cute. Silverware for example, lets say you have a fork, and then you have a miniature fork, oh so cute with its tiny pointed prongs. Lunch Box and tiny Lunch Box look at the cute little metal flipping locking thingy cute little handle. What if I was typing on a miniature keyboard, oh so cute next to his big ugly fingers, type type type, typing all the cuteness. O.K. I think I’ve made my point. Miniature versions of everyday items are cute.

So let’s take this to the next level. What about items that are gross or ugly? Think about an ugly man, he’s got a big old nose, he’s a little unshaved, and is missing a couple teeth, now, *POOF* there is a miniature version of him. Looking at him hobbling around asking for tea and soup, ah he makes your heart melt and you yell out “Little man I can’t stay mad at you your so cute!”

Alright now it’s time to pull out the Big Gun (which is probably not that cute)!!! Let’s say you have a little pile of goose poop (Yes I said goose poop, hey look you can see any respect you had for me leaving, bye respect). NOT CUTE!!! In fact gross poop yuck, but lets say right next to that there is a little pile of goose poop. At first you look in and think that’s not so cute but then you turn your head to the right and start to think about the miniaturized goose that pooped the poop and the cellos kick in and the corners of your mouth start to curl and you start to think it’s not that gross. No this can’t be you fight back this foolishness, that can’t be cute, but then the clincher, the little man from above walks by and slips in the tiny pile of goose poop and starts laughing hysterically and you give in, the poop is CUTE!!! Oh cute little poop... Well I kind of had to cheat but I have had women tell me I was right that a little pile of goose poop would be cute.

Well there it is The Theory of Cuteness in all it’s glory (don’t blink you might miss it). Let me know what you think, sorry to have wasted your time...
I know there are a lot of pictures on this one but I thought it was appropriate because it is a very visually orientated message.

Remember to check out the other blog I have started to write for as well it is callled "Lunch with Scoitch and Nathleb" you will like it and I'm not the only one who writes for it so it might actually be worth checking out. I have a pretty busy week coming up so this will probably be it for about a week and a half, but we will see, I will check on comments in fact I would love to hear them on this stupid idea...

Ever wishing to be miniture so I would be cute,
Caleb M. Saarela

"mood ring oh mood ring
oh tell me will you bring
the key to unlock this mystery
of girls and their emotions
play it back in slow motion
so i may understand the complex
infrastructure known as the female mind"
M. Thiessen

God's Sovereignty Part 2

2005-11-02T21:50:00.001-06:00

Well here is the second part (not really half) of my paper. One of the requirements of the paper was to comment on how we felt about the Bethlehme Affirmation of Faith's view on God's Sovereignty so that is why that is in there. Anyway hope you enjoy again I would love to hear any responses.

Part Two
The Bethlehem Baptist Elder Affirmation of Faith is a great summary of the concepts of God’s providence. I agree with the statement entirely for all of the reasons above and below. In fact when asked to reword portions of it into my own words I have a hard time because I don’t want to change anything and I always end up leaving stuff out. I did not always feel this way; I struggled with the ideas of Calvinism or God’s providence for about a year before the Lord opened my eyes to the idea. I won’t go into a ton of detail but for me it came down to what is more important to God, His sovereignty or humans libertarian free? In the end I feel that God values His sovereignty more. I did not save myself it was God’s freely given grace intervening on my behalf.

The final concept I would like to look at is the idea of Hope. It is my opinion that Arminianism does not offer any hope. Arminians would say that God does not control the future He just reacts to it, or that God does not know the future and again with great wisdom reacts to it. So if God has no control over the future or does not even know about the future how will He protect us against any of the evils this world and the devil throw at us. On top of that I think you can take this idea a step further and say if God cannot protect the innocent (I am not implying that I am innocent) can He save the unrighteous? I don’t know. John Piper talks about God’s sovereignty being a rock to stand on not beat ourselves against. I agree with all my heart. I pray that God holds on to me because if left to myself I am already lost.

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela
(Your friendly neighborhood
Punk Rock Theologian)

"Jesus Christ, Light of the World
You never did forget me
and when i bled in darkness,
You held me still held me
when desparate nights i cursed You
You loved me, still loved me
Jesus Christ, You dry the tears
You break my heart of stone
Your words are life
cut marrow through
the darkness, to the bone
a heart of flesh You gave me
only You can save me

Savior, Daylight, I am coming home"
R. Roper

Again all images I'm just using... I'm such a user, abuser and a loser...

God's Sovereignty Part 1

2005-10-30T16:39:00.001-06:00

Welcome to this weeks installment. I am going to post my paper I wrote for class. I am going to do it in two installments cause it's pretty long. It is nothing new, but I was working on it so I thought I would post it. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I was not always a Calvinist it was a long and hard road for me as I struggled with the doctrine but in the end God has shown me the great hope that is found in God's Providence. Hope you enjoy...

God’s Sovereignty
10/22/05
Caleb M. Saarela

I believe God is sovereign over all things. This may be a very simple answer to a very hard question. So lets break that down and look deeper into it. Even though it appears second I find in helpful to start with the meaning of “all things”. So all things encompasses all events, thoughts, actions, reactions, universes, atoms, choices, and all of the possible events, thoughts, actions, reactions, universes, atoms, and choices past present and future. Everything from the way a flower will bloom to what I will have for lunch to the collision of meteors millions of light-years away. Everything nothing is left out of the sovereignty of God.

So what is the sovereignty of God? God knows, and works all things, or as the Bethlehem affirmation of faith says, “… by the most wise and holy counsel of His will, freely and unchangeably ordain and foreknow whatever comes to pass.” I tried to say it better myself but kept leaving out things. So it is not just that he knows all things this goes a step further than the knowledge of God. He also ordains all things. Instead of ordain you could also use the word work or choose all things

So many people would now raise the next question. If I am O.K. using the word chooses how then can I be held accountable for my choices or actions, didn’t God do it? God may have ordained it but scripture is very clear that our actions and choice do have consequences. Romans chapter nine is a great example. In chapter nine of Romans, Paul talks about how God raised up Pharaoh and hardens his heart so that God would be glorified. Paul then goes on to explain how God “18…has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” But then why can we not cry foul God has done us wrong, but verse twenty silences any of our complaints. “20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?” In God’s divine plan He has made it possible that He ordains everything and we are accountable for our actions. I think this is one of the hardest concepts about Calvinism to understand and accept but Romans chapter nine has been a great comfort and revelation in my life. Here I will add a personal perception of American Christian culture. Romans chapter nine has to be one of the most avoided text in the American church. I spent my childhood, adolescents, and college years at church and never heard Romans chapter nine discussed, just a thought.

At this point in a normal discussion about the subject of God’s providence most people would bring up the problem of evil. The usual complaint is, “If God is in control of everything how come he allowed evil to come into the world and continues to allow it to rule this earth?” And then some will take it a step further, “If God wills everything he wills evil and this is sin, how can God do that?” I will start with the first objection because it flows into the second. I believe not only did God allow evil and still allows evil it was his will for evil to exist. I believe that in order to bring about the most glory to His name God saw it necessary for evil. If the human race was with out sin, God’s perfection would not look as glorious; we would have no need for redemption. In the act of man’s redemption God was supremely glorious, His grace is lavishly poured out upon us, His mercies rain upon us, His love is shown to undeserving humans, and all of these are given freely. God was and is most glorified by the act of redemption and this would not be possible without the existence of evil.

Well there it is first half of my paper. Again nothing new but would love to hear what you have to say on the subject.
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

"This wooden soul of mine
it cannot ever climb
from places it has fallen
in between where light can shine
It never falls in line
it barely has a spine
like branches severed from the vine
like it was faulty by design
And now your mercy lights up my dark eyes
your brilliant hope now lifts my falling skies
and I'm the object of your affection
You loved me still in my imperfection

The sun will shine on winter snow
and shadows fade in Excelsis Deo"
R. Roper

Pictures used without courtesy of anyone my bad...

The Better Gift

2005-10-25T04:45:00.001-06:00

Well I wanted to start this with some cool poem but they were all to depressing and this is supposed to be a hopeful and uplifting entry. So maybe next time when I'm more depressed here's hoping, or wait crap...

A couple weeks ago I went up to the North Shore with some friends. The trip was awesome. We hiked all day Saturday and despite some nasty blisters it was worth every step. Anyway on the way up we were having some of the usual traveling conversations weather, how's life, are we there yet, I need to use the bathroom, why don't doughnuts have nuts in them (maybe they do and I have never noticed), singleness, and dating (you know the usual). Although I didn't say much the conversation weighed heavily on my heart.

The day before I had discovered that yet another of my ex-girlfriends was getting married (I knew she was getting married just not so soon). Now this has happened before but this was a girl I was pretty seriously involved with so of course the common fears, doubts, discouragements, and general self-pity kicked in. Why can't I meet the right girl? Is there something wrong with me? I must not be attractive (yes guys say things like that just not to other people or while reading magazines about celebrities), or worse it's my personality (Lord knows it's not helping my cause). Do I smell? Why not me? You know the usual complaints the enemy throws at you.

So back to the trip up to the North Shore one of the young men joining us on the trip was a guy named Joe Berg. I don't see Joe a ton but last year I would see him almost every week and I have always found him to very insightful and well thought out. So the conversation continues singleness, marriage, commands of God and the other usual topics. So to try and keep this short I will get to the good part, Joe brought up the idea of "the better gift." It is the idea that marriage and singleness are both gifts and singleness is the better one.

Now before the uproar and the yelling and the lynching and all that. The idea comes from 1 Corinthians 7:25-40. Where Paul is talking about marriage. First off I understand that this is only Paul's opinion "25...I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy." So this is Paul's opinion, but again I see Paul as trustworthy. So I'm not sure if this idea is totally theologically infallible (I do see it as pretty sound but I will not go into that right now), BUT it was exactly what I needed to hear and still is a trustworthy and edifying idea. I don't think that Paul means it as a slam on those who marry as much as an encouragement to those who don't.

As I'm sure many of you long standing single's know there are times where it is just no fun being single. Every party with friends your the 3rd-5th-7th-9th-11th wheel. Friday nights with no plans while crappy sitcoms tell you that with out a "special person in your life" you are missing out. But that is exactly how Satan wants us to see it and I'm not going to do that anymore. My singleness is a gift from God and I'm going to run after that gift until he brings another gift into my life. I guess in the end that's my point. And I think it is good for us single's to hear. "Your singleness is a gift." I could go on but I'll spare you and would love to hear back from you.

Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

"Feel the power of thePHANTOM MULLET,
Tremble and cower from the PHANTOM MULLET,
White metal burn of the PHANTOM MULLET,
Cut straight or permed it's the PHANTOM MULLET,
And you, cutting it short on top,
I want that for me.
Growing it long in the back,
So savage and so free."
R. Roper

Image courtesy of Faith Buck at "The Drawing Room"
http://www.thedrawingroom.biz/index.htm
Drawing intitled Dead

Two New Ones

2005-10-24T16:13:00.001-06:00

Hey, by the end of the week there will be two new posts. Sorry about the delay, to much of the picture below. Go see "The Corpse Bride" and "Wallace and Gromit" they are great.
Caleb

Comments Now Available and a Comment about the Links

2005-10-15T11:15:00.000-06:00

Comments now available just like a new pizza topping. Thank you to Jenny for pointing it out. This was not my original blog so I kind of restarted and forgot to do all the settings again. Thanks Jenny.

A comment about the Links: A.T.H.E.M. by John Piper is a fresh word article by John Piper that was exactly that (Fresh Words) when I read it. It is a little article about dealing with Lust in your life it has been a major source of encouragement so I felt compelled to share it.

About some of the other links: Lord of the Rings rules so there enough said. Homestar Runner is funny. Munchkin is my new favorite board game, but not for everyone. Baseball Rules. Make Trade Fair, OxFam are organizations that are concerned with human rights around the world. I think they are good organizations and support what they do although I understand that they do not meet any spirtual needs of individuals. I think what they do is good even though I am coming from a Christ centered worldview and they do not. I have not read every corner of their web sites and they may contain stuff I disagree with but they are still worth checking out.

Being Green is a link to another blog but is mostly a part of Brian McLaren’s book “A Generous Orthodoxy”. I am trying to be Greener to glorify God, not because he is part of creation but because His creation reflects His glory. It is not more important then the souls of individuals (which is were most Environmental groups go wrong) but being aware of what our actions are doing to future generations of real people is important. At the very least it is important to be informed I DO NOT AGREE WITH EVERYTHING BRIAN McLAREN SAYS or INFACT THERE IS NOT MUCH OF HIS THAT I AGREE WITH. But his view on this is not bad.

Jonathan Christman is an awesome man of God and it is probably more worth your time to read his blog. 5Fe=Five Iron Frenzy the site is old and run down, but it's Five Iron and they still rule. Foo Fighters, Weezer and Coldplay have become three of my favorite bands they are not Christians but their music is awesome and I enjoy it. And Chipotle taste good...

Godspeed,
Caleb

Life Update

2005-10-13T14:59:00.001-06:00

Wow where to begin. I look at the list of people I have invited to check this thing out and there are some people I have not seen in a long time. Anyway my life...

First off I still love Jesus and want to do His work so no backsliding besides the usually inability to sanctify. "Sanctify stupid!!!" And yes I am still relatievly obsessed with Five Iron Frenzy despite their demise two years ago. I cried but have lived on...

Well as many of you know after college I spent two years working in China and that is all I can say about that or I will have to kill you. No that was a good time in my life I learned a ton of things about ministry and about myself. One thing I learned was that at this point in my life I am not called to over sea's mission work. There is always the possibility in the future and in many ways I long to find a way to do some short term stuff and some how stay involved in over seas missions.

So I came home really feeling like I didn't have a clue as to what I wanted to do. So I started doing the whole job search thing. Hooray for that long and annoying process of basically being told over and over again how you're not good enough for anything. It was at this point that I coined the phrase "over educated and under employed." I quickly discovered that I was over qualified for every entry-level position but not qualified enough for any positions that pay above the poverty line.

In the end I found a job working at a middle school in Edina Minnesota. I started working with a guy named Justin. He is an autistic child in the 8th grade (when I started he was in 6th). At first things were really tough I had no idea what I was doing and there was not a lot of training involved so I was just kind of thrown into it. But God has really shown His grace in finding this job. About half way through my fist year something clicked with Justin and we really started getting along great. Ever since then working with him has been an absolute blast we spend most of our time goofing around, walking around school and talking with people.

This summer ('05) we went to camp together for 7 days. It was a pretty intense week but we made it through and it pushed the level of trust in the relationship to a new level. So anyway we have entered our third year together and so far so good.

During my last year in China I read the book Desiring God. The book had a profound effect on me. So upon returning to Minneapolis Bethlehem was on the top of my list for Churches to check out. I went once and that was it I was in love. I had thoughts of checking out other churches but God has really given me a spiritual home at Bethlehem. Early on I got involved in a Bible Study and last summer I actually started leading it with a couple other guys. I also work in the nursery every week which has been a good way to get to know some of the families at Bethlehem which other wise can be kind of tough for a single guy.

Every since my return to Minneapolis what the future holds has been ever on my mind. I have pursued a number of different options but nothing really stuck out, nothing jumped off the page. So I continued on trusting that the Lord was preparing something for me. In the last month God has lead me further in the pursuit of a career then any of the others that have floated across my mind. So in January I am going back to school and going to start working on my prerequisites for some of the different nursing programs in the Twin Cities. Yes that's right I am heavily considering becoming a male nurse -Insert Joke Here-.

I am still not completely sure yet but I think that the (personal) skill set (especially when it comes to working with children) I possess and an ever growing desire to help people with physical needs as well as spiritual ones has lead me here. The science classes will be tough no doubt but I think we will realize if this is the right thing for me about half way through Anatomy and Physiology. I am not sure if I would work her in the states or head over seas but we will see.

Anyway that as true of a life update as need be. Sorry it is so long, I will try keep this updated about me as I go. Thanks for reading...
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

My First Blog...

2005-10-10T18:35:00.001-06:00

Well I am new at this and I hope it works out better than the space ship I was working on. I could never get the rear diferential thruster thing. Yes, it would help if you got out and pushed. So anyway I hope to use this as a way of sharing things like thoughts, reviews of things I like or don't like, poetry, or life just simple life lesons. Also I hope to use it as a way to update people on my life and keep up with people. Hope it works...
Godspeed,
Caleb M. Saarela

Image from "StuffonmyCat.com"