Sitting roughly in the middle of the political battle this November has been a good experience for me. I have been able to watch the debates, the election, and the aftermath rather objectively. It seems that a great majority of people I talk to or hear from, fall into one of two main camps; 1.) Those who believe Obama represents the end of America as we know it and will lead it into a horrible horrible place and some who even equate him with the Antichrist, or 2.) Those who believe that he will bring about a Utopian state of existence. You know, the sun shines brighter, my debt will disappear, sickness is cured, that sort of thing.
Granted these are two exaggerated extremes, but sometimes I just wonder either just how depressed someone can become, or how high their hopes can get, based on the outcome of the 2008 election. This is where comedy comes in… The ability to make light of this situation. I’ve seen alot of jokes pointed at group #1, but not a ton towards group #2. Until I saw this… Obamatopia. From the Upright Citizens Brigade (one of my favorite old school comedy troops – this is actually where Amy Poehler came from).
This Christmas season burn student ministries will be a part of the Advent Conspiracy. We’ve got some really cool things planned to make sure we enter the story and really live out the idea of this not only individually but as a group. Should be super sweet, Im looking forward to this series and our involvement so much. I’ll post more as the weeks roll by.
Mike Yaconelli once said…
“I want a lifetime of holy moments. Every day I want to
be in dangerous proximity to Jesus. I long for a life that explodes
with meaning and is filled with adventure, wonder, risk, and danger. I
long for a faith that is gloriously treacherous. I want to be with
Jesus, not knowing whether to cry or laugh.”
It’s amazing to me how God uses the most seemingly ordinary moments in our life to reveal Himself to us, to help us to realize that every moment is or has the potential to be a “Holy Moment”. Tonight I had one of those. I was outside grilling up some hamburgers, enjoying the beautiful weather, just when it was getting dark, Jon Foreman was on the stereo, and as I looked inside the house, I could see my wife with Caleb in her arms dancing in the kitchen. And as I watched, a warmness and joy came over me that I couldn’t explain. It was a holy moment, one in which I couldn’t help thinking that as God was watching this scene of a family loving each other, enjoying each other, and enjoying His gifts and goodness, He was smiling as well, and He was in our midst enjoying it every bit as much as I was. So ordinary, yet so beautiful.
I want more of these Holy moments. I want everyday to be an adventure, to be filled with surprise, to be filled with wonder and risk and danger. I want to risk more, I want to have treacherous faith, I want to be with Jesus. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
I just read an amazing post on Craig Gross’ blog about a porn star that they are helping. For those of you unfamiliar with Craig, he runs XXX Church, an organization reaching into the very heart of the porn industry with the love and light of Christ. You’d think that there would be so much negative reaction to their presence in this industry but they have been welcomed and have been able to help so many people find a way out of that life and find redemption in Christ… Like this latest story from Kimberly, it’s heartbreaking but also full of hope and redemption. Thank God for his grace and mercy, and say a prayer for Kimberly, for Craig, and all those working behind the scenes to bring hope to a thirsty place.
In my personal response to this article (you really should take a moment and read it), I wrote this blog entry about trying to disconnect a bit. I haven’t taken all the steps I outlined, and maybe it’s a process of withdrawal rather than a cold turkey stop. Either way, I took step #1 today, I kissed twitter bye bye…
I have recently re-discovered the beauty that is my local library. Their motto is “You’re unexpected Oasis”, and that’s what it’s become for me. I’ve been there just about every day for the past couple months and here are 5 great reasons why…
1.) Free Wireless Access – Since we don’t have offices at church, we have to be mobile. Im tired of paying for Internet at Starbucks or having to buy a drink I really don’t need just to get some work done. The library’s Internet is not only free, it’s fast.
2.) Free Movies – My local library rents movies, not only on DVD, but on Blu-Ray which I can enjoy in HD. They have a LARGE selection (even bigger than local rental stores). And all rentals are minimum of one week!
3.) Study Rooms – Need some privacy to study, some quiet, have a meeting, or plan some stuff out? Reserve a study room. How much? Free of course!
4.) All That Info - C’mon all those books, Magazines, Newspapers, etc… within easy striking distance? I should be more informed and prepared that ever!
5.) The Riparian Institute – My library is right next to one of my favorite places in Gilbert. The Riparian Institute is a great slice of nature in the middle of our city. Lots of trails wind through Sonoran desert plants and wildlife circling around ponds, lakes, and even a public observatory. Plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings and silence, go for a walk, bird watch, take photos, fish… When I get drained or need a break, I just go next door for a stress relieving walk.
Those are just a few of the reasons why I am a supporter of libraries. They’re hidden gems, with lot’s to offer. When was the last time you visited your local library? You may just be surprised what you find there!
Saturday Night Live returned to good form this week with a VERY funny episode. But the highlight of the night was this little ditty on Weekend Update. This was incredible, check it out.
UPDATE: Lots of people asking for they lyrics, so I’ve posted them Below the video!
one two three
my name is sarah palin you all know me
vice president nominee of the gop
gonna need your vote in the next election
can i get a ‘what what’ from the senior section
mccain got experience, mccain got style
but don’t let him freak you out when he tries to smile
cause that smile be creepy
but when i be vp
all the leaders in the world gonna finally meet me
how’s it go eskimo
(eskimos)
tell me what you know eskimo
(eskimos)
how you feel eskimo
(ice cold)
tell me tell me what you feel eskimo
(super cold)
i’m jeremiah wright cause tonight i’m the preacha
i got a bookish look and you’re all hot for teacha
todd lookin fine on his snow machine
so hot boy gonna need a go between
in wasilla we just chill baby chilla
but when i see oil lets drill baby drill
my country tis a thee
from my porch i can see
russia and such
all the mavericks in the house put your hands up
all the mavericks in the house put your hands up
all the plumbers in the house pull your pants up
all the plumbers in the house pull your pants up
when i say ‘obama’ you say ‘ayers’
obama. (ayers) obama (ayers)
i built me a bridge – it ain’t goin’ nowhere.
(ohhh)
mccain, palin, gonna put the nail in the coffin
of the media elite
(she likes red meat)
shoot a mother-humpin moose, eight days of the week
[three gunshots]
now ya dead, now ya dead,
cause i’m an animal, and i’m bigger than you
holdin a shotgun walk in the pub
everybody party, we’re goin on a hunt
la la la la la la la la
[six gunshots]
yo i’m palin, i’m out!
I’m stepping forward to admit it, I have a problem… I’m a gadget junkie. Not only a gadget junkie, but a communication junkie added to that. I have an iPhone, a laptop, an iPod, etc… I have Facebook, Myspace, Living Social, and other networking accounts. I Email, Instant Message, iChat, Twitter, Blog, etc… I say I do it to keep in touch with my friends, family, students, etc… But in all this I have had a deep gnawing within me. It’s been as if I feel that something is wrong or out of whack, but I’ve never been able to put my finger on it, or maybe I just didn’t want to face it. In the midst of all this connection and communication, I have lost touch with myself. I’ve spent so much time keeping in touch, up to date, and informed with the outside world, that I’ve neglected the inside world. I’ve lost touch with my true self.
Ben Stein recently wrote an article that has been festering in my heart and mind for the past couple months and It speaks to the very heart of this problem I’ve been having. I highly suggest you check it out here – “Connected, Yes, but Hermetically Sealed”. It speaks about a culture where we rarely look up from our cell phones to see the world and others right in front of us, about how we are so tethered to work and demands from others that we forget to live OUR lives, about how we have drowned out our ability to dream and imagine. It’s scary but I’ve found a lot of myself in this article. Silence and solitude are ways that I KNOW that I reconnect with God, and my true self which is made in His image. So why do I avoid them like the plauge?
I tell myself and others that I do all this to keep in touch with friends, family, those I’ve lost touch with, and my students. But I’m beginning to think that maybe I do it because I’m afraid to face or deal with me. Maybe I’m afraid of the work that God wants to do in me, so I shut out that voice by being overly connected, by being busy, by masking myself with “stuff”. Maybe I just need to disconnect for a while, no phone, no computer, T.V., radio, ipod, etc… I lie and tell myself that my work necessitates at least a phone and email right? What if there’s an emergency? What if someone REALLY NEEDS me? Am I really THAT important, or is that just my ego? I wonder what would really happen If I just put it down for a while? People could still find me, I’d still be available, but I’d also have more time to reconnect with ME, and with Robin and Caleb. That sounds so refreshing to me, the question remains, am I brave enough to do it? Stay tuned…
