What Do Meat and Sweatpants Have in Common?

Recently I have been experiencing a good amount of ennui (French for blaaaahhhh).  The winter has stretched on longer than it should, and with Carol away I have felt it colder than normal.

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The Lent season came, and passed.  I participated willingly, subscribing to a traditional discipline of no meat.  It helped me reflect on the life and passion of Christ, so it was worth it.

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However, my college years are within a few weeks of escaping me.  Its been a good ride here, but I am a little frustrated with it right now.  I am leaving with more questions than answers, and many more frustrations with myself and evangelical Christianity (one is always harsher with those things with which he/she identifies closely).   I have little left to give to my studies-- as I told Dauthan , my volition is wearing sweatpants. 

Last night my coPAs (RA) and I got together to discusses the game plan and pray about the rest of the semester.  As we prayed, there was a real moment of grace for all three of us.  

For me, I realized that I had sat through Easter service and had a big family dinner without realizing that the TOMB IS EMPTY.   Lent is over, yes, but the TOMB IS EMPTY.

The power that has risen Christ from the dead is at work within us!!!!

Parade Rest, Rush. Parade Rest

A gathering of very influential Evangelical leaders occurred on Wednesday to discuss the relationship of Evangelicals to politics.  There is quite a movement on the way, BE A PART.  Good stuff - - listen to it here

I was alarmed to here this from a leader in the Latino Evangelical community:

Sam Rodriguez: "The major difference between Latino evangelicals and white evangelicals is that many white evangelicals take their marching orders from Bishop Rush Limbaugh, Prophet Sean Hannity, and Apostle Lou Dobbs; and Latino evangelicals still listen to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John."

I know that the statement was intended to be emphatic and the point should be considered with grace.  Although I hope fervently that he is wrong, my fear is that Mr. Rodriguez' statement is correct.  

I don't think that it is so much the case or problem that White evangelicals listen to the men listed, it is that WE have forgotten how to listen at all.  A good number of us have forgotten to take a "Berea" approach to anything said about our Faith and our Lord.

I can speak loudly on behalf of one White Evangelical to say that this statement does not describe me.  Maybe I really was supposed to be Latino.

The thing is, these men are beating on drums with old skins.  The new wine will break them.  Sure, we will be wrong about much too, but the cadence is changed.  Less march, more walk together.  Two miles.

Why I joined and unjoined the group "Do NOT support the Golden Compass"

Dear Friends,
First, I would ask that those of you reading this that do not share my faith to know that I love my brothers and sisters very much.

CNN says that some Christians are calling out against the soon to be released "The Golden Compass". Here is why some Christians will stay away from the movie:
1) The work from which it is derived is written by an atheist.
2) The money you spend on the movie will benefit that atheist effort.
3) Your beliefs are being challenged.
4) Your children will be influenced towards a worldview that you do not share.
5) You can't talk about it at Sunday school without being ridiculed.

The only one of these that I can accept without qualification is #2. Spend your money wisely. Also, don't pirate it, that is wrong and bad.

I am sympathetic to #4. Parents need to be careful about how their children see the world.

BUT, how much better would it be if Billy goes to the movie, sees some sweet polar bear wars, and then returns how to talk about the battle for the cosmos with his parents, and his parents ask him questions about how the Bible was similar or different from the movie?

My point is this: Don't write off art because the artist is trying to ruin our faith. Paul's polemics often cited pagan sayings and rituals, and understanding some one else's opinion does not mean that you agree.

My other point is this: this movie would be a great discussion starter for our friends outside the Church. It would be worth my $7.50 to be able to explain my God to someone who needed it.

One more point: Go get more friends who are outside the Church.

2 Quotes:
"To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection." Jules Henri Poincare

"He who will not reason is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool; and he who dares not is a slave." ~William Drummond, Academical Questions