I am revisiting what I intended to be a regular occurrence. My daughter once again demonstrated the concrete thinking of a three year old. I mentioned that someone was going to come by the house and my son was having trouble figuring out whom I was talking about. He likes to be prepared for all visitors - no surprises please (unless it is grandma). This lady had been by the house before, but previously had come with a friend. The original pairing is essential due to my daughter's subsequent explanation. The lady coming had longer hair, which had previously been very nicely groomed by my daughter and some kitchen utensils (curse Disney and its use of a fork in the Little Mermaid for hair brushing - we can not get past that) The friend had short hair and was therefore not so attended by my daughter and the utensils. So who was coming by our house later?
"You know.....the one with hair between her shoulders"
"Oh"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Material Cooperation with Intrinsic Evil
So, I get on the internet, and the first thing I see on MSN is the title on an article: "Priest: No communion for Obama supporters. "
I am really not sure where to begin.... Probably the only good thing about this article is the phrase: "material cooperation with intrinsic evil". If nothing else, the guy deserves kudos for that!
Seriously though, this is absolutely amazing. To think that someone can actually say that someone else can not take communion? Seriously? This guy just doesn't get it. No one has the right to stop somone else from taking communion. No one. It just lends credance to a lot of people's complete misunderstanding of scripture, this guy included.
Communion is about remembering what Jesus did for everyone, including people that support abortion rights. The act of communion should be done as a meal, the most biblical way of taking communion. One should focus on Jesus, and Him being the final Sacrificial Lamb for the entire world. We should be teaching our children (while taking communion, not waiting for them to be dismissed to children's worship, ugh..) why we are doing this. We should go all the way back to the Exodus, where this amazing spiritual ceremony originated. We should be walking around the worship hall, asking for forgiveness to those friends who we have upset, and have not talked it over with. We should be thanking God for the life we have, because of what He did.
Communion is not a political issue. I ask you, study it for yourself. No one, has the right to take that from anyone else.
I am really not sure where to begin.... Probably the only good thing about this article is the phrase: "material cooperation with intrinsic evil". If nothing else, the guy deserves kudos for that!
Seriously though, this is absolutely amazing. To think that someone can actually say that someone else can not take communion? Seriously? This guy just doesn't get it. No one has the right to stop somone else from taking communion. No one. It just lends credance to a lot of people's complete misunderstanding of scripture, this guy included.
Communion is about remembering what Jesus did for everyone, including people that support abortion rights. The act of communion should be done as a meal, the most biblical way of taking communion. One should focus on Jesus, and Him being the final Sacrificial Lamb for the entire world. We should be teaching our children (while taking communion, not waiting for them to be dismissed to children's worship, ugh..) why we are doing this. We should go all the way back to the Exodus, where this amazing spiritual ceremony originated. We should be walking around the worship hall, asking for forgiveness to those friends who we have upset, and have not talked it over with. We should be thanking God for the life we have, because of what He did.
Communion is not a political issue. I ask you, study it for yourself. No one, has the right to take that from anyone else.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
* Report Card Day
Today was report card day and I did not see it coming. Being the nerd that I was in school, I kept track of such essential days. Looking at all those matching letters gave me such a sense of peace. :) I find report card day a mixed day for me now. These are my thoughts...
- I have no control over the outcome of these grades and it is occasionally hard to let go of that and let him succeed or not all on his own.
- Thankfully he is my son and mostly the grades are terribly similar to those I experienced through school, although we are young yet and still get about half of our assessment under the heading of conduct. There is a bit of variance here between myself and my son. I was never a first grade boy. I was, from most reports, a terribly well behaved child. My son, while good, is a first grade boy. I have learned that he is naturally louder and more wiggly that I ever was. (Although apparently I liked to dance in public and needed to be reminded a lot about the appropriateness of that behavior - this by the same woman who encourages my daughter to 'shake her bootay' whenever the mood strikes, public or not- see previous posts on grandmotherliness) This dancing in public never trickled into school.
- I want my children to do well in school but not to feel as though only one grade will make me happy. (And then I wonder if I will be able to handle it if I ever do see another letter on a report card - man am I pitiful!!!!)
- Interestingly enough - I really do look at the conduct with more feeling than the subject grades. Is he respectful to his teacher? To his classmates? Does he work consistently and with good organizational skills?
- Then it occurs to me, that I really do want to raise someone that is liked and respected by others. Someone whom others want to be around. Someone whom other parents don't mind having over to their home. Someone who looks out for the interest of others, who loves God and follows Him voluntarily. (and with understanding of that decision)
- The behavior is more important than the subjects and the letters that come with them.
But I still get a thrill out of seeing the letters (one of which came with a plus today :) )
Monday, November 10, 2008
* Sweetness Among Chaos
While Judah is in China I get to play the part of single parent, which is no small thing, and my heart goes out to those who experience this for much longer than I. On the whole we do well, with only a small increase in general unruliness. With no dad to wrestle or tackle there is some pent up energy that needs expression. Add in any normal three year old and you get a mix of over dramatic whining alternating with frantic running in circles through the house. I have been blessed with some pretty good natured kids, so most of the time a snack or reading a book will quiet any overload. I will also admit that greater than 85% of the time all is peaceful in the kingdom, with a dancing princess and jousting knight defeating imaginary opponents.
The other 15% can make me want a beer - and I don't even like beer. It smells bad, why anyone would force down the first one amazes me. I have not met anyone who said the first beer tasted fabulous - so why drink the second sip? I did gamely try to drink wine once - in an effort to increase my sophistication - a miserable failure, I mostly just ate the dark chocolate that was supposed to help bring out the flavor in the wine. Bring on more chocolate, I'll skip the wine. Anyway.....Many of our recent dramas surround the issue of wardrobe. Both children are in denial of the season change as I have said before. My daughter is still wearing a bikini under her clothes everywhere, just in case we happen upon a pool. My son also is more than likely to wander out of the house in shorts and flip flops. This morning my daughter stood naked at the top of the stairs weepily telling me that she could find nothing to wear - I have no idea why not, most of her clothes were strewn across the floor for her viewing pleasure, she needed only to look down.
But this post is about the sweet moments among the chaos that is life with small people. Moments that fade quickly and must be grasped intentionally when you stumble on them. Sunday morning we went to worship as usual, with my daughter wandering off to sit with friends and in a generous (or selfish?) moment I actually let her sit elsewhere until children's worship time. This allowed me to just hang with my son. I had one of the best worship times in recent memory. God deserves our best but all too often does not get it from me, however my heart was so content that morning I think I got a step closer to where I was supposed to be. My son is at a perfect height for me right now. If he stands in front of me my hands can rest just over his mid-chest. This allows me to feel the vibration of his singing through my fingers without actually hearing the words come out of his mouth. He sang all the songs, which means he was paying attention. He was still during prayer and focused on the speaker. He did not wiggle, he talked about the communion, he was totally in that moment, giving his pure non-doubting heart to God, and through him I was able to do the same. One day he will be taller and my hands won't rest in that same spot but I know that I will continue to see God through him.
I admit that right now my daughter causes me more drama than my son, the joy of her being three. Three is my current least favorite age, having not yet gotten past first grade I have no comments yet on the teen years, but many teen-age moms make faces when reminiscing on the threes. My princess can be sooo cute and adorable and all that sugar and spice that a princess should be. Unfortunately it also occasioanlly comes wrapped in a girly screechy ball of whine. This mornings wardrobe drama for example. Two hours later as I lay in the dentist chair she watched intently as the hygienist cleaned my teeth - all the while stroking my hair and face, massaging the arm she stood by and occasionally holding my hand - just to "take care of (me)." I will remember the hair stroking later when she defiantly refuses to wear long sleeves to the gym, preferring a tank top, skirt and "clop-clops." Luckily she is still small enough to man-handle into the appropriate cold-weather clothing whether she wants it or not. One must be quick with the car seat straps though - if you leave her to do it herself she is likely to get that long sleeve off before you get in the front seat.
The chaos really is sweet.
The other 15% can make me want a beer - and I don't even like beer. It smells bad, why anyone would force down the first one amazes me. I have not met anyone who said the first beer tasted fabulous - so why drink the second sip? I did gamely try to drink wine once - in an effort to increase my sophistication - a miserable failure, I mostly just ate the dark chocolate that was supposed to help bring out the flavor in the wine. Bring on more chocolate, I'll skip the wine. Anyway.....Many of our recent dramas surround the issue of wardrobe. Both children are in denial of the season change as I have said before. My daughter is still wearing a bikini under her clothes everywhere, just in case we happen upon a pool. My son also is more than likely to wander out of the house in shorts and flip flops. This morning my daughter stood naked at the top of the stairs weepily telling me that she could find nothing to wear - I have no idea why not, most of her clothes were strewn across the floor for her viewing pleasure, she needed only to look down.
But this post is about the sweet moments among the chaos that is life with small people. Moments that fade quickly and must be grasped intentionally when you stumble on them. Sunday morning we went to worship as usual, with my daughter wandering off to sit with friends and in a generous (or selfish?) moment I actually let her sit elsewhere until children's worship time. This allowed me to just hang with my son. I had one of the best worship times in recent memory. God deserves our best but all too often does not get it from me, however my heart was so content that morning I think I got a step closer to where I was supposed to be. My son is at a perfect height for me right now. If he stands in front of me my hands can rest just over his mid-chest. This allows me to feel the vibration of his singing through my fingers without actually hearing the words come out of his mouth. He sang all the songs, which means he was paying attention. He was still during prayer and focused on the speaker. He did not wiggle, he talked about the communion, he was totally in that moment, giving his pure non-doubting heart to God, and through him I was able to do the same. One day he will be taller and my hands won't rest in that same spot but I know that I will continue to see God through him.
I admit that right now my daughter causes me more drama than my son, the joy of her being three. Three is my current least favorite age, having not yet gotten past first grade I have no comments yet on the teen years, but many teen-age moms make faces when reminiscing on the threes. My princess can be sooo cute and adorable and all that sugar and spice that a princess should be. Unfortunately it also occasioanlly comes wrapped in a girly screechy ball of whine. This mornings wardrobe drama for example. Two hours later as I lay in the dentist chair she watched intently as the hygienist cleaned my teeth - all the while stroking my hair and face, massaging the arm she stood by and occasionally holding my hand - just to "take care of (me)." I will remember the hair stroking later when she defiantly refuses to wear long sleeves to the gym, preferring a tank top, skirt and "clop-clops." Luckily she is still small enough to man-handle into the appropriate cold-weather clothing whether she wants it or not. One must be quick with the car seat straps though - if you leave her to do it herself she is likely to get that long sleeve off before you get in the front seat.
The chaos really is sweet.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Sunday in China
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-
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-
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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