Desperation

May Presidents Obama and Zuma speak out strongly against this predatory evil. May we all.

Speaking of paradoxes

"I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility at commensurate speed."
- Maya Angelou

(courtesy Sojourners)

Much to do . . .

However high be your endeavors, unless you renounce and subjugate your own will -- unless you forget yourself and all that pertains to yourself -- not one step will you advance on the road to perfection.

- St. John of the Cross, Spanish mystic, friar, and priest (1542-1591)

(courtesy Sojourners)

I'm in the black

But I'll be in God's house at FedEx tomorrow.

Sometimes I feel like I don't know
Sometimes I feel like checkin' out
I want to get it wrong
Can't always be strong
And love it won't be long...
Oh sugar, don't you cry
Oh child, wipe the tears from your eyes
You know I need you to be strong
And the day is as dark as the night is long
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen
Baby, baby, baby...light my way (alright now)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

You bury your treasure
Where it can't be found
But your love is like a secret
That's been passed around
There is a silence that comes to a house
Where no one can sleep
I guess it's the price of love
I know it's not cheap

(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Oh...ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...

Baby, baby, baby...light my way

I remember
When we could sleep on stones
Now we lie together
In whispers and moans
When I was all messed up
And I had opera in my head
Your love was a light bulb
Hanging over my bed
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Ultraviolet... [Repeat 4 times]

Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...
light my way
[Repeat 3 times]

Baby, baby, baby...light my way

first time played live: 1992-02-29: Lakeland Arena, Lakeland, Florida
last time played live: 2009-09-26: NBC Saturday Night Live - NBC Studios, New York, New York

Thanks to Macphisto for the lyrics and information.

Foxworthy, Kids, and God

The most important lesson I have learned from my own kids is that they have given me a small glimpse of how God must feel about us. You know, your spouse is capable of doing something where you wouldn’t love him or her anymore, but your kids aren’t. It doesn’t mean you don’t get angry or frustrated with them, but you cannot not love them. They’re an awesome gift. And I kind of think that’s how God looks at us, like, “Oh, good grief, you’re so stupid, you’re driving me crazy, but I still love you.”
(From Parade, 9/20/09)

Must see for Tori and me

. . . When You Think about It

R.I.P. John Hughes

We'll never forget about you.

Yeah

Wait. Whoa. Chris Isaak's 53??

Enjoyed this short Q&A with Chris Isaak, like the opening banter:

Is it true you were the homecoming king at your high school [A.A. Stagg in Stockton, Calif.]?

No, no, no. [Laughs] I was student council president. I even had my own office. I was a cheerleader, too. I found out about cheerleader camp and heard that there were about six guys and 3,000 girls, so I signed up. It was a precursor for a rock-and-roll career.

And what a wise mom he has:

Well, heartbreak is my forte. But I tried to make it a balance on this record. There's some really upbeat songs like "Big Wide Wonderful World." And "We've Got Tomorrow." You know my parents have been married 60 years and I asked my mom, "How do you stay together?" And she said, "You don't leave." It's really simple.

Probably good to stay away from those who leave from the get-go . . .

'Best Wedding Entrance Ever'

Excuse my fear of my child, or me, getting sick

Apparently, my need for health care coverage is a threat to the comfort of certain 'Christians.'

Refreshingly, Prof. Vigen gets it so very right:

. . . If we are a people shaped by our respect for life and the dignity of the human person, how can we not be at the front lines of health care reform? Even more, why do many of us oppose a public option for health care?

The Gospels overflow with stories of Jesus caring for people in need--not only the fortunate few, but whole gatherings of people--hungry masses, gaggles of children, and scores of the infirm. In one instance, Jesus healed too many to count (Luke 4:40). If we take Jesus seriously, then our obligations to the naked, hungry, beaten, suffering, and vulnerable are hard to deny. This is not new or revolutionary--Christians have understood this duty for centuries; it's why the first hospitals in the West were founded by religious communities and why so many doctors and nurses were also priests, monks, nuns, ministers, or lay members. . . .

Consequently, Christians are called to embody this grace for others--friends, family, neighbors, and strangers alike. Jesus did not favor V.I.P.'s, societal insiders, the affluent, or people with the best paying jobs. But that is exactly what our currently-fragmented health care system does. Significant numbers of people go bankrupt every year because of medical costs. Thousands of others are being cut off of charity care because hospitals and doctors can no longer afford to be generous. Others delay seeking care or are refused care because they don't carry the right or adequate insurance. Jesus cared for whoever needed attention the most--regardless of status, wealth, or employment. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) shines a spotlight on the responsibility to care for the stranger (and to pay the bills!).

Are we willing to put our money where our scriptures are? Health care is not free. I ask only that we shoulder one another's burdens. . . .

On my short list

'Just One Day'

Yeah. I want to see this.

Love Mendes, ever since American Beauty. And after the lack of much original thinking in his non-ground-breaking Revolutionary Road -- saved only by brilliant performances by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, and the one who stole the show in a character who almost revealed Mendes's hand too much, Michael Shannon -- I am really looking forward to him showing us what made us love him in the first place: in Away We Go.


Yet, the cliched design of the movie's website and credits, etc., can't help but remind me too much of Juno and other such non-indy indy films. Mendes doesn't need that help to drum up an audience.

Not the ukelele I'm used to hearing

Very cool.


and part two:

A necessary apology

Humbling to admit your past wrongs, and that the opinions or sentiments you once held are not right. While I am pro-life still, I do not believe the issue is handled through legislation -- I believe it's counterproductive, just creates backlash. But I believe Frank Schaeffer is right in that the rhetoric, however unintended, has fueled the wrong passions in the issue.

Compassion and love -- and grace -- should always be the answer. From Frank Schaeffer's column:

Like many writers of moral/political/religious theories, my father and I would have been shocked that someone took us at our word, walked into a Lutheran Church and pulled the trigger on an abortionist. But even if the murderer never read Dad's or my words, we helped create the climate that made this murder likely to happen. In fact, it has happened before. In 1994, Dr. John Bayard Britton and one of his volunteer escorts were shot and killed outside an abortion clinic in Pensacola, Fla., by Paul Hill, a former minister and an avid follower of my father's.

Angry speech has become the norm in American religion from both the right and the left. Words are spoken which, when taken seriously, lead directly to violence by the unhinged and/or the truly committed.

'Up' Is More Real than Corliss Realizes

My daughter and I have anticipated seeing this film since seeing the previews in December before watching 'The Tale of Despereaux.' And after reading Richard Corliss's review, I am anticipating it all the more.

But there's one line in his article where I believe, after reading more of the storyline of this upcoming film, Corliss could not be more wrong: "Up isn't realistic..."

Of course, I know he's referring to the depictions of the characters. But reading the intentions of the storytellers and the background of their characters, you don't have to be a crotchety old widower to relate in a deep and meaningful way.

Can't wait for May 29.

"... or snacks"

Love it.

'Constructive Summer'

Much needed positive thinking at such a time as this. (Thanks, Steve, for the reco.)