Just An Update On Me

So, it's occurred to me that I've never really shared with all of my many dedicated readers (OK, that may be a stretch, but whatevs.......) that I've never really shared with you guys anything about myself. I mean yeah I have the small bio, and all of these posts are a reflection of myself and my interests and opinions, but I never share what's going on in my life. So I thought that I'd share with you guys some things about me recently: what new games I have, things going on with the church, what the future looks like, etc..I promise that I'll also have an actual blog post posted shortly after this. 

Recently things have been, ...... uhm, ..... Crazy? I guess. I don't really know the right word for it. A lot's been going on, but I haven't necessarily been busy..... Does that make sense? Oh well. 

We're in three weeks into November now, and It's just crazy how fast 2014 has gone by, and all of the different changes in my life. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll have a post solely dedicated to looking back at 2014 either at the very end of the year, or immediately after 2015 begins. 

The there are two main things that I wanted to share with you guys, but one I will save for the very last part of the post, because it's the most important. 

I've been sick for almost a full week now (as pictured above) ......... and it sucks! I got sick last weekend after having a hang out night with the youth at church. I'm not blaming them at all! Lol those kids are amazing, and even they had gotten me sick, it would've been worth it. I think it's just how cold I keep my Man Cave and how cold the temperature outside has gotten. I can NOT handle being hot, whatsoever. I keep it cold 24/7. I'm Mr. Snow Miser I guess. But yeah, I've barely done anything this week. I've mostly just been sleeping. I'm even missing the Video Game Olympics that one of the churches in town are hosting!!! *Angry Face!* Just stuck at the Man Cave being all Sicky McGhee over here.

In way of Video Games, last month I picked up Smash Bros! Then this week I picked up my pre-ordered copy of Dragon Age: Inquisition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All of my free-time that I feel like being awake have gone to that! I've also started trying to build an Assassin's Creed collection. I know, I'm getting on board super late. I'm Sorry. But so far I have the first game, and then the Ezio Trilogy, which is composed of the second game, Brotherhood, and Revelations. Then I also got the first Mass Effect on X-Box Live. Another game that I'm way behind on playing, I know. That's about it, that's worth mentioning at least.

Movies: Last Month I saw Annabelle in theaters, and it scared the mess out of me..... I honestly think that may be the scariest movie I've ever seen; I haven't quite decided yet. Then this month I saw Interstellar with my friend Adam, and we both thought it was great.* I've also gotten to see quite a few recent films lately. I've seen X-Men: Days of Future Past, 22 Jump Street, A Million Ways To Die In The West, Neighbors, VHS: Viral, Odd Thomas, and I think that's it. I have a copy of Maleficent now, but I haven't watched it yet. I'm super excited to though. Also, Adam and I, as well as my brother Joel and best bud Dean all watched a ton of scary movies for Halloween including: Poltergeist, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, You're Next, The Excrocist, VHS 1 &2, Village of the Damned, and then the 80's version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. 

Ok, so TV nowadays is just phenomenal, am I right? So far I'm up to date withall of the Walking Dead, Once Upon A Time*, The Flash, Gotham, American Horror Story: Freak Show, and Brooklyn 99. Unfortunately, I've just today finished the VGHS Series, and I shed several tears. Episode 4 of Season 3=Straight to the feels...... I've recently gotten in to the shows Community and The 100. Polar Opposites, I know. I finally got Marvel's Agents of Shield Season 1, and I can finally watch Arrow Season 2 on Netflix now. Other than that, I'm really into the Syfy Show The Almighty Johnsons, and then Girl Meets World (don't you DARE judge me). I can't watch the newest season of Doctor Who because I don't have BBC and am furious everyday over it. I'm ready for Face Off to come back, as well as Wizard Wars, Heroes of Cosplay, and Jim Henson's Creature Show Challenge to come back on, as well as Parks and Rec and Community. 

I'm sure that you guys noticed the astricks (*) in the paragraphs above. One new thing that's happened recently is that I've become on of Geeks Under Grace's (geeksundergrace.com) newest TV Reviewers! Every week I watch Once Upon A Time, review it, and post my thoughts on their website usually every Monday, maybe on Tuesday if it's a busy week. The website is Awesome! They do reviews on just about everything in pop culture: movies, tv shows, music, video games, everything! I'm super thankful to apart of their website, and I hope you guys will go and read my reviews and give me some feedback!

Also, my friend Adam is trying to start up his own blog dedicated to movie reviewing, but he and I are looking at teaming up for some new projects, including starting our own Twitch stream and doing a movie review podcast. He's a major cine-buff, and is a big fan of slasher/horror movies, and really anything from the 80's. I prefer more modern movies. So we kind of have a good yin and yang thing going on. Be looking for more updates on that, and as soon as Adam does his first blog post, I will definitely be sharing the link on here. Also, I have some friends of mine working on designing a 2ndTierGuardian Logo!!!! I'm Super Excited. One of my friends sent me a rough sketch picture and it looks amazing! As soon as it's ready I'll upload the Crap out of it! 

As far as the church is concerned, we're doing great! Members are joining all the time. We have soooo much going on that honestly, there's a place for everyone. Whether you wanna roll up your sleeves and work, or you just have time for a weekly Bible study, or whatever your needs are, our church is awesome about meeting them. Our Pastor Bro. Micah is a one of a kind man who truly wants to help you personally find God's Will for YOUR life and will help you any way he can. I am the youth pastor and do my best to both keep the teens involved and teach them what God has for their lives. This week we made and delivered Thanksgiving Baskets for the members of our church that are shut ins. Last month we We went on a trip to a Haunted Corn Maze. Next month we'll be having a Celebrity Look-A-Like Contest and then our Christmas Party. We tried to start a lesson Series on Cults and Religions of the World, but quickly got side tracked, so come January we'll be picking that back up. It's busy and hectic, but 100% Worth It! 

I feel like I should add something about the Man Cave. Nah, I'll Just Show You Guys!!! 

My Bedroom

Le Shower

My Bathroom Sink

Joel's Messy Bedroom (When He's here, which will be full time come January)

My Closet

Joel's Pantry and Closet

The Work-Station

My Toilet, a Vital Necessity

My Entertainment HQ

My Kitchen

My Living Room (I've gotten a new couch since this was taken, so this couch is in my office at church)

My Bookshelf/Counter

Here's the second thing I wanted to say: I need your prayers. My family needs your prayers. I won't go in to detail (for my families sake), but my Mom is in some pretty bad pain, and my Dad and Brother, as well as the rest of my family back home, are doing everything they can to help her. It's hard for me, because I'm not there anymore. I'll maybe get a phone call once a day to get an update. She's back at work now, which I think is Ridiculous, but she's gotta do what she's gotta do (I don't mean that in a rude way, I just don't want her to get hurt). But, I get to go home next week for Christmas, so maybe I'll get to help her out while I'm there. Just please pray for us.

There ya go guys! Now you know the essentials. Can you guys believe that I'm almost up to 1,000 views?!? It's crazy! I'd love to hit that number before 2015 so Share Share Share!!! I'll try to have something up before I go home next week, but if I don't then I'll make up for it. Also, the week from Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve I'll be back home too, so bear with me. I'll be back representing the Geekery like Nobody's Business! Take care guys!!!!

The Top 5 Responses I Get When I Tell People I'm A Minister & A Geek

So, as I've several times in my posts, I'm a Christian. I'm a Missionary Baptist. To be even more specific, I'm the Youth/Assosciate Pastor at Calvary MBC in Magnolia, AR. I'm also a geek, obviously. I rep my Geekery proudly. That's the premise of this post: how people react to me being both a geek and a preacher. You can't even begin to imagine some of the responses I get when people find out that I teach Sunday school AND lead a crusade against the blight in Dragon Age; that I do puppet shows for the church youth AND got my Blastoise up to level 75 on Pokemon X; that I take the teens to camp over the summer AND that my DVR is full of The Walking Dead, Once Upon A Time, The Flash, Arrow, Marvel Agents of Shield, Gotham, Girl Meets World, and The Five Year Engagement (ok, those last two may have revealed TOO much about myself...... I'm so ashamed). People seem almost appalled sometimes when they find this out and I would wonder why? However, at the same time, people's expectations of Pastor's are set so high, it's a wonder anyone ever lasts in ministry. All of that being said, let's get into it, shall we?

The Top 5 Responses I Get When People Hear That I'm A Geek & A Minister:

5) "You Must Be A Youth Pastor." Why yes, actually, I am. This is the one I get the least. As a youth pastor, I do kind of have an excuse to still be quote "childish". As a youth pastor, it is important to stay up to date with what the youth is immersing themselves in. Video Games, Juvenile Fiction Books, TV Shows and Movies are what they're into, and it's what you can use to relate to them. The Gospel is meant to be spread, but it's also meant to be shared in a way that people can understand, and being a geek and witnessing to other geeks, it's my job to reach them in a way that they can better come to know Christ. Being a youth pastor means that I am trying to lead kids to Christ, and I can't do that unless I can be on their level. I have to be immersed into what they're always around. 

4) "Does The Church Know About This?" Ask anyone at my church, and they'll either tell you that I'm weird, eccentric, a geek, a nerd, or that I'm "crazy" as the kids in children church say. Yes, the church knows that I'm a geek. They know that I'm odd, and a goof ball. All of these blog posts are "advertised" on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I'm not ashamed of showing people who I really am. I'm 100% saved. I love Christ, with my whole heart. I'm also a geek. I am who Christ made me. I believe that I am upfront enough that I'm a Christian and that everything I post you can see that. Is every church member thrilled by all of my decisions? No. Everyone will NEVER be pleased with Everything you do. That's a fact. So I'm me. I never try to be anything other than me. As long as I am right with God, what other people say or do or feel, doesn't matter. Bottom line. 

3) "Don't You Have Better Things To Do?" Ok, ....... sometimes, Yes, there are other things I could be doing. There's ALWAYS something the everyone could be doing more productive. So honestly, I can't really argue my way out of this one. Nor could anyone. I could try to bring up the fact that at-least I'm not doing this or this person does that or blah blah blah. That's called justification. I'm not gonna justify the fact that sometimes I geek out on things when I should be doing something else. I'll simply say this: I would never let my Geekery become a problem. If it ever gets to the point that my geekiness overshadows my Christianity, then I'm doing something wrong, and I'll do my best to change it. 

2) "Isn't That Sacrilegious?" Is what Sacrilegious Having a hobby? Being passionate about something? No! Of course not. Being a geek/games/movie enthusiast/nerd/whatever isn't sac-religious. Some of the options that are available to get passionate about are, yes. But loving video games and watching movies aren't sacrilegious, no. We have to guard our hearts and not give in to temptation. We have to be selective when it comes to choosing what we Geek out on. That should go without saying, but unfortunately it has to be repeated constantly. We have to look past stereotypes and get into the nitty gritty, but for most people, it's easier to judge things as a whole. Being a geek doesn't make you sacrilegious. Being sacrilegious make you sacrilegious. Going against what God has said is right and wrong for us, that's the problem. 

& finally, the response I get the most

1) "Grow Up." I'll admit, this one does tend to get under my skin. How do you respond to this? What do you say? When people say this, their minds are pretty much made up about what's "acceptable" to them. Being a geek isn't about age appropriate-ness, it's a lifestyle. It's something that transcends age. It's also something that has to be carefully entered into. Again, as I've stated in the other points: we have to be careful about what we Geek out on. Some things, the world has deemed wrong, or unacceptable, or childish, and we live in that world. Honestly, what we need to do is pray. Pray about whatever it is we want to be passionate about. See what God's Word has to say about it. Most people go to the passage of Scripture in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 where Paul said, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:but when I became a man, I put away childish things." But that's taking the verse out of context. That entire chapter is about how we love as compared to God's love. God's love is patient and understanding, and when people try to tear us down or make fun of us for our interests and hobbies, then they aren't being very understanding or patient with us. Grow up. I am a grown up, and I have interests. I have hobbies. I have things that I am passionate about. I have grown up, and as a grown up, I don't demean others for what they care about.

That's my list. These things are almost always said to me when people find out what my interests are and consider what my profession, or really calling, is. What do you guys think? Is it wrong to be a Geek and a Preacher? What are your opinions on the matter? Let me know in the comments below. And remember, never let your Geekery outshine God and what He's doing through You!

Serious Take On Something Non-Serious: Analyzing the Doctor

The last post that I did like this seemed to go over pretty well, so I thought I'd try this again. Often times my mind will over analyze things that I love. For example, in my last Serious Take On Something Non-Serious post, I showed how my brain developed a what some may call irrational fear of Superman being real. It's not that I don't want Superheroes to be real; I really do (like seriously guys you have no idea). My fear is that Superman is just entirely ridiculously hilariously too powerful and I'm too afraid that he would develop a God complex and become a malevolent dictator, deciding what was best for humanity. The Fact is, God made the rules a long time ago, and they don't/won't need to ever change, therefore-.... Wait, I'm rambling. If you want to continue to read my thoughts/fears of Superman, go check out the Blog Post I did. In this post, we're going to be looking deep into the thoughts and tragedies that plague the mind of the Doctor. Yes, THE Doctor. Doctor Who that is. Doctor Who? Exactly.

The Doctor. The Man With No Name. the Destroyer Of Worlds. The Man With 12 Faces (technically 13... Or 14.... Yeah it gets kind of complicated). The Doctor is an enigma to most. His face (or at least one of them) has popped up in places and times spanning the Earth's existence. He is our protector. He is our friend. He is also a raging lunatic (hate to just abruptly get silly, but I assure you, that is the nature of the Doctor [well again depending on what incarnation he is in at the time.... Confusing]). 

The Doctor is actually an alien of the Species the Time Lords. Their home planet was/is Gallifrey. Now Time Lords are born with 2 hearts and the ability to when die "regenerate" into another form. It is still them: same memories, but it's also different: new physical features (sometimes even a new gender, but not for our Doctor). Time Lords also acquire what is known as a T.A.R.D.I.S.: Time And Relative D immersion In Space. It's a device that can literally transport you to any time or point in space. Not kidding. They're also known for being bigger on the inside. The TARDIS will take on a camouflage disguise itself. The Doctor's TARDIS is in the shape of an old timey police box on the outside. Most Time Lords also possess a sonic screwdriver: a device that is small and handheld, somewhat resembling a screwdriver, that is used to somehow altar settings and whatnot on machinery and technology in general. It's also very handy at opening doors. 

The Doctor has currently been alive for over 2,000 years old. He has traveled to the destruction Earth and has had, and lost, hundreds of friends and allies. From men and women to alien life forms, and even a robot dog, the Doctor must always surround himself with "companions". From Susan Foreman, the very first Doctor's very first companion, all the way to Clara Oswald, the twelfth Doctor's current companion, the Time Lord has personally affected many, many lives..... And almost all of these instances end in tragedy.

The few instances that I am going to be elaborating on come from the ninth through eleventh "versions" of the Doctor spanning from 2005 to 2013 on the show. I'll try to choose just one calamity from each Doctor's "life" (but to be honest, their is SO MUCH that happens, I may just have a post dedicated to the Uh-Oh's and Mis-Haps of the Doctor and their resulting Tragedy).

The Ninth Doctor. Played by Christopher Eccelseton, The Ninth Doctor was probably my favorite Doctor. No, he wasn't the best, but he introduced me to the show, and left tremendous shoes to fill. This Doctor was angrier than the others. He wasn't nearly as "playful", or at least not until the end of his "cycle". Though we only had him for one short season, The Ninth Doctor did give us many emotional scenes during his reign. From the Destruction of Earth, to having a front row seat to the most traumatic thing his companion, Rose Tyler could go through: the death of her own father. Yes, the Ninth Doctor had many heart wrenching moments. But, the saddest has GOT to be his regeneration scene. Not only was it tragic because we were saying goodbye to the Doctor, but we had to sit and watch, helpless, and see his goodbye to Rose. Now granted, every regeneration is sad, don't get me wrong (I've balled at everyone). But this particular regeneration hit me in the feels, like no other regeneration has. This Doctor was the one the introduced me to the series. Not only that, but this Doctor reintroduced EVERYONE to the series. After the Eighth Doctor, there was a Nine year hiatus. Christopher Eccelston's Doctor was revolutionary for the show. He isn't everyone's favorite Doctor, but everyone was shocked when he left. Beyond just the fact that he was leaving, Rose's reaction made it that much more mournful. Rose has grown very fond of the Ninth Doctor. Some would argue that she's already fallen in love. This was the "man" that took for on a journey, and made her life one full of adventure. He's risked his life more than once for her. He gave her something that no one else could give her: the chance to meet her father. Now he's just going to leave? Or maybe not leave, but change? It's not going to be him anymore. When she cried, let's face it: we all cried. We all hurt. We ached. Regardless of your feelings towards Eccleston's portrayal of the Doctor, when he was "dying", I think everyone can agree with him. He was "Fantastic".

The Tenth Doctor. Arguably the very best of the Doctor's 2005 from and up, the Tenth Doctor was played by the One-of-a-Kind Treasure David Tennant. Tennant has a way of making you fall in love with his characters, no matter the show or film. The Tenth Doctor immediately picked up right where the Ninth Doctor left off; he was even in the same clothes and everything. To many viewers this was a shock, and was left feeling rather unsatisfied with Eccelston's final scene. But honestly, that's just what happens; when one Doctor's life span is ended, another immediately takes his place. It's his cycle. Tennant stepped onto the scene and really made the show. He really began the show's plot lines (again from 2005 up). With Eccleston you were introduced to certain key character's and races, like the Daleks. and we also met Captain Jack Harkness, but honestly Eccleston was just the means of easing us into the Whoniverse. Tennant really drove us deeper and deeper, making us become more and more invested in his reign as the Doctor. But the saddest thing about this particular Doctor was that, despite everything, He was always left alone. I know that that's kind of vague and it stretches over his whole time as the Doctor, so let me pick one instance: The Gas Chamber. In the season 4 finale The Doctor is still alive, and then he hears it: the four knocks. Wilfred, Donna's Grandfather, was the man who would knock four times. Wilfred is trapped inside the ventilation room, and the Doctor can only save him by getting in himself. This is what causes the Doctor to have to regenerate. In that moment, we see just how the Doctor feels, which isn't something that he shows too often. He's upset. He tries to fight it. He's angry. He could do So. Much. More. But then, he makes the decision. The decision that makes him The Doctor. He sacrifices himself for the betterment of mankind. As he's regenerating, he shares one final line, "I don't want to go." We didn't want you to go either David, you made the Doctor who he was.

The Eleventh Doctor. Let me set the scene: The world is bleak after losing one of the greatest men to helm the title of "The Doctor" of all time. We're anxious, and scared, and upset, and really feeling way too many emotions is that split second during the Tenth Doctor's regeneration. In steps......... Matt Smith, a rather goofy looking teen. Matt Smith, to me, wasn't the Doctor that we think that we deserved, but the one that we needed. He was young and goofy and unpredictable. He was very different from his predecessors. Eccleston was rather blunt and sarcastic, while Tennant was a weird combination of charming and nerdy. Smith was, ..... uhm, ...... well, ...... Smith! He's a dork, and he's zany, and full of life. His youth really worked well for him. He was still passionate about human life, and preferred to avoid physical confrontation just the Doctor always has, but this particular Doctor was very dependent upon his companions. Without them, he really couldn't function as the Doctor. Eccleston was anti-companion until Rose came along, and Tennant went through several different ladies, each one more smitten with him than the next. But with Smith, they aren't just a want or a preference, they're a necessary. So arguably, the most heartbreaking moment for The Eleventh Doctor was when his companions left him, during the episode entitled, "The Angels Take Manhattan". The weeping angels are defeated, or so the Doctor and his rag-tag gang of time travelers think. In an instant, Rory disappears, and an angel is seen behind where Rory was standing with an out-stretched hand. There's a tombstone with Rory's name on it, literally. There's a panic, and the Amelia, the very first companion of this Doctor's cycle, makes the decision to try and be with her now deceased husband. The Doctor is going crazy trying to convince her to stay, but her mind is made up. She's going. She turns her back to say goodbye, knowing that angel will touch here, and just like that she's gone. It devastates the Doctor.

Those are my choices for the most traumatic events that the Doctor has had to encounter for these particular cycle's of his life. That's the thing about the Doctor, he endures. He suffers. He deals with so much death, and gives up so much for OUR benefit. No other planet or race has been guarded with such devotion from the Doctor as we the human race on planet earth. That's what the Doctor wants us to understand: we are important, and we matter. We care. We love. We build, and when we have to we rebuild. That's what the Doctor has died so many times proving. We owe it to the Doctor to love and to live. To laugh and to cry. To make our lives matter, and not just give up when the going gets tough. He wants us to Run.

These are my thoughts on the Doctor. No, he isn't real, and yes, this is just a TV Show, but it's one that I love and that I become invested in, because this show goes beyond just entertainment. This show achieves at giving it's watchers one thing: hope. Hope for a better life. Hope for a future. Hope of love and adventure.

What do you guys think? What're your picks for the Doctor's most traumatic moments? Who play's your favorite Doctor? Let me know in the comments below. And as always, let your Geekery be what helps save the human race from a Dalek Invasion.