From: Stuff Christians Like #552

This is from http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/ His writings are normally full of hilarity and wit but I guess I'm just now noticing that he tackles serious topics on Wednesdays.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009
#552. Judging pop culture as if we're immune to its woes.
Last week I watched a little of the television show, "Jon & Kate plus 8." They're all over the tabloids right now so there's no need to rehash in detail what's going on, but if you've never seen the show, here's a summary:

A few years ago, a young Christian couple with two kids had sextuplets. They invited TLC to tape their lives as they raised 8 kids, renewed their vows in a marriage special in Hawaii last season and last week addressed some painful marital issues that have become paparazzi fodder.

I wasn't going to write about the whole situation. A million people already have and reality TV tends to be a great hiding place to avoid dealing with our own lives. But in watching the swirl of conversation online about Jon and Kate I realized two things I think are true regardless of if you've ever seen the show.

1. When we say, "They got what they deserved" we forget that we didn't.
Did Jon and Kate introduce new risks and rewards into the structure of their family when they invited television cameras and millions of viewers into their home? Without a doubt. Does fame and celebrity come with consequences that are often toxic? Without a doubt. Did Jon and Kate get what they deserve? I don't know. I've seen other Christians express this opinion but I don't know Jon and Kate. I know me. And I didn't get what I deserved. I got grace. I got forgiveness. I got Christ. I got rescued from the ruins of a life that seemed beyond redemption. I got a second chance and a 10th chance and a 300th chance. I didn't get what I deserved. And when we say that someone, "Got what they deserved," whether we're talking about a reality TV couple, our relatives or our neighbors, we lose sight of grace, which is the undercurrent of our entire faith and a gift we do not deserve.

2. "That could never happen to me" is a dangerous sentence.
I don't know the devil, but I have to assume that when he hears a Christian judgmentally proclaim, "That could never happen to me," he does what I do when I hear the Black Eyed Peas song, "Boom, Boom, Pow," and that is the robot. He absolutely loves when we say that. It's not inherently a bad thought, it's just that often when we say "That could never happen to me" we don't take the time to answer the question, "Why?" Why wouldn't that emotional affair you're writing off as just "your flirtatious personality" multiply what's already poisonous and turn into a physical affair? Why wouldn't a week of late nights at the office turn into a month of late nights at the office turn into a year of late nights at the office turn into you knowing your kids as little as your dad knew you? Why wouldn't a small compromise on your dream turn into a bigger compromise on your dream turn into you being an accountant when you've always felt called to paint? Life is littered with moms and dads, pastors and CEOs that believed in the fake comfort of "that could never happen to me" and woke up one day to find a surprisingly broken life on their doorsteps.

I don't really want to analyze Jon and Kate today or discuss where things went wrong or pick apart things they said on the show. I don't really even have a good wrap up that kind of ties things together. All I can really say is that we are not immune to the woes we see in pop culture.

You don't need a million dollar house or flock of paparazzi to hurt yourself and your marriage. I didn't anyway. At times, my marriage has been able to be wounded without the aid of a reality show. But whether you're name is Jon and Kate Gosselin or Jon and Jenny Acuff, God loves love, and His ability to repair it will forever exceed our ability to deserve it.

Overheard Conversations

I've come up with code names for my kids. Well, 2 out of 4 of them. I'm still deciding on how to refer to the elder two. But for now, 3 of 4 and 4 of 4 shall be referred to as Buckaroo and Smidge. Seems fitting for them.

So the other day Buckaroo, who is 4-1/2, and Smidge, who is 3, are hanging out at the dining table playing with various things strewn there upon. They're having a little conversation. I came into the kitchen to hear this part of it.

Smidge (she): "Do boys have babies?"
Buckaroo (he): "Nah. They need a girl."

Then they went on to discuss other things. I thought that was a cute conversation.

Stuff Christians Like

I have fallen in love with this site. The writer's style is one I enjoy reading and I find myself laughing in all the right places. And in all the wrong places. And that's the point! He has an amazing way of illuminating the silliness and sadness we Christians can wittingly or unwittingly portray to those around us. He makes me think.

http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/

Catch Phrases

Some things I've noted as of late.

The phrase "Jesus Saves" is not biblical. Now, I don't mean it's not a biblical concept. That's a discussion for another day. But the actual phrase doesn't exist in the Bible. I've just now realized this at 36 and 9/12ths years of age. (Correct it to 36 and 3/4ths years, if you wish. Tonight I just happen to like the ring of 9/12ths.)

You will not find "Jesus Saves" in the Bible. No, I haven't read the whole thing. But of the parts I have read, I realized I've never seen it. So I checked Bible Gateway and I can't find it there either. Not in the NIV, the KJV, or whatever V J L K X version you might be reading.

http:www.biblegateway.com

I'm pondering this because there are so many phrases we use that aren't in the scriptures. For example: "sinner's prayer", "altar call", "turn to the announcements", "pass the offering basket", "childrens' church", "go deeper", "life group", "youth pastor", "new life in Jesus".

I suppose, per se, I don't have a problem with those things. Okay, with some of them I do. I just find myself more and more weary of our filling our conversations, and preaching, and worship, and prayers, with words and phrases that don't exist in the very Breath of God. I've been reading/hearing them everywhere lately - radio, online, snippets from various churches. Not singling anyone out - just noticing that I'm noticing them more.

I understand about cultures, languages, things changing and fitting the current times. I'm not advocating we go around adding "eth" to larger words we may use. (Thine daughter of mine, shalt thy emptieth out the washer of dishwares?) I just find myself longing to hear what the Breath actually says. We seem to just limit that to sermons, and I find myself bristling at the quaint little phrases we've unwittingly coined in our Christian language.

Seriously, If I hear "go deeper with God" one more time, I think I might actually scream. Those are, like, Moody Blues lyrics. And possibly MC Hammer, if you google it, which you shouldn't. We never say "go wider with God", or go higher with Him, or go longer. We get stuck on deeper.

And I haven't been able to wrap my brain around "ask God to come", either. Where did He go? Is He not there and is He not aware of everything that's going on? Brad likened it to a child in one room calling for Mom in another, and Mom coming to see what they need. I can see that, sort of, but I'm also a human, non-omnipotent, can't-see-through-walls-and-time-and-dimensions Mom. If God knows what we need before we even know to ask it, then I'm pretty confident He's figured out where to be and when.

What does this heightened sensitivity mean? Dunno completely. I don't want to settle for catch phrases and expected terminology. I want the Spirit to take over my words and thoughts and express the fullness of what He sees in that moment or scenario. I know I'm hungry and need to get about the business of digging into the Feast that has been placed before me. It's like there's this delectable nine course meal sitting on a silver platter under a silver dome and I'm walking around with my bowl of cold macaroni and cheese and won't take the lid off. It feels good to finally admit that.

Dancing With A Short-Lived Rainbow

GM spent a long time getting all the blocks on the string. But he learned today the importance of leaving enough at the end to hold on to. It was long enough for holding, but not long enough for dancing. In the third photo you can see the "something's not right" realization setting in. He didn't get upset at his handiwork dashed colorfully on the ground. He just had that furrowed brow slow-blink of disgust, dropped his string, and quietly walked away.

God is cozy

GM & TJ were playing today and they were pretending that GM was God. I heard TJ exclaim, with a deep breath, dramatically, "God!", as if she were looking up and realizing that the God of everything was standing before her. Then she instantly switched to a casual tone, a tone you'd use when your good friend comes to the door, the kind of friend who comes into the midst of all your clutter and laundry and you don't even care. It was in this tone that she said, so sincerely, "How ya doin'?"

Sweetness.

Creativity

Every once in awhile I get a burst of creative energy of which I am quite proud. I made these invitations for a party we were having for a friend. I like them. The invitations, that is, but also our friends. And obviously the details weren't blurred on the actual invites. I just did that for the world wide web.





And just FYI - Should you ever get an invitation that says "Regrets Only", that means if you DON'T call/email then the host assumes you ARE coming. So if you're really NOT coming, be sure you DO call/email the host BEFORE the party. It's really helpful, truly it is. :o)

Clarification

Just to clarify ... I've had my share of nightmare grocery shopping trips which have included, among other things, screaming, crying, anger, eighty-thousand "don't touch that"'s, broken bottles of soy sauce (in the checkout lane!), and blackened thumbs (mine, shut in the car door, after the crying, angry, broken soy sauce bottle day). Yesterday, blissfully, just wasn't one of them! It seems as the brood have gotten older - and as Mama has gotten better at training - that they're bad shopping days have gotten less. MN and RT hardly ever scream at the store anymore. ;^)

Viewpoints

GM, TJ, and I went to Central Market this afternoon. Oh, how I love Central Market! My little ones still like it, too, because they get to put a quarter in the piggy bank and pick a banana or an orange. And then at the floral counter before we check out they get to put a quarter in that piggy bank and pick out a flower. And because Mama is a sucker for the dry goods section and lets them get tiny portions of candy for like twenty-seven cents. And because she's euphoric to be in Central Market she lets them eat all of it in the store and then happily pays for the empty little bag.

My older ones don't like CM so much. It's too crowded and narrow and noisy for them. I can see their point, but come on, it's Central Market! What's not to love?

Anyway, so we wandered the aisles and found our goodies. Had plenty of time today so we could go slow and soak up the sights. That was nice, and I was able to observe GM and TJ taking in the world through their eyes. I'm trying to remember to do that more. It was pretty peaceful even having to keep young-uns out of the way of oncoming buggies (no easy task inside that store).

Bought veggies today for a party on Thursday. GM loved touching the ice around the broccoli. Okay, and some of the broccoli. The lady beside us didn't quite feel the joy, but she kept a polite smile.

Stopped to check in on the crabs and lobsters. Answered, for the millionth time, "Why do they have those bands on their hands?" I'm sad that one of these days GM and TJ will have the horrific realization of what happens to those critters when they get home to someone's kitchen.

Stopped for a potty break but took the kids in the family room because the women's was being cleaned. As we're going in GM asks quizzically, "Why is there a man AND a woman on the sign?"

Buggied past the wine section. TJ always asks, "Is that ALCOHOL?" "Why do people drink ALCOHOL?" (We've had some familial situations which have required more explanation of alcohol, and the effects of too much thereof, than most 3 year olds would need to know.)

Snatched the cracker from GM's hand mere milliseconds before he returned it to the sampler roundy-round. He'd taken one out, held it, then decided he didn't want it. Caught the eye of yet another lady as I said, louder and more slowly than if I'd remained unnoticed, "No, dear, we don't put them back after we've touched them." Quickly ate the cracker myself to dispose of the evidence.

Bought some coffee beans (for the party), and used the grinder machine. Never done that before. The kids got a kick out of seeing the machine jiggling and a' bouncing, and that little paper sack shaking it's heart out. I felt grateful that I'd figured out the machine and still had all my fingers.

Checked out the cookie section. Another couple walked past us and we only heard a snippet of their conversation which happened to be, " ... we're not married ...". TJ turned her head to gaze at them, then turned around and said in a hushed/surprised tone, "They're not MARRIED!" Man, what's society coming to? Shopping at CM and you're not even married. My, my.

Found another sampler bin, but this time it was flavored water. I took a small cup over to TJ and held a cup for me. You know, those little plastic cups, about twice the size of a communion cup. (Well, a typical southern Baptist/CofC/non-denominational cup anyway ;^) ) She started to take a sip, then stopped quickly and said in all seriousness, "Wait. We forgot to pray." I laughed but then said, "Well, let's pray then," and she offered up a small prayer there in the aisle for the cup she was about to receive. And this child doesn't even take communion! I am realizing more and more how observant she is.

Tried some bread samples. Strolled through the cheese section with GM hugging each gigantic wheel of cheese, in awe that there really was actual, real cheese in there.

Wrapped up our purchases, bought two 25 cent flowers. GM was bereaved because the one he wanted wasn't "blooming" (it was a tulip). I managed to convince him to take a purple fuzzy stalk-looking thing, also non-blooming, because I showed him that it looked like a sword. That sealed the deal.

Paid for the food while GM and TJ were sword-fighting in the checkout lane with their new flowers. Pulled them close and explained, again for the millionth time, that we do not sword fight in stores. Let them take a few laps on the outdoor planter ledges. Strapped in for the ride home and rejoined our family and a good friend for a lovely meal and hours of catch-up talk.

Bonus - while the little ones and I were gone, the older ones had vacuumed, cleaned bathrooms, cleaned the fridge, and cleaned their rooms, in preparation for our guest.

Very nice day. The Lord is Good to bless people with friends, and food, and time to relax and chatter about anything that comes to mind. Seeing the world through 3-year-old and 4-year-old eyes was also very sweet.

Basic Food Groups

I was doing dishes yesterday and heard Gideon tinkering around with their play kitchen. He would round the corner and ask, "Mom, is corn a vegetable or a fruit?" I'd answer and he'd disappear. Then minutes later he'd pop around the corner again, "Mom, is an apple a vegetable or a fruit?" I'd answer and away he'd go. This continued on for several different items of food. Then a thought clicked into my head - "Teaching opportunity! Play opportunity! Put the dishes DOWN, girl!"

So I went into the living room, sat on the floor, and joined him in his exploration of fruits and vegetables. I'm sad to admit that it has been awhile since I've sat on the floor and played with my youngest brood. For more than a couple of minutes, anyway. Gideon was still happily sorting when I carried out the idea that had been sent into my brain.

The plastic food is stored in several plastic buckets inside the little play kitchen. It's, of course, all mixed together in quite the hodgepodge of plastic confusion. I dug out my construction paper and some scissors. I lined one bucket with green paper and said, "Hey Gideon, look! Green for vegetables." He was pleased. He proceeded to put his vegetable pile into the now green bucket.

I lined another with red for fruits and he was overjoyed to have two buckets to work with. But wait! There's more. I lined another with brown - for breads, of course. Another with pink. Can you guess? Meats! And then the last one with white, for dairy.

Then I spent twenty minutes handing him plastic food and asking which bucket he thought it went in, and the boy never tired of the game. What a fun morning. And their little play kitchen is beautifully organized in a lovely basic-food-groups sort of way. (In my day, we learned about basic food groups. Didn't have any of the fancy schmancy food-pyramid stuff.)

I'm sure it will all be disheveled soon enough, but now when they put the food away they will be learning as well! Bonus!

I found this quote a few months ago and it has become the theme for our homeschooling. "Learning sleeps and snores in libraries, but wisdom is everywhere, wide awake, on tiptoe." - Josh Billings

And yes, we love libraries. :o)

The Pirates Keep Growin'

Every once in a blue moon we have a Pirate Day here at the Stanford household. We put on our Captain Bogg & Salty CD and crank it up loud. Then we put dishtowels on our heads (well, all except Robin and Brad - they're too cool for dishtowels) and run around like pirates.

This pic is from a Pirate Day in 2006.



And this is from a Pirate Day last week. Note Maelan dubbed the boat the S.S Pollywag. I guess Pollywog was too sweet and tame for Pirate Day, so we had to make the pollywog scoundrel-y. Pollywog + Scallywag = Pollywag.

Pictures!