Lamuel: A view of Christianity

This blog is intended for anyone out there who loves Lamuel and all his friends at http://objectiveministries.org/ . Objective Ministries is not a Christian website, but rather a Christian parody that might be telling the world what some non Christians think about Christianity. The character Lamuel in the kids section produces images such as this one:

This image displays Lamuel, Objective Ministries christian mascot decapitating Habu the elephant (which represents religions with many gods) while Mr. Gruff the atheist runs out of harms way. When I look at this image, Christ's love does not come to mind.

If this is a Christian, I am ashamed to be one. I am ashamed of all that things that have been done in the name of Christianity such as the crusades, killing abortionists, trying to convert natives, money extorting televangelist to name a few. I am also ashamed of all the things that Christianity has neglected such as the poor, the homeless, the prisoner, the hungry, loving gay people, caring for people with AIDS., etc,... I am sorry for not being a vessel of God's love in this world. Please forgive me.

As a Christian, I like Lamuel because it forces me to re-evaluate my purpose in this world. Whenever I think about, or see Lamuel I will think "Am I really loving my neighbor today?" Lately this summer I have felt a bit guiltily of not loving my neighbor. I am part of a small group at church and we don't do anything to help those in our community. That really makes me quite ashamed.

Christ loves me and everyone else (yes everyone) in the world that he laid down his very life to save us. God says that the wages of sin is death. The sacrifice that Jesus made saves us from death. Jesus: Dying so you don't have to. I wish I would display love like the love that Jesus displayed.

If anyone is interested about reading more about Christian spirituality, I fully recommend "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. Please feel free to leave comments. It's nice to know that people are listening, thanks!

Fireworks

Recently I have been thinking, after seeing fireworks, about war. War in other countries. I thought this because fireworks have lots of loud noises and lights. I imagine that in war-torn countries that when they hear loud explosions and crackles and see lights in the sky it is most likely due to a bomb ripping through a nearby building, someone firing a machine gun, or arocket launching to some unfortunate destination. How could we sit by and go "ohhh" and "ahhh" to these sights and sounds while people are dying around the world to similar sights and sounds? I considered boycotting fireworks altogether

But then I thought, wait a minute... boycotting fireworks because they remind me of war is kind of ignorant. I am thankful that I realize that there is war out there and people are dying. I am glad that I have the insight to pull that out after going to the fireworks. I am sure that there are many people in the world who do not think about war and ignore it and just live in there own little world. Fireworks make me aware and that is a good thing.

So, last night I went with some friends to see the "HSBC Celebration of Lights" fireworks in Vancouver. I have to admit, I did have a very good time. We got there about 3 or 4 hours early to get a decent spot of ground on English Bay where the fireworks are launched from. I sat with a few new friends on the seawall at the southern tip of Stanley Park, right near the water. We had plenty of time to talk, get to know each other, and take pictures (more of my pictures can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktims82/page1/ ). The fireworks started at 10pm and were quite amazing to see and hear.

They of course still reminded me of war but then I thought, 'What if there was peace everywhere on Earth? What if we didn't need bombs or guns anymore? What if we could turn all those weapons into fireworks and have a worldwide fireworks display as an act of celebration?'

When the fireworks ended we made our way back towards the Skytrain like so many other people. The streets were filled people marching from the beach to the closest train stop, Burrard station. So many people that cars had no choice but to stop and sit still.

Overall it was a great night... maybe I'll go next week to the finale. Here's a video clip of the beginning of the fireworks: http://www.vimeo.com/255331

Goat's Pride Open House

On Saturday I went to Jason's house to help out with the open house for the dairy that they run there, Goat's Pride. Goat's Pride is an organic goat dairy where many different and wonderful goat products are made. My friend Jason is the main cheese maker there and makes very good, award winning goat cheese there. It is very delicious.

At the open house I helped out by manning the welcome booth along with the "Welcome Goat" that was dressed up in a straw hat and coveralls. She kept trying to eat her hat and eat the stickers that were on the coveralls. My job was to greet people as they came in, giving them a map, a stamp booklet, and selling them goat food. Other activities at the open house included story telling, face painting, cheese testing, goat milking, a petting zoo, and a salmon exhibit. I am glad that many people and young families got to enjoy their afternoon at the open house.

Here are some pictures and a video. The video seems to be too large to fit directly into this blog so here is a link:

http://www.vimeo.com/248038

Taking God with you...

Today I went out to Timmy's with a friend and we talked about few different things but one thing in particular that we talked about was taking God with us. What I mean when I say this is allowing God into our lives to trust him with even the little things, not just the big things.

It makes me think how often i ignore God when I go to work, hang out with my friends, or spend time alone. God is the sort of person that we should take with us everywhere.

I am reminded of a skit that was performed during Worship 937 last semester that starts with a girl deciding that she is going to spend some quality time with Jesus. So she opens her bible and begins to read. suddenly there is a knock at the door and two friends are there enticing her to come to a party with them. She tells them that she can't go but then they tell her that a certain boy will be there at the party. Now she really wants to go and makes for the door, only Jesus (personified) stays right by her side. She does not want to take Jesus with her because she will be ashamed if Jesus sees her at that kind of party, so she tries to make him stay. She tries to tell him that she will spend time when she gets back and tells him to wait but Jesus remains at her side. Finally she is so frustrated that she grabs some spikes and a hammer and crucifies Jesus to the wall and walks out the door to the party.

Sometimes I really feel that God is like that in my life. I think sometimes that I try to leave God at home whilst I work and play; only to dust him off every few days. How can I know God if I don't spend time with him? It's not just alone time with God but ALL times with God. I should be able to take him to work or down to the coffee shop or to the movies, band not be ashamed to have him there side by side.

Booking a wedding day...?

I was out with dinner with my parents and talking to my mom I discovered that soon my home church will no longer be able to let church members book the building for free for the purpose of a wedding. It is a highly sought after church to have a wedding in because of its very long center aisle. But, anyone who BOOKS the church after august must pay $300 to rent the building regardless if they are a visitor or a member. My mom is the church secretary, so she knows these things.

Should I book the church now for... hmm... 2 years in advance (I think I could even get my mom to move the exact date as well) in an effort to avoid the $300 fee? Or is that just too cheap, even for someone of dutch descent?

These are a few of my favorite things.

Today I thought that I would share with everyone a few of my favorite books and mythoughts about them. They are only numbered in the order I pick them up to write about them.

#1: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Over the Canada Day long weekend I have had two different people bring this book up in conversation. I absolutely love this book. To me it is abook about one man's real experience living an ordinary life with an extraordinary God. This book follows Donald Miller as he meets God, grows up, and takes Him to Reed College; a place not known for its Christianity. Blue Like Jazz reads very well. It is a good blend of interesting, gripping stories and thoughtful, well written essays. It even has a cartoon about Don Rabbit and Sexy Carrot in it if you like that sort of thing. (Hmm carrots, that a whole other story I won't get into.)

#2 The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams & John Lloyd

I found this at the TKUC silent book auction last semester and was fortunate enough not to have any classes when the auction ended so I could get the last bid in. So I picked this gem up for a mere $1.50 canadian! The Meaning of Liff is a dictionary that uses the names of towns and cities (mostly from the U.K. I beleive) and gives them a definition like a dictionary. For example I will choose a random word...

Burleston (n., vb.)

That particularly tuneless humming and whistling adopted by people who are extremely angery.

Burleston is probably a real place in England somewhere. I like this book because it give words to things that do happen every day but there is no usual word in the english language to properly describe them. I wonder if I am allowed to use the words found in this book in my academic writings.

#3 Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

As I have mentioned in a previous post, this book inspired me to get a hat. Anansi Boys has action, murder, fantasy, , romance,birds, spiders, cats, a lime, buses, planes, duppies, and a hat. It is the story of Fat Charlie Nancy's life after the death of his father and the arrival of his brother who has god like abilities. How will Fat Charlie be able to cope with all of these changes in his life?

Neil Gaiman is my favorite author and writes very good fantasy documents. I first started reading hos work thought the graphic novel series, The Sandman. I am always excited to see what he will produce in the future. I am especially excited for (what I consider) to be his first graphic novel/illustrated novel to be made into a major motion picture Stardust. (http://www.stardustmovie.com/) I think it hits theaters in August.

#4 Simplicity by Mark Salomon

Mark Salomon is the lead singer for the band Stavesacre and this book is his story. It chronicals his life and his experiences with God as he grows up to be who he is today. Mark Salomon is a person how has had to deal with much strife and growing pains. There are many stories about his childhood with his precristian parents and also his born again parents. Like anyone elses life there are ups and downs, a rollercoaster. Simplicity describes these ups and downs and sometimes I find that I can personally related to them. He struggles with his family, girlfriends, society, being labeled, annoyed, having exceptations as a christian placed on him as he lives his life. Like many of Donald Millers books, Mark Salomon offers a book that many people can related to whether they are Christian or not.

#5 Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I discovered this book through an introducory English course at TKUC. Basically my initial purpose for reading this book was of course to write an essay about it. My essay was titled "Strength of a Boy, Weakness of a Tiger." Life of Pi is a fictional story about a boy, Pi, who is forced to share a lifeboat with a 450 pound bengal tiger amongst other animals. Pi Patel and these animals are the only survivers of an entire zoo's ill fated journey across the Pacific Ocean, will they be able to survive the journey? or will their lives be lost at sea forever?

Life of Pi also offers a unique character through Pi Patel, a 16 year old Indian boy. Prior to the trip from India to America, Pi experiences a clash of different religious ideas and does not struggle with them as much as he experiences them much to the annoyance of his parents. I have heard a rumor that Life of Pi is being adapted to a motion picture and is being directed by M. Night Shamylan (sp?) I think he is a good choice asa director because he may have some insight into being Indian and could create this book from an Indian perspective much like Yann Martel has.

Mount St. Benidict

Saturday morning I went hiking with my friends Jason, Gerry and Kevin. Mount St. Benidict is located in the Mission/Hatzic area about 30 minutes from Abbotsford where I live. The hike involves about 2 1/2 hours hiking uphill and about 1 1/2 hours downhill with varying inclines ranging from 35 degrees to 60 degrees. About 2/3rds of the way up we encountered allot of snow but decided to hike through it to get to the peak. We believe that the snow actually made it easier to hike to the top because it was more like a ramp then stairs and we could make our own trail to the top. When we reached the peak we ate lunch with our heads in the clouds, literally. From the peak we could see a couple ponds we passed on the way up and a lake that we believe to be Davis Lake as well as other mountains nearby. The way down was very fun because we could slide/ski down the snowy parts. It was a very fun hike and I definitely enjoyed spending time talking with my friends and bonding as we go on an adventure. I look forward to doing more hikes in the future!