Non-Laborious Day

Today was a most un-laborious labor day, spent just hanging out with my extended family for a regular get-together. Lots of eating - hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, several salads, chips, and key lime pie, ice cream of different flavors, and pound cake. We talked about school, vacations, as well as the mundane things that happened in each of our lives over this Summer. The kids played, running about here and there, playing kickball, throwing footballs, and even some short-lived swimming. And then it was over. And we came home.

Kind of a funny thing, calling it Labor Day. Meant to be a celebration for the labor movement, it has really come to mean an end to Summer vacation. And today is just that. It's a mere few hours of "freedom" left before the new school year begins for our family. Though Labor Day means taking a break, tomorrow will be the true start of labor.

Well, here's to the end of a most non-Laborious Day!

intro to U.S. Latin@ theologies

Met earlier this afternoon with my newest professor for an independent study on an introduction to U.S. Latina/o theologies. It's me and one other fellow meeting with the professora to be introduced to a variety of Latina and Latino theological voices. What it all entails, I'm not quite sure. But it's exposure to a new and different voice at the theological table, and that's important. One rather provincial person quizically noted to me, "why would you want to take that?" The answer is relatively simple: I want to be a theologian [actually we all are; most of us are just sloppily irresponsible about it], and a good theologian (I think) tries to see and/or listen to everyone who is seated at the table of the kingdom.

All that's to say that it's going to be a lot of work - the professora is no push over - but I think it will also be good and stimulating - she has a pleasant personality.

So, once more unto the breach...

the Mall and Depression

I just got back from a trip to a local mall. It just so happens my mom works at a store in said mall, so the main point of my venture was to take my three kinderin for lunch with their grandmother before school starts (school doesn't start in our area until after Labor Day). All that's to say that we went and had lunch at the mall. Since we were going to said mall, my wife asked me to take some time after lunch to go and look for nice back-to-school outfits for all three, plus a new pair of mocs for one of our kids.

All in all, mission accomplished; sort of. Was able to find a nice shirt and pants for the son. Wasn't able to find any outfits for the girls that we could agree on, but told them we'd find them something at another time. Was able to get both of them new sneakers/mocs, which they seemed pleased with.

Yet, as we left, I found myself feeling really down, feeling almost unsettled. As I drove home I realized that it was a strong sense of materialism that had been set off. And I didn't like it; it made me upset that I was feeling such a strong need to want to go out and buy clothes and stuff I totally didn't need. After getting home, I called my wife to let her know what we did and what we didn't get. I also relayed to her my feelings. She framed my feelings well. Her wisdom was this: "you've been subjected to 37 plus years of extreme marketing which has only been reinforced by a very materialistic mother. You're a red-blooded American living in a materialistic American culture."

I am in complete agreement with her. But I still feel down about the whole thing. Ultimately, these feelings speak to something deeper, something more organic to my very core. The feelings speak to that God-shaped hole in my heart that Augustine spoke about. My feelings today were so strong because I think that God-shaped hole has not been filled with God. The lack of contentment, I believe, comes from not spending enough time with the One who created me. With that relationship needing time and energy, it's caused an imbalance that the old, sinful man-me wants to try and fill with material.

Only God can fill that God-shaped hole. Only God can satisfy. Only the One who created each and every one of us knows what will ful-fill our souls - and the answer is...envelope please... God Himself!!! So rather than go and watch TV or spend much more time blogging/online/sending email, I'm going to go and excercise and spend time talking with God about that hole that needs to be filled by HIM who lasts forever.

How about you?

more thoughts about God and keeping up with friends

Got back late Sunday night from a whirl-wind trip to San Diego, CA (my first time there) for a friend's wedding. While there, I was able to re-connect with several "old" friends for the first time in years. It was a real blessing to be present, to be a witness of the newly wedded couple's nuptual's. I was really encouraged in seeing where a number of these friends are in their relationship with God. One of the things I found consistent among those who were Christians was the reality of God's faithfulness to each and every one of them. In listening to their stories and hearing about their lives, it was easy to see God's hand at work in each of their lives. I found it personally encouraging to my own faith journey as they shared what God had been doing in each of their lives. It reminded me of the many things that He has done/ is doing in my life and the life of my family. This is just one of the great and important things that friendships serve - reflecting back to us God's glory that is at work within us as we surrender to Him and walk with Him. Though we're all no longer a part of the same faith community, we do share in being a part of the larger community of the big "C" Church, and therefore, we will always be a part of the same community of faith, the Church. It is encouraging to know that we are connected to one another by God, through God, for God. And I praise HIM for these old friends.

God and keeping up with friends

So last night gave me the opportunity to IM with a good friend that I've not seen in quite a while. But he's very good at IMing me whenever he sees me online, and always uses the opportunity to keep up with me.

So this brings up a good point: what does God call us to when we enter into a friendship? And is there a difference between friendships with fellow believers versus non-believers? What does it mean to keep up with your friends? As a Christian, what does it mean to be a friend?

Weigh in with your thoughts...