10.29.07 :: Dear diarrhea
If being in nature brings us skin-to-skin with God, then being in public transit brings us skin-to-skin with humanity.
So here I am, sitting in the subway on the way home, trying to plow through the OT (in Deuteronomy right now... only 700 pages to go!) and writing some notes down for Kessler's class in a fancy notebook when the guy standing in front of me says, "Dear diarrhea". I laugh and reply, "Not quite. Homework."
He goes on to narrate a story about him in grade school, putting up his hand, very much wanting to go to the bathroom, and the teacher telling him a flat no. This happens several more times, then he finally yells, "I have diarrhea!" and runs out, soiled pants and all. Nothing like embarassing toilet stories to get to know someone!
Then his friend, who has sat down beside me beforehand asks, "Are you Christian?" Reading the Bible on the subway kinda gives you dead away. "Yep," I venture. "Are you?" He replies affirmative (the other guy says, "He's the good one"), and we talk a wee bit about our respective churches. He asks whether I was going to school or shopping, and I'm thinking, oh, here we go.
Random Subway Guy: "So what are you studying?"
Me: "Uhh... I'm doing a masters of divinity program."
RSG: "A what?"
Me: "Masters of divinity program?"
RSG: "What's divinity?"
[This is the point I vary the script, as I have yet to find a good way of explaining my situation to people who aren't down with the jargon. Oh, jargon. Christians need to do away with jargon.]
Me: "Umm... I'm studying to become a minister."
[A minister??? That's new... to me!]
RSG: "Oh, good for you!"
Me: [blushes]
RSG: "So, would you be placed with a church, or do you have to find a church?"
Me: "Actually, I don't really want to work in a church. I want to work in a community."
RSG: "Oh, that's good. It makes sense."
Me: "Yeah."
The conversation goes on for not too much longer along those lines. But, oh, the difficulty in explaining what I'm doing with myself and trying to turn it into a witnessing moment! A few weeks ago, I was showing a couple and a gentleman how to get to various stations, and the same situation came up. I used "seminary," drawing blank stares (none of them were Canadian-born). I used "Masters of Divinity" to the same effect. I just left it at "school" after that. I forget the term I was going to adopt that I concocted after the fact. "I'm in school studying about God," or something. I dunno. Nothing seems to fit.
Nonetheless - oh, how I enjoy talking with people on the subway! It's a little strange, since I'm usually the one with my nose in the book, not very attentive to what's going on around. For some reason, the conversations I've had have always steered towards my education (okay, I can only recall these two conversations, but still...), which always makes for an interesting dance of sorts. And I really do relish in these moments because I get to put the multitude of theoretics about reaching the post-modern world in Gospel, Church and Culture discussion and the Newbigin and Van Gelder books into use. That's what being a Christian is about - sharing your life in Christ.
Oh, and apparently I missed a really good lecture last Thursday in Gospel about Jesus' ministry not being urgent and him not shoving down the gospel down people's throats, but rather establishing relationships with people as his first priority. So all the awkward feelings I have about sharing the gospel (and bringing people to EMs and drawing the bridge diagram and all that) are somewhat well-founded!
Hah, and just this afternoon a fellow student from church was offering me rides to school if I needed. With the opportunity to meet people and talk with them on the bus and the subway, I don't think I want rides to school! I'll take the 2+ hours in public transit, getting to know more of the humanity that I'd otherwise shy away from.
Yes, that sounds like a good missions major's plan.
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10.28.07 :: It's official
Victoria will be going to the Anberlin/Mae/Motion City Soundtrack/Metro Station concert on November 18th @ Kool Haus!
That's her concert of the year. Heh.
In other news, check out the trailer for Lars and the Real Girl. Looks like the melancholic, quirky film that's right up my alley.
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10.27.07 :: Post-retreat
The Spiritual Formation retreat at Queen of Apostles was great, although I'm still tired. And it's not like it was rush, rush, rush either (ahh... a true retreat). It just wasn't long enough. Watching the Credit River race by during part of the 4.5 hours of silence made me very much not want to re-enter life. I'd very much like to stand at the riverside and just watch life flow by for a while. I envy Henri Nouwen very much, having the chance to slow down for 7 months at the Abbey of the Genessee (oh my goodness, Father John Eudes is still alive! and, mmm, Monks' Bread). It always brings me comfort to know that it took him 1 month to really quiet down before God and get to probe some deep questions that never got to bubble up when he was teaching. That would be quite an experience to have.
Anyway, it was wonderful sharing life with 60 other brothers and sisters from the school, learning about the passions that different people have (and how similar they sometimes are!). I loved the chapel services we had, and celebrating the Eucharist each day (though the significance of it still eludes me, after being baptized for so long), and the dream interpretations felt a bit like a talk show, but still very illuminating. Oh, and the food... simply delicious! I think Queen of Apostles is a very hospitable place - I especially enjoyed Father Tuan's welcome (a Vietnamese Catholic - very cool). I highly recommend it as a local place to do some regular spiritual reflection.
In other news, the OCC shopping trip was really fun, as usual. There's something about looking at toys and actually buying them again that gives a joyous spirit. Remember to bring in your shoeboxes this Sunday!!!
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10.24.07 :: Pleasures of procrastination and a forage into soy milk
I forget where I teefed this from (kudos, unknown creator!), but it gives me minutes (yeah, well, you can only take so much) of pleasure whenever I'm working on a paper and feeling very, very much like doing something else. Look as the eye balls pop out, bounce around on a vein, and fly away! As well, computer games (uh, and by that I mean Hearts or FreeCell or Minesweeper) become exceptionally fun, fanfics beg to be worked on, and that album I haven't listened to in eons screams to be played. You know the drill.
On a completely different note, my family has somewhat switched to soy milk because the cow's milk that we used to buy often spoils before we finish it (mainly because my sister is the only one that ever drinks it - all 3 bags of it). And of course, for myself, I can throw in a few ethical issues. We're not buying the Chinese stuff, but PC Organics Fortified Soy Beverage. It ain't bad! It's slightly cheaper than milk in the same size (2L), I think. I even tried it in coffee and tea - it tastes a little different, but it's fine. Now we'll have to see how it tastes like in cooking. Soy muffins? Soy oatmeal? Soy quiche? Hmm...
Suddenly I feel slightly like a west coast valley girl. Like, do I have to start eating salads, like, everyday? Ohmigawd, ew!
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10.21.07 :: All of these things, so much afraid
Okay, folks. This, this, and this (among others) prove to me that I have a looooooooong way to go before I become a fiction writer. Dude, I get bored with my own writing. I get stuck at the bigger picture (as in, "oooo, wouldn't this be interesting?") and just can't get into the details (they turn list-like, like a rote recount of events - not exactly enticing and exhilarating for fiction). Sad, but horribly, horribly true. I guess the nice way of putting it is that story writing doesn't quite come naturally to me, and that I have to pour immense effort into it before I produce anything of readable value.
Hah, I bet if I gave the story I'm currently working on to Che Guevara, he'd say something like this: "No - basically it's poorly written and that makes it hard to read. It's a very good try doctor, but I think you should focus on what you know best." Yeah, that sounds about right. Except for the doctor part.
We'll see what happens when an editor returns my contender for the Toronto Star Short Story Contest. I think I'll end up putting it in just so I can say that I finally entered the stinkin' contest.
I guess I'll focus on songwriting instead. But, oh, plot bunnies. Why do you clog up my head?
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10.20.07 :: Post-modernity
The past few JOY gatherings have been beautifully intimate and honest, and quite the epitome of the post-modern age, I've found. We've been struggling in class to unscramble the way the church needs to minister to the post-modernists (likes the bite size, but wants the whole world), and here I see it unfold in my community. There are some ideals of the past to be let go of, and a whole lot of risk taking needed as we venture into this volatile and uncommitted age.
That's what's been bubbling in mind lately.
On a completely different note, go read Geez Magazine. Or you can read "Silence, ma ch�re" here.
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10.16.07 :: I cannot tell
Bought me two books today from Tyndale's book sale - Punk Monk: New Monasticims And The Anicent Art Of Breathing by Pete Greig and Andy Freeman, and The Making of a Mentor: Nine Essential Characteristics Of Influential Christian by Ted W. Engstrom and Ron Jenson. The monastic heart in me wants to get started with Punk Monk ASAP, especially as I contemplate incorporating more aspects of social justice into my lifestyle. But the rationalistic mind knows I should really be a) working on my Joseph characterization assignment, b) reading the OT, c) reading KBH, Tate, and the SRs for Leung Lai's class. I guess I'll have to wait 'til Christmas or something, and settle with the haunting and oh-so-contemporary Isaiah for now (that book pumps me up).
Speaking of Christmas, please check out Buy Nothing Christmas and consider it for this upcoming holiday season.
Also, we sang this today in chapel during the installation of Dr. Howard Snyder as the Chair of Wesley Studies. It goes to the tune of Londonderry Air (Danny Boy - a midi can be found here). Made me want to pen me another hymn, but then I realized that all the lines in my head were lame. Oh well, I'll keep 11.10.11.10.11.10.11.12 in mind. It'd be nice to pen a contemporary hymn sometime.
I Cannot Tell - William Young Fullerton
I cannot tell why he whom angels worship
should set his love upon the human race,
or why, as shepherd, he should seek the wanderer
to bring them back to know his saving grace.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary,
when Bethl'hem's manger was his only home,
and that he lived at Nazareth and labored,
and so the Savior, Savior of the world, is come.I cannot tell how silently he suffered,
as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
or how his heart upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted,
and stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
and lifts the burden from the heavy-laden,
for yet the Savior, Savior of the world, is here.I cannot tell how he will win the nations,
how he will claim his earthly heritage,
how satisfy the needs and aspirations
of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,
and he shall reap the harvest he has sown,
and some glad day his sun shall shine in splendor
when he the Savior, Savior of the world, is known.I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
when, at his bidding, every storm is stilled,
or who can say how great the jubilation
when every heart with perfect love is filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with gladness,
and myriad, myriad human voices sing,
and earth to heav'n, and heav'n to earth, will answer:
'At last the Savior, Savior of the world, is King!'
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10.8.07.b :: Mad Church Disease
Don't know what to make of it yet, but it'll probably be really worth looking into once it comes out.
Here's one of many comments online:
Mad Church Disease is a much-needed book. Those of us involved in ministry know the danger of becoming burned out - and we all know people who have been there. Anne Jackson's authenticity and wit will take readers on an eye-opening journey across the mountaintops and through the deep valleys of ministry.
Marla Alupoaicei, Author and Director of Leap of Faith Ministries, marriageleap.com
I guess Christians everywhere are battling the Mad Church Disease, huh?
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10.8.07.a :: It's the (al)most wonderful time of the year
First off: happy 17th anniversary to my family's immigration to Canada! The first day, we dressed in parkas. Today, we dress in shorts and t-shirts. Crazy global warming.
Anyway, I'm ripping off Ceci's post about the beloved Operation Christmas Child. She's our operation commander this year. Please join our efforts for this great cause!
OCC is on at MCBC!
Details below:
If you are interested in helping us at the tables on Sundays (inform ppl about the fundraiser, hand out labels, check incoming boxes, etc.), please let me know ASAP (this is Cecilia's e-mail)! Any help would be appreciated � thanks in advance guys!
- We don't have boxes to give out this year (sorry!), so please find your own boxes
- If you have extra shoeboxes, for other to fill up, please share and drop them off at our table on Sunday!
- Labels will be available beginning next Sunday, October 14
- Drop off completed boxes + money ($7 per box for shipping) at our table on these Sundays: Oct 21, 28 and Nov 4
Thanksgiving memories of Cranium, Bang, and Catch Phrase to treasure from the day before, and roast beef to look forward to tonight. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. :o)
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10.5.07 :: Grocery run
There is always joy in strolling around a grocery store, wondering which packs of diapers to pick up, how many cans of pasta to throw in the cart, how much the total is. And of course, there's that trip to the local fire station to drop off the goods, always hoping the firefighters might open up the garage and ask what's going on, then offer a tour of the fire trucks like the first time.
Thanks to my partner-in-crime for your passion to do these things together! And it was great seeing Shirley again after so many months!
We're going to make it monthly, so if you can make it, let me know and we'll do it together!
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10.1.07 :: Things to look forward to
First, a little update with writing can be read here.
Grocery run this Friday. Accountability starting up on the 14th. Mel coming home! Breakfast with the girls! Retreat at Queen of Apostles... possibly x2, but definitely retreat x2.
But for now, I shall look forward to what Martens has to say about the OT. SO much more interesting than biblical interpretation/hermeneutics/appropriation. Blah. Ugh. Barf.