Happy Fat Tuesday!
All of my friends have been talking about what they're going to give up for Lent, and I have yet to decide. I have about 50 minutes left to do so. I'm leaning towards giving up Facebook, but sometimes I feel like that's not nearly enough.
I think that if we give something up, it should be something that is a major distraction to our faith. One of my friends also pointed out that Lent doesn't need to be about giving something up; it can also be about doing something new.
I decided that I'm going to try to do both - first, I'm going to attempt to give up all internet access except for my school email, and school necessary sites such as moodle.
A few weeks ago, my girlfriend and I began reading the same devotions separately, and then calling each other at night to discuss them. Even though I started this habit before Lent, I'm going to use the free time I have (that I would have used for the internet) to concentrate and reflect more on the devotions everyday.
Since I am so used to being on the internet everyday, I'll post a few blogs over the forty days about how I'm doing. I'm predicting that I'll struggle a little bit, which, to be honest, makes me feel bad about how dependent I am on technology, etc, which is a whole other topic.
What are you doing for Lent, and how is it going to bring you closer to God?
I'm not knocking down things like, "no chocolate" or "less pop", but I'm encouraging you to maybe take away something that distracts you from your faith, or maybe add a spiritual discipline.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Contradictions
While watching the super bowl, my friends and I had a brief discussion on how hypocritical musicians are now.
For example, Lil' Wayne, within the same song, manages to acknowledge (because I won't call it praise) God and use the "N" word along with bitch, shit, and a plethora of other offensive terms. I decided to write some of these words so that people could understand how hypocritical this really is.
In the same song that God is mentioned, Lil' Wayne runs his mouth without a filter, an offense that many artists, not just rap or hip-hop, are finding themselves guilty of. And you better believe that the CD credits thank God for all the "success."
So what?
By doing this, artists like Lil' Wayne are promoting a sort of lazy spirituality. Yea, you can say you believe in God when it's convenient, or when it'll boost your record sales and get you a few more hits on Youtube. But don't forget to talk hard when your friends come around.
As a Christian I find it extremely offensive that someone would take using God's name so lightly. I am certainly not saying that Christians don't swear or mess up. We do. Especially me. But to use God's name and curse in the same song knowingly, for millions of people to hear and see, is wrong. Artists need to grow up and see that they are responsible for their art and who will experience it.
The same goes for the Christian consumer; if you feel like you probably shouldn't listen to a certain song, then you have a responsibility to not listen. The excuse "oh I just listen to it for the music, I don't listen to the lyrics," doesn't work. If you're listening to the song, you hear the lyrics. Music is a powerful, powerful tool. Songs should be used to praise God, not contradict our belief in Him.
For example, Lil' Wayne, within the same song, manages to acknowledge (because I won't call it praise) God and use the "N" word along with bitch, shit, and a plethora of other offensive terms. I decided to write some of these words so that people could understand how hypocritical this really is.
In the same song that God is mentioned, Lil' Wayne runs his mouth without a filter, an offense that many artists, not just rap or hip-hop, are finding themselves guilty of. And you better believe that the CD credits thank God for all the "success."
So what?
By doing this, artists like Lil' Wayne are promoting a sort of lazy spirituality. Yea, you can say you believe in God when it's convenient, or when it'll boost your record sales and get you a few more hits on Youtube. But don't forget to talk hard when your friends come around.
As a Christian I find it extremely offensive that someone would take using God's name so lightly. I am certainly not saying that Christians don't swear or mess up. We do. Especially me. But to use God's name and curse in the same song knowingly, for millions of people to hear and see, is wrong. Artists need to grow up and see that they are responsible for their art and who will experience it.
The same goes for the Christian consumer; if you feel like you probably shouldn't listen to a certain song, then you have a responsibility to not listen. The excuse "oh I just listen to it for the music, I don't listen to the lyrics," doesn't work. If you're listening to the song, you hear the lyrics. Music is a powerful, powerful tool. Songs should be used to praise God, not contradict our belief in Him.
Comfortability
Is it right to help people who can barely afford to have a home while you stay in a five star hotel?
This is a question I've struggled with. I have the opportunity to go do mission work in Belize while staying in a five-star hotel. The trip would cost upwards of a thousand dollars, and to me, that makes it seem more like a vacation.
I struggle with this because I would feel uncomfortable working with people in need, and then going back to sleep in a comfortable, air conditioned, safely locked hotel room that has more accommodations than one human could ever need. I understand the possibilities of working with a hotel to help people, but I still don't think I would be able to experience two contradicting places in such a short amount of time.
I also find this decision hard because last year I worked in Belize with the same people, but it was at a summer camp on the island of San Pedro. I stayed in a bunkhouse that wouldn't have had water if it wasn't for the rain that fell the few days before I got there.
What really gets me is that the kids I worked with last summer made me promise I would come back next summer. Now, not only can I not afford to come back, but the camp isn't even happening - it has been replaced by the new work being done out of a five star hotel.
This is a question I've struggled with. I have the opportunity to go do mission work in Belize while staying in a five-star hotel. The trip would cost upwards of a thousand dollars, and to me, that makes it seem more like a vacation.
I struggle with this because I would feel uncomfortable working with people in need, and then going back to sleep in a comfortable, air conditioned, safely locked hotel room that has more accommodations than one human could ever need. I understand the possibilities of working with a hotel to help people, but I still don't think I would be able to experience two contradicting places in such a short amount of time.
I also find this decision hard because last year I worked in Belize with the same people, but it was at a summer camp on the island of San Pedro. I stayed in a bunkhouse that wouldn't have had water if it wasn't for the rain that fell the few days before I got there.
What really gets me is that the kids I worked with last summer made me promise I would come back next summer. Now, not only can I not afford to come back, but the camp isn't even happening - it has been replaced by the new work being done out of a five star hotel.
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