Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
More to Come
I'm slamming on the brakes awhile to allow readers to catch up. I have at least a few more sacred cows to make holy hamburgers for the next few weeks. That should sustain us, providing they're not too rare. In the meantime, read, rehash and ponder away.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Bah, Humbug
It's not even Thanksgiving yet, and I'm sick of Christmas already. Earlier each year, our heads get filled with obligations and lists of things to buy. As Michael Scott from the Office would say, it's a time to measure your value of others by how much you spend on them. Franken what? Myrrh? It's all about the gold.
Maybe Christmas and I got started on the wrong foot. I was an angel in the school play one year and the lights were too warm or my halo was too tight. Whatever the case, we all hit a long note at the end of a song and I dropped like a stinky little snowflake.
I don't remember what I got for Christmas that year.
It's probably the only Christmas I don't equate with what I got. I mean, Nerf fencing swords and diskmen are cool, but should those mark the defining points of a life?
Last year I looked up the origins of Christmas. A long time ago it was pretty wild. It was all about partying hard and getting others to do the same. Eventually it got out of hand and it was discouraged to celebrate it.
In the time of Dickens and like minded writers the "spirit of Christmas" was renewed with a sense of generosity. Remember scrooge? He gave to the poor in the end. He gave according to needs, not whims. At this point in history it seems so un American. I mean, where are the wonderful toys?
Somewhere between then and now the wires got crossed concerning generosity and indulgence. It's hard to tell the difference at times.
I stressed when I shouldn't have. Our school has door decorating contests, and a theme for decorating our doors. My Grinch reflexes kicked in, and I grumbled "something something wasting class time". I overlooked the positive.
Our theme is the twelve days of Christmas, but with a biblical perspective. We get to focus on the basics of why we are celebrating. It's like shaking the etch-a-sketch and starting over. I like it.
I seriously wonder how many times Jesus was tempted to return to earth just to say "Take my name off this holiday."
Maybe I need to go back, and see what needs to be done to focus on the basics. Maybe we all do.
Maybe Christmas and I got started on the wrong foot. I was an angel in the school play one year and the lights were too warm or my halo was too tight. Whatever the case, we all hit a long note at the end of a song and I dropped like a stinky little snowflake.
I don't remember what I got for Christmas that year.
It's probably the only Christmas I don't equate with what I got. I mean, Nerf fencing swords and diskmen are cool, but should those mark the defining points of a life?
Last year I looked up the origins of Christmas. A long time ago it was pretty wild. It was all about partying hard and getting others to do the same. Eventually it got out of hand and it was discouraged to celebrate it.
In the time of Dickens and like minded writers the "spirit of Christmas" was renewed with a sense of generosity. Remember scrooge? He gave to the poor in the end. He gave according to needs, not whims. At this point in history it seems so un American. I mean, where are the wonderful toys?
Somewhere between then and now the wires got crossed concerning generosity and indulgence. It's hard to tell the difference at times.
I stressed when I shouldn't have. Our school has door decorating contests, and a theme for decorating our doors. My Grinch reflexes kicked in, and I grumbled "something something wasting class time". I overlooked the positive.
Our theme is the twelve days of Christmas, but with a biblical perspective. We get to focus on the basics of why we are celebrating. It's like shaking the etch-a-sketch and starting over. I like it.
I seriously wonder how many times Jesus was tempted to return to earth just to say "Take my name off this holiday."
Maybe I need to go back, and see what needs to be done to focus on the basics. Maybe we all do.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Fun with Balloons
The story I pasted a link to below made me smile this morning, and it took me all day to figure out why.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7719755.stm
Post after post, I talk about what the church isn't doing, what it's doing wrong, and what it should be doing instead. I'm sure it seems to some that I'm whining. But as part of the church, I see it as a positive thing. Hey! We could be doing this instead of this. I truly believe, for example, we as the church could do more to support single-parent homes and adoption efforts. But that's only one example. What else can we do, and how could we even start?
I like what these activists did for several reasons.
1. They saw a need. North Koreans are starving for actual news. If only there was something they could do.
2. They thought it through and did something about it. They accurately assessed a need and followed through with meeting it. And best of all,
3. They saw resistance as a good thing. "People are pissed. We must be doing something right." So they keep on doing what they feel they need to.
It's so foreign to me to see people act this way. That's not how you respond to opposition. Aren't you supposed to draw further in to yourself and make movies?
As a spiritual tourist, I find examples like this very encouraging. It's not a complete answer, but it's a good start.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7719755.stm
Post after post, I talk about what the church isn't doing, what it's doing wrong, and what it should be doing instead. I'm sure it seems to some that I'm whining. But as part of the church, I see it as a positive thing. Hey! We could be doing this instead of this. I truly believe, for example, we as the church could do more to support single-parent homes and adoption efforts. But that's only one example. What else can we do, and how could we even start?
I like what these activists did for several reasons.
1. They saw a need. North Koreans are starving for actual news. If only there was something they could do.
2. They thought it through and did something about it. They accurately assessed a need and followed through with meeting it. And best of all,
3. They saw resistance as a good thing. "People are pissed. We must be doing something right." So they keep on doing what they feel they need to.
It's so foreign to me to see people act this way. That's not how you respond to opposition. Aren't you supposed to draw further in to yourself and make movies?
As a spiritual tourist, I find examples like this very encouraging. It's not a complete answer, but it's a good start.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Adventures in Do-gooding
Lately I've felt a pull to pursue living simply. This happened as I could see more examples of materialism hurting others. This summer was the most vivid example, as well as the most effective conundrum.
I was practicing my multi-tasking one afternoon by watching a video while surfing the net. My plans were to play some Playstation later that day. I found a headline on yahoo news and my heart sank. I clicked on the headline to read the story and it sank deeper, if that's possible. How far can your heart sink? Who knows.
Anyway, it turns out that all video game violence isn't fake. A metal used in Playstations, as well as in cellphones and other technological wonders, was mined in the Congo by children. It's even been referred to as the "new blood diamond."
I decided not to play Playstation that day.
The conundrum is what to do with the thing. We haven't used it since, but would it be wrong if we did? The damage is already done. But what's the alternative? Sell it? How would that help anyone?
In the end, all is said and done and I still don't know what to do. Try to do right and you still might have a bizarre Butterfly Effect without Ashton Kutcher (thankfully). You follow conviction, and hope and pray for the best.
My happy medium is moderation. If I don't go out of my way for toys to entertain, I can hope and pray that I am not oppressing others through my actions. Live simply and hope for the best.
It seems logical (in a way) and reasonable. It follows my convictions and God-given concern for others. But it still doesn't resolve the feeling in my gut.
Maybe I just need to take antacid.
Does anyone want a used Playstation? Cheap?
I was practicing my multi-tasking one afternoon by watching a video while surfing the net. My plans were to play some Playstation later that day. I found a headline on yahoo news and my heart sank. I clicked on the headline to read the story and it sank deeper, if that's possible. How far can your heart sink? Who knows.
Anyway, it turns out that all video game violence isn't fake. A metal used in Playstations, as well as in cellphones and other technological wonders, was mined in the Congo by children. It's even been referred to as the "new blood diamond."
I decided not to play Playstation that day.
The conundrum is what to do with the thing. We haven't used it since, but would it be wrong if we did? The damage is already done. But what's the alternative? Sell it? How would that help anyone?
In the end, all is said and done and I still don't know what to do. Try to do right and you still might have a bizarre Butterfly Effect without Ashton Kutcher (thankfully). You follow conviction, and hope and pray for the best.
My happy medium is moderation. If I don't go out of my way for toys to entertain, I can hope and pray that I am not oppressing others through my actions. Live simply and hope for the best.
It seems logical (in a way) and reasonable. It follows my convictions and God-given concern for others. But it still doesn't resolve the feeling in my gut.
Maybe I just need to take antacid.
Does anyone want a used Playstation? Cheap?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
No Discernment
Censorship reeks of fear. Everything I read or watch has to be "safe", that is, to agree with what I already think. It's impossible to look at opposing views with a balanced perspective. I must spend a lifetime constructing a protective bubble. I must forever remain a tourist.
How can we learn anything if we don't listen?
How can we learn anything if we don't listen?
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