Friday, March 27, 2009
Getting on the ball
So by the end of this year I will be an official college graduate with a BA in history and a minor in religious studies. I'm starting to realize that next year I might be moving away from home for the first time to start something that I've been thinking about since I was 14 years old. Seminary. This summer I'm going to go there for a visit and then maybe start the discernment process at my church which means that my church and bishop will decide if they think I am fit to become a priest, and just as a side note I wish we still used the term Prebyter instead of priest, because it sounds cooler. Any way if that goes well, and I'm accepted into the seminary I want to attend, then I will be moving to Pennsylvania for the better part of 3 years. I've never been away from home that long and it means that I'm probably gonna have to find a room mate and pay actual bills. Thats when the real studying starts. Lots of fun!!!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Jesus every where
It's been a while since I've posted here, not like anyone reads this blog, but it's good to get thoughts in words, dare I say therapeutic. I wanted to talk about a movie my dad and I saw a few weeks ago called Gran Torino written, directed and starring Clint Eastwood. Warning, this will spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it.
This movie is about a man who has lived a life of war, racism, and guilt. He is one of the last of the grandfathers as people in my generation know them. Men who served their country, had little time for nonsense and despise any type of change. If they can't work for it, or build then they have no need of it. They are men who have seen death face to face but refuse to show any type of emotion.
Walt, Eastwood's character, lives in the same neighborhood that he raised his children, and where his wife died. Walt is less then happy with the state of his neighborhood. It is no longer a white middle class suburbia, but instead a low income area populated by various minorities, many of whom are members of gangs because the gangs are the only way for them to survive. We first see Walt at his wife's funeral, and we also see his disdain for the lack of respect his grandchildren have for Walt. Afterwords Walt is confronted by the parish priest, Father Janovich who tells him that his wife made the young priest promise that he would look after Walt. He visits Walt frequently, much to Walt's displeasure. Walt has no respect for the young priest who is kind while being a little naive. It's good to see a christian in a movie who is a moron or judgemental, but who lives out his faith while being human and making mistakes.
Walt's neighbor, a young highschooler named Thao, is talked into stealing Walt's prized possession, a 1972 Gran Torino. Walt is caught in the act and to make up for it the boys family, his mother, grandmother, and sister Sue make him work for Walt. Over time the two develop a relationship which becomes a father son relationship, something Walt never had with his two sons, something he regretted all his life.
As the story progresses the gang that had it's hand on Walt's new friend begins causing more trouble. Walt finds one of them and kicks the piss out of him. Thinking the problem is solved Walt returns home. For a while things are calm, until Sue does not come home. She stumbles through the door bloody, bruised, and we learn she was raped. Walt doesn't know what to do, he is used to violence solving problems. Thao expects Walt to exact revenge, and Walt lets him think it. Walt tells Thao to meet him at his house at 4pm the next day. When he arrives walt shows him a medal he earned in the Korean war and places it on the boy's shirt. Walt tells Thao that he has to go up stairs for a moment, instead he locks Thao in because he doesn't want him to get hurt, and he doesn't want Thao to do something he will regret later in his life. The audience is led to believe that Walt will get revenge for Sue and her family. Instead Walt goes to church, makes a confession to Father Janovich, buys a new suit, gets a haircut and a shave, then heads to the headquarters of the gang that raped Sue. He stands on the front lawn and gets the gangs attention. They all look at him as he reaches into his jacket and pulls out his hand in the shape of a gun and points it at all of them, then returns his hand to his jacket and begins to pray "Hail May full of grace", as he is about to remove his hand once again he is shot multiple times. He falls to the ground, landing in the shape of a cross with blood coming from his wounds. We learn that he was not even armed and that the gang was being arrested for shooting an unarmed man. Walt learned that justice in the eyes of men, which more often then not involves vengeance, is nothing compared to God's justice which is nothing but the purest form of love. In this last hours of his life Walt learned that John 15:13 means. Walt died to protect his neighbors from suffering brought about by a gang, even those who would never know Walt would benefit from his sacrifice. Jesus didn't just die for those who would believe in him, but for those who would ignore him, or even hate him. "Greater love has no man then this, that he would lay his life down for a friend", the thing we forget about that passage is that all of us are friends, even those who hurts us the most, because they need a friend more then anything.
This movie is about a man who has lived a life of war, racism, and guilt. He is one of the last of the grandfathers as people in my generation know them. Men who served their country, had little time for nonsense and despise any type of change. If they can't work for it, or build then they have no need of it. They are men who have seen death face to face but refuse to show any type of emotion.
Walt, Eastwood's character, lives in the same neighborhood that he raised his children, and where his wife died. Walt is less then happy with the state of his neighborhood. It is no longer a white middle class suburbia, but instead a low income area populated by various minorities, many of whom are members of gangs because the gangs are the only way for them to survive. We first see Walt at his wife's funeral, and we also see his disdain for the lack of respect his grandchildren have for Walt. Afterwords Walt is confronted by the parish priest, Father Janovich who tells him that his wife made the young priest promise that he would look after Walt. He visits Walt frequently, much to Walt's displeasure. Walt has no respect for the young priest who is kind while being a little naive. It's good to see a christian in a movie who is a moron or judgemental, but who lives out his faith while being human and making mistakes.
Walt's neighbor, a young highschooler named Thao, is talked into stealing Walt's prized possession, a 1972 Gran Torino. Walt is caught in the act and to make up for it the boys family, his mother, grandmother, and sister Sue make him work for Walt. Over time the two develop a relationship which becomes a father son relationship, something Walt never had with his two sons, something he regretted all his life.
As the story progresses the gang that had it's hand on Walt's new friend begins causing more trouble. Walt finds one of them and kicks the piss out of him. Thinking the problem is solved Walt returns home. For a while things are calm, until Sue does not come home. She stumbles through the door bloody, bruised, and we learn she was raped. Walt doesn't know what to do, he is used to violence solving problems. Thao expects Walt to exact revenge, and Walt lets him think it. Walt tells Thao to meet him at his house at 4pm the next day. When he arrives walt shows him a medal he earned in the Korean war and places it on the boy's shirt. Walt tells Thao that he has to go up stairs for a moment, instead he locks Thao in because he doesn't want him to get hurt, and he doesn't want Thao to do something he will regret later in his life. The audience is led to believe that Walt will get revenge for Sue and her family. Instead Walt goes to church, makes a confession to Father Janovich, buys a new suit, gets a haircut and a shave, then heads to the headquarters of the gang that raped Sue. He stands on the front lawn and gets the gangs attention. They all look at him as he reaches into his jacket and pulls out his hand in the shape of a gun and points it at all of them, then returns his hand to his jacket and begins to pray "Hail May full of grace", as he is about to remove his hand once again he is shot multiple times. He falls to the ground, landing in the shape of a cross with blood coming from his wounds. We learn that he was not even armed and that the gang was being arrested for shooting an unarmed man. Walt learned that justice in the eyes of men, which more often then not involves vengeance, is nothing compared to God's justice which is nothing but the purest form of love. In this last hours of his life Walt learned that John 15:13 means. Walt died to protect his neighbors from suffering brought about by a gang, even those who would never know Walt would benefit from his sacrifice. Jesus didn't just die for those who would believe in him, but for those who would ignore him, or even hate him. "Greater love has no man then this, that he would lay his life down for a friend", the thing we forget about that passage is that all of us are friends, even those who hurts us the most, because they need a friend more then anything.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Whou would have thought?
If you were to ask any of my friends what my feelings towards children were 3 years ago they would have said something like "John hates kids." Or "He has no experience with children at all." To my great shame they would have been right. I spent all of my time avoiding children. I thought they were loud, annoying, and all around not neccessary. This changed once I started attending Christ Church. Just to show me how much of a sense of humor he has God put me in a place that would get me past my child phobia. At first I had no intention of helping durring the childrens church, but I was asked to help with the Vacation Bible School last summer. I had a lot of fun. Then I was asked to help with the childrens service on sundays. I said I would help with one and hoped that would be enough. The first one was fun and the kids seemed to like me. So I prayed about it and felt that the childrens service was where I was to help out for a while, that is until the BIG GUY tells me other wise. I was also introduced to a new little friend who is the son of two of my very good friends. Being around him is a blast and I always look forward to seeing him. I even gave him a nick name. I just call him Squeeker. Now I can honestly say I, John D. G., like kids, for the most part.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Ghostbusters, and other things
I know this is not really God related, but it is one of the most important things happening to mankind this year. This fall Ghostbusters: The Video Game will be released this fall. I'm getting this game for my Wii, PS3, and DS. Words can't describe my excitement for this game. Mostly because all of the original cast is back for the game and the script for said game is being written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, both wrote the first two movies. This game is more or less the third movie.
I've also learned that my church will no longer be meeting in a movie theatre. I don't know all the details of why we are moving, but I can honestly say I'm very glad about the move. Don't get me wrong, thank God that we had space to worship, but if it means we don't have to rush getting everything together and back apart on sundays I'm all for it even if I do have to drive farther.
I've also recieved a new bumper sticker. It says "Another Pro-Life Democrat". Thats right I've decided that I'm more or less a democrat, but still very much pro life. I will put it on my car as soon as I remember to do it.
Any way God is God, I'm still me, and as long as I don't get the two confused I shoule be ok.
I've also learned that my church will no longer be meeting in a movie theatre. I don't know all the details of why we are moving, but I can honestly say I'm very glad about the move. Don't get me wrong, thank God that we had space to worship, but if it means we don't have to rush getting everything together and back apart on sundays I'm all for it even if I do have to drive farther.
I've also recieved a new bumper sticker. It says "Another Pro-Life Democrat". Thats right I've decided that I'm more or less a democrat, but still very much pro life. I will put it on my car as soon as I remember to do it.
Any way God is God, I'm still me, and as long as I don't get the two confused I shoule be ok.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
VBS, Brain surgery, Wall e, and going green
The past few weeks have been interesting to say the least. I volunteered for my church's one day vacation bible school, and got slimed. This was a dream come true. From the first time I saw Ghostbusters when I was 5 I wanted to get slimed. I was even able to wear one of my ghostbusters shirts. Then the following wednesday my mom had to go to the hospital for brain surgery. She had an aneurysm clipped. That was the longest day of my life, but she is ok. The day after the surgery I decided that I would get away from every one and see the latest PIXAR film WALL E. This has got to be the best PIXAR movie so far. I loved this movie and want to see it again. Go see WALL E. Finally, my family has decided that we are going to "go green" as they say. We recently added a new air conditioner which is better for the environment, uses less energy, and lowers the electric bill. I'm buying a hybrid next spring, we are starting our own compost and a few other things. All it all God is still God and that all that matters.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Stephen King should be a theologian
I don't think we should use his books to do a bible study, but he does make a lot of great points in many of his books. If nothing else his books are better then any of the crap that Joel Osteen or any of those other crackpots that sell Jesus to the highest bidder.
The consistant religious theme in King's books is doing the will of God no matter what the cost. This can best be seen in his amazing book "The Stand" which was made into a crappy tv movie. Every one should read this book, but I will give you the basic premise. The government creates a super flue that kills 98% of the world population. Those who survive begin having two sets of dreams. One involves a faceless man who instills fear into the hearts of the dreamers, while the other dreams are about a ver old woman (106 years to be exact) named Mother Abigail. She is kind and generous, who seeks the will of God. The survivors begin making their way to either the dark man or Mother Abigail. Those who go to the darkman form a new society that is very much a dictatorship with the darkman as its head. Those who go to Mother Abigail form a new democracy, but Mother knows this is not the reason for them to come together. She tells them that they must stand against the agents of hell. She sends four men to do just that, even though they at first want nothing to do with it.
If only the modern western church could be so bold. To really stand for the truth is not an easy task and may mean a lot of uncomfortable things. It may mean selling your stocks, house, SUV, and giving the money to the poor. It may mean leaving your family to follow him. After all HE left the throne for us, the least we can do is give up the little that we have.
The consistant religious theme in King's books is doing the will of God no matter what the cost. This can best be seen in his amazing book "The Stand" which was made into a crappy tv movie. Every one should read this book, but I will give you the basic premise. The government creates a super flue that kills 98% of the world population. Those who survive begin having two sets of dreams. One involves a faceless man who instills fear into the hearts of the dreamers, while the other dreams are about a ver old woman (106 years to be exact) named Mother Abigail. She is kind and generous, who seeks the will of God. The survivors begin making their way to either the dark man or Mother Abigail. Those who go to the darkman form a new society that is very much a dictatorship with the darkman as its head. Those who go to Mother Abigail form a new democracy, but Mother knows this is not the reason for them to come together. She tells them that they must stand against the agents of hell. She sends four men to do just that, even though they at first want nothing to do with it.
If only the modern western church could be so bold. To really stand for the truth is not an easy task and may mean a lot of uncomfortable things. It may mean selling your stocks, house, SUV, and giving the money to the poor. It may mean leaving your family to follow him. After all HE left the throne for us, the least we can do is give up the little that we have.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I don't want to believe it but I do
I wish I could say that I didn't believe in hell. I can't imagine a place where I am away from God. Even now that I've been a christian for well, I don't know how long, I just don't like the concept of hell. I don't like to think about friends and family going to that place, where God does not dwell, and that absence becomes a real physical pain. But I do believe in it. I believe in it because Jesus believed in it. However, that does not mean I have to like it. Lets be honest, do you think God likes the idea of hell. Does he want the beings he made in his likeness to be apart from him. Isn't living on earth hell enough for some people. I'm not just talking about people in third world countries who don't know where their next meal is coming from or when their last meal was, but the "average" middle class American who drives their gas guzzling SUV to star bucks to buy a frapuccino and then spend too much money on a crappy movie, and then afterwords going to a greasy sit down chain restaurant to buy crappy food for too much money. In case your wondering that is what I did on Monday night, minus the SUV part. I do those things to get away from the hum drum of every day life. The last thing on my mind is maybe spending some prayer time with God or actually opening my bible to learn and understand more about the one who can't be understood. The hell that I see is boredom. Others may see hell as the aforementioned hunger, or loneliness or depression, or addiction. Who knows? After seeing all this, I can't imagine what the real hell is like. Right now children are starving, a woman is being beaten, a man is getting mugged, another man is cheating on his wife, a wife is secretly getting an abortion, and I'm spending my time on this website at 3 o'clock in the morning typing my complaints instead of doing something. Other Christians are going on "christian" cruises, buying "christian" shirts, listening to "christian" music, watching "christian" television or movies. It seems that Christians are in our own hell right now. I think hell is a place of pure selfishness. People in hell are there because they cared only for themselves.
We Christians are selfish with the grace he has given us. To be sure, many evangelicals are more then willing to share the gospel with you by telling you about what was done on the Cross, but we seem to have a lot of trouble with the showing of that. Why are there hungry people in the world, when we evangelicals apparently have enough money to buy cruise tickets, new computers, or ghostbusters video games(I think that one applies to me alone)? We protest outside abortion clinics, because we believe life is being taken away from the innocent, and yet so many of us evangelicals criticized those who protested the war in Iraq, because we felt they were anti-American. When did Christianity become something exclusive to America? Since the Iraq war began over 4000 service men and women are dead, and who knows how many Iraqis. If we are pro life, shouldn't we have fought for their lives as well, or do we only care about people before their born and then afterwords just tell them to screw off? That is how the world sees us. And we wonder why church attendance is down. Couple all of this with the watered down Jesus that most churches preach now adays, and you can get a good look at hell without going their. I can't help but wonder if God wants us to go through some sort of hell before getting to our home with Him. If so, then WHY? Why are we in pain on earth, and then when we die to so many of us experience the REAL pain of God's absence? I just don't understand. I guess I'll get the same answer Job got.
I used to ask my self how many people are in hell because of me? I think of specific examples and think that I should have stood up for the gospel more, or I should have been so pushy at that moment. If you are like me you may ask those questions as well. I want everybody in to go to heaven, but I guess that just won't happen. My responsibility is to first love every one no matter what, and tell them that Jesus loves them. That sounds so ridiculous. It has to be more then just telling them. I can't go to a starving person and just say Jesus died for you and then walk away. Is the gospel so simple that I can preach it by feeding some one? Does it get back to that stupid faith versus works argument? I can't save my self, so how can I save another? How do we know about the Cross? It is because men and women gave up EVERYTHING to tell us. Today we can't even give up our SUVs. I see hell every day, and I don't know what to do. How can He expect us to change things, when we as the church are completely screwed up. Are our failures used against the ones we are supposed to love.
You know what it all comes down to? The will of God. I believe everything is in his hands, no matter how small. I guess we just have to do as were told. Even when it doesn't make since. I don't have the nail marks in my hands, and I have never been able to make a tree from nothing. I have yet to make a living being out of the elements. I can't control the currents or tides, and I can't see into the hearts of men. I can only try to do what he tells me. I do believe in hell, but I also believe that in the end it will all make sense, even though I can't make heads or tails of it now. Thankfully I'm not God. And thankfully I don't understand Him. If I did, then he wouldn't be much of a God.
We Christians are selfish with the grace he has given us. To be sure, many evangelicals are more then willing to share the gospel with you by telling you about what was done on the Cross, but we seem to have a lot of trouble with the showing of that. Why are there hungry people in the world, when we evangelicals apparently have enough money to buy cruise tickets, new computers, or ghostbusters video games(I think that one applies to me alone)? We protest outside abortion clinics, because we believe life is being taken away from the innocent, and yet so many of us evangelicals criticized those who protested the war in Iraq, because we felt they were anti-American. When did Christianity become something exclusive to America? Since the Iraq war began over 4000 service men and women are dead, and who knows how many Iraqis. If we are pro life, shouldn't we have fought for their lives as well, or do we only care about people before their born and then afterwords just tell them to screw off? That is how the world sees us. And we wonder why church attendance is down. Couple all of this with the watered down Jesus that most churches preach now adays, and you can get a good look at hell without going their. I can't help but wonder if God wants us to go through some sort of hell before getting to our home with Him. If so, then WHY? Why are we in pain on earth, and then when we die to so many of us experience the REAL pain of God's absence? I just don't understand. I guess I'll get the same answer Job got.
I used to ask my self how many people are in hell because of me? I think of specific examples and think that I should have stood up for the gospel more, or I should have been so pushy at that moment. If you are like me you may ask those questions as well. I want everybody in to go to heaven, but I guess that just won't happen. My responsibility is to first love every one no matter what, and tell them that Jesus loves them. That sounds so ridiculous. It has to be more then just telling them. I can't go to a starving person and just say Jesus died for you and then walk away. Is the gospel so simple that I can preach it by feeding some one? Does it get back to that stupid faith versus works argument? I can't save my self, so how can I save another? How do we know about the Cross? It is because men and women gave up EVERYTHING to tell us. Today we can't even give up our SUVs. I see hell every day, and I don't know what to do. How can He expect us to change things, when we as the church are completely screwed up. Are our failures used against the ones we are supposed to love.
You know what it all comes down to? The will of God. I believe everything is in his hands, no matter how small. I guess we just have to do as were told. Even when it doesn't make since. I don't have the nail marks in my hands, and I have never been able to make a tree from nothing. I have yet to make a living being out of the elements. I can't control the currents or tides, and I can't see into the hearts of men. I can only try to do what he tells me. I do believe in hell, but I also believe that in the end it will all make sense, even though I can't make heads or tails of it now. Thankfully I'm not God. And thankfully I don't understand Him. If I did, then he wouldn't be much of a God.
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