I don't want my senator quoting the bible from the political stage; it is manipulative to those who are Christians and alienating to those who are not. I want bible quoting from my preacher/teacher/minister but not my senator or other political representative. I want biblical interpretation that is historical and contextual not coercive or situational. I hold that a senator can be a Christian but he can't be a Christian senator. Would I want a Muslim senator or a senator that happens to be Muslim? I like the latter better. When the church is connected directly to the state it is the church that gets harmed. When the state is connected directly to the church it is the church that gets harmed; it's lose-lose for the church when it comes to union with the state. Political power isn't the churches goal; we don't rely on political power but God's power.
What is this great fear Christians have with the statement: "America is not a Christian nation but a nation of Christians"? Why does that stir up such a passionate tumultuous response? Is America our heavenly home? Does our American citizenship precede our heavenly one? No - then why such a need to label it "Christian"? I can call goat a chicken all day but it’s never going to lay an egg. (That is a really country kinda reference and I'm really sorry.) Look at America, I mean really look at it, from coast to coast, household to household, TV to internet - then go read the Gospels and the New Testament. Are the commandments of Jesus followed, upheld, loved and treasured? Do people believe in His actual existence and completed work? Do we see the sacrificing servant attitude of Christ in American action and rhetoric? I think the answer is you see it either not at all or with great compromise. Where the Christian message is compromised it is diminished; you can't hide a light under a bucket and expect it to illuminate the room. (Luke 8:16) Christians can't negotiate the principles of their faith; the commandments to follow aren't selective or individually interpretive. Politics however is all about negotiation, interpretation and compromise; the agenda is man centered not God centered.
What is hard to accept about God is also what I most respect about him; he lets mankind go its own way even when it's the wrong way. (Mark 10:22-23, Matthew 23:37) Is forced morality what God wants? We Christians are so preoccupied with the tepid and cold temperature of the world’s morality we aren't focused on the temperature of our own devotion to God. I am not saying we should let the lost sheep (the unbelieving world) drown because they willfully went into the gleaming river with the deadly undertow; No, we should as Christians seek to be true salt, preserving and enhancing, speaking the truth and acting in love being aware we too were once drowning in that same river. What I am saying is we can't let people think they are "Christians" because they live under the false prescribed banner "Christian nation" just as a child of Abraham is not one born of genealogy but born spiritually by God. (Luke 3:8) It is not the governments job to create or adhere people to faith in Jesus Christ nor should it be. A religious litmus test contradicts the whole freedom founding principles of America thing, ya know what I mean.
In conclusion, it is because I love America and think it is the best government established by flawed mankind that I write all the above. I wouldn't want to be a citizen of any other country but of course I have never lived anywhere else either so my opinion is rather sheltered. May our allegiance be ever to God more than it is to country; may we to the glory of God seek the spiritual salvation of our fellow man in countries everywhere and anywhere through the Spirit's means not political means. What are your thoughts?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
virtual rule #5
Virtual Rule #5: Respectful Exasperation
"Be careful not to let amiable discussion turn into contradiction and argument. The tactful person keeps his prejudices to himself and even when involved in a discussion says quietly, "No. I don t think I agree with you" or "It seems to me thus and so." One who is well bred never says, "You are wrong!" or "Nothing of the kind!" If he finds another's opinion utterly opposed to his own, he switches to another subject for a pleasanter channel of conversation." - page 50, Etiquette In Society, In Business, In Politics and At Home, Emily Post
What political pundits, talk show hosts and "reality" show celebrities get paid to do is not something we as individuals should seek to mimic or encourage through our viewership. They are paid for their performances much at the expense of morality, ethics and even decency. It is tragic that news has been regulated to entertainment and that information shared has nothing to do with truth but mere gossip. Journalism is not what it once was; I hope it is not all together dead. If they publicly on TV say things like "WTF?" when it comes to The President of the United States and gun jargon like "Don't retreat...Reload!" when discussing how to handle those with whom they disagree, I fear greatly what they must say in private. Outrages statements and vulgar rhetoric from anyone should not be encouraged or celebrated regardless of what side you are on. We must stand against hate and ignorance wherever it is found, not with a balled-up-fist but a sober thoughtful mind.
Since the senseless massacre in Arizona the following call has been proclaimed and already forgotten: "Let us return civility to our public discourse." It has led me to wonder when exactly this great gilded time of civility was in our human history. There have ,however, always been among us everyday heroes of eloquence and intelligence, passion and inspiration, standing out and leading the way. Noble ideals shouldn't by considered too lofty, “fancy” or something only for Ivy League elite. Stereotypes and generalizations help no one. Rural life should not be held upon such a pedestal as to make urban life a cesspool of immorality; nor should urban life be held above rural to the degree that anyone not from a metropolis is a bumpkin.
In our face-to-face conversation and in our more anonymous virtual communication it is imperative that when frustrated and exasperated that we first take a deep breath and then communicate from a place of courageous calm not feuding fearfulness. When we find ourselves facing those whose views stand in opposition to our own, we will not shout or pout or become a brutish lout.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
assembly required
It only took me ten minutes to put the chair together after I got home. I like it and am sitting on it write now actually...
Though the activities of my day have been in no way taxing or troubling, I am weary, I am tired. I think this tiredness started last night. It was something someone said, something I wish I didn't have to think about or know. I awoke from sleep this morning feeling unrefreshed with this knowledge from last night gnawing a hole in my heart. I tried to deny that what is bothering me is bothering me; I tried to push it from my mind. What bothers me seems to bother no one else. Yet alas! all my attempts are to no avail because I am troubled.
This thing that bothers me isn't life shattering. It isn't the cause of the upheaval in Egypt and it isn't going to help the Haitians; it is not an uncommon thing or terribly unusual. Maybe that is why it gnaws at me because this little thing that bugs me is a big thing but the world is filled with so much trouble you have to pick your battles; this is like the straw that broke camels back. There is so much wrong in this world, it is SO MESSED UP. Disease, cancer, environmental destruction, violence, unrest, oppression, death, animal cruelty - are just a few messes.
I sometimes feel as Christians either we talk too much about the problems of the world or not at all. It's like we are optimistically senile or depressingly pessimistic. We offer no balance and our fast paced world doesn't really help. It is always "Go Go Go" "Faster Faster Faster"; we're not really encouraged to stop and reflect on where we have been and where we are going.
I am not always happy, I mean life is not always a rose garden of delight for me. There is good and there is bad. There are things that I hope never change and things I want desperately to be different. I am finding the courage through the encouragement of a dear friend to hope and to dream again - I am thankful.
"I can in the end only speak for myself." That is what I was going to type before I realized the bull of that sentence. I don't speak for myself anymore, when I speak, I speak for Christ. (The terror of those words for today alone I have cursed at other drivers, lost my patience, thought unkind things... Juliet said of Romeo "...what tongue shall smooth thy name, When I, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it?" - that is my feeling. If I who claim to be God's child fall so short of representing him faithfully what then? Ahhh but the Spirit whispers that my hope does not lie within my own righteousness but in He whom I love who loves me more. I'll never understand Him; I yearn and tremble to see Him.)
I have identified myself with Him and more importantly and firstly He with me; I have been baptized into His terrible death and reborn into His resurrected life, all to the glory of God. May I never take for granted the meaning of such a sacrament. May I never bring shame upon His name with willful unrighteous deeds of unbelief, the opportunities for which are legion. May I reach out in humble love to my sisters and brothers fallen along the way; may I forgive them like You forgive them, receiving them in kindness. Your assembly is required Lord.
Friday, January 28, 2011
virtual rule #4
Virtual Rule #4: Your Undivided Attention
It is the bane of the one who would like to converse with you and those that attend the movies with you - it is of course your dreaded cell phone. Yes, the time has come to address the technology addiction we all have. It is only appropriate that your undivided attention be given to the person you are with and on the primary task at hand. No cell phones during surgery surgeons; no Facebook time during the game quarterback. Put the cell phone away and do not look at it while in the middle of conversing with someone else; it is rude. Put the cell phone away and do not look at it while at the movies or the theater; it is rude. Nothing could be so important on Twitter, Facebook or whatever that it cannot wait a couple hours. Seriously.
There may be occasions where we are expecting a phone call, this is fine as long as we respectfully let our coffee companion know this is the case. The cell phones presence at the table may also be excused if you have a pregnant wife or a traveling elderly parent flying in from Saskatchewan. These situations do not however give license to other smart phone activities like checking your email, updating your status or whatever else there may be; none of these things are appropriate while in the accompaniment of another. May our virtual communication seek to only further our real time communication not hinder it. May we care less about virtual happenings and more about the life occurring in our very presence.
"Remember also that the sympathetic not apathetic listener is the delight of delights. The person who looks glad to see you, who is seemingly eager for your news or enthralled with your conversation; who looks at you with a kindling of the face, and gives you spontaneous and undivided attention, is the one to whom laurel wreath for the art of conversation would undoubtedly be awarded." (page 57, Etiquette in society, in business, in politics and at home, Emily Post)
"To listen attentively when one is spoken to, is merely one of the rules of etiquette." - Emily Post
It is the bane of the one who would like to converse with you and those that attend the movies with you - it is of course your dreaded cell phone. Yes, the time has come to address the technology addiction we all have. It is only appropriate that your undivided attention be given to the person you are with and on the primary task at hand. No cell phones during surgery surgeons; no Facebook time during the game quarterback. Put the cell phone away and do not look at it while in the middle of conversing with someone else; it is rude. Put the cell phone away and do not look at it while at the movies or the theater; it is rude. Nothing could be so important on Twitter, Facebook or whatever that it cannot wait a couple hours. Seriously.
There may be occasions where we are expecting a phone call, this is fine as long as we respectfully let our coffee companion know this is the case. The cell phones presence at the table may also be excused if you have a pregnant wife or a traveling elderly parent flying in from Saskatchewan. These situations do not however give license to other smart phone activities like checking your email, updating your status or whatever else there may be; none of these things are appropriate while in the accompaniment of another. May our virtual communication seek to only further our real time communication not hinder it. May we care less about virtual happenings and more about the life occurring in our very presence.
"Remember also that the sympathetic not apathetic listener is the delight of delights. The person who looks glad to see you, who is seemingly eager for your news or enthralled with your conversation; who looks at you with a kindling of the face, and gives you spontaneous and undivided attention, is the one to whom laurel wreath for the art of conversation would undoubtedly be awarded." (page 57, Etiquette in society, in business, in politics and at home, Emily Post)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
unshackle me: freedom from facebook
Is Facebook making us sad? is an article I stumbled upon and it is like I wrote it myself. I mean I get this article. If you are living in the digital age this article should be mandatory reading. It speaks to me because it echos what I have been saying for sometime about Facebook and actually it articulates it in a way I probably never could. If you are a Facebook lover now may be the time to avert your eyes. It is no secret that I... well... rather loath Facebook actually. There, I have posted it for the world to see. (Baby steps Jenny...baby steps...) Not that I or anyone should have to apologize for their feelings; it's what one does with their feelings that needs to be explained but I digress. It is of course common to love what agrees with our own views and disdain what does not. Self-affirming things are preferable to things that challenge us or disagree but it is of course things dissenting with our opinion and view that ultimately stretch and grow us. Well rounded individuals hear both sides of arguments, seek out the big picture, the reality of a situation. (George W if you are reading that is for you. There is nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with some dissenting opinion and if you are a President of the USA it should be mandatory. But again I digress...)
On the heels of this article, I give a shout out to fellow Facebook wounded. You are not alone if you have felt "sad" after a scroll through Facebook "news." You are not crazy. You are not a bitter and cruel harpy. I ask what will you do about it? Will you continue this self-destructive pattern, thinking that next time you log on it will be different than the other 100 times before or will you "unplug" and live life with the eyes you were born with instead of the eyes the virtual illusionary world Facebook has sold to you?
-Pause from my Norma Ray Matrix speech to agonize about deleting myself from Facebook...should I do it? Can I?? If I tell others its OK to back off, why then do I struggle to delete it? Shouldn't I delete it? Why not, if people know me they know my cell or my email...there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to communicate with me if they want to. Yes...yes...why leave the option open for temptation; 99% of the time regret it when I succumb to logging on...what is this hold Facebook has over me? Why this deep turmoil inside? It shouldn't have this much power. There in lies the answer.
Goodbye Facebook. It's been the longest breakup of my life.
Free at last! Thank God almighty, free at last!
with everlasting love do i love you
My Gammy and me have a tradition; each Sunday we DVR CBS Sunday Morning and watch it sometime later in the week. The stories are interesting, artsy and sometimes funny. It is one of my favorite shows. We watched last Sunday’s episode last night and there is a story from it that hasn’t gone out of my mind since. The link to the story is at the bottom of this post. The story was about Barry Petersen, a reporter from CBS and his journey with his wife of 25 years, Jan, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. It was truly a heart wrenching story; the real pain so overt that a bystander could be affected by it.
Through this article I am not attempting to argue with his own interpretation of his experience; I can’t begin to understand the great depths of pain, loss and anger he goes through daily. There is however a few things he said in the story that trouble me. He says, “Jan loved me without measure. She was all I wanted in this life. It was a love affair that had a beginning but was never supposed to end. That is what this horror of a disease stole and destroyed.” He says that because of Alzheimer’s their love affair has been “stolen and destroyed”; I humbly beg to disagree. It is obvious that though Jan doesn’t remember who Barry is even as he sits next to her, Barry remembers Jan. That is what commitment is, that is what covenant is, that is the binding of marriage; like in C.S Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia it's the oldest magic existing before time and outside it, created not by man but by the Creator of man. I hold that as long as Barry remembers Jan their love is not over, it is not stolen and it is not destroyed. And even if Barry himself in time succumbs to forgetting, there is One who’s memory is outside of time. Faithfulness of one party transcends the faithlessness of the other; unlike the story of Hosea from the Bible where the unfaithfulness of one party is by headstrong choice, in the case of Jan her own body is being unfaithful to her with an illness she can’t help.
There is no mention of faith or God in the reporting of this story as is primarily the case with most stories on TV, in the paper, or online. The absence of God or faith mentioned cannot lead us to assume they don’t exist for Barry Petersen but the absence of their mention can lead us to fear they aren’t present and to pray that if that be the case for God to remedy it quickly and mightily. This may be perhaps wishful thinking on my part for faith not mentioned can’t really be faith can it? If one doesn’t testify/speak to their faith can it be existing, alive and real?
I can’t imagine going through life without faith in God. It would exponentially increase pain to know that grievances suffered and losses experienced were without any greater purpose. As Job who lost everything in one day - his children, his livelihood, his health - in my moments of deepest despair I can only do in my soul what he is described as doing in Job 1:20-21, “Job tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." He praised God through his tears, through his loss, through his pain. Job teaches and shows us like so many fellow saints of faith that in our deepest griefs and most painful losses we should turn to God not away. This is also true in our greatest joys, pleasures and triumphs; we should not look to these as being due to us or replacing God for us but as things given to us from God who is good, gracious beyond understanding and patient beyond measure. All good gifts come from God who is good and if we for a time see them not, we blame him not. When faced with loss or lack, we rejoice over having been blessed to have had such goodness in our lives at all and we have faith we will see that said goodness again.
Barry Petersen I humbly say love is never wasted, love can never be destroyed. Disease and death may stop its visible breath but love remains long after we do.
“For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” Psalm 117:2
Barry Petersen I humbly say love is never wasted, love can never be destroyed. Disease and death may stop its visible breath but love remains long after we do.
“For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” Psalm 117:2
Link to CBS News, Jan’s story:
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
virtual rule #3
Virtual Rule #3: Be Specific
Emily Post social rule number three for the digital era is be specific. This is actually implied already in rule number two. Let's use the example of the text message: "Are you free this week?" The text instigator is leaving the whole week open to the text recipient. If however the instigator really only has for example Thursday free then they should text, "Are you free to get together Thursday?" This will save time and frustration on the text recipients behalf which is only respectful. It is very frustrating when someone texts a random, "Lets get together" and then is completely booked schedule wise.
If you don't have the time don't make the offer; if you do have the time be specific about when.
Emily Post social rule number three for the digital era is be specific. This is actually implied already in rule number two. Let's use the example of the text message: "Are you free this week?" The text instigator is leaving the whole week open to the text recipient. If however the instigator really only has for example Thursday free then they should text, "Are you free to get together Thursday?" This will save time and frustration on the text recipients behalf which is only respectful. It is very frustrating when someone texts a random, "Lets get together" and then is completely booked schedule wise.
If you don't have the time don't make the offer; if you do have the time be specific about when.
if you build it you better afford it
Wall Street Journal - Churches Find End Is Nigh - The Number of Religious Facilities Unable to Pay Their Mortgage Is Surging
The link above is another discovery thanks to Google news. Totally random article but the title is what hooked me into clicking it, “Churches Find End is Nigh: The number of religious facilities unable to pay their mortgage is surging”. It is a very interesting article. I think it can be used for a lot of good. Good can come from bad; lessons learned come from understanding the pitfalls and mistakes of the past. I hope we can learn from others who have gone before us and those around us. I hope we aren’t doomed to repeat the failure of the past.
When things are bustling, growth seems to be occurring, people are excited - it is important to take a step back and evaluate what these feeling really are. I wonder how often plain camaraderie is mistaken for true spiritual fellowship. "Making do" is what the new American way of life now and that is actually a good thing. Maybe churches should "make do" with movie theaters and rented spaces, with more emphasis on small groups that meet in homes. I wonder how often faith in God is replaced with faith in feeling good. I wonder how often the "do something now" movement is done more out the need to prove faith rather than from faith already existing and strong, so on fire it spreads without conscious effort. Our faith should be the reason behind our actions; our actions shouldn't be used to reason our faith.
The big building projects, who is all that REALLY for? Should a ministry make its living on the backs of the blue and white collar workers who attend? If a ministry doesn't know you by more than your checking account number is that right? Should we pay for the message we hear locally to stay here locally or pay to have the gospel spread out from here to everywhere? What is our calling? What is our mission? Conviction is good if guided by God; why such fear in speaking truth? If I fear hurting someones "feelings" more than I fear for their current and eternal welfare don't I do them a terrible injustice? I do want people to be happy but not at the expense of being deceived. That is how I would want other brothers and sisters in Christ to treat me; isn't that the policy?
To those who build big and new, contemporary and comfortable: your constituents are impressed but is God? Do you think he cares about contemporary and modern furnishings? Do you think he reads Architectural Digest and says, “Wow, these humans really know there stuff”? Does God shop at Ikea? Do you think he wants a store next to the sanctuary? Maybe “spirituality” can be bought but relationship with God never could or can - the cost is truly unfathomable; it cost his Only Son his only life to bring us into right standing. I have a freaking library of Christian books at my disposal at home (it really is ridiculous, I am book hoarder) and I honestly haven’t read even one fourth of them. Reputable, good books by competent theologians do not make me closer to God. It may make me more knowledgeable, more word savvy, more intellectually impressive but since when does terminology equate intimacy. I can speak the right words and terms and never understand them from my heart - what a waste. A married person can read about what it takes to make a healthy marriage all day long but eventually he has to put the book down and live it.
He who made all things isn’t fixated with things, another one of the amazing contradicting tensions that is God. When do the gospels record Jesus saying, “you tiny human build me a mini mall” or “you tiny human build me a 30000 square foot edifice”? All the “building” that is to be done is done is by Jesus/The Holy Spirit/God and what is being built is a Church of people not bricks. (Matthew 16:18) The place where we worship is truly not as important as the worship itself. Where you are physically is crap to where you are internally/relationally to God. From communist China to a main street America - where is not the issue. (John 4:20-24) Am I being too harsh, too abrasive; I respectfully don’t apologize. I say all this not only to others but for myself as well. It is a cry from the depths of my soul, a plea for the authenticity and truth. Let us not fool ourselves.
I ask again, who is all this really for? The flashing lights, the rumble of the amplifier, the big screen TVs: who is it for? American self indulgence is prevalent but should it be encouraged? The half a dozen ministries each serving a specific label: women, men, tween, teen, recovering addict, on and on. Are we labeled too much? Not enough? Does the label “women” cover all women: single, married, and divorced? Does the label “men”? The sports commentary from the stage, the prime time TV show references, the jovial joking to put you at ease: who is it for? Here is a critical question for modern church teachers, “I get the feeling you don’t judge me but do you love me? Really love me like Jesus? I get that you care about my money, my but in the seat, my time donated but do you love me, me the person with a history, present and a future? Me the mortal that will face The Immortal - do you care about that facet of myself? When I look at you, teacher of Gods word, I care about you. Do you think I am asking for too much of you? Does it keep you up at night that you live in a city filled with the physically living, eternally perishing?”
For more regarding this topic I encourage reading "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola. I don't agree with every word he's written but much of it is illuminating. We have to step back, evaluate what church means and than step up and live it. We need to do this together. We need to do this now. All I say and write I do because I care, deeply care. If I didn’t I would be indifferent and silent.
“Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
it's a mad mad mad world
Hold the phone: the Catholic pope has blessed social networking. The pope has encouraged Catholics to and I quote "join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible."(I wonder if he has watched the The Social Network - great movie!- but I digress.) I stumbled upon this article via Google. Since this is a blog about social decorum in the virtual world, I thought this was pretty interesting:
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/24/faithful-facebook-pope-benedict-blesses-social-networking/
This pronouncement has a palpable ploy vibe to it. It's like, "Hey world are Catholics hip or what!" Or what indeed. In the article the pope says "It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives." The article also points out that the pontiff does not have a Facebook page. It is creepy to think of someone with the popes flamboyant wardrobe choices being on Facebook, but again I digress. At least he agrees that direct human contact trumps virtual contact. I think that is a really interesting and valid point. Direct human contact is important in "EVERY level of our lives". Whether it is checking out at the store or going to the bank - we can go a whole day, running oodles of errands and never have to talk to a single soul. We are sacrificing temporal convenience for fellow human contact. The irony is we are probably in such a hurry because we need to get back to our android blackberry crackberry. We are choosing to rest the social muscle so to speak and muscles not exercised get atrophy.Could this be why there is such incivility, hatred, stupidity, and violence in the world because our social tolerance isn't being exercised daily?
We miss out when it comes to virtual communicating, especially Facebook. It is a strange thing with Facebook that what is personal becomes so impersonal. I mean an actual person is typing and clicking on the other end of the web page but that doesn't make the communication being shared between personal. I did a Google search once with the keywords: "facebook" and "unhealthy" and "relationships". The results were eye opening to me. Articles popped up with the titles like "Facebook ends relationships" even "Facebook ends marriages." Facebook provides too much accessibility without any real time merit. I met you once two years ago at a function and now I have access to every place you've ever went, who you went with, what you felt while you were there- it is too much. I feel like I really know you because I have all this information but I don't know you. I know you but I don't know you. We don't speak. We have no private communication together yet I have 24/7 access into your world. The other problem with Facebook is that it is the ever open window to the past most of which should remain behind a secure wall of thick glass. Memories should sometimes remain just that - memories. An example would be access to old high school sweethearts should remain off limits to the relationally couple committed. Temptation under the name of "trust me" is a precarious road.
Overexposure is no longer just for movie stars and reality show hacks, the average anybody thanks to Twitter and Facebook can be overexposed easily. Facebook especially is really good at making accessibility without intimacy available and that is a terrible danger. If human beings are wired socially to form deep lasting connections, how does Facebook as a whole help that? We form relational bonds by sharing information together. Period. Now if we share information in a cavalier, mass way isn't that tandem to social whoring? Pardon my terminology if you are offended but seriously what would you call someone who shares every moment of their life with everybody, where relational privacy is virtually nil or nonexistent? Or to go in the other direction what would you call someone who edits all the moments of their lives in order to show only their best, happy, fun side? Why can't we love the one we are with so to speak and leave it at that? Why can't I go to the movies with Betty and share that experience just with Betty? Why isn't that enough? Why do I have to tell everyone I am at the movies with Betty? Why can't I keep my ripped abs to myself? (which does not describe in any way the condition of my abs) Why do I need to put photos of myself that I think are hot on the web for comment? Ego boosting and grand standing isn't just something politicians do. I am not writing all of this to the non believing world but to believers, professing believers in Christ. Lets be spiritually discerning about this and about everything to the glory of God.
I don't know Benedict, I think your blessing of digital network relationships is spiritually and relationally a wrong one...
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/01/24/faithful-facebook-pope-benedict-blesses-social-networking/
This pronouncement has a palpable ploy vibe to it. It's like, "Hey world are Catholics hip or what!" Or what indeed. In the article the pope says "It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives." The article also points out that the pontiff does not have a Facebook page. It is creepy to think of someone with the popes flamboyant wardrobe choices being on Facebook, but again I digress. At least he agrees that direct human contact trumps virtual contact. I think that is a really interesting and valid point. Direct human contact is important in "EVERY level of our lives". Whether it is checking out at the store or going to the bank - we can go a whole day, running oodles of errands and never have to talk to a single soul. We are sacrificing temporal convenience for fellow human contact. The irony is we are probably in such a hurry because we need to get back to our android blackberry crackberry. We are choosing to rest the social muscle so to speak and muscles not exercised get atrophy.Could this be why there is such incivility, hatred, stupidity, and violence in the world because our social tolerance isn't being exercised daily?
We miss out when it comes to virtual communicating, especially Facebook. It is a strange thing with Facebook that what is personal becomes so impersonal. I mean an actual person is typing and clicking on the other end of the web page but that doesn't make the communication being shared between personal. I did a Google search once with the keywords: "facebook" and "unhealthy" and "relationships". The results were eye opening to me. Articles popped up with the titles like "Facebook ends relationships" even "Facebook ends marriages." Facebook provides too much accessibility without any real time merit. I met you once two years ago at a function and now I have access to every place you've ever went, who you went with, what you felt while you were there- it is too much. I feel like I really know you because I have all this information but I don't know you. I know you but I don't know you. We don't speak. We have no private communication together yet I have 24/7 access into your world. The other problem with Facebook is that it is the ever open window to the past most of which should remain behind a secure wall of thick glass. Memories should sometimes remain just that - memories. An example would be access to old high school sweethearts should remain off limits to the relationally couple committed. Temptation under the name of "trust me" is a precarious road.
Overexposure is no longer just for movie stars and reality show hacks, the average anybody thanks to Twitter and Facebook can be overexposed easily. Facebook especially is really good at making accessibility without intimacy available and that is a terrible danger. If human beings are wired socially to form deep lasting connections, how does Facebook as a whole help that? We form relational bonds by sharing information together. Period. Now if we share information in a cavalier, mass way isn't that tandem to social whoring? Pardon my terminology if you are offended but seriously what would you call someone who shares every moment of their life with everybody, where relational privacy is virtually nil or nonexistent? Or to go in the other direction what would you call someone who edits all the moments of their lives in order to show only their best, happy, fun side? Why can't we love the one we are with so to speak and leave it at that? Why can't I go to the movies with Betty and share that experience just with Betty? Why isn't that enough? Why do I have to tell everyone I am at the movies with Betty? Why can't I keep my ripped abs to myself? (which does not describe in any way the condition of my abs) Why do I need to put photos of myself that I think are hot on the web for comment? Ego boosting and grand standing isn't just something politicians do. I am not writing all of this to the non believing world but to believers, professing believers in Christ. Lets be spiritually discerning about this and about everything to the glory of God.
I don't know Benedict, I think your blessing of digital network relationships is spiritually and relationally a wrong one...
meaning means everything
Start of a post I didn't publish, dated 12/29/10: Here is one more thing I love about Jesus: human semantics didn't fool him. One of His criticism against the Pharisees is that they followed the letter of the law without following the heart of the law. Matthew 23:23, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." What Jesus was saying is that we are more prone to follow the letter of the law but not the intent behind the law. The carnal nature cares more about spices than people. It is easier for us to tithe out material goods than it is to tithe spiritual goods like love and mercy. We need God's power working through us to do the good we ought to do and that is the reason why we struggle. We don't naturally want to turn to God, depend on God, be longsuffering through trial like God; those things just don't appeal to the mind humanly concerned.
Sorry for not posting anything in a month! Geeze! Happy New Year, welcome 2011! (OMG it is 2011) I was going to get rid of the draft above and start fresh but it is a fitting beginning to a topic that is on my mind. I am referring to the Rahm Emanuel Chicago Mayoral Fiasco. Though he owns a house in the city of Chicago and even though the reason he wasn't residing in the house this past year was because we was working at the behest of the President of United States who happens to be a former senator from IL - the IL judicial system has thus far ruled him ineligible to run for Mayor. He is way ahead of ALL other candidates in the polls. Bill Clinton has stumped for him for gosh sakes! I mean what more does a democratic candidate need. I think he should be allowed to run. If he is allowed to vote in the mayoral election than he should be allowed to run in it as well. All these haters who know Rahm's running is their doom need to reevaluate their lives. I think this is a classic case of people clinging to the letter of law but not the heart of the law.
OK political rant done... now for some breakfast...
Sorry for not posting anything in a month! Geeze! Happy New Year, welcome 2011! (OMG it is 2011) I was going to get rid of the draft above and start fresh but it is a fitting beginning to a topic that is on my mind. I am referring to the Rahm Emanuel Chicago Mayoral Fiasco. Though he owns a house in the city of Chicago and even though the reason he wasn't residing in the house this past year was because we was working at the behest of the President of United States who happens to be a former senator from IL - the IL judicial system has thus far ruled him ineligible to run for Mayor. He is way ahead of ALL other candidates in the polls. Bill Clinton has stumped for him for gosh sakes! I mean what more does a democratic candidate need. I think he should be allowed to run. If he is allowed to vote in the mayoral election than he should be allowed to run in it as well. All these haters who know Rahm's running is their doom need to reevaluate their lives. I think this is a classic case of people clinging to the letter of law but not the heart of the law.
OK political rant done... now for some breakfast...
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