Staff Blogs

Cross Reference is seeking "What I believe and why" articles from anyone willing to submit them for print and/or online publication, regardless of religious background or views (e-mail 400-650 word articles to crossref@mtu.edu). The idea is to get the discussion going on religious topics, not to get into heated arguments. Perhaps many have well-established views, which we would love to hear, but for those who are still undecided, perhaps this can get you going on the most important investigation you will ever make. Here is what I believe and why:

"It'll be $170 to replace the front ball joints," said the mechanic. "Great! I'll bring my car by after work," I told him. It was a no-brainer. The other shop quoted me for $120 more, and this guy knows more about my car than I do with how often my 2000 Ford Taurus needs repairs.

I got another speeding ticket, my second on US-2 by Michigan State Police. I missed a 45 mph speed limit sign, and was going 62mph like I do in the UP on 55 mph roads... oops! It got me thinking a bit about such things, and I realized that I sped quite a bit, and otherwise frequently disobeyed civic traffic laws.

"Be more open minded." I hear this a lot. While I'm sure this isn't surprising to a lot of you, I still think that I have an interesting perspective on open-mindedness, tolerance and even the acceptance of diversity, and I would encourage you to consider it with me.

Being a Christian is about a relationship, not a religion. I use this cliché all the time, but it is a powerful, true statement. Many people who oppose Christianity ask me and others to prove to them that God exists. This is theoretically impossible. There is no finite way to prove that God exists. To the agnostic or atheist, this seems like a victory against Christianity, but often the same argument can be turned around. How many atheists can prove that God does not exist?

In Genesis I've been reading about how God's continued to provide for Jacob, despite his rather selfish and ungodly behavior - Jacob forced his brother out of his birthright, tricked his father into blessing him instead of Esau, puts God to the test despite having directly heard from God (and God did not strike him down!), and now swindled Laben and then fled. Not exactly promising considering that he is the father of promised line of God! From this I learn that God meets us where we are, despite our shortcomings and disbelief.

I've been reading through Matthew, and to be honest, the beattitudes do not really describe my life.  I have especially been convicted that I have not been "poor in Spirit" to the degree I should be. I have so much pride that keeps me from admitting regularly my spiritual bankruptcy before God - when I go to Him I really have nothing to bring to the alter, except a broken & contrite heart (which is ironic...that the only thing I have to bring is that I don't have anything to bring...).

Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro and Roger Clemens - what first comes to mind when you think of these baseball players? If you have followed sports at all in the past months and years, you probably think less about these players' athletic success and more about their steroid allegations, allegations that are becoming rampant in sports, particularly baseball.

Patience is a virtue...for some. It is often a vice for me. Has that ever been true for me recently! For those of you who have already left the Houghton area, you missed it. The major downtown construction has started in Houghton (and several other areas) and the detours are pretty insane. As a commuter from Calumet, I have to head toward Wal-Mart to get to Michigan Tech. I drove the "wrong way" on Montezuma Avenue and could hardly tell I was in Houghton, having driven that same road the "right way" my entire life.