Osama I'm Not...

Today seems to be a great day for blogging...

My favorite days in the week are Monday and Thursday.  These are the days that I get to go to the middle school and the high school (respectively) for lunch.  It's always fun to see some of the teens from youth group and talk with them, but it's even better to see the confused looks of other teens trying to figure out who I am.  Some of them actually muster the fortitude to talk to me, usually mistaking me for a parent or a teacher.

Last Thursday, however, I was mistaken for a terrorist.  As I was scanning the cafeteria with my eyes, my head had apparently become transfixed on a particular table.  One of the students came up to me and asked if I was a terrorist planning to do something terrible to him and his friends.  I had to explain that my intentions were good and told him who I was.  Needless to say, they were relieved to find I was just another guy who enjoys the company of high school students.  Still, I laughed quite loudly in my car...

On the first date of Christmas...

A few weeks ago, Jess and I saw a news spot about couples trying to save money on Christmas this year.  One of the ideas was a couple who had decided to agree upon 12 dates that they would take during the Christmas season.  Jess and I thought that this was an awesome (I think her word was "cute") idea.  So, in no random order:

12 & 11 - decorating the apartment for Christmas (this seemed to be a two date process since we didn't have everything the first time) DONE

10 & 9 - movie nights (two nights were we each pick a movie to watch, usually rented from Netflix) HALF DONE

8 - Fair Trade expo in Madison DONE

7 - cookie baking

6 - Gamecube night

5 - game night

4 - TV show night

3 - organic food night

2 - serving night

1 - overnight to Milwaukee!

I've found that these dates have been super relaxing and helped to grow a lot of intimacy in our marriage.  It's been so good to just spend time with her instead of getting a Christmas gift that is either forgotten or used up in a short amount of time.  Instead, I'm investing in us.

FYI - Some of you might not know to what the actual "12 Days of Christmas" refer.  Historically, this has been the amount of time between Christmas and the Epiphany (I believe on Jan. 5), the day celebrated as the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus.  Now you know!

Life's Tensions

Jesus said that we're going to face troubles in this world.  I love the world "trouble."  The root word actually means to be pressed like grapes are pressed for wine.  The physical grape is crushed and squeezed so that the flavorful, fragrant juices can be leaked out.  How often are we pressed?  Paul uses the same word in 2 Corinthians 4:8 when he says, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed."  We are pressed out by things in the world.  We are emptied by our circumstances, but there is hope in knowing Christ...

The word "crushed" Paul uses means "to be in a narrow place."  We find ourselves in many narrow places, not knowing if we're going to make it through.  We feel squeezed by life and the things that are thrown at us by the world.  But Jesus says, "Don't be discouraged, I've overcome the world."  He's busted through the narrow walls so we can walk in a wide place with sure footing.

We will face the pressing, but it is in the pressing that we become like wine instead of like a grape.  Wine lasts far longer than a grape does.  Enjoy the pressing.  Let life press you out because you don't have to worry about being crushed.  Jesus keeps you juicy?  I don't think we'll ever use that in a church, nor should we.  It's a little weird.  Anyway, Jesus keeps you from being completely pressed out.  He's overcome the world and all its "troubles."

E-ddicted

I just read this article on CNN.com about Obama's BlackBerry habits.  As someone who is in the prospects of getting a BlackBerry to keep up with events (I'm a poor scheduler), I find it interesting that Barack is an email junkie.  I guess politicians aren't immune to the same addictions as the rest of us.  Still, it makes me think about how addicted we are to cyberspace.  Sure, it's a great way to communicate with friends over great distances, but is there a point when you take it too far?  I guess there would be.  I mean, you can take anything too far and rely on it too much.

There was another article at CNN.com that talked about an al Qaeda leader saying our civilization is nothing more than cardboard, qualifying the statement by saying that if our electricity were cut and computers down, we would be plunged into a pre-medieval state.  I'm going to have to say that I actually agree with the guy.  I've been struggling with the shallowness of relationships in America.  Maybe this is why true discipleship is hard to come by in our churches.  We desire to go deep in some relationships, but it makes us uncomfortable so we withdraw.  We never get below the surface where it's safe.  As soon as someone starts talking about their problems (or ours come up), we become disconnected.  This post has completely gone in a different direction than I thought it would, but I think there are some good observations.

I guess I'll never run for president since I'm addicted to my email and Facebook.  Just ask my wife!

activate

It seems like we are hearing more and more stories like this one.  It breaks my heart to hear what is happening to my brothers and sisters around the world.  I wonder how much of it is true hatred for the Christian faith or if it is hatred for what America has made Christianity become.  I love my country, but my true allegiance is to my Lord.  As Tony Campolo has said on several occasions, "We may live in the best Babylon in the world, but it is still Babylon, and we are called to 'come out of her.'"

I think I'm slowly becoming more of an activist for the church fulfilling her duties to love God and love her neighbors.  We try so hard to accomplish the first one that we often overlook the connectedness of the two.  After 9/11, how many Christians were all for bombing the crap out of Afghanistan?  How many were gung-ho about invading Iraq?  What does this say about how much we love ourselves?

From where I stand...

Now that the election is over, I guess it's time to declare my stance on many "important" issues to Christians.

Life/Choice

I'm pro-life.  No surprise there.  However, I don't think it's appropriate to legislate a "no abortion" law unless the church is willing to assist mothers who have found themselves in a situation where they are pregnant.  Why are we so quick to judge a woman who has found herself in that situation?  When the church is ready and willing to help single moms, adopt unwanted babies, or aid women who have had abortions with counseling, I think abortion will die out on its own.

Same-Sex Rights

This one I believe should be determined by states.  Marriage isn't a topic discussed in the U.S. Constitution.  Again, legislating federal regulations in this instance (whether for or against) isn't something that needs to be done.

War and Military

I'm non-violent, but understand the need for a country to go to war against another for defensive purposes.  I also think it's arrogant and unnecessary for the U.S. to have troops stationed all over the world and not having any other national military stationed in ours.  We're not the Earth Police.

Entitlement and Welfare

I see the benefit of having programs that help the poor and elderly.  However, we're creating a problem for ourselves when we allow jobs to be shipped overseas.  There's a vacuum of no jobs and people needing support.  Also, when the government gives to people without accountability, you're creating a system of dependence that doesn't get people out of the cycle of poverty.  Bring jobs back, help people become independent.  I know what it's like to live on welfare.  I'm a product of food stamps and Medicaid, but my parents worked their butts off to provide for us.

I don't think legislating Christian values is the right thing to do.  We're supposed to be fighting evil with our love and prayers, not laws and regulations.  If we actually be the unconditionally accepting church, people will be transformed.  Making them follow our rules without experiencing the love of God makes us look like harsh, bigoted people and shuts people off to the Gospel.

Back in the...CR

Jess and I had the chance to visit Cedar Rapids this past weekend.  It was a weekend full of hard work, memories, and smells.  I enjoyed every minute spent in the city.  We stayed at the Kaufman's house (shown in the picture).  What wonderful hosts!  Natalie even cooked breakfast for us on Sunday.

Jess and I hung drywall, installed a new door, and nailed plywood to huge holes in houses downtown.  It was the first time we'd seen the flood area up close like that.  It was depressing to see the place where I had lived so devastated.  There's still a lot of work to be done there.

I sure do miss that city and New Covenant.  It was refreshing to spend time with so many friends (who I would say are more like family).  We were sad that we didn't get to see everyone and that we had to leave.  You just don't find people like them all working together for the cause of Christ like they do.  They are truly a unique church.  (I found myself in Old Navy wanting to tell people about the church just down the street.)  I'd love to be back there someday.  If you live in Cedar Rapids (or visit during a weekend) and happen across this blog post, check out New Covenant Bible Church at 1800 46th St. NE in CR.  They'll welcome you like family right when you walk in.