2012

Films. Not in order. Just in like.

-Jiro Dreams of Sushi

-Dark Knight Rises

-Sound of my Voice

-21 Jump Street

-The Avengers

-Skyfall

-Moonrise Kingdom

-Prometheus

-Hunger Games

-The Amazing Spiderman

-Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

-Goon

-Safety Not Guaranteed

There are more that will be added, the ones that I have yet to see.

However, for now, this will suffice.

Also, pop songs.

-"Niggas In Paris" Jay Z & Kanye
-"As Long As You Love Me" J. Bieber
-"Die Young" Kesha
-"Home" Phillip Phillips
-"We Are Never Getting Back Together" Taylor Swift
-"Thrift Shop" Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis
-"Thinkin Bout You" Frank Ocean
-"Birthday Song" 2 Chainz & Kanye

pious liberation

It seems to me that the fundamental difference between liberation theology and right wing Christian fundamentalism is activism vs. imposition. Both effectively have the same goal: homogeneous egalitarian utilitarian politicism (yes, I believe those two can be in the same accord in a sense). However, right wing fundamentalism seems to have collided with the GOP as of late, though not absolutely, which seems to have generated a tyrannical form of political-religious hermeneutic that wishes to enforce the will of God. However, I believe one of the keys to liberation theology is that it does not wish to bring about the kingdom of heaven on earth, rather, it wishes to live as the kingdom of heaven on earth. This does not include mandatory inclusivity, as this is never the case with Christ. He demands obedience but does not force it upon his people, as seen in the Genesis narrative and the whole of the Pentateuch and as shown through the sacrifice of Christ. The key is the choice of humanity. This is what is so frustrating to me about Christian fundamentalism; they feel so strongly about issues that they feel they need to act as God's rod and staff and they believe that the state is the strong arm of God. Thus, the hermeneutic of political imposition is utilized and not an eschatological pious ecclesiology. This is what I believe is wrong with the current relationship with the Church and the state in America.

Saints

Dorothy Day was a great devotee to Christ, his church and his love of humanity. She began the Catholic Worker Movement, a community of people dedicated to helping the poor and marginalized. She was a pacifist and an anarchist, following in the footsteps of the likes of Leo Tolstoy and sharing the company of Jacques Ellul. Recently, NPR briefly discussed her life. And most recently, she has been officially called to be canonized as a saint.

Subject: subject

Good point.

Thursday

I would say I am an egalitarian in my relationship. But really, she outclasses me.

I'm just a proud boyfriend.

Yogi Bear

This week the girlfriend and I are going to Portland.
I am elated.

Also, have you heard the new Kesha song? How is it so catchy?



Lastly, I have been doing this lately.
I try to do yoga 4 times a week. It feels pretty great.

Post Title

This week.

I will be grateful for everything. And love everyone.
And love my girlfriend the most.

Casting lots

I just don't see it turning out well either way.

David Lipscomb on Voting

Questions come up in the workings of society and before the voters of a country that involve
moral good to the community. Such are the questions regarding the restriction of the sale of
intoxicants, the licensing of race courses and gambling houses and places of licentiousness. It
is strongly denied in such cases that the government that restricts and prohibits sin can be of
the devil, and hence it is claimed a Christian should vote on all such questions of morality.
To the first, it is replied, the devil has always been quite willing to compromise with
Christians if he can induce them to divide their allegiance and to give the greater service to
the upbuilding of his kingdom. He offered this compromise to the Savior when here on earth.
Was quite willing the Savior should rule, and doubtless in his own way, and make things as
moral and respectable as he desired them, if it only devil himself into an angel of light." (2 Cor. xi: 13.)
There is no doubt the devil is willing to turn moral reformer and make the world moral and
respectable, if thereby his rule and authority are established and extended. And it may
be set down as a truth that all reformations that propose to stop short of a full surrender of the
soul, mind, and body up to God, are of the devil.
To the claim that a Christian is bound to vote, when he has the privilege, for that which
promotes morality, and to fail to vote for the restriction and suppression of evil is to vote for
it, we have determined that, to vote or use the civil power is to use force and carnal weapons.
Christians cannot use these. To do so is to do evil that good may come. This is specially
forbidden to Christians. To do so is to fight God's battles with the weapons of the evil one. To
do so is to distrust God. The effective way for Christians to promote morality in a
community, is, to stand aloof from the political strifes and conflicts, and maintain a pure and promoted the growth of his kingdom and extended and supported his rule and dominion. This very proffer that the Master rejected, his
disciples accept and act upon in supporting human government.
"The Holy Spirit warned Christians, that, false prophets would transform themselves into prophets of God and the true faith in God, which is the only basis of true morality, and is as a leaven in society, to
keep alive an active sense of right. To go into political strife is to admit the leaven of evil into
the church. For the church to remain in the world and yet keep itself free from the spirit of the
world, is to keep alive an active leaven of morality in the world. If that leaven loses its
leaven, wherewith shall the world be leavened? or if the salt lose its savor wherewith shall the
earth be salted or saved? God has told his children to use the spiritual weapons, has warned
them against appealing to the sword or force to maintain his kingdom or to promote the honor
of God and the good of man. When they do as he directs them, and use his appointments, he
is with them to fight their battles for them and to give them the victory. When they turn from
his appointments to the human kingdoms and their weapons, they turn from God, reject his
help, drive him out of the conflict and fight the battles for man's deliverance with their own
strength and by their own wisdom. Human government is the sum of human wisdom
and the aggregation of human strength. God's kingdom is the consummation of Divine
wisdom and in it dwells the power of God.
To use the human is to reject Divine wisdom and divest ourselves of Divine help. To use the
Divine is to follow Divine wisdom and to seek and rest upon Divine help. There can be no
doubt as to which is the Christian's duty. Then the Christian most effectually promotes public
morality by standing aloof from the corrupting influences of worldly institutions and maintaining a pure religious morality. The same difficulty was propounded in the early
churches, Neander says, 

"The Christians stood aloof and distinct
from the state, as a priestly and spiritual race, and
Christianity seemed able to influence civil life only in
that manner which, it must be confessed, is the purest,
by practically endeavoring to instil more and more of
the holy feeling into the citizens of the state."
And Origen said, "The Christians render greater
assistance to their country than other men, inasmuch as
they instruct the citizens, and teach them to become
pious toward God, on whom the welfare of cities depends,
and who receives those whose conduct in a poor and miserable city has been good, into a divine and heavenly
city."
The same objections were made to the positions of the early Christians, that are made to-day
to this position. They then beyond doubt held the same position we advocate. We make the
same reply these early Christians made. We occupy the same position they did. Let us serve
God with all our mind and strength and soul in his kingdom, and he will be our strength and
our shield.
And true faith in God will lead us to trust him do his will, use his appointments diligently and
faithfully and leave results with him; knowing that when we obey him and so "work out our
salvation with fear and trembling, it is God which worketh in us to will and to do of his good
pleasure." And when Gods works in and through us, all good results must follow.

"President Obama keeps saying his formal duty is to protect the American people, but the protection a growing number of Americans want is from our own government. This president thinks the federal government should be able to kidnap any of us and imprison us for the rest of our lives without charges, trial, legal assistance, or the right to habeas corpus. It’s astounding. It’s the most un-American, subversive act ever by a president. And yet, Democrats who would be raising holy hell if this were done during a Republican administration seem to just blindly fall in line and support this man who has taken on the role of a tyrant.You know, you hear the slogan, We’ve got to take our government back." It’s never needed to be applied with more force than right now. The American people have to unify around these issues: corruption, the expanding imperial presidency, the shredding of our constitution, our  illegal wars of aggression, and all the toadying to Wall Street and the financial industry. We need to stand up against all of that and say we will not put up for it anymore. If we don’t, it’s all going to get worse.

I see where you are coming from. But is Obama that bad?
Are you kidding? We have a president who targets US citizens for assassination. Through his killing program, at least three American citizens have been assassinated in drone strikes, including a 16-year-old boy from Denver, Colorado. Obama showed his true colors when he was in the Senate and voted to grant telecommunications companies retroactive criminal immunity for their federal felonies for cooperating with the Bush administration’s illegal surveillance program. They could be tracking you. They could find out from the library what books you’re checking out, they could go to you web provider and find out to whom you’re sending emails, what websites you're accessing. It's like the KGB in the Soviet Union, but so much worse because of advances in technology. "

Weekend

So apparently I super love yoga. Who would have guessed?
And I get to do the yoga with a group of moms.
Well, that is, the video is for moms.

Also, we are taking Hannah and Levi to the zoo saturday.

It is going to be awesome. Pictures to come.



Lastly, I found out my birth mother was a twin...so...there is that...

Poems and Comics

I really dig this poem.

The Man We Wanted God to Be

September 19, 2012 By Rupert Loydell

The man we wanted God to be
is divorced and drinks on his own.
He watches too much television
and is never far from the settee.

The man we wanted God to be
has no motive or reason.
He doesn’t turn up for interviews,
if he did wouldn’t get the job.

The man we wanted God to be
can hardly find his own way home
or remember the way into town,
let alone manage to walk on water.

The man we wanted God to be
turned out to be somebody else.
His stories only confused us,
we didn’t much like his friends.

The man we wanted God to be
is still insistent that he is.
We had such high hopes for him
but heaven was not on his mind.

It comes from this site I frequent, Jesus Radicals. It was actually shown to me by a professor I greatly appreciated and admired, Dr. Chip Kooi.

Also, I find this comic to be hilarious and true.


 

Pros and Cons

I do not think money is bad. I think it is good. It helps me survive. I do think money causes many problems, something especially evident in developing and third world countries. I also think life is important and valuable. I think it should be cherished and no one has the right to impede upon another's life in any way with a direct, conscious decision to do so.
And so we find ourselves at that sticky place with abortion. Sifting through all the political rhetoric is very difficult and is often a trying task. So, it is hard for me to believe someone like Romney is pro-life when he is in favor of further military spending and expansion. Inherently, an innocent child will die. If just that one life is snuffed out due to a drone strike, I do not think Romney can say he is pro-life. Rather, he is anti-abortion and pro-American life and to me, that is a big difference than truly being pro-life. Romney was just an example. This is rhetoric I hear from conservatives all the time, including many conservatives that I am very close to and love, yet I find their view unreconcilable.
Conservatives would also like to do as they wish with their money, stating "how can the government think it knows what to do with my money better than I do?" This is valid. All tithing statistics aside though, obviously people don't really know what to do with their money. Conversely, should we allow the government to know what is best for our bodies and minds? Specifically women, can the government know what is right for women in the case of abortion? It seems to me that it cannot if it cannot know what is the right way to spend our money.

For further reading, here are some links to author, theologian and preacher Greg Boyd's blog on abortion and one on homosexuality that discusses the inadequacies of the Church's relationship with the LGBT community.

World

I keep listening to this song over and over. I can't get enough. It is so good. It was on the season opener of The Walking Dead.

Today I woke up at 5:30. To go to 6am breakfast call. Random, yes. But good. Savannah and I shared this giant plate of a scramble covered with gravy. We shared, which was definitely the best plan because it was huge.

Lastly, I just love Vice. They always have such great documentaries about stuff that normal news doesn't cover. It is great.
Well they had recently posted a video of a trailer for a new series they are going to put out about this dude Eddie Huang. They first showcased him in an episode of their series entitled "Munchies." Now he is up to no good traveling around and this first episode is about him going to the Bay area and doing his food thing there.

And here is the one I am really looking forward to. Not in a "wow this is going to be fun" but in a holy cow this is awesomely tragic way. Behold.

Pika Pi

I think I am going to be Pikachu for halloween. That will be awesome. I am 25 and I still love me some pokemon.

Also, I am going to attempt to introduce three new words into my regular conversation. Pedantic, ineptitude, and compunction. It just seems like the right thing to do.

High and Low

I have spoken about art before, my affinity for it. One thing I love is the absurd. Eccentric things. Black Metal being one of them. It is so alone. So still. Yet at the same time being a concussive wall of brilliant lo-fi hatred.
Another thing I love is Andy. Warhol that is. In grade four I did a report on him for my G.A.T.E. after school program (That stands for "gifted and talented education." Yeah, I was pretentious from the get go.) My parents even took me to the SFMOMA because they had a special exhibit on him. Come to think of it, I think that was when my love affair with modern art, especially abstract expressionism began. I distinctly remember a brilliantly oversized canvas that was entirely black save a thin red line near the bottom. I digress. I really want this shirt so much. SO MUCH. Yet it has been discontinued and is now being sold at an exorbitant price. Alas, I fear it was not meant to be. So instead, I think I shall just settle for a framed print one day.

Everything

It has long occurred to me that many times we take very simple things for granted. Specifically, we take basic functions for granted. Bertrand Russell and Alfred North Whitehead's foundational mathematical exploration the Principia Mathematica proves at length that one plus one does, in fact, equal two. Thus, it is entirely too important to understand very small things so we are able to cogently articulate larger things. I title this "That Which is the Nature of Non-Existence."

It is altogether impossible for anything to exist in non-existence. Not even non-existence can exist in non-existence as this admits an existence of that which would occupy nothing, as nothing is still a thing in the sense that it is that which is the absence of all things. Thus, the universe and even existence itself cannot be thought of in static terms as space in any sense does not exist outside of the universe. As such, our universe cannot be thought of as confined in a finite space, rather our universe is a possible infinite space and anything existing outside of our universe would then become a non-sequiter. Many times we view our universe as a ball of light in a sea of darkness that houses our universe. This cannot be if that space that holds our universe is non-existence. This is also opposed to the notion of something that does not exist, as that which does not exist holds within it the possibility for existence as it has already existed or could exist in the future. Thus, non-existence is the absence of all things, the absence of nothing, removing all forms from it, the existent probability, possibility, qualitative, quantitive self.

I wrote this a long time ago.
I still like it.

The Problem With the Christo-hyper-masculine Mythos

There is a sentiment being displayed currently in many non-denominational, reformed, evangelical streams of Christianity, that is, pervasive in Christendom in general. It is the growing tendency to display Christ as an individual who is not afraid of conflict or to get in your face. A Christ that will get in the octagon and "kick some ass."Those who support this Christological caricature posit that feminism has created a Christ deficient of masculinity and traditional male virtues. That Christ has become effeminate and that this is a terrible blow to the work of Christ. There is some truth in this, but only in that men are unwilling to sacrifice their lives for their wives and be the man Christ demands them to be in kindness, gentleness and love. However, there are also two horrible truths about this Christological sentiment. The first is that it forces men into a singularity of aggressive behaviors as the most virtuous behavior. This aggression does not have to manifest itself purely through physical violence but it does insist that the actions of men must be forceful in a seemingly tyrannical sort of way. This leaves little or no room for any behavior of men that does not include hunting or fighting as virtuous (or anything that could bring causational goodness to the work of Christ). In the very least, all other behaviors are a bastardized version of true masculinity. Things such as academia would be less virtuous than warfare. Playing Dungeons and Dragons less virtuous than playing football. All non-aggressive actions become mutually exclusive with virtue. The second truth is that this Christology ostracizes women almost entirely. It merely reestablishes a patriarchy that is only friendly toward male cisgender constitutions. It finds no virtue in the female form or voice and demonizes all ostensible feminine roles of liturgical practices and any orthopraxic gynocentric values of the Church. YHWH is no longer the pantocreator who is intimately and deeply in love with his creation and Christ is no longer the man who openly wept and bitterly cried out in advocation for creation upon his death. No, this is a Christology that wishes to re-imagine Christ as one who jumped off the cross, pulled it out of the ground and beat to death all the Centurions in attendance. Mark Driscoll famously said that Christ is "a pride fighter with a tattoo down His leg, a sword in His hand and the commitment to make someone bleed. That is a guy I can worship. I cannot worship the hippie, diaper, halo Christ because I cannot worship a guy I can beat up." It is proper, though not in totality, to esteem YHWH with feminine attributes and being connected with the feminine, as is seen directly within the hebraic canon in the use of Eloheim, a word that is both masculine and feminine. It is indicative in the nature of YHWH as he is the giver of life. It is also in Christ's life that we see his inclusion toward women, when they were scarcely more than chattel. It is again pervasive in the language of Pauline theology that demands an egalitarian acknowledgement of all humanity within the greater narrative of justification.
In conclusion, the aggression sought out by Driscoll and others in this camp seems to be wholly out of place with the ethos of a Christ who willingly died on the cross. He met violence with peace. He showed no aggression toward those who killed him. He begged YHWH to forgive them. These are the tenants of Christ and the life that we strive so desperately to follow. Christ should then not be viewed as wholly male and idolized as such, but rather, more specifically and properly, as the Logos, as God manifested in humanity as the perfection of humanity. Once our anthropological perception of Christ is shifted as such, we no longer see what it is to be a man, but we see what it is to be Christ like, the sole purveyor of wholly goodness in the world. A Christ that has broken all barriers and has reached out to all people not through any form of aggression or violence but through a scandalous birth, an impoverished life and an unwarranted criminal death. These are not the behaviors of a comic book super hero. These are the actions of one who would reach down into the darkness and love humanity, actions that do not establish that masculinity is important, rather, that people are important. To be sure, Mark Driscoll and others who support this type of hyper-masculine Christology are heartfelt Christians who are trying as much as I am to follow Christ. But it is also certain that this view of Christ is ignorant and demonstrably wrong.

Matt. 7:14

This is something I have been reflecting upon for some time. What actually is the narrow gate and the difficult road? I wonder if it is mutual exclusivity of that which is commonplace in the world. If it really does mean we give all our belongings away. If it means we get to know and somehow come to love not only our enemies but those who annoy us. There is a vast difference between love and hate, but there is also a vast difference between not proactively loving and proactively loving someone. Perhaps the hard road is to love those around you, especially those who try your patience with every word they speak. Further, I think it also means not acting in violence. It is easy to become angry and defend yourself and make pointed accusations at the other person. It is easy to retaliate when someone hurts you physically, emotionally, etc. It is not easy to say nothing and then tell them you love them afterwords. This is something I fail so horribly at.

Also, I have stumbled across a great blog by a fellow CoCer! Thats Church of Christ for all of you out there who are not in the know. He seems to struggle with the same things I do, so it is good to know I am not alone in these things.

Same Subject, Different Day

John 18: 33-37


33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters* again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ 34Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ 35Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ 36Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ 37Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’


Why is it that the American Church (on a large, generalized scale) wishes to make the state so Christ like? Perhaps, we should instead insist upon making the Church more Christ like. Perhaps we should rely less on civil authority in protecting the moral fabric and instead advocate for the sanctity of the moral fabric of the Church.

Pleasure

The guilty kind. That is what Kelly is for me.

But how can you not love her?

The worth of the worthless

Often we attempt to navigate the notion of justification through the cross and how that relates to us. This is fairly straight forward, and most people are in agreement that the cross was intended for all people for the proliferation of the kingdom of God. However, this is mostly discussed through a singular, personal lense

twofour

Today is the birthday of the absolute love of my life.

She is the best person I have ever known.
She is kind.
She is smart.
She is pretty.
She is wonderful.
She is adorable.

And I get to be in love with her.


And sometimes we just sleep in strange positions.

America is going to hell

in a hand basket that is.

Just madness.


Here is proof.



So apparently there is such a thing as an illegitimate rape? Not to mention that his "science" is totally absurd. And here is the best part about the whole thing. He is only on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Yes, you heard it right.


On another note, during my sunday class we discussed/the verse was brought up where Christ states that he has come to bring the sword (Matt. 10:34). I am convinced though that this is metaphor per his statements in previous verses and thus not an advocation of physical violence in any way. Perhaps it is a little thing. But I do not think so because so many people question it or wonder of the motives behind Christ's words.

Lately, I have been pondering, and frankly a bit concerned, with the idea of acting within the perceived confines of morality. Perceived, because this applies to all ostensible morality in both that which I am an advocate for and that which I am opposed to. However, I began to question even my intentions as I was unsure if I was being coerced into a post-millennial ecclesiology. I have been somewhat delving into Christo-anarcho-primitivism and have a continuing love affair with both liberation theologies and non-violent theologies (though I am starting to feel as though we should shift the language to anti-violent, as anti-violent precludes a sense of ambiguity toward violence, one that non-violent does not) and was questioning the validity of the altruism in either, though that is not to say that it is actually there. However, I have come to the conclusion that I am not a closet post-millennialist. I have come to the conclusion that either theology is not attempting to recreate, re-imagine, reestablish or influence the coming of the kingdom of God. Rather, they are trying to very simply establish a orthopraxic ecclesiology that mirrors the life of Christ, not to usher in the return of Christ or to establish a utopia for the sake of perfection manifesting itself in the world but for the sake of following the teachings of Christ, for the sake of doing what is virtuous and right. These are the things we should strive for. Not producing a world void of failure and darkness but living personally and intimately the way that Christ lived. There is a grave distinction that must be made here. One applies to an enforcement upon others and one applies to the personal decision to follow Christ. Let us choose the later.

Children's songs and children's stories

It seems as though we have a huge deficit of national integrity and responsibility as we do not honor that which we instruct our children to accomplish and the moral standard of which we charge them with. We say share, yet we hoard our greed. We are terrorists. We are imperialists. We support colonialism. We refuse to help the downtrodden and mock those who are less than ourselves. America is no more moral than any other country. We won't let ourselves. It is not Christ who is morally bankrupt. It is not the church who is morally bankrupt. It is not America, Conservatives, Liberals, or any state in the Union. I am morally bankrupt.

Language barriers

There are two things that transcend them.
1. Love
2. Art

1.

2.

sippin that sizzurrrp

Date night was a success!
Went to an awesome pub. They had trivia so that was fun.
We did well. Only two points behind the leader!
And an excellent pear cider.

I am in need of new shoes. For work.
Comfy ones.



Also,

Right now

It is kittie and Josh time.

Also, I am drinking a Baileys milk shake. By myself.
Don't judge me.


Lastly, tuesday is date night in Tacoma. Will update.



Over and out.

Their chicken sucks

This is what I have to say about the whole Chic-fil-A fiasco. What a bunch of assholes. Both sides of this are despicable assholes who force their agenda into society so much that they dichotomize the situation, further creating the chasm between two parties, dehumanizing each other and criminalizing their actions. They enforce a mutual exclusivity that cause people pick a side in an issue that is vastly more complex than either will give allowance for. Both wish to homogenize their ethos which is insane because one professes liberty and diversity for all and the "freedom to think however they want" and the other largely aligns itself with a religious community that supposedly promotes the notion that people outside of it's community should not be held up to the standard that they hold each other up to and yet they vote to exterminate all other belief systems. How unreasonable is that. What absurd hypocrisy from both parties. How dare either of them polarize themselves so much that they peg us into a camp and make a stand like this is the end of civilization. You know what is more shitty than the gay marriage situation? Almost everything in the world. Here is a list:

-Global water crisis

-Global malaria plague

-Civil war in the global south

-Aids epidemic

-State sponsored imperialism

-Vast political corruption in places like Burma and Tibet

-Decreased spending in education and increased spending in military funding

Lastly, Chic-fil-A sucks. Thats all there is to it.

How is Bill O'Riley such an unbelievable douche?

I don't know. Thats the answer.




It is not that I am drawn in by the champions of liberalism, rather, it is that I am pushed away by the champions of conservatism.

Shame on both.

1 thing great, 1 thing terrible

Lets start with the terrible. Paula Dean. She is probably a wonderful person and I am sure her food is delicious. But she is not a chef. She is like those people who buy a really fancy camera and learn some photoshop tricks and call themselves an artist.

Now for the great. My girlfriend.

Look how cute she is.

But what the heck is that. It is a towel.
That she found at camp.
That she took home.
That she does not know who the former owner was.


That is terrible.

Almost Paula Dean terrible.


But she is super cute.
She is the best.

Participation as idolotry

This week we will be talking about abortion in my sunday school class. We, I would contend more than any other country in the western world, live in an impressively unprecedented culture of death. We are surrounded by it. We are number one in the manufacturing of armaments, the only country in the western world that utilizes capital punishment (I believe), unrelenting support of Israel and their absolute terrorism upon Palestine, and retain the right for women to have an abortion. I do not find abortion to be any more morally horrifying in the least. In fact, I find it to be the least so out of those mentioned. What I do find horrifying is that we call it genocide and wish to legislate against it yet we never care about people who are a part of world wide genocide. We find it morally objectionable to have an abortion because it is murder yet we are okay with the amount of homelessness and poverty in America which is talked about just as much. Being pro-life means being an advocate for the preservation of life. In most cases, we are not pro-life, we are just anti-abortion. What I find most horrifying is that we allow things like the global water crisis and malaria to continue while we bicker if homosexuals should be considered equal in America. This is what I find most appalling. Moreover, it seems excessively hypocritical to accept all government funded killing. Thus, it would appear that the only true way to stand firm against abortion is to stand firm against all violence, adopting a stance of non-violence. Yet if we continue to participate in State matters then we cannot help but support one form of unethical action or another, causing the subversion of our Christianity and placing our allegiance to the state higher than our allegiance to Christ.

S

I love girlfriend. More than anything. And am always proud of her. She is a smarty ding dongs and so profoundly kind. I am amazed by her and love her so.

Caesar can still be my lord

Two things. First, I think it is interesting that we say Christ is lord. Lord has no meaning for us anymore as we are no longer in a feudal system. Thus, in America we should change it to Christ is my president. I think that it is after this happens that we as a Christian community can create a holistic Christian worldview that does not leave much room for politics because we will monopolize all of our time with what it means to follow Christ as commander and chief first. Which leads to numero dos. When we say render unto Caesar what is his, for the most part it is in appropriation to taxes and our sense of nationalist patriotism for our country as Christians in support of what is conceived as the "great Christian nation that is the hands and feet of God in the world." However, Dorothy Day said something to the effect of let Caesar have all his money because he created it. Who cares. What God created was humanity and that is what we should be good stewards of, not hiding. In this light, the paradigm of Christ's parable of the talents is re-imagined as we become proactive stewards of humanity and the right to life being fundamentally the possession of God as we become active advocates for life in all avenues of existence.

Why Batman is going to die in seven days

This is my exceptionally unofficial and non-expert opinion on the matter.

1. Implications in various trailers. Saying things like "there is a storm coming" implying a mass fight, though perhaps not a direct indictment of immanent death, it does pretty obviously mean all hell will break loose, which leads into other portions (the same goes for Bane claiming to be Gothem's reconing). These portions are things like Bane saying "then you have my permission to die" and most importantly, telling Catwoman that he has not given the people of Gothem everything, at least, "not yet."

2. It is pretty much common knowledge that this is the last installment of the Nolan Batman series. Nolan is no stranger to mystery and controversy, in the very least, as seen in Inception. So, it is not that far of a leap to kill off Batman in some awesomely heroic fashion. In fact, it would make sense for this to happen so that the final movie in the series would have a clean break and firmly establish an end to Batman (in this universe at least). If this is the case, it would seem most appropriate for Batman to die while sacrificing himself and killing Bane in the process.

3. Comics are not unfamiliar with death, specifically the death of the lead protagonist. Death of Captain America, Batman, Superman, Robin and generally the whole of the marvel universe in the Onslaught series. Well, thats not entirely true, it was only the Fantastic Four and the Avengers but then they were reborn from the mind of Franklin in a parallel universe and...

4. The Dark Knight Rises seems to follow pretty close to the story line of Knightfall, in which Bane unleashes all the villains from Arkham and fights Batman IN HIS OWN HOME after learning of his true identity, but is ultimately defeated by Bruce's heir and goes through a huge change of heart after kicking the ol' venom habit.

5. Lastly, and most importantly, Bane is the one who broke Batman's back. This means that Bane possesses the ability to get close to Batman, outsmart him and defeat him. There is no venom to hinder him, only apparently a disability and the gas is there to help him cope or something. However, let me reiterate, Bane nearly killed batman in the comics. This, combined with this being the final installment of the trilogy and Nolan needing a way to end the series in the form of absolutes, this would be the most convenient and perfect way to do so.

Thus, Batman has need to die. He has to die.

misc.

home sweet home

Holy cow. I cannot sleep.

All I can think about is a house.

My house.

My small house.

The home I live in is wonderful. It is big.

But I want a small house.

Well, Savannah wants a small house.

So now I want a small house.

It is all in my head. I just need the money to build it now.

I do love this house as well.

Intermission

Dope


Goes







I dig both of theses songs. A lot.


The girlfriend leaves tomorrow to be camp nurse.
Which equates to a sad boyfriend.



Oh well. Lots of reading and such.

Oh Herro!!

Whoops! I've accidentally taken over Joshua's blog while he's out buying bottle rockets (Bottle rockets in flight! Afternoon delight!).

He's pretty much the best ever.
Reasons why:



Super smart
Super hot
Super diplomatic (when he's focused on it)
Super funny
Super cuddly (and when he cuddles with me and kitty it's like the world could never be better)
Super not into using the world super a lot
Super patient when I have to talk it out
Super willing to be the driver when we go places
Super good at doing impersonations


Literally he is my favorite male in the universe.
I love him (and everyone should love him).

Why would you care about Christ?

How sad is it that Christianity has effectively failed everyone so absolutely that on the whole it is no longer seen as a viable option for anyone to be a Christian for the 35 and younger crowd. That we have created an other that is no longer a minority and ostracized ourselves is a travesty. It is not a matter of being different than society. It is a matter of trying to force our agenda onto others, legislating a morality while claiming that we will not hold up everyone else to the same standards as us.

Something that I read recently about pacifism came from (of course) Stanley Hauerwas. It is, perhaps, the most compelling argument for a pacifistic Christian ethos.
"We are pledged to extend God's peace through the care and protection of his creation. We resist one who is evil, not because life is inherently sacred, but simply because life belongs to God."

He goes on to quote John Howard Yoder in that "the gospel itself the message that Christ died for His enemies, is our reason for being ultimately responsibly for the neighbor's-and especially the enemy's- life."

I think that is what is interesting about this discussion, many times people attempt to argue one perspective or another by means of pointing out specific scripture that would support their position. However, what many people dismiss (or perhaps simply leave out and not think about) is the narrative aesthetic of our community. We say "Christ said this" or "Christ did this" but dismiss the whole of his lifestyle. We forget his message is largely eschatological in that he calls us to live in consistency with the Kingdom of God. Christ himself seemed to be radically different from the state in which he lived. Perhaps, more than anything, that is our calling. To show that being different is a viable life choice, one whose point is not to command all people acclimate to our sensibilities but that people choose to live a life that is wholly different from the one presented to them by the profane culture that we live in. That our intent is kindness, love and non-violence to the point of absurdity. That people once again see in us the joy of Christ. How else can Christianity be attractive? Certainly it will not be through a demand of moral virtue for those who dismiss our claims of legitimacy. It will be a demand of moral virtue for our own community and a commitment to right living that will garner the interest of the other.



ps. When did this become a blog on theology? Oh well.

sentimentality and wedding bells

Something that I have been thinking about lately is the sentiment of sentimentality in Christianity in America. I find it so interesting that we are expected to be different. To act different. To show Christ. To be Christ. Yet it seems that so very often, that which is paramount to American Christianity is insuring that everyone is the same. That everyone thinks and acts the same. We claim in America that we are willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary for the cross, yet we attempt to create a homogeneous society in which it is not that sacrifice is no longer necessary but where sacrifice is impossible. We no longer want to give away our cloak. Instead, we wish to make everyone buy the same cloak.

Lately these posts have been a bit heavy, haven't they?

So in other news, tonight was relaxing.
Tranquil.


It was spent reading, drinking beer and listening to Jonsi.




Only one thing could make it better.


Tomorrow we go to a wedding.
One of my former roommates and one of Savannah's dear high school friends (they are one in the same).


Actually, I suppose we owe everything to him.

Agnostic Christianity

I came to a realization the other day that I am a Christian Agnostic. Perhaps it is the post-modern in me melding with the Christianity I was raised on.

Insert new subject heading here.

Savannah has recently posted this





I believe it is an absolutely absurd notion that women should be confined to some traditional set beautification guidelines. I have never found a "perfect women" because it does not exist. I love Savannah and think she is perfect for me (for the most part, as sometimes she is prone to tickling me incessantly).  However, she has far more in her favor than just looks. Things that have to do with character. She is kind, loving, empathetic, intelligent, etc. These are the things that last and matter. As I recently read in an article, that which is almost of foremost importance in a relationship is intimacy as one does not even have to be sexually attracted to a partner for there to be sexual compatibility due to intimacy. Luckily, I am attracted to my partner.

moma

There are two things in art that I love.

1. The avant-garde
2. The exceptionally simple

Both are found in Modern Art. That which exemplifies only emotion. This is what Savannah hates. She finds no aesthetics within it. But isn't that what is beautiful about art? Not everyone needs to love everything?


I read something about art earlier. The challenges of modern art, the difficulty making something new.

That "the hardest thing is to do something which is close to nothing."




I also love:
-abstract expressionism
-dadaism
-cubism
-minimalism
-color field

study study

It is late. I have been feverishly reading and studying for my sunday school class sunday.

The general class is about Christian ethics, specifically how to implement an orthopraxic causation of our behaviors as Christians. Too often I see two things. Either the subversion of Christianity from ones patriotism or that lack of action necessary to say that we are truly disciples. The second of which I ashamedly fall into the category of frequently.

This week we will start a discussion of "just war" and pacifism. It should be interesting.




I enjoy this song. I enjoy this version. More often than not it is thought of as a christmas song for some reason. I find the climate of 90% of contemporary Christian music repugnant. I find it to be the theological equivalent of elementary schooling. There is no meat, no substance. It speaks only of Christ's love. Even Southpark picked up on it, which means it is prevalent enough for the secular world to make fun of it. This song, along with many other old hymns, speak of the cost of discipleship, for both Christ and humanity. It describes the burden placed upon us to represent the virtuous life exemplified by Christ. It reminds us that Christ advocates for us.

liberte egalite fraternite

I am intrigued by the idea of revolution. I suppose I view all constructs and archetypes of all political movements as revolution. It is always a revolution against something, even if it does not appear to be as it could be a small revolution. I just categorized all political dichotomy as revolution. However, what I am most interested in is the marginalized revolutions and revolutionaries. As we say in literary circles, "the other."

Yesterday we went to a bookstore called "Revolution Books" all dedicated to the idea of revolution. This was effectively the revolution against traditionalism, something I am more or less aligned with. I also found it interesting that while in the store, the proprietor and a walk in were talking about portland and the walk in described it as "liberal and open minded," and, from what I could infer, as implying that conservatism and open mindedness are in mutual exclusivity of each other, though perhaps more often than not that would be correct, would cause the walk in to be close minded about this notion. An interesting note to be sure.

I do believe that some traditions are good, but holding to traditions for the sake of traditionalism and asserting it must be true because it is tradition seems incredibly stupid.

The rhythm of my footsteps

This combines two things I dearly love.




Tomorrow is my last day of work before my day off. I am very happy about that.
Working six days straight is not my favorite thing to do.


However, last week I worked about 43-45 hours.
Which translates into a good paycheck.
Just in time for Portland this weekend.
Which makes me extra happy.




Though we do not get to see my bff, which makes me sad, we do get to see some people very, very dear to our hearts.


I am excited.

HASHTAGSAMCRO

I just really love this show.

Also, girlfriend made a Goodreads account. That is fun.
We are super nerdy together.
It is fun to compare our books.


I just read this and found it to be especially poignant given the current political climate.


"The Church doesn't have a social strategy, the Church IS a social strategy."

get to see the ladyfriend soon. very excited.

packed day wednesday.

avengers.

jj.

mall.

fun.

laughs.

i have contemplated us making pizzas for dinner.

we did that once before and it was fun.

or so i thought, at least.

i have an idea for one.

well, two.

first:

-goat cheese

-green onion

-tomato

-black olives

second:

-gouda

-mozzarella

-romano

-roasted tomato

-fresh basil

essentially, a margarita pie.

also, i found this. and i enjoy it.

o love of my love

a dedication.

No, love is not dead in this heart these eyes and this mouth
that announced the start of its own funeral.
Listen, I've had enough of the picturesque, the colorful
and the charming.
I love love, its tenderness and cruelty.
My love has only one name, one form.
Everything disappears. All mouths cling to that one.
My love has just one name, one form.
And if someday you remember
O you, form and name of my love,
One day on the ocean between America and Europe,
At the hour when the last ray of light sparkles
on the undulating surface of the waves, or else a stormy night
beneath a tree in the countryside or in a speeding car,
A spring morning on the boulevard Malesherbes,
A rainy day,
Just before going to bed at dawn,
Tell yourself-I order your familiar spirit-that
I alone loved you more and it's a shame
you didn't know it.
Tell yourself there's no need to regret: Ronsard
and Baudelaire before me sang the sorrows
of women old or dead who scorned the purest love.
When you are dead
You will still be lovely and desirable.
I'll be dead already, completely enclosed in your immortal body,
in your astounding image forever there among the endless marvels
of life and eternity, but if I'm alive,
The sound of your voice, your radiant looks,
Your smell the smell of your hair and many other things
will live on inside me.
In me and I'm not Ronsard or Baudelaire

I'm [Joshua Wilson] who, because I knew
and loved you, 
Is as good as they are.
I'm [Joshua Wilson] who wants to be remembered
On this vile earth for nothing but his love of you.

A la mysterieuse

-Robert Desnos

da ol' ab-bay

right now i am surrounded by doggies.
and i took the lady's advice and have began Downton Abbey.

i just had yet to be in the mood for such an undertaking.


the giants game is soon.
i am incredibly excited.

dland

so i have decided...to memorize all the countries. of the world. also the lady is gone. so sad. but today i worked the produce department at work. it was like being in a vietnamese prison camp. whenever you go to grab any vegetables the sides break and go under your fingernails. it was the worst. so while the girlfriend is at disneyland. i will be here. reading and watching movies. and loving this.

flowers from showers

it is national poetry month.

ginsberg.
eliot.
goethe.

but right now, most of all, hughes.

"I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers."

elsewhere and other places

so lately i have really been wanting to travel.
it is hard to discern how and when to go, though.

especially with possible future plans.


but for now, here is my list of places to go:
-NYC
-Toronto
-Tahiti
-India
-France
-Roma
-Spain
-Disneyland






but frankly, anywhere with the love of my life will suffice.

futures and future and such

two things i want. one of them is more immediate. much more so.

1. live in france for at least one year.
2. be a part of and advocate for Advent Conspiricy.


savannah and i have discussed how we will endeavor to do it this year.
hopefully get our families involved.

and others from our church.



it is rather exciting.

spring is upon us. that means it is almost summer. that means two things.
-Giants baseball
-summer clothes

this is what i want most in life. i have wanted one for a while.

i think this might be the summer.




boating hats!

H.G.

"The Hunger Games" was awesome. however, we now have to wait over a year to see the next installment.

dumb.


here is my list of favorite movies, in order, from 2011.
1. Drive
2. Tree of Life
3. The Ides of March
4. 50/50
5. Melancholia
6. Hesher
7. Moneyball
8. Take Shelter
9. Super 8
10. Bridesmaids



also, recently i divulged exclusive information to my girlfriend that i have never mentioned.
in highschool i was totally into punk rock during my freshmen and sophomore years and still through the end of high school (though they did evolve into metal tendencies, where i remain today).

lastly, this looks great.