Oh, Mark, this is too much.
Little Will Farrell spoof for y'all. It's great...
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Stuff I Like
If you haven't yet, you must check out the comedic blog, "Stuff White People Like".
Adam Sternbergh of the New Republic said it well, "A few observers have already pointed out, rightly, that Stuff White People Like isn't about white people in general, but rather about a very specific demographic sliver of left-leaning, city-dwelling white folk--in other words, people like me. These people have previously been trapped and tagged alternately as yuppies, or Bobos, or ...Basically, they embody the uneasy marriage of urban affluence and liberal (and/or progressive, and/or alternative, and/or "indie") ideals. For example, there are plenty of white people in America who fairly obviously don't like (#15) yoga or (#46) The Sunday New York Times or (#28) not having a TV. But it's much funnier and, at least on its face, more original to say "White People" rather than "Yuppies..."
Click here to read the rest of the article.
If you aren't in a mood to feel exposed, I wouldn't click on the link. But, if you are or, if your able to see truth even in large sweeping generalizations then, click away. Your in for a laugh.
My personal favorites:
#88 Having Gay Friends
#62 Knowing What's Good for Poor People
#12 Non-Profit Organizations
#80 The Idea of Soccer
Adam Sternbergh of the New Republic said it well, "A few observers have already pointed out, rightly, that Stuff White People Like isn't about white people in general, but rather about a very specific demographic sliver of left-leaning, city-dwelling white folk--in other words, people like me. These people have previously been trapped and tagged alternately as yuppies, or Bobos, or ...Basically, they embody the uneasy marriage of urban affluence and liberal (and/or progressive, and/or alternative, and/or "indie") ideals. For example, there are plenty of white people in America who fairly obviously don't like (#15) yoga or (#46) The Sunday New York Times or (#28) not having a TV. But it's much funnier and, at least on its face, more original to say "White People" rather than "Yuppies..."
Click here to read the rest of the article.
If you aren't in a mood to feel exposed, I wouldn't click on the link. But, if you are or, if your able to see truth even in large sweeping generalizations then, click away. Your in for a laugh.
My personal favorites:
#88 Having Gay Friends
#62 Knowing What's Good for Poor People
#12 Non-Profit Organizations
#80 The Idea of Soccer
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Traditionalism Re-Emerges
Recently there have been a couple of lengthy articles in notable periodicals which spoke of the growing trend within the Protestant church toward traditionalism. The Church is renewing itself, this time not by dissing tradition as it did 100 years ago, but by embracing the liturgical and sacramental tradition of former generations. It seems Protestant congregations, particularly those in America and particularly those which reaching a demographic of 20-40somethings, are reevaluating their abandonment of traditionalism. Allow these authors to create context...
The first was printed in the U.S. News & World Report. Click Here.
To piggy-back onto this was a recent article in the Boston Globe. Click here.
Heightened social awareness, owed to globalization, media coverage, and perhaps the prophetic (a word I'm using casually) voices of Christian leaders like N.T.Wright, Jim Wallis, Fredrick Buechner and so forth, within the church has us looking to the previous church leadership who did it perhaps did "it" better - the people who lived among the people. The Catholic, Episcopalian, and Anglican priests and monks. Men and women whose adherence to scripted prayers (like the Book of Common Prayer), to following the Lenten calendar, to frequently partaking of the Lord's Supper did not prevent them from, necessarily, engaging with the social needs around them. An important fact for young Americans bent on being a civicly aware people.
This whole conversation topic is of interest to me because my church, Grace Chicago, began just five years ago almost as case and point of this increasing desire on the part of Jesus-believers to returned to a, albeit reformed, traditionalism. Our Sunday church service intentionally follows a narrative movement. Each week the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is retold a different way. Those who follow Jesus in faith and repentance meet the risen Lord in the sacrament of communion. The liturgy leading up to communion is anticipatory of Jesus’ redemptive (final) work in history. In a similar way, our music is a collection of eclectic styles and traditions alongside Scripture readings, homily, and other spoken words.
Also, as a church community we observe the Church calendar with its seasons of Advent, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter. We do this to help each other remember the redemptive rhythm of God’s presence in our lives. In any given day we metaphorically travel through these seasons as we grapple with grief, doubt, and temptation, and also celebrate joy and hope.
I can't help but think the depth, the beefiness, the profoundness of the liturgies of an earlier church coupled with a greater emphasis on the graciousness of the person of Christ has and will continue to minister to the current generation, and perhaps the next generation or two. It seems our generation feels a void left by disillusionment with the mainstream evangelical and mega-churches and by a Catholic Church that, on-the-whole, denies the necessity of a meaningful personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The first was printed in the U.S. News & World Report. Click Here.
To piggy-back onto this was a recent article in the Boston Globe. Click here.
Heightened social awareness, owed to globalization, media coverage, and perhaps the prophetic (a word I'm using casually) voices of Christian leaders like N.T.Wright, Jim Wallis, Fredrick Buechner and so forth, within the church has us looking to the previous church leadership who did it perhaps did "it" better - the people who lived among the people. The Catholic, Episcopalian, and Anglican priests and monks. Men and women whose adherence to scripted prayers (like the Book of Common Prayer), to following the Lenten calendar, to frequently partaking of the Lord's Supper did not prevent them from, necessarily, engaging with the social needs around them. An important fact for young Americans bent on being a civicly aware people.
This whole conversation topic is of interest to me because my church, Grace Chicago, began just five years ago almost as case and point of this increasing desire on the part of Jesus-believers to returned to a, albeit reformed, traditionalism. Our Sunday church service intentionally follows a narrative movement. Each week the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is retold a different way. Those who follow Jesus in faith and repentance meet the risen Lord in the sacrament of communion. The liturgy leading up to communion is anticipatory of Jesus’ redemptive (final) work in history. In a similar way, our music is a collection of eclectic styles and traditions alongside Scripture readings, homily, and other spoken words.
Also, as a church community we observe the Church calendar with its seasons of Advent, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter. We do this to help each other remember the redemptive rhythm of God’s presence in our lives. In any given day we metaphorically travel through these seasons as we grapple with grief, doubt, and temptation, and also celebrate joy and hope.
I can't help but think the depth, the beefiness, the profoundness of the liturgies of an earlier church coupled with a greater emphasis on the graciousness of the person of Christ has and will continue to minister to the current generation, and perhaps the next generation or two. It seems our generation feels a void left by disillusionment with the mainstream evangelical and mega-churches and by a Catholic Church that, on-the-whole, denies the necessity of a meaningful personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Monday, March 24, 2008
My American Idol Pick
I was just explaining to someone this evening that I don't follow seasons of American Idol with any particular rhyme or reason. But, I've chosen, for whatever reason, to pop in on this season. And here is my pick...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
This Time
For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle - as we did in the OJ trial - or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she's playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies.
We can do that.
But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.
That is one option. Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, "Not this time." This time...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Corner
...of Roosevelt and Michigan the other night. Sometimes I just can't help myself; driving can't be a hindrance to taking a good picture.
Monday, March 17, 2008
They've Chosen Innocence
(a thought in process...)
I've become so aware, when I speak with people about my job, of what keeps me continually engaged and motivated in my work. It's the people - the people of the Woodlawn neighorbood. The single mom who comes into our office to pick up an application for her child to join our after-school program, so often exclaiming that this is the very thing she'd hoped would come to town. The older gentleman with the fuzzy hat and a warm smile, excited about learning new things in our technology class. The smart yet spunky fourth-grade girl who I read with every Tuesday afternoon. It's these people, and many more, whose constant, admittedly interruptive, "hello" keeps me energized.
However, it's more than just their presence and their various personalities that I so enjoy. My love and admiration for them is more about a choice so many of them have made (perhaps a subconscious choice). They have chosen innocence.
Now I know this may confuse many of you or, seem ironic to those of you who know of Woodlawn's demographic. Woodlawn is a predominately low-income (some would use the phrase "economically marginalized) place. A neighborhood struggling to break cycles of poverty and violence. A place weary of waging battle against institutional racism. A place of much transience and much vulnerability. These things are true about the community but, what's also true is that so many of these people possess a will (power) that marks them.
See, I've come to believe in the last 18 months that innocence is a choice - a choice not to be confused with naivity, ignorance, inexperience, or immaturity. Innocence is not not limp or wimpy, as it's so often meant to connote; rather, it's silently strong and posseses perseverance. Innocence is a daily decision - a decision which tightly bundles hope and forgiveness with life experience.
Unfortunately, many of the young students in our programs have seen things their eyes were never supposed to witness. That man has been told words and had experiences that those who have never undergone racial oppression will ever be able to relate to. That mother may indeed be juggling responsibilities too great for the resources she has. But, in so many of their eyes there is great innocence. Perhaps this innocence is better understood as a faith that there is some thing, some place better than the present place. That it all (whatever "all" is. I'd let them fill in the blank.) will pass and it will "all" work out.
I'm convinced it's this innocence that Jesus needed a drink from when he called the children to himself after a long day of teaching. The very same innocence spoken of only moments later when Jesus exhorted the adults around him to make note of. These children possessed innocence.
The people of Woodlawn have taught me that no matter the sights I see, the experiences I've had or will have, or the injustice I encounter, I too have a choice. Each day I have a choice. Woodlawn is teaching me that life is much sweeter if I choose innocence.
I've become so aware, when I speak with people about my job, of what keeps me continually engaged and motivated in my work. It's the people - the people of the Woodlawn neighorbood. The single mom who comes into our office to pick up an application for her child to join our after-school program, so often exclaiming that this is the very thing she'd hoped would come to town. The older gentleman with the fuzzy hat and a warm smile, excited about learning new things in our technology class. The smart yet spunky fourth-grade girl who I read with every Tuesday afternoon. It's these people, and many more, whose constant, admittedly interruptive, "hello" keeps me energized.
However, it's more than just their presence and their various personalities that I so enjoy. My love and admiration for them is more about a choice so many of them have made (perhaps a subconscious choice). They have chosen innocence.
Now I know this may confuse many of you or, seem ironic to those of you who know of Woodlawn's demographic. Woodlawn is a predominately low-income (some would use the phrase "economically marginalized) place. A neighborhood struggling to break cycles of poverty and violence. A place weary of waging battle against institutional racism. A place of much transience and much vulnerability. These things are true about the community but, what's also true is that so many of these people possess a will (power) that marks them.
See, I've come to believe in the last 18 months that innocence is a choice - a choice not to be confused with naivity, ignorance, inexperience, or immaturity. Innocence is not not limp or wimpy, as it's so often meant to connote; rather, it's silently strong and posseses perseverance. Innocence is a daily decision - a decision which tightly bundles hope and forgiveness with life experience.
Unfortunately, many of the young students in our programs have seen things their eyes were never supposed to witness. That man has been told words and had experiences that those who have never undergone racial oppression will ever be able to relate to. That mother may indeed be juggling responsibilities too great for the resources she has. But, in so many of their eyes there is great innocence. Perhaps this innocence is better understood as a faith that there is some thing, some place better than the present place. That it all (whatever "all" is. I'd let them fill in the blank.) will pass and it will "all" work out.
I'm convinced it's this innocence that Jesus needed a drink from when he called the children to himself after a long day of teaching. The very same innocence spoken of only moments later when Jesus exhorted the adults around him to make note of. These children possessed innocence.
The people of Woodlawn have taught me that no matter the sights I see, the experiences I've had or will have, or the injustice I encounter, I too have a choice. Each day I have a choice. Woodlawn is teaching me that life is much sweeter if I choose innocence.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
So many people claim to believe in the Resurrection, and yet it means so little to them. It has no effect in their lives. It is not enough to celebrate Easter and say “Christ is risen!” Indeed, it is useless to proclaim it at all, unless at the same time we can say that we too have risen.
The long passage of time has brought with it a temptation to keep on speaking about Good Friday without being moved by it. We hear about Christ’s death, and we sit there bored, as if we were reading a newspaper. In fact, we would find a newspaper a good deal more interesting.
- C. F. Blumhardt in Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter (Orbis, 2005)
The long passage of time has brought with it a temptation to keep on speaking about Good Friday without being moved by it. We hear about Christ’s death, and we sit there bored, as if we were reading a newspaper. In fact, we would find a newspaper a good deal more interesting.
- C. F. Blumhardt in Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter (Orbis, 2005)
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The 3-Dimensions of U2
If you haven't heard about it already, let me be the bearer of some cool news. National Geographic put together a 85-minute, 3-D film of U2 concerts which are playing national surely, at the IMAX near you.
http://www.u23dmovie.com/images/multimedia/downloads/U23D_Trailer_484x272.mov
I highly recommend that you spend the $16 to see the film. It's an experience, for sure! (And, I highly recommend you take a nap before going or, plan to take a nap afterwards. A bit of over-stimulation!)
The film makes you feel like you are a front-row fan at the concert and at times, could even touch Bono with your own two hands. Combine this with the inherent amazing acoustics of IMAX theatres...you've got a great date night planned!
http://www.u23dmovie.com/images/multimedia/downloads/U23D_Trailer_484x272.mov
I highly recommend that you spend the $16 to see the film. It's an experience, for sure! (And, I highly recommend you take a nap before going or, plan to take a nap afterwards. A bit of over-stimulation!)
The film makes you feel like you are a front-row fan at the concert and at times, could even touch Bono with your own two hands. Combine this with the inherent amazing acoustics of IMAX theatres...you've got a great date night planned!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Hillary Clinton and Josh Groban
I can't help myself. These are just too much.
http://www.chicagolive.com/user_submitted/chris_rocks_hillary_clinton/
http://www.chicagolive.com/user_submitted/a_very_groban_christmas/
http://www.chicagolive.com/user_submitted/chris_rocks_hillary_clinton/
http://www.chicagolive.com/user_submitted/a_very_groban_christmas/
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Alive
I can't take credit for finding this clip. A friend shared it with me on his blog. Pearl Jam was on Storyteller this week and Vedder told the background story to "I'm Alive." He expresses himself in such an eloquently raw manner. In the same way many have found resonance in this song as they've applied it to their own life, I think some would be surprised to find the real story behind the song brings about a similiar resonance.
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