Stuff Christians Like

Have you ever heard of this site? http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/ It's a guy's blog about the sometimes ridiculousness of the Christian Church. He is a Christian guy so he has the insight. While he pokes fun, he had a real relationship with Jesus that guides his life. He is just able to see the humor in some of the things the Church does.
I thought of him when I was contemplating the Christian book fads. I was talking with my new grad orientee at work last night. I asked her if she had heard of the book Kisses from Katie which is a book a woman from my Bible Study first told me about. I think she bought it the day it came out and read it in 24 hours. I have not read it yet, but it is the story of a girl in her young 20s who went to Africa after graduating from high school and is now mother to a bunch of orphans.  She is living out her calling from God.  The book is based on her blog http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/. I love the concept of what she is doing and I look forward to reading the book, but knowing that Becky had just bought it and I had originally heard about the book in a different Christian circle got me thinking about the Christian book fad.  I remember as a kid it was I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Now as an adult, I see the Church all into Crazy Love and Radical.  I see all my Christian friends and Christian radio get so excited about movies like Fireproof, Facing the Giants, The Grace Card, and now Courageous (some better than others; typically with horrible acting).  I just find it interesting that the Church is not immune to new fads and ideas that prompt sermon series, movie nights, group discussion, etc. before fizzling out.  At least we have one Book that is not a fad, that we can cling to in all circumstances, and that we always return to to guide our lives. We seek new revelations as to the content and meaning of the words of Jesus Christ when, if we spend time with it, God should reveal himself to us in the text. I guess we love to share that with others (in books) when He does.

Warning: A little graphic

I am amazed at how nature takes care of the dead. On Monday evening as I was walking my dog before work I noticed lots of large carrion birds in the trees. I startled them and the trees were groaning and cracking as the birds flew off. I thought it was odd for there to be a flock of carrion birds - I don't often see them together. I walked a few paces more and smelled it.  Looking around I spotted a dead deer in the woods to the right. I don't know how it came to die (hit by a car and dragged itself into the woods?) but the birds were already hard at work and had the intestines spilling out of the animal's abdomen and backside. Morbid curiosity had me standing there at a distance for a few minutes trying to figure out what the animal was and how it might have died. I briefly contemplated it as a cruel Halloween joke. I wondered if I should call the police or someone to get the animal removed.  Then I realized that my dog was not on a leash and he would be very interested in the rotting meat. I back tracked to get him leashed before he could find it.  Tuesday morning revealed fewer birds and a bloodier looking carcass with less flesh.  My leashed dog had a fit wanting to check out the smell but I kept him away.  By Tuesday evening I could see ribs and by this afternoon all that seems to be left are the bones, head and tail.  Today's animal is positioned differently than the last couple days. I guess the wild animals are being thorough. It really does amaze me how quickly the animal was reduced to bones.  The fact that it gets eaten by those disgusting birds makes my skin crawl, but I am thankful that nature has a way of disposing of the rotting meat.  How amazing it is to go from a living, breathing creature to an dead object to nothing but bones in such a short time.

"As a father has compassion on his children,
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
   he remembers that we are dust.
The life of mortals is like grass,
   they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
   and its place remembers it no more." Psalm 103:13-16

Stupid laws

I found out yesterday in my theory class that Virginia state law does not allow medical professionals to share the diagnosis of an STD in a teenager with the parent.  This makes me angry! In a minor child, the parent is responsible for teaching them how to live and to provide correction, education and redirection when a child with poor judgment is making bad decisions.  How can they do that when it's a secret?!?! I understand that the idea is that a teenager will be comfortable seeking medical treatment for their sexual activities if they do not fear their parents. But clearly the child isn't smart enough to figure out that if they are afraid of the consequences, they are doing something they shouldn't be doing in the first place. Teenagers are immature and irresponsible sometimes and that is why they have parents to help them.  They don't have enough experience to make the right decision 100% of the time. That's why they are considered minors and their parents are responsible for them! It seems so silly! I can't believe that such contradictory laws exist.  When it comes to any other medical condition, the parents make the decision even if it's against the wishes of their 17 year old child.  Why are STDs different?  It would make more sense to me to allow a child with cancer or a life threatening disease who has the time to discuss the options and their decisions with adults to make their own medical choices than to hide diagnoses indicating poor sexual choices from parents.  I agree with allowing the child to consent to treatment from a physician for STDs, but the parents still need to know.  The child needs to be protected if they are making decisions that are leading to preventable illnesses like STDs.  How can the state prevent the parents from knowing about their child's behavior and protecting their child from decisions that may change their lives???  I just don't understand and I don't like it and I would LOVE to know how to change it!

Being single

All the Single Ladies - The Atlantic

I have always thought that I was somehow less because I'm still single. It was as if all my friends or acquaintances finally became somebody when they had someone to love them for the rest of their lives. In my eyes they now had purpose and meaning and family and belonged to a different class of people - a higher class. I always felt I must somehow be less because no one loved me. I am now dating someone I could see spending the rest of my life with, but the fact that he doesn't yet feel the same still stings like not being worthy of love at all. Somehow, despite what the linked article says, I feel as if everyone I know is married or getting married. Those who are married are all having children and I feel like I'm left behind and as if I've missed something.  This viewpoint that life finally starts when you get married really hinders the single person. There are so many benefits to being single. Before dating, I had so much time to do hobbies I liked and to read and to hang out with my girlfriends. I don't see much of my friends anymore at all...I'm just too busy. I am working on being patient and enjoying what are hopefully the end to my single days. But I am starting to think that there will still be times I won't feel loved despite the fact that I'm married to someone. I think those doubts that plague me now as a single person will continue to rear their ugly head. I need to find security in being me and being loved by God and then, regardless of my marital state, I can be content and sure of myself. I want a husband and kids, but I need to know I'm ok if that doesn't happen too.  

my new obsession

pinterest.com

More reading for school

One chapter had some interesting thoughts on the role of the nurse in social activism. It was still written by the feminist author so it definitely had a slant toward doing away with discrimination toward women (which I don't really see any in my life), but it was somewhat motivating. Michael had told me about a book/article yesterday that discussed the fact that more black women go to college than black men and that there are increasing numbers of black men in prisons. That coupled with the reading on fixing disparities has me thinking about how to fix it. I want to find the article and read more. How do we fix social issues like that?  What could I possibly do?

From other readings I can more confidently say Florence Nightingale is worth citing as a role model. She really believed her calling to nursing was from God. She used her position in life with it's advantages to enact change and fulfill God's purpose in her life. At one point she wrote "The kingdom of Heaven is within; but we must make it without" (from the book Nursing Theories & Nursing Practice by Marilyn E. Parker).  I think this statement succinctly sums up the message of the Gospel.  I also love the fact that she was so dedicated to God and spirituality that the author of this text can't write about her without mentioning her faith. Unfortunately, some of her views were not entirely in line with the Bible and I'm not sure she was totally sold on the Bible as the definitive book of faith, but she does seem to get some things right. 

Relief

I was so relieved to find out today that my wariness of the Peace & Power book was shared by many in my class. It was also nice to find out that Dr. Kane is very open to that despite the fact that she was in a Peace & Power group with the author before the book was written.  So far the class is ok. I think I'll be annoyed with it when I'm really tired after night shift. Dr. Kane is trying to promote thinking.  It all sounds pretty fluffy. I'm a little wary of how the grade will come out, but I can only do the best I can do. I'm also starting to wonder if I'll have to pay for the class in a year....