Kill the babies!!!

This is disgusting, but different than abortion, how?

Repeat...

Just wanted to post THIS as a possible example of what I was talking about in my previous post on 'christian' authors/music/etc. I haven't actually read anything by the author of these books, but in the article seemed to reflect points I was trying to make. Maybe I will check these books out... although I don't read fiction often, so probably not.

A.D.D.

Here is a clip from the often insightful program, South Park. (Though much of the show is, this clip is not offensive). To give a background for those who didn't see the episode, the students have all been placed on Ritalin and Chef is the only one who realizes this is wrong. Here is the video he has the parents watch as an alternative (since their kids won't pay attention in school).





Those of you who know me likely already know my opinion on this. But I'll give the quick summary for those who don't...

Maybe (just maybe, I'm not even 100% convinced) there are a few people who actually could use some type of medication to concentrate or even calm down... but for the most part, I think our society as a whole is not willing to just be responsible for themselves. You want to learn? Sit down, shut up, and pay attention, etc.

Obviously that is just a brief overview and I have many, many more observations and thoughts on this, but for right now I don't feel like typing them out.

"christian" movies...

So here are my thoughts on "christian" movies, etc. I started thinking (this time at least) about the topic because of a recent post on http://scassembly.blogspot.com/...



So first... "christian" movies... What makes a movie "christian"? That it is marketed to only Christians? That it is made by only Christians? That it has nothing even remotely possible of being offensive in it? That it is about Christ? That it is cheesy?

When I think of christian movies, I think of things like the Left Behind series, Fireproof, Facing the Giants, etc. When I think of these movies, I think of vomiting. Which, hey, that's just my opinion. If these movies are entertaining to some or have value to some, then great! Good for them. (Obviously someone liked Fireproof, it made millions). My problem is, however, when Christians try to claim these movies are an outreach.

Let's be realistic here. Is there anyone that is not a Christian that will be saved because they saw these movies? Is the purpose really outreach? Most of the people I know think they are a joke. I just have trouble attaching the name of Christ to anything that is done poorly or actually just plain entertainment. If you want a "wholesome", clean family movie, then make one! But just because you want to watch a movie and be entertained, doesn't mean you need to try to mask it as a ministry.

People are saved through God's grace! Through His Spirit's workings in their lives! We need to always be ready to share the hope we have. Always. But to me, it seems, a more effective way to reach people through movies would be to make quality movies and live a life that reflects our God. Too often we try to make our outreach an invitation to a christian movie or a great christian music festival... It can't end there! (Personally, I don't see those things at all effective, but again, that part might just be my opinion). You can't assume that because you invite your friend to see Kutless that they will somehow get saved!

But back to my other point... if you are in a band, if you are an artist... why not instead of making cheesy, horrible junk that will only sell to christians... why not make something beautiful and wonderful that reflects all of the talent God has given you? I see that as a much better reflection. I appreciate someone like Tolkien for this. He could have written a basic christian story and sold it to an all christian audience, but instead he wrote a work of art that is still being enjoyed by millions, even after his death.

People can respect that. And when you are in that position, use that respect to be an influence for good and for God to those around you. (Other examples of this would be Liar, Liar and the obvious Narnia series, etc.)

Same goes for christian bands... why not just be a great band that lives a life in love? Again, never afraid to share the hope they have. But you also don't have to force the issue. It seems artificial, it seems unnatural, people don't buy into that. But if you do as unto the Lord in everything you do, that is where the real results come. Again, the band example... pay your stage crew well, take care of everyone involved, don't be the band wrecking hotel rooms! Don't waste your wealth on extravagent living, but use the influence that your talent has given to do good!

Again, it's not like I'm saying all the people who make these christian movies and bands and etc. are horribly wrong, or even have their hearts in the wrong place. But how much more effective could we be? We say we want to reach the world, but do we?


Feel free to comment, I'm sure I forgot things and/or mistyped a few things!


(also credit to http://www.paulheggie.com/ for contributions made through conversation)



***EDIT
Let it be known, that I am NOT implying that this message relates to our Church services! They should be unashamedly unto God, clearly sharing the Word of God and praising and rejoicing in our God! In this post I am talking only about art and occupations. I mean if I was a trashman, I wouldn't only pick up garbage from Christians and paint a huge cross on my truck. So why then if I make movies, would I only make movies that Christians would watch and put a big cross on the front so they will choose my movie?!

Too Crowded...

I don't understand all the hype about Obama. He isn't even president yet! He may be a great president, he may be awful... but either way, he's just a president...

He has huge crowds everywhere he goes it seems...

Jesus had huge crowds too...

They crucified him.

Open your eyes...

Conservatives have some good reasons to side with the republican party... I also think there are some very bad reasons for it... I have always loved this section of James 5--

"1Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.[a] 6You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you."


How do we (those professing to be Christians) keep ignoring God's word?!?

We're Pro-life, Pro-sanctity of marriage, Pro-gun, Pro-wealth...

I can't call myself a democrat, but come on... this is pretty clear. It is SINFUL to keep living the way we are here in America! We lift up and sacrifice the wealth of the nation to the selfish desires of the top classes of citizens!!!

Jesus came to bring all unto Him! To protect the innocent! To bring life to the poor and dying souls!

We continue to pay our workers almost nothing in comparison to the great wealth heaped upon the richest of us and ignore the cries of the working class!



It would just be really refreshing to start hearing some more of the right-wing conservative Christians begin to stand up for all of God's word, not just the parts they like to hear.

When I am King...

The following contains pieces from multiple coversations and is not the creation soley of the author. All points are 100% valid and correct, therefore this post is still a credible source for any and all research.


POLITICS--
I still dont understand why everyone (just about every newspaper I read anyway) thinks that the Democrats are the party that will help working class people, or middle class, or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that Republicans are our saviors either...

I understand that Republicans don't do enough to regulate the rich/corporations/executives. They continue to support and allow them to enslave the working class. But at the same time, I wonder how the Democrats are such a better option. How does it make more sense to offer any and every program and handout to people to then turn around and steal it all back in unforgivably high taxes?

Who knows?
Maybe nobody can run this country right.
Because everyone just wants to run it.

Tax reform is needed, and needed soon, not just in Federal taxes, but in State and Local tax as well. Currently, I am in the middle class (lower?). Without giving away exactly what I make, I can say that between all of the taxes stolen from me I lose over 25% of my income (and I don't even pay property tax yet, although I'm sure my rental price suffers from it). I'm assuming that most people are in a similar or worse position in regards to the governments theft from their wallets. So what I want to know is if all of the "help" the government provides to the middle class working man is worth 25%+ of our income. Is it? I have trouble believing it. One thing I can say for certain is that if all of the money that is taken from me for my "security" was put into my 401K, I would retire with a very healthy sum (I very much support the privatization of social security). That is just one example, and I don't want to get into more at this time, but in simple words to the government-- leave me and my money alone!

So there is my argument (not even close to the only one) against the Democrat way of thinking. Now on to the next group.

Republicans...

Here is my big problem with this party-- I can't afford a house, a family or any of that yet... but still, people out there (in this country) are trying to manage those things on wages/salaries less than mine! That is wrong, almost evil. To me it just shows how little value we place on life and equality.

I understand the complaints that raising minimum wage will cause inflation, and I'm sure it would... if you ONLY raise minimum wage without fixing the problems. You need to have balance. With the hike in minimum wage MUST come regulation of the salaries and bonuses given to the boards, the CEOs, the CFOs, the presidents and the VPs. People at the top of the ladder are making more than kings while their slaves struggle to get by.

I have not yet researched the topic enough to propose a specific figure, but the regulation I speak of should be something to the extent of-- CEOs (and the like) cannot earn more than X% of the lowest paid worker. Again, this would be combined with a large increase in minimum wage, (say to a very minimum of $15-20/hr). The upper levels make way too much money... but the janitors (for example) make a too low minimum wage. It's not that i think janitors should be the richest of America, that would just be an excuse for us all to take the easiest jobs possible. Some people are capable of doing highly skilled or unique positions and they SHOULD be compensated for that (otherwise, what's the point...Communism cannot work) . But you need even a janitor to run your business smoothly, so pay him to be there and make sure it's enough to make a living off of.

***sidenote***
I realize that teenagers working at Burgerking don't need to make a living that would buy a house and raise a family, so I would include a separate minimum wage for those registered as dependents.
***end sidenote***

Right there we have cut back the need for oh so many government programs to "help" the poor. This cuts back many of the wasteful government programs. This cuts back the government budget. This cuts back the need for so many taxes! I realize it's not quite this simple (aid to the disabled, etc), but in essence, this cuts back the need for all taxes except those needed for infrastructure and defense (police force/national guard, military).

Is this all even possible? Part of the problem is that we have let the government get so built up that now we have a bigger problem than we can handle. To get anything done, even if we could elect our dream President, we would need to get the majority of Congress and the Senate strongly behind these (or like) ideas.



So there is my post for the day... but talk is cheap, this accomplishes nothing... but hey, I was bored sitting here at work.




PS-- to go along with the 'not valuing people or equality from above', I must say that Dwight Schrute was entirely wrong and idiotic when he said, "Why tip someone for a job I'm capable of doing myself? I can deliver food. I can drive a taxi. I can, and do, cut my own hair. I did however, tip my urologist, because I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones."

That is bull, Dwight! Are you that selfish? You tip them because YOU DID NOT DO IT YOURSELF. You are not the only person with worth! If everyone thought like you we would all be CEOs and politicians. You deserve every prank Jim ever plays on you for being so ignorant!!!

Lies...

I always find it funny when people are afraid to tell the truth (not that I sometimes don't get stuck in that)... as in, when people do something, but feel they need to make up a better reason for why they are doing it. Usually the real reason is obvious, and in my head, I think-- 'I know you are lying to me right now, what's the point?!' I wonder how much better things would be if we knew how to always be straight with each other......

A Failure to Communicate

"Constantly talking is not necessarily communicating."

That is a line Jim Carrey's character says in The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. (Sidenote: I just finished that movie for a second time and really enjoy it)

Thinking about what that line means reminded me of the quote from Cool Hand Luke that I used for the title of this post.

How often do we find ourselves in deep--way deeper than things ever needed to go, purely from a lack of communication?

Misunderstandings... miscommunications... mistakes...

I also thought about the first quote in terms of God. Do my prayers and thoughts to Him just end up being a constant flow from my mouth and mind? Am I spewing a lexical shield around myself that perpetually grows and insulates me from actually hearing a little bit of what God is responding?

I hope I am not. I hope I have been taking time to listen. I hope I would know how to communicate with my Father. And I know I must do my best to just shut up sometimes and be aware of Him and the powerful Word that comes out of His mouth.

I will end this post here for now. Just think about your own life… your thoughts and prayers to God. Are you listening? Are you hearing? Is there communication?

Control

Helplessness can be one of the worst feelings. It can be frustrating... annoying... It can drive you crazy.

There are just times when you really can do nothing. No matter how much you want to do something, you cannot help.

At my job, I deal with people who need help with computers and software... but I am only trained to help with basic problems. I know a little more than that, but sometimes there is no easy solution... or just no solution that I know... This actually makes me hate my job. I do not want to go in to work. I do not want to have to face the chance of not knowing. I don't want to have to say, "I don't know, I can't help." There are usually numbers or e-mail addresses to give for them to find help elsewhere... but that's not guaranteed... it's not the same... I couldn't help!

Not that it is wrong to want to have the answers to help people (especially when you work as a tutor)... but why?

Why is helplessness such a horrible thing in my mind (our minds?)?

It's not that we hate it necessarily...

Babies are helpless, many people seem to like them.

But when it comes down to "I am helpless".....

NO, NO, NO!!! I'm in control! I'm fine! I can do it!!!



Why is the truth so frightening?


We are not in control. God is.
Is He so evil that we fear His command?
Does He intend harm so that we distain His authority?


"Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you."
--from Luke 12


He values His creation... He feeds... He clothes... He loves...


Whether we want to admit it or not... whether we will submit or not...

We are helpless...

If not for the grace and love of God, we would not even exist...


I know this... I have known these things...

But so often I still don't want to be helpless...


God, save us from our pride.