Shalom

“He imagined the sun.” God in his infinite creativity imagined the gases, the form, and function of the sun and spoke it into existence. He created an earth on an elliptical orbit and set it at a tilt as it orbited the huge ball of gas setting it a spin, in order that we might have day and night, winter and summer, fall and spring.

All my creations come from my schema of my experience, knowledge, and are in actuality a conglomeration of things I already know. Said is there is nothing new under the sun. How interesting that once again it is the sun in its overwhelming power and size to which we refer. To imagine means to “form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case." Yet, I am beginning to understand that my imaginings will never succeed in grasping the truth of God’s imaginings and subsequent creation. To create has multiple meanings: to make or cause to be or to become, to bring into existence, and as we often limit it, to create by artistic means. Before God created, there was nothing but God. The only way I can create is to use what is around me, which are the very items God created from nothingness.

I realize nothing is new in the knowledge of what is above, but the awareness I have of God’s power and the fullness I feel of his presence is very new. It is unlike anything I can recall feeling. The immensity of God’s love for me is overwhelming. Yet here I have been living, as if Christian living is a chore. Making practices of community something of a checklist. I can see my mental list now. Ask for help, check. Listen to friends, check. Give your problems to Christ, check. This is not how we are to go about living at all. In fact the very term practices, has been misleading, or at least misused. It is not a new item for my checklist; rather practices are life style changes that I can begin as I try to live more like Christ.

I desire with everything to live in community. To refer to an earlier image, I desire that my stick be bundled rather than left alone fragile and at the mercy of this world around me. However, I have not focused on Love. I have focused on activity. I desire to accept the transformation God wants to be in my life.

Concerning the new feeling inside that is a fullness, a wholeness, a contentment that I cannot remember having before, the word Shalom is constantly echoing in my head. I am not “shaloming” enough. The extension of peace from me has not been whole-hearted. It is time for my life to be an extension of the love of Christ. The experience of allowing others to shalom me is stilted. In fact, I have been going about accepting help all wrong. I have been looking at help from fellow Christians as a willing inconvenience. This is that they help me out of an obligation or pity. I had it all wrong. The outpouring of shalom within community is a step towards a society such as Augustine’s City of God. The presence of Shalom is what defines a healthy growing Christ-centered community.

My newfound joy is filling every nook of my life. People keep asking why I am smiling. I feel a deeper desire to listen to hurting hearts. I cannot keep Christ quiet; rather I want to shout to everyone about the love, the power, the joy, and the truth of God’s presence in my life. I look around to see whom I can tell about me and them being wholly and dearly loved by the all-powerful creator of the universe.

Some questions need not be asked.

So this guy comes by and looks into my room, sees that I am the only one here, and still says, " So, your roommate is not here?" My first inclination was to say actually she's hiding behind the door, but I smiled politely and confirmed that she was indeed not home.

Christology as I best understand it.

Okay so after getting the comment, concise and comprehensive, I felt great about my most recent theology assignment. Which I have pasted below.

Christological Doctrine:
Christ is completely divine and completely human. Only God is able to accomplish this paradoxical duality. He has always been and always will be. Within the Godhead, Christ is the son, one third. He is equal in essence to Father and Spirit. Christ is the first born over all creation and therefore is sovereign over the universe. He was with the Father and the Spirit in the beginning as the word by and for which all things were created.
Taking on a functionally submissive role, He humbled himself, taking on human form. Indeed, he then allowed that his own knowledge and ability would be limited by his human body living. In addition, that he would dwell only within the Father’s will and power. He came to earth on a mission to redeem humanity from our morally corrupt existence where we could not rise above the law and live reconciled with God. He provided atonement by living a perfect life and then dying on the cross in a moment of separation from God the Father as he accepted the sins of the entire human race. He conquered death that we might have life eternal. In this Christ is the only way to reconcile our sinful selves with a perfect God.
Christ is the head of the church, which is the body of Christ. As our savoir He rightfully reigns in sovereignty over the church which is both his bride and his fellow children of God the Father. Now in heaven, he is preparing a place to receive his bride, the church and acts as an intercessor for us to the Father. We, who believe in Christ as our Savoir, will be called up to heaven at the appointed time to dwell eternally in the presence of God.
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Selected Verses: Mark 15:33-34; Luke 1:30-33, 19:9, 24:1-7; John 1:1-14, 5:19-20, 14:3-13; Romans 5:8, 8:1-4, 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 1:15-20, 2:9; 1 John 4:7-11

"Words, words; they're all we have to go on"

I love words. Language play intrigues me. That probably explains a lot about me. This week as I was reading various internet sites I found a quote from Stanley Fish that I had to save. It left an impression. I have a quote collection that ranges from Six Pence None the Richer lyrics to Heidegger and so much in between. So, of course I added Stanley to my list. And here is what Mr. Fish said.

"Words are not just the cosmetic clothing of some underlying integrity; they are the operational vehicles of that integrity, the visible manifestation of the character to which others respond."

So, makes you think, yes? Some say actions speak louder than words and I don't disagree, however, words still speak rather loud themselves. If you listen to someone talk, you can find out quite a bit out about their character. People's words often reveal truths they have no idea they are sharing. Think about that next time you meet new people. What are their words telling you, or even more frightening, what are your words telling them?

Ah, the power of the word.

Apologies Accepted

Have you ever noticed how much easier they are to accept than offer? Sometimes if I would just not open my mouth I could save myself a great deal of anguish. Sometimes if I would think and then speak rather than saying the first thing that jumps into my mind I would reduce my problems. And, sometimes I just need to be less mean. The other day I had to apologize for neglecting a good friend. I began to realize since the semester had started it had been me taking and not giving at all. Then I had to apologize for my sardonic attitude to another person. I don't mean to be hurtful, I just don't always think through to the consequences of my words. Then I had to apologize to a co-worker for rudeness. It wasn't so much that I was trying to be rude, but my tone and attitude certainly were not displaying positive vibes.
Granted all three persons accepted my apologies. However, I think I will seriously try and curb my sardonic approach to life. It is definitely not making my life simple, nor is it necessary for having fun.

Idiots in all forms

1. So I saw "Waiting for Godot" by Beckett on Friday, and wished I 'd saved my money. Why must people try and add so much to Beckett. He is minimalists and of the absurd genre. It's not supposed to be slap-stick, it's not supposed to have an easy to follow traditional plot. If you want that kind of a play don't do Beckett. Do "Oklahoma" or "Our Town." Just please don't destroy Beckett. As Napoleon Dynamite would say "Idiot"

2. People who insist on being wrong crack me up. Okay actually they frustrate me. A lady came into work today to pick up an order she had placed yesterday. We had no record of her order and tried to ask if maybe she had the wrong location. Oh no, she was sure she had the right store. We went ahead and began to prepare her order which was now already 20 minutes late while she continued to torture us with her condescension and verbally abused both our manager and the employee who helped carry out the order to her car, which by the way is an extra step we don't normally do. She was so sure she had the right store, and complained even after she was in her car. So, after she left we finally got ahold of another location and yes she was at the wrong store. In fact the other store was a bit upset, and rightly so, that the order they put together would now go to waste. As Napoleon Dynamite would say, "Idiot"

Beckett and an evening on the town

Do Lobsters Dream?

If you have not seen The Bald Soprano, you have truely missed an awesome play. I laughed so hard, I nearly cried, and yet it was absurd, as Ionesco is. It was followed by Beckett, a true master of the word, and I have to admit, I now like more than Sartre. Sure I do enjoy a Dancing at Lughnasa or Fantastiks, but theatre of the Absurd will always win out when given a choice. Combine that with an evening of searching used book stores for gems, and I am indeed a happy person. This is me, still happy 24 hours later. After was is currently the best evening of 2005.

"If you take a circle, and you caress it, it will become viscious"- Mr. Smith in The Bald Soprano.

Do Lobsters Dream?

Do Lobsters Dream?

Light shed on Lobsters...
Barbara Kingsolver, one of the authors I forced to read in college, and actually enjoyed has a book called Animal Dreams. It is one of the best contemporary novels I've read. Yes that would be a subjective statement, but then I've yet to find an objective blog. Back to Kingsolver...
In her book " All mammals that have been tested to have REM sleep, except spiny Anteaters." Poor anteaters. Were they dreamless that night, or do they really have no dreams, but I digress. After the ensuing discussion in the text, the other character says, "If you want sweet dreams, you have to live a sweet life." Ah to have a life worth dreaming about, now that is indeed a life worth living.
As for my lobster, well no dreams. At least I don't think so. However according to Phoebe on Friends, they do mate for life. Ergo, I am looking for my lobster, and not the red stuffed one my friend jokes with me about.
So there you have it, insight into my Blog's title, and there you are.
Until next time the blogging mood strikes.
Later.

Latin Et Al

I love language. I'm currently learning Latin in my spare time. It's more rewarding than random TV shows and more fun than my Theology text. Learning Latin is an unusual thing for the average 20 something master's student to do in their spare time. I admit this, and yet I choose to spend my spare time engulfed in Latin declensions and verb tenses. Once started, it has become a joy to peruse the Latin Vulgate and actually understand bits and pieces of the text. Indeed, I've never wanted to be normal. Nevertheless, I find myself explaining time again why Latin, so for all those who have yet to ask, but are dying to know. I first have to ask you why do your hobbies? Right, because you like them. Me too. Oh, and my English vocabulary is improved. Carpe Diem.

Cell Phones

So, these modern conviences we call cell phones are quite handy. But at times I find them quite annoying. I wouldn't give mine up, but I do wish there was some sort of ettiquette rules followed. Seriously there are great times to use a cell, but not every time is a great time.

Great times to use them.
1. When I need a friend to rescue me
2.When I have question that can't wait til I see the person again
3. To use Free Long distance or Family Plan minutes
4. When you are alone

Not so Great times to use them
1. While ordering coffee
2. While eating dinner with fother people
3. When it's your turn in a line
4. In the middle of a movie, or concert

GreySkies

The Sky is grey this morning. Even more so, the air is grey. Even the trees look a bit grey. I love the foggy mornings, where the world is hidden from my view. No highway, no large condominuims, no clutter, just trees and greyness. It seems quieter on these mornings. As I sip my morning coffee, I am thankful for foggy days and hidden highways.