on the missing of humility

A guy I really respect, Thomas Sowell, wrote an article on how meaningless media coverage of sporting events had become. I want to say things and listen to things that really matter, so this was just what I wanted to read.

getting out there

This has been a big season of life for me. I've begun really extending myself, I think, in hopes and preparation of my future here, whatever that is. My music is going pretty well, but it looks like the way I've done that for some time will need to change as well. Singing at church is great and it's the highlight of my week when I'm on the schedule. I'm also involved with Christmas at the Playhouse, which is waaay out of my element, since it's musical theatre and I don't really do that stuff. It's more like acting than singing.

So anyway, the whole Playhouse thing has been so overwhelming I almost decided not to do it. I got a solo, which I've been told is quite rare for a first-timer, and I have awakened many nights lately fretting about it. I have pretty terrible stage fright, which I intend to improve as time goes on, and the time commitment to this thing is large. I had almost convinced myself that it's not worth it.

But how much am I around non-Christian people? Almost none. I mean, I'm not working so I'm not talking to them at a job. So I guess this is where God intends me to be. I pondered the idea of working for a church again someday, but I don't think I'd ever do that. It's like Os Guinness has described "a religious ghetto." It's just not for me. So, although I'm concerned about my next job and have no idea about what it could be, I've just GOT to be around seeking people. I mean, I'm a Christian and I'm still seeking. There's got to be people God wants me to talk to.

you DO matter

I heard something again this week that I've probably heard in church all my life. It goes like this-if I don't do something, God will find someone who will. I've been thinking about it a lot because, for the first time, I realized what the statement is doing. It is devaluing the individual. Now I'm not stating that the Christian should be the "rugged individualist": never needing others, having quiet times alone, crying in silence. We need each other and should help each other in every way-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But I believe that the individual is VERY important to God.
Think about it, if I wasn't important to God, why would He waste time in wanting me to transform my character? I mean, why don't we just "follow the rules" like in the Old Testament? Weren't the 10 commandments and the Levitical laws good enough for me? No they weren't. God wanted me to learn to "think differently", not just follow the rules. And he made me and you particularly, with a unique personality, style of communicating, and physical gifts.
So yeah, you can choose not to do something God is CLEARLY asking you to do. But you will suffer because you will have missed something. Pay attention so it doesn't happen to you a second time. God loves you too much for you to miss out on some of the greatest experiences of your life. As a UNIQUE individual.

no choice?

I just read a FaceBook status yesterday that people are "born gay." Well I don't think so and maybe you don't either if you ever read my blog. But I decided to do a little investigation on google to see what other, possibly unbiased sites thought. So that eliminated sites with a only Christian worldview.
It seems that the scientists don't agree on this idea. Some have tried to find a "gay gene" and have stated that they have; others have stated that to find this singular characteristic is impossible. Animals in nature may CHOOSE to be homosexual for a time but there's no evidence they're born that way. And humans that pair as same sex couples serve no biological function, that is, they can't have children naturally without adoption or surrogacy, so that's out.
Biblically, homosexuals are pictured as depraved in the Old Testament and willfully sinning in the New Testament; a sinner that God loves but a sin that God deplores.
If persons are BORN gay how do some become ex-gay? Wouldn't their physiology preclude that from ever happening?
One of my favorite TV shows that has made me laugh for over a season is now pushing the political issue. It's a shame really but if Modern Family continues going in this direction I won't be watching any more.
I don't have any gay or lesbian friends. I guess I have been propositioned in the past but I have always felt this to be an aberrant behavior. And I'm sure there are nice people that are also homosexual and someone has a ministry there, it's just not me. I've read that the philosopher/theologian Henri Nouwen was gay and celibate. Loved everything I read of his.

what "they" think of "us"

I'm into bikes these days. As in bicycles. And if I ever work again I hope that's something to save for.
Anyway, there's a whole hipster edge to faith these days. I don't think I'm trying too hard. But this was interesting from a bike blog that I visit.

stop being wimps

This was too good not to share. Hope you find it useful.

Legal

Well, if you're friends with me and not Jill on FaceBook, you might not know that I'm now legal in Canada as a visitor for one year. I can't work still and have no medical privileges, which is a pretty big deal in socialized medicine, but it's OK for me to be here as well as travel back and forth to the US. Maybe a trip down home is possible over Christmas time. And the agent who checked me through at the border also told me that my permanent residency process was seen in the database so that was a HUGE blessing as well. She took my original work document from me so maybe I'll soon be able to put that whole experience behind me. Hope so.