Apparently Slavery Doesn't Exist

We've received some encouragement from some outsiders to do some sort of Christmas production.  The idea has been thrown around before but as sometimes happens around here it ends up being put on the youth to really make it happen.  While that can be exhausting and quite frankly, annoying at times, I must admit it makes me personally proud of them.  When it really comes time to get things done oftentimes it takes our young people to do it... and they do it o' so well.

Because our ministry is inherently relational (big thanks to our strong partnership with Young Life) most of the events our church puts on must have a direct impact on outsiders.  That's what keeps us moving missionally.  If we think everyone's a missionary then that's how they'll be treated.  So when we (we meaning the youth and adults of our church) started planning a Christmas show we decided it would be a fundraiser.  We'd sell tickets, drinks, and snacks and put half of that money in the youth account and send half of it to a charity that our youth vote on.  That's where the fun began...

We showed them 3 different charities over the course of 3 weeks.  At the end they'd vote on the one they wanted to support.  Each of them were a little different but focused on children and teens like them.  Our sort of secondary teaching aim was for them to work through an understanding of how fortunate they are.  That's not always an easy thing since some of our youth are living in pretty difficult circumstances.  We also wanted to be sure, as always, that we are showing them quality videos and resources that could hold their attention, not just a bunch of poorly produced junk.  That's where the problem was...

First we showed them the following clip from Invisible Children who seek to end the use of child soldiers in Central Africa.  Invisible Children was one of the first charities to actually put together quality marketing to get across their message.  While lots of cynics have complained about some of their antics (at one time they got in trouble with the Better Business Bureau, they have since righted that ship) they have helped lead a charge in more artistic use of video, clothing, and more.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that helps.  It helps when almost once a month I see someone wearing a Kony2012 shirt, ask them if they know much about it, and they do.  Without that cool shirt they'd know nothing.



Second we found a great clip for children from World Vision.  While Invisible Children focused on a very specific situation, World Vision tries to tackle things on a larger scale.  They're use of a puzzle helped a lot of kids understand what they do.  They were even able to recreate it without review.

Lastly, we tried to bring attention to human trafficking since it is a major part of our church's denominational global missionary efforts.  Because it is apparently impossible to find a short video on Human Trafficking that is age-appropriate (we don't need 7 year olds having nightmares or anything) and our denomination... they're kind of... well... let's just say we've put more resources into people and practical work than technology, we used a cool interactive website... www.slaveryfootprint.org  We took one of them and they answered all the questions and we found out that it takes 38 slaves a year to produce all the things they use or eat in a week.

As we were discussing this last one we had the most interesting conversation.  We asked what it would be like to work 20 hours a day on a shrimp boat.  One of our middle schoolers responded, "Yea, but that's okay, they're still getting paid for it."  Needless to say the definition of slave might have been missed here.  I went back over what a slave is and the difficulties their lives entail.  Upon hearing that, a few of them (not all) start to say, "Well I don't really believe that."

Woa.  What?  Wait a minute.  You don't believe there are slaves in the world?  We just did this really cool interactive slavery footprint thing.  We just talked about the work of Mylinda Bates and how our church supports her and others.  And most of all, I'm the freaking youth pastor!  Aren't you supposed to be agree with what I say?

Clearly that last question is rhetorical.  We've pushed for honest and transparent dialogue with our students since I've been here.  They know we encourage them to be honest and state their skepticism if they have it.  We'll stop there, see if we can work through it, and finish up a curriculum another day.  Every question is honored.

However, on this day I knew there wasn't anything I could do.  There wasn't anything any of us could have done.  We didn't have any pictures.  Its something I already knew.  Its the reason I spent hours trying to find a video describing modern day slavery.  Our young people live in a world of increasing doubt and skepticism.  Our hearts have been broken by promises big and small from public figures and loved ones.  

guess we should have shown a bunch of these

From now on, if you say you rode that roller coaster we need a picture to prove it.  You say you had your first kiss?  We need an Instagram to prove it.  Facebook posts don't prove anything.  You seriously want us to believe you scored a touchdown?  Where's the Vine to back it up.  You're telling me that slavery is still real?  Where's the YouTube?  (Sadly there are plenty of YouTubes out there but they simply didn't pass our age-appropriate screenings.)

While our students are doing the right thing by asking questions, its not a necessarily healthy thing (IMHO) to question everything and everyone.  Granted, some think its a necessary defense mechanism.  But I have to stop and think about all the assistance and community people miss out on because they were too anxious to say, "Thank you."  And how many of us miss out on love and community because we're afraid every neighbor is an axe murderer?

Keep asking questions young people.  Continue to find ways to bring healing to the world.  And if part of that is bringing hope to the world, then start by being hopeful of each other.

Things I think about #5:  How many people just 
wad up fitted sheets?

Smacking Cheesecake #16:  Make a candy corn cheesecake,
then we'll talk.

Why is Your Menu a Russian Novel?

In a most recent count the Cheesecake Factory has over 300 menu items.  Now, if I just counted them all then why did I have to estimate it at over 300?  Because like anyone else, I can't make it through the whole menu.  In all truthfulness I made it to about 100 and then Googled it.  Even then I couldn't get a detailed answer.

There's an old saying in the restaurant business that goes something like this, "lots of options means good at none."  I suppose that's true in life as well.  Jim Thorpe, Bo Jackson, and Deion Sanders were total outliers in the sports world.  Benjamin Franklin and Leonardo da Vinci were remarkably unique in comparison to all of human history.  Most of us are just better off finding one or two things to be great at and simply focusing on those.  

Bo knows lots of things, but Bo don't know what to order.

Which bring us to this.  How can a restaurant that serves "Moroccan Chicken" and "Shepherd's Pie" expect them both to be good?  And how in the world do you expect to get a great "Louisiana Chicken Pasta" if the same staff is whipping up "Beets and Goat Cheese Salad?"  I'm not even sure a Louisianan could identify a beet or knew goats produced cheese.

They claim its all made fresh daily and evidence shows this is true.  But truthfully, on a flavor perspective, that worries me more than if they were simply freeze dried and thawed out in the back.  At least then there's the greater likelihood that someone actually knew what they were doing at some behemoth sweat-shop headquarters, chucked them in Tupperware, and gave you something authentic.

more appetizing than those plastic cartons

Give me three-day old tortas from our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters at San Carlos FBC before I'll eat your over-priced Baja Chicken Tacos.  Give me the Sweet and Sour Pork from our Chinese co-workers before I'll take your Spicy Cashew Chicken.

So let me get this straight.  You're telling me that you've somehow found a team of cooks, errrrr chefs that are equally incredible at Fried Chicken as they are Pad Thai?  Are you telling me that you've found hundreds of trained kitchen staff who can do great Chicken and Biscuits while also making an excellent steak on a hibachi?  Where in the world are you finding these people?

The funny thing about it is again, your name.  Its the Cheesecake Factory.  Its not the "Pasta Factory" or the "Chicken Factory" or even the "Steak Diane Factory."

We are learning something about selection that less is more.  When people are given too many options they simply shutter and blindly pick one or go to what they've always ordered.  Then again, if they go to what they've always ordered then what's the point of having tons of options.

Heidi Montag once made a song called "More is More."  That's all you need to know

One of the more important, and underrated, aspects of fine dining is being able to get an educated opinion from the waitstaff on a menu item.  At many places, chain joints included, it is customary for the waitstaff to be given samples of all the menu items for this purpose.  At some places they will comp all your meals to entice you to try the menu for yourself as an employee.

But one has to wonder, if I ask the waitstaff, "Would you say the scampi is more on the garlicy side or the creamy side?" or, "Do you think the Miso Salmon will burn my mouth?" will you really get a serious opinion one way or the other?

"Uuuuuum, I'm not sure.  I'll go ask the chef."  In other words you want us to wait here at the table for another 10 minutes while you walk 100 yards across your gargantuan restaurant, dodging tables and runners, interrupt the chef(s) who's trying to pay attention to the food and their staff, then you're going to come back over and tell us the answer?  Nevermind, I'll just order one of the other 299 things on the menu.

Are you burned out from deciding what to do at The Cheesecake Factory?  This might help.  Have a plan.

Things I think about #4:  When ducks have conferences
do they appoint a leader?

Why I blog #3:  Because Twitter doesn't leave enough room
to truly banter on about how much I don't understand things.

What's the Big Deal with Baptism Anyway?

My mother raised us in a Baptist home and against my own best intentions find myself fully immersed and in love with our little Baptist church of which I am on staff.  Oftentimes people ask me what Baptists believe, Presbyterians (since I'm officially on paper still one of those) believe, Catholics believe, yada yada yada.  Its always kind of difficult to explain in the way people would want it because there are Baptists who are all over the map.  The same is true for Presbyterians and Methodists and Anglicans, etc.  Everyone is all over the map.  Hek, even in our single, small church people are all over the map.  The main differences between these different branches of Christianity have to do with how their churches are governed.  But one thing is certainly true of Baptists... they love to baptize.

O sure we may not do as much baptizing as we used to but when we do look out!  Everybody is going to be all kinds of excited, especially the adorable grandmas and grandpas that keep these places running.  Sometimes the little devil inside me thinks, "We should take a mission trip to Zimbabwe.  If I can get some of my middle school friends to agree to be baptized the grandmas will happily pay for everyone else to go for free!"  [For the record I've never actually thought about doing that.]

This was just too easy a moment to insert a Book of Mormon plug.

But the fact that people do seek to entice others to be baptized as much as they do makes me wonder... why?  What's the big deal?  Its just some water, a few rehearsed lines by you and the pastor, and dry off.  Actually, there are many people who find it to be just as big a deal and are equally, if not more, cautious to encourage others to be baptized.

Would someone please explain to me what happens in that water?!

According to Peter the rituals of Baptism go all the way back to the Noahic flood.  The waters symbolized God's cleansing of sin and unrighteousness from earth in the flood.  Today the baptism waters symbolize God's cleansing of sin and unrighteousness from our personal lives.  Interestingly though, that's normally not mentioned when your baptized.  More significance is paid to the metaphor of Jesus Christ being buried then raised back to life.  While this might be a fascinating thing to point out maybe the point remains that many of us seem to miss... its a symbol.

Rituals carry such weight for people that cynics like myself don't always understand.  It feels like people sometimes pressure us to believe that if we don't partake in a certain symbol, and sometimes in a specific way, that we're second class and bound to suffer.  For some it isn't that we're baptized but how we're baptized and when we're baptized and under who's oversight and permission.  Another one of the New Testament writers, Paul, makes a point about this in his writings.  From what we can make of it there was a group of people who judged others based on their circumcision.  Much more painful than mere baptism you can imagine why new believers would have hesitated to include that ritual.  But Paul continued a running theme through Scripture that God is not impressed by our rituals but rather our hearts, sacrifices, love, and grace.

Then what's the point of it exactly?  Why go to the trouble of getting wet?  Well, normally they do give you a certificate or trophy or something to commemorate the occasion.  Okay, just kidding about the trophy.  I've never seen that.  But I have seen a baptism pool set inside a fire truck specially fitted with canons that shot confetti for when children were baptized.  Apparently they aren't doing that anymore.  Sad to see many children will be disappointed they won't be getting the same confetti and party sirens.

Said fire truck is stage right.  Yes, this actually happened.

Sometimes I wonder why God would provide us with these rituals.  Then I teach another class and realize that we all learn in different ways.  Many of us, maybe all of us, are experiential learners.  We learn by doing.  Thus, maybe the writers of the Bible were inspired by a tactile God, a God that wants us to experience spirituality and not just read about in books or hear about in sermons from people like me.

About a week ago I was seriously humbled to take part in the baptisms of two seniors, sisters, who felt compelled on their own to be baptized.  Because the idea came up entirely from them I was so interested in what brought them to that point.  These two older women are such sweethearts and talked about how they simply wanted to use that opportunity of being baptized to show God and others of their love for God and His Son Jesus Christ.  Our whole church, all ages, were so touched by them.

They didn't say much during the worship service, but it was in their nervous trembling backstage that I understood what this meant to them.  In many ways it was convicting to me.  Ever since the many trials of my college years I've had a bit of trouble opening my heart to that sort of excitement.  I understand why and don't blame myself for it (much) but I miss the days of getting so fired up about things like that.  Now its more like, "O, another baptism, that's kind of exciting.  When are we going to get to the real work of serving the poor?"

What kind of spirituality is that?  I pray for myself and others who have a "been there and done that" attitude.  Sometimes I wonder, if I only had a smidgen of the reverence and enthusiasm these two women had how much greater of a light would I be towards myself and others?

Things I think about  #3:  Does anyone else see the two wheels turning when 

they open this webpage?  What is that supposed to mean?

You know you're cool when #1:    You're listening to the FM jazz station and 

correctly name the musicians in the band before the dj.

Smacking Cheesecake #8:  Its 940pm (PST) and they still have adds up on 

Google telling you to make your Father's Day reservation.

On Homosexuality (part 2)

I'll go ahead and admit that my opinion has evolved over time.  Long ago I looked at the list of Bible verses given to me while also concluding that science tells us people are definitely born with a certain orientation, homo, bi, or hetero.  But it also seemed there is a long running theme through Scripture that condemned the behavior.  I suppose this all made sense by comparing homosexual orientation to alcoholism, abuse, OCD, soft spokeness, pride, or even walking pigeon toed.  Simply because God had born us with certain natures doesn't necessarily mean that we should be acting out on them, or so I thought at the time.

sinner...

So in my mind at the time I accepted that yes, God created our friends in the LGBT community as they are.  But I suppose I also expected us to attempt to overcome any other sort of "sinful" nature we were born with.  This is sort of where I began my opinions on homosexuality.

As a sort of side note it really bothers me that we place people into bubbles and dare not try to even step into their world, or even look at it for that matter.  At the time I held these beliefs I counseled youth who struggled with their sexuality, how to talk about it with their family and friends, was this or that okay, what should they do, is God angry at them?  Something I look back on with great pride is every single one of those students, as far as I know, still retains a positive view of Jesus Christ and the church (in general) and has grown comfortable in their sexuality... well as much as the society around them allows them to feel.

I suppose many of us expect that if you send a gay boy to a youth pastor that thinks marriage equality is wrong that the first words out of said youth pastor's mouth when talking to the boy is, "Devil child!  You know God hates you."  Its as if we think conservatives have no tact.  Some, sad to report, actually do and know how to keep their opinion to themselves for the sake of greater goods like mental and spiritual health.

And some people I guess expect that our liberal youth pastors would parade our effeminate male youth and tough, short-haired female youth around like trophies.  I suppose we think that if a family that was conservative sent their child to the liberal youth pastor the first thing on the agenda would be a thorough brainwashing on progressive politics.  You know, some liberal youth pastors also know how to keep their opinions to themselves for the sake of someone's mental and spiritual health.

In any case, there's really no need to go line by line through verse and verse of the Bible that either condemns or supports homosexuality.  A thorough double dip (Google and Wikipedia) should take care of that.  Besides the debate of today is marriage equality a sort of separate point.

in this case George, a double dip is perfectly acceptable

It was a few years ago that someone I really admire, Bruce Reyes-Chow, wrote a truly fabulous piece about civil unions, the spirituality of marriage and what its like being an apparent agent of the state.  You can read it here.

First, on the separation of church and state is that I could even grant you that the founding fathers of the US didn't necessarily intend there to be a "wall" put up between them (although I humbly disagree).  Surely they could've never imagined the world we live in today where a church I worked at shared a small street with a Mormon Temple (not invented yet) and a Buddhist Temple (mostly unknown at the time).  But even if they didn't intend it, it doesn't matter, its a good idea!

Why would anyone want the government and church together?  Are you crazy?  Can you imagine the amount of lunacy and scandals that we'd have to deal with then?  Does the church really want to take responsibility for all the ridiculousness that comes out of Washington?  And to those of us who have had to deal with church or denominational politics, do we really think that these people are going to get anything positive done in Washington?

So yes, give me separation of church and state.  If the morality of America is in decline its not the fault of the government.  Its the church's fault for not discipling the people on its shores.  So next time someone complains to you about how America is headed to hell in a handbasket ask them when the last time they took a handbasket of something other than their mouth to someone in need.  :-)

But this all raises some implications about governments role in marriage.  Marriage is a holy act.  Its a sacrament in nearly every religion.  So why does the irreligious government feel the need to get involved?  I read one blogger put it quite well, "Why should I spend time in prayer and meditation over a service, spiritually counseling a couple on marriage, we worship through song and exchanging symbols of love, I pronounce them man and wife... but by the authority given of me by the state of so and so?"  Agreed!  I thought my church or religious body gave me that authority to perform religious acts not the state of wherever.

yes, this is an "agent of the state"

Of course we know it has to do with good policy making.  Tax incentives to married couples so more people will want to get married, then they'll be more likely to have children, then we'll have a larger workforce which means a larger economy... or so the thinking goes.

But here's the deal.  I'm a Christian before I'm an American.  So simply put I care about Jesus' teachings, the Biblical texts, and other spiritual acts acts such as prayer, mentorship, etc to guide my life.

To that end I agree with Bruce.  Government should simply get out of the marriage business.  Everyone gets a civil union including my wife and I.  Our friends, family, and faith community see us as married.  That's enough.  The state doesn't regulate Communion or Baptisms nor should it.  Then get out of this one also.  That's right Roger Waters, "another brick in the "wall!"

Realistically speaking, unless there is a Hail Mary by the Supreme Court that won't happen.  If it does it will take decades.  So in the meantime we're still left with considering fair and equal practices under the law and of course, "the pursuit of happiness."  For those reasons alone I feel as though its time for us to permit same-sex couples to wed. 

Dang you TJ and your "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."  "Pursuit?"  Really?

There have been compelling religious and philosophical arguments made against it but in the end they all simply bump up against our greater conscience.  It oftentimes takes too great of mental gymnastics to make these points:

• Its a threat to heterosexual marriage.
• Am I going to suddenly want to leave my wife and find a man?  Is she going to leave for a better woman?
• This would cause a cultural acceptability that forces schools and such to teach my children that it is an okay behavior.
• And there aren't any current behaviors that our society pushes on children that we find disagreement with?
• Its not natural since you cannot produce children.
• Science and adoption has solved this.  Beyond that how many married couples, some not by choice, remain childless?  And singles?
• Children need a male and female at home.
• Yes, because with our divorce rate we have done so well at this.
• Churches will be forced to marry against their will
• To this day I have yet to meet anyone who had to marry anyone against their will.
• To add, this is possibly the one thing that holds the most water... but not nearly enough.

Needless to say, any of these points can be argued in circles for days given the right group of stubborn nincompoops.  It is merely to point out that at that moment that the point is made that a rebuttal pops into focus within moments and little to no deep thought shows its inherent weakness.  We may "stand on principle" but we all have to accept that we can take a brief look at history and see lots of smart people standing on principles that became garbage.

So one day I hope to marry some of my LGBT friends.  I hope to, without fear of admonishment, offer them the same (or hopefully improved) marriage counseling we have others.  I hope to see our friends in the pews of our churches again worshipping without fear of consternation.  If we still believe them sinners then join the crowd.  There is a whole church of them surrounding you.

To tell you the truth there are 1000s of people who know more about the Bible and God than I do.  Some of them agree and some disagree with me.  That has never been a reason to not engage the debate.  Hopefully, prayerfully, we can all, in good conscience and humble hearts expect that the person in front of us, though disagreeing, does so understanding that they also don't have the answer to all of life's questions either.

Enter the cries, "Thank you!" and "Heretic!"  We love you all. 

Things I think about #2:  Why can't Apple, Google, and Microsoft just get along so

 everything will sync properly?

Smacking Cheesecake #4:  A restaurant that "runs out" of specials means one thing, the specials are the junk they're trying to get rid of before its so rank you can tell.

Down with the Cheesecake Factory

I've never liked The Cheesecake Factory.  Not once, not ever.  I've tolerated it when being drug there by others.  Its trendy, but I've never liked it.   Let me explain...

The first time I went to the Cheesecake Factory was in Denver, CO.  A group of co-workers went downtown to celebrate something and after a short consultation with all of us I believe it was our director that made the call.

Of course my first thought was, "uuuh, I'm not a big cheesecake guy," which I wasn't at the time. Like most dudes who grow up a bit blue-collar with a diet which consisted primarily of frozen fish, TV dinners, and Tombstone pizzas, I was a bit leery about this whole experience to begin with.  However, that ambient lighting and peer pressure gave way.

such a wasted appearance

Somewhere in my college years, like many people, I started to enjoy experimenting with different tastes and flavors.  I don't think there was a term like "foodie" yet but its where I was heading.  I blame Jesus for my current taste buds which, like His grace, is accepting of pretty much anything... or anybody... um, anything or body depending on if we're talking about grace or taste buds... never mind.

In a nutshell the Bible teaches to be grateful when people offer us gifts.  It also teaches that when you're out serving and caring for folks one of the greatest ways to show them you accept them is to eat whatever is put on the table.  So yes, I blame Jesus, and St. Peter for that matter, for having eaten dog, cat, deer, kangaroo, chocolate covered ants, bulls (you-know-what), blood sausage, bats, etc.  Truthfully though, its been a fun experience.  And yes, I prefer dog to cat.

During my first visit to The Cheesecake Factory I ordered 3 different times.  There was a special of the day (because we all know the menu didn't have enough things to pick from) which I ordered, which the waitress informed me they were out of so I ordered again, and again they didn't have something on that plate either, so after a long look over the menu I ordered 3 other things and asked which was best and she picked one.  So the menu with all the entrees, useless unless you order what they have in stock.

Men's Health says your awful.  And that's a magazine for men even!

It would be one thing if the food was great but its not.  Its not even good.  Its bland.  It feels like somebody hanging out in their kitchen went by the recipe on the back of an ingredient jar.  So needless to say this makes the price a frustration as well.

As we can see from the Men's Health article you get a plenty size portion.  So don't worry.  Your dog back home will have something they can enjoy at least.

Good to be back writing again... even if it is about nonsense.