Ignorant Historian

“…you won her over. Gave up everything for her. Maybe that’s the only way to convince her you love her.” – Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, p. 329

“Many churches speak about homosexuality in terms of sin and judgment but about divorce in terms of forgiveness and grace. When a same sex couple goes down to the courthouse to petition for a marriage certificate, the Christians show up with sandwich boards. Do they also show up when their congregants go to the same courthouse to petition for an “unbiblical divorce?” Likely not. And the hypocrisy on this issue has not escaped the next generation.” -“Why Our Generation Doesn’t Care About Prop 8″ by Jonathan Merritt

“I asked the children [from the suburbs] where the slums were. But they said there were no slums near where they lived, only far away, in the city.” – The Love Wife by Gish Jen, p. 44

“We’re fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction.” – Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, p. 379

“Annie, being a virgin in this day and age is something to be proud of…you’re like a unicorn.” – Shirley, Community, “The Politics of Human Sexuality”

“He is the God that understands that I just miss being loved by a lover….I am blessed in the truest sense of the word.  I am also a little lonely.” – Amy Beth Bullard, “The God Who Understands”

“Finally, he can see me for who I really am. Violent. Distrustful. Manipulative. Deadly. And I hate him for it.” – Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, p. 232

“A proud person tries to reinvent reality. He tries to redraw the borders of human behavior to suit himself, displacing God as the Lord and boundary keeper of life.” – Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., p. 125

“I noticed, too, it was the cruelest thing you could say about a person–that they were small.” – Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl

(advice given against early engagements) “…if a man is going through a woods, and sees a good young sapling, he may mark it and come back afterward and get it, if he can.” – Most Famous Man in America

” ‘Oh, no. It costs a lot more than your life. To murder innocent people?’ says Peeta. ‘It costs everything you are.’ ” – Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, p. 23

“We order our worship services around our age groups, with music designed to remind each generation of whatever was playing at the youth rallies of their college days. Our congregations are made up of people who look, talk, and think just like we do. And it never occurs to us that this is the same kind of unity the world has to offer. Even in our churches, we seem to identify ourselves more according to the corporate brands we buy and the political parties we support than with each other.” – Adopted for Life by Russell Moore, p. 38

“Becoming a Christian might look more like falling in love than baking cookies.” – Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller, p. 155

“Beauty often seduces us on the road to truth.” – Wilson
“And triteness kicks us in the nuts.” – House, House, “Occam’s Razor”

“…it makes me wonder if secretly we don’t wish God were a genie who could deliver a few wishes here and there.  And that makes me wonder if what we really want from the formula are the wishes, not God.  It makes me wonder if what we really want is control, not a relationship.” – Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller, p. 12

“The quiet scares me ’cause it screams the truth” – “Sober” by Pink

“There’s something about patience that God deems necessary for our life in the age to come and so, whether through agriculture or discipleship or bodily development or eschatology or procreation, God makes us wait.” – Adopted for Life by Russell Moore, p. 142

“And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.” – “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns

“He had forgotten how American children slept. They stretched out long and wide, dreaming of sugar-plums while they waited for handouts from tooth fairies.” – Run by An Patchett, 100

“It seems like, if you really knew the God who understands the physics of our existence, you would operate a little more cautiously, a little more compassionately, a little less like you are the center of the universe.” – Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller, p. 38

“…the masses of the people could not be held back from Nazism, so powerful was its appeal, and this same priest, who would not leave his people, went with them to Nazism, too.” – They Thought They Were Free by Milton Mayer, p. 219

Let’s continue the adoption theme of book reviews, shall we?  It’s what I’ve been thinking about.  Actually, the fiction book I’m reading right now (Run by Ann Patchett) talks about adoption, too.  But I didn’t know that when I picked it up.

Ever since I first heard about Adopted for Life, I wanted to read it.  Not only is it on the subject of adoption which interests me, it’s by an author I’ve respected ever since I heard him speak at my church a few years ago.  When I saw it on the Half-Price Books shelf on Monday, I immediately picked it up and bought it.

And finished it within 24 hours.

I was not disappointed.  This is the book on adoption–both  the adoption of children and the theological concept; they’re inseparable–that the Church needs.

While Moore said a couple smaller things that I disagree with, he definitely gets it.  As someone who is not currently in a place to adopt, he didn’t make me feel bad, but simply encouraged every Christian to consider what they can do to adopt or to support adoption.  He’s under no illusion that we all should adopt en masse, but he also knows we aren’t adopting as much as we should.

In some ways, adoption is one application of living the radical Christian life.  Except adoption has the further benefit of being what God has done for each and every one of us.

One thing that Moore said that I had never thought about before is that adoption is a way that we can show others that we aren’t procreating and caring for our children because of some evolutionary, biological imperative.   Adoption requires something more.

If you’re curious about the “why” behind the recent adoption push in Christian circles, have strong opinions for or against, or are simply open to a challenge, I hope you’ll pick up this book.

I’m pretty content with my life right now.  Singleness can obviously be a struggle, but it’s not one for me right now.

But ask me again tomorrow, because it’s definitely a day-by-day thing.  Other than that, there’s nothing else in my life that I really want to change.

Hey, maybe I’m content.  That’s a good thing, right?  Definitely.

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.” – 1 Timothy 6:6, NASU

But am I really content?  Or would I better describe myself as “apathetic?”  Where’s the line?

Instead of being content in God alone, I’ve become apathetic with little thought of God.

Of course, God is very much present in my life, and I do continue to intentionally spend time with him through the Bible and prayer.  But I’m putting Him in a box…how much do I think of him outside of those scheduled moments that I give to him?

Just something I’m pondering this week.  Praying that God will renew my fire to know and follow Him.

Photo by aaron.knox

I’ve already talked about how much I enjoyed Radical. It was the kick in the pants that I needed.

I needed to get back to the basics.  All the seminary training and reading won’t do me any good if I’m not whole-heartedly seeking God through His Word and prayer.  And all of that is meaningless if I’m not working out my faith.

Spending last week with the kids at camp I learned the same thing: it’s all about the basics.  Not only do I need to teach them the how of the faith, but I need to model it.

This is why I’ve been working on re-establishing good habits: reading 6 chapters of the Bible everyday (3 of each testament), praying not only for those around me but for the world, and memorizing  and meditating God’s Word.  These are building blocks…but they are necessary.

I’m far from perfect even in these small things (in fact, part of my reason for writing this is to be held to it), but they’re necessary.  Not that doing the right things will earn favor with God, but it is how I will know God.

“When you or I open the Bible, we are beholding the very words of God — words that have supernatural power to redeem, renew, refresh, and restore our lives to what he created them to be. That is why I believe it is more important for you and me to read Leviticus than it is for us to read the best Christian book ever published, because Leviticus has a quality and produces an effect that no book in the Christian marketplace can compete with.” – Radical by David Platt, p. 192

Photo by Artful Magpie

“God does not exist for our comfort or happiness or satisfaction, or to provide us with ‘religious experiences,’ as if these were the most interesting and important things in life.” – Knowing God by J. I. Packer

“Regardless of what we say or sing on Sunday morning, rich people who neglect the poor are not the people of God.” – Radical by David Platt, p. 115

“That’s the problem with being desperate for attention.  You never ask who the other person is–he could be a serial killer, for all you know–you’re too busy feeling grateful he picked you to notice.” – Blue Plate Special by Michelle D. Kwasney, p. 306

“Some of the BBC people had to return to Chad, where they were in a medical clinic for three days to recover from what they saw, and smelled, and learned about the nature of what simply must be called evil.” – The Translator by Daoud Hari, p. 113

“Some wonder if it is unfair for God to allow so many to have no knowledge of the gospel.  But there is no injustice in God.  The injustice lies in Christians who possess the gospel and refuse to give their lives to making it known among those who haven’t heard.  That is unfair.” – Radical by David Platt, p. 159

“But it was ten years ago, and twenty, that the United States Air Force (in its own words) ‘produced more casualties than any other military action in the history of the world’ in its great fire raid on Tokyo, and Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson appalled by the absence of public protest in America, thought ‘there was something wrong with a country where no on questioned’ such acts committed in its name.” – They Thought They Were Free by Milton Mayer, p. xv

“Carter, nothing good comes easy,” she says, “Adversity is just opportunity in work clothes.” – Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford, p. 24

“…all these material discomforts which were yet to be account as so many privileges soon to be withdrawn kept constantly before her the disadvantages of her state.” – House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

“We express enthusiasm, emotion, and affection for football and other sports, and it begs the question, what would happen in our culture if the church prayed with such passion?  What would happen if Jesus dominated our affections more than the superficial trivialities that garner our attention?” – Radical by David Platt, p. 188 (ignore the misuse of “beg the question” as the quote is worth it)

“It’s sometimes easier to believe what everyone else believes.”  - The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama, p. 104

“It is interesting to me that people bother to shout at you, or even to hurt you, when they are planning to kill you.  What lesson will that teach you if you are going to be dead?” – The Translator by Daoud Hari, p. 153

“Mah-mee believes she does more than her share by donating to charities.  She would rather live her own life of mah-jongg games, while pretending all those starving in the streets are invisible.” – The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama, p. 118

I don’t remember what I was doing, but somehow I stumbled on a website that would tell you demographic stats on specific US zip codes.

For kicks, I entered the zip code I grew up in.

For whatever reason, the results surprised me.

Compared to the rest of the US, this zip code has:

• a high number of high school and college graduates
• a high median income (though Kansas has a fairly low standard of living)
• a higher than average number of married couples
• 2/3 of adults working in white collar jobs
• only 4% of its residents below the poverty line (national average is around 15%)

I was born into privilege.

Not only am I a part of the 4.5% of the world population who lives in the US, I’m among the 6% of that population that has a Master’s Degree.  While I myself don’t quite make enough to reach the US median household income in the US, it’s just me, so obviously my costs are much lower than most.

I was born (and raised) into privilege.

I thank God for the blessings He’s given me and my parents who gave me so much, but that’s not what I want to talk about.

I’m a numbers person, so when you show me my blessings numerically, it really sinks in.  I’ve always known that I was overwhelmingly blessed, but when everyone around me is too, it’s easy to forget.

These thoughts were already on my mind, when I started reading Radical.

Here are a few things that David Platt said that stood out to me:

“We are an affluent people living in an impoverished world.  If we make only $10,000 a year, we are wealthier than 84% of the world, and if we make $50,000 a year, we are wealthier than 99% of the world.” – p. 194

“But the reality is, if you and I have running water, shelter over our heads, clothes to wear, food to eat, and some means of transportation (even if it’s public transportation), then we are in the top 15% of the world’s people for wealth.” – p. 115

“The reality is that most everything in our lives in the American culture would be classified as a luxury, not a necessity. The computer I am writing this book on, the spoon and fork I will eat my dinner with later this evening, and the bed and pillow I will sleep on tonight (in additon to many other things in my life) are all luxuries.” – p. 127

All this merely starts to illustrate how blessed we are in America.  Yet we, the Church, wrap ourselves up in our own cares, ignoring the extensive needs of those all around us (even if we have to close our eyes to them).  If you’re like me, these facts might make you pause for moment, but then you shut them out because they make life too uncomfortable.

I don’t want to live comfortably at the expense of others (and that’s what it is…I don’t “deserve” a better life and haven’t earned it…I didn’t choose to be born here, to my parents).

I’m still thinking through what the implications of all of this.  I don’t have everything (anything) figured out.

While I don’t have much “stuff” by American standards, I’m sure if I added up the costs of everything I owned, I’d be shocked.  I do have more than I need.

I’m sorely tempted to give some of my income away and turn around and spend the rest on my own excesses.  I can placate myself by saying that I give more than most.   But would I except that excuse from my own child?  ”Mommy, I know I didn’t clean up my room like you asked, but I spent 2 minutes more on it than any of my friends.”

That’s not what God has called me to.

Photo by 96dpi

1. Why is this Five Question Friday “late?”

This week has gotten away from me. I’m glad that it’s Friday, but just a little surprised.

2.  What bands/artists do your parents listen to that you hate? Like?

I think my mom does/has listened to Barry Manilow (sorry if I’m slandering your name, Mom!) which I can’t stand. I can’t think of any of my Dad’s favorites that I don’t like (though all of the 70s/80s stuff is a bit cheesy…side note, that’s one reason why I like Glee so much: they take cheesy yet good old songs and make them cheeseless…well, relatively). My Dad likes Journey and Queen and I really do, too. My Mom likes the Beach Boys, which are definitely a guilty pleasure of mine.

3.  If you could only see black and white except for one color, what color would you choose to see?

Blue. There are so many different shades, and all pretty.

4.  Can you do any voices or impressions and if yes, what ones?

I really hate when people do voices/impressions. So no, I’ve never tried.

5.  Does true altruism exist?

If true altruism exists, it is in what God does and has done for us. I don’t think that anything a sinful human being can be completely altruistic, as everything is tainted by our sinful desires and motives.

“All the questions I have given you are very important,” he said.  ”But the most important question you can ask is, ‘Where is Jesus in your theory?’ ” – quoted in Green Like God by Jonathan Merritt, p. 83

“You held out your arms, I walked away / Insolent, I spurned your face / Squandering the gifts you gave to me / and holding close forbidden things” – “The Prodigal,” Sovereign Grace music

“Most Americans don’t hate the environment.  They don’t start forest fires to watch them burn or refuse to carpool because they think the sky looks prettier with a sooty grey hue.  They just think they have more important things to do.” – Green Like God by Jonathan Merritt, p. 50

“I do know my own mind,” protested Anne.  ”The trouble is my mind changes and I have to get acquainted with it all over again.” – Anne of the Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery

“[C]hurchmen who look at God, so to speak, through the wrong end of the telescope, so reducing him to pigmy proportions, cannot hope to end up as more than pigmy Christians, and clear-sighted people naturally want something better than this.” – Knowing God by J. I. Packer

“My tendency to pursue more and better is impossible to reconcile with the divine plan.” – Green Like God by Jonathan Merritt, p. 133

“You’re not racing?” the officer asked, chaffing him.
“My race is a harder one, ” Alexey Alexandrovitch responded deferentially.
And though the answer meant nothing, the general looked as though he had heard a witty remark from a witty man, and fully relished la pointe de la sauce.
-Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

“I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart.  There is a saying that “paper is more patient than man;” it came back to me on one of my slightly melancholy days, while I sat chin in hand, feeling too bored and limp even to make up my mind whether to go out or stay at home.” – Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl

“Overconsumption of energy, and virtually every resource imaginable, has become ‘the American way of life.’  What’s worse is that Americans are the only ones who don’t seem to realize it.” – Green Like God by Jonathan Merritt, p. 117

“But do you know, they interest me more than blind conformity to tradition–somebody else’s tradition–that I see among our own friends.  It seems stupid to have discovered America only to make it into a copy of another country.” – Ellen Olenska, Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

“While entertaining is having guests with everything prepared and served correctly, hospitality is having people feel comfortable in my home and happy to be there no matter what we are doing or eating.” – Laurie Twibell, Practicing Hospitality, p. 64

“A little knowledge of God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge about him.” – Knowing God by J. I. Packer

If you don’t like something in the American culture at large, is it okay to say it? Fight it? Encourage lawmakers to restrict it?

If the issue is the treatment of animals, the emission of greenhouse gases, or the enforcement of immigration laws, the answer seems to be yes.

But what if the issue is moral? Limiting pornography distribution, the defense of the traditional family, or the ending of legal abortion?

The answer seems to be no.

I know we Americans pride ourselves on our freedom.  I’m thankful to live here, truly.  But when did our inalienable rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” come to mean “you mind your own business and I do whatever I very well please” ?

I’m okay if that “whatever” is just a difference of opinion.  Or just stupid.  But when it is something harmful to others or trashes and distorts one of God’s good gifts, a line has been crossed.

Civil discussion encouraged.

Photo by Beverly & Pack