07 January 2008
ode to sunshine
in the last month or so, i have been listening incessantly to delta spirit's debut full-length ode to sunshine. the key tracks include the razor-sharp 'trashcan', a wandering, guitar-driven 'people c'mon', and the nearly-U2 influenced 'children'. its worth at least a listen......or twelve.
06 January 2008
jackie and dunlap's take
...they were burning down the stadium during 'just as i am'......
hahahahahahahahaha.
love comes to me
love comes to me/
and that is all.
b (prince) billy.
i'm dealing mostly in expectations these days. expectations of preparation, expectations of friendship, expectations of continual communication, expectations of being somewhere that i didn't expect.
my friend likes to say that the kingdom of God/the Church should be continually speaking to culture in a way that is edifying and prophesying an alternate way of life. A way that is full of healing, hope and restoration.....something that I don't believe most of us, when left to our own self-motivation, have much care for. does it come down to a fundamental decision of selfishness/selflessness, meaning you either choose one or the other and consequently become your choice, or are there varying degrees of a processing towards that way? I lean towards the latter. Sort of a 'one or two steps forward, two steps back' sort of idea.
An intriguing idea is the concept of 'in the world but not of it'. At this point, I have mainly been told this means that Christians are not supposed to participate in activities that tradition/morality deems 'worldly'. "I don't smoke, I don't chew and I don't go with girls who do".....Its one way to understand the concept of separation from the world through behavior. I have begun to understand the phrase in another sense. Could that mean that Christians, because of their reception of compassion and grace from Christ, are 'not of this world' because of their love for others, regardless of specific actions, labels, qualifications? God has given us something called 'love' that I honestly believe has the ability to change how the world works, how people are treated by others, how we ultimately function. In understanding the phrase in this context, Christians' separation from the world would come more from the love, compassion and their character rather than the specific activities they do/do not participate in. It could be that there are elements of both that are true. I am dissatisfied with this explanation of my thoughts. I'll take a crack at it later.....
In other interesting news, Huckabee and Obama have established themselves as their parties' respective frontrunners. I will not hide my allegiances: I like Obama. I think he is pretty cool. From the things that I have read and watched, I recognize that he is attempting to bring a new type of politics to America, less intent on fundraising, mudslinging and toeing the party line but working toward practical and philosophical change to bring us to a place where American society is holistic (education, health care, economics, human rights, criminal justice, etc.) politically. Everyone should be cared for. Politics may be broken but I like what Barack is saying about what needs to change.
More than that however, I am encouraged the most by what both Obama and Huckabee said after their victories about getting past the polarization of American politics to a place of teamwork between Republicans and Democrats, a unity that hasn't been seen in the last decade or so. There is a good article about it here.
Oh and if you haven't checked out these guys for a laugh, you need to do so at once. Red State Update booya....
for those who want to know my situation in england, i am not there yet. i have not yet received my visa from the British government and am waiting until then. I have been packed for about a week now. There is lots of restlessness and anxiousness stirring in me that has been mostly subsided by the presence of loving friends, loving family and my own introspection. I think the thing that I am bummed about most is missing the Staff Conference in Wales, where everyone from YFC gathers to spend time together. It would have been great to be introduced to so many people and make connections. I can't wait to get there.
My current lists.....
Currently reading:
Jesus and Nonviolence by Walter Wink
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Ezekiel by Ezekiel
The Secret Society Handbook by Michael Bradley
Currently watching:
This American Life on HBO
Gangland on History Channel
Arrested Development Season 3
Currently listening:
Bright Eyes-Cassadaga
Bonnie Prince Billy-The Letting Go
The National-Boxer
M.I.A.-Kala
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals-Jacksonville City Nights
and that is all.
b (prince) billy.
i'm dealing mostly in expectations these days. expectations of preparation, expectations of friendship, expectations of continual communication, expectations of being somewhere that i didn't expect.
my friend likes to say that the kingdom of God/the Church should be continually speaking to culture in a way that is edifying and prophesying an alternate way of life. A way that is full of healing, hope and restoration.....something that I don't believe most of us, when left to our own self-motivation, have much care for. does it come down to a fundamental decision of selfishness/selflessness, meaning you either choose one or the other and consequently become your choice, or are there varying degrees of a processing towards that way? I lean towards the latter. Sort of a 'one or two steps forward, two steps back' sort of idea.
An intriguing idea is the concept of 'in the world but not of it'. At this point, I have mainly been told this means that Christians are not supposed to participate in activities that tradition/morality deems 'worldly'. "I don't smoke, I don't chew and I don't go with girls who do".....Its one way to understand the concept of separation from the world through behavior. I have begun to understand the phrase in another sense. Could that mean that Christians, because of their reception of compassion and grace from Christ, are 'not of this world' because of their love for others, regardless of specific actions, labels, qualifications? God has given us something called 'love' that I honestly believe has the ability to change how the world works, how people are treated by others, how we ultimately function. In understanding the phrase in this context, Christians' separation from the world would come more from the love, compassion and their character rather than the specific activities they do/do not participate in. It could be that there are elements of both that are true. I am dissatisfied with this explanation of my thoughts. I'll take a crack at it later.....
In other interesting news, Huckabee and Obama have established themselves as their parties' respective frontrunners. I will not hide my allegiances: I like Obama. I think he is pretty cool. From the things that I have read and watched, I recognize that he is attempting to bring a new type of politics to America, less intent on fundraising, mudslinging and toeing the party line but working toward practical and philosophical change to bring us to a place where American society is holistic (education, health care, economics, human rights, criminal justice, etc.) politically. Everyone should be cared for. Politics may be broken but I like what Barack is saying about what needs to change.
More than that however, I am encouraged the most by what both Obama and Huckabee said after their victories about getting past the polarization of American politics to a place of teamwork between Republicans and Democrats, a unity that hasn't been seen in the last decade or so. There is a good article about it here.
Oh and if you haven't checked out these guys for a laugh, you need to do so at once. Red State Update booya....
for those who want to know my situation in england, i am not there yet. i have not yet received my visa from the British government and am waiting until then. I have been packed for about a week now. There is lots of restlessness and anxiousness stirring in me that has been mostly subsided by the presence of loving friends, loving family and my own introspection. I think the thing that I am bummed about most is missing the Staff Conference in Wales, where everyone from YFC gathers to spend time together. It would have been great to be introduced to so many people and make connections. I can't wait to get there.
My current lists.....
Currently reading:
Jesus and Nonviolence by Walter Wink
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Ezekiel by Ezekiel
The Secret Society Handbook by Michael Bradley
Currently watching:
This American Life on HBO
Gangland on History Channel
Arrested Development Season 3
Currently listening:
Bright Eyes-Cassadaga
Bonnie Prince Billy-The Letting Go
The National-Boxer
M.I.A.-Kala
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals-Jacksonville City Nights
27 December 2007
le emerald city
i type this from a room in the holiday inn at fishermans wharf in san francisco. so far, we have been lost, seen a great deal of asians and are preparing for a night out. anika and i have our own room, in which we have set up our computers and are listening to britney spears from an asians' mac. we know they are asian because their library name is in japanese. or chinese. we can't tell the difference.
23 December 2007
hmm
the depth of true, authentic, caring community is impossible and incomprehensible to articulate.
19 December 2007
interesting ambiguity
first, good news! i am fully funded for my time in the UK. i cannot say how crazy the past 2 weeks have been. essentially, i have raised $11,000 in a matter of ten days. its extremely affirming, to say the least, and it gives me hope that God will be doing crazy things this next year.
second, i have had quite a few good conversations with my parents. we are starting to become friends rather than a parent/child relationship. i appreciate their wisdom and willingness to let me process and journey through a period in my life that is not easy. they give me hope.
third, i started a group on facebook called the california cardigan club. currently, i am the sole member. it saddens me to see that no one appreciates a good cardigan anymore. you don't have to be from california to be in the club. the name is simply to give some alliteration. everyone, including phillip seymour hoffman and lavar burton, should join.
fourth, i am debating on the types of gifts i shall give this year. the last thing i want to do is contribute to the consumer/materialistic mindset a holiday full of meaning has taken on. i am encouraged by groups like this. i have been trying to think on the practical level, something full of meaning and resourcefulness, something of real value. ok, i might break down and buy the whole family this. it brings us together.
lastly, i have been contemplating much about the ambiguous nature of language in church. as i sat through reedley mb's service on sunday, i tried to listen with a fresh set of ears and a clear mind, as if i was someone who had never been before. it got me thinking.....is the reason for our disconnect with the culture around us purely linguistic? there are so many words thrown around in church that i have never heard in a movie, newspaper article or song (unless purchased from Berean). just something to think about.....
and now off to visalia for fellowship with good friends.
second, i have had quite a few good conversations with my parents. we are starting to become friends rather than a parent/child relationship. i appreciate their wisdom and willingness to let me process and journey through a period in my life that is not easy. they give me hope.
third, i started a group on facebook called the california cardigan club. currently, i am the sole member. it saddens me to see that no one appreciates a good cardigan anymore. you don't have to be from california to be in the club. the name is simply to give some alliteration. everyone, including phillip seymour hoffman and lavar burton, should join.
fourth, i am debating on the types of gifts i shall give this year. the last thing i want to do is contribute to the consumer/materialistic mindset a holiday full of meaning has taken on. i am encouraged by groups like this. i have been trying to think on the practical level, something full of meaning and resourcefulness, something of real value. ok, i might break down and buy the whole family this. it brings us together.
lastly, i have been contemplating much about the ambiguous nature of language in church. as i sat through reedley mb's service on sunday, i tried to listen with a fresh set of ears and a clear mind, as if i was someone who had never been before. it got me thinking.....is the reason for our disconnect with the culture around us purely linguistic? there are so many words thrown around in church that i have never heard in a movie, newspaper article or song (unless purchased from Berean). just something to think about.....
and now off to visalia for fellowship with good friends.
13 December 2007
here i go a-wandering...
this is the story of my foray into a steel pipe as narrated by tim haydock.
setting my course to plan
i have been in pasadena for exactly a week now. i thought it was going to be just a short jaunt into socal but it has turned out to be much more than that. here are highlights.....
1. laughing, discussing, and imagining a better world with my best friend.
2. watching david bazan hit the proverbial nail on the head with a phenomenal show at the glass house in pomona on tuesday night
3. being tripped out by 'i'm not there', the new bob dylan movie in which 6 different periods of mr. zimmerman's life are told through the perspective of isolating each period through a different character i.e. dylans infamous show and absurd media attention in the uk (period character played by cate blanchett, who was unreal) or dylan as he rode in on the crest of popularity out of the folk scene (played by an admirable christian bale).....it was confusing as hell yet beautiful, oh so beautiful.
4. 3 american apparel deep v's + the new m.i.a. album + new brown bobby d shades=solid finds and hipster heaven
5. spending time with rob and darcie young, good friends. they live in anaheim hills. yes, the oc (dont call it that).
6. walking up and down colorado boulevard, watching the rose parade stands go up. its almost time for new years.....which brings me to the biggest thing....
you all know i am headed for the uk in a little less than 3 weeks. a part of that is gaining the finances as well as submitting the visa application. currently i am working on all the documents for the visa but my financial situation has done very well. currently, i stand at $8500 which is very close to my need of $11,000. it feels great to have a sort of affirmation about the whole thing. i am hoping that the Holy Spirit would completely deconstruct the mental structures i have in what kids need and bring a fresh sense of willingness, humility, and ultimately a just mind to doing things that will help the healing process in their lives. i have been struck lately how much of the Gospel is based on the idea of restoration, making things right, putting things back together, the holistic process of bringing peace to people's lives, both internally and with each other. i'm on the path to getting over a lot of the argumentative issues of the Church and am ready for something beautiful and peaceful and true and just to happen in God's kingdom. Maybe that stuff is in the UK.......
and coming up later, my journey to save a baseball.
1. laughing, discussing, and imagining a better world with my best friend.
2. watching david bazan hit the proverbial nail on the head with a phenomenal show at the glass house in pomona on tuesday night
3. being tripped out by 'i'm not there', the new bob dylan movie in which 6 different periods of mr. zimmerman's life are told through the perspective of isolating each period through a different character i.e. dylans infamous show and absurd media attention in the uk (period character played by cate blanchett, who was unreal) or dylan as he rode in on the crest of popularity out of the folk scene (played by an admirable christian bale).....it was confusing as hell yet beautiful, oh so beautiful.
4. 3 american apparel deep v's + the new m.i.a. album + new brown bobby d shades=solid finds and hipster heaven
5. spending time with rob and darcie young, good friends. they live in anaheim hills. yes, the oc (dont call it that).
6. walking up and down colorado boulevard, watching the rose parade stands go up. its almost time for new years.....which brings me to the biggest thing....
you all know i am headed for the uk in a little less than 3 weeks. a part of that is gaining the finances as well as submitting the visa application. currently i am working on all the documents for the visa but my financial situation has done very well. currently, i stand at $8500 which is very close to my need of $11,000. it feels great to have a sort of affirmation about the whole thing. i am hoping that the Holy Spirit would completely deconstruct the mental structures i have in what kids need and bring a fresh sense of willingness, humility, and ultimately a just mind to doing things that will help the healing process in their lives. i have been struck lately how much of the Gospel is based on the idea of restoration, making things right, putting things back together, the holistic process of bringing peace to people's lives, both internally and with each other. i'm on the path to getting over a lot of the argumentative issues of the Church and am ready for something beautiful and peaceful and true and just to happen in God's kingdom. Maybe that stuff is in the UK.......
and coming up later, my journey to save a baseball.
05 December 2007
descent into old age
i am now 22 years old.
my birthday was yesterday. it was a good day, full of relaxation, a nap or two with the sounds of a documentary on hillbillies on the history channel in the background, good friends, a bit of worship, and great times.
my birthday was yesterday. it was a good day, full of relaxation, a nap or two with the sounds of a documentary on hillbillies on the history channel in the background, good friends, a bit of worship, and great times.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
