Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Faith
You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it? The same with people. For years I would have said that I had perfect confidence in B.R. Then came the moment when I had to decide whether I would or would not trust him with a really important secret. That threw quite a new light on what I called my 'confidence' in him. I discovered that there was no such thing. Only a real risk tests that reality of a belief.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Stuck
So today, I tried writing my UC Prompt 1 essay. I wrote about 1 1/2 paragraphs and then... BAM. I suddenly did not know what to write. I sat at my computer for around 30 minutes, gave up, watched t.v. to try to arouse some inspiration, came back to my computer, and continued this cycle for about 4 hours. I have not written a single sentence since. I honestly don't know what is wrong with me. It's driving me crazy. I know what my theme is, but I just can't think of the right words to type. I'm so worried now. If I continue this cycle, I'm not sure if I'm going to finish my essays in time. I feel like my brain is fried. Maybe I just need some sleep. By tomorrow, maybe I'll be able to think of something to write.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Christian Schlock
Christians have a strange tendency to try to baptize everything mundane and make it "Christian."
What if I told you I was my dream to open up a Christian coffee shop? "Jesus Java" I'd call it.
At Jesus Java, you'd be able to get Christian coffee: Salvation Sumatra, Anointed Arabica, and Faithful French Roast. You could get your favorite espresso drinks as well: Mind-of-Christ Mochas, Love-Your-Neighbor Lattes, and, if you weren't in the mood for coffee, you could always try our Charity Chai.
We'd also have our own line of Prayerful Pastries: Bible Bearclaws, Sin-free Cinnamon Rolls, Crucifixion Croissants and Doubting Thomas Donuts- just stick your finger through the hole and believe.
And for those prone to spilling, all of our coffee cups would be printed with "WARNING: NOT AS HOT AS THE LAKE OF FIRE, BUT PRETTY CLOSE."
Christians have a strange tendency to try to baptize everything mundane and make it "Christian." The impulse makes sense to a degree, bit it's ridiculous to a greater degree. Does stamping John 3:16 on a toothbrush make it a Christian toothbrush?
Granted, some of it is cute, innocent and possibly sweet, but there is also a real danger here.
Through this, we ghettoize Christianity. If the world's got something, we've got our own little version tailored perfectly for our cultural subgroup. So the answer is no. Printing John 3:16 on a product does not automatically make it good. By doing this, we produce little of merit and contribute zilch to the greater culture, and our influence- already whittled down to insignificance- dwindles further.
What if I told you I was my dream to open up a Christian coffee shop? "Jesus Java" I'd call it.
At Jesus Java, you'd be able to get Christian coffee: Salvation Sumatra, Anointed Arabica, and Faithful French Roast. You could get your favorite espresso drinks as well: Mind-of-Christ Mochas, Love-Your-Neighbor Lattes, and, if you weren't in the mood for coffee, you could always try our Charity Chai.
We'd also have our own line of Prayerful Pastries: Bible Bearclaws, Sin-free Cinnamon Rolls, Crucifixion Croissants and Doubting Thomas Donuts- just stick your finger through the hole and believe.
And for those prone to spilling, all of our coffee cups would be printed with "WARNING: NOT AS HOT AS THE LAKE OF FIRE, BUT PRETTY CLOSE."
Christians have a strange tendency to try to baptize everything mundane and make it "Christian." The impulse makes sense to a degree, bit it's ridiculous to a greater degree. Does stamping John 3:16 on a toothbrush make it a Christian toothbrush?
Granted, some of it is cute, innocent and possibly sweet, but there is also a real danger here.
Through this, we ghettoize Christianity. If the world's got something, we've got our own little version tailored perfectly for our cultural subgroup. So the answer is no. Printing John 3:16 on a product does not automatically make it good. By doing this, we produce little of merit and contribute zilch to the greater culture, and our influence- already whittled down to insignificance- dwindles further.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Employee
Imagine a poor, sickly person getting a well-paying job at a company with great health benefits and an unbelievable retirement program. How would that person feel? Saved? Grateful? Motivated? Obligated? All of the above.
In time, these emotions would probably settle, replaced with the more mundane, day-to-day attitudes of an employee. After all, the company chose him for a reason, even if those reasons are not entirely clear. So, in order to generate the respectful, initial emotions, he attends a meeting once a week to remind him. Sometimes the meetings need music and inspiring speeches to generate the proper emotions---it’s pretty much the same story every week---but generally he leaves with the proper attitudes in place for another work week.
During the week, however, the attitude of this employee fluctuates depending on the demands of the company and the quality of the continuing benefits. There are no complaints about retirement. That is a sure thing. It’s usually the size of the paycheck or the quality of the health care program that can sometimes create tension between him and the heads of the company. Sometimes the payoff just doesn’t seem equitable to the work.
Also, the work environment is a challenge. There are definitely some personality conflicts between employees, creating a cliquish mentality. Some receive a higher paycheck or seem to have better health coverage. Others seem completely neglected. It’s not exactly a fair system, but no one is about to complain. The company saved them all, it’s none of their business to stick their noses into the way the company is run. Besides, there is a terrific retirement plan waiting for them.
Then one day the employee asks an important question: What does this company do?
The company, as it turns out, installs huge power generators in places that are cut off from civilization, allowing them to have light, resources, and communication. The more the employee grows to understand the work of the company, the less he scrutinizes his paycheck and benefit plan. He has a new motivation to support to the company, work well with the other employees, and get excited about the work. He is also more aggressive against programs that would impede the work, even from within the company.
The employee is soon noticed and promoted to more interesting work. He is given training in new skills, given more authority, even a staff of his own. For motivation, he simply thinks about the good the company is doing in the world, or even visits some of the places where a new generator is being installed or telephone poles are being planted.
He still attends the weekly meetings, but not to muster up emotions or get information about the company, he gets plenty of that during the week. No, he goes to encourage the other employees, to show them what they are a part of, and to warn them against the companies and cultures that are trying so hard to stop the work. And he never takes off the uniform.
-John Barnts (the best Bible teacher I've ever had)
Also. Yes. He does make his own parables. How awesome is that right? :D
In time, these emotions would probably settle, replaced with the more mundane, day-to-day attitudes of an employee. After all, the company chose him for a reason, even if those reasons are not entirely clear. So, in order to generate the respectful, initial emotions, he attends a meeting once a week to remind him. Sometimes the meetings need music and inspiring speeches to generate the proper emotions---it’s pretty much the same story every week---but generally he leaves with the proper attitudes in place for another work week.
During the week, however, the attitude of this employee fluctuates depending on the demands of the company and the quality of the continuing benefits. There are no complaints about retirement. That is a sure thing. It’s usually the size of the paycheck or the quality of the health care program that can sometimes create tension between him and the heads of the company. Sometimes the payoff just doesn’t seem equitable to the work.
Also, the work environment is a challenge. There are definitely some personality conflicts between employees, creating a cliquish mentality. Some receive a higher paycheck or seem to have better health coverage. Others seem completely neglected. It’s not exactly a fair system, but no one is about to complain. The company saved them all, it’s none of their business to stick their noses into the way the company is run. Besides, there is a terrific retirement plan waiting for them.
Then one day the employee asks an important question: What does this company do?
The company, as it turns out, installs huge power generators in places that are cut off from civilization, allowing them to have light, resources, and communication. The more the employee grows to understand the work of the company, the less he scrutinizes his paycheck and benefit plan. He has a new motivation to support to the company, work well with the other employees, and get excited about the work. He is also more aggressive against programs that would impede the work, even from within the company.
The employee is soon noticed and promoted to more interesting work. He is given training in new skills, given more authority, even a staff of his own. For motivation, he simply thinks about the good the company is doing in the world, or even visits some of the places where a new generator is being installed or telephone poles are being planted.
He still attends the weekly meetings, but not to muster up emotions or get information about the company, he gets plenty of that during the week. No, he goes to encourage the other employees, to show them what they are a part of, and to warn them against the companies and cultures that are trying so hard to stop the work. And he never takes off the uniform.
-John Barnts (the best Bible teacher I've ever had)
Also. Yes. He does make his own parables. How awesome is that right? :D
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Man v. Machine
Do you ever feel like you're surrounded and you have no escape? That's how I feel about technology, but more specifically, with computers. Just a couple of minutes ago, I was peacefully studying for my exam. Now I am writing this blog. See what I mean? I have this unquenchable desire to drop whatever I'm doing, run over to the nearest piece of technology, and rapidly press all of it's buttons. It might just be curiosity, but it's getting the better of me. This is just ridiculous.
I think I'm going to go on a computer fast. Until I can control my desire to know who's on AIM, the latest news feed, or someone's status , I don't think I'll be on for a while.
Bye.
I think I'm going to go on a computer fast. Until I can control my desire to know who's on AIM, the latest news feed, or someone's status , I don't think I'll be on for a while.
Bye.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Facebook.
GO AWAY!! YOU'RE RUINING MY LIFE!! ALNALNALSDFJMGVLKAFDMKANMDAFA;LKJ;AF!!!!
-Love Daniel Kang
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