For several years now, my college roommate and I have been on an expedition. A survey, if you will. We have traveled through Missouri, Illinois and Washington on said journey and we have far, far higher aspirations.
We are in the process of doing a world excursion of Wal-Mart.
That's right, I said it. Wal-Mart. Or, for my Southern/Midwest readers, "the" Wal-Mart. =) And if you're my mother, "Wally World."
Whenever we go on a road trip, we feel the draw, the need to stop in every Wal-Mart we see and mark it off our list. (There's really no list, but I was trying to create an image for you.) I can't count the number of Wal-Marts we've been in together, but it's definitely at least 10. We loves the Wal-Mart. I honestly cannot remember where I bought shampoo before Wal-Mart came to Federal Way.
I do remember, though, my first Wal-Mart experience. Vividly. I was 8. Maybe 9. (Ok...so it's not that vivid.) Anyway, it was a family trip to Tennessee to see, well, the family. My grandma Dorothy lives in LaFollete, TN and there it was, like a beacon of hope on a hill. Wal-Mart.
When we got the first Wal-Mart in Washington, my family drove down to check it out. We even took friends with us.
And when you're in college, 45 miles away from the nearest anything, Wal-Mart takes care of you. When you need snackage or have to start a project at 2am and run out of toner, Wal-Mart is there.
It has taken several long, hard years to get a super Wal-Mart in the Puget Sound area. But we have one. When it becomes a 24-hour super Wal-Mart, I will do a hapy dance in the store, in front of those shiny, UFO-esque security cameras.
Why did I just randomly bring up Wal-Mart? Do I miss the BoMO one? Yes, a little. But that's not the real reason. The real reason is because I keep meeting people who hate Wal-Mart. I know! That's ridiculous! Who hates Wal-Mart?! Actually, a lot of people. And they are all here in the Great NW.
And I've been comtemplating this. Why do people in Washington (and probably OR an CA to be fair) hate all that is good and right? Because people are different, the answers vary. Here are a few that I've run across in the last couple months:
"I don't like Wal-Mart because they are taking out the Mom and Pop stores."
"I don't like Wal-Mart because there are so many people in there at a time. It's like a zoo."
"I don't like Wal-Mart because while there are 87 checkout stands, only 4 are open at a given time."
"I don't like Wal-Mart because I think Target/Fred Meyer/other stuff is better."
These are just a few of the reasons I've heard. Someone that I chatted with today said it was a "class thing." I have no class, so it doesn't stress me out. =)
I am fascinated by people that don't like Wal-Mart. Do they not like reasonably priced and easily accessible products? Maybe not. Whatever the reason, Wal-Mart will mostly likely stay in my heart. They already have most of my wallet, so why change it up now? Don't worry...I won't.
Thanks Wal-Mart; you've always been good to me. Even through the rough years with our love/hate relationship, you were rock-solid. And I appreciate that.
(To any member of the Sam Walton family that reads this, I really think I should be a spokesperson for your corporation. At the very least, I should receive some kind of reward for how much I promote your store here in Washington. Thank you. That's all.)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Music for the Soul
As I drove down the other day (wishing it would get to be at least spring already!!) I popped in a new CD (Sara Groves, "Tell Me What You Know"). The windows came down (a little), the music went up and I rediscovered that there is just some music that settles in my soul like a warm breeze.
Before the days of iPods and iTunes there were days when I knew exactly what CD I wanted to listen to and when. I would come home and think, "Ah yes...this is a Rascal Flatts day." Or "Hmmm...the only thing that even sounds alright is Bonnie Tyler." Now, I have shuffle and skip and I can bounce from CD to CD without even missing a beat.
But when I heard the sweet melodies of Sara Groves, I realized that no matter what happens with the future of how we listen to music, I will always need some CDs. And for your reading and learning about me pleasure, here they are =) :
- Pretty much anything by Caedmon's Call. I will always need Caedmons. Good days and bad; sunny or rainy; stressed or blessed - Caedmon's has my heart for the long haul.
- Sara Groves "All Right Here". I tell ya - that CD makes me more and more self-aware and God-aware than I thought possible.
- James Taylor's Greatest Hits. I like his CD's in general, but I like having the majority of my favorites convienently located on one CD.
- Watermark self-title. The first Watermark CD I owned. I've listened to it for so long it's scratched and dinged, but by golly, I'll listen to it until I can't anymore. Then I'll just go buy another one.
- Andrew Peterson's "Clear to Venus" and "Behold the Lamb of God".
- "You Are Super! All Girl's Mix" made for me by Annie Monette. All done by women who are strong and capable and want to know their God better and love others more. I don't know 1/2 the artists on there, but I love it just the same.
- Shane and Shane's "Psalms". I currently don't own this CD b/c mine broke. But when I can, I'm buying it again. There is really nothing better than listening to the Psalms (with some Hosea and Isaiah mixed in) done in song - the way they were meant to.
Some music is just the music to your soul. These are just a sampling of mine. Pretty much, if any of these CD's are in and I'm jamming to them, you could get away with anything. (Please don't try it though.) =)
Before the days of iPods and iTunes there were days when I knew exactly what CD I wanted to listen to and when. I would come home and think, "Ah yes...this is a Rascal Flatts day." Or "Hmmm...the only thing that even sounds alright is Bonnie Tyler." Now, I have shuffle and skip and I can bounce from CD to CD without even missing a beat.
But when I heard the sweet melodies of Sara Groves, I realized that no matter what happens with the future of how we listen to music, I will always need some CDs. And for your reading and learning about me pleasure, here they are =) :
- Pretty much anything by Caedmon's Call. I will always need Caedmons. Good days and bad; sunny or rainy; stressed or blessed - Caedmon's has my heart for the long haul.
- Sara Groves "All Right Here". I tell ya - that CD makes me more and more self-aware and God-aware than I thought possible.
- James Taylor's Greatest Hits. I like his CD's in general, but I like having the majority of my favorites convienently located on one CD.
- Watermark self-title. The first Watermark CD I owned. I've listened to it for so long it's scratched and dinged, but by golly, I'll listen to it until I can't anymore. Then I'll just go buy another one.
- Andrew Peterson's "Clear to Venus" and "Behold the Lamb of God".
- "You Are Super! All Girl's Mix" made for me by Annie Monette. All done by women who are strong and capable and want to know their God better and love others more. I don't know 1/2 the artists on there, but I love it just the same.
- Shane and Shane's "Psalms". I currently don't own this CD b/c mine broke. But when I can, I'm buying it again. There is really nothing better than listening to the Psalms (with some Hosea and Isaiah mixed in) done in song - the way they were meant to.
Some music is just the music to your soul. These are just a sampling of mine. Pretty much, if any of these CD's are in and I'm jamming to them, you could get away with anything. (Please don't try it though.) =)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Stories You Didn't Hear in Sunday School
"A Sermon Series"
So I've been thinking a great deal about what I would preach if I were, in fact, preaching somewhere. Which I'm not (don't worry my ultra-conservative Baptist readers =) ). And while this wouldn't be my "series opener", I think that this collection (see above) would be so much fun. Here are my ideas; let me know what you think.
* Judges 19: Israel's Compromise = A Concubine's Calamity
(don't worry - no more alliterations)
* Judges 3.15-30: Assasination of Magnanimous Proportions
* Genesis 34: Deception, Treachery and Murder: Your Typical Family Story
* Deuteronomy 25, specifically vs. 11 (b/c it's my favorite): Laws Who Wouldn't Want to Obey?
* Judges 4: Women Who Rule
* Judges 11: Be Careful What You Offer
*Genesis 38: Caution on the Side of Er (get it? It's really "err on the side of caution", but his name is Er. It's funny....)
* 2 Samuel 16.5-14: I actually have nothing for this b/c I've never read it before...right now
* Ezekial 47.1-12: Life, Temples and Other Mysteries (gotta love a good POG reference)
* Mark 5.1-20: Jesus and the Demons: Battle for the Naked Guy
* Matthew 1.1-17//Luke 3.23-37: Genealogies are Fun!
* Luke 14.25-34: The Cost of Discipleship
* Acts 5.1-11: You Know Where Liars Go...
* Acts 8.4-26: There's Only One
* Acts 27: Who Doesn't Want to Hear About a Shipwreck?!
And finally:
* Pretty much the whole book of Revelation - good stuff, but you'll never hear about it in SS
So I've been thinking a great deal about what I would preach if I were, in fact, preaching somewhere. Which I'm not (don't worry my ultra-conservative Baptist readers =) ). And while this wouldn't be my "series opener", I think that this collection (see above) would be so much fun. Here are my ideas; let me know what you think.
* Judges 19: Israel's Compromise = A Concubine's Calamity
(don't worry - no more alliterations)
* Judges 3.15-30: Assasination of Magnanimous Proportions
* Genesis 34: Deception, Treachery and Murder: Your Typical Family Story
* Deuteronomy 25, specifically vs. 11 (b/c it's my favorite): Laws Who Wouldn't Want to Obey?
* Judges 4: Women Who Rule
* Judges 11: Be Careful What You Offer
*Genesis 38: Caution on the Side of Er (get it? It's really "err on the side of caution", but his name is Er. It's funny....)
* 2 Samuel 16.5-14: I actually have nothing for this b/c I've never read it before...right now
* Ezekial 47.1-12: Life, Temples and Other Mysteries (gotta love a good POG reference)
* Mark 5.1-20: Jesus and the Demons: Battle for the Naked Guy
* Matthew 1.1-17//Luke 3.23-37: Genealogies are Fun!
* Luke 14.25-34: The Cost of Discipleship
* Acts 5.1-11: You Know Where Liars Go...
* Acts 8.4-26: There's Only One
* Acts 27: Who Doesn't Want to Hear About a Shipwreck?!
And finally:
* Pretty much the whole book of Revelation - good stuff, but you'll never hear about it in SS
Monday, April 7, 2008
NT Theology makes me want to hit my head against the wall
I've been reading NT Wright's Surprised By Hope: Rethinking Heaven, Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. So far it's been a great book: enlightening as to how heaven is portrayed in the Bible, what Jesus' resurrection means for our lives - both presently and in the future, and how we've drastically misinterpreted key passages in the NT concerning the future of our world.
It's been a good read.
Until my lunch break.
It was in reading about the parousia and the 2nd coming and escshatology that I started having PTSD symptoms. I took a class on the Revelation of John two summers ago and it nearly killed me. I can't remember the entire episode (I must have blacked out), but what I remember is yelling at my Bible prof, crying because I could not understand the resurrection at all. (I was confused because somehow there was more than one.) There was a timeline, I was on it... It's all very hazy, but that's what happened. Dr. Reeves was very concerned (and probably a little put out) and tried to help me, but I still don't really understand. Obviously.
I've decided that it's wise that I'm considering an MSW over an MDIV because I am entirely too stupid to go to seminary. I would die; seminary would kill me. I so wish I'd paid more attention in my Redford classes. What I wouldn't give to be able to sit in on Hymnic and Wisdom or Doctrine or NT Theology or Hebrews or Jesus. Man....
See? I must be some kind of sadist: this stuff makes me want to harm myself, but I still want it all the same. Gah....I'm a basket-case.
It's been a good read.
Until my lunch break.
It was in reading about the parousia and the 2nd coming and escshatology that I started having PTSD symptoms. I took a class on the Revelation of John two summers ago and it nearly killed me. I can't remember the entire episode (I must have blacked out), but what I remember is yelling at my Bible prof, crying because I could not understand the resurrection at all. (I was confused because somehow there was more than one.) There was a timeline, I was on it... It's all very hazy, but that's what happened. Dr. Reeves was very concerned (and probably a little put out) and tried to help me, but I still don't really understand. Obviously.
I've decided that it's wise that I'm considering an MSW over an MDIV because I am entirely too stupid to go to seminary. I would die; seminary would kill me. I so wish I'd paid more attention in my Redford classes. What I wouldn't give to be able to sit in on Hymnic and Wisdom or Doctrine or NT Theology or Hebrews or Jesus. Man....
See? I must be some kind of sadist: this stuff makes me want to harm myself, but I still want it all the same. Gah....I'm a basket-case.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Starting Again
I've xanga-ed, I've facebooked, I've even MySpaced, so now it's blogspot time. Here I am, adding my thoughts and contemplations to the masses of people doing that same thing. It's a good outlet for the confusion I have coursing through my brain most days. It also helps that I do very little at my job. =)
Enough of the "intro"; let's get on with it. Our first topic: Inspiration of Scripture. Yes, that's right, I'm bustin' out the theological conversations. I'm not a scholar by any stretch of the imagination (just ask any of my college profs) nor do I spend a lot of time reading about histories of interp (although I wish I did). Suffice it to say, this won't be at all scholarly or as eloquent as some of the bloggers out there, but its been on my mind and heart the last couple years generally and the last couple of days specfically. So I bring this conversation to you and I hope that maybe your voice will help me sort out the muddle of my own.
In college I majored in Biblical Studies, which, even though not a marketable skill at all, I loved (almost) every second of it. Even though I loved it and loved learning and can't think of anything else I would have wanted to spend 4 years studying, it cost me no end of frustrations. At least twice, I almost recanted Jesus and walked away completely. Virgin Birth? No. Bodily resurrection? Nope. Rapture? A little. =) But mostly it was the "inconsistencies" I read in the Scriptures. During my Hebrews and General Epistles class and saw that the author of Hebrews re-interpreted the Masoretic text, I 'bout fell off my chair. Was the author being opportunistic with scripture?! What gave him/her (cause we all know it could be Priscilla) the right to mess with the MT? Granted, I have a bias towards the Hebrew text overagainst the Greek Septuagint. And don't worry, I know all the arguments for how the LXX is more reliable than the MT...blah, blah, blah. Still, I was so bothered by that. So bothered, in fact, that I met with both my Old and New Testament professors to ask them how they dealt with reading the original languages of the text yet believed in inspiration of Scriptures if they've been messed with. And it's not just Hebrew to Greek and back; it's Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English to Chinese to Portugese. There is no way to get a "literal" translation in any other language. The words can't cross over like that. And it frustrated me to the point of wanting to give up.
However, I need you to understand that I'm saying all this about inspiration, not about the effect of the Scriptures on people. I have been deeply and dramatically affected/effected by Scripture. I believe Heb. 4.12: "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." And I also believe 2 Tim. 3.16-17: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
I can anticipate your question already...."how can you doubt inspiration of scripture and then turn around and say that 2 Tim 3. 16 is true? For that matter, how can you say that any part of scripture is true?" And the answer to that is....I don't know. I feel like I'm caught in this weird place of belief and doubt and I don't know how to reconcile it. No idea. It's hard enough for it to be in my brain, much less express it aloud. It's like I know the answer - just believe that it's completely inspired by God and quit doubting, but my brain can't let it go. I know all the apologetic arguments for the Bible and they make sense. And I believe that God made Scripture useful for all people, even though it was written for a certain people, with a certain focus, for a certain time. God still uses it to penetrate us today and throughout all of time.
If I believe these things, then why do I doubt it? Why do I argue for the side of errancy when in the conversation? Perhaps it's not the topic....perhaps I just like to be on the opposite side. Because when I talk to non-believers, I'm on the side of inerrancy, bringing out the apologetical info I can muster. Maybe I'm just majorly screwed up in my brain. Not that far of a stretch, I suppose.
This old heart's been left out on my sleeve
And I have paid as it's been rent unto pieces
Seems everyone I've loved has taken a bit of my insides
I'm scattered as the woman whose body was torn for the twelve tribes
When did my heart get so petrified
When did it get so hard to feel
When did my heart get so afraid to love
When did it get so hard
And the easy-living Gnostic proud
Use their knowledge
Like a wreaking ball to tear me down
Flooding me with their fallacies
I can't walk on this water
I'm starting to drown
Strike this rock with your rod
I'll take the blows
Till your living water begins to flow
As it flowed from the Man of Sorrows' side
On that day when his body
Was torn for the twelve tribes
Torn for the twelve tribes
-"Petrified Heart" by Caedmon's Call
Enough of the "intro"; let's get on with it. Our first topic: Inspiration of Scripture. Yes, that's right, I'm bustin' out the theological conversations. I'm not a scholar by any stretch of the imagination (just ask any of my college profs) nor do I spend a lot of time reading about histories of interp (although I wish I did). Suffice it to say, this won't be at all scholarly or as eloquent as some of the bloggers out there, but its been on my mind and heart the last couple years generally and the last couple of days specfically. So I bring this conversation to you and I hope that maybe your voice will help me sort out the muddle of my own.
In college I majored in Biblical Studies, which, even though not a marketable skill at all, I loved (almost) every second of it. Even though I loved it and loved learning and can't think of anything else I would have wanted to spend 4 years studying, it cost me no end of frustrations. At least twice, I almost recanted Jesus and walked away completely. Virgin Birth? No. Bodily resurrection? Nope. Rapture? A little. =) But mostly it was the "inconsistencies" I read in the Scriptures. During my Hebrews and General Epistles class and saw that the author of Hebrews re-interpreted the Masoretic text, I 'bout fell off my chair. Was the author being opportunistic with scripture?! What gave him/her (cause we all know it could be Priscilla) the right to mess with the MT? Granted, I have a bias towards the Hebrew text overagainst the Greek Septuagint. And don't worry, I know all the arguments for how the LXX is more reliable than the MT...blah, blah, blah. Still, I was so bothered by that. So bothered, in fact, that I met with both my Old and New Testament professors to ask them how they dealt with reading the original languages of the text yet believed in inspiration of Scriptures if they've been messed with. And it's not just Hebrew to Greek and back; it's Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English to Chinese to Portugese. There is no way to get a "literal" translation in any other language. The words can't cross over like that. And it frustrated me to the point of wanting to give up.
However, I need you to understand that I'm saying all this about inspiration, not about the effect of the Scriptures on people. I have been deeply and dramatically affected/effected by Scripture. I believe Heb. 4.12: "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." And I also believe 2 Tim. 3.16-17: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
I can anticipate your question already...."how can you doubt inspiration of scripture and then turn around and say that 2 Tim 3. 16 is true? For that matter, how can you say that any part of scripture is true?" And the answer to that is....I don't know. I feel like I'm caught in this weird place of belief and doubt and I don't know how to reconcile it. No idea. It's hard enough for it to be in my brain, much less express it aloud. It's like I know the answer - just believe that it's completely inspired by God and quit doubting, but my brain can't let it go. I know all the apologetic arguments for the Bible and they make sense. And I believe that God made Scripture useful for all people, even though it was written for a certain people, with a certain focus, for a certain time. God still uses it to penetrate us today and throughout all of time.
If I believe these things, then why do I doubt it? Why do I argue for the side of errancy when in the conversation? Perhaps it's not the topic....perhaps I just like to be on the opposite side. Because when I talk to non-believers, I'm on the side of inerrancy, bringing out the apologetical info I can muster. Maybe I'm just majorly screwed up in my brain. Not that far of a stretch, I suppose.
This old heart's been left out on my sleeve
And I have paid as it's been rent unto pieces
Seems everyone I've loved has taken a bit of my insides
I'm scattered as the woman whose body was torn for the twelve tribes
When did my heart get so petrified
When did it get so hard to feel
When did my heart get so afraid to love
When did it get so hard
And the easy-living Gnostic proud
Use their knowledge
Like a wreaking ball to tear me down
Flooding me with their fallacies
I can't walk on this water
I'm starting to drown
Strike this rock with your rod
I'll take the blows
Till your living water begins to flow
As it flowed from the Man of Sorrows' side
On that day when his body
Was torn for the twelve tribes
Torn for the twelve tribes
-"Petrified Heart" by Caedmon's Call
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