George McFly February 4th, 2009

I love you all, and you too Wild Erik.

Say Grace before meals, it prevents indigestion.

Hurk February 4th, 2009

We need you to call in to the show sometime, George.

George McFly February 5th, 2009

If Lorraine ever stops using the phone, I will. She just won't stop calling Marty ever since he moved to the next town over.

Man I miss that little runt…

Erik February 5th, 2009

I have a comment about role models Erik (you veggie eating, 6 workout per week, 10 pounds lighter stud of a man).

I don't think there's anything wrong with having heroes that are athletic or brilliant or inspirational (like you). But, just because someone has the discipline, genetics and athleticism to swim his way to eight gold medals in one Olympics, doesn't mean you should expect him to walk on water too.

We all get that everyone is flawed. That's why most give Michael Phelps a pass on the bong (and many would ask him to pass it back).

But, it would be an entirely different story if people looked up to Michael Phelps because he claimed to be beyond reproach. If someone is a role model because that person claims to be close to morally pure, I think that's problematic.

First, it's destructive to the worshiper. He or she will either despair of ever being a good person (like their hero), or they will be rocked when it finally comes out that their pastor paid his meth dealer for gay sex. Many give up the faith because of this kind of thing

It's also destructive to the worshipee on the pedestal because it robs them of the ability to be honest about who they really are. They are thereby doomed to live a lie in isolation, burning the bridge to God's grace and mercy.

I think we all get that too, but what I really wanted to address is where all this leaves moral purity itself. I think many jump from the truth that nobody's perfect to cynically lowering the standards in our lives. Also, we see the Ted Haggards of the world and almost feel ashamed to say with Han Solo, "THIS one goes THERE, THAT one goes THERE."

Only the message of God's grace and unconditional love gives people the ability to take seriously His holiness. If you're not secure in your status as a beloved child of God, how could you ever even begin to look at His ideal for how we should live? And if you can't even look at the ideal (because you're always softening His message so you don't look so bad) how can you even begin to grow into the likeness of Christ?

The people that are role models in my life get this. They proclaim a high standard, but never bullshit me about their ability to live up to it. Like Steve Brown they say, "We don't proclaim our goodness, we proclaim His." And then they show me how to delight in and grow into the righteousness that has been freely given by Christ.

Again, God's love leads to holiness, not the other way around.

That's all I have to say about that. Keep up the great work Erik (you sexy producer you).

Obed February 5th, 2009

Hey Erik,

Good for you on hitting the gym, bro! I started doing the six-day-a-week workout first week of January also. I was down about 12lbs going into Week 4, but didn't eat right and gained 7lbs back that week. But hey, baby steps, no?

Anyway, as you're going Vegan, what are you doing for protein, especially if you're doing some weights as part of your routine? I can't think of any way of doing that as a Vegan

Obed February 5th, 2009

Re the comment above my first comment:

It reminds me of something that Steve says (paraphrasing): If you start from a place of Grace, you'll find yourself getting more obedient and better in spite of yourself. But if you start from a place of obedience, you'll fail until you slip into the darkness never to return.

Erik February 5th, 2009

…what are you doing for protein…

I'm eating beans, nuts, soy (in various forms), peanut butter, protein rich bread, that kind of stuff.

…if you start from a place of obedience, you'll fail until you slip into the darkness never to return.

I think that's true, unless of course you bump into grace in the dark and find your way back to the gospel.

Also, I think part of that slipping into the darkness is a deadness of soul that comes from lying to yourself about the hight of the standard we're called to live out.

Forgive me for going on, but I've been thinking a bit about this…

For example, it's really easy to go on about homosexuality and gay marriage being sin when one doesn't struggle with same-sex attraction. But even though taking a stand like that seems really righteous (to those who agree), it can actually be a distraction from living out the requirement to love your neighbor as yourself.

What would that look like? Maybe volunteering at a hospice caring for homosexual men dying from AIDS. My failure to love my neighbor in that way is just as much a sin as homosexuality, but if I don't "get grace" I'd be to terrified to look at how deep my selfishness and depravity really go.

Does that make sense?

Anyway, the rigid proclamations of the standards that are easy for a person to live up to pile up and snuff out the life of love that would keep the fire burning. When that goes out…then comes the slide into the darkness.

And how can one give divine love like that if that kind of love has never been received?

Hurk February 5th, 2009

"the rigid proclamations of the standards that are easy for a person to live up to pile up and snuff out the life of love that would keep the fire burning. When that goes out…then comes the slide into the darkness."

That's good stuff…

Hurk February 5th, 2009

And might I say, if Erik keeps this up, he'll look like his fire-fighter photo again in no time. You can't spell dedierikation with out erik…good job, man.

kbro February 6th, 2009

aaah! i can't believe you are disseminating that picture.

here are my thoughts on phelpsy and the bong:

1) marijuana is arguably less physically harmful than tobacco. DEFINITELY not even close to a performance enhancing drug. its really his business as it regards his swimming.

2) as far as the role model bit goes: i fully agree with erik on this one. and honestly, don't you think the picture itself makes a case for his innocence? who in their right might, especially if they had malicious intent, would allow themselves to be photographed THAT straight on sucking face with a bong?! if all of a sudden our friend phelpsy was "big bad phelps" i think there is no way this picture would have happened.

3) i'm almost glad his superhuman exterior has been revealed for exactly what it is: utterly and beautifully human.

that is all!

Obed February 6th, 2009

And how can one give divine love like that if that kind of love has never been received?

And ain't that the essence of Grace? We can only love when we've been loved… or maybe when we realize how much we've been loved.

Re Protien for workout-folk: From what I understand, you've just commited to Vegan for 2009, right? Well, when 2k10 rolls around, I recommend cottage cheese and eggs as good sources. VERY high in protein while remaining very low in fat. And for the cottage cheese bit, you can throw tomatos, or fruit, or even salsa into the mix for good options. Or even put it on baked potato in lieu of sour cream.

Geoduck Joe February 7th, 2009

I, for one, am glad Phelps stopped being a role model. I couldn't keep up with all the swimming and eating he inspired me to do.

Marcia February 7th, 2009

First of all, the vilification of marijuana is ludicrous. There would be no scandal had Phelps been photographed drinking a martini. I do, of course, realize that pot is illegal, but give me a pothead over a drunk any day.

Second, I have a friend who was involved in a somewhat public scandal and totally beat himself up over it. I told him that no one meets perfection; we have standards because they are goals.

Marcia February 7th, 2009

Oh, and Erik? I have very graphic fears about my children. You are not alone.

However, being lumped in with me does not make you in any way normal. For the record.

Joe Johnson February 19th, 2009

I can't resist. If you haven't seen Seth Meyers' commentary on Michael Phelps, it's a great one:

Joe Johnson February 19th, 2009

I guess the link would help:

Go to: http://www.hulu.com/watch/56636/saturday-night-live-really-michael-phelps