gouge it out!

I just returned from Mexico and have plenty to say. Ex Nihilo's comment need's real addressing, and I hope it will soon receive it. However, the thougt below hit me hard today, and I think it deserves a reading.
Cheers:

Gouge it Out! Cut it Off!
You must be as a little child!

Jesus is serious about leading us to the Father. He doesn't pull any punches.
"It's your ignorant self-reliance, arrogant self-respect, and abhorrent self-absorption that keeps you from perceiving the reality of God and entering into the Kingdom of Righteousness. Stop playing games at being good enough, and seeing how much you can get away with, and just let your Father love you. When it hurts he'll kiss it, when you're lonely and insecure he will embrace and encourage you."

Jesus demands faith, a childish and illogical virtue. He speaks out clearly and violently against all attempts to enter God's community that rest on human effort, ingenuity, pride, or reason. All of these are virtues in the proper conext--the context of faith. Apart from faith, all of these work us into the fall of Adam and Eve; trying to be God. Most times, we opt for trying to make God like us, but in our worst moments we all grasp for the rights that are God's alone; standing in judgment over him.

This is the sume of Jesus's teaching:
"Stop trying so hard to be what you cannot be. Stop trying to make yourself God--you'll only die in the process. You just can't cut it on your own. I am the Way."

He constantly turned all human reasoning on its head. He rejected the hypotheses of social evolution and the surival instinct of natural selection in human beings. He broke the human ego and exalted it to the heavens.
"You are more than any animal. You are desperately loved. You were meant to live for so much more."


*couldn't help the Switchfoot reference

mexico

I'm leaving for Mexico in 4 or so hours.
Weird.
This is the first time I've been out of the country in 6 years, and only the second time in my life, but I don't feel any anxiety at all, and really don't feel all that excited. Maybe it's because I know I'm going to be working seriously hard while I'm there, or am balanced between excitement and dread. Excitement at what can be accomplished at the orphanage we're visiting and within the team from Chi Alpha New Orleans (www.nolaxa.com). Dread at leading into the unknown. I've grown more confident as a leader in settings I am comfortable in, but still get really unsettled outside of those settings. If you're the praying type, I'd be grateful for a petition on my behalf.

Oh, and if you're reading this and are not a close friend--like, you just happened upon this blog or something, would you indulge my vanity and leave me a comment sometime? I'm curious to see if anyone's at all interested in what I have to say, that is, beyond those people who are interested in me as a person they are in relationship with.

Auf Wiedersehen.
...yea, practicing spanish has brought back to mind my high school german. ironic, eh?

Proverbial Paradox

Take an adventure into Matt’s journal:
Most of this below is taken straight from my journal as I wrote it, as it came to me. You’ll see why that is important as you read.

Proverbial Paradox

I need to find myself somewhere between Proverbs 19:3 and 20:24

People ruin their lives by their own stupidity,

So why does God always get the blame?

The very steps we take are from God;

Otherwise how would we know where we’re going?

Of course, I tend towards 19:3 and personal responsibility. It is obviously a paradox, but that’s not what makes it difficult for me. Here’s my kicker: evil in life must be owned up to—it’s our own fault, the effects of sin on the world, or the work of rebellious angel types—good in life is directly from God on all counts.

Wait! All of a sudden it makes sense! God is the direct source of all good. He is goodness, and all that flows from him is pure goodness. He is holy, there’s no shadow in him, no shades of good even. When God shows up, he’s always dressed in his very best, he owns no casual clothes, dispenses no casual, semi-goodness. Evil, on the other hand, is always the result of a God-created free moral agent—a being actively or passively corrupting and perverting goodness. If there were only God there would only be good. He cannot pervert or corrupt himself, and so James was right; “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt any man, but each one is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own [perverted and corrupted] desires.”

When evil comes in life, it is not God, and cannot be. When good comes in life, no matter how well we think we may have deserved it, it is always directly from God, and can be from none other. We can cultivate a receptive existence—one that is properly oriented through grace to be in the way of goodness. But, we cannot claim credit for its creation. Apart from God, there is no good. Jesus said that himself. Wow!

So, wisdom teaches the right orientation, teaches us to fear God; see him rightly, as the only source of all goodness. Wisdom also teaches us the proper respect for and response to evil: hate it and own up to your culpability in it. Why is there oppression in the world? Because I shop at Wal-Mart. In wisdom we learn to properly discern good and evil. Then we learn to walk in the way of Good, that is God. Jesus embodied it—the Word made flesh. For me and my body, we will serve the Lord!

A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked
And undo the evil they’ve planned.

If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor,
Your cries will go unheard, unanswered.

Proverbs 21:12-13

delight

The heart is meant for delight. Paradise is our home of origin, the climate our species was designed for. Sure, we have adapted to life in the darkness of the world we have marred for ourselves. But, we were made for something different altogether.

And yet, our natural instincts, deeply buried as they are, still come to the surface at the most surprising of times, and we embark on a quest to create paradise again. (Our best creations come in art, literature, and music.) Unfortunately, the paradise we are capable of creating (outside of fantasy) is not suitable to human life. It is a singular creation, suffocating all others. In other words, the paradise of my creation is perfectly suited to the fullest actualization of my ego, my singular/unique ego. All others are suppressed in the actualization of my ego. They exist for the service of my desires alone.

So, life is full of suffering, which works one of two ways within us. It works to break us down, and in our brokenness we resort to reason and self-will (hopelessness), or we cast aside our purposes for the paradise of our design, and grab hold of hope. This is faith, and this is right.

Faith is right because of a peculiar truth: the God of hope has promised paradise, and promised to prepare a place for us, or maybe, prepare us for a place. This paradise is alive and fosters the fullest life, as it is modeled after its creator; infinite, unbound, all-embracing, creative and everlasting. Heaven is paradise in God’s heart and through his hands. Hell is paradise according to the fickle dictates of mortal humanity in all its weakness, isolation and suppression.

For more on the topic of humanity created for paradise see: The Journey of Desire by Tim Eldredge. And for more on the illogical nature of hope, as well as faith and love, see GK Chesterton in his work, Heretics.

Saying “I Love You”

Why do I reject the political rhetoric/culture war of right-wing, conservative Fundamentalist and Evangelical Christians?

I reject this because I want to tell hurting individuals caught in the trap sin, “I love you.” I want to say this with actions and with words, and be believed. Once a person believes that you love and respect them, reciprocal love and respect is often earned. Then, and only then, will words of truth and morality be heard and taken to heart. Otherwise, those words are viewed as attack, and the reaction is similar to that of a cornered animal; it’s the flight or fight instinct.

The rhetorician has already destroyed trust with offensive words, fighting words. He can say, “I love you,” but he is not believed because of fear and anger.

Seeking to Avoid Persecution in America

People are afraid of suppression.
Christians are joining together to enforce their political rights and are vying for political power in society. Through this we will restore America to Christendom and secure our freedom of religious practice and propagation, as well as our moral supremacy through legislation.
Of course, angry rhetoric against the majority is the surest way to ensure suppression leading to persecution. The American Church is stirring up fear and wrath in those who do not believe according to orthodox morality and dogma. They are afraid of these religious powers—afraid the angry “religious right” is aiming to suppress and persecute them.
Armed conflict is on the horizon; Civil War. America’s Church will take up the sword, and she will die by it. She is not interested in turning any cheeks or going down passively. The “religious right” believe they are the majority, and that this conflict will be solved through legislation. They are wrong. If they continue to wage this war, violent persecution and assured defeat is in store.
The surest way to preserve our liberty is to win the hearts of the people. We can do this through compromise, which is no option, as we would die in the process. Or, we can do this through compassion like Jesus. We can feed the hungry, care for the widow and the orphan, and defend the innocent.
In this manner, our actions will be heard, and people will be willing to leave Jesus in our hands. Currently, everyone wants to claim Jesus for their own; wants to “save Jesus from the Christians.” If the American Church would follow Jesus’ teachings in active love, Americans would be more willing to let the Christians keep him.
Persecution would still be a possibility. The gospel life is subversive to the American way of greedy consumer capitalism, and the power-lust of a corrupt political machine. However, “peace makers who sow in peace will raise a harvest of righteousness.”

justice is real

God is just.

What a statement! Look around. How can things be just, or fair in a world of such inequity? Social, racial, economic inequality is rampant all around the globe. As far as we think we've come, we are still quite "un-civilized", "backward", and even "barbaric" as a species. However, we have grown wise and sophisticated in our means of oppression and war. Of course, all of this just adds to our inequities, rather than alleviate them.

Then, there are interpersonal inequities to face. Nature and nurture have betrayed us into unequal people. My DNA predisposes me to an alcoholic life, yours may have made you too short, or too round, and now you face ridicule and belittling, whether aloud or only in the minds of others, all of your days. Or, a man's father beat him, a woman's uncle sexually abused her for years. Emotional scarring creates serious disadvantages in a person longing to mature into a balanced adult with full opportunities.

Finally, there is just plain, fluke accident. My friend has only one working limb due to an auto accident. The other three are senseless. Or, there is my cousin whose brain was permanently damaged--her short term memory is tragic, and her personality was truly altered--in another auto accident, weather induced. Where is justice? Where is fairness? Damaged people--mentally, emotionally, physically or behaviorally--are not equally suited for success in life. They do not have the same opportunities.

Ayn Rand and the Bible have taught me the answer to this question. Mrs. Rand claims, in The Fountainhead, that a person's worth or meaning is found in his work. What a man ought to do is find his true passion and work at it with all he has for his own pleasure. In this, he will find himself.

Ok, I say, but what of those who are born into a situation where they are not allowed to pursue their passion, or never receive an education wherewith they can determine their passion? Are they forever doomed to idiocy and a meaningless life? Or, what do we say about the girl in the newspaper this week, born with muscular dystrophy and terrible scoliosis? If her passion was ever anything physically demanding, she is useless. Or, what of my friend who desires so strongly to be a high school counselor, but got himself a felony record as a kid? He will never be allowed to work in his field of passion. Is he useless?

Absolutely not, and here's why: It is not our deeds that define us. It is our being. "God's blessing makes life rich, nothing we do can improve on God." We are incapable of making meaning for ourselves. Or meaning is defined by our Maker, and that meaning is being. Being. In relationship, we are and are becoming. This is our purpose, and all of us are capable here. We exist. We are. Thank God.

Be. This is a command all cripples, neurotics, mentally retarded, and emotionally scared can obey. This is the great leveler. What are you? What are you becoming? This is our definition. Here is justice. We are made to be, not to perform.

King Arthur

Jen and I went to see King Arthur as part of our anniversary night, Wednesday. We were not impressed. It had its good parts, but they were mostly stolen from two other, better movies: Gladiator and Braveheart. I did enjoy Bors' character, and Alecto was well played. Also, Tristan, who looks very similar to the crazy Irish guy in Braveheart, definitely added to the screen. Great screen presence, he added a unique feel to the scenes he was in.

What they messed up:

Arthur: You never get to know the guy, hence you never get to love and cheer for him. He's supposedy "Roman", but they neither show, nor tell you anything about his experiences in Rome. His knights follow him against their own best wishes--he must be a great and beloved leader, even Merlin says he's a "true leader". Nothing is ever done to show his greatness as a leader, it's just assumed, I guess. "It's King Arthur, he's a great leader." Yea, but you're telling me a story, tell the whole thing.

Merlin: His presence is small, and almost insignificant. He's supposedy a "dark magician" but sure doesn't do much about it. Plus, he doesn't increase Arthur's rule or power, but just kinda begs Arthur to help him. Kinda weak, if you ask me.

Guenivere: She's a great model. Her poses are excellent. But, there is no love story. I'm a fairly normal guy, romance is not my favorite story, and I can feel too much of it at times, but this movie had none! The romance has been part of the legend's allure for centuries, and they turned it into a sexual transaction for allegience to the "Woads". I thought the whole thing was way lame. And, the goofy warrior suit they bound her up in for the battle was ridiculous. It hurt me to see it, and I don't even have breasts.

I could make some other complaints, but they're more biases than actual cinema critiques. In summation, there are a couple cool scences, but they've already been done better in better epic movies, and a couple of intriguing supporting characters. But, the legend itself and the main characters, Arthur, Guenivere, Lancelot and Merlin were all pretty weak, or at least hardly presented as well-rounded, believable heroes. I was never moved emotively at any level, as far as I can remember. There were a couple good chuckles, though.

Save your money. I wish I would have gone to see Troy instead. It's got to be better than this one.

the banana republic

a confession: of sorts.

I have come to a decision. I am a Banana Republic shopper. I have appreciated the urban chic style of this clothier for many years, but stuck with my cheaper grunge throw back type style, wich was more easily supplied at Target and the clearance rack at AE.

Well, I'm moving forward. There is much to dislike about BR, but I find more than enough to like exceptionally. Some of the styles do wander to the wrong side of metrosexual, but many are very comfortable, clean, and fun. I tend to very much dislike "dressing up", but if I fill my wardrobe with BR stuff, I won't have much to worry about, because it's all comfortable, and all quite presentable in most settings.

I'm rambling...

Ok, so GAP (BR and Old Navy's [I don't much like ON] parent company) has gotten in a good bit of trouble regarding sweatshops, but so has Target (the supplier of a major portion of my current wardrobe), and Wal-Mart is the worst. But, here's what's cool. GAP recently signed an agreement with UNITE (a textiles, etc.. workers' union) in which they promised to begin taking an active role in making sure workers are treated fairly in the factories they buy from. No results of this agreement are yet available, but it's a good first step. I'll have to make my voice heard to the BR/GAP folks to help make sure they do their deal.

Anyway, I like their clothes. And I found a BR outlet in Mississippi where the prices are great.
cool

jesus is different

I’ve been doing a good bit of research into the religious panorama of humanity recently, and have been struck by one recurring idea especially; namely, the multi-faceted uniqueness of Jesus the Messiah, and the religion of his followers. Let me briefly elaborate some of the points I have come across when examining the Eastern Monistic/Pantheistic belief systems:

The first difference is immediate and obvious. I’ve already stated it—difference. Jesus teaches truth and lies, good and evil, and he teaches them in juxtaposition, judging and differentiating between opposing ideals, actions, forces. The Tao, the Middle Way, Dharma, all are founded upon undifferentiation. Primarily, a Buddhist, Hindu or Taoist seeks “salvation” through recognizing the Oneness, the undifferentiated source of all being, which is truly non-being. Jesus points his followers to a Source that is other than the universe and all its manifestations, a Source that is a personality differentiated from other personalities, yet not diminished (a point of importance for another time), a Source that creates, upholds, and judges differences. The Father is the One who is Three, and has created the innumerable things that are truly unique and have existence in and of themselves, not merely different faces of the One Reality. Many of the following differences flow from this one; the truth that difference is real.

In a universe where evil is real and evokes judgment, Jesus brings a message of forgiveness. In fact, according to the accounts of his teachings from his followers, he enacted forgiveness for humanity. This is a profound difference when looking to the East. In a universe of karma there is no forgiveness. All “evil” is repayed through karma in the ridiculous (as in, hopeless) cycle of samsara (death and re-birth). In the karmic universe forgiveness is impossible because there is no one who can forgive. The Oneness is not wronged by “sin”, and interpersonal offenses are inconsequential—karma will repeat no matter the response of the offended. And, the offended is better off forgetting than forgiving, as forgiving requires judgment, which is differentiation and sets one back in the quest for union with the non-being of nirvana. Jesus, however, teaches that “sin” offends and grieves the One Person. This is bad news from the perspective of judgment, which is more piquant than karma. This is the best news of all from the perspective of forgiveness. If a person, even the Ultimate Person, is offended, forgiveness is available. It is the best news because not only is forgiveness a real possibility, but a real offer through the mystery of Atonement.

Another very interesting dynamic of Jesus’ uniqueness is the development of real democracy and free-market. Of course, some of his teachings lend themselves quite well to socialism and like-minded philosophies, but the point here is the development of the individual’s value which created the seedbed for democratic trees. In the teachings of Jesus, each individual is highly valuable, a son or daughter of the Ultimate Person. This Fatherhood is not simply by nature of Creator/creation, but an intimate affection, and real relationship. For Jesus, the rich, the poor, the disfigured and handicapped, alongside the beautiful and strong are of infinite worth, deserving of supreme love. The Hindu world-view fosters the caste system, where one’s position is determined by karma and unchangeable—in fact, more bad karma is incurred through reaching for a better life. Buddha taught us to forsake desire as the cause of suffering. No people without strong, even passionate desire would ever develop a democracy or a free-market. This is a fairly simple treatment of this idea, but I will leave it at that. Of course, not all that comes with democracy or free-market is perfect, but that is another discussion altogether.

Let this be the final point for the time being. Jesus encouraged great desire. Buddha, Lao-Tze, and the Hindu Saddhus preach that desire is the greatest, first, even only real evil. This plays out in another way. A Monist believes he is everything, he is ultimate being, his destiny is to be reunited in non-being with Ultimate Reality. He is encourage to do nothing. In all his omni-existance, he is to live without desire. Desire is the source of all action. Yes, he is taught to practice compassion, but that, if he follows it, will lead him to desire. Every moving of the human innards is desire, a wish for change, a longing for immortality, the hope for the eternal moment of love requited… The Monist is great in his all-being, but does nothing. The Christian, however, is little. She is full of sin and desperate for salvation—desperate because she cannot attain it for herself. She is smaller than Jesus and his Father. She is smaller than angels, she is smaller than the world. Yet, she is to do, and will do great things. She will ardently pursue a thing and attain it. She will be moved with compassion and tear down the Berlin Wall, end widow burning in India, eradicate slavery from the globe. She will do this in the throws of desire. Yes, she will suffer, but she will relieve the suffering of others in so doing. This is the message of Jesus: “Desire passionately and cast yourself at the mercy of a forgiving God. You will be forgiven all and loved dearly. You will live on and so will your deeds of desire, the joy you wreaked on the world!”

I end for now. At another time, I may pick this up and go further. Hopefully, I will return to cast Jesus’ differences with the other monotheistic (and polytheistic, for they nearly all believe in one supreme deity) religions.

Rock on!
Desire in an open universe.