Sitting here in the Howard Johnson hotel in Suffern, NY, I figured I should post some thoughts. I still have no job yet but I am actively searching. As long as things are approved, I will be working part-time at The Salvation Army in Batavia starting on the 27th. My parents run The Salvation Army in Batavia, but I'd be supervised by one of their staffers (some legalities that they can't directly supervise me, but I digress). I hope to find another part time job here soon. With many unsuccessful attempts at landing a full time position, I just feel the Lord is calling me to do a job that I wouldn't normally take. Patching 2 or 3 part-time jobs together might be easier on my grad school schedule and I would still be able to sufficiently pay my bills.
Over the past few months, being unemployed has been hard on me. I was so used to being busy and productive that my lack of productivity brought on lots of feelings of unhappiness and loneliness. I know many people at church but it isn't like I spend time with any of them. Thankfully, this past week has been great. On Wednesday, I went to the O.A.R. concert with my friend Kelly from grad school. I've been a fan of the band for almost 10 years but have never been able to see them for many reasons. They come to Rochester and Buffalo all the time, and I was not going to pass up this opportunity. I had a blast, O.A.R. was amazing, and more than anything, I needed to get out of the house and it was wonderful. Thursday, after church, a whole bunch of us went out to eat. I met Katie and Katrina, two wonderful gals from Boston. They were in the area because of Kingdom Bound and my pal Rand befriended them and invited them to Thursdays service. Always glad to meet new people, especially fellow Massachusetts natives. Too bad I only got to spend a couple hours with them but I sure hope they come back to visit sometime.
I've been reading "The Jesus of Suburbia" by Mike Erre and he really touches on so many things wrong with the state of Christianity in America. Erre says that we have been following the Jesus of Suburbia rather than the Jesus of Nazareth. That is, we tend to practice the safe Christianity instead of stepping out of the box and letting ourselves be challenged and pushed beyond our comfort zone. He also challenges people to stop thinking that God's work on earth depends on who is in the White House. Christians who equate Republicanism with Christianity really bother me. They are letting their faith be twisted by their politics rather than their faith influencing their moral and political decisions. God does not favor either political party. There are immoral conservatives and liberals. When people say that Christians can't be liberal, I am deeply offended, not because I am liberal (which I am not), but the fact that they think all Christians must follow the same social and political beliefs. I am a Christian first and foremost. My faith guides me in my other ideas and beliefs and I'd rather follow them than be a blind sheep to a political party.
As usual, I recommend some music:
Over The Rhine - The Trumpet Child. (releases soon; I've heard it. More gloriousness from Linford and Karin. Breathtaking)
The Dears - No Cities Left. (Montreal-band recommended if you like The Arcade Fire)
Mad At The World - Seasons of Love. Christian alternative band from the 80's. I just got into them and they were amazing. Along with Adam Again, they really shaped much of the alternative scene in the 80's and early 90's.
MuteMath - MuteMath. Words cannot explain the musical genius of this band. They blow you away with their rich sound and solid playing. Darren King might be the best drummer in the business today and he plays with a very minimal kit. Paul Meany also plays a mean keytar.
Ok, I bid you adieu, for now.
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