g2joey's Xanga

Tis so sweet

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:19:59 GMT

to trust in Jesus,
just to take him at his word,
just to rest in his sweet promise,
just to know "thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him,
how I've proved him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,
o for grace to trust him more.

The New "Christians"

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:35:10 GMT

I secretly hope some deep-thinkers respond to this. You know who you are.

Much like Abbey, I'm a fan of air quotes. They convey just the right tone of sarcasm for the blogosphere. That being said, I am not being one bit sarcastic here: I am not sure what to make of the Emergent church, or the new "Christians". I am reading a book by one of their proponents (Tony Jones), and it both fascinates and alarms me.

Allow me to demonstrate:
"The emergent way of interacting with the multifarious resource of 'culture' is not monolithic either. There's no one-size-fits-all method for parsing out the good from the bad. Instead, it's an art of looking for the intersections between theology and other disciplines, looking for truth WHEREVER ONE CAN FIND IT. In other words, CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY DOES NOT HAVE THE SOLE CLAIM TO TRUTH; what Christian theology can do is find truth elsewhere and then translate that truth into idioms given to us by the biblical narrative." (emphasis mine)

Initial reaction? WHISKEY. TANGO. FOXTROT. Did he just say that Jesus is NOT the only way? Because that's what I'm hearing.

He also talks about how emergents embrace "deconstruction" (gag...as an English major, I despise this movement/writing style) which unpacks every little unspoken detail of a text/conversation/whatever. Basically, you analyze it to death, or keep asking questions until you forget what you were discussing in the first place.

Now, don't get me wrong...I completely agree that church should be about community and sincere love, but is ethereal, nebulous theological discussion-into-oblivion really going to solve our problems? Perhaps this way of thinking is more alarming to me because it ALMOST hits the mark. Not quite, but almost.

Also, I don't care for his tone. He's very smug (while talking about how humble emergents are). Those of you who've interacted with me know that I like to joke about all things "postmodern", but this guy is over the top. He flaunts his postmodernity. What does that entail? Oh, things like tolerance, mistrust of authority/convention, and constant questioning. He goes on and on about how emergents don't claim to have the answers; they're not trying to push anything on anyone. But the whole tone of his book is full of condescension for the "old way", which includes...oh everyone who isn't emergent: Roman Catholics, mainline protestants and evangelicals.

Even his wording is postmodern (can you imagine a religious ((or any)) writer using the word "parsing" 10 years ago?). And now no one can ever take this post seriously, because I used double-parentheses. :)

Well, besides my judgmental comments above, I don't really have any conclusions (as I have not yet finished the book), but I hope you will read it and share your thoughts.

On a lighter note: when you leave the pre-packaged cole slaw in the fridge for too long, the dressing turns purple. Then, it reminds you of the wax fruit mantra: "fun to look at, not to eat!"

Who invented wax fruit anyway?

sdrawkcab

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:11:02 GMT

My brain is disengaged all day. It revives after 5.
A bit reversed from the way things were...hard to believe that's been more than a year now.
Another short, transitional phrase.
My brain's new schedule makes for productive after-work hours. Current activities include acquiring skin cancer by the aqueous body and reading about the Emergent Church...I'll let you know how it goes. :)

O Hai

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:17:34 GMT

I have once again stooped to this: blogging when I shouldn't. BUT, in my defense, there really is nothing else to do. So there you have it...that's my disclaimer. Moving on...

GUESS. WHAT. I have an apartment. :D
It is messy, couchless, and undecorated at the moment, but it is mine. And I love it.
It's the perfect size for me, and I LOVE having my own kitchen! Maybe someday I'll even make real food there. :)
Also, I cannot believe how generous my friends are. Seriously, thanks, all of you.

I went to the pool after work yesterday and decided that growing up at an apartment complex with a pool would have been pretty much the coolest thing. Except then there would have been six of us living in an aparmtent, and that would have been very NOT cool (sharing a bathroom = do not want). WHICH is another thing I love about my new place: a huge bathroom with no boy's underwear on the floor. Not that I'm bitter. ;)

But yeah, my place is glorious. And now Radio Paradise is playing "Jigsaw Falling Into Place", which I almost used for this post's title. Haha, who thinks God doesn't have a sense of humor?

Yesterday, as I was walking through the grass on my way back from the pool, I thought about how much I love being outside. I need to make an effort to do that more often. Be outside, that is...not think.

Another great aspect of my new place is the "free" wireless. Maybe now I can get back to posting regularly. But don't count on it.

Let's see What else...nothing that I can tell you on the world wide interweb, but keep your ears peeled. ;)

So Soon?

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:38:45 GMT

I've been tagged, but I'm not mad about it. Thanks, Donnave. :)

What were you doing 5 yrs ago?
Five years ago it was 2003...and I was:
1) babysitting Tori
2) LOVING being 17
3) very nearly failing Chemistry
4) trading clothes with Catherine
5) driving the Corsica...woo!

5 things on your to-do list:
1) set up electricity at the apt (check)
2) walk-thru apartment for maintenance issues
3) procure a sofa
4) stop by Target for shower curtain hooks
5) pick a wireless plan/carrier

5 snacks:
1) goldfish - yes, I'm in Kindergarten
2) cappucino Heath Blizzard - yes, this is a snack; i got one every time i drove home from Longview
3) saltine crackers - I eat them by the sleeve...ask Angela
4) iced chai latte from Common Grounds - every Friday afternoon
5) chips & salsa from Chili's to-go - Jack's fault...he always got them free b/c he worked there

5 things you'd do if you were a billionaire:
1) give to GFA
2) put my brothers through college
3) prolly give some to LeTourneau...but don't tell them that
4) travel
5) write

5 bad habits:
1) picking my nose (but don't tell anyone)
2) selfishness - more of a character flaw, maybe?
3) switching lanes without checking my blind spot
4) eating when I am stressed
5) laziness - another character flaw

5 places you've lived:
1) 901 Featherston - Maggie and i cut our fingers on Mrs. Barker's iris leaves
2) 1241 Hilltop - great back yard, my OWN bathroom
3) G2 - heck yes
4) 1802 Quail Hollow - donkeys and bunnies
5) Apt #1624 - come see me!

5 jobs you've had:
1) assistant to church secretary - Martha, I miss you!
2) lifeguard - too much sun never felt so good
3) admin assistant in Dr's ofc - see related post
4) RA - best/worst job ever
5) Log Data Tech - tbd

5 people I'm tagging:
1) Didlake, if he still bloggeth
2) Angela
3) Dana
4) Boo
5) Josh

A Facebook Status Update

Thu, 29 May 2008 16:46:39 GMT

Because the best ideas are stolen from someone else (thanks Justin, the Incredible).

Sydney is...

ready.

unapologetically singing along to the Pixies on her ipod.

on her lunch break.

glad it's Thursday!

thinking that we should make four-day work weeks standard.

excited that Joseph is graduating tomorrow!

a little bit addicted to google docs.

hoping to find a swim team.

excited to have her own kitchen soon.

looking for a new pair of black heels.

SO glad that Karen and Dave are moving back!

ready for Darcy to release their CD. :)

not surprised, but she never feels quite prepared.

A grey ceiling on the earth, well it's lasted quite a while

Sun, 11 May 2008 16:25:57 GMT

It's amazing how much difference the sun makes. I almost went crazy Thursday when the sun finally came out. It's like i could taste summer. Too bad i have to spend it in my Sydney-box, haha.

Also, i miss the water. Regardless of where i live, i want to drive to Cleburne this summer to coach. Is that silly?

Take my thoughts for what they're worth, (i've been acting like a child)

Things i want for you:
joy
contentment
Christian community
success
love
peace
challenge
adventure
pain that brings you closer to God
passion that brings others closer to Him

i complain about boredom quite often, so it's ironic that it's something i look forward to with regards to marriage. i can't wait to just BE with him. Of course i want to have fun, adventure...but i also look forward to just sitting around. Some of my best friends are the ones that can ignore me completely and still make me feel loved. You know?

i miss God. i miss people who love God. i'm far away and i'm not doing anything to get back to him. i get caught up in life - pursuing my own agenda. i keep telling myself that things will change when i get settled, when i'm out on my own. Why not now?

"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in." - Proverbs 3:11-12

What else, what else can i do? i said i'm sorry yeah i'm sorry
i said i'm sorry, but what for? if i hurt you then i hate myself don't wanna hate myself don't wanna hurt you
Why do you choose your pain if you only knew how much i love you, Love You.

Because i don't have enough of these in my life lately

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:46:57 GMT

A list!

Hunting Bears
Electioneering
Like Spinning Plates
I Might Be Wrong
Pyramid Song
Fake Plastic Trees
15 Step
Bodysnatchers
Reckoner
Everything In Its Right Place
Faust Arp
Karma Police
My Iron Lung
No Surprises
Lucky
Follow Me Around
I Will

*Edit* I forgot these two:
Just
The Bends

Remember When...

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:32:27 GMT

You used to take me to school in 8th grade. One time you stopped at a donut shop (it was a big deal). It was the only donut shop between your work and my school. Now there are at least four of them. i don't miss middle school, but i miss our breakfast dates. i miss riding in your truck with you, even when we didn't say much.

You made me that vest for Christmas with the blanket stitching and applique. I loved it, but I don't think I ever told you.

We used to wash the dishes together every night. I'm pretty sure that's how 90% of our fights got started. I'm pretty sure your putting up with me is the reason you're so laid back.

We went to that Muse concert together. That is one of my favorite concert memories.

You made me watch "Howl's Moving Castle". It is still one of my favorite movies.

Remember when we dressed up for Thanksgiving and you made Thomas wear the turkey suit. He hated that thing, but it was so adorable.

Of all the families, y'all are my favorite.

Thoughts

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:02:27 GMT

I finished my lunch today in about 30 mins. And for half of that i was talking on the phone. i either need to slow down or bring more food.
Mom's voicemail alert is annoying.
There are a lot of things up in the air right now, but i'm glad life's not as chaotic as it was last April. i wouldn't want to go through that again. Apologies to all of you who are.
Karen! (also Dave) i'm glad y'all are coming back.
Josh, i'm sorry you're going away, but that's only selfishness. It'll be an adventure.
And we'll still have a good summer without you.

And that's all i have, at the moment. Sorry if this sounds contrived, but the thoughts aren't there. Happens more often than not, as of late.

Finally...someday i will have a couch and a kitchen, and you will be invited to both.
Until then