This is That Scene

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noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:19:00 +0000

This Is That Scene has moved to http://thisisthatscene.cetangen.com

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Tired

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:29:00 +0000

Oh God how have I become so cynical toward some people? I hate this feeling. I hate talking about others:
"Whisper, whisper...UGH! Whisper."

It is a cancer that grows and grows.
Sure they do it. They all do it. They do it about me. But this is not their problem, it is mine. I am the one doing these things and therefore it is the greatest evil.

I don't like feeling this way.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me
Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me
Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me

Of Gods and Giants

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:49:00 +0000

In the eye of Earth is forged a quake,

Hot, wet, and massive as neurons in the brain,

The sound eternal of gods and giants

To cull the dead that I might rise

From sleep

From cold

From poverty

From the Center’s world came a ship

And from its wrecking birthed a son,

The child eternal of gods and giants

To cull the dead that we might rise

From sleep

From comfort

From apathy

What came to me as I was walking home the other night

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:43:00 +0000

O flaming heart
my unseen portion
you are at my door
what are you crying for
is it in your hand

brother of tears
divine forgiveness
you are on my lips
in my fingertips
and in my eyes

to wade away from here we come
to wade away from here we've come
to shallower waters

What is This Fire?

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:44:00 +0000

Desire.

Yesterday I was walking around campus shooting some photos and listening to music. I decided to put on some Ryan Adams because I've once again been on a Ryan Adams fix lately. But this time I decided to listen to Demolition because I was never really into it and thought I'd give it a try. Then I came across "Desire," which I'd heard countless times but never listened to.
It was weird. I mean, I always experience God in unexpected places, but this was abnormally vivid. I can't explain it in any other way than to say that it became prayer.

I went to the FoxHole to do some homework like I usually do and Hannah and I ended up having a really good conversation. It was funny because she brought up a point that I had been thinking about the past few days. We talked about feeling awful and having life seem like complete crap and just dwelling on that like pitiful people like many do. But we both knew that regardless of how we felt at certain times, we were doing GREAT. Regardless of how crappy things are with work, school, relationships, health, whatever. We were doing incredibly well. We always were and there was no denying it because when you see beauty in everything, even the awful shit that comes with living in a world with a lot of sin in it, you are seeing God. How can you not be doing great when you see God through everything, even when things suck.

This has nothing to do with a condition or a feeling. This has to do with firm reality. I am a human being, originally created in the perfect image of God. If I acknowledge that and pursue it, how can I be doing any less than amazing.

It is not a feeling. I certainly don't feel great, I cannot stress that enough, but I am.

Well, it was late, so I went home. I put on "Desire" again:

Two hearts fading, like a flower.
And all this waiting, for the power.
For some answer, to this fire.
Sinking slowly. The waters higher.
Desire

With no secrets. No obsession.
This time I'm speeding with no direction.
Without a reason. What is this fire?
Burning slowly. My one and only.
Desire

You know me. You don't mind waiting.
You just can't show me, but God I'm praying,
That you'll find me, and that you'll see me,
That you run and never tire.
Desire

I laughed, out loud, like a fool, alone in the dark.

...By Its Right Name

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:00:00 +0000

"For a moment, she re-discovered the purpose of her life. She was here in earth to grasp the meaning of its wild enchantment and call each thing by its right name.” -Boris Pasternak

Upon hearing Chris McCandless recite this verse in Into the Wild I was struck by the notion of calling "each thing by its right name." That seemed to hold a deep significance in regards to Chris' epiphany toward the end of his life.

"What does this mean," I thought. It was as if this idea was just clawing at the inside of my soul trying to get out. During a discussion after watching the film, attention was brought to this quote (thank you Allie!):

"But if I am true to the concept that God utters in me, if I am true to the thought of Him I was meant to embody, I shall be full of His actuality and find Him everywhere in myself, and find myself nowhere. I shall be lost in Him." -Thomas Merton

This was it.

I want to find Him everywhere in myself and find myself nowhere.

I think that while we are here we are to direct the attention of each and every living thing back to their true nature, that which stems from the source: God.

What a task given to Adam.

Time

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:58:00 +0000

I realized today that it has been a week since last Thursday. It went by quickly and it became apparent a week is not as long as I once thought it was. The duration of my life is really just a great number of weeks strung together, so if this is true, then my life is not as long as I would hope it to be. This is unfortunate in many ways because there are a lot of beautiful people, amazing places, colorful leaves, and all sorts of things to experience. I better get on all that. I don't want to waste any more time.

I went to the Abbey on Thursday and just walked around and looked at things. It was rainy, which normally I hate, but it was peaceful. I found the continuous drone of the wind in the trees mixed with the percussiveness of the rain falling on my head quite pleasant to listen to.
I was also surrounded by like 9 other people who were experiencing the same sort of things, and I felt a bit silly. I think we all did. Some people admitted licking leaves to taste the rain. I rubbed my had on a tree and smelled the dirt and moss. I realize now that the whole time, I was looking for a place to hid and be silly alone. I found a big well and stood behind that. But I looked up and watched these tall thin trees sway drastically in the wind. The taller and further outside of the woods they were the more they moved. And the more they moved, the more leaves they lost. I realized that those trees we just letting themselves be vulnerable to the wind and letting the wind move them move and more. Then they were losing their leaves, becoming naked right in front of each other. They were just outside the security of the woods, swaying uncontrollably, dancing in the wind and losing their leaves.

I realized that this was kind of what was going on with the rest of us. We were all uncomfortable and didn't want to be seen emotionally naked, dancing in our senses, experiencing God. But the trees seemed fine with it, so why not I?

The other thing I noticed was that the trees in the middle of the woods were not swaying, because they were not exposed to the wind.

I don't want to be in the security of the woods anymore, because if I am, I can't be moved by the wind.

I'm done wasting time thinking and not touching. Talking and not tasting. Standing and not swaying.

"Happiness isn't real unless shared"

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 07:07:00 +0000

You know the sensation where you have witnessed something so beautiful and incredible and you just want to share it with everyone? Well, tonight I saw Into the Wild. Go see it. There is some intensely spiritual stuff going on in this story. It was good. Lets just say that I have some serous work ahead of me in reorganizing my Top 10 favorite movies.

"When you forgive, you love. And when you love, God's light shines upon you."

WATCH TRAILER

Home

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 07:08:00 +0000

So I'm at home from school this weekend because we had today off. But unfortunately I had originally been looking forward to seeing my mom today, who has been in Israel for about two weeks visiting family etc.

However, yesterday, on my way home, I got a call from my dad saying that my mom wouldn't be home until about Monday. Apparently, she was at Mt. Carmel and somehow some boys came up and snatched her bag, which contained my sisters digital camera, the video camera, ALL the tapes and pictures from the trip, credit card etc. and her passport.
So she took a train to Tel Aviv to go to the U.S. Embassy and get a new passport.
So it's all worked out for the most part. She is coming home on Monday, but it sucks that stuff got stolen and whatever. However, she is fine and staying with her aunt in Haifa.

When I first heard this, I was a bit shocked, but as it sank in, I was only concerned with the fact that she was not coming home today. And I have also been thinking a lot lately about my own materialistic tendencies and realized that I wasn't angry that the stuff had been stolen. I mean, yeah, it wasn't all my stuff exactly, but for instance my mom has my computer. And at first I wasn't sure if my computer had been stolen as well (it hadn't been), but I realized that if it had been, I would really be okay with that. I have all that I need and more, and adding the computer to that equation is just adding more to what I have.

I was struck by something that Tami had said at QV a few weeks ago. She had mentioned that God has provided everything for everyone and even though we ask why God hasn't provided for those starving in Africa or something, we fail to realize that he has provided, but it just happens concentrated in certain areas.

God, thank you for providing for me and my family. Thank you that mom is safe. Please bless those who stole the stuff and also bless whoever may in the long run benefit from those items or the money gained from them. Amen.

I need the world to be saved and changed by you. I need you for all those who suffer...

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:02:00 +0000

So far, today is a most horrible, unsettling day. I missed a class, came to work late, couldn't think straight doing homework that is usually so easy, and I have this feeling that I should have made a different choice this morning regarding a certain relational matter. Overall, it is just an off day. But nevertheless the Lord has made it and for that I am glad.
I ran across this Merton bit last night as I was reading and I think this, more than anything, sums up how I feel on a daily basis.

Teach me to go to the country beyond words and beyond names. Teach me to pray on this side of the frontier, here where these woods are.

I need to be led by you. I need my heart to be moved by you. I need my soul to be made clean by your prayer. I need my will to be made strong by you. I need the world to be saved and changed by you. I need you for all those who suffer, who are in prison, in danger, in sorrow. I need you for all the crazy people. I need your healing hand to work always in my life. I need you to make me, as you made your Son, a healer, a comforter, a savior. I need you to name the dead. I need you to help the dying cross their particular rivers. I need you for myself whether I live or die. I need to be your monk and your son. It is necessary. Amen.

Amen.

MLS in Seattle

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:00:00 +0000

So, I guess it's official. Seattle will be home to the 15th Major League Soccer expansion team. I guess KING 5 announced it today. Also, according to Portfolio.com, Paul Allen is a partner? Wow. I am so excited right now.

Amen

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 06:07:00 +0000

So, I got a bunch of my Merton books from home this weekend, coinciding perfectly with the days surrounding International Day of Peace and our discussions on the subject.

I invite you to read some of his words and think on it:

There is no leaf that is not in Your care. There is no cry that was not heard by You before it was uttered. There is no water in the shales that was not hidden there by Your wisdom. There is no concealed spring that was not concealed by You. There is no glen for a lone house that was not planned by You for a lone house. There is no man for that acre of woods that was not made by You for that acre of woods.

There is greater comfort in the substance of silence than in the answer to a question. Eternity is in the present. Eternity is in the palm of the hand. Eternity is a seed of fire whose sudden roots break barriers that keep my heart from being an abyss.

Oh, the Possibilities (I'm Back)

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:43:00 +0000

So, today I read a little bit of news that got me a little excited. Apparently, researchers at Oxford have mathematically proven the theoretical existence of parallel universes. "What the heck?! You mean like Bizarro and Superman and all that crazy stuff" you may be thinking. Well, not exactly, but hey, whatever floats your boat. Read the original article here, then read on.

Okay, so, what do you think? Could this development (assuming its veracity) have any sort of theological implications?

Another thing to think about: Like the Sun revolving around the Earth, are there any ideas (scientific or otherwise, within and without the Church) that we hold steadfastly to that may or may not be progressive in our search and mission to spread Truth?

Tonight, after Quaere Verum, we had an interesting discussion and explosion of thought regarding this "discovery" and its possible effect on the ideas of predestination/free will and God's will. Fascinating.

So, comment away! Even if you don't comment, think on these words and what impact they could have on you.

The Church Office

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:33:00 +0000

So, as some of you may know, a few of us put together The Church Office season two for Bible Camp this year. Well you can watch all the episodes online at TheChurchOffice.net

Well, there are some leftover scripts that Jason and I wrote, but we did not have time to film. Also, the ideas keep coming. So, you make ask, is season three in the works? Well, frankly, I think it's safe to that that is a very real possibility. Oh so much fun!

I Want More Pearl!

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 23:31:00 +0000

I love these. Check out more at FunnyOrDie.com

The Landlord

Good Cop, Baby Cop

Michael Cera is back!

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 23:27:00 +0000

The best thing since Arrested Development!

Clark and Michael

A new online series starring Michael Cera who played George Michael on AD.
Oh my. Just. Too. Good. To. Be. True.

Also, Superbad?!?! Soooo stoked.

"The Nervous Witch"

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 22:34:00 +0000

Possibly the silliest thing I've ever read. But I do find it terribly sad that this man is so obtuse and narrow that he is blinded to the imaginative and moral beauty that makes Harry Potter so amazing.

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/5012/5012_01.asp

Art Part 1: Excellence

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 17:51:00 +0000

I was talking to Dave last week at camp about music and a few things came to mind. So over the next few days I will be adding installments of some of my thoughts on art.

So, we were talking about mincing words in Christian music and whatnot and having open, honest lyrics. I have to admit, I often think of Christian music as a negative thing because I associate words about Jesus with bad music. Thats just the way it is. However, I realized something.

I've never heard someone really complain about something being offensively Christian if it is a good enough piece of art. For instance, have you ever heard of anyone credible dismiss the Sistine Chapel ceiling because it is too Christian? I at least have never heard anyone say that. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard anyone criticize the Passion of the Christ for being too Christian. Everyone recognizes those things as amazing pieces of art and doesn't really even care that they are spiritual. For one example we have Mel Gibson who has already proved himself as a very talented artist, and therefore no one really cares about his beliefs, or rather, no one is offended or dismayed by the fact that he is a Christian. Of course there have been those unfortunate blunders of his, but that's beside the point.

And then with Michelangelo, he is recognized as one of the greatest artists ever and his Creation of Adam is one of the most famously reproduced, copied, even parodied pieces of art in history. And everyone knows and respects his work, even though it is blatantly Christian.

Some of you may have heard about the new FoxFaith studio. It seems like every good Christian now is praising this whole deal because it means family-friendly films (not a bad thing at all, don't get me wrong) and maybe some stuff that will spread the gospel. You see, FoxFaith has come out with the purpose of producing films that are "morally-driven, family-friendly programming," and each of their films must "have overt Christian Content or be derived from the work of a Christian author." (www.foxfaith.com). Now, I don't really have a problem with this at all, but here is what gets me. FoxFaith has planned to produce up to 12 films each year(TheGuardian.co.uk). The problem with this is that it makes the films mere products. No matter how you spin it, when you make plans to produce a certain number of films in a year, the focus is taken off the art. They are no longer artwork. Now, granted, I'm pretty sure any major studio is going to treat films as products, but thats probably why we now often consider the independent film the source of artistic flame in the film industry. Handel never decided to write the Messiah in 24 days, it just happened. On the other hand, the Sistine Chapel ceiling took 4 years to complete.

My point is that artwork is not about numbers, and in the same way, Christ's message is not about numbers. Christ's message is not a product and neither is the new believer. Maybe I am wrong, but the Gospel does not "produce" new believers. However, isn't that what we are doing? Have you ever considered the Psalms as products? Did the Psalmist enter into a deal saying he had to produce 12 of them each year? Isn't that what we are doing though?

I think that Christians should especially be the ones attempting to revive true art today. After all, would you not agree with me in saying that art is from God? Again, I give you Michelangelo.

I guess I really think that you can be as obvious about your message as long as the product is actually worth seeing/hearing etc. What I mean to say is that "you have the earn the right to be heard." If your artwork is mediocre, how can you expect other people to really care to hear your message. How will you convince people that Christ's message, the message you are representing, is incredible and the greatest thing on Earth unless your medium (the artwork) is at least excellent. Maybe by using a mediocre medium to spread our message, are we not in turn sort of making the message something it is not? We express an amazing message in a mediocre way and I don't think this is honoring to God.

I think its the same as the way we live our lives. We should try to mirror the excellence of what we are representing. But thats another story...

So, some artists I suggest you check out. I think these people have it right:

C.S. Lewis
Derek Webb
Sufjan Stevens
Rembrandt (just stare at his paintings)
Wim Wenders

There are many more, but for now, just try to check some of them out.

Up and Running

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:54:00 +0000

Well here we are, up and running.

The Supernatural Amidst the Natural

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:27:00 +0000

In an age of Science, we too often discount the Supernatural for a scientific explanation of each and every event we encounter. Even as disciples, we forsake the notion of a miraculous promise for millions of water molecules gathering in such a pattern that would allow light to refract through them, reflecting light to project the illusion of colors in the sky. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. Molecules.

We demand answers. We demand rationality. We demand black and white explanations for each process of material existence.

We have poisoned ourselves with the idea that the supernatural and the natural are exclusive. That the spiritual and the scientific cannot interbreed. That faith and reason cannot be reconciled.

All too often, however, we fail to see that the scientific is supernatural.

How can it be that over the course of nine months, a human being is born out of one seed and one egg.

This is not by chance.

How can it be that the in the Universe, so large that it would take 78 billion years for light to travel across, all but hydrogen would cease to exist if the nuclear strong force that holds together the atomic nucleus were 2% weaker.

This is not by chance.

Whether the Universe was created in 6 days or 13 billion years, it is unknown and quite frankly, it is of no importance.

The process by which humans generate is highly scientific and natural, but it cannot be explained.
Fluids, temperature, nutrition all interact to form homeostatic environment, optimal for a human to grow within the womb.
Out of one seed and one egg grows a person. Bones, skin, muscle, blood. Nerves intertwining at the right moment to carry sensation. Eyes to let us see. Ears to let us hear.

But above all, sentience. Self-awareness. Existence.

This cannot be explained. It does not enter into the confines of mathematics and science. It is, however, reality.

The Nature of Faith and Works

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:18:00 +0000

When we are told that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26), that is not to say that our actions dictate our salvation. No, rather our salvation dictates our actions. Through faith in the grace of God and nothing else have we gained righteousness. Abraham did not gain righteousness out of his works. It was by faith alone, not any ritual or keeping of the law that he gained righteousness. When we receive righteousness we become transformed. This transformation comes through our faith in the grace of God. Our actions are a result of this transformation. Our actions flow from the condition of our heart. If our faith is not accompanied by actions, then what is it? Is it a transforming faith? Is it really the kind of faith that not only moves mountains, but changes the world? Is it the kind of faith we are called to have? Abraham was not saved by taking his son to the top of a mountain, he was saved by the faith that led him to that decision…that difficult, absurdly difficult decision. We are told that faith without works is dead, it is true. A living faith, a faith that transforms, manifests itself in our actions. Our hearts are being filled with faith, and just as a balloon being filled with water can only expand so much, a heart being filled with transforming faith can only burst out in action.

(Dr. Charlie Bing seems to have something to say...)

Etc

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 07:41:00 +0000

Wait for it....

Links

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 07:40:00 +0000

My Websites

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 07:40:00 +0000

Facebook
Flickr

My Music
Carl-Eric Tangen
The Viking Chorus
Leo & Orion
LeminLime

About Me

noreply@blogger.com (Carl-Eric) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 07:37:00 +0000

Hi. I'm not really ready with this yet, but please read some of my entries to know more about me.

In the meantime, know that happiness is only true when shared.
Go outside and talk with someone. That includes listening.