On Becoming Truly Human

It is becoming more and more clear to me that we are living in a culture which has almost completely converted to the religion of Consumerism. The following is a list of rationale that I have been thinking about lately:
- In all religions, holidays are celebrated with feasts. Thanksgiving has become the first day during the Holy Holiday Season in this religion. Think about it - no matter where you go, people are feasting. (Almost) every table in America is filled with dishes and dishes of food. (Isn't it also interesting that people consider it so important for the poor to be given a turkey so that they can celebrate this very holy day, but I don't think I've ever heard of hams being given away on Easter)
-In ancient times, games were played on major holidays to honor the gods on these special holy days. I know Lydia's family had the TV tuned to the Packer game all day. 
-What about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade? Is this not akin to a religious procession? And who holds the place of honor (the very end) in this holy procession? None other than the high priest of the season - Santa Claus himself.
-Again, in ancient times, primarily, vigils were held prior to the beginning of a great festival. In this religion, vigils are held the night before the Day after Thanksgiving. Lydia's sister and cousins went to stand in line in front of a store at 2am and stood there until the store opened at 4am. Another one of her cousins went to an outlet mall at midnight. Almost every store in America has the best deals and sales on this day every year and millions of people are drawn to them.
-Places of worship: Shopping centers
-Priests: store employees
-Altars: check-out counter
-Vestments: Wal-Mart vest (or whatever other store's uniform)
-Sacrament: Paying for goods
-Sacred music: Christmas music

I know that the last few items are a bit of a stretch, but they fit the pattern. I know that I am going to do my very best not to go into any shopping centers during these 5 weeks before Christmas. Instead, I plan on taking advantage of Advent. Advent is a time of waiting and preparing. Too many people celebrate Christmas before Christmas and it ticks me off. Christmas (prior to Christmas eve [the vigil of Christmas]) is not Christmas - the second season of the Church calendar - it is pagan Consumerism, and I'll have none of it. May God help us all!

Peace,
Beau

Current Location: Lydia's Folks Place, Wisconsin
Current Mood: annoyed

This morning I was sitting on the couch watching the Price is Right and during a commercial break, I saw one of the most repulsive commercials I have seen in my life. The commercial consisted of a woman saying how much good we are doing in Iraq and how we don't want another 9/11 and how pulling our troops out of Iraq would be such a terrible thing. It ended with the woman saying that you should call your senators and congress people to tell them that you favor "staying the course" along with the phone number flashing on the screen. 
   This is actually the second commercial that I have seen like this one, but this time I was really ticked off.  How can some people sink so low as do make such a commercial? It frightens me. The Republicans have the American people (most of them) wrapped tightly around their little fingers and will not go for anything. The Republican party is preaching how much good we are doing in Iraq and how stupid it would be to leave. However, the Americans who buy into the Republican speech do not do so because they truly believe that we are doing a good job in Iraq. They believe this because the Grand Old Party and Daddy GW is saying that we are.

I am in the middle of reading a book by George Lakoff entitled, "Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate." In this book he discusses how, in America, there exist two family structure models that people by in both their families and in the government. They are the strict father and the nurturing parent. The strict father model is one in which the father is always right. He tells his wife what to do and he disciplines his children. This model also says that a person can only look out for themselves and their own self-interest, otherwise they are a "do-gooder." People who follow this model believe that the world is an evil place and it always will be because of evil in the world. The nurturing parent model says that both parent help raise their children and they look out for interest of others. It also says that children are born good and can be made better, and that the world can be made a better place and it is our job to help make that happen.

The Republican party in this country is definitely winning the father of the year prize in this country, especially when they run TV spots like I mentioned above. They use these tactics because they work. They have framed their arguments so that everything has to do with keeping America a great country and keeping a strict moral standard. If the democrats say anything that would mess with our pie-in-the-sky country, they immediately shut down. They care more about homosexuality and abortion than they do about feeding hungry kids or health coverage or homelessness or environmentalism. They think this way because that is how the Republicans have framed their arguments. Once they have won the people over, they can do whatever they want on the important issues like cut welfare or do a run around the constitution or wage needless wars. As long as our president is a moral guy and wants to keep America the great land that it has "always" been, the people are in love with him. (I'm speaking from experience because that is how I felt up until January after the last election.) 

The democrats and other progressives need to step up to the plate and start speaking how we feel about how things are done in this country. We can't be afraid of talking about our own moral beliefs and linking them to issues that of great consequence in this country. Conservatives think that liberals and progressives are amoral, but we need to show them that we are very very moral people but we have a morality that reaches beyond ourselves. 

I hope this doesn't sound too self-righteous. I know that I was hard on the conservatives in this post, but I really needed to get some of this stuff off of my chest. I know that there are a lot of democrats out their who "...don't know poop from applesause," and I'll put myself in that category (at least for now), but the really problem of the democrats is that they don't know how to communicate. I can't wait to finish this book (Lakoff's) and I encourage everyone to read it as well. (P.S. I also just started Jim Wallis' God's Politics and I'm really excited about it.)

Peace and Justice,
Beau

Current Location: Luther Sem.
Current Mood: bitchy

Now that we have unpacked every box and put most things in their proper places this apartment is beginning to feel like home. The last big job that I have been tackling is organizing our books onto bookshelves in our study. I think I have most of them placed where I would like them, but some of them I'm not sure about. In the grand scheme of things, however, it does not matter. 

Lydia and I have been taking turns cooking/preparing meals for each other. It's been pretty fun. Last night she made chicken quesadillas which were amazing. She also made some great cookies (after a failed first batch - she misread the recipe and instead of putting 3/4 tablespoon of baking soda, she put in 3/4 cup - there was no way I could fake enjoyment on them). I can't wait until she makes some more. I never realized how good Lydia really is in the kitchen - my grandma would be proud. 

Last night I talked with ArmyChris for over an hour. We chatted about a lot of random stuff, mostly theological and I really enjoyed it. I miss talking theology and I pray that I can find some good conversation/debate partners here at Luther. 

Lydia and I were informed about our teaching parish (contextual ed) assignment earlier this week. We will be working with Trinity Luther Congregation of Minneapolis. Though it was not our first choice, I know it will be great. They are a growing congregation with many things going for them. Two very interesting things about them are 1) they do not have their own church building (they use Augsburg College's chapel) and 2) their worship services are in three languages: English and two African languagues (which gives you a little idea about the context). I emailed the pastor yesterday about having an initial meeting and I am eagerly awaiting her response. One really great thing about this assignment is that it is together. It would have been very difficult had Lydia been assigned to a congregation different than mine. 

That's all for now.

Peace and justice,
Beau

Current Mood: contemplative

So this evening I went to my home congregation's church council meeting.  Not too long ago they promised to give me $1,000 for every year I will be a seminary student (4 years). They cut me a check for $500 last month and I went there tonight to see if I could get the other $500 to pay for car insurance and other immediate needs. After muddling through the confusion of what was already promised to me, they said that they would discuss it after consulting their notes. At this point, the mood was very light and friendly. It didn't stay that way for long.

At my synod assembly in June my pastor brought a resolution (with the signature of the parish council) concerning the ELW and demasculination of God and the names/metaphors for God. The council president said that my pastor had mentioned to him that I disagreed with the resolution and he was curious as to why. Before he could finish his question, however, I made sure to interject as to whether or not the money for seminary would be dependent upon how I answered the question. After a bit of a laugh from the entire council the president assured me that it wasn't. 

I talked and talked and talked. I tried to explain how I felt about the ELW and the pronouns and metaphors. I also explained a little bit of my transformation during my first year at Wartburg. I then talked about how what I felt God was calling to do in my ministry in Christ's church. 

Needless to say I was on the hot seat, being grilled by those whom I love and who helped to nurture me in my faith, it was very tense. It helped, though, that I had my wonderful wife by my side as a silent supporter. Even so, I pray that I will never have to go something that tense ever again. However, if I do, I know that the Holy Spirit will be with me, guiding me just as It was tonight.

Peace and justice,
Beau 

Current Mood: nervous

Well it's official: I'm a married man (Sorry ladies)! Lydia and I were married on July 7th in her home church. It was a beautiful ceremony and the reception was phenomenal! The wedding was as all weddings in the church should be: a worship service with a marriage rite. The reception included a song sung by all of our camp friends, the loyalty song sung by our Wartburg friends, a donation to Lutheran World Relief, and the removal of the garter - off of me!!! - by Jake. 

Our honeymoon was on the Northshore of Lake Superior. It was an amazing trip! We saw some very beautiful scenes and took lots of pictures. It was a week of R&R that I don't think I've had for years.

We're at my dad's in northern MN right now spending time with my family. It's been good, but a little tiring. To both Lydia and my chagrin we are both sick with colds. Could life be any worse, though. 

Lydia and I went to a Harry Potter party on Friday night and got the new book. I finished it yesterday morning. I thought it was really good. I really can't say anything about it though - I don't want to ruin it for Lydia who is sitting right next to me reading, nor for anyone else. Those who spoil book ending for others should be strung up, tarred, and feathered.

For those of you who know Lydia, you will never believe what I'm going to say. On Friday, August 10th, Lydia will be taking her driver's exam to get her license. Please send her some encouragement and lots of prayers!

My final update is that we will be moving into our apartment at seminary on August 4th! We will finally have a place of our own. All of our things will be with us and we won't need to move for two whole years!!! I'm also very excited for all of my friends who are venturing out to new and exciting things: seminary, internship, Wartburg West. I pray you all have a blast at everything you do!

I best say good bye for now, but hopefully I will post sooner than I did the last time!

Peace and jusice,
Beau

Current Mood: chipper

These last few weeks have been very interesting.

The first and greatest part of life started two weeks ago yesterday (officially, that is) - when Lydia and I became a couple. Nothing in my entire life has made me happier. I am in the best of times.

Finals week at Wartburg was good for the most part. The Sunday evening Candlelight Services began the week. They were amazing! Having been part of the planning, I was very much so pleased.

Monday I had to give a presentation in German. That kinda sucked, but I did fine, I think. Tuesday was when my History of Christianity paper was due. It was on the History of Ordination up through the 16th Cent. It consisted of 23 sources and 22 pages. I am so glad that it's over! Wednesday was my Hebrew final which was hell, but we made it through - YaHWeH MaLeK!!!! This same day Lydia made it through her Brit. Lit. final and she felt very good about it. She called herself the Goddess of Brit. Lit! I would have to agree with her. She's pretty smart...and cute...and sweet...but I digress. Thursday was my Hist. of Sci. final and I felt that I did fine. Praise the LORD! All finals were done! However, I had to say, "Farewell" to my Lydia, my Lovely Lady of Lavender! (I love alliteration) ;-) That was hard, but we managed.

Since then, things were Okay. Lydia and I have been able to talk to each other every night, and we feel that our relationship has only flowered. It's tough that we have to wait until 9pm every night, but we thrive on these nightly trysts.

So what else? I was pretty happy with my grades. I guess I can suffer with A's for average. :-) It was hard to manage 2 language classes, a gen ed and a maj. requirement, but I guess I did okay.

I've gotten to see most of my family which is good. There are still a few that I need to see yet. However, there were some that I'd rather not, but what can one do?

Now what do I mean by also saying "it was the worst of times"? Besides having a messed up family, I have a very troubled, seventeen year old brother. He can be nice sometimes. But most of the time he is the most evil, self-centered, manipulative brat one could ever imagine. He lives with my mother and grandmother and he runs the house. Anything that he demands he is given or else he takes it. If someone is doing something that he doesn't like, he blows up at them. If anyone ever says anything, even just a suggestion, in regards to something that he is doing, he goes insane. Zum Beispiel: He spilled cereal w/milk in the kitchen and he went to the bathroom and got a bath towel to wipe it up. When Grandma came in and say him using that, she said, "You shouldn't use that, Billy." Well that was the end of clean up for him. He got so mad that he stomped out, yelling and screaming and left it for our 77 yr. old Grandma to finish cleaning up.
I really think he hates me, even though we can have random good times, but he is just so evil. My mom gets so frustrated with him, and my g-ma is scared of him. He hates my stepmom and my Dad gets angry with him and his attitude. He dropped out of school about a year ago and has since then gotten a job at the window factory. He drinks with his friends. I just found out that he smokes (seldomly, but he still does it). He drives after he drinks and he is just foolish. He said that he wants to go into the military. I'd love it if he did, but I really doubt that they'll take him.
I'm sorry this sounds so different than how I normally talk, but I just hate being around him. He makes me want to cry all the time. It is almost as if our spirits were in a constant, cosmic battle. It's so hard to ask what Christ would do in this situation. The worst part of this is that Christmas begins tomorrow night, and I'm not ready. I don't mean shopping or baking or decorating. I mean that I'm not ready for Christ to return and that makes me feel terrible!!!!! We don't know when Christ will be coming back, but Christmas is the time when we remember when He came as a baby, when He is with us now, and when He will be coming again. Maybe we are never really ready for this parousia of Christ, but I just feel like I'm not ready. I want to forgive my brother, but it's so hard.

I want it to be January 5th. I want to see my Lydia. She makes me happier than I've ever been, and she takes away my pain. She is my Christmas Angel. Though I say that these are the best of times and the worst of times, the worst of times will pass, and the best of times are only beginning.

May God: Father, Son (+) and Holy Spirit bless you all during this season of love, and peace, and joy, and hope. May only good tidings be upon you and your loved ones in 2006. May everyone be given 1000 plus one kisses in there lives!

Christ's Love,
Beau

(P.S. Thanks for reading.)

Current Mood: gloomy
Current Music: Joy to the World

This has been a very long weekend. I've gotten to see my family (minus my sister and her's). I went to church. I've played with my little brothers. There really aren't many more things that I've wanted to do while I was home. So what else can I do? Sit on my hands and wait for my nightly rendezvous? It's wonderful, but I'd rather have a nightly cuddle.
I know Christmas time will fall during this time off from school, but there is really not a lot to do. Plus, I still have several gifts to buy, and it sucks, because I don't know what to get people. This season has become so commercialized that it seems like every ad and every commercial knows exactly what our loved ones need. It's ridiculous. All I want for Christmas (aside from a few necessities that I would buy anyway) is for time to fly. This year I received the greatest pre-Christmas gift I have ever been graced. How lucky am I? A lot more lucky than a lot of people that is for sure.
I get to work a lot and make some money, which will be nice for my trip to Germany, and other things. However, it won't be fun being away. God's peace and blessings upon all of you, my friends over this "merry" season!

Current Mood: anxious
Current Music: Seasons of Love

I sit next to her quietly
enjoying a good movie.
I wonder, "Should I lay my head on her shoulder?"
O What will she think?
O What will she do?
Just do it!

She isn't feeling well, but wants to sit next to her friends.
She is cold so I bring her blankets.
My toes are cold.
Would she mind sharing?
I wonder, "Should I put my feet next to her's?"
O What will she think?
O What will she do?
Just do it!

We're at the movies sitting next to eachother.
We've gotten so close this past week or so.
I see her free hand just laying there.
I wonder, "Should I take it in mine?"
O What will she think?
O What will she do?
Just do it!

The movie is over and we're back at the dorms.
We both know something happened tonight, but what?
And so I wonder, "Should we make this official?"
O What will she think?
O What will she do?
Just do it!

It is now official, and we are so happy. It's important to question feelings, just to make sure of what one's heart is really saying. But when events occur as they did to us, these "Should I..." questions only confirmed our feelings for each other!

Current Mood: ecstatic