Happenings in Arizona

What did we expect?
Alright, so, I'll sum up a few of the positions. I have been listening to people's perspectives on the happenings in Arizona, and I think I have come to an understanding, but let us have a good conversation about it. This is just an introduction to my perspective.
The government has no choice but to enact something like that. According to the state, there are illegal immigrants all over the place, and being illegal, that means our government must enact legislation to counter their presence. America is nice, but in this regard, it is certainly not a Christian nation. I understand the need for regulation and such, but I think many of the people would be willing to pay taxes. Hell, if they are willing to endure persecution and sneaking over the border and all that stuff, they'd probably be ok with taxes if they could hold a legal job. So either America makes a way for them to be legal or we enforce the illegality of their presence. (Oxy folks, please excuse my use of the words them, their, etc...I know its alienating, but...thats the best I can come up with right now...so forgive me) I have a friend who it took 20 years to get citizenship. A little bit of a long time. Kinda ridiculous to expect people to make it through that process when they obviously need a job/food/etc now. Bracero program could be re-established. Or Arizona is acting in a legitimate way...for a government of this world.
I think it is fairly clear that as a Christian, our kingdom is not defined by anything more than our humanity. If it is that bad in Mexico, or wherever, to endure so many things to get here, its probably something we should be consciously helping with. Are we supposed to pledge allegiance to the US? I'm not sure. But I know we have pledged allegiance to Jesus, and His Kingdom tells us to love. As humans, we love to find things that divide, like which side of the border you were born on. How about we let ourselves be united by our humanity and our abilities to be neighbors to one another. And it is so easy to hate the other.
As Christians, this should be a clear warning that our government is not, should not, and cannot be where our hope resides.

Words are coming out of my mouth...

So I'm not really quite sure what I want to write about. This usually happens and then I apparently have a lot to say.
I kinda want to be productive and keep working on my essays, but they are tiring me out. Why is it so hard to write a personal statement. I wish that colleges would just interview you. I really like face to face interactions. Thats where the good things happen...where people see who you are. Unfortunately, that's also very scary. I need to be better at interacting with people. Like today, I saw a group of people who I know, and am starting to be friends with, and I walked by, expecting them to say hi to me. Why on earth would they say hi to me when I am unwilling to recognize them? I think I need to keep working on branching out and meeting people. People are too cool for me not to meet.
Today was my last day of NPP tutoring. It is kinda bittersweet. I am very glad that I am done, but also am very glad for the experience I had (and the money I made). I actually saw real progress when I worked with the kids. Hopefully they will continue to work hard and get better at what they do. I think there is not enough homework given, or its not expected to be done. I think that would keep kids out of trouble, and would be a good reason to hold kids back if they are unwilling to work. There is nothing wrong with doing work outside of school. I always remember having homework. Plus it takes time to pass out and correct. I think some teachers may need a bit more dedication to it. Not all, but some.
I must say that I gotta respect what teachers do. It is tough stuff. I learned that lesson this summer. Sheesh. Hard, but essential. Props to them. I don't understand why some people make a lot of money and others don't. Either way, thats the system. But Jesus goes against those.
I am still reading Irresistible Revolution. If you haven't heard me talk about it, here it goes again. Probably my favorite book of all time. Its so true. The stories speak to the goodness of the Kingdom of God and His desire for it to be here now. There is truth about how Jesus was in the world, and the man lives the life he speaks for. Go Shane Claibourne. I'm excited to see him at Urbana...but I'm also just really excited about Urbana.
I hope and pray that it will blow my mind, and will give me a career path that excites me to no end!
I'll end my post there...Thanks if you made it all the way through my not-very-important, but good thoughts.

A poem for the Rainy Day...

in just-

in Just-

spring when the world is mud-

luscious the little

lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come

running from marbles and

piracies and it's

spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer

old balloonman whistles

far and wee

and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's

spring

and

the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles

far

and

wee

e.e. cummings

Long time!

Hey there again Blog world. It has been a long time since I've gotten my thoughts down, much less on the internet.
I just read an add about people being pissed off because on Black Friday, there are only going to be "limited quantities" of the big things they want to buy. Under 5 plasma screen tv's of a particular type of deal. Its so sad that people feel so cheated. First of all, you don't really need that. Secondly, the retailer wants to get you there and have you buy things that allow it to make money. They don't really care about you or want to give you a great deal. They want your money! People confuse this for the stores being nice or whatever. Grr. Its not where we should be outraged!
I just got back from skid row, and there were people that weren't going to be able to go home, or even find a home for thanksgiving! We should be ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS that this can go on in an affluent country such as our own. There are some people who are a little bonkers down there, but they are people just the same. And the dirt or smell on them is not at all a reflection of the person within. I have met so many beautiful people on skid row...I know why Jesus could hardly stay away! I feel guilty for being so wealthy when so many people are without, but I have hope in God. But I'm not just going to sit patiently. He asks us to be his hands, his feet, the body of Christ actively moving in the world.
Did you know there is a fine for having a shopping cart in LA? Neither did I! But apparently its $300 so even the most wealthy of those on the street are kept from moving along. Talk about something outrageous. And people may say its a public safety thing...well, If they repaired the things in Skid row, I'd be fine with that. But there are concrete slabs that are busted open leaving giant holes in the sidewalk...I think that is the greater hazard.
Anyhow, it does no good to be furious and ranting about these issues, but I cannot help but say that I am angry. And I do believe God is as well.
We had a sermon on gratefulness this morning at church, and it took on quite a different meaning. What does it mean to be grateful for the little things. SO often we stress over what we eat, versus whether we eat! And Jesus calls us not to even worry about that! What would it look like to live in the truth that each time we eat is a blessing. Each breath is another chance from God. It might cease to be a stressor, rather something to be thankful for! Quite a mind shift. I never really understood praying and thanking God for a meal before today...but somehow it took on some real meaning for me today.
Well, I'll stop my ramble for now, but I'll have more in the coming days!

Reflections on the LA Fires

I'm really unsure of what they are doing. Certainly nothing good. But they aren't as bad as they could be. At least they are still in the mountains. I think I read that firefighters were making some progress too.
Still, I can't help but think back to LAUP and Amos study. I have always wondered how God could be present in situations like this. In this situation at least, I think we can ask that. Why would God allow this? It is a sign of His weakness...well, I would say no. Well, is it a sign of His judgement...I would say that it could be a very true warning. Amos 3:6-> "If there is a calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?"
In that, if God is supposed to be a loving God, then why does he take such an active role in destruction. Chapters one through three go through all the way God reveals that He has had patience with groups, but now it is time to have some reminder of their evil. Fire is a sign of judgment in almost all the descriptions. God also uses other groups (in their own evil) to bring judgment...which makes me think of 9/11. Also coming up soon.
I think God has had a hand in these fires. And I know that there are many things in LA that do not quite line up with where God is at...some redemption is necessary. Someone is needed to stand in the gap.
This may be just a sign of things to come. In chapter 4 of Amos God mentions all the things that did not make the Israelites choose to change. Mostly famine and such. For us, in the US, that is unthinkable...but I believe there is a famine among many within this city.
I don't know exactly what it looks like for me to bring justice to the gates and be one who stands up for good things and actively fights against evil, but that is what I must do.

A quest for meaning

It is no wonder the sun was something worshiped. In many senses, it embodies the qualities of God, at least the God I understand to be out there. First of all, I'm not exactly sure how it works, or why. Pretty self-explanatory. It is quite a glorious thing too. It is so bright that you cannot stare at it, for you own personal safety. It can be a source of light and heat and we need it, but sometimes those things can be prety difficult to suffer through. Its an interesting balance. Anyhow, I was watching the sun set, and just thinking about how beautiful that is. I hope we keep spinning and it keeps burning so that I can see another one (cuz I'll be sleeping through the sunrise...=p). But in that sense, it can be alot like life. Its exciting when you're at the beginning of something, and there is he monotony of "just getting through" and seeing the beautiful end. I think oftentimes we take fr granted the middle section of just getting through. Because it can be a drag, and it can be hot, but it is also the peak of how/when we experience the sun. Now I don't know if all of this metaphor actually holds true for God, but I do know that I suffer when things cease to be new. Instead of hoping for more sunsets/sunrises, I want to see each of the little motions of the sun as it moves across the sky as something valuable, something important, with a chance to grow in each instant. Sometimes, that can be growing in faith, or in a friendship. Growing sin strength, or weakness. Anyhow, this portion of the blog is going on for a long time, so apparently I have something to say about it, and I need to write more.
The word of precious came to me as I was thinking about God while watching the sunset. And having just read "Fellowship of the Ring" it is no wonder that I think of Gollum when I hear that word. But I wonder if he was not on to something. He dedicated his whole life, his whole being to one thing. That sort of die-hard attitude has always been hard for me to come by. I wonder if Gollum had not been trapped seeking ever after an item that caused pain, suffering, death and destruction, if he would not have been portrayed as the hero. Perhaps he is offered as a foil to Frodo. Frodo is quite dedicated to his purpose of the destruction of the Ring, even if he must die, he says. Anyhow, that sort of dedication is pretty cool, and can be admirable. Just gotta pick the right thing to follow I guess.
I've read malachi like three times in the past week. Its really an awesome book. I've always had trouble matching the Old testament with the New...and you would think...that being the last OT book, it would have made sense that it could act as a bridge to the NT. It totally sets up some of the things you see in Mark, and helps to understand the context and need for Jesus, and what exactly his mission was. It is an interesting dialogue between God and Mankind. I'm having a hard time understanding some of the answers, but nonetheless, I have something to study at least!
been reading Vonnegut (go figure) and I've discovered that I like him even when he writes in a non-Vonnegut way. His ideas still shine through brilliantly, and its awesome. the last chapter I read in Player Piano really sets up and interesting question. there is a protagonist and a main story, but there is sort of this side story about a religious leader from some far off country. There are some really awkward interactions, especially as they relate to the religious leaders' idea that the "average person" is in his language a slave. In some ways, we are, and I think always will be. It is important that Paul calls himself a slave to the Lord. I think the one choice we get as slaves is who our master is...but a different point. He is exploring all the modern conviniences of this new society, and all the household chores now take a few minutes. He asks "what is she in such a hurry to get at? What is it she has to do that she mustn't waste any time on these things (cooking, cleaning, etc)?" And one person answers "Live! Get a little fun out of life."and then the religious leader asks "and how is it that you live and get so much fun out of life?" and they answer with an explanation about TV, and spending time with the kids, and that the kids are probably watching tv at some other persons house. Even the religious guy from another country, who should be impressed with all this technology recognizes that there is something lost there...not just in TVbut in the whole of Vonnegut's created world. There is something missing. And he commands them to "live" in his own special way. It was quite a powerful scene. and I'm not all sure why it hit me, but there are obviously times when I feel like I'm living and times when I feel like I'm just wasting time and claiming to be living. There is much more to be said, but I'm beginning to fade. and this is a long blog.

kinda pissed!

Grr. So I love my family, and most of the time they have done things way too good for me. I can't hardly complain about anything they've done, its mostly been out of love. But I don't know whether it is the fact that I'm growing up and becoming more aware, or just recent developments, but there have been a few incidents that have just really pissed me off over the past two weeks or so.
First, my uncle always comes out here, so I'm used to seeing him, but my uncle from Texas came out too, so my dad could be together with his brothers...I think they said it was the first time since 1985. That is way too long. But the one Uncle from Salt Lake City refused to come over when we planned a large get together. He wouldn't even stop by any other time. I really don't understand what his problem is, its hard to pray for him, and I don't know what to address with him. After he left, too, he called to talk to my dad about his health! Rrrg. He was here for a whole week, and all he did was watch people play golf! I am not sure he ever grew up.
Secondly, my brother planned a trip to come visit for TWO WEEKS, during which time he knew that I would be away. He has supposedly like 2 + months of vacation time (that he has to use by the end of this year!), and could have planned it for a week or two later, or right now! I'm really upset that I won't get to see him or my niece or my sister-in-law. I just don't get it. My sister will also be busy during that time too. So it just seems inconsiderate, or maybe he doesn't want to spend time with us. I don't think thats true, but thats what this message implies to me. Same thing, I don't know how to pray for them, or what to say to them. Furthermore, they said that I owe my Niece a trip! Because they planned theirs when I wasn't available!!!
Not very happy with parts of my family. Love 'em dearly, but they're hurting me right now.