Saturday, January 24, 2009
Monday, June 2, 2008
I always thought I left a link to my new blog on this one, but apparently I didn't. I started a Xanga to document my experience in Oregon- that was to be the only purpose for that blog. But once I got back, it felt like going backwards to use this blog again. So I've stayed on Xanga. You can check out my regular blog at
xanga.com/christophersescape
xanga.com/christophersescape
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
I'm a story teller. I tell stories.
I just realized something the other day: I'm a story teller. If I can relate a story to the topic of conversation, and I can slip my voice in to speak, I make my experience known. Maybe I just like to brag about all the crazy stuff that happened at Central. Maybe I have to tell about all the insane people I've met in my life. I really don't have an explanation for it. I just love to tell stories.
Arynn told me the other day that she had just painted something, and has all this "untapped expression." It was really weird that she said that, because I had just been thinking about writing short stories (and have written one so far) because I was feeling the same thing. It wasn't really well written or anything, but it was loosely based on what I've gone through in the past couple years. I thought about posting it, but... we'll see what comes after it.
You know the American Furniture Warehouse guy, Jake Jabs?
If you're not from Colorado, AFW is the biggest furniture store, and the commercials all have the owner, Jake Jabs, in them. The commercials also always have Tigers and their cubs, and other random animals. Anyway, my great grandma, or Grammy, as she's known around these parts, apparently got a great deal from him once like 40 years ago, and he sold the furniture to her directly. She always talks about how one day she's going to go down there and he's going to be like "Ann Scott! I remember you! How's that dining room set?!"
I'm not saying this to make fun of her. The thing is, I think I'm going to do that when I'm her age. Because I'm a story teller, and I think I'd be a decent writer (though I'm nowhere near as good as Amy! ;-) ) I think I'm going to tell stories about how, when I went to Bible College, I had a class with THE Dr. Reese, and we would have lunch together, and he was the funniest guy ever. Or how when I went to CCU, Dr. Ames and I were this -crosses fingers- close.
I was thinking about that, and chuckled to myself. I'm totally going to be a lying old man, and I'm really okay w/ that, because I guess that means I'll be happy w/ my life. :-)
Arynn told me the other day that she had just painted something, and has all this "untapped expression." It was really weird that she said that, because I had just been thinking about writing short stories (and have written one so far) because I was feeling the same thing. It wasn't really well written or anything, but it was loosely based on what I've gone through in the past couple years. I thought about posting it, but... we'll see what comes after it.
You know the American Furniture Warehouse guy, Jake Jabs?
If you're not from Colorado, AFW is the biggest furniture store, and the commercials all have the owner, Jake Jabs, in them. The commercials also always have Tigers and their cubs, and other random animals. Anyway, my great grandma, or Grammy, as she's known around these parts, apparently got a great deal from him once like 40 years ago, and he sold the furniture to her directly. She always talks about how one day she's going to go down there and he's going to be like "Ann Scott! I remember you! How's that dining room set?!"I'm not saying this to make fun of her. The thing is, I think I'm going to do that when I'm her age. Because I'm a story teller, and I think I'd be a decent writer (though I'm nowhere near as good as Amy! ;-) ) I think I'm going to tell stories about how, when I went to Bible College, I had a class with THE Dr. Reese, and we would have lunch together, and he was the funniest guy ever. Or how when I went to CCU, Dr. Ames and I were this -crosses fingers- close.
I was thinking about that, and chuckled to myself. I'm totally going to be a lying old man, and I'm really okay w/ that, because I guess that means I'll be happy w/ my life. :-)
Monday, August 13, 2007
His Heart was full of Love Love Love
So this past semester I took Research Writing. I had already taken other classes similar to it, but for some reason I had to take this one too. Anyway, all in all, it wasn't that bad of a class. The professor, though she seemed she didn't know what she was doing many-a-time, was very nice. And that was the class I met Hallye in.
Anyway, I'm in Subway getting a sandwich, and I see one of the chicks from that class. So we're talking about a chapel that had just happened, focused on abortion. I remember writing a blog about this very encounter... anyway, she mentions that she's pro-choice. And all of a sudden- I am Joe's adrenal gland. I think to myself "flaming lefty!" Not that I really care what political persuasion she happens to be, I just assume that she's super duper liberal.
So later that semester, she's talking about some young politicians meeting or something down at the Denver capital. Then she says it: "it's apart of the Young Republicans Group I'm a part of."
Wha wha what?!!?!
She can't be a Republican; she isn't against abortion!!!
I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I have a friend who, after learning one of the reasons I didn't vote was because I thought BOTH George W. and Kerry were douche bags, she proceeded to inquire: "But you're a Christian."
Needless to say, I was a little irritated, a little amused, and I really wanted to throw up.
Why is it that Christians have to fit into this neat little box? I know this isn't a new revelation. But it surprises me because usually I hold those assumptions for those ignorant Christians who either haven't experienced life outside their Republican-family bubble, or who are so determined to construct this perfect American-Christian society that God obviously really wants-that they'll just pretend that you're not a Christian unless you go along w/ what the majority of Evangelicals believe.
But when I think about it, I'm totally guilty of these assumptions. I think there are two reasons most people voted for W. 1. because they either feel more comfortable w/ a "Christian"- regardless of who that man or woman is- running the country. 2. Because they feel it's so important to shove their values, anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, etc in the face of those who have no reason to believe that stuff in the way most Christians do, because... they don't know Jesus.
I know, I just jumped into a huge pit of boiling controversy. I'm just so freaking tired of Christians not showing love. Where is the line between holding firm to your beliefs, yet not forcing those beliefs on others. That sounds a hell of a lot more like Islam than Christianity. Did you know Muhammad tried the whole philosophical reasoning stuff when he first (believes he) encountered the "angel Gabriel" and wrote down all the stuff God wanted him to know? That was a mouthful. Basically, he tried to convince people that way, and basically became an outcast. So then he tried force. And it was effective.
Did Jesus do that when He was trying to save people? Yes, He used what some might call violence to rebuke the corrupt, but when it came to getting people to follow Him, it was done in a loving way that can only be compared to a loving father. "Give up your sin and follow me. I know what you're looking for when you engage in those acts, but I have what you're looking for to quench that thirst that makes you do those things. My way is so much more rewarding, and pure. I am the Way the Truth and the Light."
I know, this is hard to read, and it's totally just a vent, but it irritates me. Why do we have to subscribe to these "givens"? Who the hell decided these were the appropriate steps to take if you're a Christian? What the hell happened to love?
Anyway, I'm in Subway getting a sandwich, and I see one of the chicks from that class. So we're talking about a chapel that had just happened, focused on abortion. I remember writing a blog about this very encounter... anyway, she mentions that she's pro-choice. And all of a sudden- I am Joe's adrenal gland. I think to myself "flaming lefty!" Not that I really care what political persuasion she happens to be, I just assume that she's super duper liberal.
So later that semester, she's talking about some young politicians meeting or something down at the Denver capital. Then she says it: "it's apart of the Young Republicans Group I'm a part of."
Wha wha what?!!?!
She can't be a Republican; she isn't against abortion!!!
I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I have a friend who, after learning one of the reasons I didn't vote was because I thought BOTH George W. and Kerry were douche bags, she proceeded to inquire: "But you're a Christian."
Needless to say, I was a little irritated, a little amused, and I really wanted to throw up.
Why is it that Christians have to fit into this neat little box? I know this isn't a new revelation. But it surprises me because usually I hold those assumptions for those ignorant Christians who either haven't experienced life outside their Republican-family bubble, or who are so determined to construct this perfect American-Christian society that God obviously really wants-that they'll just pretend that you're not a Christian unless you go along w/ what the majority of Evangelicals believe.
But when I think about it, I'm totally guilty of these assumptions. I think there are two reasons most people voted for W. 1. because they either feel more comfortable w/ a "Christian"- regardless of who that man or woman is- running the country. 2. Because they feel it's so important to shove their values, anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, etc in the face of those who have no reason to believe that stuff in the way most Christians do, because... they don't know Jesus.
I know, I just jumped into a huge pit of boiling controversy. I'm just so freaking tired of Christians not showing love. Where is the line between holding firm to your beliefs, yet not forcing those beliefs on others. That sounds a hell of a lot more like Islam than Christianity. Did you know Muhammad tried the whole philosophical reasoning stuff when he first (believes he) encountered the "angel Gabriel" and wrote down all the stuff God wanted him to know? That was a mouthful. Basically, he tried to convince people that way, and basically became an outcast. So then he tried force. And it was effective.
Did Jesus do that when He was trying to save people? Yes, He used what some might call violence to rebuke the corrupt, but when it came to getting people to follow Him, it was done in a loving way that can only be compared to a loving father. "Give up your sin and follow me. I know what you're looking for when you engage in those acts, but I have what you're looking for to quench that thirst that makes you do those things. My way is so much more rewarding, and pure. I am the Way the Truth and the Light."
I know, this is hard to read, and it's totally just a vent, but it irritates me. Why do we have to subscribe to these "givens"? Who the hell decided these were the appropriate steps to take if you're a Christian? What the hell happened to love?
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