The Star Wars Wars

Fact: in addition to its already burgeoning collection, Disney now owns Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars. 

Oh dear.

This is terrifying. How is it wise for one kitchen to hold so many ingredients that make up the foodstuffs of our happiness? Should we anticipate or fear the inevitable heat surrounding the potential Hulk vs. Yoda battle? Will some Miley Cyrus flavor seep into the upcoming Toy Story 4? And how will this effect the tastes of an already oversatiated culture? Should we be concerned for our future children? Could there be political sway in Disney-based blackmail (lower taxes or we will put Jar Jar in the Avengers)? 

No, something is wrong here and we should do something about it. We cannot let this stand, we cannot sit idle, and we must to contact our representatives then march to - oh my gosh Avengers 2 is coming out.

Gender Holes

I lean forward in my seat, set my elbows on the table, and look at the man across from me. Fascinated with the gender roles and their impact on my life, I have finally come to the point of true learning - questions. "But Steve, if this is all true, where…what is the defining source of gender roles?" He broke into the broadest smile, then let his answer just hang over the table: "societal norms." Like a deep-sea diver's first breath at the surface, the words leave me both relieved and bewildered.

The past year has shifted my views on gender roles and relationships. Or perhaps there's a better way to summarize - that what was once ignorantly static is now excitedly dynamic. I know of few better changes to make in life.

It started with a girl. And doesn't it always? Stuck together in a year-long service program, we were practically destined to frustrate each other. This girl was (and is) a strong initiator, planner, and achiever, someone who is incredibly gifted at serving others. Along those lines, she detested when anyone would serve her in turn. In contrast, everything in my past trained me to serve women wherever possible. It was my job - no, assumption - that I should hold doors, carry heavy boxes, pay for dates, walk closest to the street, drive, and so on. We all have our sensitivities - mine happens to be women who stress themselves out trying to do and control everything. 

 You can imagine our assumption-based spats, which left both of us frustrated and angry.  Fortunately, we not only learned to understand and appreciate our differences but grew as friends through the process. And while I can’t speak for her, I do know that our conflict forced me to examine my own motives. Why do I hold doors or carry things – is it just to impress girls? Where do all of these unspoken standards in my head come from? What's the background for them in culture as a whole?  

That beginning set the stage for a slew of deep conversations with friends, challenging mentors, and surprising articles.

My Utmost Inspiration

Crouching in the corner of my college dorm room, I found myself dumbstruck by the day's devotional reading. At my father's recommendation I'd faithfully read Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest for the past year. Countless devotionals from this book rocked my world, smacked me between the eyes and felt like the breath of God, but only a couple forced me to stand up and git. That day, one of those entries found me. Prior to reading that day, I felt my thoughts and experiences all flowing together in a swell that...needed something. An outlet. I knew I should write it down, but...well, life gets in the way, I'm not sure what I would write, etc. Excuses.

Then I read this. And it is the reason for my writing anything on this site. 

How 6th-Grade Boys Became Art Snobs

You hate art. Or to be precise - you hate the idea of sitting in a museum and staring at motionless paintings for hours. Who wants to sit in silence and literally watch paint dry? No one in their right mind, for sure. I thought the same, until a certain professor in college helped me discover the depth, life, and stories hidden in art. Ever since that class I've always kept a few prints around my room, workspace, and camp cabins. I mention the latter because something incredible happened last summer while I was a camp counselor.

As I leaned back in my fold-out chair attempting to journal some thoughts, one of my 6th-graders walked over and boldly pointed at the wall. "What's that?" he asked, indicating the small print hanging there. Without looking up, I told him it was a copy of a painting and that he should hurry up and put sunscreen on before the next activity began (and you better put some behind yours ears this time or I swear I will throw you in the lake, kid). But he interrupted with me with a surprisingly sincere "but Josh, what does it mean?" Moments like that make you stop. So I cocked my head to one side and smiled, then sat the kid on the bed next to me and asked "well, what do you see?" Of course, the others wouldn't be left out, and soon the whole cabin of 6th-grade boys piled on the bed, paying rapt attention to a 19th-century painting. 

5 Reasons Why Men Should Watch Downton Abbey

You're a nice guy. So when your girl asked you to "just try" that first episode of Downton Abbey, you obliged. And why not - it would make her happy, and with all the hype you've heard about the show lately, how bad could it be?

Try really bad - bad in tuxes and dresses and servants and no action whatsoever. That was the first and last episode you'll ever watch, and now you mockingly call it Downtown Abbey, just to watch fans twitch. You're not wasting your time with this 1900s version of The Bachelor - especially considering The Walking Dead is on at the same time.

Good. If any of that fits you, you're the reason I wrote this post. Here's my take on it: Downton Abbey is an incredible show with an intricately woven plot, fantastic acting, striking sets, and integral depth which can deepen your life as a result. So here are five reasons why men should to watch Downton Abbey:

Faking It

Last week a friend and I were talking about this post, musing about life, honest struggle, etc. A few days later, the friend sent this piece to me. I read it and immediately  asked if I could share it on the blog. Permission was granted - anonymously - so here we are, the first guest post!

I don't really know where to start when it comes to sledge hammering heart walls that have been built up for years, but I'm betting prayer (knees to the ground crying out kind of prayer) is a great place to start. Beyond that I think the next step is action. I often expect my prayers to magically fix everything while I sit around and watch as if I'm not an active participant in change. That's a problem. I need to pray and act. Being idle isn't going to help. Prayer and action. Prayer and intentional reconciliation. Prayer and conversation. It's time to let go of the fear of being known. 

If I'm being honest, I can't tell the difference between real and fake in my life anymore. It's painful - to be "real". To give others the power to break you, so as a result I have become complacent. Living my life on the surface and creating relationships of convenience instead of depth. I choose safe, comfortable, and easy instead of different and potentially painful - and yet I expect to grow?

Desynchronized

This another step in the real and raw walk that is my Christianity. If Haiti was about losing control and this post on losing doubt, this is...losing my mind. There are three parts, each separated by the date it was written - read all three before asking questions.

"Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please the flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction. Whoever sows to please the spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life." - Gal. 6:7-8

9/22/12
In living I stand at an impasse. My mind and soul have thoroughly steeped in proofs and experiences of Christianity. I've attended countless classes and retreats then examined and tried to live other worldviews.  Nothing else makes sense logically. Emotionally, everything else leaves me narcissistic and wretched or empty and hopeless. I see the Christian ideal, how it might be - fulfilling my purpose in relationship with God - and it's beautiful. Like I wrote before, I've seen, I've felt, I've tasted; I took a jump of faith, found solid rock on the other side. Revolutionary, yet nothing new for far too many. I think this entry will shake that a bit.

Like everyone, I've failed so much over the past years; so many times I've hit the snooze button through devos, so many times I did something else instead of spend time with God. So many times I've chosen games or girls, or who knows what else. And of course, I soon would find myself sorry and guilty. I'd get some time with God, and everything would be alright again. Until I messed up, then went back, and messed up, repeat ad nausem. But something's not working any more.