Empty

Paul told some Christians in a letter that he was being poured out like a drink offering. We sing a song, "Emptied Himself of all but love..."

I realize these men are rockstars of my faith (One being supremely greater than the other, though he did say imitate me as I imitate the supreme rockstar), but I kinda relate to that idea of being empty right now. The last three weeks I've slept in one day. Even this past Thursday I had off I had to wake up and do something I didn't want to. I tried to enjoy a hike that same day, but was rushed to get back into town for ridiculously early commitment. People in my life are having meltdowns or not going anywhere at all.

So I'm pouring myself out on them. I've saved up a pretty sizeable ammount of good juju so I'm offloading it. I think I did it too fast.

Now I'm going to Bible camp where I feel like I'm going to continue to pour myself out for an entire week. Except there's nothing left to pour. So, I'm going to leave this cup imagery and think of myself as a sponge. Squeeze a sponge and you squeeze out the water, yet the sponge is still damp. You can always squeeze out more.

Caution: Science Content Ahead
Or think of the soil. There are two water contents in soil that we look for. The first is field capacity. This is the amount of water a pedon (dirt clod) can hold before its pores completely saturated. At this point water can freely flow through the soil; rain falls down and feeds the groundwater, which feeds the river that fills the ocean. The other water content is called the wilting point. This is the water content in which plants can no longer draw water off of the soil because the minerals are holding on to water molecules much like a super magnet. There is still water in the soil but it is not usable. This water gives the soils its ability to maintain its structure.

So maybe I'm soil, I was a Water and Soil Major after all. I give life to plants by letting them all draw water off of me while I wait for rain and then I will be able to let the water flow through me so that I can fill the ocean. (After all I'm going to Bible camp and I should experience the fullness of God there, right?)

namaste
vaya con Dios

Facebook Hate

So, the incredibly anonymous blogger Fiyaman (to whom I'm related), left for paradise today. No Sarah, not Alaska! At approximately 1:30 tomorrow morning he will arrive on the island of Oahu by way of Phoenix and Maui. Yeah he's roughing it among the hula dancers, surfers, and ukuleles. I bet he gets lei'ed as soon as he gets off the plane.

I report this not only to wish him Godspeed and traveling mercies, but to use him as an inspiration for this post. His (as of late, silent) blog was dedicated to espousing his opinions on the political discourse of this country and his views on how this shapes our lives. That being said, some of his opinions are strong and not everyone agrees with them.

I've recently been asked by several facebook acquaintances to join groups decrying certain causes. Most of these groups do not line up with my political philosophy, but that is only one of the reasons I don't join them. The second reason I don't join these groups (including groups that do align with my philosophy), is that these groups demonize the opposing opinion. I recieved an invite this morning for "The Welfare Box" facebook group. The premise seems pretty benign and even innovative on the surface, until you read that these people will work for less than minimum wage. Curious, I looked at the rest of the groups my friend, who invited me, belonged to. It was a myriad of basically "hate" groups. Not skin head, KKK, Optomist International hate groups, but a couple of political I hate this person who is no longer running for presidential office, and a lot of "I hate this football team and question their sexual orientation" groups.

Next week, I will be a counselor at a rather conservative Bible Camp. It will be funny because, I won't be derided for my politics (which I try not to discuss), but for my choice of SEC football teams. Now, the irony of these arguments is that most of them will be perpetuated by 10-13 year olds who have never attended college. The major reason most of them cheer for this team is because of their parents, who most likely didn't attend the university they root for. I realize how convinient it is to dislike teams, especially since gator rhymes with hater (or in hacker termz g8r h8r). But, honestly why did one choose that school over your school. Simple, in-state tuition. I am going to support the Bulldogs because they represent UGA and the football team has no bearing on the value of my education.

But, while those kids choose their team based on their parents affiliation, I also realize they will hold world views based on their parents example. And while its kinda funny to join facebook groups like this, this, this (that's supposed to be a liberal hate link but just look up "I hate Bush", or this, what message are you spreading to your friends. Do we even think anymore when we say the word hate? Do we even remember what hate looks like when it manifests itself as discrimination, prejudice, gossip, and sophomoric facebook groups? Can we realize our worldviews are full of silent seething hate when we won't listen to the other side of the debate?
Honestly, this is what happens when you let little hate fester and pass it on to others.

What do you hate?

a boring post (absolutely no insight)

Well guys, its been two and a half months since I last spewed words onto a screen. Yeah, there are excuses, but who cares, right? I'm back now...ish. Campus ministry is a lot of fun and sometimes more work than you think. The majority of what I do comes in time-sensitive lumps. Which is ok, I guess but I'd rather have it spaced out.

Currently, I'm sitting in my brand spanking new office facing its fancy, red, accent wall. I'm supposed to take Thursdays off to prevent burn out and get stuff done. However, I have a desk and my laptop is here, so I think I'll stick around a bit. I really like having a space to go to. It gives a good definition to when I'm in work mode. Not only is it my office, its MY office. I had to clean out a junked up space, patch a couple holes, paint the thing, and put together the desk and chair. I have some serious ownership of this place. I'll be leaving it in a couple years and handing it off to another apprentice at the GCSC so that will be sad.

I like this space because it kinda validates me. It shows that I work and have a purpose. I like knowing where my place is in the world and that I'm doing something to effect it. I even have business cards now with the title "campus minister" on them. The first two weeks have been busy and I hope it continues. I like having something to do everyday.

Sorry kids that's it just another boring post. (But how about the new look, huh?)