I have a feeling I'm going to be very long winded in this entry, so fasted your seatbelts, it's gonna be an exhilarating ride of your life!! Not really, but you might want to grab a Snickers or something.

There are a lot of things I'm very very firm on, such as clear biblical truths- God's view (as far as we can translate) of clear descriptions in the bible.

There are other things I'm not very firm on, and I feel easily swayed - things like the coolest city in the world, my favorite cereal, whether Christians should have tattoos and piercings, whether Matt Holliday is the best-looking baseball player of all time, etc. These are things I'm okay with being easily swayed about, probably cause they're really not that important in the big scheme of things.

Then there are some topics that I sure wish I could be more grounded in because my opinion is neutral. I want more discretion when I read or hear someone's opinion about things. Unless someone is truly obviously full of bullhocky, I'll listen to them and even consider adopting their ideas if I'm indifferent about it. Does that make me simply impressionable, or a free-spirited hippie? Pass the blunt maaaan, whatever, free love for all! (note sarcasm)

What I just said has something to do with my book review. I'll tie it in in just a second. Hold tight...

I just about finished with the book, "I'm Okay, You're Not - The Message We're Sending Unbelievers and Why We Should Stop". It immediately grabbed my attention, first of all, because of the cover design. The design and title is blunt and simple- loved it. First let me point out some good things about this book. You should read it! It has definitely made an impression on me about a very relevant topic, as I've noticed this problem for a while now. I was MORE than challenged in very big ways.

I'm going to use 2 of his nicknames while I explain this: Normies (Unbelievers) and Us/We (Believers). He uses Us/We to describe Christians in general- he makes a lot of generalizations about Christians, a lot of blanket statements, so I'm going to do the same. But please know that I know that there are millions of Christians out there who do not fall into this category I'm about to talk about, okay? So let it challenge you, but don't take offense to any of it if you search your heart and know it doesn't apply to you!

Before I go on to the point, I have to explain my 2 complaints just so if you decide to read it, you'll have a heads up. He's a funny author but there is a lot of unnecessary and unfunny fluff he puts in there. Beware of some stupid humor (though I must say, I did laugh out loud at many parts). Second, he overuses capitalization on random words. Sometimes It's Funny, But Not When You Use It All The Time. See What I Mean?

This is the point of the book: Jesus commanded us to fulfill The Great Commission (share the Gospel) and The Great Commandment (love the Lord 1st, love everyone else 2nd). Though we've been doing a decent job in spreading the Word around the world, we've been doing a terrible job at both The Commission and the Commandment in our own country, in our own families, jobsites, and cities. Like I mentioned a few days ago, Christianity, especially in the Western world (I even think many parts of Europe could be involved too), has decreased an incredible amount over the past few decades. We're losing people fast. One of the reasons he believes this is happening is because people are judging Christianity by Christians (imagine that!). He confronts a huge wall that is standing in between Us and the Normies. I can relate to this so very much as I have so many Normie friends (or at least, had a ton of them in high school). At the end of each chapter he quotes what Normies have to say about Us, and let me tell you, it's hard to hear but it's so relevant and I've heard the exact same thing from my own friends.

Here is the main wall he's referring to. Christians don't act like Jesus most of the time. By the way, when people say 'act like Jesus' or 'what would Jesus do', I'm not talking about acting happy all the time or being ridiculously and deceivingly (real word?) nice to people. I'm talking about the real love of Jesus that he showed. We don't respect Normies, we have hidden agendas as their "friend" in hopes of "saving them", we can sometimes force our beliefs on them too hard, we can be downright mean to people, if you're not one of Us - no matter how great of a person you are - we know you're going to Hell in a handbasket and it's obvious we know that, and the list can go on. We aren't loving people, we're just trying to save them. We aren't befriending people, we're just trying make them think we like them so that they'll get converted. We have an underlying reason for every nice thing we do and say to Normies- to get em' on our team.

What we don't understand is that Normies see right through us- they're not idiots. They know when we're faking it and it's rude. They know the basics of Christianity (most of them) and us thinking that cold street evangelism or tacky conversation starters is the affective way to communicate ourselves is asinine. We don't respect their beliefs, yet when they don't respect ours, we get offended. People are tired of Christians being hypocrites and not acting like we claim that we should. In other words, there are two teams and they're called *Let us believe what we want and leave us alone* and *You should believe what we believe or we won't respect you*. We feel sorry for each other. This is the great divide in spirituality.

The author's seemingly radical suggestion for our lives is to STOP. Stop looking at them like they're a hopeless rotting corpse you have to bring back to life. Start looking at people like God's creation, everyone in the world, not just Christians. Stop judging and start loving. Stop pushing and start listening. Give them some respect, give them space, let them believe what they want and respect it. Share the Gospel if they ask, and don't share it if they don't want to hear it yet. Stop being fake friendly to them only to think, "they're just my evangelism project". Start loving them like you'd love your own family or like any other Christian friend. Go out and get some Normie friends. We've lived at arms length from Normies and he's suggesting we start hugging them (metaphorically speaking).

SO! Everything I just mentioned in the past 4 paragraphs was basically a plot summary. Up till the end, I agree with everything this guy is saying. However, I see a red flag in his thoughts and I think it should be addressed. Here are some quotes that I am more specifically referring to:

"Let's not change them. Let's stop worrying about changing the minds of people who don't want to believe what we believe. Let's stop pushing our religion on people who are perfectly content doing whatever it is that they've chosen to do, who are happy to travel down whatever course they've chosen for themselves. Let's really respect people instead of saying we respect them....

"Let's let people be'....

"In our hearts minds and souls, it's got to be perfectly okay for non-Christians to be non Christian'.....

"It's not like I'm suggesting we give up on something that's just working so great for us it'd be a real shame to lose it. We've got to remember that trying to convert people doesn't work anyway.'.....

"It works practically (they're not listening anyway), it works emotionally (finally, we can quit stressing over this relentless pressure to convert others), it works theologically (it allows us to fulfill the Great Commandment.'....

"We've preached enough to people who don't want to hear it. It's time to give them, and us, a break.'....

"Trying to change the mind of someone who knows their own mind is like trying to get a fish to climb a tree. We're talking about Normies who have never expressed to us any interest in Jesus."

The big red flags there are the first 4 statements. In all of those quotes I am not necessarily taking a stand against it or for it. I am trying to figure out what I believe here. I really don't know how theologically sound this is. In general, I like it. I like his thinking just cause it seems so natural yet radical. But something about it doesn't feel right, and I don't want to only base it on my feelings. His suggestion sure would make people get along better, but I wonder if we're fulfilling the Great Commission, or even standing up for our faith (in some way) by respecting people who deny God. That's difficult for me.

How do I respect that? How do I respect people that live such an obvious lifestyle that denies God? This guy's saying (can't say something is true unless the extreme possibility is also true) that if a drunk pregnant drug addict bisexual female Antichrist cult leader who's having an abortion while bowing down to a cat statue and cursing God while beating a dog with a baseball bat were to come to me and want to be my friend, I should say, "Alright, cool, I respect that- wanna go get a latte and paint each other's nails?" Seriously! Where's the line here?

I can respect them as people- for their talents- their character- their demeanor- but respect them even if they fully believe something I (or the bible) am 100% against? Wow. That's a lot of shoe to fill if that's what I'm supposed to do. Loving Normies on the outside? That's easy! But he makes a good point- how can you really love them if you don't respect them? How can you respect them if you don't accept them?

I agree with most of what the author writes about in his book and I think his "social reformation" is long overdue for us Christians. But this part is a challenge.

So what do you think about this? I would love some more opinions- is he spot on? or way off?

To read more about this book, click here

Big Bang=Big Stupid ::good one Ande::

In 1931 some guy named Lemaitre said that the universe began as a simple "primeval atom", "perhaps echoing previous speculations about the cosmic egg origin of the universe." (aka Big Bang)

Know what I think about that guy? He's an idiot.

Here's why: http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/

Well my goodness, I have a lot to write about! Where should I start? I've been writing a lot since I started this thing. Don't feel obligated to read it all, you know. It's just a build up plethora of ideas over a long time that I haven't had an outlet for!

First of all, I just stuffed myself with some super good Tex-Mex food from Tijuana Flats, so my brain is feeling a bit retarded (the actual definition, not insult) right now.

Second of all, before I get to my story, can someone out there help me with the English language? If I want to refer to a male, I can say boy, kid, guy, man, dude, fella', bloke, gentleman, hunk, hottie, jackass, etc. Okay fine, forget the last 3. My point is there's a name for just about every age there. But what about a female? There's girl, woman, and lady. Girl sounds like they're 10 years old, woman and lady sound like 50 years old. What is appropriate to call a female between 10 and 50?? For example, a 29 old female. We need a new word. Maybe something like girman, or ladirl.

So I wanted to talk about what just happened from 12-1 today. Right before I usually go to lunch, I got an e-mail from the main administrative lady here saying that there would be an "intercessory prayer meeting" from 12-1. To be honest, I've never been interested in tagging along in this. They usually have it in the huge meeting hall, and sometimes when I walk by when they're having it, I hear a lot of screaming and mumbling and crying. However, lately, I've been wanting to give it a shot.

Time out. Before I go on, a little background towards my feelings of charismatics and my upbringing.

One extreme - Charismania! - If you don't know, I work for a very charismatic Christian company. I'd say most of the people here go to some form of charismatic church. When I say that, I'm talking about things going in their church such as speaking in tongues, clapping, yelling, dancing, everyone's arms raised, jumping, running, etc. I'm not saying everyone in here goes to a church that does that, and every charismatic church does that- but you get my point right?

Second extreme - Conservamania! (I made that up) - I grew up in a very conservative reformed Baptist church in a small town in the bible belt. The extent of our charisma was quietly saying "amen" during the preaching. We sit still, don't talk, hands in your lap, don't chew gum, don't turn around, don't shake your leg, don't go to the bathroom, sing hymns from the hymnbook with the piano (you better sing loud), and didn't I tell you to stop shaking your leg!? So growing up I was taught to believe that charismania was considered a much less desirable denomination, really weird and, well, wrong.

Whenever I was in semi-charismatic church, or even at a church when people raised their hands, I immediately felt a sense of discomfort. One time at my home church while the pastor was preaching, a first time visitor had stood up and raised his hands during the service. You could have heard a pin drop, I tell ya! 400 some odd faces turned and stared. The preacher stopped, looked right at him and said, "Sir, please sit down." He fell in love with our church! Kidding of course, poor guy never came back.

A reasonable middle ground - The other day I was talking to a friend about religion in Africa. I got to thinking about the African churches I attended- and I recalled how charismatic they appeared. But when I heard and saw it, I didn't feel uneasy about it. For some reason, it made sense to me that they would react that way to the Holy Spirit. My friend and I said it may be that way be because there is so much darkness there, and the Holy Spirit brings such a presence with it, especially due to all of the spiritual warfare as well. Long story, but I'll stop there for now. My point is that there is a healthy "charisma" out there.

SO! Grew up in reserved church, surrounded by charismatic church now, seen a good in between church. In other words, I'm becoming more tolerant to this. 5 years ago if I saw someone raising their hands in worship I'd immediately feel uncomfortable. Today, I heard a lot of speaking in tongues directed AT ME and I didn't run away, so that tells me something.

Back to my story! I had planned on spending my lunch hour calling churches for support. As you may have read on my SK blog, I'm trying to make an effort not to stress about financials and let God take care of stuff. So, I made the decision to go to this prayer thing, and I planned on sitting near the door and sneaking out early in case they started getting rowdy. We were in a small room instead of the auditorium thing.

I walk in the door and am greeted by surprised coworkers who've never seen me come to one of these things. One of them is sitting behind the piano, and another is speaking about politics and how we need or pray for our government. One by one, people started filing in. About 20-22 people showed up in this small room. We started the session by singing praise and worship. I immediately started to feel a little uncomfortable because it wasn't even 2 minutes before people started speaking loudly in tongues and clapping and stuff. I stayed the course and just closed my eyes and put my head down. That helped 'cause I wasn't as distracted.

I started to sing, and like what's been happening for a few months now, I just sat there and cried (a good cry, not a sad cry). Then, a few minutes later I just started to weep (good weep). It was such a stirring time to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit there and to hear people praying so fervently.

It was so genuine and not scary like I thought it'd be and really refreshing to just BE with the Lord when I needed it the most. I, of course, was a bit embarrassed to cry in front of coworkers, but when I glanced up, everyone was doing their own thing and I wasn't embarrassed anymore. It was just me and God, really nice.

Then, well... I wouldn't say it went downhill, but it definitely took a turn of some kind. We weren't singing anymore, but praying--so the music didn't drown out the speaking in tongues like it was before. For about 20 or 25 minutes, it got just a little...interesting. See--right here, I want to poke fun at what I saw, but I feel like I should be more respectful. So I'm going to refrain from jokes and just say things I saw. Speaking in tongues to me, is, well, strange. I don't really get it. I got really distracted at all the different "tongues" being "spoken". This one person started like, barking like a dog and it startled me a few times. People were improvisationally singing to the soft music being played, and some would mix their tongues with the singing which was very interesting. I almost left, to be honest. I kept thinking, "Oh my goodness, my family would totally freak out if they were here!"

But I stayed out of courtesy. Right at the end this women who I've never met started speaking. For some reason, I can't explain it, I knew she was about to talk about me. Isn't that weird how that happens? Anyway, she started saying all this stuff about how Jesus was in the room above us who was singing the song we were singing--but he started the song and the worship leader followed his lead or something? Then she said something like "God is here and He's telling me to say something. He is asking me to tell you two young people right there ::she pointed at me and this other guy beside me:: that He wants you to look at yourself like He sees you. He wants you to know that He loves you more than you love yourself and He wants you to be blessed." First thought? Skepticism. Second thought? Hmmmmmm.....

The leader asked if I would receive her blessing. (?) So uh, I didn't wanna be rude, and can you imagine if I said no?, so I said yes. Everyone then prayed for me and this other guy. One woman laid hands on me and was speaking in tongues, which honestly was a bit strange for me but I got over it.

But beside me was this guy about my age. I think he had his head lowered most of the time, and when he heard this, he just started crying. He was obviously going through some stuff. I put my hand on his back and we just sat there crying. I don't even know this dude! I didn't mind though.

Then we ended our time and went back to our desks to stare at computer screens. Ha!

I'm glad I went. It was a little weird. I wouldn't necessarily act like they do, but I'm learning to be more respectful of other people even if I disagree with them or don't understand them. In a way, part of me is kinda envious at how they're not afraid to express their praise in a physical way like I am. I'm also learning that God is much bigger than we give Him credit for - not just bigger, He's a lot more magical (can I use that word?!) than we think. More supernatural than we give Him credit for...at least more than I give Him credit for! And it's good to cry and be vulnerable with Christ. It's good to once in a while stop caring about surface discomforts and really get into the nitty gritty of worship...and maybe, MAYBE just for a while to really entertain the idea of God doing something supernatural.

What I'm about to say is my just my opinion, and not dogma so it's okay if you disagree. Even though it's absolutely true and anyone who thinks otherwise if a doofus. Kidding, but also not really.

As I was filling my gas tank up this morning at the station, dropping $41 and some change into my tank (that's just wrong), I noticed something that really frustrated me. Look, before I go any further, I don't mean to come off as nutty about this...because when people get so uptight about such small things, it's stupid...like Halloween for example- it's all about how you perceive it. Let your kids go get candy and dress up, they're not trying to worship Satan. Give your kids an Easter basket on Easter morning if you want to- doesn't bother me.

But here's a Holiday tradition that really bothers me. I talked about this on my first blog entry, but didn't really say what I wanted to. Back to my observation this morning at the gas station. Across the highway I see a ginormous billboard with a Z88.3 logo (that's the CHRISTIAN radio station in Orlando), a huge fat Santa Clause winking at the audience, and a headline that says, "Santa is listening".

Does this not bother anyone else but me, or am I just being sensitive?? First of all, it's a CHRISTIAN ministry (who's goal is to get the community to trust them) telling kids that not only Santa is real, but he's some sort of omnipresent being who can really hear you when you want something. People, come on! If this was a billboard from anyone else, like Disney or Target, I wouldn't really care. Why? Cause they're pagan companies- I expect nothing from them...(besides good family fun and cheap clothes...) I'm not even going to waste the time of Googling bible verses about lying. Okay, well I just did, but I'm not gonna waste the time in telling them all to you because there are too many and everyone knows God hates a lying tongue.

I don't give a rat's rear end if Santa Clause is tradition...and in fact, I don't even care if you sing songs about Santa and wrap your presents in Santa wrapping paper with a Santa bow while rubbing a Santa statue. There is a difference between celebrating tradition and using that tradition as truth and convincing your children that this fictional character is not only living, but is OMNISCIENT! Does that sound like anyone you know? That's right, GOD. God is the only omnipresent, omniscient, all-knowing being out there who will reward you beyond stupid futile fleeing possessions.

Let the pagans have Santa. Let them have the North Pole and reindeer and Frosty the flipping Snowman. We are selling ourselves, no, we're selling God short by following pagan idols, YES, IDOLS. (Something adored or worshiped blindly, excessively, and without substance). Why would we waste our time (especially a Christian organization) praising a fictional character that is substituting God for our children? In fact, why would a donation-based organization like the radio station of Z88.3 waste their DONATED FUNDS ($$$ from Christian pockets) and sink $5,000-$10,000+ into a billboard that defiles God? "Defiles God?! Come on, it's not a big deal" you might be thinking. If you can explain to me why it doesn't, then we'll talk.

I have never believed in Santa and I thank my mom and dad for never teaching us that. They flat out told us, "These gifts are from us and God has blessed us with money to buy them for you."

Gosh, I'm sorry if I'm coming across as a crazy wacko about this, but it just struck a cord with me and I feel weirdly strong about it.

Official Advice: Don't forget what this season is all about, and don't let the world muddy the waters and give you another reason to forget who has blessed you! Don't forget!

So there are a few things in life that I am honestly, truthfully, unabashedly WEIRD about. Not just a little weird, REALLY weird about. If you're reading this, that means I probably like you. So I'm not going to list them all...cause I'd like to keep you as friends.

I drink coffee a lot. Not a little, a lot. I have been drinking coffee literally as long as I can remember, though I'd say around 14 or 15 I started drinking it a lot more. (Heeeeeey maybe that's why I'm so short!! Or genetics...) When I was about 16 I decided my dream was to own a business..more specifically a coffee shop/live music/art/cd's etc. That dream has somehow stuck with me till now. Why am I telling you all this? Oh right- I like coffee so much I'm thinking about making a career out of serving it well. Know why? Cause it's a science, coffee is.

I won't get into why it's so complicated of a drink, but it is- trust me. The part of coffee I'm most fascinated with is the brewing process...a.k.a what you see the baristas doing in the coffee shops. To get the perfect combination of perfect beans that have been roasted perfectly, then to grind them at the precise circumference in a special grinder- then to be packed with pressure NOT too much pressure into a little cup- then perfect water heated at a perfect temperature is forced with pressure (just the right amount of pressure) to then give the perfect life serum: espresso. It doesn't end there, and this is where my weirdness starts. If that espresso sits for too long, more than 10 or 15 seconds tops, without being mixed with some kind of milk or sugar/syrup...well folks...all that beautiful chemistry that went into making that perfect shot of espresso is OUT THE WINDOW!

So imagine me, thinking about all this useless crap about coffee in a place like Starbucks or what-have-you, and some moron behind the counter isn't paying attention. They're arguing with a customer or talking to their buddies about something. If you want to see me anal, folks, here's where it is. If my eyes held laser beams, I would have killed many a' barista by now. So I sit there while wanting to say "HEY IDIOT, PAY ATTENTION!!!" but if course I stand there looking like a bia while staring holes in their head. I literally have to look away or turn around.

Then of course I get my espresso and it's bitter. Ohhhhh bitter espresso, what a tragedy. But by then I've been waiting 5 minutes for my coffee and it's darn too late to ask for another one. Plus, who wants to look like a bia in front of a crowd? Not me...

I was gonna mention some more really O.C.D type things that I do, but I think that would be weird...and you might reconsider my friendship. But seriously...I have issues.

Check out Herbie Hancock sometime. The song Chameleon is pretty good. It's only good cause I played in the jazz band in high school (which was really social hour with my buddy Adam. Ha.. we didn't know how to play jazz, are you kidding?)

I don't think I'm going to edit anything I write on here. In fact, I don't even think I'll read it over once before I post anything. It really keeps the Verbal Vomit Juices flowing, don't you think?

Can I exploit you?

No seriously...is it cool if I put y'all's blog links on the right over there? Holla' back if it aint!

I'm not entirely sure if societal is a word, but if it's not, it is now.

What I'm talking about is the level of comfort I feel in society. I've reached a point in my life, in my country, where I am generally comfortable. Not financially or socially, but in reference to my surroundings- my society. I have no qualms with being on my own in a dangerous city. Throw me in any downtown USA city and I will rarely (though probably naively) be scared, despite my car keys lined up in between my knuckles just in case. I speak the language, in fact one and 1/4 languages (I know enough Spanish to know when creepy guys are trying to come on to me...). I understand the laws. I understand basic business and economic Western principles. I know what to expect from business and retail environments. If I were approached by a cop, I'd know what to say. I know when English speakers are talking about me. I can sense attitudes, etc. from people that are specific to race or geography. I comprehend road signs and maps (Map dork self admitted). I know where back roads are; I can get around the city well. I have a decent sense of direction. I know when someone is ripping me off. I know when I'm paying too much for something. I can talk design jargon to printers.

I'm starting to know this country. I think I have at least enough "street smarts" to stay alive.

Some part of me loves this. I love this societal comfort. Familiarity is important to me.

I think I figured out why I like it so much; because I think of all the situations I've been in where I was so uncomfortable and uneasy in other countries. All of those things I mentioned above I've claimed total naivety in other cultures. Every single one of those things I find a weird amount of satisfaction in living in the U.S. has not been available to me at all times. In fact, in a few months, all of those comforts won't be there for a year. At least, for a while I'll have to do without them.

A side note here: I constantly reflect on my life's past. All the time. More specifically, I examine where I've been led around the world. I think about these adventures all the time. Dominican Republic, Japan, Benin, South Africa, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Slovakia, my exploration of the United States. I don't think a day goes by that I don't especially recall Africa in some way or another. That place took my mind for ransom, I tell you. I may not talk about it all the time, or even at all; but trust me, not because I don't want to talk about them, but because I'm always unsure of whether people care to hear about it.

So, back on track. In every single one of these places, I was put in a society that I did not understand at all. I was timid there, I didn't want to overstep my bounds or come across as "another stupid American tourist". 100% of my societal comforts were stripped.

Looking ahead, I in fact don't look forward to being in a place where I don't have these comforts. Though it's always fun to be in that vulnerable position for a while in another country- it's part of the intrigue of traveling- after a while, I think I'm going to grow tired of that vulnerability.

But all of this got me thinking about Ephesians 2:19. "That is why you are no longer foreigners and outsiders but citizens together with God's people and members of God's family." The context might not be spot on with what I'm talking about...but my point is that by having these comforts stripped from me, it reminds me that Orlando, Mebane, the U.S. or this world as a whole is NOT my home. We're all foreigners on this world- Christian or not. We, as Christians, will go to our real Home when we leave this earth. It's a lesson to myself that I've gotten too comfortable here. I've put too much comfort in the fact that I know things about my society. I rely on those things, as silly as it sounds, to be comfortable.

Official Advice: Don't get comfortable, this ain't your home!

Complaints from a bookworm (and other nonsense)

I've recently discovered that I don't like when authors joke too much when I want them to be serious.

I was telling Craig this tonight over a disgusting burger- Dave Barry is the funniest author I've ever read. I specifically read his books to laugh obnoxiously loud and heartily. I don't, however, buy a book about something serious so some jackass (hey, it's in the bible ok!?) can tell me stupid joke routines in between his serious discussion so he can get the acceptance from the younger crowd...seriously, just tell me your point and stop trying to be funny cause you're not. This book I'm reading is great, it's changing my view dramatically on its' subject... but it's really painful to get through some of his jokes. It's like a comedian who said something funny, people laughed, so he kept telling jokes that were half as good....and didn't stop.

Secondly, some publishing company somewhere who was probably going out of business decided to start changing the layout of books. This drives me up the wall. Instead of the usual layout- usually Times New Roman font, size 10?, words reading from left to right- that's it, period.... they decide to spruce it up a little bit. Now, publishers are starting to put these little highlight sections on the pages. They'll leave an area a few inches wide where they'll highlight some part of the upcoming text in a box or quotation marks. I hate this. Usually they highlight the best part and ruin it for me before I get there and it's a distraction! I guess they thought people who usually don't read would flip through their books at the store (probably with a snazzy cover), and think, "Oooo this doesn't look like a normal book, maybe I could get through this one." Ugh.

Ok I know I'm a nerd for venting about book trends. But hey, this is the point of this blog. So that I can say whatever the crap I want to for the sole purpose of communicating myself and not worrying about what other people want to hear. So ha! In your face! Wait...no, I'm sorry.

I'm also about to be a bigger dork and just say that I'm really glad I have this place now (blog). You wouldn't believe the stuff I think about (like all that boring stuff I just talked about)...and none of it is important enough to e-mail someone about, so it's this constant pressure of "Who would care about what I'm thinking about?" Now that struggle has died a painful death!

Random thought about my cat: Let the record stand that I hate cats. While I'm at it, I'll go ahead and tell 'the record' that I love dogs very much. However, if I had a chance to put all the little while fluffy dogs (especially yappy little white poodle-looking dogs who usually have dirty faces) in a big bag and throw them in the ocean, I would do so. Okay, back on track: I really gotta get rid of this flipping cat. However, I'll be honest... he does this thing that is so cute and I'm really gonna miss when he's gone.

First, he sleeps in my bed cause I sold his former bed (my computer chair). Here's the cutest routine we go through. He'll jump up on the bed, collapse (literally) beside me, put his arm out to touch my hand, we'll fall asleep like that, then when I wake up he's laying on his back with his arms and legs right up in the air. Come on, that's cute! Admit it!

I'm teaching him to fetch too.

Hey by the way, I'm listening to this dude called Susumu Yokota. If you're ever jonesing for some really weird and really chill music to write to- it's perfect. Oh, those Japanese, so clever.

Don't get the homestyle bacon cheeseburger thing from Burger King, by the way, OR the cheesy tater tots. I got both tonight for dinner. Really bad choice. Don't let the marketing suck you in!

When I was in high school, I hung out with some pretty interesting people. I'm going to skip over talking about my Christian friends and just talk about my non-Christian friends. Since I don't using the term "Non-Christian" or "Unbeliever", for the sake of this blog, I'm going to call them "Normies". The author of the book I'm reading calls people that.. I'll get to that in a second, hold on.

So, in my mind when I think of Normies, my mind automatically goes to people in my past. I'm going to try and explain what kinds of images I see when I think of the general "Unbeliever".

In American schools, unless you moved around when you were a kid, you basically grew up with the same people. A lot of the time, the kids you sat next to in kindergarten were the kids you walked across the stage to get your diploma with. This, by the way, is a great concept because it taught you to be friends with the most random people. I had friends with a much different social status, religion, intelligence, etc. that I would have chosen on my own. Anyway, I'd say about 50% of my friends and fairly close acquaintances were Normies. I grew up in a little tiny town in the Bible Belt of the South, so 50% is a very high number. I'm sure if I was in Cali or up North, it would be substantially lower. Ack, off track!

I also have very distinct memories of Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Where I'm from, especially if you're in high school, Franklin Street was the coolest place you could be! I'm serious. It was a strip of MAYBE two blocks of businesses but it was right across the street from the University of Chapel Hill at North Carolina (UNC) which was a fancy school around those parts. People of all kinds would gather there to walk around- the hippies, the yuppies, the goths, the punks, the dorks, everyone. One place I liked going to in particular was on the corner (no...not THAT kind of corner) where the Chapel Hill Court House was. On any given Friday or Saturday night, punks and goths would gather in this open space to just BE.

They'd usually bring some kind of skateboard, alcohol, some form of drugs. They'd look oh-so-cool with their JNCO jeans, mohawks, black clothes and chains and swear loudly so everyone could hear. Usually the yuppies and dorks would walk past this square just a little bit faster than usual, with their eyes to the ground while they whisper to their friends beyond their shoulder sweaters, "Walk quickly, we don't want to get mugged by these freaks!" This was my favorite spot. I'd sit there on the edge of the flower beds (while consciously sticking it to The Man while stepping on the flowers), sipping my coffee, shootin' the stuff with my buddies. Sometimes if I brought my camera, I'd have the courage to take a shot of two of them jumping on their boards.

Another kind of Normie, the most clear in my mind in their hatred for the Gospel, is called "The Waffle House Normie" (aka: The Wa-ho's). The only thing to do in my town past 9 p.m. was to go to Waffle House and order greasy food while drinking the best coffee in town. Hours upon hours were spent with my Wa-ho's talking about religion, society, philosophy and any other inappropriate topic we felt like at the time. The two people I was with on a regular basis during my last few years of high school were a Wiccan and an Atheist. The Wiccan dude really knew his stuff, and really hated Christians too. This is where I learned to stick up for my faith. This kind of person is called in my book, "The Extreme Normie".

Also, all of my 5 siblings are either Normies or Extreme Normies.

I'm sure you're wondering, "Will she just get to the point!?" Okay okay, I'm sorry. I'll stop. But that is the kind of people I think of when I think of unbelievers. I think a lot of young American Christians around my age or younger (especially that grew up in the South) really don't know that there are people out there that HATE YOU. They hate you because you're a Christian. They think Christianity is a load of crap, that you're a load of crap because you've been "force fed and hypnotized". Christian kids are shocked when they get out of their bubble and come into contact with someone or a group of people that hate everything you stand for with all their hearts.

I know I was. Sitting there on those weekend nights at the courthouse or in Waffle House talking to people who hated what I believed, I learned how it hurts. It didn't necessarily hurt because they were attacking my integrity, but they were attacking what I was supposed to love and I didn't know how to defend it. Because I didn't know how to defend it, and I still wanted to be their friends, I said what I could to not let them slander God...but then I let it go. I continued being their friends and loving them.

Okay...now I'm going to put all of that I just said on a back burner for a second. Don't forget those people. Think about Evangelical Christians. What comes to mind? This is what comes to my mind: Psychos on a busy downtown street with signs saying "Turn or Burn", "Hell is hot", or some other ridiculous phrase. I think of charismatic preachers screaming 'Hellfire and Brimstone' from the pulpit. I think of Christians with loathing eyes as they pass a scene like the Chapel Hill Court House, or a homosexual (I'm including my reactions as well), or a homeless guy, an obese person, a Wiccan, a Mexican, an Atheist, anyone else who may not look or act like them. I do the same thing folks.

I think about Christians' conversations with people that I've heard. I've always thought how unnatural and ineffective it was for Christians to be so...I don't know...annoying when they first meet someone. Because of The Great Commision, Christians feel like it's their duty to save everyone they talk to. Well.. ok, I guess I can't call someone a bad person for that, fine. What I can say, though, is that being the obnoxious Christian who can't have a conversation without asking if the other person is a Christian MAY not be the most affective way to share the Gospel. How often, after you've shared the Gospel in this way, have you followed up with that person? Invited them out with your friends? What have you done after you've made them feel like crap for not being a Christian?

Here's my point to all of this. A lot of people hate Christians. Why? Cause we're a bunch of hypocrites, that's why. We're not doing something right people! Look at the people out there, the Normies and the Extreme Normies. Let's focus on Americans now because that's what I'm most familiar with. Christianity is saturated in America. If you're an American and you can read or hear, you have heard the Gospel...if not, you've been living under a rock. People have heard it a thousand times, in a thousand different ways. Do you really think that a 5 minute conversation about how if they don't turn from their ways they're going to burn in Hell will have a positive affect on them? NO! That is firewood for their reasons to hate Christians. In fact, it's firewood in my heart to dislike Christians when I'm getting hassled by some joker on the street screaming at me to be saved.

Christianity, more specifically, Protestantism has rapidly decreased in the past few decades in the US. Oh, if you wanna know more about this, check out the Barna Group. We study them at work and they have all these cool studies. Anyway, look at the facts: Christianity isn't growing in America, it's getting worse. Wiccans and Atheists are almost the majority....YES the MAJORITY!

I'm reading this book right now called "I'm Okay and You're Not." It talks a lot about what I'm discussing. I'm not copying this dude, because everything I'm saying is what I've been trying to figure out for years since I was in high school, but never knew anyone else agreed with me. He says that maybe we should stop trying to be so annoying and just love on people. The greatest commandments: Love God, then love others. Not "Love God, then tell people they're going to burn in Hell". LOVE THEM. Do you realize how much easier this is than to freak out about telling people to Turn or Burn?! Think about it! If you love them, people notice that. You don't have to hide the fact that you're a Christian, because as the great hymn says, "They will know we are Christians by our Love"!

People, the Extreme Normies hate Christianity because we don't act like Christ. We are often times hateful towards them. We cast them out, we don't listen to them or love like Christ did. We look at them with hateful eyes, we ignore the ones who don't ask for help. We carry the "I'm okay and you're not" mentality on us like a stamp on our foreheads. Don't you think it's about time we stopped communicating that and started to just love people?

Right before I went to Ethiopia for 2 months, an awesome lady to funded most of my trip asked a small group of people after church, "How are we supposed to witness to people who just don't want to hear it?" With my mindset being in Ethiopia around people I could not communicate with, I said to them, "Just love 'em". She dropped her jaw like I just told her where the Holy Grail was. "Wow. I never thought of that..." she said.

Miriam, the ministry leader in Slovakia told me that one of the local Slovaks was so surprised because the people in her ministry ACTUALLY got along. They ACTUALLY acted nice to eachother and loved eachother. This isn't a foreign concept guys, so why have I had such a hard time realizing it?

I know this sounds like a hippie concept, but I don't care. Personally, I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Before, if I wanted to reach out to someone, I always tried to figure out when during the first few minutes of meeting do I mention that I'm a Christian...and if they're not, well, we just can't be close friends. That's silly. I'm relieved you guys. Think about all the people out there who need a hand. Think of how many Extreme Normies you know, and how just loving them MIGHT soften their hearts towards the Gospel, eventually. I know quite a few, and I think I know how I can help them too. I am praying that God will change my heart towards unbelievers and just shutup and start loving them.

*Please note that when I refer to "Christians" I may not be referring to you per se, but what the world thinks Christians are like.
*Also, I don't think you should stop sharing the Gospel in every day conversations. I hope I didn't communicate that. I just challenge you to think about HOW you're sharing it and how affective it is. Literally think about how Jesus saved people- He loved them, and helped fulfill physical needs too.

With Christmas right around the corner, I think it's about time I make a confession. ::takes deep breath::

Hello everyone. My name is Ande...and I'm....a.....Christmas nerd. ::hangs head in shame::

I love Christmas. I love JUST about everything about it. With that said, however, there are some things that I would like to go on record for believing about this holiday. First, some random statements...second, a list of what is awesome, and what is crap, about this season.

First and foremost: What a mess we've made out of this day! We're so selfish sometimes.. why did everyone have to turn such a great anniversary of Jesus' birth into a stressful month of consciously going into debt because society says we have to give people expensive gifts to be accepted?

Secondly, it's no coincidence that Santa's name switched around spells S-A-T-A-N. Okay, maybe he's not that evil...but seriously folks- WHY would you lie to your kids? I mean, you spend their childhood teaching them not to lie, and you're lying right to their face when you tell them about Satan, I mean Santa Clause. People- I don't care what tradition you're claiming here, it's lying! Stop it.

Okay, now that that's out of the way (had to get that off my chest), on to more positive things. By the way, when I refer to Christmas, I am talking about traditional American Christmas - not anywhere else. I like Christmas because for a whole month or more, I feel just a little bit better about the world. I wish I felt the way I felt around Christmas time ALL the time. It's just the kind of things that come with Christmas- people are just a little more forgiving, they TRY to love people just a little bit more, they're a little more generous, and for a split second, people in general (in my opinion) take a breath and really take a look at their lives...or maybe that's all just me?

Things About Christmas I Don't Like

• Anything that praises Santa, Snowmen, Reindeer, etc. (Exception: I like building snowmen, and I will occasionally sing those stupid songs about reindeer and snowmen...but only because I've heard them since I burst out of the womb!)
  
• Buying useless crap (and usually going into debt) for people out of guilt. I kinda wish I could say let's just not buy ANYTHING for ANYONE...but unfortunately, I've been conditioned (a Generation X'er living in the U.S.) to think that would be absurd! I really do like buying certain things for certain people...but we're kinda ridiculous here.
  
• Speaking of which, I really hate when parents buy their young kids (under 10 or so) WAY too much crap and the kid isn't thankful. Seen that way too much.
  
• Christmas sweaters.
  

Things I Would Marry At Christmas If They Weren't Ideas Or Inanimate Objects

• The Reason for the Season! (Sorry, I couldn't resist). Seriously- the whole reason that Christmas exists! People, this is good stuff. Jesus? Birth? Jerusalem? Savior? YES!
• The rest of what I'm listing is tradition. Yes, I like tradition sometimes- can you believe it? Traditional things I love about Christmas:
  
• Christmas parades and apple cider (or hot cocoa).
  
• Christmas trees, both the choosing, transporting, decorating, watching, and setting-on-fire-in-the-woods.
  
• Handel's Messiah is da' shiz. I prefer the "Highlights" version myself. I also like Christmas music BUT BUT BUT I'm not stupid crazy about it and I don't start listening to it in October like other Christmas nerds.
  
• Christmas cornflake wreaths. Oh people, so easy, yet so good. Cornflakes, butter, marshmellows, green food dye, shape it in a wreath and sprinkle cinnamon things on it.
  
• Egg nog and holiday cream.
  
• The ultimate holiday scene for me at home: Sitting by our brick fireplace, drinking egg nog by the lit up Christmas tree with my family. Guys- seriously- it's good stuff.
  
• This hasn't gone away in 24 years! The feeling of Christmas morning when you first wake up and realize..."IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!!!"
• Christmas morning breakfast, yum!
  
• The fact that for one day, one day in the entire year, that I feel like any problems I'm going through can really just be put on hold till the day after.
  
• Christmas is associated with comfort for me. I moved out when I was 18. Over 6 years, I've just put "Going home and being comfortable" with Christmas because I'm ALWAYS home at Christmas, no matter what. So some of this is probably blown out of proportion because I'm just happy to be home.
  

Okay. Those are my official Christmas Thoughts. On a serious note, I really really really try to not let those traditional things that I've grown to love get in the way of what's really important at Christmas. I'm sure they've fogged my vision somewhere along the way, and I lose sight of the real purpose for why we celebrate this...but I hope my vision gets clearer every year.

Why on earth do I have another website?

Listen here: I'm aware that everyone and their mom has a blog. In fact, I now have three! I'll tell you the reason for this. My other blogs were to give updates on Ethiopia and Slovakia. I'd rather not trash it up with my own ramblings about life. I don't have anywhere that I can just vomit my thoughts about life.

That's why I call this site Overspilled Musings. I believe you only say something (whether verbally or textually) if it is a thought you cannot contain. People say "It's freezing in here" or "I love you" or "Man, that dude is UUUUGLY" because the thought strong enough that they can't NOT say something. So...that's what this is- thoughts and contemplations that are at least important enough for me to waste my time writing about. It's a selfish endeavor, really...just a place for me to say what I want and not worry about how it sounds.

So expect random comments about everything: books, music, hobbies, deep stuff, superficial stuff, whatever thought strikes me that day. So, if you choose to keep up, enjoy.