Its almost 7, and pretty much everybody that normally reads this is still asleep. I thought I would share what I usually do on a Sunday over here in China.
Michelle and I spend our Sundays at church. This includes: worshipping God, lunch and fellowship with family and friends, afternoon nap, and then small groups, trying to put some responsibility on ourselves to teaching our children about Jesus. It hasn't been until the last few years that I actually look forward to Sundays. I love Sundays. I really do, look forward to Sundays.
Sundays over here are a little different for me. I get up, eat breakfast, read some scripture, listen to some podcasts, and go out to experience the city. Xi'an has over 8 million people, at least 5 major universities, a couple of defense contractors, and numerous companies for manufacturing. Most people go out to do their shopping on Sunday. Therefore, this is a perfect time to experience the culture. It's a little difficult if you can't speak the language, but it is still worth it.
Today, some co-workers and I came across a small park with carnival rides. Now, I didn't ride any of these rides, as they were definitely not up to OSHA standards, but watching the people was enjoyment enough. Kids over here still beg their parents for cotton candy. Couples cuddle close on the tilt-a-whirl. Elderly couples walk around, holding hands, watching the children play. Carnival workers still try all the normal tactics to get that money out of your pocket.
After the park, we headed down the sidewalk, just walking. Shops are all over the place, with clerks trying to get you to come in side. People are every where, and there is no sense of personal space. Americans stick out a bit, so we are easy pickings for clerks handing out gift certificates, as well as homeless people begging for money.
We ended up at a Starbucks, sipping coffee in front of a nice fire. I actually passed 2 Starbucks, 3 McDonalds, 1 Dairy Queen, 2 KFCs, and 2 Pizza Huts in the 3 plus hours we were out.
I have to say I am completely fascinated with experiencing the culture. Don't get me wrong: I can't wait for my Sunday afternoon nap on my couch, with my son waking me up, wanting to go outside and play. But right now, while God allows me to experience this absolutely amazing culture, I am completely taken aback.
I think we all need to experience different cultures on a routine basis. Like I said, I love my Sundays, but what if I never experienced other Sundays? How would I evangelize to others, without experiencing something different? What if all I knew was going to O'Charley's with my family and friends? My friends don't need to know Jesus: they already do. My son quotes scripture for goodness sake. I can't begin to tell you how uncomfortable I was walking around the streets today. I wanted to be on my couch so bad. But alas, God has chosen that I spend this Sunday 7500 miles from my couch. I pray that I will learn from this experience.
I pray, that everyone else's Sunday was as awesome as mine.
Blessings,
J-
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Jesus Is not a Socialist
More than likely the bluntness of this post is due to the lack of sleep I have been getting while here in China. Of course, being able to wallow in my disdain for how the election went today may have something to do with it as well.
As much as liberals would like to think that Christianity is an early form of socialism, it just isn't true. Jesus focused His teachings on people understanding who He was, and helping those in NEED. Christianity does not teach taking from the rich and giving to those who do not have AS MUCH. There is a serious difference. Many of you know people in need. Friends that need relationships. Guys that need drugs to overcome depression. Girls that need to to overcome eating disorders. Couples that need to work through their disagreements. And without a doubt, there are people that need bread and water. My own wife has met these last people personally. I have been less fortunate to step over these people going into a subway.
Jesus also teaches that we are to "Come to the Father". Most scholars have taught a litany of sermons on this meaning that centers around the idea that we, as Christians, have to CHOOSE to be with God. Christians must CHOOSE to give. One of the greatest gifts that God has given us is the ability to CHOOSE to either be with Him, or not. Allowing a government to CHOOSE what is best for us, has to be as far from Christianity as I can think. When the ability to CHOOSE is removed from our nature, we will in turn, focus on ourselves. In other words, self gratification.
Oh yeah, one last thing. I ate lunch with a guy that works for a fortune 500 company before I came to China (where pretty much every successful company in America is going due to high taxes.... but that is for another story). He explained why taxing profitable companies more doesn't work: "You can tax us all you want. We will charge our customers more to pay for the tax. We are still going to get the money to pay for our costs as well as profit. The consumer pays the tax, not us." The next time you read your cellular phone bill, you will see this as federal and state taxes....
As much as liberals would like to think that Christianity is an early form of socialism, it just isn't true. Jesus focused His teachings on people understanding who He was, and helping those in NEED. Christianity does not teach taking from the rich and giving to those who do not have AS MUCH. There is a serious difference. Many of you know people in need. Friends that need relationships. Guys that need drugs to overcome depression. Girls that need to to overcome eating disorders. Couples that need to work through their disagreements. And without a doubt, there are people that need bread and water. My own wife has met these last people personally. I have been less fortunate to step over these people going into a subway.
Jesus also teaches that we are to "Come to the Father". Most scholars have taught a litany of sermons on this meaning that centers around the idea that we, as Christians, have to CHOOSE to be with God. Christians must CHOOSE to give. One of the greatest gifts that God has given us is the ability to CHOOSE to either be with Him, or not. Allowing a government to CHOOSE what is best for us, has to be as far from Christianity as I can think. When the ability to CHOOSE is removed from our nature, we will in turn, focus on ourselves. In other words, self gratification.
Oh yeah, one last thing. I ate lunch with a guy that works for a fortune 500 company before I came to China (where pretty much every successful company in America is going due to high taxes.... but that is for another story). He explained why taxing profitable companies more doesn't work: "You can tax us all you want. We will charge our customers more to pay for the tax. We are still going to get the money to pay for our costs as well as profit. The consumer pays the tax, not us." The next time you read your cellular phone bill, you will see this as federal and state taxes....
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
* An Atypical Topic (for me)
Today, as with the rest of the nation, I am thinking more about politics. Large chunks of the nation spend a great deal of time thinking about politics, while mostly it gives me a headache. Judah is by far the most political of the family. However I have been thinking more about it lately, hardly surprising since the TV will talk about nothing else, even on Nick Junior it seems. Can I say how much I am ready for the election to be over, just so I no longer have to watch commercials, listens to the recent polling statistics, and look at yard signs.
It pains me to see how polarized folks can get about politics. As someone who leans right in what is often derisively labeled the "Bible Belt" I am not outnumbered in my community. However, even here in a classically red area I am hearing more angry political words directed "my way." My views are labeled and implied to be wrong, mean spirited, and unloving. How can I not want to support the poor and underprivileged? My response is that I absolutely want to do those things. When did leaning right become equated with not wanting to be charitable? The difference - I want to be charitable myself, and not let the government do it on my behalf. I believe that charity is a moral obligation, not a government obligation. I do recognize that overall we are not living up to that moral standard and the government has "had" to step in and do it for us. This is unfortunate. I think of a quote from Star Trek Insurrection (note the nerdiness of my reference) about making machines to do the work of a man, takes something from the man. I think the same about large government. When we allow the government to do something we should do, it takes something from us.
I have read some commentary ranting against the right. About how I do not want to help others. I want to hoard my money and not share. In an ungracious moment I want to yell at them and ask where is their generosity in action? Many who shout about "me" not wanting to share, don't seem to share either. They are happy with governmental programs helping those in need, but don't personally know anyone in need themselves. Do they know a single mother struggling to feed their child on minimum wage and food stamps? Do they know anyone actually receiving assistance form these programs they love? Anyone? (To those leaning left who really do sink into the lives of those in need I apologize, you are not who irritates me)
I have recently also been trying to explain the political process to my son. Since he is the son of a guy who has strong political opinions he naturally knows who we are voting for. He announced this to the polling room during my vote, despite the signs telling us not to mention a candidate's name within a certain radius. We went to someones house for dinner the other day. They had a sign in their yard indicating they supported the "other guy." My son was shocked! Why would they do that? My simplistic explanation - that neither man is "bad" or "wrong" - that everyone truly wants the same for our country - peace, growth, freedom. However these men have two different ideas about how to get there. I wish some grow-ups would see it that way. I understand that issues are more complicated than that, but down at the basic level we all want the same things. Nobody wants citizens living in painful poverty and inhumane circumstances - nobody - either right or left. Nobody wants war. Nobody wants suffering and violence in our cities. There may be some programs I do not want, but the desire for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is still true. Therefore the general meanness in politics irritates me. Why we can't just disagree without it being a character assassination is beyond me. I can only be responsible for myself and living out what God has asked us to do in His word, even if folks think I am close-minded and uneducated to still be believing in such a God. I pray that folks in this country can get to a place where differences in opinion do not require anger, that more people will invest in those in need themselves and realize that shouting from the outside does not solve the problems.
So this has been an atypical post for me - the non-political one. But this is where I am today. Now that this is off my chest I can go back to what I prefer - random preciousness.
It pains me to see how polarized folks can get about politics. As someone who leans right in what is often derisively labeled the "Bible Belt" I am not outnumbered in my community. However, even here in a classically red area I am hearing more angry political words directed "my way." My views are labeled and implied to be wrong, mean spirited, and unloving. How can I not want to support the poor and underprivileged? My response is that I absolutely want to do those things. When did leaning right become equated with not wanting to be charitable? The difference - I want to be charitable myself, and not let the government do it on my behalf. I believe that charity is a moral obligation, not a government obligation. I do recognize that overall we are not living up to that moral standard and the government has "had" to step in and do it for us. This is unfortunate. I think of a quote from Star Trek Insurrection (note the nerdiness of my reference) about making machines to do the work of a man, takes something from the man. I think the same about large government. When we allow the government to do something we should do, it takes something from us.
I have read some commentary ranting against the right. About how I do not want to help others. I want to hoard my money and not share. In an ungracious moment I want to yell at them and ask where is their generosity in action? Many who shout about "me" not wanting to share, don't seem to share either. They are happy with governmental programs helping those in need, but don't personally know anyone in need themselves. Do they know a single mother struggling to feed their child on minimum wage and food stamps? Do they know anyone actually receiving assistance form these programs they love? Anyone? (To those leaning left who really do sink into the lives of those in need I apologize, you are not who irritates me)
I have recently also been trying to explain the political process to my son. Since he is the son of a guy who has strong political opinions he naturally knows who we are voting for. He announced this to the polling room during my vote, despite the signs telling us not to mention a candidate's name within a certain radius. We went to someones house for dinner the other day. They had a sign in their yard indicating they supported the "other guy." My son was shocked! Why would they do that? My simplistic explanation - that neither man is "bad" or "wrong" - that everyone truly wants the same for our country - peace, growth, freedom. However these men have two different ideas about how to get there. I wish some grow-ups would see it that way. I understand that issues are more complicated than that, but down at the basic level we all want the same things. Nobody wants citizens living in painful poverty and inhumane circumstances - nobody - either right or left. Nobody wants war. Nobody wants suffering and violence in our cities. There may be some programs I do not want, but the desire for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is still true. Therefore the general meanness in politics irritates me. Why we can't just disagree without it being a character assassination is beyond me. I can only be responsible for myself and living out what God has asked us to do in His word, even if folks think I am close-minded and uneducated to still be believing in such a God. I pray that folks in this country can get to a place where differences in opinion do not require anger, that more people will invest in those in need themselves and realize that shouting from the outside does not solve the problems.
So this has been an atypical post for me - the non-political one. But this is where I am today. Now that this is off my chest I can go back to what I prefer - random preciousness.
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