With each generation come the challenges to meet the changing demands of a continually developing world. It wasn't long ago that children grew up in homes without computers, VCRs or perhaps even more than one television.

The majority of today's children are growing up in environments almost seamlessly connected to an interactive world of technology. Rapid developments in mobile electronics have provided numerous opportunities to stay connected with family members, friends and even play some impressive games almost anywhere in the world.

Such connectedness does not come without genuine and devoted effort by leading companies devoted to pushing technology of entertainment to the next level. Among such companies is AppGear.

AppGear is dedicated to developing fun, interactive applications that are compatible with numerous mobile communications devices. Among the great titles created by AppGear are:

• Foam Fighters: An immersive fighter plane experience for gamers with the ability to interact and compete against  up to 8 additional players. Fight in the cockpit of your favorite fighter in single missions, or take to the skies in engaging campaigns and earn acheivement points along your career as a video game aviator
• ZombieBurbz: Play as Ed, a self-realized member of Zombie "society" and learn how to fight against the growing menace of the living while trying to stay alive with the sustaining energy of garbage.

AppGear has several different theaters and arenas withing which to share new experiences in the growing realm of augmented reality.

Among the Piney Woods:  A Civil War short story that examines the difference between our perception of patience and time and that of our Creator.

Whisper Creek: A Civil War short story about a single day in the life of Chaplain Joseph Meyers. Unsatisfied with the spiritual decisions of the men in his charge, Joseph plans to give the sermon of his life. In his singular focus to inspire, he fails to recognize the opportunities he has from moment-to-moment. What will it take for Chaplain Meyers to realize his lost opportunities?

Scrolls of Nordaan – A New Dawn: Love settles over the land of Nordaan, a peaceful conglomeration of settlements ruled by noble kings. Beyond the shadows of Castle Paradran a darker force is rising. As cooperation turns to greed and rulers turn to force, the balance between brute force and enduring faith hangs by a single strand.

If you do download one of my books from SmashWords, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave feedback on them. Ratings and comments go a long way to help promote future sales.

The fourth of the seven male archetypes we will be discussing is The Pundit.   In dictionary terms, a pundit is, “a person who makes comments or judgments, especially in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator.” In essence, this broad definition covers anyone with an opinion, and is willing to share it, such as myself. With the evolution of the social media experience, there is a growing number of people who proclaim themselves to be an expert of some thing or another, and they aren’t afraid to share their views.In a narrower sense, which we are talking about here, the Pundit is a man whose main characteristic is real and true authority or expertise. Not to be confused with a self-determined opinion, the Pundit is publicly recognized as knowledgeable in a given field.

Characteristics of The Pundit:

• Deep Thinker

The Pundit spends a much greater amount of time contemplating ideas and concepts than most other people. Education an understanding are the primary characteristics that drive the actions of the Pundit.

• Honest

In regards to honesty, the Pundit does not approach this subject with a primary concern for public opinion. The pure Pundit speaks from what they know and give differing degrees of concern to the opinions of their hearers.

• Logical

Because the Pundit views education and information as the primary motivator, they tend to organize their lives and actions around a logical and predictable set of rules and practices.

• Technically Savvy

The Pundit often knows much more about the operations of technical devices or systems. As such, the Pundit can play an important part on any team that utilizes technology as a means to solve their issues.

Perceived Weaknesses of The Pundit

• Too Systematic or Completely Oblivious

Pundits are often seen as disconnected from reality because their views and opinions are based more upon facts and science rather than experience and opinion. Their logical thought processes are their strength and any attempt to pull him from his predictable routine are often met with much resistance.

• Physically Weak

Most Pundits spend more time in quiet libraries, laboratories or other private spaces rather than in the gym or similar active pursuits. They perceive mental strength as a much greater asset than physical abilities. But don’t count out the Pundit in the larger scheme of a conflict. Where they may lack physical abilities, they make up for it with strategy.

Examples of The Male Pundit in History, Print and Film

History

Socrates
Jesus

Print

Sherlock Holmes
Professor Charles Xavier

Film

Leonard Nimoy as Spock, in Star Trek

Jeff Goldblume as David Levinson in Independence Day

In the coming weeks we will explore the remaining four male archetypes. As always, your opinions and comments are welcomed!

Of course you can bring up your favorite search engine to try to find it again, but let’s face it, with the vastness of the  World Wide Web, even the best search engines may have difficulty in finding the exact item you are looking for. Life would be so much simpler if you could save anything you find and have access to that information no matter where you are, even if you’re using a mobile device. Well you’re in luck!
Clipix has come to the rescue for everyone interested in finding a better way to organize your online adventures and be able to share them at the touch of a button, no matter where you are. This great new feature can help you with saving:

• Real Estate Planning and Resotration
• Family Activities and Meal Planning
• (Private!) Gift Ideas
• Clothes
• Health Research
• Vacation Planning
• Crafting Ideas
• Romantic Inspiration
• Much, Much MORE!

The power of clipix isn’t for web consumers only either! If you are a publisher of online content, you can incorporate clipix buttons into your content so that readers can save your information quickly and easily!
Whether you are a provider or consumer, you will find great new uses for clipix the more you use it!

Want see what to you can expect? Here is a screenshot of one of my Clipix panels:

Still want to learn more? Here’s a promotional video by the great people at Clipix!

Promoted Post

The third of these seven male archetypes is The Scrapper. This type of individual is usually a dominant character, but is also somewhat codependent upon those around him. The cause for which they fight often centers around people they consider important. The enemies attacks on the Scrappers friends are what fuels his actions. While the Scrapper may appear very similar to the Warrior, the Scrapper often seems like a somewhat reluctant player in the course of events. They don’t want to fight, but he is not content simply to just exist among the wrongs that affect his life and his loved ones.

Characteristics of The Scrapper:

• Determination

The Scrapper seems to thrive on antagonism. The harder they get pushed, the harder they push back. The length to which the Scrapper will go is dependent upon their ability to maintain their mental and physical health.

• Loyal

The Scrapper’s sole existence is dependent upon a driving force that compels them forward. The scrapper may act independently and very much resemble the Warrior, but typically is among the Warrior’s inner circle. The Scrapper has a close circle of friends that he is devoted to.

• Inspirational

The devotion to people or to a cause is what attracts people to the Scrapper. No matter the resistance to his efforts, the Scrapper will fight against it. Those who lack the courage, fortitude, or endurance for the fight draw their inspiration to continue on because of the actions of the Scrapper.

• Resilient

Nothing motivates the Scrapper more than competition and conflict. When a scrapper gets knocked down, he will jump back up as long as there is still life in him.

• Skillful

This actions of the Scrapper are not always physical. While many Scrappers do resort to their physical ability to break their opponents down, many others resort to intellectual warfare. Such Scrappers are the moral crusaders intent on promoting such things as freedom and liberty.

Perceived Weaknesses of The Scrapper

Self Defeatism

Scrappers will “fight to the death” in support of their beliefs or cause, but only so far. Without a balancing relationship they will wear themselves out until there is no energy left with which to fight the battle. If they are not in a healthy relationship with people willing to recharge them, the Scrapper will last only so long as they possibly can. A weakened Scrapper can turn on the people closest to him if he perceives they are not helping him in the fight. In the same way, other people can manipulate a Scrapper to fight for the wrong cause or beyond their own endurance.

Examples of The Male Warrior in History, Print and Film

History

George Washington
Ulysses S. Grant

Print

Samwise Gamgee in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings
Chris Claremont’s Wolverine

Film

Tom Cruise as Joseph Donnelly in Far and Away
Rayford Steele in Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins’ Left Behind

James (Jimmie) Stewart as Jefferson Smith in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

In the coming weeks we will explore the remaining four male archetypes. As always, your opinions and comments are welcomed!

Over the past few months I have been deliberating what I would ultimately do with Uncommon History and was left with two options.

1. I could register a unique domain name for the site and move it there. The main issue I had with doing this is that I have made a concerted effort not to try to profit too heavily from my history blog because I feel it cheapens the message. I probably make enough from the site that it would pay for itself, but right now the “hassle” seemed to overshadow the need to get it back up and running.
2. Move it back to my home page. I didn’t want to dissolve my writing blog and past experience proved to me that doing a wring and a history blog in the same location was confusing to my readers.

The decision finally came to me yesterday and I chose to move Uncommon History back to my home page, but under a sub directory. I think that doing so will benefit both my writing site and my history site. These kind of things are experimental in nature and I may find it necessary again some time in the future to make additional changes, but for now, Uncommon History can be found at: http://patrickgwhalen.com/uncommonhistory

The first and most prevalent concern I have seen is the growth in the efforts of scammers wanting to separate uninformed readers AND writers from their dollars. There is a rapid growth in the number of rapidly deployed sales pages cropping up online offering any number of great ideas and secrets in the form of eBooks. I have seen a great number of these get rich quick schemes in my research of this market and it is concerning. But the threat isn’t only coming from unknown parties.

I have seen a number of prominent writers, including many in the Christian marketplace, rushing books to the market that have little to offer in the way of real and tangible information. There are a growing number of writers throwing together ambiguous strings of text and offering their meager products at premium prices. I’ve even taken a few online courses about compiling my own eBook in order to garner quick sales and the advice from these sites comes off as disingenuous, especially those in the Christian market. While profits and a living wage are an important factor to consider when writing and publishing eBooks, I believe wholeheartedly that Christian writers should hold themselves to a higher moral ground.

This leads to the second concern I have been seeing in the growing eBook market. The freedom that is offered by this market is also one of its greatest weaknesses. In the not-so-distant past when authors had to submit manuscripts to the scrutiny of a publisher, the resulting quality was for the benefit of the reader. Now, with so many writers now bypassing editors, agents and publishers, the quality of reading material does appear to be suffering. The benefits have increased for the reader in the form of cost, but the benefits for writers in the way of profits have grown exponentially higher.

The temptation to dump quick, unreasearched, unedited manuscripts on an unsuspecting audience is difficult for writers to defend against. The best advice I can give any reader wanting to find eBooks worth reading would be to not make blind purchases. Many eBook markets allow readers to view a certain percentage of a book before buying it. If you don’t take advantage of this free opportunity, you may end up with buyers remorse more often than you would desire. This is concerning as too many disgruntled readers will hurt the overall marketplace. As a writer, if you do bypass editors, agents and publishers, please make every effort to write the very best manuscript possible. Happy readers make happy writers and vice-a-versa!

Saving money is high on our priority list these days, but we don’t simply want to only save money. We still have the same wants and needs and there are just some things that can’t be replaced with items of a lower quality. Prescription drugs are one of those essentials parts of life.

Walgreens has long been a part of the community effort to provide quality prescription medicines at an affordable price. In order to continue the great level of service, they have introduced the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club.

Annual fees are $20 for individuals or $35 for families (coverage includes all members of your immediate family, including your spouse, dependents 22 and younger, and even your pets).  Once a member of the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, you can expect to enjoy the following benefits:

• Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications
• Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies
• Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services

Walgreens continues to be interested in serving the needs of the people in their local communities. To find out more about the Prescription Savings Club, consider following Walgreens on Twitter. You can also find more information and promotions by becoming friends with Walgreens on Facebook.

Eight days later, on January 18, 2012, a Catholic priest, named Father Claude Burns posted a video response titled, “Why I Love Religion.” In his video, Father Burns defends religion and appears to refute the arguments laid out in Jeffrey Bethke’s message.

Here are the two messages that appear to contradict one another:

Jeffrey Bethke – Why I Hate Religion

Fr. Claude (Dusty) Burns – Why I Love Religion

The arguments and debates I have already seen being waged online bring to mind a recent documentary that has helped me to change some of my own opinions on this discussion. The video documentary is titled “Lord, Save us From Your Followers,” and here is the trailer:

1. Satan’s goal is both to deceive and to divide
2. Words do have meanings, but different people do define some ambiguous words differently

The point here is to realize overall that this is the essence of spiritual warfare. As long as Satan can use the different ways people define the same words as a weapon to be used against each other, his work is pretty much done. Many of us tend to think that the father of lies (“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44) is hard at work, every minute of every day trying to find ways to cause division and disobedience. The fact is, while he is always busy, he doesn’t work at his task quite as hard as we may think. We, the human race, are so easily duped into being his pawns, that Satan really isn’t “in the trenches” minute-by-minute. He is a master at propaganda and we are too easily caught up in his plans.

So, how do we stop being the active player in this particular brand and instance of spiritual warfare? We should probably start by identifying the lie that is already fueling up the missiles of hatred. As I boil down the disagreements between the two camps that are lining up on the battlefield, the root of the conflict is the definition of the word “religion.”

There are four entries in the Mirriam-Webster dictionary for the term religion:

1. The state of a religious
1. : the service and worship of God or the supernatural
2. : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2. A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3. Archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4. A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Now, armed with this official definition, I believe we can untangle some of the misconceptions that are dividing the two messages. The first video message, in my understanding, speaks negatively about religion in regards to what is commonly referred to as “works-based-faith.” I believe that his intention was to address the fallacy that occurs in adherence to definition 2 of religion.

When people call themselves Christ followers, but trust only in their own actions to justify their faith, they are relying on this definition of religion for salvation. I truly believe, and agree with Jeffrey Bethke on this point. When any person believes that they are a believer in Christ simply because they go to Church, say particular prayers and minister to the poor and needy, they are justifying their religion on works, not upon faith.

The lyrics of his poem point this out when he talks about “behavior modification.” Jesus did spend much of his earthly ministry condemning and chastising the works-based religion of the Pharisees. This religious group undeniably created a man-made set of rules and to-do lists that had little to nothing to do with faith. The actions of these people became the basis for their beliefs and that by not doing them, somehow their faith would come into question.

This is the point upon which I believe that Father Claud and those who are lining up behind his message are missing the point. It is very clear that Catholicism teaches specific rituals and actions, rules if you will, that mark the spiritual life of the faithful.

I believe that what Father Claud is referring to is the 4th definition of religion. Yes, there are certain expectations that Jesus Christ has for those who call him their savior. But I don’t think that is what the first video is refuting as Father Claud’s video seems to imply. His “Why I Love Religion” addresses the claims against religion causing wars and inquisitions, but you see, just because those blots against historic Christianity originated with the Catholic Church, does not target that institution as the cause of them. Father Claud’s own words in his response indicate that very thing when he says that through religion, “broken men and women to participate in his mission.”

While there is plenty more that can be broken down and discussed about these two videos that appear on the surface as contradictory, the very essence that should erase the battle lines between them center upon this very point. Jesus is calling upon all of us who call him savior to a life of faith AND works.

James 2:14-26 (ESV)

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good2 is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, y“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

So you see, both videos have some truth in them, but both of them also fall short of the full truth. While you can have works without faith, that leads to death, a saving faith includes works. In the end it is the personal motivation leading to one’s works that Jesus calls into question. Above all, Jesus Christ wants our hearts. Without it, anything else we do is for ourselves, not for him.

So, let us get back to the works of faith, stop being so easily offended (and thus becoming a tool for the Devil), and welcome one another as equals just as Paul asked of his brother in Christ, Philemon, in regards to Onesimus:

“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.”

Jeffrey Bethke – Why I Hate Religion
What if I told you, Jesus came to abolish religion?
What if I told you getting you to vote republican, really wasn’t his mission?
Because republican doesn’t automatically mean Christian,
And just because you call some people blind, doesn’t automatically give you vision.
If religion is so great, why has it started so many wars?
Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor?
Tells single moms God doesn’t love them if they’ve ever been divorced
Yet God in the Old Testament actually calls the religious people whores
Religion preaches grace, but another thing they practice,
Tend to ridicule Gods people, they did it to John the Baptist,
Cant fix their problems, so they try to mask it,
Not realizing that’s just like sprayin’ perfume on a casket
Because the problem with religion is that it never gets to the core,
It’s just behavior modification, like a long list of chores.
Let’s dress up the outside, make things look nice and neat,
Its funny that’s what they do to mummies, while the corpse rots underneath,
Now I ain’t judging I’m just saying be careful of putting on a fake look,
Because there’s a problem if people only know that you’re a Christian by that little section on your facebook
In every other aspect of life you know that logic’s unworthy
Its like saying you play for the Lakers just because you bought a jersey
But see I played this game too; no one seemed to be on to me,
I was acting like church kid, while addicted to pornography.
I’d go to church on Sunday, but on Saturday getting faded,
Acting as if I was simply created to have sex and get wasted.
Spend my whole life putting on this facade of neatness,
But now that I know Jesus, I boast in my weakness.
If grace is water, then the church should be an ocean,
Cuz its not a museum for good people, it’s a hospital for the broken
I no longer have to hide my failures I don’t have to hide my sin,
Because my salvation doesn’t depend on me, it depends on him.
because when I was Gods enemy and certainly not a fan,
God looked down on me and said, “I want that man!”
Which is so different from religious people, and why Jesus called em fools
Don’t you see hes so much better than just following some rules?
Now let me clarify, I love the church, I love the bible, and I believe in sin
But my question, is if Jesus were here today, would your church let Him in?
Remember He was called a drunkard and a glutton by “religious men”
The Son of God not supported self-righteousness, not now, not then.

Now back to the topic, one thing I think is vital to mention,
How Jesus and religion are on opposite spectrums,
One is the work of God one is a man made invention,
One is the cure and one is the infection.
Because Religion says do, Jesus says done.
Religion says slave, Jesus says son,
Religion puts you in shackles but Jesus sets you free.
Religion makes you blind, but Jesus lets you see.

This is what makes religion and Jesus two different clans,
Religion is man searching for God, but Christianity is God searching for man.
Which is why salvation is freely mine, forgiveness is my own,
Not based on my efforts, but Christ’s obedience alone.
Because he took the crown of thorns, and blood that dripped down his face
He took what we all deserved, that’s why we call it grace.
While being murdered he yelled “father forgive them, they know not what they do”,
Because when he was dangling on that cross, he was thinking of you
He paid for all your sin, and then buried it in the tomb,
Which is why I’m kneeling at the cross now saying come on there’s room
So know I hate religion, in fact I literally resent it,
Because when Jesus cried It is finished, I believe He meant it.

Fr. Claude (Dusty) Burns – Why I Love Religion
Aka Pontifex
1/14/12
What if I told you that Jesus loves religion
And that by his coming as man he brought his religion to fruition
See this had to be addressed, the use of illogical terms and definitions
You clearly have a heart for Jesus but its fueling atheistic opinions
See what makes his religion great is not errors of wars and inquisitions
It’s that broken men and women to participate in his mission
Clearly Jesus says I have not come to abolish
I came to fulfill the law and I came to fulfill the prophets (Matthew 5:17)
And lines about building big churches and tending to the poor
Sounds a bit like Judas when the perfume was being poured (John 12:5)
See His religion is the largest worldwide source of relief
For the poor, the hungry, the sick and repentant thief
Oceans of compassion, opening wide the doors
For single mothers, widows and orphans, married and divorced (James 1:27)
We all detest hypocrisy, and empty show is just the worst
But blaming religion for contradiction
Is like staring at death, and blaming the hearse.
See the teacher will teach when the students are ready to listen
But those that choose to sit in the pews and refuse the good news
Is not the fault of religion.
And If I have the Jersey and I’m playing for the Bulls
There’s going to be some boundaries, regulations and some rules.
You can’t have Christ without his Church; you can’t have the King without his Kingdom
Sins of the Body and internal treason will never ever make me leave him
And that Jesus said it is done, is absolutely true
But he also gave us a mission with many things to DO.
Jesus says if you love me, you will Do what I command. (JN 15:14)
Go and Baptize in the name of the Father, Son & Spirit in Every Land. (MT 28:19)
And on the night he was betrayed he took his men in the Upper Room
Take at eat this is my body take and drink my blood for you.
A New covenant you see, an act connected to the tree,
Do this time and time again in Memory of Me. (Mt 26:26-28)
And at last with crown of thorns beaten beyond comprehension
His eyes were looking for yours and mine; it was divine, no human invention.
So as for religion I love it, I have one because Jesus rose from the dead and won.
I believe When Jesus said IT IS FINISHED, His religion had just begun.

As someone who can never remember a time when I did not enjoy writing, this question stopped me in my mental tracks. I am not usually a person without an answer, even if it takes me some time to fully articulate one, but this was different.

As I read through the various answers given by other writers, I didn’t find myself in complete agreement with any of them. Perhaps the closest answer that agreed with me at that moment was, “I have things to say to enrich others.” Although that was close to my initial reaction, saying it to myself brought up within me, a spirit of arrogance.

It is true that every time I write, I feel a sense of wanting to imbue some higher meaning, to call attention to a nobler sense of purpose. However, as I continued searching my own thoughts I began to ask myself the question, “What is it that you, Patrick, have to give?” The nature of the question did expose many of the failings I have experienced over the years and although each failure is washed in the blood of Christ, as a man I often revisit those things.

I have learned over time to forgive myself for the things that God forgave long ago and will continue to forgive, but the question remained as a ringing in my ears, “What do you have to give?”

The answer to this question, which slowly revealed itself to me over the course of the afternoon, exposed perhaps the greatest reason behind the ebbing motivation I experience in my writing. I have long prayed a single scripture each time I sit down to write, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3 (ESV).

Before becoming a child of God, I would write all manner of stories, some good, some bad, but never really intended to share them with anyone. When I began to develop a desire to write for God, it was His message that I wanted to convey, not my own. Thus, when I begin to feel like I am sending out a message of my own making, I feel less motivated to write. In comparison, when I truly feel that the words my fingers compose come from outside of me, I am increasingly energized.

To take this thought further, which God did with me yesterday, when I have neglected reading His word or acting as His servant, the less I have of His to give. The end result is a dead and lifeless document, which in the end is what I would be without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As I concluded my mental and emotion wrestling match that resulted from a simple question, I realized that I write in order to give to others what God has given to me. If I am not sharing in His blessings, the whole act of writing feels like some laborious process that has no need to be shared.

This is not to say that God grants me more than He does to anyone else, but what He shares with me is not meant for me to keep to myself. The Greek word for this, as I discovered in my time of contemplation is, “didomi.” which simply means, “to give.”

This realization has opened a whole new world to me as I realized that I cannot give what I do not have. If my child wants an ice cream and I have neither ice cream nor money with which to purchase it, I cannot give it away. In the same way, if I am not receiving the things God wants to give me, I cannot give them away.

The old saying, “One must give in order to receive,” falls flat in the light of God’s unlimited grace. The truth of the matter is that, “one must receive in order to give.” This is the ultimate picture of relationship and the true nature of how God wants to interact with us. He shares with us not to make us greedy, God gives to us in order that we may share with others.

God, to this day, has not sent me material wealth, although we do much better than most of the world, but what God does share with me is a love for sharing words. Not my words as I am not really all that full of wisdom, but His Word which will never return void.