When for the sake of a bargain, you are willing to step over (and on) a lifeless body... these are problems of humanity that go beyond terrorists, defaulting mortgages, and our economic crisis. Humanity in that moment lost its soul.
This man was over 250 pounds, yet people in the search of a tv that is 50% off, decided that their wallet was more important than his life.
I am appalled beyond words.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/nyregion/30walmart.html?em
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Does Being Moderate Mean Apathetic?
Why does it seem these types are the majority? Are they? Is there no one else out there?
[Can any body hear me? *insert Pink Floyd riff here*]
I know there are alternative Christian perspectives. I know there are others out there that do not carry so much baggage. Does there really seem to be a need within the Christian faith for exclusivity, prejudice, and rigid dogma? Closed communion comes to mind. Since when did Jesus only let certain people come to Him?
As a Methodist, I enjoy being in the middle of the road (or at least our congregation is and I won't pretend to know enough about UMC to speak for the denomination). Maybe it is better to say, my church is welcoming to those who are middle of the road, liberal, and even conservative. We seem to have a good mix.
What is it about the moderates (Liberals who chose a church who might be right of their leanings, and Conservatives who tolerate a church who sometimes is a little too welcoming) that allow the Fallwells and Phelps of the world define Christianity? Is it our laid back nature to say, "Let them be?"
While that may have worked for The Beatles (or did it?), I am not sure it is working for me. I want to stand up and shout : YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR MANY OF US. But I am not a fan of shouting alone.
Thousands of passive church goers who join together to sing praises doesn't make media headlines in the same way protesting funerals and blaming hurricanes on the gays does.
We're boring. We're tolerant people who keep to ourselves. We have our opinions, but we don't force them on others. We are not threatening in anyway.
[Can any body hear me? *insert Pink Floyd riff here*]
I know there are alternative Christian perspectives. I know there are others out there that do not carry so much baggage. Does there really seem to be a need within the Christian faith for exclusivity, prejudice, and rigid dogma? Closed communion comes to mind. Since when did Jesus only let certain people come to Him?
As a Methodist, I enjoy being in the middle of the road (or at least our congregation is and I won't pretend to know enough about UMC to speak for the denomination). Maybe it is better to say, my church is welcoming to those who are middle of the road, liberal, and even conservative. We seem to have a good mix.
What is it about the moderates (Liberals who chose a church who might be right of their leanings, and Conservatives who tolerate a church who sometimes is a little too welcoming) that allow the Fallwells and Phelps of the world define Christianity? Is it our laid back nature to say, "Let them be?"
While that may have worked for The Beatles (or did it?), I am not sure it is working for me. I want to stand up and shout : YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR MANY OF US. But I am not a fan of shouting alone.
Thousands of passive church goers who join together to sing praises doesn't make media headlines in the same way protesting funerals and blaming hurricanes on the gays does.
We're boring. We're tolerant people who keep to ourselves. We have our opinions, but we don't force them on others. We are not threatening in anyway.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Chance and Coincidence
Tonight I ran into a member of my church at the mall. My little one was at gymnastics and I was out of moisturizer. In theory, I could run over to the mall, get in and out quickly, and be back before she noticed I was not in the bleachers. Mission accomplished.
While making a mad dash past the perfume counter in Dillards (my eyes! my eyes!) I ran into a member of my church (we're everywhere). She was in my first Disciple class, started at COR-West with me, but I hadn't seen her or her kids in awhile. I had 10 minutes and we tried to do 9mos of catch up in that time. It was awesome and I miss her!
I told her I was batting about .250 for attendance this year. I'm struggling and my heart isn't in it. She informed me they started going back to main campus. She asked why I was struggling and I tried to sum it up succinct manner, which does not match my personality frankly! haha.
The short answer I gave her: The church seems to be going in so many directions, yet the sense of community I miss is even more evasive than 2 years ago when I first met her.
She replied, "yeah, if I was sick and in the hospital, you'll never have the phone tree calling on my behalf." Yet we both keep attending. When she asked why, I said... I have been going there for 10 years. I was 21 when I started. I walked the hymnals over from the old church. I have seen our church grow and struggle. To me, when I visit other churches, I feel like I'm cheating on my boyfriend and if I officially quit... I think it would hurt worse than a breakup.
We exchanged cell #s and promised to find each other on facebook. Not only is it nice to run into someone from church, but someone who understands my struggle and is sharing it for her and her family. Maybe community at COR isn't lost afterall.
While making a mad dash past the perfume counter in Dillards (my eyes! my eyes!) I ran into a member of my church (we're everywhere). She was in my first Disciple class, started at COR-West with me, but I hadn't seen her or her kids in awhile. I had 10 minutes and we tried to do 9mos of catch up in that time. It was awesome and I miss her!
I told her I was batting about .250 for attendance this year. I'm struggling and my heart isn't in it. She informed me they started going back to main campus. She asked why I was struggling and I tried to sum it up succinct manner, which does not match my personality frankly! haha.
The short answer I gave her: The church seems to be going in so many directions, yet the sense of community I miss is even more evasive than 2 years ago when I first met her.
She replied, "yeah, if I was sick and in the hospital, you'll never have the phone tree calling on my behalf." Yet we both keep attending. When she asked why, I said... I have been going there for 10 years. I was 21 when I started. I walked the hymnals over from the old church. I have seen our church grow and struggle. To me, when I visit other churches, I feel like I'm cheating on my boyfriend and if I officially quit... I think it would hurt worse than a breakup.
We exchanged cell #s and promised to find each other on facebook. Not only is it nice to run into someone from church, but someone who understands my struggle and is sharing it for her and her family. Maybe community at COR isn't lost afterall.
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