No. 188: Ready or not

Sermon notes from McLean's online campus.

- I like that Lon has no plans to retire. Retirement kills people.
- MAKE AN IMPACT on secular Washington with the MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST!
- If people don't care that they've condemned themselves, they won't care that Jesus can save them.
- 1 Corinthians 15: 1-3
- Romans 1:16 ; we believe that the power of the Gospel is sufficient for the work of the Gospel:
* To convince people to embrace the significance of what Jesus did on the cross in light of their sin.
- Acts 1:8- Start in your own Jerusalem... DC is ridiculous.

It's hard to listen to sermons like this sometimes, but I'm glad Lon still preaches them. Jesus pissed people off, even in loving them. If we're not doing the same thing as people who claim to follow Him, we're doing something wrong. Had a conversation with Carlos and Greg last night about God, and how (and I cannot stress this enough) GOD IS NOT PEOPLE.
"Hundreds of travesties have been carried out in the name of God..."
" By people..."
"It's used to control the masses..."
"By people....'
"Christians are the most ignorant, stubborn..."
"They're PEOPLE!"

This is easy. There is evil. There is horrible stuff. I mean, pick up What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Carver and read a couple of the stories (I'm thinking of "Tell the Women We're Going"). People are gross. God lets it happen. I can sympathize with people that think this is whacked, because it's something I struggle with. But He also lets other things happen:

• Sunsets
• Sunrises
• Gershwin compositions
  
• DaVinci
  
• The redwoods
• Waves
• technicolor
• Smiles
• the laughter of little kids
• free will.

We can't pick and choose what we do or do not want God to do. This is something that has messed with me for a long time. It makes me angry that this ridiculous, stupid and horrible war is going on. I don't get why He doesn't just end it. But it's not really up to me to get. It's frustrating.

Anyway-- those were my morning thoughts. Also, read Psalm 40.

I have to go to Home Depot today. Carlos and I made the journey to the flippin' paint store in the rain yesterday only to find it closed at 12. So today we're off to "the paint gurus" at Home Depot to match the red of his couch accent pillows. Then I have to go to my father's, which, you know... is in Dundalk. Hopefully I can make a stop at Scratch and Dent and see if I can't find my TV stand for cheap. And figure out when I can get my couch. Whatever.

Here's the playlist, as promised, with this week's songs (making this the longest entry in a while).

1. Blame it On the Bossa Nova by Eydie Gormen: Ainsley Hayes is caught dancing in her bathrobe by Sam Seaborn on the second season of West Wing, which I've been watching lately. It's an incredibly well scripted scene, especially when the President walks in. Anyway-- i love this show, but it's been depressing in light of real life events.
   
2. Why Didn't You Call Me by Macy Gray: I have no idea why, but I woke up with this song stuck in my head two days ago. I haven't really thought of Macy Gray in about three years, but there it is.
   
3. Tell Him by Lauryn Hill: Wanted to hear "Superstar" by her and ended up going through the whole album again. This is the last track and it's gorgeous.
   
4. The Joyride by People Under the Stairs: My new favorite hip-hop group, thanks to Nick. Good fun.
   
5. Amsterdam by Peter Bjorn & John: Played this album at dinner when Sterling and Mike came over the other night. Had forgotten about this song. So worthy. I hear their new one isn't great shakes, though.
   
6. Gone Fishing by Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby: It was raining and disgusting yesterday. I decided Louis Armstrong was appropriate. I'd never heard this song before. Bing Crosby is too wonderful and I really like them together.
   
7. Ageless Beauty (The Most Serene Republic Mix) by Stars: Made a silly picture slide thing for Matt and sent it to him with directions to watch it along with this song. I love the guitars in the beginning. Is Most Serene Republic a good band? I'll have to check them out.
   

and now? a shower and commencing my day.

cheers.