Monday, June 30, 2008
Paula
What is it about Paula Deen? I love that lady. I am sitting down for a moment in between ironing shirts...with Jack kicking and how tight my tummy is, I can only do a couple before I need to sit for a minute. Paula is inspiring me as I iron. I don't know if it's her reckless use of butter and mayonnaise or the way her grown sons come through and help her and relish her finished products, but I love that show. I tivo it and sometimes watch a few moments while Lily and I play after breakfast, but today I'm enjoying Paula's version of macaroni salad while ironing shirts. Six down, seven or eight to go. I decided I just want to iron all of it so I don't have to do them one by one. It's easier. Oh, and I need to go throw the next load of laundry in. Bless Lily for sleeping a bit this morning so I can get some chores done. :)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tuesday afternoon
I have been fairly productive today, and with Lily down for an afternoon nap am enjoying some time to just sit. My Walmart fan is buzzing away like the propeller on an airplane and it's keeping me cool. It's actually cooler today, and the forecast calls for thunderstorms every day this week. They bring welcome relief from the heat, which was about 100 yesterday.
Joel moved the crazy rope ladder from its regular position (blocking the basement stairs) up into the ceiling, where it will no longer attack me every time I go down to do the laundry. It's amazing what a difference a little thing like that can make. It feels like a luxury at this point!
I moved some winter clothes into two storage boxes and ran out of room. I need to come up with a different solution. More space-saver bags might work, though I think getting rid of a ton of stuff is probably smarter. I just don't want to have to re-buy anything when the seasons change. But, there's a bunch of stuff I never wore this past winter. Hmm. Every project takes four other layers of organization and work. But, I am making progress, slowly but surely.
Lily and I stopped by the church today and played with Jackie for quite a while. Lily loves tearing down the halls, running up and down, and playing with the toys in Jackie's office. Joel was able to come out for a few minutes, too, and Lily loved running to Daddy. She was acting a little shy at first, but soon was off on her own adventures. By the time we got home it was almost three, and she was ready for a nap.
Which is why I have some time at this moment. Mmmmm.
Joel moved the crazy rope ladder from its regular position (blocking the basement stairs) up into the ceiling, where it will no longer attack me every time I go down to do the laundry. It's amazing what a difference a little thing like that can make. It feels like a luxury at this point!
I moved some winter clothes into two storage boxes and ran out of room. I need to come up with a different solution. More space-saver bags might work, though I think getting rid of a ton of stuff is probably smarter. I just don't want to have to re-buy anything when the seasons change. But, there's a bunch of stuff I never wore this past winter. Hmm. Every project takes four other layers of organization and work. But, I am making progress, slowly but surely.
Lily and I stopped by the church today and played with Jackie for quite a while. Lily loves tearing down the halls, running up and down, and playing with the toys in Jackie's office. Joel was able to come out for a few minutes, too, and Lily loved running to Daddy. She was acting a little shy at first, but soon was off on her own adventures. By the time we got home it was almost three, and she was ready for a nap.
Which is why I have some time at this moment. Mmmmm.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Amusing Ourselves to Death
I feel a particular irony in my natural inclination to blog about the book I just finished reading, Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death. Postman wrote the book twenty years ago in an age where email and the Internet were in their infancy from a modern perspective. I have been fairly technologically aware since age 10 or so; early computers were a hobby I shared with my dad, and I still remember writing programs in BASIC that changed the color of my TV monitor different colors. That was the mid-eighties. Postman wrote when my email address was a string of numbers, and about a decade before Windows became accessible to most of us on our PCs. For me, technology was a window to the world. I had a pen-pal in Peru whom I had met over the Internet.
To Postman, technology was not simply a means by which I interacted with the world, but shaped how I understood the world. Technology is bound up with ideology; ideas underlie every aspect of technological development. Ultimately, Postman argues that "Our media are our metaphors. Our metaphors create the content of our culture." (15) In other words, our understanding of the world is shaped--or perhaps even controlled or organized, to use Postman's words--by media. He is not talking about "the media" in terms of the paparazzi, but primarily about television. His lament is that the last half-century has seen a fundamental shift in our culture from the Age of Typography (characterized by the print media) to the Age of Television. One wonders what he would make of the ubiquity of computers and the Internet...though one also sees the way that these media are shaped in many ways by a television culture.
Postman's ultimate concern is that we do not know when we are being entertained. He is not worried about Cheers, he notes; 60 Minutes or the evening news are far more dangerous. The reason? People think these are educational. Go ahead, be entertained by television--that is relatively harmless, he seems to say. But beware Sesame Street and any other programming that presents itself as educational. The reason? It merely prepares children and adults to swallow the content of such shows without thinking critically about the biases and effects that the media itself has. It assumes that such a format is neutral. He suggests that it is imperative that school children be taught "to inquire into the ways in which media of all kinds--including television--shape people's attitudes and perceptions." (153) In other words, we must be educated in how to think critically about the message that the media is offering, which has nothing to do with the actual content.
I find this useful. How does the "And now...this" world of the nightly news shape my understanding not only of the world, but my ability to act in it? I receive far more information than I can possibly act upon. I might hear of the earthquake in China, the latest on the 2008 election (probably focusing on some controversial statement that a supporter of one of the candidates made that has little to do with the issues or candidates themselves), followed by some weather and the latest news from the local basketball team. How does this teach me to consider issues in depth? To think critically about the realities facing our world? To help others? I think at its best the news prompts me to pray, but even my prayer seems shallow...one arrow-prayer offered up on behalf of someone struck by tragedy, without further thought. The bottom line is that the nightly news may inform me of things that are happening, but in the process it cannot help but trivialize it all.
Postman argues for a distancing from our forms of information. (163) I wonder to what extent that has happened. There are now, it seems to me, far more forms of information readily accessible than there were when he wrote this book, but the principle is the same. Do I think critically, or do I allow the content of television shows--especially those claiming to be informative or educational--to wash over me? Joel made a point in his sermon last week that we as Christian people should only surf if it involves the ocean and a surfboard. We shouldn't allow ourselves to mindlessly surf channels or the internet, but to actively engage the world around us, thinking critically. These principles are bound together. Where is the information coming from? What primary sources are available? What is the agenda of the media itself? What impact does the form in which the content is presented shape my understanding of the issues or subject being explored? And, on a more basic level, am I turning to electronic media for comfort? For entertainment? Out of boredom?
I want to raise children who are aware the the forms that various media take are not neutral. I want Lily and Jack to think critically. That must start with me.
To Postman, technology was not simply a means by which I interacted with the world, but shaped how I understood the world. Technology is bound up with ideology; ideas underlie every aspect of technological development. Ultimately, Postman argues that "Our media are our metaphors. Our metaphors create the content of our culture." (15) In other words, our understanding of the world is shaped--or perhaps even controlled or organized, to use Postman's words--by media. He is not talking about "the media" in terms of the paparazzi, but primarily about television. His lament is that the last half-century has seen a fundamental shift in our culture from the Age of Typography (characterized by the print media) to the Age of Television. One wonders what he would make of the ubiquity of computers and the Internet...though one also sees the way that these media are shaped in many ways by a television culture.
Postman's ultimate concern is that we do not know when we are being entertained. He is not worried about Cheers, he notes; 60 Minutes or the evening news are far more dangerous. The reason? People think these are educational. Go ahead, be entertained by television--that is relatively harmless, he seems to say. But beware Sesame Street and any other programming that presents itself as educational. The reason? It merely prepares children and adults to swallow the content of such shows without thinking critically about the biases and effects that the media itself has. It assumes that such a format is neutral. He suggests that it is imperative that school children be taught "to inquire into the ways in which media of all kinds--including television--shape people's attitudes and perceptions." (153) In other words, we must be educated in how to think critically about the message that the media is offering, which has nothing to do with the actual content.
I find this useful. How does the "And now...this" world of the nightly news shape my understanding not only of the world, but my ability to act in it? I receive far more information than I can possibly act upon. I might hear of the earthquake in China, the latest on the 2008 election (probably focusing on some controversial statement that a supporter of one of the candidates made that has little to do with the issues or candidates themselves), followed by some weather and the latest news from the local basketball team. How does this teach me to consider issues in depth? To think critically about the realities facing our world? To help others? I think at its best the news prompts me to pray, but even my prayer seems shallow...one arrow-prayer offered up on behalf of someone struck by tragedy, without further thought. The bottom line is that the nightly news may inform me of things that are happening, but in the process it cannot help but trivialize it all.
Postman argues for a distancing from our forms of information. (163) I wonder to what extent that has happened. There are now, it seems to me, far more forms of information readily accessible than there were when he wrote this book, but the principle is the same. Do I think critically, or do I allow the content of television shows--especially those claiming to be informative or educational--to wash over me? Joel made a point in his sermon last week that we as Christian people should only surf if it involves the ocean and a surfboard. We shouldn't allow ourselves to mindlessly surf channels or the internet, but to actively engage the world around us, thinking critically. These principles are bound together. Where is the information coming from? What primary sources are available? What is the agenda of the media itself? What impact does the form in which the content is presented shape my understanding of the issues or subject being explored? And, on a more basic level, am I turning to electronic media for comfort? For entertainment? Out of boredom?
I want to raise children who are aware the the forms that various media take are not neutral. I want Lily and Jack to think critically. That must start with me.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Time flies...
...and we certainly have been having fun. It's hard to believe it's already Tuesday, but I am glad that we still have a few days to go and some fun things planned before we leave. Mostly it has been really good to just relax. I feel like Jack is getting bigger by the day, and it is such a relief to have help with Lily; I'm going to have to get creative when we get home.
Jack seemed to spend most of dinner tonight trying to fit his feet under my ribs. I got to this point with Lily, too; the distinct feeling she was trying to escape out my side. It's hard to believe we have two months to go.
Yesterday was fairly productive. I went through a box of photos that had been in Grandma's various albums or frames and sorted them according to which sister was in them. I came away with a good pile of family photos. Since virtually everything I do these days is digital, it kind of got me thinking that it might be good to start a little photo album. Then I cleared out three boxes of that were in the garage. One had lots of books that are now on their way to Goodwill, but the rest contained readers and notebooks from college and seminary. I think that each time I went through those boxes in the past, I saw myself as a scholar and those as research and wanted to hold on to the work they represented. But this time I tossed almost all of it. What did I save? Well, a couple of notebooks outlining my studies in church history and medieval history. A couple of textbooks that Joel may find useful. And, of course, most of my writing. I found papers and remembered writing them, research that somehow seems worth keeping. I have realized that old notes outlining histories and literature are not useful; I will need to revisit those writings anyway if I ever return to studies or the classroom. But my own writing and reflection is something else; these pieces are part of the development of my own thoughts, and I'm not willing to part with them yet.
Jack seemed to spend most of dinner tonight trying to fit his feet under my ribs. I got to this point with Lily, too; the distinct feeling she was trying to escape out my side. It's hard to believe we have two months to go.
Yesterday was fairly productive. I went through a box of photos that had been in Grandma's various albums or frames and sorted them according to which sister was in them. I came away with a good pile of family photos. Since virtually everything I do these days is digital, it kind of got me thinking that it might be good to start a little photo album. Then I cleared out three boxes of that were in the garage. One had lots of books that are now on their way to Goodwill, but the rest contained readers and notebooks from college and seminary. I think that each time I went through those boxes in the past, I saw myself as a scholar and those as research and wanted to hold on to the work they represented. But this time I tossed almost all of it. What did I save? Well, a couple of notebooks outlining my studies in church history and medieval history. A couple of textbooks that Joel may find useful. And, of course, most of my writing. I found papers and remembered writing them, research that somehow seems worth keeping. I have realized that old notes outlining histories and literature are not useful; I will need to revisit those writings anyway if I ever return to studies or the classroom. But my own writing and reflection is something else; these pieces are part of the development of my own thoughts, and I'm not willing to part with them yet.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sunny Saturday
It's hard to believe that we've been here a week already! We are having such a good time with family and friends, and soaking up the beautiful Santa Barbara weather. As I write, Lily is napping and I can hear the splashing fountain outside; very tranquil. After Lily wakes up we are planning a trip to the Santa Barbara zoo, which will no doubt become a cherished memory. I think Grandpa is the most excited of all. Lily was her bubbly self this morning and helped Grandpa with chores after breakfast. I love seeing them together.
Last night, Joel and I went to see Prince Caspian. We both really enjoyed it. There are many moments in the film that are beautiful and satisfying. Interesting imagery of the Holy Spirit and of baptism (both as judgement and salvation), too. I especially liked the trees and, of course, the scenes with Lucy and Aslan. What a great evening.
I'm currently reading Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death, which came out 20 years ago but is probably more relevant than when it was first written. One of his main points (borrowed from another author) is that the media is the message. Were it not for the entertainment-influenced (driven?) nightly news, there would be no such thing as the news of the day. And certainly we are well aware of the way that 24-hour news outlets have transformed what is significant to us in major ways. I have no doubt that this year's election is being decided in large part by the media, as is public opinion on many issues. How many of us seek out primary source material and thing critically about the issues? Even the interviews and topics of discussion are crafted for the media; the media has shaped the message. He argues that television is at its best when it merely seeks to entertain, and at its most dangerous when it promotes itself as the distributor of truth. Fascinating points, and I'm only on chapter three. I am fairly certain I read this book about a decade ago, but it's well worth reading again.
Last night, Joel and I went to see Prince Caspian. We both really enjoyed it. There are many moments in the film that are beautiful and satisfying. Interesting imagery of the Holy Spirit and of baptism (both as judgement and salvation), too. I especially liked the trees and, of course, the scenes with Lucy and Aslan. What a great evening.
I'm currently reading Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death, which came out 20 years ago but is probably more relevant than when it was first written. One of his main points (borrowed from another author) is that the media is the message. Were it not for the entertainment-influenced (driven?) nightly news, there would be no such thing as the news of the day. And certainly we are well aware of the way that 24-hour news outlets have transformed what is significant to us in major ways. I have no doubt that this year's election is being decided in large part by the media, as is public opinion on many issues. How many of us seek out primary source material and thing critically about the issues? Even the interviews and topics of discussion are crafted for the media; the media has shaped the message. He argues that television is at its best when it merely seeks to entertain, and at its most dangerous when it promotes itself as the distributor of truth. Fascinating points, and I'm only on chapter three. I am fairly certain I read this book about a decade ago, but it's well worth reading again.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Love One Another
I am reflecting on Jaimeson's sermon from Sunday in conjunction with a book I am reading: Andi Ashworth's Real Love for Real Life. Both are concerned with the topic of showing love toward others, and nurturing others with the type of abiding-in-Christ love that Jesus talks about in John 15. Andi's book is very helpful and encouraging, focusing not only on showing love within the home but offering hospitality and caring for others. She notes that there is no question of "Who is my neighbor," but only "To whom will I be a neighbor?" That's a helpful distinction. That might be as simple as showing kindness to a stranger, to walking step-by-step with a friend through a difficult time or illness. It might be making sure that home is a place where I intentionally show love toward those who live there. It might involve making some extra food in the crock pot and encouraging Joel to bring home some hungry college students or others to whom he is ministering. It is all about looking for opportunities to bring beauty and care into the lives of others.
Sunday's sermon focused on John 15:12-17, and more specifically the point that since we are, as Christians, branches of the vine of Christ, we are to go and bear His fruit in the world. This involves embodying the love of Christ in the lives of others. He both demonstrates this self-emptying love and empowers us to show this love. That's important, because it's not a work we are commanded to try to do on our own. We are to be the conduit of the love of Christ to others. Otherwise we face burnout. We are commanded to love, but as a branch on the vine--extending the nourishing love of Christ to those around us, having that love flow through us.
Jesus says that we are God's friends (beloved) if we obey; being a branch is being the beloved, and vice-versa. We can't divorce our responsibility as branches from our love for Christ. They are one and the same. I remember that Martin Luther once said of faith and works that you cannot separate them any more than you could separate heat and light from fire. The same is true of this concept; if we love, we obey. Obedience is part of our identity. And as we revell in the love of Christ, we are filled with joy in extending this love to others.
My calling as a Christian is, above all, to bear fruit that will last. That may sound rather nebulous, but it is also clear in its implications: I am to abide in Christ, to preach the gospel to myself and hear it in His Word, to pray, to seek Him, and to see the fruit come. Out of this continual flow of grace I minister to others with the grace I am given. This fruit isn't mine; it's His, and that's important.
It's not about running on empty. Sabbath is an inherent part of God's design. That means that during Lily's nap time when I have a few moments of peace, I need to spend time in things that feed that love. That might include a nap and other physical refreshing. It might include a good conversation with a friend. Jaimeson suggested that we grow in this love when we dwell on the Trinity as an eternal fellowship of self-emptying love: there we see the pattern of emptying ourselves and being filled. The amazing thing is that it is Christ Himself who fills us by His Spirit and gives us something to pour out; without Him in the first place, we have nothing to offer.
In conclusion, Jaimeson encouraged us to be intentional about creating locations of grace in which we can missionally love others that they might see Christ. That might mean opening my home for a Bible study, having folks over for dinner, scheduling a play-date with another mom and her kids...there are all kinds of ways to show love toward others. It may be as simple as taking Lily for a nap when she's fussy, knowing that she will enjoy it.
One of the things that Andi makes clear in her book is that hospitality doesn't have to be perfect or complicated to minister to others. I appreciate that. Maybe there are toys on the floor and dinner is very simple; I can still include others in our home life and welcome them. I want my life to be an expression of the love of Christ, where that love is shown in many practical and meaningful ways. And in all of this, I need to keep in mind that it is a simple matter of walking in the good works that the Lord has prepared in advance for me to do: it's not up to me to do every good work on earth that needs doing, but to rest in the Lord and to be faithful as these opportunities to love other come along.
Sunday's sermon focused on John 15:12-17, and more specifically the point that since we are, as Christians, branches of the vine of Christ, we are to go and bear His fruit in the world. This involves embodying the love of Christ in the lives of others. He both demonstrates this self-emptying love and empowers us to show this love. That's important, because it's not a work we are commanded to try to do on our own. We are to be the conduit of the love of Christ to others. Otherwise we face burnout. We are commanded to love, but as a branch on the vine--extending the nourishing love of Christ to those around us, having that love flow through us.
Jesus says that we are God's friends (beloved) if we obey; being a branch is being the beloved, and vice-versa. We can't divorce our responsibility as branches from our love for Christ. They are one and the same. I remember that Martin Luther once said of faith and works that you cannot separate them any more than you could separate heat and light from fire. The same is true of this concept; if we love, we obey. Obedience is part of our identity. And as we revell in the love of Christ, we are filled with joy in extending this love to others.
My calling as a Christian is, above all, to bear fruit that will last. That may sound rather nebulous, but it is also clear in its implications: I am to abide in Christ, to preach the gospel to myself and hear it in His Word, to pray, to seek Him, and to see the fruit come. Out of this continual flow of grace I minister to others with the grace I am given. This fruit isn't mine; it's His, and that's important.
It's not about running on empty. Sabbath is an inherent part of God's design. That means that during Lily's nap time when I have a few moments of peace, I need to spend time in things that feed that love. That might include a nap and other physical refreshing. It might include a good conversation with a friend. Jaimeson suggested that we grow in this love when we dwell on the Trinity as an eternal fellowship of self-emptying love: there we see the pattern of emptying ourselves and being filled. The amazing thing is that it is Christ Himself who fills us by His Spirit and gives us something to pour out; without Him in the first place, we have nothing to offer.
In conclusion, Jaimeson encouraged us to be intentional about creating locations of grace in which we can missionally love others that they might see Christ. That might mean opening my home for a Bible study, having folks over for dinner, scheduling a play-date with another mom and her kids...there are all kinds of ways to show love toward others. It may be as simple as taking Lily for a nap when she's fussy, knowing that she will enjoy it.
One of the things that Andi makes clear in her book is that hospitality doesn't have to be perfect or complicated to minister to others. I appreciate that. Maybe there are toys on the floor and dinner is very simple; I can still include others in our home life and welcome them. I want my life to be an expression of the love of Christ, where that love is shown in many practical and meaningful ways. And in all of this, I need to keep in mind that it is a simple matter of walking in the good works that the Lord has prepared in advance for me to do: it's not up to me to do every good work on earth that needs doing, but to rest in the Lord and to be faithful as these opportunities to love other come along.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Safely Arrived
We have safely arrived in California, and are very glad to be here. We had some rough moments on the plane with a Lilybug who barely slept the entire day, but now we're here, and in these quiet early moments it is all very worth it. She is still sleeping in the other room, as are my parents; Joel and I were up a little before six, which is nearly nine our time. I love feeling rested and waking up before Lily.
Today we will be off to Christ Presbyterian, and we're looking forward to seeing all the dear folks who have become our friends there. Then we may go to the I Madonnari festival down at the mission and take in the extraordinary chalk paintings. Kristi invited us to dinner with Robbie and Megan, and we may join them. I'm looking forward to time catching up with old friends and relaxing.
Lily was in her element as we sat in the backyard yesterday afternoon. She explored every inch, playing with the toys that mom's friends have loaned her. She banged on the drum and carried it around like it was a purse, explored the grass and plants and grill, knocked on the door, and gave us a running commentary about her adventures. She charmed her grandparents and we had a big ole time.
Today we will be off to Christ Presbyterian, and we're looking forward to seeing all the dear folks who have become our friends there. Then we may go to the I Madonnari festival down at the mission and take in the extraordinary chalk paintings. Kristi invited us to dinner with Robbie and Megan, and we may join them. I'm looking forward to time catching up with old friends and relaxing.
Lily was in her element as we sat in the backyard yesterday afternoon. She explored every inch, playing with the toys that mom's friends have loaned her. She banged on the drum and carried it around like it was a purse, explored the grass and plants and grill, knocked on the door, and gave us a running commentary about her adventures. She charmed her grandparents and we had a big ole time.
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