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welcome!
I am Mike Noakes.
That is was my pipe.
This is my blog.
Welcome.
(about me)
My Bio... thus far
My Myspace
My Wishlist
Buy my books on Half.Com!
(thoughts)
"Before the beautiful-no, not really before but within the beautiful-the whole person quivers. He not only 'finds' the beautiful moving; rather, he experiences himself as being moved and possessed by it."
- Hans Urs von Balthasar
"Everywhere I go, I'm asked if I think the universities stifle writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them. There's many a best seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher."
- Flannery o'Connor
"Christians are called to leave behind, in the tomb of Jesus Christ, all that belongs to the brokenness and incompleteness of the present world. It is time, in the power of the Spirit, to take up our proper role, our fully human role, as agents, heralds, stewards of the new day that is dawning."
- NT Wright
"When we think our brother or sister has sinned against us, such an affront is not just against us but against the whole community. A community established as peaceful cannot afford to let us relish our sense of being wronged without exposing that wrong in the hopes of reconciliation."
- Stan Hauerwas
"Advertising treats all products with the reverence and the seriousness due to sacraments."
- Thomas Merton
"All the believers were of one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possesions was their own, but they shared everything that they had."
- Acts of the Apostles
"For evil men account those things alone evil which do not make men evil; neither do they blush to praise good things, and yet to remain evil among the good things they praise. It grieves them more to own a bad house than a bad life, as if it were man's greatest good to have everything good but himself."
- St. Augustine
(reading)
The Eucharist of the Early Christians
The Collected Short Stories, Flannery o'Connor
The Kingdom of God is Within You, Tolstoy
(have read)
Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul II
God is Near Us, Pope Benedict XVI
Heretics/Orthodoxy, GK Chesterton
Sonnets from the Portuguese, Elizabeth Barret Browning
(theology thinkers)
Bishop NT Wright
Stanley Hauerwas
Karl Barth
(spirituality)
Daily Prayer
Nutshell Christology
Patristic Resources
Renovare
Centering Prayer
Sacramental Theology
The Triune God
(site feed)
My Atom Feed
(good books)
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Saturday, July 29, 2006
Back from camping!
So, I just got back from my (near) week up above Fairfield, Idaho @ Five-Points Campground. Good times. Here some pics for all y'all, enjoy!  This is our tent. It previously housed the three of us... That soon changed.  That is what I look like in the morning. I know. You like it.  It's a Lynlea. She is reading her book. What a good little Basque...  This is my brother, Matt. We kicked him out of the tent because he smelled like shit. This was his new bed. In the van.  That's what I look like without a shirt on. It's rather tasty, if I do say so myself... Hehe... Pride? What?!?  He doesn't normally look like this...  I jacked my foot up the first night. I was cutting wood with a hatchet and the little thing decided to wound me. This is what it looked like after a few days of healing and love.  Everyone likes smores. Even Diabetics... (Lynlea, we love you)  Crazy kid... He is trying to be a badass... Whate vah...  This is called "Big Hole." We thought the name to be rather plain, so it is now called (by the fancy of my imagination and whim) "Deep Orifice."  Look at me balancing myself! I am such a good balancer.  This is my brother without his shirt on. Isn't he sexy?  Don't ask me, there is no explanation...  This is my brother doing what he likes to do. Not much  Lynlea looking at me. Hello, favorite! We had a great time. I have many stories (some repeatable, others, not so much...) and I wouldn't mind telling you all about them. It would take forever here, so just ask me about them in the comments. I will leave you a list of topics:
1) "How the hell did you cut your foot like that, Mike?"
2) The serial-killer redneck.
3) My adventure with Idaho Fish & Game.
4) The tent situation. Namely, how Matt got voted off of the island.
5) Food. That is a topic in itself.
6) The Gremlins.
7) The friendly deer.
8) My Naked Adventure
9) "How did you stay clean?"
10) Anyhting else your little hearts desire
posted by -mike- at 4:22 PM
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Friday, July 21, 2006
Blogging Homosexuality - Introductions
Recently several friends and I have discussed some of the often misunderstood or misrepresented areas of christian living within a forming theological worldview, namely, same-gender sexuality. We who have grown up in Evangelical sub-cultures know how homosexuality is quite often understood as a "super-sin" (as Tony Campolo would term it), the most revolting of abominations. I, like my peers who grew up with me, was once entrenched in that belief. The idea that I am somehow morally superior to a friend who would find the idea of kissing a boy "normal" or being with a girl as undesirable led to damaging words and negative thoughts to these, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have gone through many stages in development since that time, theologically, politically, sexually, and otherwise, and I think it is time that that the church re-evaluate her treatment and understanding of human sexuality, especially in regards to homosexuality. I am not calling for the open ordination of homosexual clergy, but an honest and Christ-like understanding (or at least discussion) of how we treat our neighbors in light of Immeasurable Grace. To foster that re-evaluation, I have decided to host an ongoing conversation with a "Queer Christian" as he calls himself. He has emailed me an introduction for himself. We will begin a series of posts/counterposts over the next few weeks. Comments will be incorporated into the post, if they are relevant. Please keep you comments humble and loving. Gay-bashing will not be tolerated. Everyone, please meet "Q.C:" "Freak of nature." That tends to be how Evangelicals, even when trying to show themselves in acts of love, make me feel most of the time. You see I am a homosexual and I am a Christian. Don't get me wrong. I love God and I love my sweet Jesus. I want to follow him all the days of my life. However I like men and the thought of gay sex really does turn me on.
But wait. I don't practice it either. Why do you ask? Well it is because I can not reconcile participating in this type of sex and following Christ through the guidance given by and through the Scriptures and tradition.
So doesn't this lend you to living an unhappy life? Anything but! You see I believe that who we are moans with all of creation for redemption. I believe that one day there will be a great miracle. A miracle so amazing that all things become new. I believe that one day I will be changed in what some call the new creation. So I live for the hope of Christ. When we proclaim: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. Well I love shouting this out with as much triumph as I can muster up that Christ will come again.
I do believe that we are predisposed to various things in this life. That's called depravity. We are all sexual deviants. No "ifs" and "buts" about it. Being attracted this way is just another aspect of being screwed up. Oh boy, I can't wait for the day of redemption!
I think there might be some good reasons why this type of sex has been viewed against that of the heterosexuals. The sex of the gay guy really does not foster relationship at all. Honestly I believe God to be a God who values relationship greatly. In our type of sex it is normally either one guy horizontal while the other guy is vertical. No face to face contact. All it is is butt grinding against the crotch. Same thing with when I guy hit it from the back. Intimacy is lost. There are only a few positions that allow face to face contact and they normally require one partner to be nearly a contortionist. This type of sex will fail when they get older unlike heterosex. I still know heterosexual couples in their mid to late 80s who claim to be rocking the ceiling rafters.
And no homosexuals are not called to celibacy by default. And yes, there is a difference between the single non-practicing homosexual and the celibate homosexual. Further Reading:Adam Walker Cleaveland: Blogging Homosexuality - Great thoughts on the nature of discussion over this crazy thing: the internet. Kyle Potter: Homosexuality and Evangelical Churches - He levels hetero-sexism with hypocrisy in a fantastic manner. A call for consistency. Brian McLaren: No Cowardly "Flip-Flop" - A very pastoral and understanding letter. I think the five-year moratorium is a good plan... Rowan Williams: Christianity Today Interview - Regarding the Protestant Episcopal Church of the USA. NT Wright: National Catholic Reporter Interview - Homosexuality and Ecclesial Communion. CBMW: The Homosexual Agenda - Relgious Liberty Under Fire - My token super-conservative link. Smile, right-wing friends!
posted by -mike- at 8:23 PM
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So much Moltmann...
 | You scored as Jurgen Moltmann. The problem of evil is central to your thought, and only a crucified God can show that God is not indifferent to human suffering. Christian discipleship means identifying with suffering but also anticipating the new creation of all things that God will bring about.
Paul Tillich | | 67% | Jurgen Moltmann | | 67% | Anselm | | 67% | Augustine | | 53% | John Calvin | | 53% | Karl Barth | | 47% | Charles Finney | | 47% | Friedrich Schleiermacher | | 40% | Jonathan Edwards | | 27% | Martin Luther | | 27% |
Which theologian are you?
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| You scored as Moltmannian Eschatology. Jurgen Moltmann is one of the key eschatological thinkers of the 20th Century. Eschatology is not only about heaven and hell, but God's plan to make all things new. This should spur us on to political and social action in the present.
Moltmannian Eschatology | | 80% | Amillenialist | | 65% | Preterist | | 55% | Postmillenialist | | 30% | Dispensationalist | | 25% | Premillenialist | | 15% | Left Behind | | 15% |
What's your eschatology?
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posted by -mike- at 6:27 PM
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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
She's my favorite
 Haha! My good friend called from Las Vegas to tell me he saw this picture on Lynlea's MySpace. I told him he was crazy, there is no picture of me, aside from the one on the "My Favorite People" scroll thing. He got mad and said that there was and that I am retarded. (That wasn't very kind, Matty, by the way...) Well, I was going to leave her a comment about a couple random things and I saw it. I smiled. :) This made my day. There really are people out there who like me.
posted by -mike- at 6:30 PM
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Monday, July 17, 2006
Damnit! I have been tagged...
1) I am very proud of my heritage, in all of its complicated and seemingly incongruent complexity. Mexican. Canadian. A little bit o' white and you have a Mike! Haha! Read my little bio thingy. Kyle wrote it about how this all came about to be; it's rather fantastic, actually. 2) I used to be a metalhead/wannabe stoner kid, back in the day... It was gross. All black, baggy, strange clothes mixed with the constant repition of the three words death, darkness, and despair. The three "d"'s, as my folk called them. Yah. Let's never talk about this again. 3) I absolutely love "getting wet" (swimming) It is one of my favorite things to do. I don't know why... It feels so good on a 103 degree day to just jump off of a dock or cliff or something and just cool down. :) 4) I think that evangelism is odd. DO NOT get me wrong. If any of you know me in person, you know how I approach this whole subject. But, most of the time I want to punch the little aspiring-Finney in the teeth. Just yesterday I was asked by these two little charismatic evangelicals if I wanted to stick my finger on this "special spiritual card" that would change colors if I was a good person. It didn't change colors. I am obviosuly bound to hell. Until I master the fine practice of alchemy, it looks like I am damned with the rest of the cardholders whose color never did anything. It's ok, I guess. They asked me if I knew who Jesus was. I said yes, he is a guy and God. They smiled. I was then given 140 dollars in concert tickets to a bunch of CCM artisits who will play here in August. I sold them for a hundred. Everybody wins. Anywho, back to evagelism, I think we need to rethink it. Maybe even stop and try to do this whole "incarnational living" thing that the Gospels like to talk about. Taking on Christ and such... Maybe they weren't too far off with that issue... I mean, do you see St. Paul with a color-changy card? 5) I would like to be a pirate one day. Not really a "sail the seven seas" sort of fellow, more like a land-pirate. I think that would be nice. I could rape and pillage, all fromt he comfort of sweet, hard, sturdy earth. mmm... Yes, that is my dream.
posted by -mike- at 1:40 PM
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Sunday, July 16, 2006
Review of an Episcopalian Eucharist (Rite II, Prayer C)
Rev. Matheney of Jerome First Presbyterian was out of town today, I believe, so I decided to visit the Episcopal Church of the Ascension for their Sunday gathering. I was impressed. I have been to several Wednesday gatherings, usually because I was in town and I was exploring the Episcopal tradition. Rev. Brian Thom always proves to be an effective communicator and engaging pastor. I enjoy the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer. I enjoy liturgy overall, I guess, but I am becoming (slowly) more and more familiar with the BCP. It was good to know bits-and-pieces of several of the prayers and the general way that the "service" was headed. I like structure. I was a bit wary that I would be upset with ideas or statements that would surely be present within an Episcopal church. Namely, a blatant disregard for the catholicity of the Anglican Communion in regards to the ordination of practicing homosexuals (which the church catholic has yet to condone) and perhaps modifications of the liturgy that would be less-than-traditional. I believe that God has created a myriad of sexuality present within his Human creatures. I believe that sexuality (within its proper context of right relationship and commitment) is something to be celebrated by the church. But, some ideas are hard to reconcile with the tradition and practices of an institution for 2,000 years. I think that the whole church (that is, the catholic consensus) needs to affirm an idea before individual diocese begin to practice an ordination not accepted by other within their communion. That being said, I think that there is a need to push for the ordination of homosexuals within the Anglican Communion, as well as other denominations. That move needs to be taken as a whole, not dissenting (apostate, technically, I believe would the correct term) groups. I am a bit off track in that, I just felt like clarifying my position. You can light me on fire and try to "save" me now. :P The procession was very nice. It was filled with all sorts of lovely sights and sounds (bells, pianos, organs, vestments, various shiny things) I felt like I had been in the presence of the Lord, like one ought to when at God's holy temple. It was a great service and I wouldn't mind a return visit. It was decidedly within the Christian tradition (duh) and it felt (suprisingly) orthodox. I may have to relinquish a bit of my prejudice against the Episcopalians... For more reading:
::Pastoral letter from the Rt. Rev. Harry Bainbridge (Bishop of Idaho) regarding Canon Robinson's confirmation as a Bishop::
::Sexual Revelation: Body Theology in Conversation with H. Richard Niebuhr and Implications for Sexual Ethics - Adam Walker Cleaveland (.pdf)::
::Explanation of all things Anglican/Episcopalian::
::Affirming Catholicism (UK, I like their site compared the ECUSA's)::
posted by -mike- at 1:12 PM
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Life updates
I had the craziest dream last night... a nightmare, more than anything. It was awful. :( Let's just say I don't ever want to kill someone... ever under any reason at any time. Seriously. In other news: I am getting paid tomorrow. That means I'll have an ipod by tomorrow afternoon... I am very happy for it. I certainly come off as a half brain dead fish because of it, but who really cares? I am listening to my music (which is all very good music by the way... this whole "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is a bunch of subjective, pomo, wishy-washy, liberal nonsense. Come on, let's reclaim objective truth and say that my music effing rocks. Just do it, ya' commie...) and it makes me smile. :) Oh, I went to a family reunion this weekend. I was introduced to a bunch of redneck conservative-evangelicals as "liberal" (I am "moderate-ish-ly-liberal") "Catholic" (I don't know why) "weird" (I can't help it that they didn't like my Vans...) and not behind the general American/Israli cause (respectfully) I thought I was going to be shot. Good thing I can avoid arguments fairly well and talk my way out of any mess or else.... or else I would be a mess! Well, off to go work like everyone else who gets up at 5 am on a Sunday. I know you're out there...
posted by -mike- at 4:27 AM
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Friday, July 14, 2006
Kentucky!
I am going to Kentucky for five days in August! I am very happy and excited for this. I will get to visit my friends at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for a couple of days and then head over to visit the Lexington folk. Here's my schedule, at least, an attempt: Aug 9: Leave Idaho, arrive in Kentucky at 12:30 am, Thursday. Aug 10: I will be able to stay at Brandts house in Louisville. He lives in an apartment upstairs now. :) That night I will go get some dinner with Tom from Logos Coffeehouse, my old Boss. It will be a good time. Aug 11: I will more than likely get some lunch with Boyce students and randomely visit Billy the Fish, Deanna the Cuban, Chicken Fingers, etc... I want to find a way to transport my body to Lexington that night. Aug12: I will hang out with peoples I have never met before. I need to meet this Patrick fellow. He looks like fun. Aug 13: Church. I dunno. Reading. Hanging out. ?? Aug 14: Back to Lousiville in the morning. I will get to visit more Boyce folk and hopefully go swimming. I will go to B-dubs that night with Justin and Tyler and whoever else. Tasty stuff. Aug 15: I head back to Idaho this afternoon. I am very happy for all of this. The ticket is mybirthday present. I will have an amazing time. Leave me a comment if you want to hang out! -peace-
posted by -mike- at 4:55 AM
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Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Bleed the sorrow
So, I did something painful and dumb today at work. Well, it wasn't painful and dumb in and of itself, it was just an innocent little lean. I meant no harm on the sink in the bathrooms on hole 6, I just was trying to get this sludgy junk off of my hand and try to wake up a bit. So I leaned up to get a better look at it with the soon to be running water. And then, destiny struck... (Damn you, Calvin!) The sink fell from it's lodging on the wall and came crashing down to the ground; I was still leaning on it. I cut the hell out of my hand and wrist. It was quite hurtful. I bled for about thirty minutes, I think I cut a blood transporter thingy (veins or arteries, I can't keep them straight) I made a bit of tourniquet from Rosa's bandana (sorry) and I made my hand turn white, to stop leeking. Eventually, I did and was able to put a band-aid on. Now I have gauze and wrap on my wrist. It's gonna be tough explaining this one to the straight-edge kids.... I shouldn't go swim, but I'm gonna. [UPDATE: I went to the doctor to have nasty lil' mole/pre-cancerous spots removed from my flesh, as some of you may already know. While there, I asked about my wrist. He looked at it and said that if I go swimming, I'll get it infected and have to drop out of work for a while. Of course, having no desire whatsoever to miss work for any reason (ever) I decided to get stitches and not swim tonight. I will still be going to the lake, but I may just visit for a bit and then take off for a play with Lynlea the Emo and her Kimber-town family. That will be enjoyable as well. I now smell of diesel fuel and cauterized flesh (which is not a great combination, I assure you) so I will go shower, oh so gently with my wounded hand. Peace. ]
posted by -mike- at 12:19 PM
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Sunday, July 09, 2006
Despite what you've heard:
I'm not emo...
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I'm just misunderstood.
Haha! So, I am going to be writing some songs fairly soon. My own little emo-acoustic setup: Sleeping at the Organ. I wanted to get some friends together who would do it with me and we could make plain ol' silly music about our tortured souls and failed attempts at relationships with members of the opposite sex, but, I was informed by the Basque that I must do this alone. That seems to be a major theme for the music: Alone. My first song will be called, "A Lockbox for my Still-Beating Heart." Go watch Pirates of the Caribbean and figure it out for your self... :P I'll keep you kids informed.
posted by -mike- at 5:53 PM
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How could this happen?
 | You scored as Roman Catholic. You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.
Emergent/Postmodern | | 71% | Roman Catholic | | 71% | Neo orthodox | | 64% | Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan | | 54% | Charismatic/Pentecostal | | 46% | Classical Liberal | | 46% | Modern Liberal | | 43% | Reformed Evangelical | | 32% | Fundamentalist | | 21% |
What's your theological worldview?
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posted by -mike- at 1:24 PM
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Saturday, July 08, 2006
IM me, please...
 (I want corn)
AIM: TickleMeVelmaMSN: Potatocore@hotmail.com
I know you want to. I "met" Rob today. Yes, you muct read his blog. There are more of us, the seventeen year-old bloggers, out there. We're going to invade the minds, hearts, and gastro-intestinal tracts of all America and maybe even the world. Big dream. Big ambitions. Big skills. [Update: For all of you who care to know, yes, my toenails are once again painted. Glorious. It is a wonderful Royal Purple with metalic sparklies inside to make it look just fab. Alright. I am done now. IM me for more crazy details of my life that you are just dying to know...]
posted by -mike- at 4:02 PM
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Friday, July 07, 2006
Hmmmm
So, I am going to take suggestions for future posts. Ask me whatever, you will get my two cents about it in a future post. Not even kidding at all. I have two subjects that are itching at me: egalitarian-complementarianism and Scripture & Superstition. I want to make a post about both of these within the next few weeks, but time is killing me right now. I think that they will make some of you smile and others of you become more convinced that I am hell-bent on heresy. Hehe... Well, yah. I'll leave you with another Wright quote: "Faith can never be forced, but unfaith can be challenged."
posted by -mike- at 2:13 PM
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Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Happy Day of Empire!
May it all go well with you. Please don't go to a patriotic church gathering. I will have to cut you off. Pray to God, not "Amerika" today. Light fireworks. Play with your friends. Eat food as a community (whether that be a churching group or not) and sing a couple songs. That will be your patriotism. Don't even think of saying "God bless America" today. Say other things like, "Lord Jesus, save me, a sinner." or "Churching-folk in America, bless your God!" I will then love you. Our nation is not Israel, nor is a theocracy of any sort. Please treat it as what it is, a nation that is in the World. That is all. Links: Theologia Viatorum: God Bless America? - My token Baptist link. Be happy, conservative ones. The Jubal Jubilee: Fireworks - Just read it for his cute little view of pansy-fireworks. Hey, I'm in Idaho too, damnit! Captain Sacrament: Porter Memorial - Read it for his thoughts on swastikas and the Amerikan flag. Hell, while you're at it, read this too.Alan Creech: Sorry, what day is it? - Some tasty post-catholic goodness. Read it with tears and smiles. JHearne: Everybody is wrong (including me) - I think I lean on the one extreme... sorry, working on that.
posted by -mike- at 12:07 PM
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Monday, July 03, 2006
Michael Butterworth is my hero.
He is the best emo-kid on the Boyce College campus. We had great fun in Randy Smith's class, studying and such... hehe. Well, I recently started to read his blog again. I ran across that bad-boy up there. He always seems to make me smile. If you are in Lousiville, be his friend. :)
posted by -mike- at 4:30 PM
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Saturday, July 01, 2006
My terrible habit...
When I get a new book, especially one of a more theological nature, I tend to read the last paragraph/page/chapter first, before even the introduction. I was able to make it half-way through Tom's introduction before skipping to the end (a rare and note-worthy achievement for me) and its rather poetic pastoral admonition. I wanted to share it with you: Made for spirituality, we wallow in introspection. Made for joy, we settle for pleasure. Made for justice, we clamor for vengence. Made for relationships, we insist on our own way. Made for beauty, we are satisfied with sentiment.
But new creation has already begun.
The sun has begun to rise. Christians are called to leave behind, in the tomb of Jesus Christ, all that belongs to the brokenness and incompleteness of the present world. It is time, in the power of the Spirit, to take up our proper role, our fully human role, as agents, heralds, and stewards of the new day that is dawning.
That, quite simply, is what it means to be Christian: to follow Jesus Christ into the new world, God's new world, which he has thrown open for us.
Also, check out my "Trois Citations" (Three Quotations) locates on the left sidebar. I updated them.
posted by -mike- at 8:00 PM
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Adventures with Emo-Lynlea
 ::Crazy girl::
I am now the diabetics personal Reminder of Health and Well-Being. No more ginger beer with its nasty 42 grams of evil sugar. No more OD-ing on insulin. No more coming out of the water with emo-hair in the eyes.
Do as I say, child...
posted by -mike- at 6:35 PM
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