The Gospel Message

Eventually I’ll post a blog that wasn’t initially created for a homework assignment…. eventually. This is a discussion board post from my apologetics class. The topic is “The Gospel Message” with corresponding questions.

1. What are some ways the Christian gospel is perceived in our culture

The Gospel is typically perceived as offensive, perhaps by many to be arrogant. In my experience people are offended that the Gospel of Christ makes the claim that it is the only way to Heaven. In today’s culture it is widely accepted that there are many routes by which one may arrive at Heaven’s gates. Because of this society tends to view the Gospel as arrogant for claiming to be the only truth and thereby naming other religions/beliefs as false or ineffective.

1. What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the Christian Gospel

Being a resident in the “Bible belt” there is a heavy expectation on everyone to claim a religion. The question often is asked “Do you go to church?” or “What do you believe?” Individuals who attempt to hold no religiously oriented beliefs are typically offended by such questioning. Often times they reject even the mention of the Gospel because they claim others have tried to force it on them in the past, and they do not see the use or necessity for maintaining religious orientations.

1. What are some specific emotional reasons people may reject the Christian Gospel

People who have a church background but are not believers have found their prayers unanswered. In emotional situations such as the death of a loved one they reason that since their prayers went unanswered neither Christ nor God exist.

1. What are some specific intellectual reasons people may reject the Christian Gospel

The idea of faith eludes many intellectually rooted individuals. Typically self-proclaimed intellectuals desire tangible proof or solid archeological evidence. When dealing with concepts such as the resurrection of Christ or the existence of God no such evidence is available. On these grounds alone they reject the Gospel claiming since it cannot be proven it does not exist.

1. What can Christians do to address these objections and better communicate the Christian gospel?

Christians need to be more intentional about their presentation of the Gospel. It is the same message to all but it many require a unique delivery to reach the hearts and minds of particular individuals. Study and pray before you preach.

The Christian Worldview

The following is an assignment for an apologetics course I am in process of taking at Liberty University. The focus of the assignment was worldviews; specifically the intention was to have the student define the Biblical or Christian world view as it pertains to each question and support the answer with two relevant scripture references. Please regard it as an assignment not an attempt to relegate life’s most complex questions to 430 words or less. 🙂

Now for the fun stuff- Apart from clarification* for the specific questions to be answered (and the Bible) I used no outside references (a decision for which I may lose points). I like to think beyond why I’m told to do something (occasionally) and in that process I came to the conclusion (perhaps incorrectly) that the purpose of this assignment was an attempt (a good one) by my professor to force the students to define THEIR worldview. The grounds on which I have based my (perhaps incorrect) conclusion lie in that fact that we studied many worldviews however the major term assignment only covers the Biblical/Christian worldview (Liberty is a Christian college so all students should already maintain a Biblical/Christian worldview)… It was covered in the text* that many do not clearly understand their worldview or are not able to provide reasoning to their decision making processes.

Now that you’re up to date… I believe a person Secular or Christian should not have to seek references to explain or support their worldview. Any individual (of age) should know their worldview by heart and be able to articulate it clearly without outside help. I believe this rings truer for Christians who hold a (inerrant) Biblical worldview as the work is already done and all that is required is for you to learn it. And Professor if by some obscure coincidence that plagiarism checker thing brings you here and you’re reading this I did not omit references out of obstinacy, but rather to test myself and see if I can be measured by my own aforementioned standard. Oh and I also didn’t plagiarize…

What is a worldview?

A worldview is the basis on which an individual operates, from this basis is derived every thought, action, opinion, and response emitted by the individual. A worldview is built throughout an individual’s lifetime and is comprised of what the individual has seen, heard, learned, and experienced.

1. The question of origin- Where do we come from?
   

   Christians believe that mankind was created by the one and only sovereign God (Genesis 1:27). The Christian worldview maintains that God created the world and everything in it within a six day period where on the sixth day God created one man and one woman from which the entirety of the past and present global population has originated (Genesis 1:28).
   

2. The question of identity-What does it mean to be human?
   

   The Christian worldview accepts that mankind is a unique and intentional creation of God. Christians believe that man was made in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:27) and then given authority over all of the earth (Genesis 1:28-30). God intended that mankind would care for both the livestock and plant life, and both livestock and plant life were given to man to be used as a food source.
   

3. The question of meaning/purpose- Why Does mankind exist?
   

   Christians believe that mankind exists to glorify the creator (God). This is accomplished through a wide variety of efforts and means. Some of these efforts include worship, (Psalm 95) obedience, (Philippians 2:12-13) prayer, and thanksgiving. The object of these efforts is to establish a substantial and intensely personal relationship with God. The end result of aforementioned relationship being eternal life where the individual pleasures in God’s immeasurable glory for eternity.
   

4. The question of morality -What is meant by right and wrong?
   

   The Christian worldview cites that morality is derived from the person of God. Specifically God provided mankind with law to establish a baseline for morality (Exodus 20). Morality was not left for man to determine, but was established by God. Mankind has rejected God’s law of morality and thus is in need of salvation from God’s righteous judgment (Romans 3:23)
   

5. The question of destiny- Is there life after death?
   

   Christians believe after death the soul will eternally reside in one of two places, with the Triune God in heaven or separated from God in Hell. The Christian worldview maintains that both heaven and hell are not figurative, but literal places. In order for one to go to Heaven one must be justified and sanctified. Justification is completed through an individual’s belief in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and trust that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient atonement for one’s sin (John 3:16). Sanctification is carried out daily through a personal relationship with Jesus; the product of which is repentance from sin and obedience to God’s standards of morality ultimately resulting in the soul’s eternal residence in Heaven (Matthew 25:23)
   

*For assignment clarification I referred to one of the course texts “Consider” by Lew Weider and Dr. Ben Gutierrez (and because none of you will be grading my citation) ISBN # 1-60036-424-1

All scripture references were made using the English Standard Version

We Stand out so Stand Up

Context- This is an assignment for my Business class at Liberty University. The following is a response to the prompt of Philippians 1:20-27 and the question “What are your thoughts and responses to this reading as it relates to this course (international business)”

Conduct is an ultra important part of any business environment. Christian or non-Christian conduct greatly affects you and the people you work with. “Only conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ…” Philippians 1:27 It is imperative for us as Christians that we always conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity. We set the example in our workplaces of who Christ is. The example we set of our Lord could be the only real example that our co-workers and business partners ever see. We must always be who we say we are, and we are a direct representation of Christ however poorly or righteously we act.

Personally, I’m a complainer; I like to think of myself as opinionated but truth be told I gripe and moan and object constantly. Philippians 2:14-15 are verses I have memorized for this very reason. “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children on God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Presenting myself as blameless and innocent to my co-workers and customers is a daunting task, but it’s a task I must seek to accomplish and to accomplish it well. Our generation is indeed full of men and women who are crooked and twisted. As Christians we stand out, because we don’t grumble or question, and we act with utmost honesty and integrity. Because we stand out it is increasingly important that we stand up. We are a direct representation of Jesus Christ to the people he has placed in our lives; we must never forget this fact.

Your faith as it relates to work

I think it’s important to note that being a representative is far more than being a light; it’s far more than simply setting a good example and being a good Christian. Christ delivered the great commission only after stating “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) Then from the only perfectly sovereign man this world has ever known we get the great commission. Christ does not tell us to simply go and shine and be on our best behavior. Christ says “… make disciples… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” I’m not insinuating that we should attempt to force our beliefs on others rather that the great commission is not achieved passively. We are intended to share and spread the Gospel message of Christ crucified; a verbal message that in most politically correct circles is not welcomed or even tolerated.

In a business setting we more than likely won’t be able to pass out tracks or walk a co-worker through the Roman road, but we can share the impact Christ has made in our lives, the lives of our children, our wives and husbands. I stand firm in the belief that your personal testimony is you’re most powerful and effective resource for sharing the Gospel.

In my experience the lack of a personal and deep relationship with Christ hinders more Christians from fulfilling the great commission more than fear of persecution, politically correct guidelines or office politics. Scripture tells us to “lay aside every weight, and sin” (Hebrews 12:1) we must move past our personal downfalls and individual burdens and “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” so that we can become like Christ (Philippians 2:12). Hebrews tells us that Christ suffered the cross “for the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2) If we move our focus from the persecution, slander and in-tolerance that stands before us, to the overwhelming joy that comes with a deep and personal relationship with Christ; it will be the overflow of our very soul to willingly and joyfully fulfill the great commandment. In speaking of sharing the Gospel of Christ crucified Paul states “…for necessity it is laid upon me” (1 Corinthians 9:16) Obedience to the great commission in our lives, offices, and schools is the direct result your personal relationship to you savior.

Do more than be seen, share your Joy.

Blogging can be difficult

Writing a blog is really not altogether very challenging. Keeping up with one does propose (at least for this blogger) a bit of a challenge. I mean I always have witty things to say just never the time to sit down and share them with the two people a month who accidentally end up on my blog. Even when enough free time is available what can you write that people actually care to sit down and read? My main problem is length, I always write huge blocks of text in effort to explain myself properly. No one reads huge blocks of text. We’re currently working out a resolution to this problem. There’s no point to what I’m saying. Just sharing random thoughts on a bored Wednesday night. That’s what blogging is all about isn’t it? Is it? Isn’t it? Just needed an excuse to test out my new iPhone wordpress app.

My blog and I…. We have commitment issues.

My Struggle

1 Corinthians 15:19 is a verse that is constantly in my mind. “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” See, the way Paul lived his life is what we would call crazy, perhaps rightly so, Paul pulled no punches he lived all out for Christ. Reading through the New Testament you’ll come across many stories of Paul being beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. This guy never seemed to catch a break, but what’s really amazing to me is that he never wanted one. Philippians 3:8 “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” He never stopped seeking after God, it didn’t matter that he was in prison or shipwrecked he continually sought after God. Paul’s focus was completely and wholly on Christ. Paul never was never slave to material possession because he relentlessly focused on “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus”. This is a man who lost everything he had time and time again for the sake of the Gospel. Paul had staked his entire life on the hope of Christ. Paul was “all in” he held back nothing; he saw everything as rubbish next to what he stood to gain. What Paul is saying in 1Cor 15:19 is simply this- that if he’s wrong about Christ, he has lived a pathetic existence full of anguish, suffering and affliction for absolutely nothing; that of all the foolish, inept, hopeless people in the world he should receive more pity.

But most Christians today enjoy their safety and comfort, we cling to it. Hypothetically– If our hope in Christ was wrong, and today we were to die with what we had sacrificed the sake of Christ I don’t think many of us would be pitied at all. In FACT I think many of us would be envied for what we had, and what we held onto, for what we refused to give up for the sake of the Gospel.

In the following verse 1Cor 15:20 Paul states “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead…” We know Paul’s really set up in Heaven (to put it bluntly); I can’t imagine the abounding joy he now experiences in his Savior, OUR Savior. He has a joy and a treasure that is free to all Christian who seek Christ. So what keeps us, what keeps our church from realizing “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus”? Why is it such a difficult concept for believers to put into perspective?

This is my struggle.

Fuge Camp, Day 1- Monday

I started with the intention of writing every night of camp and posting for all to read, then was discouraged because I couldn’t ever get internet… sad day, but I took the time to write it so I figure I’ll post it even though its way way late.

The very long overnight bus ride was torturous; I was able to get a couple of hours of sleep in some rather uncomfortable positions. I’m sure it was even more fun for Donny and Rob who had to stay awake all night and drive the bus. We watched a few movies, battled pokemon, and told stories; all in all it was a good road trip. We made it safely with no incident, which makes the trip out here a huge success and answer to prayer.

Upon arriving at camp we had a short orientation before we were released for free time prior to dinner. The great news is that the oil hasn’t reached the beach yet. A few of the guys and me went for a swim and played some Frisbee. We headed back to the cabin prematurely, turns out we’re in the part of Florida not included in the time zone change (glad we learned that early on). But we still somehow managed to show up to dinner late. After filling up on spaghetti and meatballs we had the “Opening Celebration”. The opening was just rules, camp policies, etc. They showed a video introducing the rules, it was pretty funny. The video had one of the camp leaders walking around Nashville, TN on Broadway telling people the camp rules. He was reminding passersby to wear close-toed shoes to rec, not to chew gum in the meeting room, and many others. It was a pretty hilarious video.

Right after the opening the students were broken in to their small groups for a get to know each other time. The adults are all in one group (group 10) we stayed back and heard more about the rules and procedures (Whoo Hoo). After small groups we had our daily “Nightlife” gathering. Tonight’s theme was Christmas in June, there was a tree and everything. All of the churches were competing in some goofy chaotic game that I couldn’t even begin to describe. Then there was free time and the long overdue, much appreciated bedtime. End of Day 1

Some information about the retreat center- its small, nothing like staying on a college campus. There are about 6 or 7 buildings most are housing, then there’s the worship center and dining hall. The dining hall is old school, big screen windows and ceiling fans, no a/c, lunch and dinner will be pretty sweaty for sure. The best thing about the place by far is that the beach is only a 2 minute walk away (if you take your time). So I’ll trade a spacious college campus for a beach any day of the week. The rooms we’re staying in are like large dorm room, for 18 people. You don’t know close quarters until you sleep in 3-tier bunk beds, honestly I feel a little like I just joined the Navy. All things considered we’re cozy and comfortable.

Looking forward to a good day tomorrow full of worship, and 3 hours of free time in the ocean OH YEAH!!!
(yes mom I’ll be wearing lots of sunscreen)

UNT’s Hat Guy

I was at UNT on Tuesday visiting Dani (my girlfriend) between classes, now I know that UNT is a pretty liberal place so it didn’t surprise me to see a man (Hat guy) standing by the Union building with a Bible in his hand preaching. I listened to what he had to say as I walked by and everything he said I agreed with, a lot. He was speaking about salvation and how there is no formula for it in Scripture (such as a word for word prayer that must be said). Which is true Scripture simply tells us to confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts. “That if you confess with your mouth, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:9-10. He said something that caught my attention, I don’t remember what his statement was exactly but it was something anti-Baptist(ish). I just shrugged it off and kept on my way.

After hanging out with Dani for a little bit I was on my way back to my truck when I passed by Hat guy, still preaching to people walking by, and like 3 people sitting on a bench smoking. I figured I have an hour or more before my next class, so I found me a little bench looking thing and sat down for a listen. His preaching was good very doctrinally sound. However, it’s almost like he would take breaks in his preaching to rail on the Baptist. He claimed that Baptist, complain about the Catholics and all of their traditions while themselves are so steeped in tradition they have lost sight of how of what true salvation looks like. (I’m paraphrasing of course) Hat guy stated that in his experience nine out of  ten Atheists he knew with were former Baptists, he went on to exaggerate that 90% of all Atheists were former Baptist. Hat guy supported his claims by stating that Baptists had a false idea of salvation, in essence that they are what God was referring to in Matthew 7:12-23. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'”

Now, being raised Baptist I’ll naturally tend to disagree with his statements. (I would’ve disagreed with him even it would’ve been another denomination) I was not offended however, because it seems to me that he only makes these statements out of either prejudice or ignorance. My guess is a mixture of the two, for who goes and speaks out against that which they do not fully understand unless they have been given reason to do so, and it was clear that this man did not fully understand what Baptists stood for. It was made obvious by him that he did not endorse the Baptist faith or believe it to be true. For surely he is not naïve enough to believe that lukewarm Christians only preside within the Baptist church; so by his statements he must be saying either that Baptists teach/endorse lukewarm-ness or they know it is common within their church and they have justified it in their own minds. Therefore he is able to doubt whether or not Baptists are Christians at all. However by no means did God leave it up to Hat guy to judge salvation in the hearts of others. The Bible tells us that Christians will know one another by our love (John 13:34-35). The Bible also tells us of some things that will be obvious signs showing the Spirit of God does not reside in others (1 John 3:7-10). However, it is not our place to judge another man’s heart and if he is a Christian or not. We are commanded to go and make disciples, which means to teach and train everyone according to the gifts God has provided us with (Romans 12:3-8). This is the first problem I had with his statements.

The second is this, if you are in battle what manner of man will go out and say that a certain platoon in their army is weak and cannot make war as well as the others. What would be the point doing such a thing? Would it not only cause the rest of the army to doubt that platoon’s ability to do the work which they are sent to do? Why then cause others in the army to view them as less and be concerned about their fellow countrymen? Even if it may be true that they are not as effective in battle as the other platoons, or do not hold as strictly to orders. This will only weaken the army from within; an army that all fights for the same cause, not every fellow in an army must completely agree with every other fellow. If this were a prerequisite for an army surly none would ever have existed. Cannot these men fight side by side even though they disagree on smaller matters? In no such way am I trying to say that Baptist aren’t as capable to glorify God as other denominations, simply that we are all on the same team. This analogy of war is perhaps over used but I find it very fitting. For we are all a part of the church, whether Baptist, Lutheran, Church of Christ, or Bible Church; we all fight, sacrifice, and suffer to the same end. And when any man dies God will not ask him “what denomination are you?” He will not separate us by where or how we worshiped Him; He will only separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25). It is because we are all Christ’s church that we should lift one another up, and if you believe that a branch/section of the church is faltering you should strive to help them see the error of their ways not to disconnect them from the Body or openly preach against them. Jesus taught that a house or kingdom divided against its self will surely fall (Matthew 12:25). Why would anyone assume it would be any different with the Kingdom of God? Now more than ever Christians need to be uniting and working together, not against one another. We need to be lifting one another up not tearing each other down.

I wanted to stay and question Hat Guy and explain my thoughts to him, but then I realized that my parking meter had been up for about 20 minutes. The UNT meter maid are very serious about their job, overly serious if you ask me, so instead of donating another $20 to the university I decided it was time to head back to school. I hope that I come across Hat Guy again when I have more time to question him, he did say he was there often speaking, and teaching. If I ever get the chance (or nerve) to do so I’ll post how it went.

Death by Socrates

For my philosophy class, last night’s reading assignment (in the textbook it is only excerpts) was titled “The Apology, Phaedo, and Crito: The Trial, Immorality, and Death of Socrates” as written by Plato. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story (as I imagine most of you are), Socrates is being put on trial essentially for being impious. Meletus is the main accuser; he charges that Socrates is an atheist who is going about corrupting the youth by his teachings.

Socrates very eloquently refutes the charges as would be expected by a man as philosophical as he. Socrates argues that he is not an atheist, nor does he corrupt the youth but that he has, in his life time, managed to attract large amounts of indignation from poets, politicians, and orators. The reason for this indignation against him is because Socrates believes that he has been charged by the oracle (god) to ensure that wise men do not consider themselves too wise. That is to say that Socrates has spent the entirety of his life humbling other men by “cross-examining” them to see if they are as wise as they think themselves to be. And when he finds that they are not as wise as they hold themselves to be he points it out to them. Socrates believes that the wisest man “knows that in truth his wisdom is worth nothing at all.” Socrates spends his life questioning and speaking to poets, politicians, and orators to this end- that men may not think themselves wise but rather that they would focus on what is important and noble by doing that which is right and neglecting actions which are wrong, and by valuing virtue more than riches or any other thing. Eventually Socrates is condemned to death at 70 years old.

What really stuck out to me about the whole story was Socrates’ view of death. Socrates had no fear of death. This is what he said in regards to his sentence.

I feel that too often we as Christians fear death; we see it as an ending rather than the beginning. I don’t believe that the average Christian today has much of a grasp on what Heaven will be like. I think that they prepare to have their best life now instead of sacrificing it all now to have the greatest eternity. Socrates didn’t fear death, he embraced it, he rationalized that what is about to come was going to be eternally amazing, whichever way he ended up. But Christians today are so busy with their careers and families, that they neglect God. Careers and families aren’t supposed to be a distraction; they’re supposed to be a blessing which we use to glorify our creator. Instead men and women become engulfed by them and occasionally make it a point to give thanks. Or they spend so much time trying to collect wealth and things that they don’t take the time to consider; that everything they possess does not even belong to them. It all belongs to God. He has given and He can take it away.

Who among you do you know that would say they would be “willing to experience death many times” as Socrates did? Who lives like that? Like the only thing that matters to them in their life is the end of it? Who looks at death and says “what could be greater than this?” Instead of preparing for glory, we’re making preparations for days that we’re not even sure will come, days that haven’t even been given to us yet. We study for classes, make plans years in advance, and at the end of our day we lay out our clothes and pray to God for safety and peace. When we should be saying “God thank you for today, as for tomorrow if You see fit that I awake and live through it I pray that I may accomplish nothing that does not bring glory to your name, but if tomorrow greets me with death then it shall be the greatest day of my life to meet you and receive my reward for which I have so painfully labored.”

Instead of such things I hear Christians utter ignorance like “If we’re wrong and there is no God it’s okay because we’ve lived a good life held good morals and in the end maybe it’s just as Socrates first described “And if death is the absence of all consciousness, and like the sleep of one whose slumbers are unbroken by any dreams, it will be a wonderful gain.” But if we’re right then we’re going to be in Heaven living eternally with the Father, and it will be neat and fun.” That is not how we are called to live; do you think that the apostle Paul would say such a thing? That he would ever say “If there is no God its okay, I’ve rather enjoyed being flogged, stoned and imprisoned for his namesake all these years.” Certainly he would never utter such a phrase, instead the apostle writes in 1^st Corinthians 15:19 “If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.” Because with great sacrifice comes great reward which Christ has promised us. Point to ponder: if you are being rewarded 100 times what you sacrifice as the Bible says, how then do you define sacrifice?) Without reward what point is there to laboring at all? Who would go to a job for which he did not get paid? No one, even those who do not receive monetary reward are still rewarded with the ideal that they have helped to further a cause, they’re payment is intangible, but by no means less satisfying often times it is even more satisfying. How extremely TICKED do you think Paul would be if when he died he found out it was all for naught? If I were Paul in that scenario I would be furious at what a waste my entire existence had been. How depressing to think that without Christ’s reward at our end everything would be “okay”.

If I were to die today I would have many regrets, for I have not stored up nearly enough treasure in Heaven. If our reward in Heaven is sitting in the throne room of God, I imagine my place would be beyond the nose bleed section. I most assuredly am not ready to die; I have not accomplished nearly enough to further God’s kingdom or bring glory to His name. I want floor seats with Abraham, Paul, Moses, Joshua. I want my reward to be more than a used chair cushion and set of binoculars. I want to be standing on the sidelines; I want a bottomless root beer, and a giant foam finger; I want be up close shouting praises to God. It is to this end that I continue to read Scripture and learn more of God, it is why I struggle to keep myself pure, and fight to be holy. I surely do not yet live my own life by God’s standards, but I hope that by my last day of this life, I may be called righteous by the God I love to serve.

We live to glorify God, our Father and Creator. We live not in fear of death but in anticipation. If Socrates were a Christian I imagine he would say “Death, what could be greater than this, but to be untied with our Creator in Heaven for eternity.” However, he was not a Christian, so I will say it for him. God has given me great joy in this life, but it is not for this life that I live but for the next, for in that life I will always be satisfied, what greater end could be achieved by man than this?

Things to do before I die

1. Spear Tackle a mascot
   
2. Start a high-speed Police chase for absolutely no reason
   
3. Kill a bear with nothing but my hands
   
4. After completing #3 tell everyone I have Bear hands
   
5. Eat the Super Monster Burrito at FreeBirds (without spitting the last bite into a bag)
   
6. Go hunting with a sword
   
7. Climb to the top of a redwood tree
   
8. Meet the President, and ask what kind of deodorant he uses
   
9. Fight a Kangaroo
   
10. Bite a shark, or an alligator (to see how he likes to be on the receiving end)
    
11. Beat Michael Phelps in a game of checkers and make him call me “The Champ”
    
12. Confuse a Philosopher
    
13. Ride a moose through the streets of a busy city
    
14. Joust a mounted Police officer from my moose
    
15. Start a foot chase from the cops in a mascot suit, and escape
    
16. Learn karate so the kids at school will stop picking on me
    
17. Go “cow tipping” but with water buffalo
    
18. Pick a fight with a bull
    
19. Grow a mustache that extends 18 inches past my face on both sides, and a beard that reaches my belly button
    
20. Hunt the elusive gopher
    
21. Choke a snake
    
22. Rob a bank when I’m 75 with my walker
    
23. Go fishing with potassium
    
24. Build one of those 1 person kit airplanes, land on an Air force base, without asking
    
25. Wrestle a gorilla