LongDistanceConversations
I'll be gone for a week to Las Vegas and I'm not sure if I'll have interent access. So, just talk amongst yourselves. Here I'll give you a topic: corporate corruption is both corporate and corrupt; discuss.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Female Characters
LongDistanceConversations
I just read an article in Time magazine about an author named Curtis Sittenfeld (a woman despite what her name may lead you to think) who has, to date, written two novels centered around unconventional female characters. I say that her characters are unconventional because they're described as realistically awkward. This is hardly something that happens very often, typically in movies and novels women are characterized as beautiful but awkward. One can only assume that the rules of convention apply to beauty, and in Sittenfeld's words "when a female character feels insecure, and then all the other characters are saying, 'but you're so awesome, you're so funny, you're the best!' you almost know that it's false insecurity." I don't think that I've come across that too much in novels, per se. I've been fortunate enough to read incredible authors like Jean Rhys, Chuck Palahniuk and Brett Easton Ellis; whose female characters are incredible. But I will say that in movies Sittenfeld's comments ring true. But I've been watching Shopgirl (which is a tremendous novella, by Steve Martin) and I must say that in both the book and the movie, the characterization of Mirabelle is incredible. I would have to say that pain and loneliness that she is shown to live with, are not only authentically feminine; they're human. I know that I may not necessarily qualify to comment on what is feminine, but her pain and loneliness is not generic. It really isn't something that you could put anyone into and still come out with a great story.
A lot of this comes back to the fact that there are differences between men and women. Obviously there are biological differences. But there are different psychological and physical needs within relationships as well. This is something that, in the struggle for equality between the genders, has been forgotten. We've replaced equality with same-ness. Because of the drive inherent within feminism to achieve equality without totally rethinking the power structures. It seems to me like we're trying to renovate a house infested with termites, and not replace a single piece of wood. Women are told from childhood on that they need to be self-reliant and not ever depend on a man. This is, of course, in reference to money. So what results is women who are educated, skilled and most certainly financially independent. Their scared to death of commitments, children and any type of devotion to someone other than themselves. In short, you get the four prattling heads of Sex and the City. Vile women who have ultimately been robbed of essential pieces of their femininity all because we're too dumb to see that equality and same-ness are mutually exclusive.
A friend once shared this analogy with me: men and women are like flowers and trees, which are both equal to one another. Flowers are beautiful, sweet smelling wonders within the world. And trees are rugged, sturdy things that we can build homes and boats with. But the pragmatic quality of a tree is no more valuable than that of a flower's aesthetic quality. Don't be fooled, like I was initially, into thinking that either of these plants is meant to represent a specific gender. It's not a one-for-one exchange; just a loose representation.
I suppose my point is that culturally femininity is completely misunderstood. And that this is reflected in the movies and novels that our culture creates. Mother hood is rarely ever specifically the focus of much attention. I would hope that much of feminism's attempts t reconstruct our world in a much more equitable way without robbing women or men of their god given identities would filter into the popular conscience. Maybe then high school girls would not feel the need to make sexuality into a commodity because Kim Catrell (sp?) does.
I just read an article in Time magazine about an author named Curtis Sittenfeld (a woman despite what her name may lead you to think) who has, to date, written two novels centered around unconventional female characters. I say that her characters are unconventional because they're described as realistically awkward. This is hardly something that happens very often, typically in movies and novels women are characterized as beautiful but awkward. One can only assume that the rules of convention apply to beauty, and in Sittenfeld's words "when a female character feels insecure, and then all the other characters are saying, 'but you're so awesome, you're so funny, you're the best!' you almost know that it's false insecurity." I don't think that I've come across that too much in novels, per se. I've been fortunate enough to read incredible authors like Jean Rhys, Chuck Palahniuk and Brett Easton Ellis; whose female characters are incredible. But I will say that in movies Sittenfeld's comments ring true. But I've been watching Shopgirl (which is a tremendous novella, by Steve Martin) and I must say that in both the book and the movie, the characterization of Mirabelle is incredible. I would have to say that pain and loneliness that she is shown to live with, are not only authentically feminine; they're human. I know that I may not necessarily qualify to comment on what is feminine, but her pain and loneliness is not generic. It really isn't something that you could put anyone into and still come out with a great story.
A lot of this comes back to the fact that there are differences between men and women. Obviously there are biological differences. But there are different psychological and physical needs within relationships as well. This is something that, in the struggle for equality between the genders, has been forgotten. We've replaced equality with same-ness. Because of the drive inherent within feminism to achieve equality without totally rethinking the power structures. It seems to me like we're trying to renovate a house infested with termites, and not replace a single piece of wood. Women are told from childhood on that they need to be self-reliant and not ever depend on a man. This is, of course, in reference to money. So what results is women who are educated, skilled and most certainly financially independent. Their scared to death of commitments, children and any type of devotion to someone other than themselves. In short, you get the four prattling heads of Sex and the City. Vile women who have ultimately been robbed of essential pieces of their femininity all because we're too dumb to see that equality and same-ness are mutually exclusive.
A friend once shared this analogy with me: men and women are like flowers and trees, which are both equal to one another. Flowers are beautiful, sweet smelling wonders within the world. And trees are rugged, sturdy things that we can build homes and boats with. But the pragmatic quality of a tree is no more valuable than that of a flower's aesthetic quality. Don't be fooled, like I was initially, into thinking that either of these plants is meant to represent a specific gender. It's not a one-for-one exchange; just a loose representation.
I suppose my point is that culturally femininity is completely misunderstood. And that this is reflected in the movies and novels that our culture creates. Mother hood is rarely ever specifically the focus of much attention. I would hope that much of feminism's attempts t reconstruct our world in a much more equitable way without robbing women or men of their god given identities would filter into the popular conscience. Maybe then high school girls would not feel the need to make sexuality into a commodity because Kim Catrell (sp?) does.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Homeschooling?
A few of you reading this may know part of our story. But, I will try to elaborate, if at all possible, in a condensed fashion.
When we got married, we were pretty much set on doing what most ignorant American parent does -- putting our kids in public schools. Honestly, homeschooled kids were just weird, and all the private schooled kids that I knew were morally "worse" than the public schooled ones. Thus, the beginning of our misappropriated journey. We began with the assumptions that our kids should be "cool" (not weird) and "moral."
Then, we started reading books. Not Jesus-touch-me-make-my-life-easier Christian books, but big, frustrating books. Around this time, we also started paying attention to quite a few believers from all over who were coming to much different conclusions than we had on parenting and education.
Probably the nail in the coffin of public or private school was our relationship which was formed while in Seattle with Phil and Jen Schmidt. They had decided to homeschool their kids, and we were intrigued. We had several conversations with them, and started reading the books they read. We both decided we would pursue the path toward homeschooling our boys. We had already been doing some catechizing and Cyn had been teaching the boys to read. So, it was perfect timing. They were pre-"gradeschool" age.
We sought out what we perceived to be the most biblical homeschooling curriculum we could find, and we began. I was working 60 hours a week around this time, so Cyn was doing the majority of the actual "teaching." If you asked her to this day, she wouldn't have traded that time for anything. She loved it.
Over a few months' time, we started trying to connect with some other local homeschoolers. We thought it would be good to gain some wisdom from those who had been doing it already. And, in reality, these were some of the strangest people around. Maybe they had figured out their "theology" but it seemed to have died in 1950. We visited a few local churches that had solid homeschooling families within them, and continued to be frustrated.
We also realized that we had become increasingly arrogant toward those who disagreed about the education of their children. We had all the answers, right...we had read all the books they hadn't. So, they were stupid, and we had it all figured out. We continued to make wise cracks at public schools, and in reality probably created more distance between ourselves and those coming from different perspectives than was necessary. So, the acquaintances we were left with were these weird homeschool people.
Then, we started talking a lot more about being intentional and "missional" in everything we do. Instead of bashing the government, maybe we should be involved. Instead of railing on public education, maybe we should be incarnational.
So, obviously, there were a lot of tear-stained conversations about the transition from what we assumed would be an oasis to what we assumed would be irresponsible.
One major understanding was that making the change would entail much more responsibility. Ultimately, we are responsible for the education and "bringing up" of our kids. The goal of "education" is not to make our kids good Americans. So, obviously, we may have to fight against a lot of things that we completely disagree with. But, rather than throwing stones from the outside, we have chosen to work with and for, from the inside.
Our hope is that as much as we can, we will be involved in the school system and our kids' friends' parents' and teacher's lives. We will help where we can. And, we will not naively think that a humanistic system is going to either "poison" or "save" our kids.
It's easy to assume we know someone's motivation for doing something. If our motivation for putting our kids in public schools was to "socialize" them or "educate" them properly or because we need a daycare, then we would be in sin. But, if our motivation is to be on God's mission in a specific time and a specific place for His glory, then I believe we are on the right track.
(I'm sure there will be more to come of this...)
When we got married, we were pretty much set on doing what most ignorant American parent does -- putting our kids in public schools. Honestly, homeschooled kids were just weird, and all the private schooled kids that I knew were morally "worse" than the public schooled ones. Thus, the beginning of our misappropriated journey. We began with the assumptions that our kids should be "cool" (not weird) and "moral."
Then, we started reading books. Not Jesus-touch-me-make-my-life-easier Christian books, but big, frustrating books. Around this time, we also started paying attention to quite a few believers from all over who were coming to much different conclusions than we had on parenting and education.
Probably the nail in the coffin of public or private school was our relationship which was formed while in Seattle with Phil and Jen Schmidt. They had decided to homeschool their kids, and we were intrigued. We had several conversations with them, and started reading the books they read. We both decided we would pursue the path toward homeschooling our boys. We had already been doing some catechizing and Cyn had been teaching the boys to read. So, it was perfect timing. They were pre-"gradeschool" age.
We sought out what we perceived to be the most biblical homeschooling curriculum we could find, and we began. I was working 60 hours a week around this time, so Cyn was doing the majority of the actual "teaching." If you asked her to this day, she wouldn't have traded that time for anything. She loved it.
Over a few months' time, we started trying to connect with some other local homeschoolers. We thought it would be good to gain some wisdom from those who had been doing it already. And, in reality, these were some of the strangest people around. Maybe they had figured out their "theology" but it seemed to have died in 1950. We visited a few local churches that had solid homeschooling families within them, and continued to be frustrated.
We also realized that we had become increasingly arrogant toward those who disagreed about the education of their children. We had all the answers, right...we had read all the books they hadn't. So, they were stupid, and we had it all figured out. We continued to make wise cracks at public schools, and in reality probably created more distance between ourselves and those coming from different perspectives than was necessary. So, the acquaintances we were left with were these weird homeschool people.
Then, we started talking a lot more about being intentional and "missional" in everything we do. Instead of bashing the government, maybe we should be involved. Instead of railing on public education, maybe we should be incarnational.
So, obviously, there were a lot of tear-stained conversations about the transition from what we assumed would be an oasis to what we assumed would be irresponsible.
One major understanding was that making the change would entail much more responsibility. Ultimately, we are responsible for the education and "bringing up" of our kids. The goal of "education" is not to make our kids good Americans. So, obviously, we may have to fight against a lot of things that we completely disagree with. But, rather than throwing stones from the outside, we have chosen to work with and for, from the inside.
Our hope is that as much as we can, we will be involved in the school system and our kids' friends' parents' and teacher's lives. We will help where we can. And, we will not naively think that a humanistic system is going to either "poison" or "save" our kids.
It's easy to assume we know someone's motivation for doing something. If our motivation for putting our kids in public schools was to "socialize" them or "educate" them properly or because we need a daycare, then we would be in sin. But, if our motivation is to be on God's mission in a specific time and a specific place for His glory, then I believe we are on the right track.
(I'm sure there will be more to come of this...)
TheFarSideOfCrazy
TheFarSideOfCrazy
So the new American Idol is a seventy-two year old man, huh? What's that all about?
So the new American Idol is a seventy-two year old man, huh? What's that all about?
Raising Cain I: Education
LongDistanceConversations
I've been thinking a lot about what I'll do in certain situations when I have children lately. One of the things that keeps coming up in conversations is education. It's generally accepted that people should send their children to the public schools provided by the government. But, I tend to disagree with that as an axiom. Compulsory education is not the only way to educate children. In fact, there are quite a few arguments in favor of alternative methods. I by no means have all of the answers when it comes to this particular topic. But I do have somethings to say. I won't write an essay here laying out what I think in detail. I'd rather that come out of dialogue. So, here's an essay that I find intersting:
http://www.spinninglobe.net/condunces.htm
And don't be shy. The spectrum of people that have been invited to this blog consists of experienced parents, unmarried people who have thought about this and one very skilled educator working on a PhD in curriculum theory (whom I happen to know is not a fan of John Taylor Gato.) So no one here can use the excuse of ignorance.
I've been thinking a lot about what I'll do in certain situations when I have children lately. One of the things that keeps coming up in conversations is education. It's generally accepted that people should send their children to the public schools provided by the government. But, I tend to disagree with that as an axiom. Compulsory education is not the only way to educate children. In fact, there are quite a few arguments in favor of alternative methods. I by no means have all of the answers when it comes to this particular topic. But I do have somethings to say. I won't write an essay here laying out what I think in detail. I'd rather that come out of dialogue. So, here's an essay that I find intersting:
http://www.spinninglobe.net/condunces.htm
And don't be shy. The spectrum of people that have been invited to this blog consists of experienced parents, unmarried people who have thought about this and one very skilled educator working on a PhD in curriculum theory (whom I happen to know is not a fan of John Taylor Gato.) So no one here can use the excuse of ignorance.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Here it is...old but good
I posted this on mySpace and wanted (and was encouraged) to post it where people might care and even react and respond. So here goes.....
Pop culture frustrates me daily
Everyday I am reminded how much our society has lost it's f-ing mind as a whole. Even my very own friends irritate me with their ignorance to the world sometimes. I even irritate myself. We all sit around and shoot the shit and talk politics and world affairs. Some seem to care, some don't. But those of us that do, get all heated about it and then proceed with our lives and do nothing. And I become frustrated because with what little I do to do the things I feel I should be, seems never to be enough to counter the disgusting mounting pop-culture God that is marketed everday in our homes, on the streets and to our youth. So many are taught of this spiteful God who does not tolerate the"filth" of our world. The message of loving in faith has been buried with those who once taught it. Occasionally I come across an individual or community that seems to have their shit straight. It pleases me pink to find others in this world that feel our love and care for folks is our duty as a community of faith. I was driving past a rather large church the other day and their flashing billboard showing their message of the week said, "Who invented sex?" Where have we (as a church) gone wrong when people stop searching for true community and start going for a catchy-little-poppy message for an hour every Sunday. That is not what Christ taught. Then the argument comes up that Christ taught in parables. But his message was not some cutsey life lesson to better yourself and find happiness. It was about living together in faith during our time here and getting the heck out there and loving on others and showing the purest of pure loves to all, not just those who seem to deserve it. We were not taught to pick and choose. We were taught to love all, even those it is our human desire to hate. So, as I sit frustrated with discussion after discussion that shows that so many around me do not see what I do, I am also left reminding myself that all I can do is try to tell them and to love them even if they do not listen or care to hear. Some of the greatest lovers of people I have met are not "of faith" and some of the most lost have claimed the Lord as their guide. I am just trying to do the best I can to love the way He did, though I fail miserably sometimes.
Pop culture frustrates me daily
Everyday I am reminded how much our society has lost it's f-ing mind as a whole. Even my very own friends irritate me with their ignorance to the world sometimes. I even irritate myself. We all sit around and shoot the shit and talk politics and world affairs. Some seem to care, some don't. But those of us that do, get all heated about it and then proceed with our lives and do nothing. And I become frustrated because with what little I do to do the things I feel I should be, seems never to be enough to counter the disgusting mounting pop-culture God that is marketed everday in our homes, on the streets and to our youth. So many are taught of this spiteful God who does not tolerate the"filth" of our world. The message of loving in faith has been buried with those who once taught it. Occasionally I come across an individual or community that seems to have their shit straight. It pleases me pink to find others in this world that feel our love and care for folks is our duty as a community of faith. I was driving past a rather large church the other day and their flashing billboard showing their message of the week said, "Who invented sex?" Where have we (as a church) gone wrong when people stop searching for true community and start going for a catchy-little-poppy message for an hour every Sunday. That is not what Christ taught. Then the argument comes up that Christ taught in parables. But his message was not some cutsey life lesson to better yourself and find happiness. It was about living together in faith during our time here and getting the heck out there and loving on others and showing the purest of pure loves to all, not just those who seem to deserve it. We were not taught to pick and choose. We were taught to love all, even those it is our human desire to hate. So, as I sit frustrated with discussion after discussion that shows that so many around me do not see what I do, I am also left reminding myself that all I can do is try to tell them and to love them even if they do not listen or care to hear. Some of the greatest lovers of people I have met are not "of faith" and some of the most lost have claimed the Lord as their guide. I am just trying to do the best I can to love the way He did, though I fail miserably sometimes.
Peace
TheFarSideOfCrazy
Within my lifetime there has not been a single day when the United States military has not been engaged in some sort of activity in a country outside of itside borders. In fact, the same is true of really any generation in the past century. I don't think that this says something solely about American or western culture. The fact is that not a day goes by when there isn't some form of violence, be it on a large or small scale. Hate plagues every nation, culture and ethnicity.
I only bring this up because today I started watching a DVD called Peace. It was a bit unsettling that the entire video was pretty typical anti-war/Bush stuff. As much as I respect Howard Zinn I think that it's a bit naive for him to talk about the ameerican people as though they are essentially good. As though there were a time when America and the people who lived within its borders were peaceful and content to live with what they had. Instead I see a group of people waiting to accept the propaganda that their leaders were presenting them with. The subjigation of Native Americans was not monopolized by the Federal government. There were plenty of people who needed little help in hating, killing and the land of the indigenous people on this continent. Just like today many Americans take quite easily to hating Mexicans for whatever reasons they can muster.
The fact is that no culture has every been peaceful. And I don't jsut mean non-violent either. People everywhere are capable of terrible atrocities. And they wuite often make good on that capability. There seems to be a persistent cloud of darkness hanging over the world. There is no thoughtfully layed out plan to eliminate the evil that makes violence persists. That may sound a bit depressing. But I really don't think that it is. I hope for the day when the creator god YHWH re-creates his world and permanenly puts an end to the violence that plagues his creatures, and the other abusive and dehumanizing representations of evil.
More on this to come...
Within my lifetime there has not been a single day when the United States military has not been engaged in some sort of activity in a country outside of itside borders. In fact, the same is true of really any generation in the past century. I don't think that this says something solely about American or western culture. The fact is that not a day goes by when there isn't some form of violence, be it on a large or small scale. Hate plagues every nation, culture and ethnicity.
I only bring this up because today I started watching a DVD called Peace. It was a bit unsettling that the entire video was pretty typical anti-war/Bush stuff. As much as I respect Howard Zinn I think that it's a bit naive for him to talk about the ameerican people as though they are essentially good. As though there were a time when America and the people who lived within its borders were peaceful and content to live with what they had. Instead I see a group of people waiting to accept the propaganda that their leaders were presenting them with. The subjigation of Native Americans was not monopolized by the Federal government. There were plenty of people who needed little help in hating, killing and the land of the indigenous people on this continent. Just like today many Americans take quite easily to hating Mexicans for whatever reasons they can muster.
The fact is that no culture has every been peaceful. And I don't jsut mean non-violent either. People everywhere are capable of terrible atrocities. And they wuite often make good on that capability. There seems to be a persistent cloud of darkness hanging over the world. There is no thoughtfully layed out plan to eliminate the evil that makes violence persists. That may sound a bit depressing. But I really don't think that it is. I hope for the day when the creator god YHWH re-creates his world and permanenly puts an end to the violence that plagues his creatures, and the other abusive and dehumanizing representations of evil.
More on this to come...
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Organic Film&Theology (aka "Movie Night")
I like the idea. The communal abode is in preparation.
So, what's next?
So, what's next?
Monday, May 22, 2006
Okay... I'm figuring this whole blog thing out.
LongDistnanceConversations
Okay, you should all have been properly invited now. If I've sent you an e-mail but somehow neglected to invite you through blogger let me know. I'll figure this junk out sooner or later. And let me know if there's anyone you think should be on this, send me their e-mail address and I'll invite them, no questions asked.
Okay, you should all have been properly invited now. If I've sent you an e-mail but somehow neglected to invite you through blogger let me know. I'll figure this junk out sooner or later. And let me know if there's anyone you think should be on this, send me their e-mail address and I'll invite them, no questions asked.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Hopes and Expectations
I've started this group blog so that you (my friends) and I can expose one another to our thoughts and views on faith, doctrine, art, relationships, etc. These are the things that (I believe) comprise real, good theology. Integrating these areas together under the title of theology exemplifies Soli Deo Gloria.
I've invited people in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Houston, Indiana, Canada and Spain to participate in this group because 1) they are my friends and 2) they all have a tremendous ability to reflect on all of the things I'm looking for in this blog. And if any one of you feels that someone you know that the rest of us don't needs to be on this blog, don't hesitate to invite them. This is not something that I started to have some dictatorial power over. So, post away and please make responses thoughtful, above all things.
Grace and Peace,
Jared
I've invited people in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Houston, Indiana, Canada and Spain to participate in this group because 1) they are my friends and 2) they all have a tremendous ability to reflect on all of the things I'm looking for in this blog. And if any one of you feels that someone you know that the rest of us don't needs to be on this blog, don't hesitate to invite them. This is not something that I started to have some dictatorial power over. So, post away and please make responses thoughtful, above all things.
Grace and Peace,
Jared
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