The state of Texas has gone over the edge! The Ethics panel has decreed that public officials can accept cash, check, or money order and all they have to do is declare, "I've received a check" or I've received currency". No amount is necessary. Bah!
The state has a law that says if a public official receives any gift valued more than $250, a description of the gift must be given. Apparently, all one has to do to meet the law's requirements is give a description of the gift - retangular piece of paper with mountain scenes and lines for date, payee, amount, and signature, but the actual amount written on the check or cash donated doesn't have to be disclosed. Could be $250 or $250,000,000.
If you don't think the amount of that check makes a difference, you're quite naive. Human nature being what it is, unfortunately, someone accepting the big bucks might easily be swayed to try to return the favor by helping the donor on some issue of importance to them. That is, unless the official happens to be someone of exceptionally honest character. I'd say that's probably a rarity, and, if the donee is up-front and honest about not letting financial considerations affect policy-making, the donor will probably not make such a substantial donation.
So here we are, just endorsing bribery. *sigh* To their credit, the Ethics panel said that if the language of the law was different, they'd change their ruling. The problem is that their rationale is just that - a rationalization. It makes perfect sense to me that a 'description' also be required to include the amount. It also appears to me that the Ethics panel had the authority to say "Ahem, public officials, yes, you've got to tell the public how much the check or wheelbarrow full of money was. It's important information and may affect how you choose to vote. We'll do everything we can to help the voting public make informed decision." But they wimped out.
Let's just hope the legislature follows through with the ethics bills that have been submitted and enact something with language that has some force to it. The cynic in me says it won't happen. Do you think they'll prove me wrong?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Let the Advent-ure Begin
Next Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent, a season of the church that I truly enjoy. Now I've always enjoyed Christmas, but I've not always been aware of Advent, that season of four weeks prior to Christmas Day. But then again, the Presbyterian Church didn't reclaim the tradition until probably about 25 or so years ago, so it's no wonder my early years aren't filled with such memories.
Of course, in seminary I learned more about Advent. Even when I first became aware of Advent, it was only as a time of preparation for Christmas. Yet Advent means even more than that - it's a reminder that Christians are also awaiting Christ's return. That's something most people tend to ignore. We look to that incredible baby in a manger and not the return of the Divine.
So, I'm driving along just casually thinking that Advent is approaching when a truly random thought fired in my brain: Advent and Adventure start the same! And I began to wonder how they might be related (other than the obvious, of course).
They seem to share the same Latin root, since the dictionary.com etymology invites one to "see advent". Yet somehow the more or less uninteresting meaning of "to arrive" for Advent took a detour into risk and danger for Adventure. Hard to believe those three little letters could add so much.
Adventure: 1. an exciting or very unusual experience. 2. participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises: the spirit of adventure. 3. a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome. 4. a commercial or financial speculation of any kind; venture. 5. Obsolete. a. peril; danger; risk. b. chance; fortune; luck. –verb (used with object) 6. to risk or hazard. 7. to take the chance of; dare. 8. to venture to say or utter: to adventure an opinion. –verb (used without object) 9. to take the risk involved. 10. to venture; hazard. (from dictionary.com)
Hmmmmmmmmm..... you know, if you think back to that very first Advent (long before it was ever called Advent), Adventure describes it quite nicely. Here you have an unwed mother in a society that didn't particularly support women in general, much less one who became pregnant out of wedlock. It doesn't matter that the woman involved claimed divine intervention in the conception. She could have easily been tossed out on her ear by her soon to be husband, abandoned to whatever fate awaited.
Then they make that perilous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census-taking. If you've never been pregnant, those final months are not particularly conducive to travel even with modern conveyances to ease the way. Our cherished Christmas narratives always include Mary riding on a donkey as she and Joseph wend their way to the City of David. I'm sure that became part of the tradition because it seemed cruel to make a pregnant woman walk all that way. (total aside - I'm not sure riding on a donkey would have been that much more comfortable for a pregnant woman, but then, that's just me!) Yet there's no mention of four-footed transportation in the Bible. Joseph and Mary were not wealthy, so how could they have afforded a donkey? Either walking or with donkey, the journey would not have been easy or without peril.
When they get to Bethlehem, there is the uncertainty of housing, the birthing of a baby in the even more than usual hazards of a manger instead of a house and apparently without a midwife. In time, they get the warning that King Herod's out to get the baby Jesus, so they flee to Egypt. Yep! Adventure describes this quite nicely.
Adventure even describes the anticipated Second Coming, when, as Christians understand it, the status quo will be turned topsy-turvy. Not my favorite Advent images, but the lectionary texts include that famous "wars and rumors of wars" and other dark and dangerous images of what is to come before Christ arrives (Advent). Personally, I'd prefer to jump right past the perilous and into the time when "the lion will lie down with the lamb" - nice and quiet and peaceful is what I'd like.
Most of us seem to have forgotten the risk, the excitement, the unusual, the dare which comes with Advent. That is, if you don't count those whose vision of the season includes venturing into the wilds of seasonal commerce to score the latest whatever-happens-to-be-the-find-of-the-season item, which some misguided folks would risk life, limb and fortune for.
There are different risks involved in being open to Christ's call "to come" (Advent). We each have the opportunity to explore "actions of uncertain outcome" in our own lives, even if the main risk involved is changing who we are into what we are called to be. Believe me, taking such risks can turn one's life topsy-turvy in many ways!
However, there's adventure in taking such a risk. It has been quite an adventure for me over the years. If you'd known me 'then', it would be difficult to even imagine me as I am today. You probably would have rolled on the floor laughing to even think of me speaking to a group of people, or stubbornly standing up and holding my ground over something I believe to be important, or even being willing to take on such a potentially conflict-ridden call as that of pastor. The adventure has been worth it!
So.............................................
Let's reclaim that very special risk, excitement, even dare! that the arrival of the infant Jesus, the coming of the Christ entails! Let the Advent-ure begin!!
Of course, in seminary I learned more about Advent. Even when I first became aware of Advent, it was only as a time of preparation for Christmas. Yet Advent means even more than that - it's a reminder that Christians are also awaiting Christ's return. That's something most people tend to ignore. We look to that incredible baby in a manger and not the return of the Divine.
So, I'm driving along just casually thinking that Advent is approaching when a truly random thought fired in my brain: Advent and Adventure start the same! And I began to wonder how they might be related (other than the obvious, of course).
They seem to share the same Latin root, since the dictionary.com etymology invites one to "see advent". Yet somehow the more or less uninteresting meaning of "to arrive" for Advent took a detour into risk and danger for Adventure. Hard to believe those three little letters could add so much.
Adventure: 1. an exciting or very unusual experience. 2. participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises: the spirit of adventure. 3. a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome. 4. a commercial or financial speculation of any kind; venture. 5. Obsolete. a. peril; danger; risk. b. chance; fortune; luck. –verb (used with object) 6. to risk or hazard. 7. to take the chance of; dare. 8. to venture to say or utter: to adventure an opinion. –verb (used without object) 9. to take the risk involved. 10. to venture; hazard. (from dictionary.com)
Hmmmmmmmmm..... you know, if you think back to that very first Advent (long before it was ever called Advent), Adventure describes it quite nicely. Here you have an unwed mother in a society that didn't particularly support women in general, much less one who became pregnant out of wedlock. It doesn't matter that the woman involved claimed divine intervention in the conception. She could have easily been tossed out on her ear by her soon to be husband, abandoned to whatever fate awaited.
Then they make that perilous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census-taking. If you've never been pregnant, those final months are not particularly conducive to travel even with modern conveyances to ease the way. Our cherished Christmas narratives always include Mary riding on a donkey as she and Joseph wend their way to the City of David. I'm sure that became part of the tradition because it seemed cruel to make a pregnant woman walk all that way. (total aside - I'm not sure riding on a donkey would have been that much more comfortable for a pregnant woman, but then, that's just me!) Yet there's no mention of four-footed transportation in the Bible. Joseph and Mary were not wealthy, so how could they have afforded a donkey? Either walking or with donkey, the journey would not have been easy or without peril.
When they get to Bethlehem, there is the uncertainty of housing, the birthing of a baby in the even more than usual hazards of a manger instead of a house and apparently without a midwife. In time, they get the warning that King Herod's out to get the baby Jesus, so they flee to Egypt. Yep! Adventure describes this quite nicely.
Adventure even describes the anticipated Second Coming, when, as Christians understand it, the status quo will be turned topsy-turvy. Not my favorite Advent images, but the lectionary texts include that famous "wars and rumors of wars" and other dark and dangerous images of what is to come before Christ arrives (Advent). Personally, I'd prefer to jump right past the perilous and into the time when "the lion will lie down with the lamb" - nice and quiet and peaceful is what I'd like.
Most of us seem to have forgotten the risk, the excitement, the unusual, the dare which comes with Advent. That is, if you don't count those whose vision of the season includes venturing into the wilds of seasonal commerce to score the latest whatever-happens-to-be-the-find-of-the-season item, which some misguided folks would risk life, limb and fortune for.
There are different risks involved in being open to Christ's call "to come" (Advent). We each have the opportunity to explore "actions of uncertain outcome" in our own lives, even if the main risk involved is changing who we are into what we are called to be. Believe me, taking such risks can turn one's life topsy-turvy in many ways!
However, there's adventure in taking such a risk. It has been quite an adventure for me over the years. If you'd known me 'then', it would be difficult to even imagine me as I am today. You probably would have rolled on the floor laughing to even think of me speaking to a group of people, or stubbornly standing up and holding my ground over something I believe to be important, or even being willing to take on such a potentially conflict-ridden call as that of pastor. The adventure has been worth it!
So.............................................
Let's reclaim that very special risk, excitement, even dare! that the arrival of the infant Jesus, the coming of the Christ entails! Let the Advent-ure begin!!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Home Again
Sorta home again, at any rate. For Thanksgiving, the pup and I wandered over to Houston to celebrate with Mom, and we went to all the trouble of *chuckle* getting dressed and driving to Cracker Barrel to stand in line with a whole bunch of others for turkey and dressing.
It was a glorious day and, while we waited, I had a blast wandering through the store part looking at the candies we used to buy at the Wag-a-Bag and the games that have been around for generations, like Tiddly Winks. Those pleasant memories are good anchors when one seems to be wandering in exile.
No, we didn't prepare our own turkey and dressing or all of the other parts of a 'traditional' Thanksgiving dinner; however, it's not the meal or even where it's eaten that's important. It's who you're eating with, the sharing around the table, the memories, the roots, and the connections of futures to come that provide the meal's richness. And, of course, we both ended up stuffed and had to take our pecan pie home! (That didn't stop me from eating a second meal later in the evening when a friend of mine who came over to visit needed a bite to eat and we ended up at Cracker Barrel!)
Connections - rootedness - I'm thankful for these. Doesn't mean I end up staying in the same place, doing the same old things. Even when temporarily uprooted, as I am right now, there are people and places where I draw strength and comfort. Over the years, my Thanksgivings have been spent with family, with friends, with church members, at home, and at home. Hard to put that last 'at home' into words, but it's more than the place which has made it home. Some of what made it home yesterday was having my son call and hearing that he's feeling positive about his music again, making plans for turning that dream into a reality, and that he'll be in this neck of the woods for Christmas. *very big grin*
I still wish I were all the way home. It's been over a year since I slept in my own bed! I'm hoping things may be livable again before Christmas. All of the work won't be finished by then, but not everything has to be done before I can move back in. Things are progressing. It's possible to enter my house and not see studs or rafters!! I am so thankful for the progress that's been made!! Texture and paint and insulation and carpet, then I'll head back home.
I am incredibly thankful for the place I've had to stay in while putting the pieces of my house and my life back together. What an awesome blessing! This congregation has uplifted my soul since I've been here, and have been so supportive in all that has happened, especially since Her Horribleness blew through.
They aren't the first awesome congregation I've encountered. With very few exceptions, the churches I've been a part of as an adult have helped me through some difficult times and have encouraged me to grow in many ways. My congregation here has helped me to heal from an encounter with one of the exceptions. Even with the exceptions, I've always come away with lasting friendships that have enriched my life and experiences that have given me wisdom (I hope) and the assurance that I don't go through life alone.
And then there's PsychoKat and Penny! (to completely change course in mid-stream) I've received the comforting chewing outs that I so richly deserved for bringing that dog to my mom's house. The two finally held a tentative encounter today (three days after we got there!) without the cat freaking out and heading for the proverbial hills (or under the bed, to be more precise). It will be a real hoot on the day when we all return home, PsychoKat included, and Mom will be thrilled to be able to make her bed in peace once again!
It was a glorious day and, while we waited, I had a blast wandering through the store part looking at the candies we used to buy at the Wag-a-Bag and the games that have been around for generations, like Tiddly Winks. Those pleasant memories are good anchors when one seems to be wandering in exile.
No, we didn't prepare our own turkey and dressing or all of the other parts of a 'traditional' Thanksgiving dinner; however, it's not the meal or even where it's eaten that's important. It's who you're eating with, the sharing around the table, the memories, the roots, and the connections of futures to come that provide the meal's richness. And, of course, we both ended up stuffed and had to take our pecan pie home! (That didn't stop me from eating a second meal later in the evening when a friend of mine who came over to visit needed a bite to eat and we ended up at Cracker Barrel!)
Connections - rootedness - I'm thankful for these. Doesn't mean I end up staying in the same place, doing the same old things. Even when temporarily uprooted, as I am right now, there are people and places where I draw strength and comfort. Over the years, my Thanksgivings have been spent with family, with friends, with church members, at home, and at home. Hard to put that last 'at home' into words, but it's more than the place which has made it home. Some of what made it home yesterday was having my son call and hearing that he's feeling positive about his music again, making plans for turning that dream into a reality, and that he'll be in this neck of the woods for Christmas. *very big grin*
I still wish I were all the way home. It's been over a year since I slept in my own bed! I'm hoping things may be livable again before Christmas. All of the work won't be finished by then, but not everything has to be done before I can move back in. Things are progressing. It's possible to enter my house and not see studs or rafters!! I am so thankful for the progress that's been made!! Texture and paint and insulation and carpet, then I'll head back home.
I am incredibly thankful for the place I've had to stay in while putting the pieces of my house and my life back together. What an awesome blessing! This congregation has uplifted my soul since I've been here, and have been so supportive in all that has happened, especially since Her Horribleness blew through.
They aren't the first awesome congregation I've encountered. With very few exceptions, the churches I've been a part of as an adult have helped me through some difficult times and have encouraged me to grow in many ways. My congregation here has helped me to heal from an encounter with one of the exceptions. Even with the exceptions, I've always come away with lasting friendships that have enriched my life and experiences that have given me wisdom (I hope) and the assurance that I don't go through life alone.
And then there's PsychoKat and Penny! (to completely change course in mid-stream) I've received the comforting chewing outs that I so richly deserved for bringing that dog to my mom's house. The two finally held a tentative encounter today (three days after we got there!) without the cat freaking out and heading for the proverbial hills (or under the bed, to be more precise). It will be a real hoot on the day when we all return home, PsychoKat included, and Mom will be thrilled to be able to make her bed in peace once again!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Let All Things Now Living ...
... a song of thanksgiving to God our Creator triumphantly raise! ...
One of my absolute favorite Thanksgiving hymns, btw. It gets stuck in my head every year about this time. I'm not quite sure how it became so familiar to me, since it's not in the 'familiar' hymnal of my growing up years - The Hymnbook (or the red hymnal, as it's more commonly called). I learned it somewhere, though, and it's been tagged in my mind as Thanksgiving ever since.
I could sit here and detail all that I have to be thankful for, starting at the letter A and heading through the alphabet to Z (not quite sure what I'd put for X or Z, but I'm sure I could come up with something!). However, I'm not going to do that.
Instead, I'm going to take a moment to enjoy this hymn, and sing along with it, meditating on the blessings which are dear to my heart, and praying that the end of this hymn come into being soon.
... We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing with glad adoration, a song let us raise: Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving, to God in the highest, hosanna and praise.
One of my absolute favorite Thanksgiving hymns, btw. It gets stuck in my head every year about this time. I'm not quite sure how it became so familiar to me, since it's not in the 'familiar' hymnal of my growing up years - The Hymnbook (or the red hymnal, as it's more commonly called). I learned it somewhere, though, and it's been tagged in my mind as Thanksgiving ever since.
I could sit here and detail all that I have to be thankful for, starting at the letter A and heading through the alphabet to Z (not quite sure what I'd put for X or Z, but I'm sure I could come up with something!). However, I'm not going to do that.
Instead, I'm going to take a moment to enjoy this hymn, and sing along with it, meditating on the blessings which are dear to my heart, and praying that the end of this hymn come into being soon.
... We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing with glad adoration, a song let us raise: Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving, to God in the highest, hosanna and praise.
Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Getting Some Gumption?
Finally getting around to reading the paper today, I noticed that Bush's disapproval rating over his handling of the war in Iraq has reached it's lowest point yet. Isn't it interesting that now that there's been a shift in political power people are more willing to acknowledge that they don't support the president's policy?
I think it says a lot about the state our confidence in the president and his administration that many seemed to rubber-stamp his positions. The 'if you're not for us, you're against us - and a traitor to what it means to be an American to boot' tenor of this administration appears to have led to a tendency to not publicly admit to one's true feelings about the war and other policies.
Scary stuff! Reminiscent of McCarthy era politics and the way people either kept their traps shut or (worse) gave up others to the hysteria in order to save their own reputations and incomes. Some of it is human nature to protect oneself and one's family. It takes a special kind of bravery to stand against the crowd, especially when it might mean the loss of liberty or life.
With the shift in power, I wonder if there's a perception that permission has been given to go back to engaging in our First Amendment rights again. Is this a cyclical thing where every so often we back ourselves into a corner to remind ourselves of our responsibility to maintain the right to express our dissent? to call our leadership to account? to voice concerns and seek truths? to be willing to be on the 'wrong' side (from a public opinion perspective) of the important issues of our day in order to point to a greater truth?
The rampant partisan politics which control the way our government governs generally irritates the heck out of me. True statespersons operate in such a way that their goal is the betterment of all whose lives and livelihoods are under their authority, not just those of whichever political party they happen to belong to. There aren't many of that ilk in our government at the moment. However, if our two dominant political parties were cooperating in such a manner right now, I think I'd truly fear for our future.
As it stands, by virtue of the shift in legislative power between the branches, the balance has been more or less restored and the potential for rubber-stamp politics has diminished. I'm not naive enough to think that suddenly politics will lose its penchant for ethical breaches nor that both sides will be goaded into becoming statespersons. However, one can hope that more light will shine on the process and that true bipartisanship might occur (at least temporarily) in order to address the major issues of our political life in a responsible manner.
And maybe, just maybe, we'll all realize that we almost lost something truly precious, and begin to do everything in our power to make sure it cannot be taken away from us in any way, shape, or form. (Ok - being the optimist here but it could be that by finally expressing our true concerns, we've empowered the generations to take action and not let things get so close to the edge in our lifetimes!)
I think it says a lot about the state our confidence in the president and his administration that many seemed to rubber-stamp his positions. The 'if you're not for us, you're against us - and a traitor to what it means to be an American to boot' tenor of this administration appears to have led to a tendency to not publicly admit to one's true feelings about the war and other policies.
Scary stuff! Reminiscent of McCarthy era politics and the way people either kept their traps shut or (worse) gave up others to the hysteria in order to save their own reputations and incomes. Some of it is human nature to protect oneself and one's family. It takes a special kind of bravery to stand against the crowd, especially when it might mean the loss of liberty or life.
With the shift in power, I wonder if there's a perception that permission has been given to go back to engaging in our First Amendment rights again. Is this a cyclical thing where every so often we back ourselves into a corner to remind ourselves of our responsibility to maintain the right to express our dissent? to call our leadership to account? to voice concerns and seek truths? to be willing to be on the 'wrong' side (from a public opinion perspective) of the important issues of our day in order to point to a greater truth?
The rampant partisan politics which control the way our government governs generally irritates the heck out of me. True statespersons operate in such a way that their goal is the betterment of all whose lives and livelihoods are under their authority, not just those of whichever political party they happen to belong to. There aren't many of that ilk in our government at the moment. However, if our two dominant political parties were cooperating in such a manner right now, I think I'd truly fear for our future.
As it stands, by virtue of the shift in legislative power between the branches, the balance has been more or less restored and the potential for rubber-stamp politics has diminished. I'm not naive enough to think that suddenly politics will lose its penchant for ethical breaches nor that both sides will be goaded into becoming statespersons. However, one can hope that more light will shine on the process and that true bipartisanship might occur (at least temporarily) in order to address the major issues of our political life in a responsible manner.
And maybe, just maybe, we'll all realize that we almost lost something truly precious, and begin to do everything in our power to make sure it cannot be taken away from us in any way, shape, or form. (Ok - being the optimist here but it could be that by finally expressing our true concerns, we've empowered the generations to take action and not let things get so close to the edge in our lifetimes!)
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Consumerism
OK - is it just me or has insanity struck? The new PlayStation 3 makes its American debut on Friday. An article in the local paper says that the company has designated approximately 400,000 units for sale in the US. The machines retail for approximately $700, which seems like a ridiculous price to me. So why are people lining up outside the local stores carrying them, holding their place until they can get those first 'precious' units on Friday?
I might understand it (slightly) if there was some kind of special promotion where the first "x" number of customers got some kind of discount, or if it was an endurance contest and whoever lasted and was the first in line got a free one. But aren't there more important things that one could wait in line for?
When I was in Houston before the opening of the latest IKEA store, people lined up for days in advance for the chance to choose $10,000 worth of merchandise. The catch was they had to be the first in line on the morning the store first opened. The ultimate winner, I think, used the prize for furniture for her daughter who was going off to school, as well as for her own home that had undergone some significant repairs. The whole scenario had its sense of the ridiculous to it; however, it did have some positive as well.
I just don't understand this thing for the PlayStation, this waiting to spend $700 on a game unit (not the games, mind you, just the player). Think of the hungry, the homeless, the down and out and what they could do with $700 worth of resources.
To be honest, though, I have indulged my fair share of consumer "needs", including the computer that I am typing on right now. Perhaps it's a rationalization, but I see computers as a tool for communication, research, contact with others and other ideas, and, yes, entertainment. And I confess that I'm not particularly willing to just give up these things. *sigh* I'm also not planning to wait in line for a game unit, nor spend $700 for one (or anything like it).
I still don't understand why anyone would wait in capricious, potentially cold and nasty, weather for a game. Guess it will remain a mystery. Wonder if those who wait will ever notice how ridiculous their waiting truly is.
I might understand it (slightly) if there was some kind of special promotion where the first "x" number of customers got some kind of discount, or if it was an endurance contest and whoever lasted and was the first in line got a free one. But aren't there more important things that one could wait in line for?
When I was in Houston before the opening of the latest IKEA store, people lined up for days in advance for the chance to choose $10,000 worth of merchandise. The catch was they had to be the first in line on the morning the store first opened. The ultimate winner, I think, used the prize for furniture for her daughter who was going off to school, as well as for her own home that had undergone some significant repairs. The whole scenario had its sense of the ridiculous to it; however, it did have some positive as well.
I just don't understand this thing for the PlayStation, this waiting to spend $700 on a game unit (not the games, mind you, just the player). Think of the hungry, the homeless, the down and out and what they could do with $700 worth of resources.
To be honest, though, I have indulged my fair share of consumer "needs", including the computer that I am typing on right now. Perhaps it's a rationalization, but I see computers as a tool for communication, research, contact with others and other ideas, and, yes, entertainment. And I confess that I'm not particularly willing to just give up these things. *sigh* I'm also not planning to wait in line for a game unit, nor spend $700 for one (or anything like it).
I still don't understand why anyone would wait in capricious, potentially cold and nasty, weather for a game. Guess it will remain a mystery. Wonder if those who wait will ever notice how ridiculous their waiting truly is.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
The Gospel of Jesus
While driving to Houston for the first leg of my vacation, I passed a church sign that caught my eye:
As you may know, I detest proof-texting, taking a scripture and twisting it to your personal interpretation. It's especially heinous when a church does this. I'm not going to name the denomination, but it's one of the more literalist ones that's likely to interpret scripture in the most exclusive ways possible. My guess is that they were more focused on the 'be a Christian [according to our interpretation] or Jesus is gonna rain burning coals upon your head' aspect of this one.
Here's the full scripture:
7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, KJV)
7 and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, NSRV)
So, here's this church essentially proclaiming to the world (or, that is, anyone who happens to drive past their sign and read it), if you aren't with us, God's gonna smite you. (I realize that's my own bias interpreting this sign.)
Then it struck me - I wonder how they understand "the gospel of Jesus".
As I understand "the gospel of Jesus", it's not particularly about being part of the Establishment. Oops! To obey the gospel of Jesus, one must "love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength AND your neighbor as yourself". It doesn't stop there. Jesus also commands us to "love your enemies". To obey the gospel of Jesus one must align oneself with the hated and the outcast, lepers and those despicable quislings who collaborated with the government - tax collectors! Sinners were welcome in Jesus' presence and GASP! at his table. He even talked with women and set up children as examples of those inheriting God's kin-dom.
If we follow the teachings of Jesus, we are called to help widows, prisoners, outcasts, and the oppressed, to do kindness, love justice, and walk humbly with our God. I don't see how we can do that if we take the position that only those who meet specific criteria (such as the right sexual history and orientation, correct positions on certain 'values issues', those more or less like us, etc) are worthy of our time, attention, welcome, AND LOVE.
I wonder how this particular congregation would react if one Sunday a whole congregation of society's lepers arrived on their doorstep. To be honest, though, I'd have to wonder how my own congregation would react, as well. There are those who would welcome them with open arms, and others who would cringe.
If we get beyond our comfortable interpretations, obeying the gospel of Jesus is quite an incredible mission to undertake, one which should challenge each and every Christian down to their core. Loving God, neighbors, enemies, and self means opening ourselves to the impossible. I'm reasonably sure none of us will ever do it perfectly, but it is the task Jesus set before us, and one that we are called to at least make a credible stab at.
Makes me thankful that I believe Jesus is full of grace, not vengeance!!
obey the gospel of Jesus or receive his vengeance 2Thess 1:8
As you may know, I detest proof-texting, taking a scripture and twisting it to your personal interpretation. It's especially heinous when a church does this. I'm not going to name the denomination, but it's one of the more literalist ones that's likely to interpret scripture in the most exclusive ways possible. My guess is that they were more focused on the 'be a Christian [according to our interpretation] or Jesus is gonna rain burning coals upon your head' aspect of this one.
Here's the full scripture:
7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, KJV)
7 and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, NSRV)
So, here's this church essentially proclaiming to the world (or, that is, anyone who happens to drive past their sign and read it), if you aren't with us, God's gonna smite you. (I realize that's my own bias interpreting this sign.)
Then it struck me - I wonder how they understand "the gospel of Jesus".
As I understand "the gospel of Jesus", it's not particularly about being part of the Establishment. Oops! To obey the gospel of Jesus, one must "love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength AND your neighbor as yourself". It doesn't stop there. Jesus also commands us to "love your enemies". To obey the gospel of Jesus one must align oneself with the hated and the outcast, lepers and those despicable quislings who collaborated with the government - tax collectors! Sinners were welcome in Jesus' presence and GASP! at his table. He even talked with women and set up children as examples of those inheriting God's kin-dom.
If we follow the teachings of Jesus, we are called to help widows, prisoners, outcasts, and the oppressed, to do kindness, love justice, and walk humbly with our God. I don't see how we can do that if we take the position that only those who meet specific criteria (such as the right sexual history and orientation, correct positions on certain 'values issues', those more or less like us, etc) are worthy of our time, attention, welcome, AND LOVE.
I wonder how this particular congregation would react if one Sunday a whole congregation of society's lepers arrived on their doorstep. To be honest, though, I'd have to wonder how my own congregation would react, as well. There are those who would welcome them with open arms, and others who would cringe.
If we get beyond our comfortable interpretations, obeying the gospel of Jesus is quite an incredible mission to undertake, one which should challenge each and every Christian down to their core. Loving God, neighbors, enemies, and self means opening ourselves to the impossible. I'm reasonably sure none of us will ever do it perfectly, but it is the task Jesus set before us, and one that we are called to at least make a credible stab at.
Makes me thankful that I believe Jesus is full of grace, not vengeance!!
Fall Fandango
I now have a color scheme for my redecorating after the hurricane - fall colors. I'd already figured out some of it - a rich olive green for my furniture with a dark olivy/forest green for the carpet. However, the thought of white walls made me gag. And more green on the walls would have been waaaaaaaaaay too much! I wanted something to 'warm' the rooms up, as well as keep them 'cool' in the summer.
This is where traveling to Oklahoma came in handy. It's fall there! Really, truly fall. The trees are wrapped in all their glorious splendor - deep rich reds, bright golds, resplendent purples, orange/greens, yellow/reds, and trees that never change their colors all blended together in a riotous show of joy. While driving back to Texas on a cool Friday morning, it felt as though our car was wrapped in the warmth of the flames of the brightly colored trees - a sweater of fall colors.
If things had been different, I would have detoured through the Ouachita Mountains on the Talimena Scenic Drive. It's an awesome trip when the fall leaves are at their peak. We weren't that far away, but it would have been about a 5-6 hour detour, and I'm not sure Mom could have handled that. If I'd been alone ....................
That's one thing I miss, the fall foliage. I enjoy seeing the trees getting all gussied up for a year-end spectacular before letting go and taking a much deserved rest during the winter. Getting to see them with mountains makes me want to dance with joy! I think I may reserve a week of vacation for about this time of year next year. My soul could use a mountain break. For now, I'll just have to import the colors into my den, living room, and entrance foyer. Maybe that'll help!
This is where traveling to Oklahoma came in handy. It's fall there! Really, truly fall. The trees are wrapped in all their glorious splendor - deep rich reds, bright golds, resplendent purples, orange/greens, yellow/reds, and trees that never change their colors all blended together in a riotous show of joy. While driving back to Texas on a cool Friday morning, it felt as though our car was wrapped in the warmth of the flames of the brightly colored trees - a sweater of fall colors.
If things had been different, I would have detoured through the Ouachita Mountains on the Talimena Scenic Drive. It's an awesome trip when the fall leaves are at their peak. We weren't that far away, but it would have been about a 5-6 hour detour, and I'm not sure Mom could have handled that. If I'd been alone ....................
That's one thing I miss, the fall foliage. I enjoy seeing the trees getting all gussied up for a year-end spectacular before letting go and taking a much deserved rest during the winter. Getting to see them with mountains makes me want to dance with joy! I think I may reserve a week of vacation for about this time of year next year. My soul could use a mountain break. For now, I'll just have to import the colors into my den, living room, and entrance foyer. Maybe that'll help!
Trippin'
As promised, something about my trip to dear, dull, boring Ada, Oklahoma. In fact, the only not boring thing in Ada is my son! *chuckle*
Mom and I headed out from Houston on our 8-hour (including a lunch break) trek by car, since there's no other reasonable way to get there from here. [aside - by plane, it's a 2 hour wait at the airport, 2 hour flight, assuming no extraordinary delays, 1 hour to deal with the rental car, then about 2 hours to Ada, assuming I don't manage to get lost] I now have several earworms from listening to Mom's collection of Dad's favorites for 14 hours. Not grousing too much, but That's Amore, Chirichiribim (I think that's its name), Racing with the Moon, and others along the same line almost put me to sleep. Not a good thing when in the driver's seat!
Once we got to Ada and connected up with the son, we had an opportunity for some interesting chatter. This is his last semester of undergraduate work, in a major that he detests! The political science class he's taking is a 'hands on' kind of class appropriate to the current political season - it's a group project where they were assigned a local race and are documenting it. Andrew chose his preferred candidate in the race by the fact that the guy gave him a t-shirt (or that's what he said ... knowing him, it went a bit deeper than that). Turns out the guy won by 2 votes. Good thing my son went to the polls!
The purpose of this marathon car ride was to hear my son's senior trombone recital. He was so nervous! For various reasons, this was the first time in a year that he's performed solo before an audience. He did a fine job and the profs were pleased with his performance, but it wasn't perfect, so he's a bit down on himself right now. The problem with these recitals is that they are focused around technique (not a bad thing in and of itself), so the music chosen tends to be along certain lines- obscure classical. Once he got the really stuffy stuff out of the way, Andrew finally got comfortable with the last two pieces and was more himself.
My son is actually more of a performer than a technician, and he got caught up in the expectation that he be a technician. *sigh* What schools will sometimes do to a performer in order to impose standards! ARGH!! When I hear him play, I can imagine him joining in a Chicago extravaganza or one of the retro-Big Band era groups, or even in a jazz combo (although it's not my favorite). He'll get there one day. From Ada it's on to a master's degree in performance, most likely. He's not figured out where yet, but he may end up down here for a while. Maybe not - I think the possibility of residing with me, even if it's for just a while until he makes friends and finds another place, is a bit binding on him. Believe me! I can understand that! (especially after living with my mom for over a year while seeking a call - tough stuff for an adult who was in her 40's and had mostly managed on her own, much less a very independent 20-something son! *chuckle*)
I enjoyed visiting with my son and getting to spend some time with him. It was a good way to spend part of my vacation!
Mom and I headed out from Houston on our 8-hour (including a lunch break) trek by car, since there's no other reasonable way to get there from here. [aside - by plane, it's a 2 hour wait at the airport, 2 hour flight, assuming no extraordinary delays, 1 hour to deal with the rental car, then about 2 hours to Ada, assuming I don't manage to get lost] I now have several earworms from listening to Mom's collection of Dad's favorites for 14 hours. Not grousing too much, but That's Amore, Chirichiribim (I think that's its name), Racing with the Moon, and others along the same line almost put me to sleep. Not a good thing when in the driver's seat!
Once we got to Ada and connected up with the son, we had an opportunity for some interesting chatter. This is his last semester of undergraduate work, in a major that he detests! The political science class he's taking is a 'hands on' kind of class appropriate to the current political season - it's a group project where they were assigned a local race and are documenting it. Andrew chose his preferred candidate in the race by the fact that the guy gave him a t-shirt (or that's what he said ... knowing him, it went a bit deeper than that). Turns out the guy won by 2 votes. Good thing my son went to the polls!
The purpose of this marathon car ride was to hear my son's senior trombone recital. He was so nervous! For various reasons, this was the first time in a year that he's performed solo before an audience. He did a fine job and the profs were pleased with his performance, but it wasn't perfect, so he's a bit down on himself right now. The problem with these recitals is that they are focused around technique (not a bad thing in and of itself), so the music chosen tends to be along certain lines- obscure classical. Once he got the really stuffy stuff out of the way, Andrew finally got comfortable with the last two pieces and was more himself.
My son is actually more of a performer than a technician, and he got caught up in the expectation that he be a technician. *sigh* What schools will sometimes do to a performer in order to impose standards! ARGH!! When I hear him play, I can imagine him joining in a Chicago extravaganza or one of the retro-Big Band era groups, or even in a jazz combo (although it's not my favorite). He'll get there one day. From Ada it's on to a master's degree in performance, most likely. He's not figured out where yet, but he may end up down here for a while. Maybe not - I think the possibility of residing with me, even if it's for just a while until he makes friends and finds another place, is a bit binding on him. Believe me! I can understand that! (especially after living with my mom for over a year while seeking a call - tough stuff for an adult who was in her 40's and had mostly managed on her own, much less a very independent 20-something son! *chuckle*)
I enjoyed visiting with my son and getting to spend some time with him. It was a good way to spend part of my vacation!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Vacation Daze
Ok - next time I manage to take a week off, would someone please remind me that reinstalling my mom's hard drive (with updates via dial-up, no less) is not what one might consider a vacation?! Well, we did make an up and back trip to Oklahoma to hear my son's senior recital (more on that later). I think I'm going to take a break from anything related to computers for a few days. See ya next week! *flees from the computer room, screaming*
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Voter Apathy
Could it be? It might. An Associated Press article in today's Enterprise seems to point in that direction. As I interpret what the article says, those attack ads that everyone despises work, but not quite in the way one might assume. "Mostly researchers found that negative ads tend to polarize and make it less likely that supporters of an attacked candidate will vote." (italics added) Most interesting.
So here's what I'm wondering - do the attack ads that candidates run against each other lead to the voter apathy which exhibits itself in such abysmal voter turnouts?
It seems that the negative ads trigger brain responses which show up on functional MRI's. Here's what the researchers found: "When the test subjects saw a picture of the candidate they supported, the medial orbital frontal cortex of the brain - the area behind the eyeballs associated with empathy- lit up. When they were shown a picture or TV ad for the candidate they opposed, the island-shaped insula in the middle of the brain lit up along with other areas 'associated with distaste', Iacoboni (the researcher and UCLA professor) said, Then, other parts of the brain activated, as if the participants were 'using their rational brain areas to get upset at the other guy; they were using it to find a reason ' to dislike the candidate."
Here's the intriguing thing, if each candidate in a race is running attack ads against their opponents, do they ultimately encourage each other's potential voters to stay home? Maybe that's why everyone pulls out the negative advertising, so neither candidate ends up with an advantage. Lousy reason for running them, especially if it reduces potential voters. (or maybe not, depending on your perspective - if you'd prefer a low turnout, that is)
One other bit of tantalizing information - if you're an independent voter, you tend to be neutral in your reaction to the ads. I wonder what it would take to develop a nation of independent voters who aren't committed to either of the political parties.
One of the oddball things which stuck in my mind from high school government was George Washington's farewell address, and a part of that address was a concern that America end up enamored by the party system of politics. Maybe it's time for us to take Washington's advice to heart and send each of the parties to the showers. I wonder what would happen if all candidates were independents, and no one beholden to any particular party structure.
A woman can dream, can't she?
So here's what I'm wondering - do the attack ads that candidates run against each other lead to the voter apathy which exhibits itself in such abysmal voter turnouts?
It seems that the negative ads trigger brain responses which show up on functional MRI's. Here's what the researchers found: "When the test subjects saw a picture of the candidate they supported, the medial orbital frontal cortex of the brain - the area behind the eyeballs associated with empathy- lit up. When they were shown a picture or TV ad for the candidate they opposed, the island-shaped insula in the middle of the brain lit up along with other areas 'associated with distaste', Iacoboni (the researcher and UCLA professor) said, Then, other parts of the brain activated, as if the participants were 'using their rational brain areas to get upset at the other guy; they were using it to find a reason ' to dislike the candidate."
Here's the intriguing thing, if each candidate in a race is running attack ads against their opponents, do they ultimately encourage each other's potential voters to stay home? Maybe that's why everyone pulls out the negative advertising, so neither candidate ends up with an advantage. Lousy reason for running them, especially if it reduces potential voters. (or maybe not, depending on your perspective - if you'd prefer a low turnout, that is)
One other bit of tantalizing information - if you're an independent voter, you tend to be neutral in your reaction to the ads. I wonder what it would take to develop a nation of independent voters who aren't committed to either of the political parties.
One of the oddball things which stuck in my mind from high school government was George Washington's farewell address, and a part of that address was a concern that America end up enamored by the party system of politics. Maybe it's time for us to take Washington's advice to heart and send each of the parties to the showers. I wonder what would happen if all candidates were independents, and no one beholden to any particular party structure.
A woman can dream, can't she?
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Walls
Walls! I have walls ......... and ceilings!! It's absolutely incredible. A group of volunteers came in and installed the drywall and now it's being 'mudded' and then textured. By Friday, I should have the work completed on that part. It's so exciting to actually have something happen toward getting back into my home. *gleefully dances around the room*
Next up, painting! Now I've gotta figure out what colors I want. Painting itself may not happen until week after next. I'm heading up to see my son's senior recital, so won't be available to do the painting next week.
And, no, I haven't forgotten that the attic needs to be insulated. That phone call's happening tomorrow!
I'm not predicting move-in dates, but things are looking up! *can't sit still any longer ... starts dancing again!*
Next up, painting! Now I've gotta figure out what colors I want. Painting itself may not happen until week after next. I'm heading up to see my son's senior recital, so won't be available to do the painting next week.
And, no, I haven't forgotten that the attic needs to be insulated. That phone call's happening tomorrow!
I'm not predicting move-in dates, but things are looking up! *can't sit still any longer ... starts dancing again!*
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