At some point, you've just have to be willing to put your money where your mouth is.
I think I come from a culture that ends up being a lot of talk. The government should work for me this way ... or ... you know what's wrong with education today ... or ... if it was me I would have ... And in reflection of my summer and my first year as a grad student, I find myself in a position much like my culture: a place of critique and ambition. Yet in total fear of how I will actually put any of it to good use. It's easy to see what's wrong with a situation when you are well outside of it's grasp. And all the arrows are pointing at how it can be made better. But it gets a little scary when it turns out the arrows are also pointing at you to be a part of the change you desire.
I have all these brimming hopes to bring it all together at Seminary. So often, we as people, complain about community, during a move or a new environment - I didn't feel welcome, I couldn't be myself, no one was friendly - but how much of that is because of our attitude? First off, in new places we all desire to be liked, and not rejected. So step one? Like others, and don't reject them. Secondly, I so desire to have real conversations about faith and what it means to us, and what it is we actually believe. Not about doctrine really, or about which theologian said what, but a real tell all of why they are here. What is your 'call'? What is it about Jesus that brought you to this point? Step two sounds a little trickier, and seems to be a bit of a risk.
So to actually enter into these conversations - am I just a lot of talk? In the end will I put my money where my mouth is and let the gospel come tumbling out? I'm not so confident in myself, but I trust that the Holy Spirit will ensure that it happens.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thoughts while away from blogging but amidst much travel.
1. Rumble strips are a great idea, and are also a great way to wake students up for lunch without having to yell.
2. Why do we say things like, 'have a good flight!'? Do I have some sort of mystic control over the possible babies, turbulence, and airplane food (or lack there of) that my friend could encounter on her flight across the country? I suppose I do subscribe to the notion that if you go in with a good attitude you'll have a better time, but then should I shout instead, 'think good thoughts while on the plane!' or 'keep a smile on your face, even if your chair doesn't recline and your neighbors took all the elbow space!' ...
3. Is Satan real. I am re-reading The Screwtape Letters and am usually with C.S. Lewis 100%, so I think you know what my answer on the topic is. I encountered many youth in my internship who do not necessarily agree with me, and say that Satan is more or less the name we give to different temptations in our lives ... that is watered down, and rather unbiblical. What do they attribute evil to, what exactly is temptation then? Then what is the Bible talking about when it mentions Satan? I think this is a direct effect of avoiding the discussion of Hell, but when did we start side-stepping such strong stuff in the church today? We're afraid of Bible thumping so we simply Bible Thumb to the pages we approve of?
4. Upon returning from The Great Escape, a Jr. High week-long camp experience at a college campus, I have a few observations:
a) Shaving cream up the nose is absolutely TERRIBLE.
b) Chocolate milk is delicious, however you should stay away from dairy when you are susceptible to sinus infections and already have a cold.
c) I am SO frustrated when speakers continue the tradition of telling people what they should and should not do, while avoiding the question on everyone's mind, 'Why?' Let's talk about sex. Let's talk about porn (although some were actually too young to know what that is). Let's talk about body image. But let's talk about why you have value, why relationships are more than just a bodily reaction to one another, why God places restrictions on things ... I think their old enough to understand. Plus they've been asking 'why' to everything else for the past 10 years already. And I think some leaders need to hear it more than the students do!
d) I don't yet know how you present a great worship experience without also making it like a concert. This I shall continue to ponder.
5. Weddings are the best. Granted there was no dancing down the aisles, but at least there was dancing.
6. I still am trying to catch up on my sleep. And the sinus infection is now faced with a new competitor: The Neti Pot. I've probably talked about it for years, how you pour it in your nose to clear you sinuses, and how I wasn't sure I'd ever bring myself to actually do it. Well friends, the deed has been done. And it felt weird. But we press on.
7. Lastly, always take someone up when they offer you the use of their swimming pool.
2. Why do we say things like, 'have a good flight!'? Do I have some sort of mystic control over the possible babies, turbulence, and airplane food (or lack there of) that my friend could encounter on her flight across the country? I suppose I do subscribe to the notion that if you go in with a good attitude you'll have a better time, but then should I shout instead, 'think good thoughts while on the plane!' or 'keep a smile on your face, even if your chair doesn't recline and your neighbors took all the elbow space!' ...
3. Is Satan real. I am re-reading The Screwtape Letters and am usually with C.S. Lewis 100%, so I think you know what my answer on the topic is. I encountered many youth in my internship who do not necessarily agree with me, and say that Satan is more or less the name we give to different temptations in our lives ... that is watered down, and rather unbiblical. What do they attribute evil to, what exactly is temptation then? Then what is the Bible talking about when it mentions Satan? I think this is a direct effect of avoiding the discussion of Hell, but when did we start side-stepping such strong stuff in the church today? We're afraid of Bible thumping so we simply Bible Thumb to the pages we approve of?
4. Upon returning from The Great Escape, a Jr. High week-long camp experience at a college campus, I have a few observations:
a) Shaving cream up the nose is absolutely TERRIBLE.
b) Chocolate milk is delicious, however you should stay away from dairy when you are susceptible to sinus infections and already have a cold.
c) I am SO frustrated when speakers continue the tradition of telling people what they should and should not do, while avoiding the question on everyone's mind, 'Why?' Let's talk about sex. Let's talk about porn (although some were actually too young to know what that is). Let's talk about body image. But let's talk about why you have value, why relationships are more than just a bodily reaction to one another, why God places restrictions on things ... I think their old enough to understand. Plus they've been asking 'why' to everything else for the past 10 years already. And I think some leaders need to hear it more than the students do!
d) I don't yet know how you present a great worship experience without also making it like a concert. This I shall continue to ponder.
5. Weddings are the best. Granted there was no dancing down the aisles, but at least there was dancing.
6. I still am trying to catch up on my sleep. And the sinus infection is now faced with a new competitor: The Neti Pot. I've probably talked about it for years, how you pour it in your nose to clear you sinuses, and how I wasn't sure I'd ever bring myself to actually do it. Well friends, the deed has been done. And it felt weird. But we press on.
7. Lastly, always take someone up when they offer you the use of their swimming pool.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)