Friday, March 31, 2006

More Insanity

In this article which I linked from the Drudge Report, in the last line a girl named Stephanie Cisneros states that student protesters were concerned about police action against them. But she told her counterparts, "'No. We are exercising our right to free speech. As long as we don't do anything wrong, we won't be arrested.'"

I am really curious to find out where non-citizens get the idea that they have rights. It seems obvious to me that the first thing law enforcement should have done is inform the students that if they do not have legal status in this country, they would be summarily bussed, not back to school, but to the nearest INS detention facility and deported back to their country of citizenship. But of course, that's bad PR...

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Are you concerned about holiness?

From time to time, I begin to get overwhelmed by life and wonder if I am taking enough responsibility for my own growth and development. Lately I have noticed that some of my friends are neglecting to pursue Christ and not growing up into holiness. We are all going to grow up, the only difference between us is that some are going to grow up into holiness and some are going to grow up into self-fulfillment. I am fully aware that there are people in the church who make Christians look bad by being legalistic, guilt-trippers, or just plain overly simplistic about following Christ. But on the other hand, I don't think the wisest course to combat that is reactionary sin or self-indulgence. I think the thing that I respect most in the people who have nurtured my faith is how they have seen the sin; the stinky schmaltzy side of the church, and have still decided to pursue relationship instead of distance. They have accepted another as flawed and chosen to love anyway. What does my derision resolve for those who are entrenched in a shame or equity-based faith? And what does despising these embattled ones resolve for me? My own annoyance with them? My impatience? My irritation? I am finding myself at a loss for how this process finishes. Or will I just go 'round and 'round with my friends; spurning them and indulging as a reaction and spurning them and indulging again? The definition of catharsis is a release of emotional tension that restores or refreshes the spirit. I have learned recently that re-living bad experiences is not cathartic, and going over them verbally is also not cathartic. In the truest sense, it does not release the tension of the bad experience. It simply rehashes it and due to the sophistication of the human memory, re-living it also brings back all the strong emotions associated with it. To put it another way, spurning someone for their legalistic attack, and responding by indulging oneself to mock their legalism, isn't solving anything. Pursuing holiness means letting go of how I want to react to confused, legalistic Christians and asking Jesus how he wants me to react. And invariably He answers me that it starts with a composed, mature response of love. As someone who has moved beyond dogmatic thinking, I am responsible to shepherd others to a place of ruthless trust and astonishing grace. Grace for my own legalism and grace for theirs. Grace with room for more than one kind of truth. Grace with room for more than one opinion. Grace with room for more than one method. But not a spineless grace, a directed and resolute grace that can only come from an Abba Father, a Righteous Son and an indisputably Holy Spirit.

Lord, make my spirit holy and let my highest concern be holiness...

Jobs Americans Won't Do

Part of the argument by George W. is that we need a guest-worker program because illegals fill jobs that Americans just won't do. In our house, we had a hard time believing that. I mean, if this group is only 11 million people of the American workforce, it's surely possible that there are 11 million highschool kids who can be prevailed upon to work for minimum wage. We found this article which addresses what would really happen if those workers were gone.

What would happen, you ask? Well, the ramifications are certainly earth-shattering. We might have to pay (gasp) $10 more a year for fruits and vegetables. Get your children in the bunker, quick!

Monday, March 27, 2006

the Salient Question

14,000 highschoolers from LAUSD walked out of class today to protest the Sensenbrenner bill. A large group gathered at LA City Hall to protest the legislation, which would have made illegally immigrating to the U.S. a federal crime. Many of the harsher penalties for illegals currently residing in the U.S. were removed although they could be reinstated during next Tuesday's debate at the Senate level. Nevertheless, the bill was passed and now the salient question remains...

Shouldn't we be more focused on leglislation that improves public education if 14,000 highschoolers went to City Hall to protest federal legislation?

Sunday, March 26, 2006

30 Words

Type your FIRST REACTION when you read these 30 words:

1. I need: to never see another hospital or doctor's office again...

2. Hug: like you mean it, NO MORE SISSY SIDE HUGS!

3. Relationships: If God was your therapy, he would've told you not to buy those shoes.

4. My Last Ex: um, MIS-take.

5. Power: power suit, power tie, power broker. If you resemble any of these things, we are not friends.

6. Coffee: is necessary and lovely and makes my world go 'round.

7. Crack: Crack kills...

8. Food: "Do you enjoy fine dining?"

9. The President: "Fool me once, shame on you...uh, fool you twice, shame on me...uh, fool me....uh....."

10. War: War is not healthy for children and other living things

11. Cars: the silver BMW 645i...makes me drool...

12. Gas Prices: are like a grand staircase that goes up-down and out-up

13. Party: Come Mr. DJ, song pon de replay....Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up...

14. Religion: when i lose mine, i am free

15. Moon and Stars: well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance with the stars up above in your eyes...a fantabulous night to make romance 'neath the cover of october skies....

16. MySpace: "oh my gosh, that picture is sooooo myspace!"

17. Worst Fear: marrying the wrong person...

18. Marriage: susan sarandon said it best, we don't get married for love, we get married to have someone to witness our lives...so we will be known in our particularities...

19. Fashion: it's art...for your butt.

20. Brunettes: for the first time in my life, i am one...
hmph...talking muffins...

21. Passion: every night

22: Work: sucks

23: Pass the time: the West Wing

24: Football: i finally learned how to play it...

25. Dance: for the One who made you...

26: Pet Peeve: people who think the world revolves around them

27: Vanilla Ice: he's hot...and rich

28: High school: a total blast...

29. Pajamas: I like matching ones

30. Surfers: blond please

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Quote of the Day

Ann: Why do you have a menorah on your mantel?

Dawn: Because in this house we are a friend to all Judaica.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Nothing Says St. Patrick's Day Like Hassidic Reggae...

Matisyahu is an artist that Borders is featuring. It's only once in a long while that I pick up a piece of music and immediately like it. I mean seriously, who can not love Hassidic reggae?? Select the song Jerusalem and fall in love as I did.

The last time I was this excited about music was when I heard Aterciopelados on NPR and rushed out to get the CD, Evolucion.

This is One of the 6,387 Reasons I Love Her and She Changed My Life

"Poetry, at least the kind I write, is written out of immediate need; it is written out of pain, joy, and experience too great to be borne until it is ordered into words. And then it is written to be shared.”–Madeleine L’Engle

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

A Note on Anonymous Comments

I've disabled anonymous comments. If you want to comment on this blog, you will need to sign up for a Blogger ID and stand up and be counted. It's bush league to comment from an anonymous armchair.

Yes, the internet is a place of great anonymity, but if you're going to spout your opinion, you should at least let us know from whence the spouting cometh.

Good night, and good luck...

Monday, March 13, 2006

Why We Love Myspace

I think I have figured out why we love myspace so much...I think it is because it gives us the ability to talk about totally inappropriate topics (such as bodily functions or who's with whom) with our friends in an illusively private manner, but in reality in public on their comment spaces. And a latent result of these comments is that we feel cool that we have friends who know our inside jokes (that we think are original, but aren't, because everyone makes those same jokes with their close friends) and these friends also think we are cool, and hence we feel popular. And since everyone except me had a horrible high school experience which was narrowly defined by not feeling "cool" or "popular" or whatever the desirable trait was, that feeling of coolness which was illusive but is now attained, is positively addictive.

Stop checking your myspace, people. Nothing new has happened since you checked 15 minutes ago!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

the Tao of Church Life

By being a member instead of a leader, I create an opportunity for someone else to lead.

By taking a break from serving, I create a vacuum for someone else to step out and serve.

By sitting in the audience, I allow you the privilege of preaching to me.

By being on the fringes, I give you the opportunity to be in the center.

And by telling you that this song is repetitious, I help you find original ways to worship.

I get the paradox. And I choose not to fear it.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Quotes of the Day

"I really like church, except for all the Christians."

"You know you've been alone too long, when you're worried about whether or not you can hold in your farts in social situations."

"Why doesn't he ask me to marry him...I mean seriously, why prolong the inevitable?"

We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Pearls and Swine

Thought process of the day:

I have cast my pearls before swine and I can't get them back.

Blogthings

I am obsessed with blogthings. Here are a few of my favorite ones:

You Are a Newborn Soul
You are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance. On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others. You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative. Nonconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you.
Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter.You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything.You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships.Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily.
Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul
Your Birthdate: June 19
You are resilient, and no doubt your resilience has already been tested.You've had some difficult experiences in your life, but you are wise from them.Having had to grow up quickly, you tend to discount the advice of others.You tend to be a loner, having learned that the only person you can depend on is yourself.
Your strength: Well developed stability and confidence
Your weakness: Suspicion of others
Your power color: Eggplant
Your power symbol: Spade
Your power month: October

Your Personality Profile
You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant.Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle.You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs.
For you, comfort and calm are very important.You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection.You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.


You are a Dark Red Rose


You represent unconscious beauty and deep passion.

Your vibe: sophisticated and worldly

Falling in love with you is: wildly carnal and forbidden

You Are A Professional Girlfriend!
You are the perfect girlfriend - big surprise!Heaven knows you've had enough practice. That's why you're a total pro.If there was an Emily Post of girlfriends, it would be you.You know how to act in every situation ... to make both you and your guy happy.
What Kind of Girlfriend Are You?

Friday, March 03, 2006

Size Does Matter

Someday she wants a big ol' house
Sittin' on a big ol' hill
And a mile long tree lined driveway
For her big ol' Coupe DeVille
Yeah, someday she wants a big ol' bank account
With too much to spend

But right now all she wants is a man
With a big ol' heart
Who can love her like nobody can
Big ol' kisses that go on and on, And never end
With a big ol' smile
He'll fill her world with laughter
Size matters, size matters

Someday she wants a big ol' ring
With a big ol' rock that shines
And a big ol' walk-in closet
With shoes of every kind
Yeah, someday she wants a big ol' boat
She can lay around gettin' a tan

But right now all she wants is a man
With a big ol' heart
Who can love her like nobody can
Big ol' kisses that go on and on, And never end
With a big ol' smile
He'll fill her world with laughter
Size matters, size matters

With a big ol' heart
Who can love her like nobody can
Big ol' kisses that go on and on, And never end
With a big ol' smile
He'll fill her world with laughter
Size matters, size matters

Size matters

How cool is this?

So Revolution church over in Long Beach has started a furniture store. How cool is that?

http://www.sturdyfurniture.com/index.html

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Honk if this has actually happened to you...

LORELAI: So Patty has taken it upon herself to find me a man.
SOOKIE: Oh really?
LORELAI: Yes. Here in my hand I have the pictures and resumes of the top three contenders.
SOOKIE: Anyone good?
LORELAI: No, but two of them have run with the bulls. This is so humiliating. I can find my own man.
SOOKIE: She just loves you.
LORELAI: Okay, uh, you guys talk, I have to go call Patty and stop the forced mating process. I feel like Ling-Ling the panda bear. Oh, hey, one of them’s seen Ghostbusters 124 times. Can you say score?

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Currently feeling: Hopeful

Currently reading: The Story We Find Ourselves In.

I am feeling hopeful. I feel like after a long, dark winter I have finally found some direction. And it's direction towards what I dream of doing. And it's really going to get me to the place of being able to say: I love my job. I love what I do.

Hallelujah for hope!