No, it's not the next in the series, but I suddenly decided to show you what today has started out with.
5am - Managed to drag myself out of bed and get something to drink, tried to catch up on some reading
6am - Email, blogs
6:30 - Breakfast, irritated the dogs, made some tea
7am - Realized my desktop monitor was not coming on, rebooted; received an error on my desktop; rebooted again after several minutes of trying to work with getting my computer to read my USB ports
7:20 - Finally got the thing running and this entry finished; now to get MacAfee turned on
Note: I'm working off two computers right now: One for internet, one for writing. Long story.
7:23 - Everything appears to be running, so it's time to get back to editing.
30 July 2008
18 July 2008
Observations of a Church Brat: Family Feud.
My advice
First off, if you aren't a believer in Jesus Christ - that is, you call yourself a follower of The Way or Christian or Christ-follower or whatever the new trend is - I advise you to ignore this entire series.
No, I'm not being rude. I'm merely saying that you are an honored guest, and I doubt you want to hear a warmed-over, never-ending family debate/discussion/argument/insert polite code-word here. Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack's forty-year dysfunctional relationship means nothing to you, because you haven't been subjected to watching it unfold, nor have you had to pry the two apart, nor do you actually know Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack.
Family always fights the worst, and it's always the worst to watch. For this reason, I'm doing my duty as a friend to warn you that the dinner conversation tonight is going to be about Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack, and the Jerry Springer-esque tale isn't going to be very entertaining.
Second, if you're new to the family -- Well, you've been warned. It's gritty, and some things you really are better off never knowing about or fighting through. So to you I say this: It isn't that you aren't capable of understanding. It's just that I'd rather you get to know Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack (maybe) before deciding if they're saints or sinners.
So. My warning is given.
The New Great Schism
Over the last several years I've watched an increase in the number of people who are
Oh, there are whole libraries and websites devoted to this phenomena, so I won't belabor it here. Honestly, much more learned and articulate people have already covered the subject to relative satisfaction, and there is little point in regurgitating what most at least have heard Rumor whispering about.
To make a very frustrating and complicated family history as simple and clear as possible, I'll say this: There are problems on all sides, and there are valid points on all sides. I cited the Great Schism on purpose, for it was then that the church wound up with two popes who promptly engaged in a power-struggle in which each excommunicated the other.
And thus, we have the Roman Catholic Church and the East Orthodox Church (Constantinople).
Of course, a similar issue occurred when Henry IIX decided he didn't want to listen to the RCC pope and that mess resulted in the Anglican church (aka The Church of England).
And then there is that which is nearest and dearest to most American Christians: The Protestant Reformation, officially begun by Martin Luther (apparently earlier reformers predate Luther, but he's the one who really got things rolling).
Feel free to correct my history; but you get the point.
All of that is simply to say what I did in my "Pick Out the Sanctuary Carpet" entry awhile back. The Body of Christ has always been messy, even from our beloved beginning in Acts 2. As someone pointed out, "The Church was full of heresy and issues. That's why the New Testament was written."
And, Lord help us, even with said New Testament, we can't seem to get a grip on things. Ah well. "Let God be God, and every man a liar."
Linguistics
Yes, I know where I'm going. Yes, it relates back to the title. And, in all fairness, while a series of things have spurred this particular blog series, it was actually my sister's paper on wedding trends v. traditions that gave me this idea. One of the key points was that even traditions were once trends.
And I couldn't help but extend that out to many of my observations of this little family we call the Church.
As I said earlier: Some discussions are strictly family discussions, and have no business being brought up with non-family members present. One, it'd be rude. Two, the non-family member is very likely to think Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack hate each other. And maybe they do. But...maybe they don't.
So. My first rant (yes, this is my first actual rant): Words mean things.
I know, leave it to the lit major/writer chick to state the obvious. But if it's obvious I shouldn't be having to state it.
To a non-Christian, there is no difference in saying "Christ-follower" and "Christian." When someone asks you your religion, it makes no sense to a non-Christian to say "I follow Jesus, but I am not a Christian." Yes, I fully understand the distinction myself. And it's very silly, quite frankly.
For those of you who despise Christianese, this is a prime example. There is no point in telling a Hindu you are "a Christ-follower" because they will call you a Christian.
To a non-Christian, it is silly to say you "aren't religious" but "a Christian/Christ-follower." Um...So Christians are irreligious, sacreligious, or anti-religious?" By the time you finish explaining to people, they're going to find you even crazier than if you'd simply answered the simple question. (Which is yes, by the way.)
To most of the world, there is no secular/sacred divide. This is why things like 'religious conservative but political liberal' sound oxymoronic.
I don't know where we got this idea that we can start twisting and turning terminology just to suit our own distaste for something (believe me, it is nothing like why Jews who become Christians tend to say 'Messianic Jewish' -- another subject). But it has neither place nor context, and in the end we merely look like a bunch of squabbling relatives.
So. For anyone who's part of the Family, you are religious, because you feed widows and orphans and keep yourself unstained from the world. You are a Christian, because we've been called that since the original Jerusalem church was persecuted so bad many of them fled to Antioch, Syria. And you are conservative, because there is a core of belief from which you will never waver. And you follow Christ if you love him and obey his commands.
Next time: Religious.
First off, if you aren't a believer in Jesus Christ - that is, you call yourself a follower of The Way or Christian or Christ-follower or whatever the new trend is - I advise you to ignore this entire series.
No, I'm not being rude. I'm merely saying that you are an honored guest, and I doubt you want to hear a warmed-over, never-ending family debate/discussion/argument/insert polite code-word here. Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack's forty-year dysfunctional relationship means nothing to you, because you haven't been subjected to watching it unfold, nor have you had to pry the two apart, nor do you actually know Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack.
Family always fights the worst, and it's always the worst to watch. For this reason, I'm doing my duty as a friend to warn you that the dinner conversation tonight is going to be about Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack, and the Jerry Springer-esque tale isn't going to be very entertaining.
Second, if you're new to the family -- Well, you've been warned. It's gritty, and some things you really are better off never knowing about or fighting through. So to you I say this: It isn't that you aren't capable of understanding. It's just that I'd rather you get to know Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack (maybe) before deciding if they're saints or sinners.
So. My warning is given.
The New Great Schism
Over the last several years I've watched an increase in the number of people who are
- fed up with the institution of the church (lower case 'C')
- tend to mock any form of tradition, ritual, or regulation
- by nature rebellious
- don't simply accept "because" as a legitimate answer
- tend to be suspicious of authority
- have been wounded by someone (or someones) somewhere along the way under the catch-all name of Jesus Christ
Oh, there are whole libraries and websites devoted to this phenomena, so I won't belabor it here. Honestly, much more learned and articulate people have already covered the subject to relative satisfaction, and there is little point in regurgitating what most at least have heard Rumor whispering about.
To make a very frustrating and complicated family history as simple and clear as possible, I'll say this: There are problems on all sides, and there are valid points on all sides. I cited the Great Schism on purpose, for it was then that the church wound up with two popes who promptly engaged in a power-struggle in which each excommunicated the other.
And thus, we have the Roman Catholic Church and the East Orthodox Church (Constantinople).
Of course, a similar issue occurred when Henry IIX decided he didn't want to listen to the RCC pope and that mess resulted in the Anglican church (aka The Church of England).
And then there is that which is nearest and dearest to most American Christians: The Protestant Reformation, officially begun by Martin Luther (apparently earlier reformers predate Luther, but he's the one who really got things rolling).
Feel free to correct my history; but you get the point.
All of that is simply to say what I did in my "Pick Out the Sanctuary Carpet" entry awhile back. The Body of Christ has always been messy, even from our beloved beginning in Acts 2. As someone pointed out, "The Church was full of heresy and issues. That's why the New Testament was written."
And, Lord help us, even with said New Testament, we can't seem to get a grip on things. Ah well. "Let God be God, and every man a liar."
Linguistics
Yes, I know where I'm going. Yes, it relates back to the title. And, in all fairness, while a series of things have spurred this particular blog series, it was actually my sister's paper on wedding trends v. traditions that gave me this idea. One of the key points was that even traditions were once trends.
And I couldn't help but extend that out to many of my observations of this little family we call the Church.
As I said earlier: Some discussions are strictly family discussions, and have no business being brought up with non-family members present. One, it'd be rude. Two, the non-family member is very likely to think Aunt Bertha and Uncle Jack hate each other. And maybe they do. But...maybe they don't.
So. My first rant (yes, this is my first actual rant): Words mean things.
I know, leave it to the lit major/writer chick to state the obvious. But if it's obvious I shouldn't be having to state it.
To a non-Christian, there is no difference in saying "Christ-follower" and "Christian." When someone asks you your religion, it makes no sense to a non-Christian to say "I follow Jesus, but I am not a Christian." Yes, I fully understand the distinction myself. And it's very silly, quite frankly.
For those of you who despise Christianese, this is a prime example. There is no point in telling a Hindu you are "a Christ-follower" because they will call you a Christian.
To a non-Christian, it is silly to say you "aren't religious" but "a Christian/Christ-follower." Um...So Christians are irreligious, sacreligious, or anti-religious?" By the time you finish explaining to people, they're going to find you even crazier than if you'd simply answered the simple question. (Which is yes, by the way.)
To most of the world, there is no secular/sacred divide. This is why things like 'religious conservative but political liberal' sound oxymoronic.
I don't know where we got this idea that we can start twisting and turning terminology just to suit our own distaste for something (believe me, it is nothing like why Jews who become Christians tend to say 'Messianic Jewish' -- another subject). But it has neither place nor context, and in the end we merely look like a bunch of squabbling relatives.
So. For anyone who's part of the Family, you are religious, because you feed widows and orphans and keep yourself unstained from the world. You are a Christian, because we've been called that since the original Jerusalem church was persecuted so bad many of them fled to Antioch, Syria. And you are conservative, because there is a core of belief from which you will never waver. And you follow Christ if you love him and obey his commands.
Next time: Religious.
15 July 2008
Small technical announcement.
Sorry for the lack of updates. A few small things, just to prove I'm breathing. I'll try to get to posting once a week - promise.
Anyway. So, because I'm weird about having a ten thousand mile-long sidebar, I've created separate pages for external links. I'll have one for things like online magazines and literary endeavors; another for sites to personal blogs. This will allow me to post different things in the side bar without you having to scroll 'til next Christmas. 0=)
So, let me know if you want me to link you. I have lots of room now.
In other news, yes, I've been engaged in an official writing project. The co-writing process has been fun and...a bit like writer's boot camp. Hehe. All good, no complaints. Please keep me, Ted, and our lovely editors in your prayers as we finish this up and get it through the writing/editing phases.
Mom and Dad are on a trip to D.C., so keep them also in your prayers. Safe trips, not too many mishaps, etc. Remember the motto: Don't sleep; work like dogs; and love every minute of it. Ha!
And no, I haven't forgotten the list of articles I owe yall. Who knows? One day I may just say everything in my head.
Maybe. 0=)
My prayers with everyone (Robin and her Mexico team included) out in the mission field -- I am with you all in spirit.
Much love.
Anyway. So, because I'm weird about having a ten thousand mile-long sidebar, I've created separate pages for external links. I'll have one for things like online magazines and literary endeavors; another for sites to personal blogs. This will allow me to post different things in the side bar without you having to scroll 'til next Christmas. 0=)
So, let me know if you want me to link you. I have lots of room now.
In other news, yes, I've been engaged in an official writing project. The co-writing process has been fun and...a bit like writer's boot camp. Hehe. All good, no complaints. Please keep me, Ted, and our lovely editors in your prayers as we finish this up and get it through the writing/editing phases.
Mom and Dad are on a trip to D.C., so keep them also in your prayers. Safe trips, not too many mishaps, etc. Remember the motto: Don't sleep; work like dogs; and love every minute of it. Ha!
And no, I haven't forgotten the list of articles I owe yall. Who knows? One day I may just say everything in my head.
Maybe. 0=)
My prayers with everyone (Robin and her Mexico team included) out in the mission field -- I am with you all in spirit.
Much love.
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