I know this isn't the most satisfying thing, but at least I'm blogging!
1. I had major insomnia last night, but I finished a school project, took care of some emails, and caught up on my online TV. Then I managed to sleep in until 9:00 am, despite the kitty chorus.
2. There is more serotonin in a person's gut than in their brain, at least according to my doctor.
3. I'm fascinated by the show Lie to Me (on during Lost, but watch it online!), and now I'm staring at people's expressions so I can learn to face-read and tell if someone is lying...
4. I can't believe all my final papers and projects are due within 2 days of Easter. That's just cruel.
5. I ordered products today for my bunion. I have the feet of a 85 year old.
6. Tonight at my small group I'm talking about the sons of God who had sex with the daughters of men. I'm really looking forward to exploring the Hebrew behind all that!
7. I'm glad my class has finally started studying marital counseling.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
deep thinking
Sorry for no posts. But there's been a lot of deep thinking going on at the Bayless Barn as of late, and we are processing instead of talking. Probably a good thing!
Monday, January 26, 2009
7 quick takes
I got this from the lovely 10 Minute Writer blog. (I was a guest blogger there recently, check it out in past posts).
1) This morning, I walked into a door and I think I bruised my cheekbone. Seriously.
2) Gran Torino is a great movie which examines what happens when a person chooses to try redemptive violence and redemptive suffering. The movie gives a pretty clear message about which is more effective, but without being preachy or moralistic.
3) I'm gonna go work out after this post.
4) School is busy.
5) I have a job! Without writing my resume, searching the web, or doing a single interview, I have a job waiting for me in July when classes are over! Dreams do come true!
6) I'm going to try reading a textbook while I work out. It's a very boring text, but if my heart rate is 130, I probably won't fall asleep reading it.
7) I still love the hot tub.
1) This morning, I walked into a door and I think I bruised my cheekbone. Seriously.
2) Gran Torino is a great movie which examines what happens when a person chooses to try redemptive violence and redemptive suffering. The movie gives a pretty clear message about which is more effective, but without being preachy or moralistic.
3) I'm gonna go work out after this post.
4) School is busy.
5) I have a job! Without writing my resume, searching the web, or doing a single interview, I have a job waiting for me in July when classes are over! Dreams do come true!
6) I'm going to try reading a textbook while I work out. It's a very boring text, but if my heart rate is 130, I probably won't fall asleep reading it.
7) I still love the hot tub.
Friday, January 16, 2009
We're asking God to do what?
So I've mentioned the two ideas of redemptive violence and redemptive suffering. Redemptive violence: the idea that using violence to fight violence will result in good. Redemptive suffering: the idea that participative suffering with those oppressed by violence will result in good.
Now, I'm confident that God, regardless of the good ol' genocidal Old Testament days, is a fan of redemptive suffering. After all, that's kind of what Jesus was up to with the whole crucifixion thing (see the movie The Passion for a reminder). Jesus didn't confront the violence and evil of his day with more violence: He suffered. But then today I thought about a potential implication of this.
If God follows the way of redemptive suffering, why do we ask God to commit redemptive violence? Why do we ask God to bless our own acts of redemptive violence? And then why do we get bent out of shape when God says "no" to those prayers?
Now, I'm confident that God, regardless of the good ol' genocidal Old Testament days, is a fan of redemptive suffering. After all, that's kind of what Jesus was up to with the whole crucifixion thing (see the movie The Passion for a reminder). Jesus didn't confront the violence and evil of his day with more violence: He suffered. But then today I thought about a potential implication of this.
If God follows the way of redemptive suffering, why do we ask God to commit redemptive violence? Why do we ask God to bless our own acts of redemptive violence? And then why do we get bent out of shape when God says "no" to those prayers?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Guest blogging
I'm a guest blogger at 10 Minute Writer! Check out the post here! And spend some time there, it's a great blog.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hot Tub!
It's getting cold this week. Normally I mourn cold fronts, but right now I'm excited. Why? Because, it means more time in the hot tub!
OK, I'll admit, it's not like we need an excuse. We pretty much get in the hot tub 5 - 7 times a week. When it gets deadly hot this summer, and the heat index is equal to the 100 degree water, we think we'll turn the temperature down to 80 and sit in it. We're addicted.
Still, right now, in the dead of winter, it's pretty awesome to go outside in 30 or 40 degree weather in a swimsuit and enjoy yourself. We watch the stars come out, we watched the almost-full moon rise last night, and we chart the plane approaches to RDU airport (they change daily).
OK, I'll admit, it's not like we need an excuse. We pretty much get in the hot tub 5 - 7 times a week. When it gets deadly hot this summer, and the heat index is equal to the 100 degree water, we think we'll turn the temperature down to 80 and sit in it. We're addicted.
Still, right now, in the dead of winter, it's pretty awesome to go outside in 30 or 40 degree weather in a swimsuit and enjoy yourself. We watch the stars come out, we watched the almost-full moon rise last night, and we chart the plane approaches to RDU airport (they change daily).
Friday, January 9, 2009
When did my life goals become obstacles?
I was considering switching from 1 day of writing per week to daily writing this morning. And I felt a weight on my shoulders at the thought. Because I'm also supposed to be exercising daily, meditating daily, listening to the Bible & journaling daily, cooking daily, showering daily, etc. The thought of 1 more daily thing was too depressing. I had this thought that if I added 1 more thing, my day would be totally consumed. And then I had a second thought: why would it be so bad for my day to be consumed with things that either improve my life or advance my life goals? It's like these things, exercising, praying, journaling, writing, would get in the way of ... what, exactly?
What is my life about? I understand why I don't want to exercise daily. And I'm open to the possibility that my writing life requires 1 weekly big devotion as opposed to small daily increments. But this whole mental conversation stopped me short with the thought that if my daily life isn't dedicated to the activities which advance my goals and improve my life, what is it for? Cooking, cleaning, watching Oprah and doing homework?
I'm not saying I'm going to switch to a life of total discipline. I like open space in my schedule - I like spontaneity, and that's ok. But I am going to keep an eye on this conversation in my head. Daily activities create my life and I'm affirming that I'm going to turn off the obligation and burden view and turn on the possibility and goal view.
What is my life about? I understand why I don't want to exercise daily. And I'm open to the possibility that my writing life requires 1 weekly big devotion as opposed to small daily increments. But this whole mental conversation stopped me short with the thought that if my daily life isn't dedicated to the activities which advance my goals and improve my life, what is it for? Cooking, cleaning, watching Oprah and doing homework?
I'm not saying I'm going to switch to a life of total discipline. I like open space in my schedule - I like spontaneity, and that's ok. But I am going to keep an eye on this conversation in my head. Daily activities create my life and I'm affirming that I'm going to turn off the obligation and burden view and turn on the possibility and goal view.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Umm, is this really a big deal?
So I don't really do New Year's Resolutions. That's not my "thing." In fact, in the past I have held a "break your new year's resolution" party, and I'm thinking I'll do that again this year. What fun! Nothing like supporting those you love, right?
However, I do have a couple of goals for this year. Not resolutions. But I'm planning to write the first drafts of 2 books. When I say this, people's eyes get big and they say things about how big a goal that is. I guess they all believe me. (Now see, me, when I hear someone say that, I get a little cynical and stay unimpressed. This is how big a jerk I secretly am).
But to me, this is not that impressive. I feel competent to achieve this. I have a plan. I am working a system. To me, the impressive (and intimidating) goal will be when I try to get the books PUBLISHED. THIS is the big scary goal for me. Am I crazy? Perhaps this is just beginners' naivete, after all, I've never written a book before.
So if I am just being naive, be kind and gentle in your comments. And do ask me, on occasion, how my books are going. Maybe I will be crushed with failure and humility by June. Who knows? I'm looking forward to finding out!
However, I do have a couple of goals for this year. Not resolutions. But I'm planning to write the first drafts of 2 books. When I say this, people's eyes get big and they say things about how big a goal that is. I guess they all believe me. (Now see, me, when I hear someone say that, I get a little cynical and stay unimpressed. This is how big a jerk I secretly am).
But to me, this is not that impressive. I feel competent to achieve this. I have a plan. I am working a system. To me, the impressive (and intimidating) goal will be when I try to get the books PUBLISHED. THIS is the big scary goal for me. Am I crazy? Perhaps this is just beginners' naivete, after all, I've never written a book before.
So if I am just being naive, be kind and gentle in your comments. And do ask me, on occasion, how my books are going. Maybe I will be crushed with failure and humility by June. Who knows? I'm looking forward to finding out!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Humility
If you ever think you need a dose of humility, just get someone to randomly photograph you while you're talking. Preferably while you're sharing a sweet moment of story telling with a family members.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Movie Marathon
So, we had our annual movie marathon yesterday and it was wonderful! We watched all 3 Spiderman movies and the 2 Batman movies. It was a super-hero filled day!
My post today is about the Dark Knight, the second Batman movie. I love this movie because it very clearly states the inherent tension in the myth of redemptive violence. First, the "myth of redemptive violence" is a phrase I'm borrowing from Richard Rohr's amazing book "Things Hidden, Scripture as Spirituality." It refers to the belief that violence is acceptable in the fight against evil. The theory of just war falls into this view, as does the idea of killing in self-defense, our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, etc. And the real problem in this myth is beautifully illustrated in Batman: you either become a martyr, or you live long enough to become the villain.
I know people like the myth of redemptive violence. I like it myself. But unfortunately, I think it's a very destructive myth, and I believe this primarily because Jesus did not engage in redemptive violence. Jesus engaged in redemptive suffering, another very beautiful idea, but one which we do not often see in this world. However, this is what Martin Luther King Jr and Gandhi were involved in. They did not use violence to stop injustice and violence: they suffered. It is only when we refuse to use the tools of injustice and evil that we can truly fight them, although it does not often look like fighting to others. This is a radical, offensive idea, one which Jesus, you notice, died for. It's one that I'm very interested in right now.
My post today is about the Dark Knight, the second Batman movie. I love this movie because it very clearly states the inherent tension in the myth of redemptive violence. First, the "myth of redemptive violence" is a phrase I'm borrowing from Richard Rohr's amazing book "Things Hidden, Scripture as Spirituality." It refers to the belief that violence is acceptable in the fight against evil. The theory of just war falls into this view, as does the idea of killing in self-defense, our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, etc. And the real problem in this myth is beautifully illustrated in Batman: you either become a martyr, or you live long enough to become the villain.
I know people like the myth of redemptive violence. I like it myself. But unfortunately, I think it's a very destructive myth, and I believe this primarily because Jesus did not engage in redemptive violence. Jesus engaged in redemptive suffering, another very beautiful idea, but one which we do not often see in this world. However, this is what Martin Luther King Jr and Gandhi were involved in. They did not use violence to stop injustice and violence: they suffered. It is only when we refuse to use the tools of injustice and evil that we can truly fight them, although it does not often look like fighting to others. This is a radical, offensive idea, one which Jesus, you notice, died for. It's one that I'm very interested in right now.
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