So, I claim that this is a blog about my thoughts on God, faith, culture, life but mostly so far it’s just been about God and faith. These are obviously great things to talk about, but I want to diversify a bit. This is for a number of reasons, most paramount of which is a concern that always talking about God-related stuff on here makes me feel like I keep needing to “push the envelope.” This could end up being unfruitful and even negative. Also, I simply am interested in other things and am not sure why I have a hard time blogging about them. I certainly talk about them. So, yah, I want to bridge that disconnect.
So, my question is this: what are the subjects that I should explore? So far I’m thinking about consumption (good? bad? where’s the line?), racism, adoption (we’re doing it, after all), and human trafficking (since this is a long-time passion of mine that has been on the back-burner lately). These are all good, but a bit predictable for those that know me. Give me more creative ideas! Things that will push me to learn!
Something I have always wrestled with is the importance of balancing life with religion. Many would say “my religion is my life” and that could be true to them, but a bit decieving in the verbage. What does Christianity look like to real people that work and eat and sleep and watch TV and so on…
This certainly reveals my own interests, but what about exploring how the recession is helping (forcing?) so many of us to take a closer look at our consumption habits, and how that can be such a good thing. For instance–you guys have roomies now; Seth and I are growing a bigger veggie garden this summer; a lot of us are having potlucks and in-home get togethers instead of going out for dinner and a movie (okay, we didn’t do that often anyway); walking or cycling instead of driving; etc. So many of these types of changes are getting us closer to simplicity, to practices that actually enrich our lives instead of just filling them. For us and a lot of our friends, that was already a focus the past few years, but the economy is instensifying the pursuit.
Also, how has the recession changed your view of money, savings, investments, and giving? We’re hearing of so many people losing their retirements, which sucks, but doesn’t it help us actually see the wisdom in Jesus’ teaching, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matt 6:19-20)
Fun food for thought?
Politics. Mabey an article on the recent firing of GM’s ceo by the obama administration. Or the forceful sale of Chrysler to Fiat(an italian car company) both are unprecidented moves never before seen in US history, i would love to here some of your opinions on these subjects.Hear what someone who is more moderate than myself thinks on these subjects, or even obamas trip to europa for the G20 or NATO.
Noah and Jenni, those are both really good ideas. They are both things that I’m interested in but have kept on the periphery of my ideas up till now. Thanks!
Hmm…well, how about a shameless plug for exploring the relationship between and the (debatable) integral role that art plays and should in and among the Christian faith? Why is it important? IS it important for Christians to be creatively expressing and participating with our Creator? IS there a distinction between “Christian” art and “non-Christian” art? And if there is, what is that distinction? Could one argue that a Kinkaid painting is in fact pornography (as some hold) because it “offers something that one cannot have” (a sort of escapism faith)? Can “bad” art become beautiful and redeemed by the eye of the beholder or by discovering Christ in that messiness or badness? Art and Faith…friends? Or foes?
If this tickles your fancy (time for the consummation of the aforementioned “shameless plug”) New Wine, New Wineskins if putting on a conference exploring this relationship of Faith and the Arts in a conference on Saturday, April 25th. (www.new-wineskins.org) I would love to hear your thoughts/explorations on these matters…
Some of my friends have been struggling with purity issues in regards to Kinkade’s paintings, the stuff is filthy. It is sad when you see marriages falling apart because of a fetish with one of Thomas’ taboo perversions. shameful really.