David

Phase 2

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:05:00 +0000

They stuccoed the house this week and put some primer on parts of the walls (I think it was primer). I'll find out in 3-4 weeks what week I'll close on.

Diving

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:50:00 +0000

Faith Comes By Hearing

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:08:00 +0000

Romans 1:18-25 is pretty clear that no one has an excuse when it comes to knowing God, as God has made it "evident among them...From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen."

And Acts 4:12, John 10:9-10, John 14:6, John 3:15-16 and a host of other scripture is clear that Jesus is the door by which man must enter to have eternal life. I'm not confused about either of these truths.

However, this next part is difficult to understand. I am reading a book called "Faith Comes By Hearing" edited by Robert Peterson and Chris Morgan (my theology prof. at CBU). It is an entire book devoted to the question, "What is the fate of those who have never heard about Jesus?" The 3rd chapter begins with this quote:

"What kind of God is he who gives man enough knowledge to damn him but not enough to save him?" - Dale Moody

I haven't read the chapter yet so am interested in the explanation, and ch. 4 discusses if it's just or unjust that the un-evangelized can be condemned to hell without ever hearing the Gospel. What do you think? Is it fair or unfair and why?

Try, Try Again

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Unfortunately the house mentioned on the previous post did not work out. Without saying the price of the house, the highest bid was $10k above mine. There are 3 other houses I am going to check out tomorrow and hopefully put in an offer or two.

Possible House

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:45:00 +0000

Here are a few pictures of what may be my future home. Nothing can compare to the 550 sq. ft. palace I live in now, but this will have to do. I should find out tomorrow if I had the highest offer. If not, then back to the search.

This is the view from the balcony outside the master bedroom.

Let it snow

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:23:00 +0000

Here are some pics from our house in Washington as of Sunday, Dec. 21st. Hopefully the rain will stay through Christmas and it won't rain.

What a difference 12 years makes...

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:37:00 +0000

...12 years go by...

We're almost all in the same spots too (minus our dead dog).

Building Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:49:00 +0000

This has been up since August. It's the main wall in our student building. On the left - VERITAS - that is our high school group. I'll let you look up what it means. On the right - ROOTS - that's our middle school group.

2 Degrees of Separation

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:51:00 +0000

I have never felt closer to the leader of our country than I do now.
That is my uncle with the beard.
My uncle Terry, Aunt Lu, and my cousin Rodney's kids.

Tiger Stripes

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:03:00 +0000

Sunburns are not uncommon in my world. In fact, they are helpful to me. Once a year I think I'm invincible. This is usually about 6 months after the last time I was out in the sun. I think to myself, "I haven't been sunburned for half a year, certainly I won't get sunburned today."
Notice the hands on the lower back. These are my own. I had some access sunscreen from my face and wiped it on my lower back. The good news is I'm all peeled and have a fresh layer of new skin.

Lawn Art

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:20:00 +0000

Let's clear the air

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:08:00 +0000

So I've been getting phone calls and text messages from friends who, although haven't said it, think I'm unhappy/slightly depressed/having a hard time transitioning. I understand why, I did write a story that could have easily resembled my life, but it's not about me. I was sitting in Starbucks reading one evening and something said in Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz got me thinking and I decided to write about it.

So I'm doing great, no need to be alarmed. After all, I just turned 23.

Plus, when you've got a body like this, how can you been sad?

Meet the Staff

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:41:00 +0000

http://www.foothillsbaptist.org/students/meet_the_staff.htm

An original piece

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:31:00 +0000

You know the times when you’re alone. You might start to read but put it down before the first paragraph is done because your mind is on something or someone else. So you begin to think. Daydream. If you do it for long enough you begin to slip into self-pity, which – although sounds like a bad thing- can actually make you feel temporarily good. Like some type of anesthesia.

If you’re not already, you decide to listen to music. Something mellow, something that reflects you. You’re enough alone that you hope for your cell phone to go off. Even just a text. And eventually it does, but its an automated message saying your bill is ready to view online and that your balance of $52.98 has been deducted from your debit card ending in xxx-4271. Great. Now you’re alone and poor.

You cycle through your friends in your head, the one’s who are within driving distance. It’s not like you haven’t been doing this all along, but third times a charm. One has a girlfriend, one is working, and the other is in school. You can’t call a girl because you’d either be creating something for someone else to talk about, or she’d say “no” and you’d feel rejected, even if that weren’t her intent. It’s always at these times that no one likes you, or at least not well enough to know you’re thinking that through telekinesis. If only Jean Grey was your friend.

Collage of sorts

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:52:00 +0000

Once upon a time there was a three-way prank tug-of-war. Here is the damage:

1. My room

2. Nikki's room

3. Abby's car

It's here!

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:47:00 +0000

Some time ago I said a mysterious box had arrived from Apple, yet I wasn't positive if it contained my computer. Well...have a look.It's a 15-inch MacBook Pro. What's a boy to do?

Mysterious Cardboard Box

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:05:00 +0000

So today I walked into the front office of the church, went over to check my mailbox, and saw 2 HP computer boxes, and on top of the two boxes was this box.
It wasn't opened and on it said "Apple Refurbished." It had our A/V guys name on it and I'm HOPING it's a new laptop...for me. I was asked several weeks ago if I wanted a laptop or a desktop and I said "laptop. MacBook Pro. If you want more specifications I'll let you know." Well it's been 3-4 weeks since that so I'm hoping it has arrived. I'll keep you posted.

Wanted: Dead or Alive

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:49:00 +0000

If you have seen the perpetrator of the heinous act, please call me immediately. You can also tell them (Michael Cartwright accompanied by Shane Golba) that the ink bled through the paper onto my car and now I have a stained car. They can make a check payable to "David Gantenbein."

Palm Trees: So. California as Cactus': Phoenix

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:33:00 +0000

I've been in Phoenix for two weeks now and it only took me one day to notice that I've traded palm trees for cactus'. Or is it cacti? Life has been good thus far. I'm playing on the church softball team, been offered a head coaching position at a middle school, went to a park in Phoenix and spent time with homeless people, and met many good people.If I had to say the best part so far, I would say all of the new people. The students, parents, and church folk have been awesome. I'm working on getting an apartment or house to rent for 6 months or so, and possible buying after that. We'll see, it kind of drains me figuring all that stuff out. It was easier when my parents did all that stuff.

The Advent Conspiracy

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:13:00 +0000

It's almost Christmas which means if you're like me, you've at least started spending money you don't have to buy your friends and family gifts this year. This might be an idea for next year for your family, church, or group of friends. Check out this movement started by Imago Dei in Portland, OR. Even if you don't "officially" join, its a great idea for Christmas, or maybe next year if you already went into debt this Christmas.

The basic idea is to take the $450 billion we spend at Christmas (or your share of it) and give relational gifts instead. "Because God gave us a relational gift, His Son, we decided to give meaningful and relational gifts too." It would only take 22% of what is spent each year on Christmas to supply the world with clean water ($10 billion). Click here to see the website or here to download the brochure.

Last night was so warm & I didn't even have to wet the bed

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:43:00 +0000

Last night was by far the most comfortable night of sleep I have had in the winter, in a long time. Before I paint the picture, let me paint for you winter nights in Washington:

My dad thought 55˚ was warm for the house, or at least a 40˚ temperature outside didn’t constitute heating the house. A few times I got in trouble for changing the thermometer settings. I guess heat was seen as a privilege, not a right. When my sister or I would complain about the frigid chill, he would reply, “Put on a coat.” I thought coats were for outside? I distinctly remember watching T.V. downstairs and actually seeing my breath. No joke. Once he’d walked into our bedrooms and see us shivering, he’d turn the heater on, so that was nice.

Queue last night. We recently started using the heater and it feels so nice. I added a quilt to my bed a few weeks ago to battle the cold, but the heater has made it a perfect insulator. I only slept for 6.5 hours but it felt like I slept in. I remember waking up a few times at night from dreams (good ones), to think to myself, “It’s so warm!” Not to hot, but perfect. It helps you sleep so much better. The best part is getting out of bed and not having to bolt to a hot shower. Even the bathroom was warm!

In my dad’s defense, he did have to pay the electric bill, and I don’t, Josh does. I had an electric blanket but I think it stopped working when I had to wash it because of an accident. C’mon, I was only in 10th grade! What 16 year old doesn’t wet his bed?

Calvin & Hobbes

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:26:00 +0000

An email from my mom. Enjoy.

From the article...

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:25:00 +0000

What is a negative tendency of this generation as it relates to the faith?

Mark Driscoll: This generation can be a whiny bunch of idealists getting together in small groups to complain about megachurches and the religious right rather than doing something.

Efrem Smith: I’m very concerned about the continual influence of consumerism Christianity and a Christianity that is very self-centered. Even in some of the social justice initiatives that I see, I wonder at times if it’s really about social change and kingdom advancement or if it’s about the sense of accomplishment and adventure one gets from the experience.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for young Christians in the next 10 years?

Mark Driscoll: There is a strong drift toward the hard theological left. Some emergent types [want] to recast Jesus as a limp-wrist hippie in a dress with a lot of product in His hair, who drank decaf and made pithy Zen statements about life while shopping for the perfect pair of shoes. In Revelation, Jesus is a pride fighter with a tattoo down His leg, a sword in His hand and the commitment to make someone bleed. That is a guy I can worship. I cannot worship the hippie, diaper, halo Christ because I cannot worship a guy I can beat up. I fear some becoming more cultural than Christian, and without a big Jesus who has authority and hates sin as revealed in the Bible, we will have less and less Christians, and more and more confused, spiritually self-righteous blogger critics of Christianity.

View the entire article at: http://relevantmagazine.com/god_article.php?id=7418

11 Things They Didn't Teach You in High School

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:39:00 +0000

This is an excerpt from the book, "Dumbing Down our Kids" by Charles Sykes. It's targeted at high school seniors and college grads.

RULE 1
Life is not fair - get used to it.

RULE 2
The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

RULE 3
You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice president with car phone, until you earn both.

RULE 4
If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.

RULE 5
Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping they called it Opportunity.

RULE 6
If you mess up,it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

RULE 7
Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

RULE 8
Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

RULE 9
Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.

RULE 10
Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

RULE 11
Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Anymore "Rules" you can think of? This is a good opportunity for the older...I mean wiser generation to enlighten us).

Self-Admitted Thief

noreply@blogger.com (David Gantenbein) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:23:00 +0000

Today in 4th period science, some of the students were trying to figure out my first and last name. I always write "Mr. G." on the board so I don' have to hear the repeated butchering of my last name - Gantenbein. I told the group I was talking to that if they guess my last name, I'd tell them they got it right. After a bit I walked to another table group to answer a question. 30 seconds passed by when then came back to the teacher's desk and sat down. I was filling out a hall pass for a student when two students, Eric and David, came over saying, "Andrew how do you say your last name?" I didn't initially think they were talking to me but then realized they somehow found out my middle name and were trying to see if I'd respond to it (they thought it was my first name). I wanted to know how they figured out my middle name since I don't have a name tag or anything.

Me: "That's not my name."
David: "Yes it is."
Me: "How do you know?"
David: "I looked in your wallet."
Me: "What! Well go ahead and take a walk to the office. You don't go people's personal stuff like wallets. Seriously go to the office."

He was in shock since his intentions weren't bad, but just thought it would be a good way to find out my name. Then Eric and a few others started laughing at him saying, "you just told on yourself. You deserve to go to the office." He couldn't really look up, he was so embarrassed, having realized he just told a teacher that he had been going through their wallet. Eventually I said, "David, you don't have to go to the office, but don't ever go through my crap." He nodded. The heckling continued. Then I thought what a great story this would make and I definitely needed a picture of him. I took about 90 seconds for him to be able to look at the camera (I told him I'd give him a referral for looking through my wallet if he didn't let me take a picture, but I wasn't serious). So here he is, in all his genius: