#6 Educating

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904265504576568351324914730.html

Interesting article on the need for history education.  I am a history major, so this gives me hope that I won't grow up and be jobless living in my parents' metaphorical basement.

#5 "Asante Sana Squash Banana"

"Asante sana squash banana"

That is one freaky looking monkey.  For some wild and seemingly senseless reason, I have been thinking a lot about the Lion King lately.  In my literature class we were drawing comparisons between the Lion King and the famous play from which it was "stolen": Hamlet.  However, to me there is still just way too much biblical comparison going on here.  Today, I have been thinking a ton about this friggin' monkey.  He is so insane, really.  He seems senseless.  He is wild.  But like that Christ-like lion before him (woot woot C.S. Lewis), he is good. 

To me, Rafiki is like the Holy Spirit (or God...  they can duke it out later).  Usually I feel like He whispers little things into my ears.  Maybe sometimes he is yelling like Rafiki, "Asante sana squash banana!"  Foreign jibberish, right?  Craziness right?  But always for good.  Whether it is the whispering or the yelling, He is often calling me to do something way out of my comfort zone.  That's what I'm learning these days: for my life to tell a better story, I have to be willing to listen to old Rafiki asking me, "Whooooo are you?" and yelling, "Asante sana squash banana!"  Then, I need to be willing to do it-- even when it is wildly uncomfortable, as is often the case.  But I think it is time for me to stop metaphorically shrugging off "Rafiki;" it's time to live a kinda wild story of deciphering God's whisperings and embracing those uncomfortable calls that fit into God's insane plan for the world's redemption. 

I just really dig how Jesus is so counter-cultural and counter-nature.  Seriously, he is the original indie rockstar.  He says "Blessed are the meek."  He says "Give.  Be a servant."  Our culture and our nature says "Take.  Take.  Blessed are the beautiful, the smart, the talented, the rich, etc."  And his message is perfect love.  I mean, He has called us to do some really ridiculous, nonsensical, counter-cultural, counter-human nature things.  I have witnessed numerous people around me listen to "Rafiki," and God has done amazing things through them.  This, of course, is not to say that all will turn to green, healthy pride rock right away-- it is hard to follow Jesus.  If you don't believe that, take a look at Jess best friends on earth.  But it is my turn to give...  And not just to look good...  but honestly at the moment because I would really love to know what "Asante sana squash banana" really means.

Personally, I would also really love a Timon or a Pumba out here in San Diego.  But that's another story...

ps- "Asante sana squash banana" means "thank you squash banana."  It still fits the metaphor, though, because what the heck does that mean?...  ;-)

Enjoy...

#4 A Couple Weeks Ago

The power went out a couple weeks ago.  It was the last decent conversation I've had.