Yesterday I participated in our church’s annual golf tournament. I play golf about once a year, usually at this very same tournament. I’m not very good at golf and don’t know if I have the time or money to get much better. While I’m not that good at golf, I do know a lot of its rules and etiquette. Golf has a lot of rules and they are always changing. Golf isn’t alone in its numerous rules; some of our favorite nerdclinations are also ruled by rules.
The Prime Directive
I have been to three baseball games this week. That much sports action made me think about a previous post about nerdy sports. Below you’ll find an updated version.
I consider myself to be a pretty big nerd. I’m well versed in a number of nerdclinations and keep adopting new ones, most recently Dr. Who. Even though I rep all sorts of nerd cred I have a deep, dark, non-nerdy secret.
I love sports. I love watching sports. I love reading about sports. I love talking about sports. I love listening to sports talk radio. Just last night I went to an Angels game with the youth group from our church.
Sports don’t have to be inherently non-nerdy. Below are some of the nerdiest sports around.
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The boy who lived.
Harry Potter was known all throughout the wizarding world because he had lived. When all others had fallen before Voldemort’s wand, the infant Harry lived. For the rest of his life Harry was known for what he had done. He was known as the boy who lived.
The girl who waited.
While not as popular in her world as Harry was in his, Amelia Pond was also known for what she did. When the mad man in the blue box landed in her garden and told her that he would return, little Amelia waited and waited. When he didn’t return, Amy kept the man and his blue box alive in her heart and mind until he finally returned. The mad man in the blue box came back for the girl who waited.
Harry Potter was known for what he had done.
Amy Pond was known for what she had done.
And like them, we will be known for what we have done. Read more »
I really like eating, which is one reason I’m happy Jesus shared a meal with his closest friends during Holy Week. On Maundy Thursday the Church reflects on the Last Supper. I love the Last Supper and how it shows the intimacy and camaraderie between Jesus and his disciples. I don’t picture them sitting on the same side of the table like in Da Vinci’s painting. I like to imagine them sitting in a circle, sharing stories and enjoying their time together.
Here is Mark’s account of the Last Supper: Read more »
FINALLY!!!
The beginning of Daylight Saving Time is one of my favorite days of the year. While I don’t enjoy losing an hour of sleep (especially before preaching in main service) I do love that it stays light later. I don’t like the fall and winter; I get moodier as day turns to night earlier and earlier. But now that we’re back on Daylight Saving Time, it almost feels like summer is here.
I love the light. Here are some of my favorite nerdy lights.
Lightsaber
I finally finished my foray into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. The last part of the book was so tremendously exciting that I couldn’t put it down. Once I started reading chapter 25 I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop until the end. These chapters were fantastic and brought a satisfying conclusion to the entire series.
Below are some thoughts from the last six chapters of The Deathly Hallows.
Today Christians all around the world will don an ash cross on their forehead in celebration of Ash Wednesday. I grew up in a Baptist church and don’t have a very liturgical or traditional background. Until a few years ago I didn’t even know what Ash Wednesday was and, even then, thought it was something only Roman Catholics celebrated. Thankfully my knowledge has grown and I’m excited because our church is having an Ash Wednesday service this year.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lent season, the 40 days leading up to Easter. Traditionally Lent has been a time for Christians to prepare their hearts for Easter by focusing on Christ and the work he wants to do in our lives. As the kickoff show to Lent, Ash Wednesday encourages Christians for focus on their own mortality and the promise of new life in Christ. The ash symbolizes that we are nothing but dust and ash, made alive because of Jesus and his work.
Focusing on our own mortality can be difficult. Thankfully, though, we can learn from the mistakes of these nerdy characters that wrestled with their own mortality.
Ra’s al Ghul
Much like all of the other Harry Potter books, The Deathly Hallows has really picked up towards the end. I didn’t know if there were enough pages left to resolve horcuxes and hallows but it seems like we are racing towards a satisfying conclusion. I really enjoyed the break-in at Gringott’s and can’t wait to see what happens as the final battle takes place at Hogwarts.
Below are some thoughts from chapters 25-30 of The Deathly Hallows. Read more »
I thought things really picked up in Godric’s Hollow but they were nothing compared to chapters 19-24 of The Deathly Hallows. Harry found Gryffindor’s Sword, Ron returned, they were almost captured at Xenophilius Lovegood’s house, they learned about the Deathly Hallows, they were captured, they escaped, Dobby died and Voldemort found the Elder Wand. If the middle of the book is this exciting I can’t imagine how exciting the remaining chapters will be.
Below are some thoughts from chapters 19-24 of The Deathly Hallows.
Even after not really seeing her since the end of The Order of the Phoenix, I still don’t like Dolores Umbridge. She’s terrible and at this point I hope the worst things happen to her instead of to Draco. The break-in at the Ministry was an early highlight of The Deathly Hallows as was Harry’s time at his parents’ graves. Things slowed down a bit after the break-in but seem to be picking up in Godric’s Hollow.
Below are some thoughts from chapters 13-18 of The Deathly Hallows. Read more »
