« June 2004 | Main | August 2004 »
July 30, 2004
Two Slimy Johns
I deeply regret my prolonged absence from the blogging scene. I worked approximately 50 hours during the past four days, and frankly, I was pooped. But that is beside the point...
"And we will have one clear unmistakable message for al Qaida and the rest of these terrorists. You cannot run. You cannot hide. And we will destroy you." Do you know who said this? WRONG -- it was not President Bush! Oh, sure, this has been the theme of several
( http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2776
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2450
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1671
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2926
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2952
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2259
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2058
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2017
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1740
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2170
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2802
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2083
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1418
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1975
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2539
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2561
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1439
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2411
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2457
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1407
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2020
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1415
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1781
http://www.georgewbush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=1551 )
of the President's speeches in the past three years, but no matter. These words came out of the mouth of none other than John Edwards during a speech at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday.
In theory, it is a good strategy for the Kerry-Edwards ticket. They must appeal to the moderate undecideds if they want any hope of winning the election. The Hollywood actors, who have recently taken up Bush-bashing on the side, can stump for the leftists. But Kerry and Edwards are not moderate. Their Senate records show them to be the most and fourth most liberal Senators, according to votes, respectively (but not respectably).
They must also prove to Americans that they will be strong on national defense. This is an area in which their poll numbers are dangerously low, though it should not be too surprising considering Kerry's peace activism during the Vietnam War. Now, however, he has decided (or his strategists have decided for him) to place the emphasis his service in the war prior to his denouncement of it.
Which brings about the question posed to a Senator from California on Thursday by someone on the Fox News channel. What is the difference between Kerry-Edwards and Bush-Cheney on the war on terror? This particular Senator did a brilliant job of avoiding the question the first time around, but it was posed to her a second time. She then proceeded to state that Kerry-Edwards would probably stop making nukes, and followed up with a tangent on how lifting the ban on asasult weapons would lead to everyone walking down the streets with AK 47s and Uzis. I found this particularly amusing, considering that the Bush administration is also in favor of renewing the ban on assault weapons, and also picturing myself walking to classes in the fall with a grenade launcher poking out of my backpack. But I digress.
The third time the Senator was asked the question, she more or less admitted that she did not know the answer. However, she then followed up this concession with an assertion that these convention speeches are more for generating enthusiasm than laying out a specific plan. So she just admitted that everyone who cheered for that particular section of Edwards's speech, and for many other lines that would have received responses inappropriate to be posted on this blog if they had come from the mouth of President Bush, only cheered because of a mob mentality. Brilliant.
Perhaps this is the most extreme makeover Americans have seen yet.
Posted by Megan at 07:44 PM
July 26, 2004
Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Posted by Megan at 10:53 PM | Comments (3)
In the News
As I sit here tonight, The Lone Strangers are recording their first EP. My heart is there with them. I can't wait to hear it. Can not wait.
Angie just moved in -- YAY!!! I foresee fun times in the days ahead. Another big "yay" for everyone who helped her move. Some people are so giving and such servants that it takes my breath away.
Monday, August 2nd, Senator Grassley will be holding a women's conference from 7:30AM to 4PM. The conference will feature women from Iowa in various positions of leadership. I can get a person or two or three in for free (meals included), so let me know if you're interested. You would probably get to meet the Senator if you wanted to.
In national news, Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry, told a reporter to "shove it" after a speech in which she stated that politics has been infused with some "un-American traits." (Had I been the reporter, my response would have been something such as, "Up which donkey?") Something tells me that Heinz Kerry didn't write her own speech, but nonetheless, the instance is reminiscent of her husband. Vote one way, say something else, do something entirely different. Flip... flop... And "un-American?" At best it reminds me of "un-patriotic" and at worst in reminds me of the Cold War.
Suggested reading of the Day: In Desperate Move, Kerry Adopts Puppy. Not for the weak-kneed.
------
Quote of the Day: "I will stand up and struggle, as others have, to try to get that right balance between violence, and sex, and things." -John Kerry on World News Tonight.
Posted by Megan at 10:22 PM | Comments (2)
July 25, 2004
Timing is Everything
In my last entry, I mentioned an instance of laughing at the wrong moment and choking on water. I have been asked to expand upon this event, and I am always happy to indulge such requests whenever I feel like it.
Thursday, in the Exceed van on the way to work, the conversation turned to an in-depth and passionate discussion of "narfing." For those unfamiliar with this term, it is short for "nose barfing," or spewing a beverage out of the nasal passages as a result of laughing while attempting to drink. Several personal testimonies were shared by the time we reached Des Moines.
Later, during our dinner break, jokes were cracked and beverages, carbonated and non, were enjoyed. There is nothing unusual about that, except for when multiple girls came close to narfing, and one carried through with it. Then, as we were clearing the table to return to work, and just as I thought that I had escaped any danger of narfing, there was a twist of fate. Tammy released a powerful, full-bodied belch, which is also not out of the ordinary for any of us. I proceded to finish off my glass of water, which was still about half-full, which required small chugs in order to expidite the process. Tammy went on to state, "Ew, I almost puked up some cheese," which in turn caused me to elicit a tremendous narf.
As if that were not sufficient, everyone started laughing, and Becky pointed and screamed "NARFING! NARFING!" which caused me to continue laughing, which only exacerbated the situation. I attempted to swallow the water that remained in my mouth to prevent it from exiting through my nostrils as well, but in my haste I gulped the last of the water down the wrong pipe and into my lungs.
So there I stood, in the lovely break room of ING, water and nose goo covering my face, drowning on half a swallow of innocent little H2O. I tried to cough it up without spraying it everywhere, making some disgusting choking and gurgling sounds in the process. I was later told that I sounded like a dog before it vomits. Beautiful.
The great part about all this was making a complete fool of myself. One of the best feelings is when you are at your worst and people love you anyway.
------
Quote of the Day:
You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can't relate
And you're still here
-Everything by Alanis Morisette
Posted by Megan at 07:13 PM | Comments (4)
July 23, 2004
The Little Things
I never thought it would happen -- and certainly not so soon -- but I really don't have one particular subject on which to rant today. So I will follow the fad and make a list of things I love, with the emphasis mostly on the past day or so.
I love...
...getting to know people better. It's such a fun process of discovery. I also love revealing more of myself little by little.
...laughing at myself, even when it's for oversleeping by 2 hours or choking on a mouthful of water from laughing at the wrong time.
...getting random hugs, even though it's not my nature to give them.
...accepting faults.
...spontaneity.
If you are in the mood for some intellectually stimulating reading material, I would highly reccommend What Does 'Judeo-Christian' mean? by Dennis Prager.
------
Quote of the Day: "It's weird to see journalists engaging in this Beltway speculation over who 'leaked' the information to the press. After all, journalists are supposed to like leaks, which further 'the public's right to know' and, more importantly, reporters' ability to get scoops. But somehow when the leak is seen as benefiting Republicans--recall the Valerie Plame kerfuffle as well--the press's partisanship seems to override its thirst for information." -Opinionjournal.com's Best of the Web Today (7/23/2004) on various press conjectures concerning how information was leaked about Clinton national security adviser Sandy Berger's alleged theft of documents from the National Archives.
Posted by Megan at 11:59 PM
July 22, 2004
A Wretch like Me
Last night at Drake, Brent Knox said quite a few things that hit home for me. One of them was that we should not put off drawing nearer to God because we are still sinners, or else we will never get anywhere.
I had been considering for a while some of the relatively minor (if there are indeed gradations of sin) sins I commit on a regular basis. I just can't seem to give them up. Going 75 on the interstate is so much nicer than 65, even though I'm breaking the law. South Park is so funny, even though I'm feeding my mind with filth. Shouldn't I love and fear God enough to give these things up without a second thought? If I'm not repentant enough to give them up, am I still forgiven?
I also struggle with focusing during worship. Last night was a prime example. I was having such a great time watching and listening to the
This tug-of-war frustrates me.
------
Completely unrelated: Recently I ran across another conservative Blair blog! I got the link from a Republican Party of Minnesota e-newsletter, but it looks like the guy is an Aussie. Very cool.
------
Quote of the Day: A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. Proverbs 10:23
Posted by Megan at 11:55 PM | Comments (2)
July 21, 2004
Picture (Im)perfect
By popular demand, I present to you pictures to compliment my earlier entries on my Presidential encounter. I regret the horrid photography.
The awful color and blurriness in the last one was due to my finger covering the flash. At least I wasn't covering the lense, like I was when I whitewater rafted the Royal Gorge.
------
Quote of the Day: "Turnover." My father explaining to my grandmother (his mother) why it shouldn't be an issue (for long) that she would be younger than the average age in an independant living facility.
Posted by Megan at 11:59 PM | Comments (3)
July 20, 2004
Head! Pants! Now!
I got my hair cut today.
I used to hate going to stylists other than my regular one in Omaha who is somewhat used to my large head of hair. Now I enjoy watching unsuspecting, overconfident stylists gradually realize that this hair is untamable.
All I asked for today was a half-inch off.
"How do you style it?"
"It usually works best just to put some products in and let it dry on its own."
"I could use the diffuser on it."
Classic mistake. They all think they can blow-dry my hair.
"Okay, sure."
I could't resist my morbid curiosity to see what she would do to it.
It always unfolds the same. The drying starts out at a relaxed pace, but gradually the pulling at the hair gets more frantic. Intermittent pauses to apply more product increase in frequency, and all restraint with the amount of product applied is eventually lost. Finally, they surrender, exhausted.
"Does that look alright? It'll relax a little... right?"
"Yeah," I lie, beginning to feel a little guilty. I'll just wear it up anyway.
A few days ago, when the weather was unbearably humid, I was riding the elevator up to my internship. (Sound familiar? There's just something about me and elevators...) A few other people got on part of the way up. A lady turned to her friend and remarked, "I'm happy today - my straightener worked." There is no doubt in my mind as to what made her think to mention that.
Moral of the story: there is none. But if I were to make one up, I guess it would be that being amused by yourself is much more fun than being self-conscious. I learned that one the hard way.
------
Quote of the Day: "Would ya look at the size of that kid's head! It's the size of a planetoid and it has it's own weather system! Looks like an orange on a toothpick!" Stuart Mackenzie, played by Mike Meyers, in So I Married an Axe Murderer.
Posted by Megan at 03:40 PM | Comments (6)
July 19, 2004
And We'll All Float On
I must agree with Emily. This was quite a weekend.
I worked all day Saturday, plus my parents came to visit, so we spent some time with Grandma in the evening. In addition, several girls were spending the weekend at our house. All of this was excellent, but it would have been even more enjoyable had I not been exhausted.
I was about to go to sleep when I noticed that a friend was on AIM. I hadn't talked to her for a while, so I postponed my bedtime to strike up a conversation. During the course of the conversation, I was rightfully rebuked for neglecting my non-Ames friends. I was caught off-guard, but after reflection realized the truth to this assertion. I had been spending a significant amount of time yammering to my friends about how great life in Ames is and how awesome the people are while not stopping very often to take the time to see how things are going for them.
I had hurt and angered at least one very close friend. This discovery hit me like a ton of bricks, and I hurt just as much knowing that I had been selfish and failed as a friend. I fell asleep feeling absolutely terrible.
Sunday was a day of redemption. It was as if my eyes had been opened the previous night. Suddenly, I appreciated every simple act of kindness. Sitting in a row full of friends at church and eating lunch with friends and family were things I would have previously taken for granted, but on Sunday they touched me.
Sunday afternoon and evening were heaven-sent. I communicated with the friend again, and we both apologized. The evening was spent playing volleyball for several hours with a group of at least a dozen people. Afterwords, we went to DQ. Finally, we finished the night with a bunch of us squeezed in front of the TV in our basement for a movie. All the while, my eyes were opened to the generosity, kindness, and love shown to me by others.
On the way to DQ, I was given the best seat in the house. I got to ride shotgun in Dan Cox's/Luke Anderson's business's mammoth truck. A few times today I just closed my eyes and remembered riding a good foot above the rest of the vehicles on the road, listening to Modest Mouse, and conversing with the other people in the truck. I don't think I could have been more content. And I owed it all to friends.
Today I was reflecting on good times spent with friends at college. Trips to Applebee's, trips to The Pause. Laughing at movies, crying at DVDs. Sitting and talking until the early hours of the morning despite incomplete homework and a sleep deficit in the red by several dozen hours.
I hope I can learn to be a better friend. I'm not a natural at asking people how their day went, how things are going, or especially dealing with difficult subjects. Frankly, if there's not a quick fix, I tend to feel uncomfortable and just say, "I'm sorry" over and over. I really do feel bad, but I don't feel very helpful. Hopefully I can learn from those around me.
1 Corinthians 3:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
------------
Quote of the Day: "You're not going to have to look for us on vacation. You're going to find us working for America." -Senator John Kerry at Campaign Event, 7/7/04. Drudge Report posts this quote beneath a collage of pictures including Kerry hunting, sailing, skiing, snowboarding, wake boarding, bowling, playing hockey, "playing" a guitar, swinging a baseball bat, catching a football, riding a motercycle, riding a bicycle, and on a beach.
Posted by Megan at 08:18 PM
July 15, 2004
How Could it Be Any Better than This?
(Continued from yesterday)
The President gave an inspiring speech. It baffles me as to why he is not recognized as a good public speaker. He made minor stumbles a couple of times, but much fewer than most people. I realized while standing there listening to him that this reflected how he was speaking from his heart rather than reciting or performing.
He looked me in the eye more than once. I don't know how to describe that other than one of the most awesome experiences I've ever had, and something I will never forget.
After a sly joke about trial lawyers, a few people booed, but I just grinned slyly. He scanned the audience with a straight face, but eventually he couldn't help but grin as well. I am almost certain that point was when his glance passed me.
After his speech, he turned around to shake hands with some of the people on stage. He then turned to exit the stage in the opposite direction from which he came. This left those of us in the middle wondering if we were going to get passed up.
Once down from the stage, however, the President began shaking hands, working his way through the entire front row, moving gradually toward me. I was trying to get pictures, but I was shaking so badly that few of them turned out. There were Secret Service all over the place, with about six surrounding the President, and this did not help ease my nerves.
Before I knew it, the President was right next to me. I just stood there, frozen. Everyone was reaching out to shake his hand, but I couldn't move. I think part of it was my immense respect for the man. When I had dreamed of this moment before, I had imagined that if I ever got close to him, I would be reaching as far as possible for the chance to just brush his hand. But when he was finally standing directly in front of me, with only the ribbon line in between us, I saw that he had a free hand, reaching out very slightly. I knew that this was my chance. I just reached toward him, brushed his arm, and he grabbed my hand.
The moment was instantaneous. I could hardly remember the actual handshake, even in the moments after it occurred. All I recall is that his hands were rough -- not like those of a person with a desk job, but how I imagined that Reagan's hands would have been -- like someone who chopped a lot of wood or did some other type of manual labor. I also remember realizing that people were right when they said that he is shorter than you would think.
I had planned what I was going to say: "Thank you, and God bless, Mr. President." But people all around me were yelling things at him, and multiple people were shouting, "God bless!" He was trying to listen to everyone, and occasionally said "Thank you" in reply to the multitude of blessings. I remembered that I had planned on saying something right after he released my hand, but it was so loud that I doubt he heard me shakily utter, "Thank you..." and he was a few people down by the time I whispered, "God bless."
As he was standing just a foot or two beyond me, I reached for my camera for one last photo. I snapped it just as he was leaning forward to say something to someone in the crowd, so it's a terrible picture. But the fact that it is so close makes it my favorite picture ever.
As the realization hit that my dream had just come true, I started shaking more than ever. I reached into my pocket and yanked out my cell phone to call my parents. My fingers were trembling so much that I was almost unable to dial. I did get through, however, and I was screaming above the crowd and the blaring music, "I JUST SHOOK HIS HAND!!!"
I then started to leave. I don't even know where the President was anymore, but I didn't care. He may still have been in the auditorium, but I had my moment. On my way out the doors of the auditorium, I was walking on a cloud -- or maybe leaping. I dialed my brother, who was graciously happy for me, even though I was still freaking out and rather incoherent.
I returned to my car to find that it had not been towed and I did not have a ticket. I found my way back to the interstate with no problems. I remembered that the night before I had left for Duluth, Heather had included in our pre-dinner prayer a request that I could meet the President. It had caught me off guard, but I had thought, "Well, if it is your will God, I would appreciate it." I don't know how God decides which prayers to answer. I had always just assumed that the small stuff didn't matter to him, and that his will would be done whether or not I had the opportunity to shake hands with the President. But I thanked him for at least the first hour of the drive back.
------
Quote of the Day: "In these times, I have been witness to the character of this nation. I've seen the unselfish courage of our troops. I've seen the heroism of Americans in the face of danger. I've seen the spirit of service and compassion renewed in our country. And we've all seen our nation unite in common purpose when it mattered most. We will need all these qualities for the work ahead. We have a war to win. And the world is counting on us to lead the cause of freedom and peace. We have the duty to spread opportunity to every corner of this country. This is the work that history has set before us. We welcome it. And we know that for our blessed country, the best days lie ahead." -President Bush in Duluth
Posted by Megan at 03:14 PM | Comments (3)
July 14, 2004
Better Than Ever
My apologies for the lack of blog yesterday, but I had an appointment with the President.
I volunteered at a
My first task as a volunteer was to ask people standing in the endless line outside to join the Bush team. It doesn't get hot very often in Duluth, but yesterday was sweltering. This should have been a friendly crowd, but everyone was hot, cranky, and tired of standing in line. I filled a page with names and contact information and then gave up. I was wishing I hadn't made the drive.
Fortunately, we were given Bush t-shirts and "event staff" passes, and were ushered through the press door and into air conditioning before anyone else. We had given our social security numbers ahead of time for security, and we passed through metal detectors at the entrance, but from then on we were treated with complete confidence. Some volunteers were pulled aside to help the Secret Service with security. Others were given signs and told to use them for crowd control. I was pulled aside with two others and led into a back room.
The Secret Service guy who was giving us directions was awesome. We were on a first name basis, and he treated us as equals. The only difference was that his cell phone rang about every 60 seconds, and he would suddenly be silent on occasion in order to listen to his ear piece and reply via a small mic in his shirt sleeve.
The room was for the people who were to be on stage behind the President. They were brought there before hand for extra security. My job was to tell them to sit down and stay sitting, though most completely ignored the orders to chat with friends and take pictures with the Governor. Later on, half the room was requesting to use the restroom. We were required to escort them in small groups for security. When I returned from escorting the last group, the other two volunteers had gone into the auditorium to find a place from which to watch the President. I didn't know if I was going to have the opportunity to go in or not, but I waited to be given further instructions.
Soon, the people were filed onto the stage. I was left standing in the back room with a couple of state government officials and a Lieutenant Colonel. My Secret Service boss returned shortly, however, and apologized that there was not room on the stage for the rest of us. He then directed some of the President's staff to find places for us along the ribbon line. I followed the line of people into the auditorium and directly in front of the stage. One of the staff pulled me in front of the Colonel. I'm not sure why, since I was taller than him, but I didn't argue.
After just a few more minutes, the President made his entrance. He shook hands as he made his way to the stairs on the side of the stage. When he was up on stage, he turned in our direction and waved. I started screaming and waved back furiously. I must have looked like a moron, but I was exploding with excitement. I was so close to the man who I have given so many hours to support and worked so hard to defend. I was so close to the man whose strong leadership, firm principles, and sound morals have helped keep this nation great. I was so close to the most powerful man on this earth.
TO BE CONTINUED...
------
Quote of the Day: "Today I want to explain how I want to continue to lead this country, but perhaps the best reason to send me back to the White House is so that Laura will be First Lady for four more years. I'm a lucky man. I'm a lucky man when she said yes when I asked her to marry me. What a fabulous lady and First Lady she has become. I'm sorry she's not here, but I am proud that one of our daughters, Barbara, is traveling with me today. I love that you're here, darling. Thanks for coming." -President Bush yesterday in Duluth.
Posted by Megan at 03:11 PM | Comments (3)
July 12, 2004
The Time Has Come
The warnings about possible terrorist attacks on the US before the November election are becoming more frequent, more specific, and more urgent. Each time a new alert is issued, I take a moment to reassess my priorities... and then return to the rat race 60 seconds later.
Today, however, one of the ladies in the office mentioned that she heard that twelve cities are being targeted. (I don't know if this is credible - I couldn't find any information of the sort.) I made a quick mental list in my head. Minneapolis/St. Paul was on it. I plan to spend massive amounts of time at MN Bush/Cheney '04 headquarters in St. Paul this fall. I plan to spend the 36 hours before the election there, and I plan to watch the results and celebrate our victory at the Minneapolis Radisson. I don't care what the threat level is -- I will fight for freedom until the end. And an imminent threat would most likely make me fight harder.
In conclusion, I present to you a long but substantive Quote of the Day. It's been about 6 months since I first read this radio address by Ronald Reagan, but these recent terror warnings brought it to mind.
Looking Out a Window
January 27, 1978
It's nightfall in a strange town a long way from home. I'm watching the lights come on from my hotel room window on the 35th floor.
I'll be right back.
---
I'm afraid you are in for a little bit of philosophizing, if you don't mind. Some of these broadcasts have to be put together while I'm out on the road traveling what I call the mashed potato circuit. In a little while I'll be speaking to a group of very nice people in a banquet hall.
Right now, however, I'm looking down on a busy city at rush hour. The streets below are twin ribbons of sparkling red & white. Tail lights on the cars moving away from my vantage point provide the red, and the headlights of those coming toward me the white. It's logical to assume all or most are homeward bound at the end of a day's work.
I wonder why some social engineer hasn't tried to get them to trade homes. The traffic is equally heavy in both directions, so if they all lived in the end of town where they worked, it would save a lot of travel time. Forget I said that & don't even think it, or some burocrat will try do it.
But I wonder about the people in those cars, who they are, what they do, what they are thinking about as they head for the warmth of home & family. Come to think of it, I've met them-oh-maybe not those particular individuals, but still I feel I know them. Some of our social planners refer to them as "the masses," which only proves they don't know them. I've been privileged to meet people all over this land in the special kind of way you meet them when you are campaigning. They are not "the masses," or as the elitists would have it-"the common man." They are very uncommon. Individuals, each with his or her own hopes & dreams, plans & problems and the kind of quiet courage that makes this whole country run better than just about any other place on earth.
By now, thinking of their homecoming, I'm counting how many more hotel room windows I'll be looking out of before I'm in the rush hour traffic heading home. And, yes, I'm feeling a little sorry for myself and envious of the people in those cars down below. It seems I've said a thousand goodbyes, each one harder than the one before.
Someone very wise once wrote that if we were all told one day that the end was coming; that we were living our last day, every road, every street & all the telephone lines would be jammed with people trying to reach someone to whom we wanted simply to say, "I love you."
But dosen't it seem kind of foolish to wait for such a final day and take the chance of not getting there in time? And, speaking of time, I'll have to stop now. Operator, I'd like to make a phone call-long distance.
This is RR. Thanks for listening.
------
"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:15
Posted by Megan at 10:28 PM | Comments (1)
July 10, 2004
Out of Control
I'll admit it: I'm a control freak. I like to do things my way. I am happiest when I like I am running my own like and making my own decisions. Nothing makes me feel more worthwhile than being able to take ownership of my accomplishments.
Thus, trusting God has been a major battle for me, especially recently. I find myself worrying about things, and I see myself trying to make things happen and failing. I pray to desire and know God's will, but my heart remains unchanged.
Why is it so hard for me to trust God? I know (in my head, at least) that he is much more trustworthy than myself. He is omnipotent, and he created me.
If it is such a struggle for me to trust him with this life, how can I trust him with the next?
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
------
In other news, Laura Eckstein, my former roommate (she left me to be an RA), fellow Englilsh major, and forever friend, has joined the wide, wide world of blogs! Her writing skills put me to shame time and time again.
------
Quote of the Day: "...blew a casket..." Someone over at Wood St. Friday night. I'm pretty sure I know who it was, but I will omit the name to avoid any possibility of embarrassment.
Posted by Megan at 11:45 PM | Comments (5)
July 08, 2004
Who ARE you? Part II
I may be getting in over my head here, but I think it's pretty obvious that I'm not an expert on theology, so here are my thoughts, take 'em or leave 'em.
Was Jesus a pacifist?
Often when the word "peace" appears in scripture it refers to the peace of God. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 I hate to use the phrase "inner peace" since it has been abused to the point of destruction, but I do think that it would be a fairly accurate descriptor here. After all, the angels of the Old Testament brought a wish of peace as they were scaring the pants off of the people to whom they were appearing. Jesus used it in the same way: While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. Luke 24:36-37 Jesus is telling them to have peace of heart and mind.
Perhaps Romans 5:1 says it best: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This sort of peace is obviously not what people had in mind back in Biblical times, either. Jesus said, Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34 This was not what the Jews were looking for in a Messiah. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:20. Who makes peace through a violent death? Back to John 14:27...
Other verses about peace do refer to peace between individuals, but few New Testament verses address relationships between nations. This is not to say that war is good. It is to say that context is good.
-----
Quote of the Day:
"Dick Cheney can be president." President Bush's response when told that John Edwards is "charming, engaging, a nimble campaigner, a populist and even sexy," and then asked, "How does he stack up against Dick Cheney?"
Posted by Megan at 03:00 PM | Comments (7)
July 07, 2004
And Now for Something Completely Different
I realize I started a multi-part series yesterday, but I decided today to take a much needed break from the seriousness of my past few entries. So, fear not, I have prepared some light reading for you.
I was talking to Britt, a friend from college, yesterday. She graduated this past spring and is now working for Center of the American Experiment, a Minneapolis-based Conservative think tank where I interned last summer. Our brief talk about the office brought back some memories... (cue wavy, blurry lines and harp music)
The office was on about the 7th floor of a tall building in downtown Minneapolis. One morning I had pressed the up button for an elevator and was getting on when I noticed another gentleman hurrying to catch the same elevator. I reached for the "door open" button in order to let him on, but the buttons were arranged differently than they had been on the elevator in my dorm. On this elevator, the "call" button was right where I was in the habit of the door open button being located.
When I accidentally pushed the "call" button, chaos ensued. A buzzer started blaring and briight red lights flashed. The gentleman had made it into the elevator by sticking his arm in the door, but was soon sorry he had. The elevator automatically dialed the operator, and when she answered, the elevator played a recording: "Elevator emergency, Plymouth Building, car six." Needless to say, the gentleman was sending various odd looks in my direction, as if I was not flustered enough in this situation.
I finally found the "call cancel" button, but it was too late. The elevator stopped at the gentleman's floor, and I rushed off. My floor was another two stories up, but I really wanted to get off that elevator. I pushed the button for a different car, and finally made it to the correct floor. By that time, however, I was ready to go home for the day.
Fortunately, I have not had any mishaps of this magnitude yet this summer, but I am reminded of the incident almost every time I reach for the "door open" button.
-----
Quote of the Day:
"You really need to learn how to yawn. Right now you sound like a wookie with the decibles of a jet engine." My caring, concerned brother lovingly pointing out one of my faults.
Posted by Megan at 09:42 PM | Comments (5)
July 06, 2004
Who ARE you? Part I
The weekend before last, I heard a phrase that I have not heard for a long time: "misrepresentation of Scripture." As it echoed in my head, I recalled something one of my friends had said regarding militant Islamists: "That's why religion is so dumb: people can use it as an excuse for anything they want."
At the time, I didn't know how to respond to my friend. People certainly do use religion to mean a variety of things, causing confusion. But truth is absolute, and God's Word has one meaning that He intended, and every other meaning is wrong.
So, what does one say to people who try to use scripture to promote their social agenda? Jesus was not a social or political activist. Jesus came for our salvation, not governmental reform.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
And concerning the intention of the Gospels:
John 20:31 These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
----------
Quote of the Day: "When I came back from Vietnam in 1969, I don't know if John Edwards was out of diapers then." Kerry making fun of Edwards's (now his running mate's) lack of military experience in a January debate.
Posted by Megan at 11:51 PM | Comments (3)
July 02, 2004
Tidbit
Quote of the Day:
"It sounds like he's been getting defensive advice from George Soros and Michael Moore," former U.S. attorney Joe DiGenova responded to Saddam Hussein's remarks during his trial for war crimes and genocide. One such remark from Hussein was, "This is all theater, the real criminal is Bush." It sounds to me like Al Gore and Howard Dean are on this advising pannel as well.
Posted by Megan at 10:39 PM
Mustard Seed
I was planning on making this a multi-part series, but there was just no good place to pause it. Thus, please do not feel obligated to read it all at once. This will probably be my last post of the holiday weekend, with the possible exception of Quotes of the Day, so you have plenty of time to read it.
Background: I grew up in a Christian home. We were very involved in our Lutheran (ELCA) church, and it was there that I learned about God and grew in my relationship with Christ.
One of the main reasons I chose to attend St. Olaf College was its affiliation with the ELCA. After all, this denomination had provided me with a good spiritual foundation, so I assumed it would provide me with an atmosphere in which I would continue to grow in my faith. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
My faith found no home at St. Olaf. I am told from the pulpit and in the halls that if I am a conservative, I am not a Christian. After being told that I was not a Christian over and over, I started to believe it. Maybe Jesus really was a pacifist. Maybe he would expand the welfare program. Maybe he would put so many regulations on big businesses that Wal-Mart would no longer be a threat to Herb?s Herbs on the corner of First and Main. Maybe Jesus was not for me.
I had the humbling pleasure of meeting David Horowitz twice this past school year. Mr. Horowitz is a short, rotund Jewish man with grey hair and a slight limp, but a commanding presence. His voice is raspy, but his eyes are fiery and his words are fierier. He grew up Communist, but became a conservative after re-thinking things after the murder of a friend. Mr. Horowitz stirred up awe and admiration in me. He spoke to the 100% of me that is conservative, but also seemed to draw out the 1/16th of me that is Jewish. I wondered if that was what I had been overlooking my whole life. Jesus could have been a false prophet and led me away from the true faith.
By the end of last school year, I did not know what to believe. All I could do was pray each night that God would show me the truth.
At one point during the school year, I had stopped in Ames to visit my brother on the way to or from Omaha. He was asking about my summer plans, and I said that I had none. He mentioned that some of his friends thought I should spend it in Ames. I was fairly surprised, and shrugged it off wondering what in the world I would do there for three months.
As summer drew near, I began to search for an internship. I had been sending resumes and making calls for months, but I had secured nothing. I prayed that God would do His will in my life and that the last summer before I graduated would be a valuable one in which I would grow to know Him better.
One day I received an e-mail from Senator Grassley's Regional Director asking for an interview. I had forgotten that I had sent a resume to the Senator's Des Moines office on a whim. About a week after the interview, I was still waiting to hear back, but I was told by Pat and Heather that it was God's will for me to live in Ames. They thought they were joking, but I wondered. Before I knew it, I had an internship and a place to live in Ames.
Upon arriving in Ames, God has taken my prayer to know Him and done more with it than I could have imagined. During the first week here, I shared my struggles with my life group. They prayed for me, and it was one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had. They asked God to give me faith in the words that my soul had been searching for but never found.
The people I have met here are incredible. I look at them and see God's love. They are one of the ways in which He has revealed Himself to me.
Last weekend, I went to Chicago and heard Tom Short do open-air preaching on Lake Shore Drive. I listened to him, riveted, for hours. He said many things, but a few of them spoke directly to me. He said that a person needs to weigh the reasons for believing against the reasons for not believing. He explained that Christianity is the only religion in which God is so merciful that he sacrifices his only son to forgive those who have disobeyed Him.
Afterwards, Pat and Matt did an impromptu concert in the same area. While we were standing around getting ready to return to the dorms for the night, fireworks started exploding over the lake. As I stood there watching them, absorbing their beauty and that of the surroundings, I thought, "Okay, Jesus. I believe, and I accept." I still had doubts, but at that moment I realized that those doubts were outweighed by my need for salvation and my desire to know the love of Christ.
My faith is still weak, but I hope that it continues to strengthen. I hope that it will last during times when not everything is easy in my life. I plan on returning to St. Olaf in the fall, and I hope that by then I will be able to not only withstand criticism, but also to reach out and share what I have found.
Soon I shall share why I believe that Jesus was not a liberal social activist.
Posted by Megan at 01:15 AM | Comments (7)