I hate to blow off some hot air but I can't help but do so at this time. Several of you have agreed with me that the benediction on inauguration day yesterday contained racially offensive material (thank you, Joseph Lowery). Among other "clover" poetic puns about different races, "whites should embrace what is right" was thrown in there as if 1) racism is still as big a problem as it was in the 50s and 60s and that 2) racism is predominately a "white" problem.
I regret what was said yesterday by Lowery, but I regret even more the reaction that such a comment made. There has been no media attention given to the prayer. And thinking about it (and I hate to be complaining about the past when we should be looking ahead), if something had been said in the 2000 Inaugural Benediction about "blacks" or "browns" needing to stay out of "our restaurants", there would media attention galore attacking the person who conducted the prayer as well as the President and the party associated with the President.
Don't take this the wrong way. Of course, I'm not saying that the ethnic people of our country need to stay out of restaurants. I'm illustrating how someone on the flip side can be stuck 50 years ago in a time where racism was a real problem. But for a nation who is moving ahead with change (including the election of Barack Obama), then we shouldn't be saying things like this in our prayers.
21 January 2009
06 December 2008
Priorities and Acting Your Age
My mom and I were talking this evening and we came to the conclusion that all Adventists are selfish, coniving idiots. Of course we don't really think this (at least I don't)--it just so happened that in the heat of our conversation we discovered that at every church we move to, there is always a group of people (very influential people) who just act like immature brats on an elementary school playground.
I'm tempted to go ahead and include the names of the parties involved, but to show that I am better than the low performance they exuded today, I will refrain. Today my dad and I were talking in the mothers room of our church and an army of Pathfinder mothers from our church came into "talk"/complain to him about something that he no doubt had nothing to do with.
A loud banging on the door interrupted our conversation and a mother entered and hastily asked if our conversation was done. My dad, assuming that things were finished (we pretty much were) said that I was just leaving and that they could come in. Knowing from experience that these people were probably here to complain about my dad's performance as pastor, I almost felt as if, to spite them, I should just tell them that I wasn't done and that they could have their time with him when I was done.
But I promptly left after my dad pretty much verbally ushered me out so these people could come in and harass him. I won't go into the specifics of the conversation they had (my dad filled me in later), but I will say that it was over a very childish issue that could've been solved by referencing something my mom would say when my brother and I fought as children: "You guys just need to get along!"
There were two things that disappointed me in this whole situation: the fact that my dad allowed his job as pastor for the past 10 years affect his perception of priorities, and the juvenile exploitation of my dad for their own selfish gain. There is no doubt in my mind that he loves my brother an I very much and that we are his priority. But I saw today that he didn't really have his priorities straight. I don't really fault him. More so, I fault the extremely insensitive and immature mothers that walked in like they owned the place. They think that because my dad is the pastor of their church, that he works for them and that they have priority of his time over mine. Who the hell do they think they are?
Last I checked, our churches aren't places for all the political bullshit that often leads to corruption in a congregational setting but a place where Christian believers can come together and worship together in community. But it has been my family's experience that we just can't find a church where that is the central focus. Where is our church going to these days? I guess that's the question that I need to answer and will need to decide for myself whether or not I want to be a part of that.
I'm tempted to go ahead and include the names of the parties involved, but to show that I am better than the low performance they exuded today, I will refrain. Today my dad and I were talking in the mothers room of our church and an army of Pathfinder mothers from our church came into "talk"/complain to him about something that he no doubt had nothing to do with.
A loud banging on the door interrupted our conversation and a mother entered and hastily asked if our conversation was done. My dad, assuming that things were finished (we pretty much were) said that I was just leaving and that they could come in. Knowing from experience that these people were probably here to complain about my dad's performance as pastor, I almost felt as if, to spite them, I should just tell them that I wasn't done and that they could have their time with him when I was done.
But I promptly left after my dad pretty much verbally ushered me out so these people could come in and harass him. I won't go into the specifics of the conversation they had (my dad filled me in later), but I will say that it was over a very childish issue that could've been solved by referencing something my mom would say when my brother and I fought as children: "You guys just need to get along!"
There were two things that disappointed me in this whole situation: the fact that my dad allowed his job as pastor for the past 10 years affect his perception of priorities, and the juvenile exploitation of my dad for their own selfish gain. There is no doubt in my mind that he loves my brother an I very much and that we are his priority. But I saw today that he didn't really have his priorities straight. I don't really fault him. More so, I fault the extremely insensitive and immature mothers that walked in like they owned the place. They think that because my dad is the pastor of their church, that he works for them and that they have priority of his time over mine. Who the hell do they think they are?
Last I checked, our churches aren't places for all the political bullshit that often leads to corruption in a congregational setting but a place where Christian believers can come together and worship together in community. But it has been my family's experience that we just can't find a church where that is the central focus. Where is our church going to these days? I guess that's the question that I need to answer and will need to decide for myself whether or not I want to be a part of that.
02 December 2008
Teenage Years
I would like to take this time to memorialize my teenage years as it is the last day I will be one. I suppose if I think about it, I've come a long way from glasses, braces and acne; my cracking voice despite my apparent attempts to try and lower it so as not attract laughs when called on in class; and driving to school freshly licensed to show everyone I was growing.
This past weekend, I went in to get my license renewed and I felt old. It's still going to have the red strip that warns lazy bartenders I'm not old enough to drink, so I guess I still have some time before I join a water aerobics class or get myself a pair of orthopedic shoes.
But if this were 1981, I could be getting married tomorrow. Think of that!
This past weekend, I went in to get my license renewed and I felt old. It's still going to have the red strip that warns lazy bartenders I'm not old enough to drink, so I guess I still have some time before I join a water aerobics class or get myself a pair of orthopedic shoes.
But if this were 1981, I could be getting married tomorrow. Think of that!
01 December 2008
Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Mission and the Thai People
If you have been watching the news lately, you know there has been trouble in the capital city of Thailand--yes the beautiful, serene country of Thailand where my family's mission efforts have been concentrated for the last 60 years.
In a nutshell, some Thai people want the current Prime Minister of Thailand, Samak Sundaravej, to resign and elect Somchai Wongsawat. I was just reading this morning that their demands have been met. The others want King Bhumibol Adulyadej to have absolute power as he did 60 years ago and do away entirely with Thai Parliament.
I don't know the politics behind the issues that are causing the riots, but what I do know is that Thailand has a lot of work that needs to be done on the mission front. This is why its people are so dear to my family's heart. We have student missionaries in Bankok and around the country right now and we also have trips planned in the near future so please keep the country of Thailand in your prayers as they are going through this difficult time.
In a nutshell, some Thai people want the current Prime Minister of Thailand, Samak Sundaravej, to resign and elect Somchai Wongsawat. I was just reading this morning that their demands have been met. The others want King Bhumibol Adulyadej to have absolute power as he did 60 years ago and do away entirely with Thai Parliament.
I don't know the politics behind the issues that are causing the riots, but what I do know is that Thailand has a lot of work that needs to be done on the mission front. This is why its people are so dear to my family's heart. We have student missionaries in Bankok and around the country right now and we also have trips planned in the near future so please keep the country of Thailand in your prayers as they are going through this difficult time.
28 November 2008
Friendship Pool
Yesterday, I was talking with a close friend about the correlation between my social dillema and dating. When I say social dillema, I'm referring to my difficulty to make friends. This isn't something new. For many years now, after moving around so much, this problem has become something that I've grown accustomed to dealing with in the moving process.
I've analyzed to head-splitting extents why I have this problem. But now, I'm wondering if this problem has an affect on my love life. As it's been a while since I've really been with anyone, I find myself worrying about my ability to actually go out and find someone that's good enough for me. I've even entertained the idea of just going out and finding any random girl to prove to myself that I'm still capable. I mean, "If you don't use it, you lose it" right?
She (my friend) and I established that I'm the type of person that is satisfied with a small pool of friends. And after quickly assesing my personality, I'd say this is right. Knowing this, her solution for my problem was that someone (the right person) would come to me. I have my many doubts about this approach, but until I can muster up enough courage and get over my "anti-sociology", as my dad would say, it will have to suffice.
I've analyzed to head-splitting extents why I have this problem. But now, I'm wondering if this problem has an affect on my love life. As it's been a while since I've really been with anyone, I find myself worrying about my ability to actually go out and find someone that's good enough for me. I've even entertained the idea of just going out and finding any random girl to prove to myself that I'm still capable. I mean, "If you don't use it, you lose it" right?
She (my friend) and I established that I'm the type of person that is satisfied with a small pool of friends. And after quickly assesing my personality, I'd say this is right. Knowing this, her solution for my problem was that someone (the right person) would come to me. I have my many doubts about this approach, but until I can muster up enough courage and get over my "anti-sociology", as my dad would say, it will have to suffice.
04 September 2008
The Job of President: The Job of Americans
There is a certain beauty in doing a job well I have found over the past couple of weeks. Whether you are president of the United States or a cashier at a local Wendy's restaurant--there is a honor that can be taken away from doing a job well and doing it right. Lately I've been working the night shift at Wendy's which is less taking orders and customer interaction and more washing the most disgusting dishes you could imagine until around 1:30 in the morning. Hearing this you wouldn't imagine this to be a great and fabulous job, and you must know: it isn't.
Wanting to do a good job is something that needs to be before you can actually do a good job. One should try and do their best for their own satisfaction but it also takes motivation from others in order to do this effectively. I've had the privelage of working with a manager that motivates me to do well--not by badgering me or any of the sorts, but by having and making clear certain expectations of me. And walking out of the store in the middle of the night, I have that good feeling of a job well done.
I was reading an article in Newsweek this week and it was about the things the President has done right in spite of his 38% approval rating that has sustained for the past 23 months. It told of how the current administration has sort of turned things around after the 2004 election. But this is not justification for the blunders that have cost our country so much money and so much diplomatic damage that it will be very hard for the next Administration to undo as the article seemed to assume.
Now there may be some personal satisfaction for Bush himself in the fact that maybe he turned in the right direction on certain issues like the Iraq war and such, but the surplus that we had cannot be gained back over night and the reputation of the United States cannot be easily redeemed. In my opinion, Bush's presidency is that of failure and come January, I will be rooting for Barack to bring us back to where we need to be.
Wanting to do a good job is something that needs to be before you can actually do a good job. One should try and do their best for their own satisfaction but it also takes motivation from others in order to do this effectively. I've had the privelage of working with a manager that motivates me to do well--not by badgering me or any of the sorts, but by having and making clear certain expectations of me. And walking out of the store in the middle of the night, I have that good feeling of a job well done.
I was reading an article in Newsweek this week and it was about the things the President has done right in spite of his 38% approval rating that has sustained for the past 23 months. It told of how the current administration has sort of turned things around after the 2004 election. But this is not justification for the blunders that have cost our country so much money and so much diplomatic damage that it will be very hard for the next Administration to undo as the article seemed to assume.
Now there may be some personal satisfaction for Bush himself in the fact that maybe he turned in the right direction on certain issues like the Iraq war and such, but the surplus that we had cannot be gained back over night and the reputation of the United States cannot be easily redeemed. In my opinion, Bush's presidency is that of failure and come January, I will be rooting for Barack to bring us back to where we need to be.
16 August 2008
Sudden Death
My dog died yesterday. I came home and he was dead. No one was home and I was forced to deal with a rotting best friend on my own. He felt like nothing I had ever felt before--lifeless.
My parents and I were talking about how faithful he was. Our family has gone through alot in the past few years: a move, my going off to college, etc. But everytime we came home to undwind, he was always there waiting to chear us up with his pitiful "begger's face." Everytime I came home from college, he would be there to welcome me back and always push his way in first even though I'd have my hands and arms full of luggage. But I loved him for it.
He wasn't small but I always enjoyed it when he sat on my lap. Even though I could hardly breathe, I felt a sense of security with him there. Some nights I would come downstairs after not being able to sleep and just sit down on the couch with him and listen to his breathing as he slept. Steady and heavy.
I love him and miss him. The end.
My parents and I were talking about how faithful he was. Our family has gone through alot in the past few years: a move, my going off to college, etc. But everytime we came home to undwind, he was always there waiting to chear us up with his pitiful "begger's face." Everytime I came home from college, he would be there to welcome me back and always push his way in first even though I'd have my hands and arms full of luggage. But I loved him for it.
He wasn't small but I always enjoyed it when he sat on my lap. Even though I could hardly breathe, I felt a sense of security with him there. Some nights I would come downstairs after not being able to sleep and just sit down on the couch with him and listen to his breathing as he slept. Steady and heavy.
I love him and miss him. The end.
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