Monday, August 11, 2003

An interesting post about crap detecting can be found over at Emerging Minister today. Just more fodder for the Ark discussion resulting from the GQ article.

You like my alliteration? OK, here are the random thoughts from the morning.

1. I hate my alarm clock.

2. It’s getting to be really dark at 5:30am - a sure sign that summer is nearly over.

3. Coffee is good.

4. While I love the way my long hair looks, I hate the hassle of fixing it in the morning.

5. I do not love my commute.

6. The soundrack to O, Brother Where Are Thou? is amazing. I borrowed it from my Dad because we’re having a youth talent show thing in September and the people who are organizing it asked me, another woman, and one of the teenage gals to sing a song from that album (Don’t Leave Nothing But The Baby). It’s an interesting song choice, I may see if I can switch it to a different one - I’ll Fly Away or In the Highways.

7. There was a weird “accident” on Burke Lake Road. Traffic was backed up a little as I got to Lake Braddock HS. As I got closer to Braddock Road, there were maybe 5-6 police cars with flashing lights in the left lane and an ambulance a little further, also in the left lane. There were three cops on the sidewalk on the right with a civilian, they were obviously in conversation. I saw no evidence of a car accident, there were no wrecked cars, there was no broken glass, etc. So I’m wondering if a pedestrian was hit. As I passed the scene another ambulance was driving up from Braddock Road.

8. I wish I had called in sick today. I do not feel like being at work today. I’m thinking of maybe taking Friday off.

I could add more, but I won’t. Happy Monday, people!

Sunday, August 10, 2003

I forgot to mention church from this morning. It was fantastic!

A bunch of our youth and three adults went to West Virginia on a mission trip a week ago. Last week one of the kids shared his thoughts on their week as a teaser for today’s service, which was led by the youth.

The prelude song was Undignified by David Crowder Band. After a few announcements, the youth worship team (it’s nothing official, just a few of the kids led by one of our 20-somethings who’s a great guitar player) led us in a set of songs. The first was actually more of a special, a duet by two gals - Amazing Grace a capella - and amazingly haunting. Then we all sang Forever, In the Secret, Agnus Dei, and Surrender. Surrender was new to all of us. I don’t know who it’s by, but it was a little familiar.

**Just did a little research, looking for the lyrics, no success. I did find a song called I Surrender by Dennis Jernigan. Maybe that’s it.**

Then came the testimonies. The first was one of the adults. Then came three of the kids, one of the girls from my small group. It was so fun to hear how God had revealed Himself to them, how He had answered prayer, how He had used them. It was exciting to hear them share and to know that they’re seeking, searching, growing.

Our youth pastor tied up the service. He was fired up (as he usually is)! He challenged us to serve in order to grow. Rather than rest or cease working when weary or empty, serve. And he’s right - I know in the times I’ve been the most empty spiritually, if I’ve kept on serving the Lord filled me back up to overflowing. I needed to hear that because I’ve been heading for a desert time, wanting to step back from everything to regroup, rest. And I am reducing my involvement a little by handing over the hospitality ministry lead to another on the team. But I’m still committed to my small group of girls and to the larger youth group. And I’m also committed to the worship team. So I’m praying that God will refresh me, give me the passion I once had for these things so that I can serve Him well, to bring Him glory. I’m most praying for a renewed passion for my small group responsibilities - the groups are bring realigned, changed and while I know this needs to be done, I’m selfishly reluctant to accept some of the changes coming.

And somehow this became a venting session for me. *sigh*

I’ve always been interested in those psycho-babble things that pigeonhole people. While others may hate to be pigeonholed, I love it. I’m a huge fan of the Myers-Briggs Personality Profile and other such tests.

So in my blog reading, I ran across the link for the Birth Order Plus website over at Dean’s World. I’m the first born in my family. Here’s the list of characteristics that define me:

Characteristic Bad Feeling: Guilt Strategies for survival: Placating, Covering Up Felt Loss: Love Sense of Justice: People should get what they deserve Thought Pattern: Research T-shirt: “I don’t know, what do you think?” Childhood Behavior: Demanding, Show off Emotional Expression: Flat Source of Anger: Lack of Respect Nature of Humor: Teasing Means of Relating: Placating Spirituality: Relational Relational: Fears others may be offended, Placater The Child Within: Abandoned Type of Procrastination: Dreaming instead of doing Blind spot: Own thoughts, feelings, desires Boundaries: Others have absolute boundaries A walk in the woods: Plunges into the woods pursuing distant goal Careers: Business, Research, Counseling, Promotion, Speaking Strengths: Goal-setting, Compromise, Leadership Parenting: Directs children towards goals Marriage: Goes along with what partner wants As Friend: Compromising, Serving Social Contributions: Discoveries, Information, Dreams Expression of Love: Agreement Driving Style: As if everyone is out to get him or her Common Phrase: “I don’t know” Responds To: “You may not agree with this, but….”

The only thing I sort of disagree with is the show off in childhood thing and the goal setting as a strength. I was shy as a kid, I didn’t even want to practice piano in front of anyone. The only goals I’m familiar with are those yellow posts in the endzone of a football field.

Also, I’m noticing the word “placate” is used a lot. When I was younger I would have said absolutely, that’s me! As I’ve gotten older and more assertive, I think I’m not as placating. My family may have different thought on that.

I’m channel surfing - in search for anything to watch while online (I just found Stargate SG-1, although it’s an episode I just saw a couple of weeks ago). I got to MTV, found an episode of The Osbournes and stopped for a second.

Just in time to hear Jack yelling at Kelly about some fight they had and he asked her why she needed to “confrontate” him. Huh? I thought maybe I heard it wrong. Then he used it a few more times in a profanity laden rant.

I’m adding this to the list, along with orientate and administrate, as words that seem to be correct yet aren’t.

I watched Vanilla Sky last night. What an odd movie, but I think I liked it. I know I liked the music used, but that’s to be expected from Cameron Crowe. I really like Cameron Crowe’s stuff. Say Anything is fantastic. Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous are just great.

It’s because of his previous movies, that I loved, that I gave this one a chance despite mixed reviews. And I think the Cooties hated it…I can understand why. It’s definitely weird.

I liked the surprise of Kurt Russell. And it drove me nuts when I recognized another actor who showed up late in the movie (I won’t name his character, because it’s spoilerish) - it was in the last scene that the “Ah Ha!” moment came and I realized he played the young David Helfgott in Shine.

***POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT***
One thing that stuck with me was the line about sour and sweet - how in life the things that are sour make the moments of sweetness all the sweeter. I liked how that was the main theme of the whole story really. I could go into the deeper themes, but I have to get ready for church.

I liked it.

Saturday, August 09, 2003

I know most of you are probably tired of the discussion. This post is mostly for me - additional links that are relevant to the topic. I encourage you to check them out.

1. I clicked over to Internet Monk yesterday afternoon and came across this post about the “gay summer.” A very interesting read.

2. In a comment on a previous post, Bryan left a link to an essay at Doxos. I just had a chance to read it this morning. Thanks, Bryan, it was very moving and as you said in a comment there, transparent.

ADDED LATER (8/11): 3.  The Tipping Point from Eric at Fireant Gazette.

The youth are running the church service this weekend, so I didn’t have worship band practice last night. It was nice to have a Friday free.

I found Jerry Maguire on TNT, so I watched that while I read a book. When that was over, I surfed until I discovered Stargate SG-1 on the Sci Fi channel. (Yes, I’m a nerd!) I like that show, but I only see it occasionally because I forget about it. When that was over, the channel ran a promo for the Battlestar Gallactica remake they’re working on. It looks to be very cool. I will be tuning in.

I was stuck in traffic (surprise!) last night and caught most of the first hour of the Chris Core Show on WMAL radio. Chris has been on vacation this week, so there have been guest hosts each day. Thursday’s was Tony Snow from Fox News. Last night’s was Trevor Matich.

Who?

Actually, being a Redskins fan, the name was a little familiar and he was identified as a former Redskin player. So I was thinking, this will be different - he’ll talk about sports (Kobe, the NFL pre-season, etc.). I was so wrong.

He opened the show with a discussion about the Dixie Chicks new problems, the war in Iraq,  how being anti-Bush/war isn’t helping the troops to do their job over in the sandbox, and how it may actually be encouragement to terrorists to keep on keeping on. It was fascinating and he proved to be more than the expected dumb jock.

One thing he said that I’ve thought as well (this is my loose paraphrase): It’s fine to criticize the President and Administration, but in the next breath you should articulate an alternative solution to the problem. So far, I haven’t heard a whole lot of the complainers present a workable alternative to what Bush actually did. Continuing on the path we were on wasn’t cutting it - something needed to be done.

Anyway, I was impressed.

Friday, August 08, 2003

It’s a fine line for Christians. Scripture says, “be in the world, but not of it.” OK. How do we do that? Especially today, when we have a Christian subculture that continually segregates itself from society. We have our own music, our own art, our own fiction, our own movies, TV shows, news shows, networks, radio stations, etc. We are separate, but at what cost? To ourselves as a subculture? To the Gospel? To the Great Commandment and Great Commission?

I don’t know the answer, although I know that I am troubled by Christians that so isolate themselves from “the world” that they don’t know what’s really going on in it. They only hang with their church friends, they only listen to Christian music, they only watch Veggie Tales videos, they only read Christian pablum. And sadly, although much of that stuff wears the banner of Christ, I don’t think it serves him or us well. And it certainly doesn’t aid in reaching out to those who don’t come to our churches or fit our idea of who we should associate with or whatever.

Backing up my point is this sobering article by a GQ editor, who decided to immerse himself in what he calls “the Ark” for a week. I found the link at Emerging Minister (post called “Sad Article”). Read the comments as well.

There’s similar discussion to be found at Thinklings.

Today’s Friday Five

1. What’s the last place you traveled to, outside your own home state/country? New Jersey, upon the birth of my niece. Oh, no, actually the last place was Brunswick (Glynco), Georgia, for a training thing. I forgot about that.

2. What’s the most bizarre/unusual thing that’s ever happened to you while traveling?  Nothing really bizarre. I was on the same flight with the 10,000 Maniacs when going from NYC to London in the late 80s.

3. If you could take off to anywhere, money and time being no object, where would you go?  Australia and New Zealand, I’ve always wanted to go there. Second choice would be the UK and Ireland. I also keep saying I’ll go to Alaska someday to visit a dear friend who lives in Anchorage.

4. Do you prefer traveling by plane, train or car?  It depends on how long I’m actually travelling and where my destination is. I’ve done the train a lot, which is a fine way to travel.

5. What’s the next place on your list to visit?  I’m headed to New Jersey again in a couple of weeks for the dedication of CootieGirl at church. It’s like a baby baptism without the baptism.

The Reality Bites Soundtrack or the Say Anything Soundtrack?

I’ve been listening to the Reality Bites soundtrack for the past couple of days. Besides My Sharona, the song that causes me to hit the “replay” button on the CD player is Tempted by Squeeze.

I bought a toothbrush, some toothpaste, a flannel for my face Pajamas, a hairbrush, new shoes and a case. I said to my reflection, Let’s get out of this place. Passed the church and the steeple, the laundry on the hill Billboards and the buildings Memories of it still keep calling And calling But forget it all I know I will Tempted by the fruit of another Tempted but the truth is discovered What’s been going on Now that you have gone There’s no other Tempted by the fruit of another Tempted but the truth is discovered I’m at the carpark, the airport, the baggage carousel The people keep on grabbing, ain’t wishing I was well I said, “It’s no occasion. It’s no story I can tell.” At my bedside, empty pocket, a foot without a sock Your body gets much closer I fumble for the clock, alarmed by The seduction I wish that it would stop Tempted by the fruit of another Tempted but the truth is discovered What’s been going on Now that you have gone There’s no other Tempted by the fruit of another Tempted but the truth is discovered I bought a novell, some perfume, a fortune all for you But it’s not my conscience that hates to be untrue. I asked of my reflection, Tell me what is there to do? Tempted by the fruit of another Tempted but the truth is discovered What’s been going on Now that you have gone There’s no other Tempted by the fruit of another Tempted but the truth is discovered

That is a great song.

But I love In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel from Say Anything just as much. I never get tired of that song, surprisingly. It’s a classic that stands the test of time.

Your favorites?

Thursday, August 07, 2003

Thanks to Bryan, I have a new addition to the blogroll - Emerging Minister. He has a great collection of parody Christian books listed here, with Photoshopped covers. Hilarious.

Oh, and make sure you read the comments. Rick Warren chimed in about the parody of his book.

Mrs. Cootiehog emailed the link to Eliot’s post about Garbage Worship. It’s an interesting read.

He notes that on NPR the other day Meredith Gudger (a future seminary student) commented on the “lackluster state of modern worship.” He provides this link to the audio, go take a quick listen (it’s 3 minutes). He even quotes sections of her complaint, the following is what I want to discuss:

I’m not one to lament days go by…but the current state of church music almost has me longing for the good old days. When congregations stand to sing, they no longer reach for their hymnals. Overhead projectors flash each verse on the wall in front of the congregation—like an eye test or a second-grade handwriting lesson. New church leaders proclaim ‘those stuffy old songs aren’t the language of the people! We need to bring in new music to reach a new generation!’ Apparently, the language of the people is now first grade english and the new generation is mindless as sheep. A middle-class college town congregation sings ‘Your name is Jesus,’ four times in a row. I can’t bring myself to add my voice to the others. Jesus knows what his name is, and us telling him all about it is a waste of time. ‘I am not worthy,’ another song says, for another four lines. Apparently, the creativity of Christians has diminished so significantly that one uncomplicated line is considered plenty of material for one song.

She makes some good points, but my main question is this, who is worship for?

Is it for me? You? Or is it for God, who we claim to be worshipping?

Who are we to say that Jesus doesn’t appreciate our acknowledgement of who he is - even if it involves repeating the same line 4 times?

Why wouldn’t God appreciate our acknowledgement of our unworthiness - and thereby His worthiness?

Now, I will be the first to admit that there is some crap passing itself off as worship music in churches today. But is it any less honoring to God because it’s simple? Because it’s at a 4th grade level?

I love the old hymns too and sometimes I wish we still used more of them in my church (that uses PowerPoint projected on a screen for the song lyrics). But there’s plenty of room for the more modern stuff too, and if you listen closely the message is still the same, still wonderful.

I don’t know Eliot, today was my first visit. But I’m intrigued enough by his posting of this topic that I’ll probably return to read his thoughts on Garbage Theology.

The password for today is

rotisserarie

Used by the “fontoon” woman when we decided to order lunch from Chicken Out.