Clanking clumsily at my side, I put the box in its proper storage. I walked to the long table strategically placed against the wall, adjacent to her desk. I took my seat. Another day had begun. After standing to recite the the morning pledge I busied myself with with some basic problems and whispered to the boys beside me. It seemed like forever before the awaited moment...Then, at last it came. I walked back over to the wooden frame and retrieved the box. It was fronted by the Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers. I sat it down on the table. How did that dragon sticker get there? hmm...I quickly opened the latch and picked up the thermos. After flipping the lid, I drank. Mmm...so juicy. Underneath there lay slightly smashed two white squares. She had cut the ends! Man, it was really good now! The peanut butter stuck to my palate and I washed it down by the thermos. Lunch was so good.
And it hasn't been the same since.
There are certain memories you remember. Ones that you can smell and taste. They remind you of what life was like- maybe how simple it was. Maybe how some things were just more important. Maybe how each phase of the day took longer. These memories I often wish I could relive.
It just tasted better out of that lunchbox...
I remember creating countless plays for my imaginary football teams. And the rosters- in depth. Each person had a ranking, possibly falling if they were injured. That thin, acre strip of grass was my stadium. And the rustle of the Mississippi breeze gave the trees incentive to cheer. I scored alot of touchdowns those years. Broke alot of records. Lived alot of youth.
What memories...
Though I would never achieve those outstanding stats in my single year tenure as a li' dolphins running backer- and though the lunchbox that magically made things taste better became a crayon storage, Those memories are never lost. These mental photographs reconnect me to my days as a carefree little boy in Hurley, watching Dad wash vehicles and mom make hamburger steak. It's a way for me to feel...to sense that life doesn't always have to be weighed down with ways to survive our seemingly complex society. There's release in retaining that inner child. He tells me to go create, play and let the world worry with its problems.
Live free.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
wikincredible!
When I search for information on the internet, wikipedia is the first place I look. It is an extreme database of knowledge on virtually (literally) anything you could possibly want to know- a collection of facts built by the individuals across the world. It is an interesting concept- this free-flowing of information. The scholarship of facts has been decentralized to anyone willing to share and edit a page. Sounds like a nice neo-movement for everyone, everywhere to have the human race's span of knowledge at their fingertips. Founder Jimmy Wales seems to think so.
Why are these wikians working for this accessible utopia of knowledge? Wales says:
It is a noble cause. And I love it. I love having a site where I can find information on ANYTHING. I completed a lot of college papers this way (even though it is not recognized as a legitimate source). I find information about my favorite artists and people. If I have the slightest question about a topic or issue- I go to wikipedia.
Questions about wikipedia's credibility?
Observations:
- In wikipedia, there are no barriers to what the individual can learn.
- In wikipedia, the individual can contribute to the wealth of knowledge.
- The knowledge cannot be controlled by any one structure. It is eternally open.
Moving on, I understand that Wiki is not alone in its endeavor. In fact, it is the reflection of something much deeper. The cultural shift taking place is one of access, freedom and openness. There is not one corner of the earth that can't be virtually touched. Look at an obscure streetview in Beijing from your web-browser. Post your opinion or daily rambling on a page-for all to see (yes, i know). Chat with someone across the world-and see their face. The Internet has completely decentralized the flow of information out of the hands of political and established power. If you don't like what the news station is telling you, then you can sure find something on the Internet that supports your opinion. Get maps to anywhere in the world...
The point is, times are changing. There exists a lack of mystery and wonder in our complex brains. I'm even convinced that the vast wealth of information hasn't made us better people-only a little more spread out in what we know.
In Jesus time, heck, up until the printing press, stories were carefully passed down by word of mouth and written in ancient languages. People rarely left their hometowns. The world was flat. The sun revolved around the earth and we were the center of the universe. And we still think we are. Our bustling, constantly improving culture doesn't know how satisfy the longings of the human condition. Indeed it complicates it.
Of course, there's always knee-mail... ;)
Why are these wikians working for this accessible utopia of knowledge? Wales says:
"I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself. I’m doing this for the child in Africa who is going to use free textbooks and reference works produced by our community and find a solution to the crushing poverty that surrounds him. But for this child, a website on the Internet is not enough; we need to find ways to get our work to people in a form they can actually use.
And I’m doing this for my own daughter, who I hope will grow up in a world where culture is free, not proprietary, where control of knowledge is in the hands of people everywhere, with basic works they can adopt, modify, and share freely without asking permission from anyone." A Personal Appeal from Jimmy Wales, 31 Dec 2005.
It is a noble cause. And I love it. I love having a site where I can find information on ANYTHING. I completed a lot of college papers this way (even though it is not recognized as a legitimate source). I find information about my favorite artists and people. If I have the slightest question about a topic or issue- I go to wikipedia.
Questions about wikipedia's credibility?
Observations:
- In wikipedia, there are no barriers to what the individual can learn.
- In wikipedia, the individual can contribute to the wealth of knowledge.
- The knowledge cannot be controlled by any one structure. It is eternally open.
Moving on, I understand that Wiki is not alone in its endeavor. In fact, it is the reflection of something much deeper. The cultural shift taking place is one of access, freedom and openness. There is not one corner of the earth that can't be virtually touched. Look at an obscure streetview in Beijing from your web-browser. Post your opinion or daily rambling on a page-for all to see (yes, i know). Chat with someone across the world-and see their face. The Internet has completely decentralized the flow of information out of the hands of political and established power. If you don't like what the news station is telling you, then you can sure find something on the Internet that supports your opinion. Get maps to anywhere in the world...
The point is, times are changing. There exists a lack of mystery and wonder in our complex brains. I'm even convinced that the vast wealth of information hasn't made us better people-only a little more spread out in what we know.
In Jesus time, heck, up until the printing press, stories were carefully passed down by word of mouth and written in ancient languages. People rarely left their hometowns. The world was flat. The sun revolved around the earth and we were the center of the universe. And we still think we are. Our bustling, constantly improving culture doesn't know how satisfy the longings of the human condition. Indeed it complicates it.
Of course, there's always knee-mail... ;)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
the political aspiration
Few things are as divisive as politics and religion. Put them together and let the hate begin!
Possibly one of the most important elections of all time lay at the hands of American voters- in 27 days. With all the rhetoric and sub-divided niches of people there is quite the array of opinions and suggestions aimed at pushing our stand-still nation through the crossroads. With the economy teetering on the scales of an unstable market, many Americans are waiting for a leader to emerge and lift the nation atop what seems to be the brink of Great Depression Dos. Many are ready for change, some not ready for the image change that electing Obama would signify, and others are in the independent outskirts of political society. Now that I've given my brief, inconcise run-down of the political state of America, I have a few things to discuss.
1. I want to speak in a way that can't be spoken on the political platform. I want to ignore statistics and political theory. I want to see the country in the green terrain that it is, rather than the personified red and blue.
In reference to the current economy, one word comes to mind. Greed. Yes, I said it. It's a moral/virtuous term only brought out of the closet for Sunday School lessons and Parenting points aimed at getting children to share. Yet completely applicable to Wall-Street and mainstream-suburban America. If you want more in this society, you take it from someone else. Giant mortgage lenders that feed on citizens with bad credit and unrealistic aspirations have taken the hit. Return void. Prospective home-owners that feed on the unattainable American Dream are just as responsible. Greed works both ways. It feeds the ego, regardless of what side of the economic spectrum one is on. Hmm...this isn't addressed from the platform. It's the corrupt corporation! We need regulation! We need to filter in $700 Billion dollars in money that we don't have so people will buy more of what they don't need! This is the great paradox of politics. It is driven to make a society better while repressing the issues that need to be addressed the most. These are issues that can only be addressed on a personal level. Which brings me to...
2. Jesus was a liberal. Jesus was a socialist. Jesus was a white middle-class republican.
Jesus was none of these things. Jesus was actually the Son of God. Not much room for a political agenda there...the coming Messiah that spoke of loving your neighbor as yourself and caring for the widows and homeless had one agenda on his mind: the will of His Father. Everything fell under this ultimate purpose. The titles above have all been written about or conveyed through the various sub-groups and cultural identities of people across the world. But Jesus cannot be politicized. He is and will be who He said He was. Yes, he disrupted the political empire of his time by being a radical and agitated the religious by hanging around prostitutes, tax collectors and thieves. But his mind, energy and focus was still on the ultimate work of salvation that would occur through the final act of the cross. Understand that Jesus' life was the living, breathing example of how His children are to live, not a story for political cut and paste.
I am not divorcing Jesus and his teaching from political life, but I am divorcing Him from political labeling- whether outright or implied. The "social gospel" idea that is emerging in the world is limited in its scope. There are millions of people here and abroad in dire need of basic food, clothing and shelter. But the Christian community mustn't sell the heart-changing aspect of the Gospel for something simply seeking to satisfy our earthly cravings. It must be the Gospel in its fullness, the good news that Christ has come to seek and save that which was lost. And that covers all socio-economic levels.
3. This Nation was founded on Christian principles.
I'm not sure I even understand what that means anymore. Regardless of whether our founding fathers were deist or Neo-Evangelicals ahead of their time, we don't live in the 1700's. Christians cannot hold high the flag or political and legislative authority any longer. The culture is not willing to acknowledge Jesus Christ as authority of the Constitution. Gasp! Does this mean that Christians no longer have rights? No, I think its more along the lines of Christians being scared of not having political and legal power the way it seemed they use to. We can't look to the past and wish for a time where Ward comes home, kisses June and has a nice meal with the family. The mass media has made it easier to access all kinds of crap. (this goes for Christian programming, too.) Knowing this, we should be aware that sin has always been prevalent in our culture and well, our hearts. There aren't any new sins coming on the airwaves today. In response, Christians shouldn't be afraid of the meaningless garbage that fights for our attention. We should 1) be glad the Glory of Christ is much more evident and 2) be willing to fight it with the truth of the Gospel, not the moral majority. Yes, it's scary for our future children. But, if we don't do something about it, we'll passively watch our kids be educated by a culture lacking Biblical authority.
It's not the Christian's job to make sure that He has political power. It is his job to have the power of Jesus Christ and change lives through some classic interpersonal communication.
Well, I didn't say it would be easy, now did I?
Possibly one of the most important elections of all time lay at the hands of American voters- in 27 days. With all the rhetoric and sub-divided niches of people there is quite the array of opinions and suggestions aimed at pushing our stand-still nation through the crossroads. With the economy teetering on the scales of an unstable market, many Americans are waiting for a leader to emerge and lift the nation atop what seems to be the brink of Great Depression Dos. Many are ready for change, some not ready for the image change that electing Obama would signify, and others are in the independent outskirts of political society. Now that I've given my brief, inconcise run-down of the political state of America, I have a few things to discuss.
1. I want to speak in a way that can't be spoken on the political platform. I want to ignore statistics and political theory. I want to see the country in the green terrain that it is, rather than the personified red and blue.
In reference to the current economy, one word comes to mind. Greed. Yes, I said it. It's a moral/virtuous term only brought out of the closet for Sunday School lessons and Parenting points aimed at getting children to share. Yet completely applicable to Wall-Street and mainstream-suburban America. If you want more in this society, you take it from someone else. Giant mortgage lenders that feed on citizens with bad credit and unrealistic aspirations have taken the hit. Return void. Prospective home-owners that feed on the unattainable American Dream are just as responsible. Greed works both ways. It feeds the ego, regardless of what side of the economic spectrum one is on. Hmm...this isn't addressed from the platform. It's the corrupt corporation! We need regulation! We need to filter in $700 Billion dollars in money that we don't have so people will buy more of what they don't need! This is the great paradox of politics. It is driven to make a society better while repressing the issues that need to be addressed the most. These are issues that can only be addressed on a personal level. Which brings me to...
2. Jesus was a liberal. Jesus was a socialist. Jesus was a white middle-class republican.
Jesus was none of these things. Jesus was actually the Son of God. Not much room for a political agenda there...the coming Messiah that spoke of loving your neighbor as yourself and caring for the widows and homeless had one agenda on his mind: the will of His Father. Everything fell under this ultimate purpose. The titles above have all been written about or conveyed through the various sub-groups and cultural identities of people across the world. But Jesus cannot be politicized. He is and will be who He said He was. Yes, he disrupted the political empire of his time by being a radical and agitated the religious by hanging around prostitutes, tax collectors and thieves. But his mind, energy and focus was still on the ultimate work of salvation that would occur through the final act of the cross. Understand that Jesus' life was the living, breathing example of how His children are to live, not a story for political cut and paste.
I am not divorcing Jesus and his teaching from political life, but I am divorcing Him from political labeling- whether outright or implied. The "social gospel" idea that is emerging in the world is limited in its scope. There are millions of people here and abroad in dire need of basic food, clothing and shelter. But the Christian community mustn't sell the heart-changing aspect of the Gospel for something simply seeking to satisfy our earthly cravings. It must be the Gospel in its fullness, the good news that Christ has come to seek and save that which was lost. And that covers all socio-economic levels.
3. This Nation was founded on Christian principles.
I'm not sure I even understand what that means anymore. Regardless of whether our founding fathers were deist or Neo-Evangelicals ahead of their time, we don't live in the 1700's. Christians cannot hold high the flag or political and legislative authority any longer. The culture is not willing to acknowledge Jesus Christ as authority of the Constitution. Gasp! Does this mean that Christians no longer have rights? No, I think its more along the lines of Christians being scared of not having political and legal power the way it seemed they use to. We can't look to the past and wish for a time where Ward comes home, kisses June and has a nice meal with the family. The mass media has made it easier to access all kinds of crap. (this goes for Christian programming, too.) Knowing this, we should be aware that sin has always been prevalent in our culture and well, our hearts. There aren't any new sins coming on the airwaves today. In response, Christians shouldn't be afraid of the meaningless garbage that fights for our attention. We should 1) be glad the Glory of Christ is much more evident and 2) be willing to fight it with the truth of the Gospel, not the moral majority. Yes, it's scary for our future children. But, if we don't do something about it, we'll passively watch our kids be educated by a culture lacking Biblical authority.
It's not the Christian's job to make sure that He has political power. It is his job to have the power of Jesus Christ and change lives through some classic interpersonal communication.
Well, I didn't say it would be easy, now did I?
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