Just A Thought

BaruchText

2009-03-11T20:46:00.002-04:00

BaruchText.Wordpress.Com is where my latest blogs and thoughts will be found.

Heart Reprise

2009-02-03T14:03:00.003-05:00

So I am anxiously awaiting the coming semester, understanding that with it, will come the toughest obstacles in my life to overcome. As some of you know, I am engaged to be wed sometime next year. With that come many exciting responsibilities. On top of that, I am a full-time student taking a full-load of reading intense classes, that are going to demand much of my time and effort. I am an Oakwood Hall Resident Assistant, who chooses to live with Freshman in hope that God has something for me to give to them, between the meetings, events, service nights, and just late nights and early mornings with people who are beautiful.

I must not allow myself to be lost in all of this, and be conformed to the lie of the royal consciousness doing each of the "jobs" or "roles" for the sake of efficiency or even for the feeling of success upon completion of the semester, but instead hope that I will see myself, and be viewed by others as a simple man. An instrument of love.

With a very busy schedule.

Objective reality and Morality

2009-01-15T19:01:00.003-05:00

Some things I haven't come to grips with yet as a Christian thinker. When I attempt agree that truth is objective, and and apply the "rate it 1-10" scale on everything, I come eventually to morality. Do i help Marvin, who is a man who should have a full-time caretaker, because he is so feeble, and can hardly walk, but is driving to the hospital three times a week and checking into hotels every night in between because he ran or got kicked out of the Old folks home he was in? Or do i continue about my life in my scheduled events, going to classes and not getting in trouble by my professor, and going to paint with my fellow students at the Gospel Mission Center?

If Truth or for that matter morality is objective than why do we need a God?

I purtose a post!

2009-01-04T15:02:00.005-05:00

So, the holidays are over and I feel like ... crap. That's because you are you what you eat and i have had 3x the servings of it this season. Whether it's culture or me eating my emotions, it's bad and i don't like it. I feel sloth-like and often times just in a bad mood for no reason.

I was thinking earlier, "what's worse, wasting food or overeating?"

I have come to the conclusion that overeating is worse because not only does your body not use the food, but it's unhealthy. In essence overeating is killing yourself slowly, while still wasting the food. Not saying can't indulge now and again, i am saying this because in my case, every time I like what I am eating I go back for more, and I haven't found much that I don't like!

So I purpose a toast, to a new year, and another attempt at changing deeply formed habits, that effect me and everyone around me!

So...I'm Monstering Again

2008-12-08T13:57:00.003-05:00

mmmmmmm....reminds me of Xmas!

Purdue University

2008-11-15T16:18:00.003-05:00

I haven't even unpacked yet. Just got back from a relaxing trip with some Sociology friends to Purdue. I can't even tell you how much fun we had. Great talks on the way over and fun food. But There is nothing I can say to do rights to what I have experienced this weekend. A lot become much clearer for me in terms of career paths.

When we started pulling into campus, I was in shock of the look the campus has. The campus was enormous, but still tight together. Big big buildings everywhere with light, medium, or dark red brick. Some newer and some with vines climbing from corner to corner. People walking everywhere, to the Student union for coffee, or to one of the libraries in the area. This was still nothing to me, as I thought this is how it would be like before, I just assumed that no one cared about anyone else.

Then I met the faculty. I had the chance to meet Jim Davidson, who my professor, Dave Caddell learned under, while he was working for his degree at Purdue. I also had the chance to meet the head of the Sociology Department Viktor Gecas, who specializes in Sociology of the Family. Finally Dan Olson joined the discussion on what life is like as a grad student at Purdue, and gave a lot of helpful visualizations and characterizations about what exactly you are doing when you're there.

They all emphasized the mentorship, that will be happening throughout the course of the work. Also the class sizes as small as 4 and 5 where you'll be growing close to those you are

studying with. Then they told us that we are lucky to have a professor like Dr. Caddell, who will brings us there, to see the only school with 4 full professors in the specialty, Sociology of

Religion, all of which well-written.

I also learned that I don't want to be a sociologist. I don't want to be spending my days

doing stats, and taking polls, and making calculations, and all that stuff. I love Sociological theory. I love what framework it gives to look at the world. I love even more applying that imagination to the gaps we have in scriptures, and the process of interpretation. I have come to love Dr. Varughese' classes, that push me to the library, in commentaries, and challenges even

more my ability to write something that he wants to read.

I also learned what I want to find in a seminary. I love tradition. I love the bigness, and the availability of a college town that's not in a nowhere, but not necessarily in a huge city either.

Basically I'm excited. rejuvenated to go somewhere that the professors are doing

academic research and scholarly work. I have one professor personally, who I have no idea if he has ever written a single published article. All i know is that he used to be a pastor and he gives the same lectures he has been giving for the past

15 years. The same books. The same reading quizzes. The same tests. Am I learning, yes. But it's because of the involvment of professors who want to push me to be a better person and a better student, that has fueled my passion for

education.

In one class Dr. Caddell asked a question and was awaiting a response. And waiting, and

waiting. He wasn't going to answer it for the class. So he called on a young man near the middle of the class. The student said, "I don't know what you want!"

Caddell replied, "I want you to think."

"I don't pay you to make me think" answered the student

Ha. Loving it all right now.

Holistic Acceptance?

2008-11-06T14:43:00.006-05:00

I feel like a bit of an outcast right now. My mom recently expressed her anxiety in having a son who has been "changed by all of these new ideas." I haven't been able to talk to my mom much, being at school three hours away and all. Being an RA and having almost zero dollars makes it difficult to frequent the highway on weekends, and gives lists more to do outside the busyness provided by the classes.

Have I not been a good son? Is that a responsibility that I am still to assume? Did I just forget about it among lists of others i have so quickly taken on?

I have a clear understanding of the base at which her social policy and theology are formed. I have been there. It came with me to MVNU in that old Mercury Grand Marquis. When she said goodbye to me, holding the piece of ribbon, did she know what would happen? She didn't think I was ready for the responsibility or the freedom. That's what she told me.

When I tell her about basic philosophical, theological, or even political principles, they aren't separate from one another. My Theology greatly impacts my philosophy and my line of political thinking. She doesn't think that way.

I am trying to figure out what I can do for my mom to accept me as I am. Right now. It's kind of sad, I really thought that I always had that. That she would ALWAYS be the one person who understands. Maybe she does. I don't think so. She skipped this stage in life I'm pretty sure.

I am going home this weekend. So, we'll see what happens.

Clarification on the latest Viewer

2008-11-02T16:22:00.004-05:00

There was an article put out by the viewer saying that Sociology was one of the smallest majors on campus with 8 people.

I just wanted to clarify. According to the Sociology Prof Dr. Caddell we have about 30.

Sunday Soccer

2008-11-02T16:16:00.003-05:00

Not much out there that's better than getting to meet new people at Sunday Soccer. People who are nothing like me. People from places I have never known of. I love that on this day of rest I can come together with people I do know and people I don't.

Sunday Soccer is a place where people in the community find their way onto campus and engage in some no big deal, pick-up soccer. Anyone can come.

The soccer field, Mount Vernon's new 3rd place.

The Ecclesiastic Approach

2008-10-21T18:40:00.003-04:00

I think I have taken the Ecclesiastic Approach to politics this this season. Even though I know that these candidates have an impact on the world around me either for positive or negative, that the world and our problem of Evil will not be changed by which way I vote. Or maybe that these things do effect our world as a whole and the problem of Evil, but they don't change God.

That there are seasons of evil and good in all of our lives, and God is moving through all of it, working, and speaking through it all. If people die (family, friends, myself), God is still THE sovereign creator and administrator of all things, and me and all my actions are just "dust in the wind".

That's how I have truly felt. Call me Emo, or what you will.

Let me know.

Time-Space Distanciation

2008-10-09T19:36:00.003-04:00

(+)Time and Space are the center of what we do. Together.

Jim: Hey Greg, Wanna go out for lunch?

Greg: I'd love to Jim, you name the place and the time and I'll be there.

(+)Modernization attempts to push the two apart(Time and Space). For example: You can now order clothes or even your groceries online, at the click of a few buttons.

(+)When we begin to distance our time and space we lose trust. Example: Although you ordered your clothes online, you have to worry about whether it's a legitimate website, since there's no one there to meet. You also have to hope you are getting the right products. In this act you have begun trusting other people in society less.

(+)Money is a good example of this. Money has exchangeability, meaning most people value it universally. This increase in exchangeability and efficiency in trade, decrease community and trust, because the person ensuring the value of the money is not the person who gave it to you. It is the government. If you would trade your neighbor your shovel for his rake, you are hoping that the rake he is giving you is a sturdy rake that can do the job (and he's thinking the same), so there is an amount of risk involved. But when the rake is received in good condition, the rake is no longer just a rake, but a rake that symbolizes the trust you have built with your neighbor. Why is it that when your grandma gives you a fifty for your birthday you don't keep it? It's a nice gift isn't it? Without spending it, it's valueless is it not? Whereas if she gave you a handmade quilt, even if you hate quilts, you will keep, because the quilt is a symbol of the relationship of you and your Grandma whom you Love.

Thoughts?

Pictures, rendering our words worthless

2008-09-30T21:15:00.008-04:00

Food Not Bombs: Cute Animation

2008-09-30T20:51:00.000-04:00

Found this on Food Not Bombs website, made me giggle!

R f E a A i S t O h N

2008-09-29T18:19:00.006-04:00

It seems that whether I read about the statistical relative of the size of 1st Century cities and with what ease the cities are converted (Stark, The Rise of Christianity), or if I am reading about the history of Biblical Interpretation, I find myself wanting to apply things in rational terms.

Today in Chapel a Female Pastor came and spoke on evangelism. She claimed she was speaking on prayer, but she was talking about how Prayer is necessary for Evangelism and Revival.
I found myself taking notes like:
- What is Revival? -What's the difference between Revival and Reform? -When was the first Revival historically? Biblically?
- What's the sociological significance of the campmeeting?

This one Got me excited.

After reading Stark, my whole view of Evangelism/Conversion experience has changed. Historically and Sociologically you observe that people come to new Religions, when they have close ties with people in that Religion. Also when the norms and values of the Religion are not a far drop from the culture the converted individuals experienced before. This is why the Early Christian movement is so Jewish in nature. There are thousands upon thousands of Diaspora Jews spread throughout the Roman Empire, who no longer hold to Jewish Law strictly because they are enveloped in hellenized culture. They don't have to change much because they already meet together, are monotheistic in nature, and struggling with living the Torah in these hellenized cities.

So I begin thinking of the campmeetings of the early 1800's and how this time was filled with families traveling and especially on the east and west coasts, there are disassociated "cultural christians" coming, newly to the country, and they have no ties. There are huge tents with lots of people coming to them from all around, especially out in the frontier land, near the big rivers. If you take your family, and finally you feel a sense of belonging, not to mention what the guy is saying sounds alright, but mainly you have a social network now.

My thought process jumps to why God asks early on, that we take care of the widow, orphan, and the alien. Obviously economically these people in the time, can't take care of themselves and are alone. But I think the fact that they are ALONE is much more important here than any lack of resources. We need each other. Social networks. Table. A place to belong.

I almost feel like a heretic because I define the word Religion's purpose as "finding meaning and belonging."

Creative Demonstration: Iraqi Vets against the War

2008-09-13T23:10:00.005-04:00

I was reading articles and watching videos online about the IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against the War) to understand what perspectives they were bringing to the table.

This creative demonstration in city streets was shocking to me. To see scenery that I familiarize with home, being at odds with these people. The idea that we could be bringing more terror to the people of Iraq than democracy frightens me. Yet the involvment level of these veterans who have lost friends to these same scenarios they are acting out seems to take an amount of courage I hope to have one day. Courage to go back to the very place that scares me most because that place needs justice.

gods

2008-09-09T09:36:00.002-04:00

Terrell Sanders put it this way...

"gods are what motivate anything we do. why do you wake up in the morning? why do you go to bed on time? why do you do what you do, the way you do? what motivates you?

Rage Against the Machine puts it this way...

"Fear is your only god on a radio, nah, f*** it, turn it off!"

"shut down the devil's sound, where's your freedom now?!"

Little morning thought, brought to you in part by MVNU and Parental Advisory stickers.

Earthships

2008-09-01T00:53:00.012-04:00

Please go to my friend Ryan's blog page by clicking on "Ryan Walker" as it is found on my Blogroll and watch the youtube links on his last post. I will be frequenting the site hoping to read some interesting comments as I was excited and somewhat moved by the videos, and would hope that my friends would share the same enthusiasm I have for such things.

Or you can click on this

POOP

OR you can click HERE to visit the earthships site directly.

Thought Chain:Marginalization, Margin, Wall, Separation

2008-08-27T02:38:00.007-04:00

We are talking about the "marginalized" during SLC week. But I am kind of still confused at what a marginalized looks like. This is because in our efforts to LABEL what a marginalized person looks like, we began marginalizing people who are the marginalizers, which we found to be...US!?

Therefore in our efforts to identify and come to the rescue for the marginalized, we found

ourselves marginalized and helpless to help anyone. Unless we realized, that maybe it's the unity we all have in our marginalization that makes us all broken and sharing the very fact that

we all need a saviour because our broken selves could never make it without one.

What is a Margin? The edge or border of something.

1)Border patrol

2)Mexicans

These came to mind:

Fences, Walls, Gates

Theological references to Pearly gates or the gates of Hell. Attempts to place limits on where these places begin and end, so that our minds may grasp them? Walls were formed around the first city that never was meant to be in the first place.

So SGA tore down a wall and put new paint on the remaining walls. Hooray co

mmunity! I'm freaking nuts. I need sleep. Goodnight world wide web.

Maybe the balance of community and Solitude is found best not behind or within walls but in raw nature (if there is such thing anymore).

to post a comment or reply, click on the link labeled "thoughts" at the bottom of this post

Observations: Airport

2008-08-14T09:03:00.004-04:00

I am the creepy guy right now who is writing a blog about people who are all around me.

It's in no way silent, but it's a weird quiet. The sounds consist of cell phone conversations. People talking among fellow family and friend passenger buddies.

Interaction is not encouraged by body language and the way people sit unexposed, 3 to 4 seats away from each other.

Most people waiting are finding entertainment in: Newspapers, Magazines, Mini DVD players, iPods, Books and the previously mentioned cell phone conversations.

Every 15 minutes the intercom reminds of of the current Security Level

I just saw two nuns. I kinda want to talk to them. They're walking away. Dangit. An Orthodox Jew! sweet. I could be stereotyping, but I'm not because these are not members of subculture, but counter culture, setting themselves apart, making themselves easily picked out. The reason I get excited when I see people observing different norms and beliefs, is because I am interested not in what sets them apart from culture, these things are easy to come by. It is rather to find out what things are "binding" factors, that are relative to the individual and how they have a connection with me or the other persons around me.

Anyhow, the airport workers seem somewhat "machine"-like, but I only have come into contact with a small portion, as my observations are limited. My hypothesis as to why that is, rests in their mundane, repetitive responsibilities, looking at the interaction with people, over time, as the "job" which depersonalizes it taking people's stories and identities from the individuals and making them "Flyers."

I have noticed people dress "up" (I am assuming this term is a reference to a multiple class system, and a person of a lower class attempting to dress in clothes that would show a higher class than they are) at least from my perspective of culture's "mainline" or average dress for special occasions.

Apparently I can't smoke in the terminal.

Also it could be that only the upper class tend to fly, showing a group that is more affluent and dresses "up" more often because they can afford to do so.

Any more conclusions or hypothesis?

My little Jungle (Part two)

2008-07-28T11:05:00.002-04:00

I am pretty frustrated with how our lawn looks and a little embarrassed. It's embarrassing enough when people see our house on the outside and then we invite people onto the porch where there is garbage and lots of "inside" furniture including a dresser and some Lounge chairs. Then if they haven't turned and ran at this pint they come into a nasty-smelling house with a random junk everywhere, a dog that wants to be let out and someone probably asleep on our couch.

When the dog goes outside there's only a few places off the sidewalk that she can go, because she is shorter than most of our lawn. I feel sorry for our neighbors, who have to look across the street everyday at our yard.

I think I'm going to start pulling weeds when I get home.

Olivia Jane DeLong

2008-07-18T13:02:00.003-04:00

Beautiful baby with a beautiful family. I get to watch her beautiful story unfold before my eyes. I get to be even the smallest tiniest part of her story. God's story.

my little jungle

2008-07-06T01:14:00.003-04:00

There's a little section of the lawn that hasn't been mowed...well...since it's started growing again. And I love it. The Salvation Army has three mowers for the property and we have yet to get one working on the lawn, but I am ok with that.

I love coming home from work and just walking back through a vast wilderness, where there are bugs and creatures thriving in the new overhead protection from the tall grass and weeds. The smell of this huge weed bush thing is so amazing and it's right next to/overtaking the porch. I think I am going to prune it like a normal tree and see what happens.

I hope the neighbors don't mind, I mean besides us having "inside furniture" on our porch such as Lazy Boy recliners and disassembled dressers and Giant weeds overcoming the side of our house. Did I mention the vines? They are beautiful. The are covering the whole fence now, and making their way through the lawn and up the sides of the porch. Beautiful.

mewithoutYou

2008-06-20T12:33:00.003-04:00

Probably the best show I have ever been to. They are an amazing fun band that inspires me to follow my musical talents further. Maybe one day I'll be as good a poet as Aaron Weiss. There's something extremely beautiful about what they do on stages in bars across america everyday. It's so much more than a rock show, or even a performance, but an experience. For many a new experience.

I am left Changed.

Christ: the Prophet, Priest, and King

2008-06-03T12:24:00.006-04:00

In the series on the government I defer to the old testament where there are constantly three roles people are taking in seeking God's will.

Priests are to be cleansers and preparers of sacrifice...

Prophets are to be visionaries in teaching and proclaiming... ALL ACCORDING TO GOD'S

Kings are to bring Justice, Freedom, and Peace to God's people... WILL!

Then in the New Testament there is this God/Man who successfully engages all three roles. He happened to be Jesus Christ cleansing people and being the final sacrifice for the atonement of all sins, proclaiming and teaching God's will as a visionary, and seeking Justice, Freedom, and Peace for ALL PEOPLE.

So now, what is our role? Are we called to one? Have we been called to the life of Christ and in so doing, embodying all three roles? How then?

Jesus in Public: Insurance

2008-05-25T21:05:00.006-04:00

Is insurance wrong?

If it is wrong; is it fundamentally wrong, or is it wrong because Insurance Agencies are making more money than any other business' and taking more advantage of their power as in many cases it is a law to have it?

If you think it is the latter, what could people in insurance do to make it more ethical or run it like Jesus would?

Does Jesus Christ show us anything about this?