I wrote NBC on Monday to let them know how upset I was about their handling of the Virginia Tech story. The killer chose to mail his "message" to NBC, and they legitimized his actions by broadcasting it. I strongly believe that the media should not mention mass murderers' names, show their faces, and certainly not promote them by spreading their messages. This young man was disillusioned to the point that he didn't care if he lived or died. He thought, "I have nothing to live for. Might as well die and take a few others out with me. Might as well go out with a bang." Then he carefully planned, penned, posed for, and packaged his "ticket to fame" that was delivered to NBC. His hope was to become famous. Because of NBC's asinine decision, he is. Because they made the revolting choice to go along with the killer's designs, his message has now been seen around the world by millions.
What's to stop the next delusional mind from seeking to make a name for himself? Thanks to NBC's response, would-be murderers knows that such fame is within reach. It would seem they have a platform, an open forum of sorts. When will we realize that giving killers the publicity they want is only encouraging others to imitate them? Thanks for nothing, NBC.
In short, I wrote to let NBC know that I am boycotting their network and any companies that advertise on the nightly news. I'm not one to boycott stuff much, but I really was upset by this. Just in case anyone else was upset and wants to write NBC, the address is Nightly@NBC.com.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Last.fm
I just added the "Last.fm" link to the blog. It is basically my personal radio station. Feel free to check out what kind of music I like by clicking on the link. My username there is "InProcess."
Last.fm is pretty cool. I recommend it. And if you create a station, let me know & I'll listen to yours, too!
Last.fm is pretty cool. I recommend it. And if you create a station, let me know & I'll listen to yours, too!
Alienated to God
Today in my exegesis class, the professor (Lawson G. Stone, whose blog is among my links) spoke about how thoroughly Jeremiah was rejected by his audience. Jeremiah’s alienation from his peers resulted in his being “alienated to God.” This thought reminded me of something I heard on the news last night.
Evidently, actor Alec Baldwin (one of my dad’s favorites…NOT!) recently left a scathing phone message for his daughter, and the message was leaked to the press. Reporters were criticizing Baldwin for his rudeness and impropriety. One reporter questioned Baldwin’s brother, Stephen Baldwin, about the affair. Stephen used this opportunity to promote his Christian faith, saying, “I love my brother. I am praying for him and ask others to join me in praying for him.”
Not long ago, I heard Stephen Baldwin referred to as “the [Baldwin brother] who became a religious fanatic.” This was said pejoratively, of course, and it is just one of many occurrences of a growing anti-Christian sentiment in our country. Also this week, by way of example, I stumbled across an advertisement for a satirical claymation cartoon called Moral Orel. Evidently, the show is a cynical and irreverent portrayal of Christianity in America. The user reviews that I read on Amazon wildly praised the show and reveled in a hatred for the Christian nut-jobs they knew. I haven’t seen Moral Orel, but I don’t intend to either.
Apparently, based on the increasing number of bumper stickers I see that attack Christianity in one form or another, this feeling is shared by many. More and more, moral stances and beliefs of Christian believers are not just under attack, but are downright loathed and dismissed as ignorance. But, like Stephen Baldwin, aren’t we called to be known as “religious fanatics” or “Jesus freaks”?
I used to think that it was unwise to “rock the boat.” It was best to blend into society and thus minimize the difference between Christianity and our surrounding culture. After all, we want to portray a positive witness, right? We don’t want people thinking we’re weird, do we?
Matthew 5:11-12 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What if, like Jeremiah, we are called to speak the truth, regardless of the response? What if we have to choose between God or society's acceptance? What if Jesus wants to bless as we overturn the tables of sin, seek truth, shine light in the darkness, etc. … and pay the price for it? The good news is that, although we will be rejected and alienated by men, we will be “alienated to God.”
Not a bad place to be.
Evidently, actor Alec Baldwin (one of my dad’s favorites…NOT!) recently left a scathing phone message for his daughter, and the message was leaked to the press. Reporters were criticizing Baldwin for his rudeness and impropriety. One reporter questioned Baldwin’s brother, Stephen Baldwin, about the affair. Stephen used this opportunity to promote his Christian faith, saying, “I love my brother. I am praying for him and ask others to join me in praying for him.”
Not long ago, I heard Stephen Baldwin referred to as “the [Baldwin brother] who became a religious fanatic.” This was said pejoratively, of course, and it is just one of many occurrences of a growing anti-Christian sentiment in our country. Also this week, by way of example, I stumbled across an advertisement for a satirical claymation cartoon called Moral Orel. Evidently, the show is a cynical and irreverent portrayal of Christianity in America. The user reviews that I read on Amazon wildly praised the show and reveled in a hatred for the Christian nut-jobs they knew. I haven’t seen Moral Orel, but I don’t intend to either.
Apparently, based on the increasing number of bumper stickers I see that attack Christianity in one form or another, this feeling is shared by many. More and more, moral stances and beliefs of Christian believers are not just under attack, but are downright loathed and dismissed as ignorance. But, like Stephen Baldwin, aren’t we called to be known as “religious fanatics” or “Jesus freaks”?
I used to think that it was unwise to “rock the boat.” It was best to blend into society and thus minimize the difference between Christianity and our surrounding culture. After all, we want to portray a positive witness, right? We don’t want people thinking we’re weird, do we?
Matthew 5:11-12 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What if, like Jeremiah, we are called to speak the truth, regardless of the response? What if we have to choose between God or society's acceptance? What if Jesus wants to bless as we overturn the tables of sin, seek truth, shine light in the darkness, etc. … and pay the price for it? The good news is that, although we will be rejected and alienated by men, we will be “alienated to God.”
Not a bad place to be.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Shema
Shema is the first word of Deuteronomy 6:4--"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." This verse precedes the 'greatest commandment' of Matthew 22:38, which is originally given in Deuteronomy 6:5--"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
"Hear" is a strange way to phrase a command. Often we think of listening as a more active form of hearing. But in this case, it seems that hearing may be a more profound way of listening. Hearing is more than acknowledging. It is accepting, affirming, and owning what is said. It means actualizing. Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9)
Faithful Jews say the Shema (Deut. 6:4-9) every morning and every evening. I have begun praying a prayer every morning in which I ask myself, "Do you seek Him with all your heart? Do you seek Him with all your soul? Do you seek Him with all your mind? Do you seek Him with all your strength?" I don't read Hebrew that well, but it's the skill I will be most adept in upon graduating from seminary. One of the few verses I have memorized is Deuteronomy 6:4-5. While this is in no way a word study, I do want to comment on the little I know about 3 words in 6:5.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart..."
The word 'heart' is the Hebrew levav. It basically means your inner being. Holladay's lexicon lists it as: 1)physical organ; 2)seat of vitality; 3)inner self, seat of feelings & impulses; 4)mind, character, disposition, inclination, loyalty, concern; 5)determination, courage, (high) morale; 6)intention, purpose; 7)mind, attention, consideration, understanding; 8)mind & mood in its totality, the self 9)conscience, etc. The point is, our heart is the core of our being. Do we love God there?
"and with all your soul..."
The word 'soul' is the Hebrew nephesh. It is often equated with one's life, and is thought to be situated at the throat (where breath enters the body). In fact, the word means: 1)throat; 2)neck; 3)breath; (4 & 5 entail phrases concerning living beings); 6)personality, individuality; 7)life; 8)'soul' as seat & support of feelings & sensations: a)desire, b)mood, state of mind, c)feeling, taste, d) will; etc. (Holladay's Lexicon). The point is, we have been given life. Every breath is a gift. Are we loving God with what we've been given?
"and with all your strength."
The word 'strength' is the Hebrew me'od. It literally means "muchness." As a substantive noun it means: power, might. As an adverb: very, in the highest degree. (Holladay) We have spoken of our inner being, our moods, feelings & desires, now we speak of physical ability. Do you love God with your physical actions? Do you, in "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"?
When I ask these questions, I think of it like this:
Do you seek Him with all your heart?
Do you seek him with the very core of your being?
Love Him with your very self.
Do you seek Him with all your soul?
Do you seek Him with your emotions?
Surrender your feelings to God's control.
Do you seek Him with all your mind?
Do you turn your thoughts to Him?
Think about Him. Excel intellectually for Him.
Do you seek Him with all your strength?
Do you physically honor God with your body?
You have strength! Use it for Him.
Inner self/will, feelings, intellect, physical abilities. I want to do one thing each day to make a difference for the Kingdom--just one thing each day. My avenues are via my will, my feelings, my intellect, and my physical abilities. If I am in tune with God and in step with the Spirit...it will happen.
Amen, Christ have mercy.
"Hear" is a strange way to phrase a command. Often we think of listening as a more active form of hearing. But in this case, it seems that hearing may be a more profound way of listening. Hearing is more than acknowledging. It is accepting, affirming, and owning what is said. It means actualizing. Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9)
Faithful Jews say the Shema (Deut. 6:4-9) every morning and every evening. I have begun praying a prayer every morning in which I ask myself, "Do you seek Him with all your heart? Do you seek Him with all your soul? Do you seek Him with all your mind? Do you seek Him with all your strength?" I don't read Hebrew that well, but it's the skill I will be most adept in upon graduating from seminary. One of the few verses I have memorized is Deuteronomy 6:4-5. While this is in no way a word study, I do want to comment on the little I know about 3 words in 6:5.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart..."
The word 'heart' is the Hebrew levav. It basically means your inner being. Holladay's lexicon lists it as: 1)physical organ; 2)seat of vitality; 3)inner self, seat of feelings & impulses; 4)mind, character, disposition, inclination, loyalty, concern; 5)determination, courage, (high) morale; 6)intention, purpose; 7)mind, attention, consideration, understanding; 8)mind & mood in its totality, the self 9)conscience, etc. The point is, our heart is the core of our being. Do we love God there?
"and with all your soul..."
The word 'soul' is the Hebrew nephesh. It is often equated with one's life, and is thought to be situated at the throat (where breath enters the body). In fact, the word means: 1)throat; 2)neck; 3)breath; (4 & 5 entail phrases concerning living beings); 6)personality, individuality; 7)life; 8)'soul' as seat & support of feelings & sensations: a)desire, b)mood, state of mind, c)feeling, taste, d) will; etc. (Holladay's Lexicon). The point is, we have been given life. Every breath is a gift. Are we loving God with what we've been given?
"and with all your strength."
The word 'strength' is the Hebrew me'od. It literally means "muchness." As a substantive noun it means: power, might. As an adverb: very, in the highest degree. (Holladay) We have spoken of our inner being, our moods, feelings & desires, now we speak of physical ability. Do you love God with your physical actions? Do you, in "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"?
When I ask these questions, I think of it like this:
Do you seek Him with all your heart?
Do you seek him with the very core of your being?
Love Him with your very self.
Do you seek Him with all your soul?
Do you seek Him with your emotions?
Surrender your feelings to God's control.
Do you seek Him with all your mind?
Do you turn your thoughts to Him?
Think about Him. Excel intellectually for Him.
Do you seek Him with all your strength?
Do you physically honor God with your body?
You have strength! Use it for Him.
Inner self/will, feelings, intellect, physical abilities. I want to do one thing each day to make a difference for the Kingdom--just one thing each day. My avenues are via my will, my feelings, my intellect, and my physical abilities. If I am in tune with God and in step with the Spirit...it will happen.
Amen, Christ have mercy.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Starting Out
I have postponed writing because I felt I did not have anything significant to say. While this is an inauspicious opening sentence, I think there is a lesson here. Two desires often compete within me--the desire for production and the desire for perfection. While I am certainly not a perfectionist, I am very intimidated by posting my thoughts "out there" where someone else may read and evaluate them. I am afraid to perform. At the same time, however, I know how imperfect I am. It is unrealistic to expect wonders from ordinary clay. Still, I hope for excellence, and I pray that on this "island" I will grow by God's grace. I will begin. Haltingly, I now submit my first post.
Please bless this undertaking, Lord. Use it somehow for Your glory. I love you.
Sucky or not, let the blogging begin.
Please bless this undertaking, Lord. Use it somehow for Your glory. I love you.
Sucky or not, let the blogging begin.
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