The World According To Chris Brewer

It’s really weird how your body can mix everything going on in your life together into one dream. Such was the case last night for me…I got to sleep fairly early but I had this weird dream that I moved to Springfield, had to edit a video project at my apartment, Aftan came to visit and we ate pork roast, Dad grew a beard and the Seahawks dropped two games in a row. All in the same dream. It would be the worst movie ever. I woke up and felt like I did right before I went to bed. Today I am still sluggish and tired. I wish I could just have a dream where I run around in strawberry fields forever or something.

The video has been done for two days, and today we went around the trailers and filmed everyone saying Merry Christmas to the audiences all over AFN. Maybe I can put it on the Internet, maybe not. Who knows. Wish you all could see it nonetheless.

I had a conversation today with a very liberal dude. He was saying that President Bush lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, he’d rather have taken Bill Clinton for a third term than George W. Bush for his first any day, and I told him he’s nuts, and that Bush didn’t lie about WMDs. He sat there kinda shocked for a second and asked “What do you mean?” I told him that we got rid of the most powerful WMD in Iraq at the time — Saddam Hussein himself. Think about it, the dude had so much power and used it in such a terrible way that he was the most powerful weapon of mass destruction in the Middle East. That got him to change his viewpoint. Interesting stuff, and just thought I wanted to share that.

So as you can see, today the network is back up and I have a photo gallery starting to come online. The new PhotoCenter can be found at http://photocenter.firestormlive.net. As of the time of this post there is only one gallery online, and I will add more as I get an opportunity to do so. I will be dividing them into sections by year, and have a whole different section for the deployment.

Discussions on this site have gone dead. I wanted to start discussion about Bibles and stuff a couple days ago, and a couple people responded, but then the topic fizzled out like a bad firecracker on the 4th of July. Maybe I had better stop asking for people’s input on stuff. Then they might comment. Reverse psychology.

Last night I got whacked by SGT Howell in Madden, 48-34 and 52-25. Ugly, ugly, ugly. Consider also that at halftime of the second game, the score was only 10-6 in his favor. That means I gave up 42 whopping points in the second half. Man this sucks. I thought I was a better Madden player than that, and my lack of video gaming skills has become very evident. All I could do last night was replace Hasselbeck (because he sucks on Madden 05) with Trent Dilfer, and Dilfer went off for over 400 yards each game. Problem was, he got picked off at least 4 times in each game too. What a terd.

Oh well, today was a longer update. Be advised that there will be a new front page for this site going up soon, and I might change the blog template again to match it. The site’s name is FirestormLIVE, so I gotta go with an orange theme. Right? Right.

Good night, God bless, sleep tight, yo.

The Baghdad Forum network has been down all day…that’s the one that allows me to get on MSN Messenger and AIM, as well as Myspace and other sites. So I came in early to talk to Aftan…but to no avail. Now I’m pretty tired and I really don’t want to type this but I am sitting here typing anyway. I talked to the network helpdesk guys and they said the problem was with a server stateside, and every computer here connected to Baghdad Forum is down too. Sucks, but at least I can check my email and type my blog. Tomorrow let’s hope everything comes back online again. FYI, I’m using the normal government network so that’s why I am able to get on and type this.

So that’s about it. I’ve been working all day and I’m sorry my blog posts haven’t been long or interesting lately, but nothing really exciting is going on today.

Eh, tonight I play Sgt. Howell in the Iraqi Madden Football League. That’s it. Chow.

Greetings!

I indulged in my desire for junk food yesterday by going to the short-order line at the chow hall and getting a hamburger. Man I loaded that thing with lettuce and tomato, and it was so awesomely good. So much for eating healthy, especially over the holidays. I am still working on wolfing down Aftan’s cookies and also some treats and sweets some folks from home have sent me. All that weight I lost while sick from that Thanksgiving Day shrimp debacle has probably been regained. But never fear, to the woman that shall be mine someday. I shall come back home and be thinner and stronger than I have been in awhile. Just wait.

Right after dinner last night I went and got some laundry done, then immediately fell asleep. It’s a good thing that I had set my alarm from this morning a bit early, because I definitely would have overslept. Got ready this morning, then met up with Sgt. Velasco and got on the bus. He hooked me up with an energy drink, and ever since about 7:45 AM, I’ve been good to go for the day.

Today was really foggy and it also smelled like something was burning. The fog looked a little gray so I supposed there was probably some smoke mixed in with it. It looked pretty odd, but it seemed to all lift off by about 11. That’s the second time that has happened since I’ve been here in Baghdad.

So today has been just another workday at the office. Ho hum. I’m about to go home, read the Bible and catch up on some more Z’s. Thanks Crimson House church folks for the Message Bible you got me, you guys rock. Everyone else, I’d recommend you get a Bible in the Message translation. It doesn’t water anything down, it just really modernizes the Bible and puts it in everyday language like you and I use. I think it even packs a harder punch than the NKJV. Today I’d like to ask a question…for those of you who like to study the Bible, what translation do you use and why? I think we could have a good discussion about Bible translations. I don’t think any one translation is wrong, but different ones suit different people…let’s get some talk going about that.

I’m out for now, but tomorrow I am gonna post a couple MP3 samples of songs I’ve been listening to recently. The site is getting back to becoming its old self again!!!

Love you all, have a great night and God bless.

So yesterday President Bush was giving a speech in the White House while VP Cheney was here touring Iraq. I didn’t get to see the speech or hear much about Cheney, but what I did get to see was constant updates of the Seahawks’ glorious comeback win over the Tennessee Titans. It was not the prettiest game of the year, but we got the job done. Captain Matt rallied the troops back from a 24-14 deficit in the fourth quarter to win it 28-24. I rejoiced in the Spirit for 15 minutes after the game was over, because the Hawks have earned a first-round bye in the NFC Playoffs. The way I see it shaping up is them beating Tampa Bay in the Divisional playoff, and then squeaking over Chicago in the NFC title game. They’ll go to the Super Bowl against Indianapolis. If Indy does not win the Super Bowl this year, I will eat my shorts.

Well it’s Monday today, and if I were in the States I would say that the workweek has just begun. But nearly every day here is a work day for me, so the weeks just tend to run together and I take whatever time I can get and rest. Like I’ve said before, I kinda like not having much spare time, because if I stay busy this deployment will fly by. Look at me, it’s already Day 52.

So I told you yesterday that I was going to post today about speaking in tongues. Well that’s not going to be the case. I had a good discussion with my mom yesterday and we talked about it all. I was gonna ask some opinions on what everyone thinks about speaking in tongues, glossolalia, etc…..but Mom helped me out. I love Mom. Even though I am 6,500 miles away from the eastern shore of our great nation, Mom and I still carry on some good conversations.

So yeah…not much else is going on. I AM DONE EDITING THAT VIDEO FOR WORK. IT HAS BEEN SENT UP FOR APPROVAL. PRAISE GOD’S NAME OVER AND OVER UNTIL WE EAT BREAKFAST TOMORROW.

Um, that’s about it. I’m gonna run and get some ice cream. And dinner. Dinner first, though. Ice cream later. Just wanted to make that clear.

Peace.

I don’t even want to post details about how today has gone. Let’s just say I had a meeting about the video I did, and it turns out I had to do even more changes. Then I came into work and still did a radio show, then as soon as I was done, went back into my trailer and finished up that video. Hopefully when I resubmit it tomorrow, everything will be fine.

I’m tired, I’m hungry, yeah…you know the deal. Oh well, I really have nothing to complain about since there are a ton more people in a far worse situation than me.

Today marks the seventh straight week I have not gone to a formal church service. Woe unto me! I must depart from thee Christians, for I am a heathen and a mongrel. Not really, but it’s not bothering me too much to miss chapel services as most of them are too soft anyway, and they’re more “feel good” messages than really preaching the complete truth and getting down and dirty. Of course you can’t preach unabashedly when you have a whole bunch of different denominations represented. See Day 49.

So I’ve been on a steady diet of personal Bible studies. Tomorrow I’m gonna post some stuff about what I discovered about speaking in tongues. I’ve been really studying that topic lately and it’s gotten me to change my perspective. No, I still believe in speaking in tongues like I used to, but I’ll explain more tomorrow. Don’t go getting all riled up once I post about it though. It’ll make a great conversation topic, however, and discussion will be highly encouraged.

So I’m well into the second quarter of my deployment. I’m excited and nervous at the same time to see what it will bring, and also because I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel somewhere — me going back to the States soon.

That’s it for now, but everybody peace out and God bless. Stay cool, everyone.

Today is good. I got the video done that I had been working on for the past couple weeks. The people I am making it for wanted me to change up the music and images contained in it, and today I finally got done doing so. Unless they want some changes, then this video is pretty much done. Major project #3 is out of the way.

So today is my normal day off, and I’m sitting here at work for a few hours while I also take care of some financial stuff. Good Lord, I never knew someone could make so much money so quick. Ok, it’s not really that I’m making a lot of money, there’s just nothing to spend it on. Why in the world would a normal guy like me who is here for six months, who brought his laptop, DVDs, a couple sets of civilian clothes, iPod, and other necessary items need to spend money on anything??? Still though I think troops in Iraq are underpaid for what they do. At my pay grade I’m expected to make $13,000 over my 6-month stay here…if I were married it might be $18,000. That would be barely enough to support a couple. Praise God I live in the dorms at Langley.

Coming soon, you can expect to see a list of things you can expect from me in 2006. I’ll pretty much outline what’s gonna happen in my life, where I’ll be, and what I plan to be doing. Basically it’s a public list of one-year goals. It’s not a New Year’s resolution, instead it’s an actual roadmap for the upcoming year. That will be available to view December 26.

I’m gonna keep on updating the Wiki for now, and I’ll let you check it out tomorrow or something. For now I’m gone. Enjoy your Saturday!

I was reading the Word this morning, and I cross-referenced some stuff from my reading in 1 Corinthians 12. In that chapter, Paul hits on a very hard topic that we are all part of the body of Christ, no one more important than the other, and if there be any part of the body missing, the effectiveness of the body as a whole is significantly decreased. This got me to thinking that he is talking about the entire Body of Christ, which is everyone who calls themselves a Christian, actively serves the Lord and others, and is dedicated to the ministry. But these people are scattered throughout various denominations, which is good and bad at the same time.

It’s good that many Christians can interpret the Bible different ways and still fall back on the simple fact that we are all serving the same God and gonna get to heaven someday. But it’s more bad than good because the very fact that we have different denominations (i.e. Baptist, Presbyterian, Reformed, etc.) seems to tear apart Christianity instead of unite it.

In my view, denominationalism is unbliblical for two main reasons.

1. When you look at Acts, churches constantly sprung up all over the place. The apostles made it their life mission to go share Christ’s message with people everywhere, and as a result churches were formed and eventually networked with each other. You don’t see anywhere that a church had broken off of another church, had a different set of beliefs, etc. Yes, in each of Paul’s letters, the churches he wrote to had specific issues but they remained united in their common beliefs in the Word. Nowhere do we see different denominations…instead there was the church at Ephesus, the church at Corinth, etc. There were different locations mentioned, not denominations.

Nowadays we see that there are Baptist churches, Presbyterian churches, Pentecostal churches, etc. There are so many denominations that it could make a new believer go crazy.

2. Denominationalism as a belief in itself renders the “body” concept Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 12 useless. Each denomination has a set of beliefs based on some human’s interpretation of the Bible, which means that instead of us as Christians working together and unify, and try to come to an agreement on Biblical issues, everyone each went their separate ways and believed what they wanted to — thus leaving the simple belief that you’ve got to be saved to go to heaven, the only common bond between some denominations. That is purely unbiblical. Here’s what 1 Corinthians 1:10 says, in the Good News Bible:

By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I appeal to all of you, my friends, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose.

Whoops, someone screwed it up somewhere down the line of history. Here’s 1 Corinthians 1:13 in the Message translation. This was Paul speaking directly to the church at Corinth.

I ask you, “Has the Messiah been chopped up in little pieces so we can each have a relic all our own? Was Paul crucified for you? Was a single one of you baptized in Paul’s name?”

So my question is, why are there so many denominations? You tell me.

I get so sick of denominationalism. I’m not condeming anyone…I love everyone and I know truly the one thing that binds everyone together who is pressing forward in the faith is that we are all Christians, and we are striving to the best of our ability to follow Christ.

I have to explain myself every time I tell people I am simply a Christian, nothing more, nothing less. Most don’t seem to understand that I don’t believe in denominations — they always ask “what denomination are you.” I then explain that I simply want to live for Jesus, follow His Word, and win souls for Him. That’s what being a Christian is all about in the first place.

Isn’t it time we all focused on what really matters in our faith, rather than splitting hairs over what divides us all? We need to live as one body under Christ as Paul instructed us in 1 Corinthians 12.

Today is the day that validates why I am here for six months. If nothing else even happens for the next 132 days, I can walk away with the memory of interacting with many Iraqis who voted in their first-ever parliamentary election. It was really neat…I rode the bus to and from a video shoot just a couple hours ago and the Iraqi driver (same one I posted about a couple days ago) was excitedly talking about how he voted for Ibrahim al-Jaafari. He proudly held up his right index finger, which had been dipped in purple ink (the Iraqi government does this to signify the people voted). He kept saying “It is…good day for Iraq…we vote…Iraq is free…” and excitedly carried on. Even though there was an obvious language barrier between him and I, it was easy to understand that he was joyous over the fact he got to have a hand in deciding the fate of Iraq’s government, and that I was happy for him as well. I almost came close to getting worked up and crying somewhat because I realized in that bus that today was the day that Iraqi people who had their voices muffled for years were finally able to speak up and take action, by voting. It is an incredible day for Iraq.

Today we had to show up for work by 6:00 AM. I was in place at 5:53. Only 4 hours of sleep last night, but today I have not been nearly as tired as recent days because I have been drinking water like a madman and sucking down some candy.

That candy I ate was courtesy Crimson House Ministries, who sent me a massive care package full of necessary items. Thanks Crimson House folks for the gifts!!! They are much appreciated and I will write a large thank you letter soon.

As for my blog — it seems I have finally found a theme that will last awhile. Chicks dig the blue, while metrosexual guys (Katie Hargett called me one the other day) really cozy up to the neon green. I think it looks pretty cool, and I might tweak it juuuuuuuuust a little bit to make things look interesting. But I won’t change the general feel of the theme. This is the way it’s gonna stay for at least a month.

God has really been blessing me lately. Too many blessings to share about on this forum, but I will say that many of you who read this blog, I know personally and are a huge blessing in my life. I hope I am somehow a blessing to you all as well.

Today it was another short post but I gotta email Aftan, so I’ll catch y’all on the flip side.

Today’s just one of those days that drags and drags and drags, and you want it to really go away. Today isn’t even dragging for any specific reason. I think it’s just because no one is really here right now and lately I’ve been trying to go home a little before 7 PM. Seeing as it’s 8:11, I really don’t think I can make it home in time for the Simpsons. Shoot.

Not too much else is going on, but I did feel to update the blog. Also I am working on a Wiki section of the site…it’s got pages to describe certain items and people, kinda like an online museum, or encyclopedia. I’ll link to it here sometime and you all can see what I’m talking about.

More site changes are coming. Sorry I keep changing the theme, but the one constant thing that remains is my ability to post stuff and you to read it. I walked through hell to import my old posts and keep them alive, and I don’t want to do too much else to the site, but I just need to make the current black and orange theme a little more aesthetically pleasing. I like how it looks now except for the header. That just looks tacky, so I will replace it with an image of my own. And some other stuff too.

Sorry it’s short today folks, but I’m busy at the moment and I still wanted to take a bit of time to post something here. Peace!

Hey everyone, the blog is back up after a bit of a delay while we switched servers. For those of you technically savvy folks out there, basically what I had to do was restore the MySQL database of all the previous posts I had made before the switch. That took a while because of some bad PHP syntax.

Now that I’ve confused the heck out of everyone, let me come back down to earth and share the goodness of the day with all of you.

It’s Tuesday and it’s been dragging along a bit. It’s really hazy outside, which makes me wonder if it’s just the air quality because people are out and about getting stuff done before the 10 PM curfew, or if there were actually explosions in the distance I didn’t hear. I haven’t smelled smoke though.

About the most exciting thing I did today was eat a BIG HUNK bar after lunch. Those candy bars are so indescribably awesome that I would kill myself trying to explain it. The very person who bought them for me doesn’t care for them much though. I hope to convert her though. Hee hee. If Aftan expects me to convert to country music, then she had better have the biggest grin on her face while she eats BIG HUNK bars.

Keep praying for us all out here. We want everyone to be safe leading up to, during, and after the elections. Let’s all pray the elections go smoothly too and the Iraqi police and army become stronger. The stronger and more proficient the cops and army become here, I think it’s only gonna be a short matter of time before we leave. And contrary to what the liberal media would have you know, there is a LOT of great progress being made here. I interviewed a senator recently who shared the same viewpoint — he has visited Iraq numerous times and said from his own personal viewpoint things were improving each time.

So get the word out to the American people that the troops here are doing an awesome job, and helping Iraq come along quickly in its fight for independence from terrorism, and freedom from the shadow of a dictator. Continue to support all the coalition (not just America, there are a LOT of other countries represented here) troops because everyone here really needs to know folks back home are supporting them and backing them up no matter what politics may be involved.

That’s it for now…shoutbox should be up later and we should be rip-roarin’ on a brand new version of The World According to Chris Brewer.

Peace!