Drew Brees is a Stud

Coffee Shop

The coffee shop has become the new bar.

It's the place where "everybody knows your name."  It's interesting how this fad is working, however.  America is in such a hurry that even this coffee shop idea has become rushed in this fast food culture we live in.  Starbucks has tried to embed in its customers this "Starbukian" lingo that dictates the way people talk while ordering.  Our culture is in such a rush that we even try to make our communities, our comfort zones, a place where the time we oh so value is saved.

America the Modern Day Corinth?

An argument can be made that America is the modern-day Corinth.

In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul is writing to a church that is in combat with its culture.  In many ways, the Corinthians were very similar to Americans.  Just as Corinth was rebuilt as a Roman city, the American/Western culture is derived from that of the Romans.  Corinth, being a new city at the time had a new culture.  In perspective, America is fairly young.  She doesn't have a rich history like England or Italy.

The Corinthian church was hounded by immorality.  Incest, sex with pagan temple prostitutes, and suing each other were just some of the problems that plagued this young church.  The American church finds herself wrapped up in her own problems but all ultimately reflect the immorality of the body.

Another similarity is this sense that American Christians so often feel a sense of authority.  This self-identity also reflects the Corinthian way of life.  The Roman culture was not as group-oriented as Mediterranean culture was. While still ultimately a collectivist culture, members of the church possessed a greater sense of self especially in reference to spiritual gifts.

We need to take advice from Paul and be real with one another.  American Christians need to come out from behind their masks and live in community.

Becoming our parents

Why is there such a stigma associated with becoming like one's parents?   This past November, I was hunting with my father and he told me that when he was in college he would fill his breaks-- especially Thanksgiving break-- with hunting.  I have found myself doing the same.  And, it dawned on me that I am, in fact, becoming my father.  At first thought, I don't like this idea.  It haunts me.  But, at the same time, I have no reason to fear this approaching fact.  My father is truly a man of God, living his life faithfully to what he believes is God's will for him.  He is a great example for my brother and I, as he does a job he hates to provide for his family.

Furthermore, we are created in the image of God-- our Father.  With this being said, we are called to imitate Jesus-- a reflection of the Father.  So since we are created and instructed to imitate God the Father, why is it such a problem for us to find ourselves becoming like our earthly parents?  It's what nature dictates.

This Is It

First of all, yes the title is an allusion to the late Michael Jackson's released film documenting his rehearsals in preparation for his out of this world final concert tour.  And, the title has nothing to do with anything.  I simply wanted to title something "This Is It" ever since I recently viewed the film with the same title.

I believe I have come up with a solution for my lack of posting.  Often times I will have a thought or think of a question and write it down with the intent to write about it at some point.  Most of the time these ideas stay in the form of a blank Word document with only the title or first line or two written.  My solution is to post these questions and ideas on here and then follow up with a few more thoughts.  Nothing too elaborate, but something far more productive than what is currently being done to address the oh-so-many thoughts circulating in my head that result from the exposure to the minds of intellectual giants in the classroom and the church.

My next post will be a quick reference guide to several musings in which I will then begin to elaborate on.

Faith.Hope.Love.