Blogging 101

Blogger, also known as a blog, a weblog, or sometimes, a glogsot.

I love starting and being involved in discussions, especially when they turn philosophical or, as a pastor once called me, "heady." I like to think deep, outside the box, and hard. However, I noticed that most of the people who read my blogs don't comment on them. People, with regards to commenting, might fall into one of six categories:

1) You don't like me.

2) You don't like my writing. I sometimes agree.

3) You have much better things to do.

4) You want to comment but can't because of the settings on my blog.

5) You do comment, and I love you for that.

6) You do comment, but since reading this post, they're insulted and have decided not to comment anymore.

If you're in categories 1-3, please try to change yourself into someone in category 5. It is for those of you in category 4 that I write this post. I've set up my blog so that a person can't comment unless they're a member of blogger. I've done this for one reason only, and that is security: I'm sick of getting "spam" comments that don't really contribute to my discussion or anybody else's, but merely annoy us all.

You don't have to write in a blog in order to be a member (and therefore post comments), but you do have to sign up. Once you're a member, you can comment. Comments lead to discussion, and I'd really like to be able to foster discussion through my writing; it's why I write.

Rebekah

Since "The DaVinci Code" came out, there's been a lot of buzz on the internet, blogs, and in cafes about the role of women in society, in the Christian religion, etc. I'd love to talk about this, but I'm not much good on the subject, I only have my somewhat uninformed opinions. On a completely unrelated note, I read "Rebekah" this past week, a book by Orson Scott Card that takes the Biblical account and other sources to tell the story of Rebekah and Isaac.

I loved it. Aside from the fact that OS Card is an amazing author with a deep writing style and a profound grasp of his subject matter, I'm amazed at his grasp of the Christian faith (I know, I know, Rebekah was a Hebrew, but seriously, read the book and you'll see what I mean). Some six months ago I read another book of his called "Pastwatch", a book that also shows his grasp of what true Christianity looks like. You'll have to read it to see what I mean (most libraries should have it).

Anyway, I found this passage in Rebekah that I loved, and thought that I should share it.

"People don't understand what it means to be a Shepherd," Isaac said, "You aren't a master of the sheep. They're too stupid to have a master because they don't understand obedience - only imitation of the other sheep, and fear of predators. No, a shepherd is a servant of the sheep, protecting them, bringing them to food. And that's what we are to all our people ..."

I sit and wonder, where does this truth apply? Does it apply to missionaries? Does it apply to Christians in general (of course, if you know me, you know I don't believe there's a difference between the two). Does it apply to God and us as human beings? Is it totally bogus?

Discuss.

Selfishness

"Do you often dream of living a more rewarding life? Do you aspire to obtain a better job, a stronger marriage, a happier home? Do you wish for more gratifying relationships with your family and friends? Perhaps you simply want to accomplish more and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

If you are like most people, you have written these goals and dreams on a list that's titled "Tomorrow's To Do." You can't pursue what's truly important to you because your day is crowded by the demands of mundane routines and other people's priorities.

How do you break out and experience the full potential that God intended you to have?

The answer lies in a simple, yet profound process to change the way you think about your life and help you accomplish what's truly important. In this straightforward guide, Joel Osteen gives you seven simple, insightful steps to improve your life for good, and help you experience victory, joy and satisfaction everyday! This inspiring #1 New York Times Bestseller will put you on a journey to a brighter future. Your new beginning starts with these seven steps:

1. Enlarge Your Vision
2. Develop a Healthy Self-Image
3. Discover the Power of Your Thoughts and Words
4. Let Go of the Past
5. Find Strength Through Adversity
6. Live to Give
7. Choose to be Happy

In this remarkable book, Joel Osteen offers you unique insights and encouragement that will help you overcome every obstacle you may encounter. Your life has a divine purpose and destiny. As you put the principles found in these pages to work, you will begin living "Your Best Life Now!"

I knew the minute I passed this book on a Walmart shelf that I was worried. The cover art reminded me of one of those infomericals that give you the wonder thingamajig that in only one short span of time can work miracles on your chosen problem. I got curious, mostly because I had this gut feeling about the guy.

Sure enough, he claims to be Christian. The thing that turns my stomach is the language that he uses: "you can have whatever you want and God will give it to you!" As if that's what God's there for. I do my share of praying for stuff; every one of us has wants and desires for mundane stuff and sooner or later will justify a prayer to God about it using the "God cares about every part of my life" defense.

Not that it's incorrect, of course God cares about every part of my life. It's just that I think He's more interested in transforming my life into something less "me"-oriented and more "others"-oriented, which is pretty much the exact opposite of the claim this book seems to make. The description I gave above actually comes right from Osteen's website, which is rather hillarious to peruse.

I know we're supposed to remove the log from our own eye before we remove the splinter from somebody else's, but as someone who's sort of in-process, I can't help but notice the issues I've been working on in other places. This book is like the perfect illustration for my struggles of late.

I'm not sure how we as Americans became so consumeristic. We focus on the stuff we want to get and assume that, as long as we have enough [money/power/sex/job-security/etc], it'll all be ok and we'll be happy. And yet, the very existence of this book shows how unhappy that mentality has left us (there's no need to have a self-help book if you're healthy).

As if the world and God turn just for us.

My findings as of late have been rather unsettling. God loves each person individually, but more important, he seems to love humanity as a whole. The question of whether the individual or the whole of humanity is more important seems irrelevant to God, because it's not an either/or question. But that also means that you can't exclude the rest of humanity and focus on yourself.

Thoughts are still in development, so please leave thoughts, comments, threats, scripture references that could help ... you know, the works, whatever might help.