You Want Me To Love My Wife?
30 seconds ago I was working on a different post. Then I got a slap in the face when I went to the home page of BibleGateway.com to look for a verse for that other post. Today’s verse:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25)
It’s simplicity and poignancy stunned me.
Now, I don’t think I’ve been particularly guilty of not loving my wife, at least not in recent memory (though she might need to confirm that). Nonetheless, the first four words of this verse pack a potent punch that cannot, and must not, be ignored. It’s a simple command to Love Your Wives. If I were a pastor I would walk to the podium and say “HUSBANDS! LOVE. YOUR. WIVES.” and then leave. Because what else needs to be said? It doesn’t say “Husbands, hassle your wives.” or “Husbands, abuse, ignore, neglect, betray, lie to, yell at, and annoy your wives.” It also does not say “Husbands, love yourselves.” or “Husbands, love someone else’s wife.”
Paul uses four simple words to convey what is, in my lowly opinion, one of the most profound and influential commands in the Bible. It’s a fundamental building block not only for the family, but for the church. And when the family and the church are healthy and grounded in the love of Christ (the metaphorical groom), the world that surrounds us stands will become healthier as a result.
The verses following clarify the command a bit more as Paul continues to describe both wives and the body of Christ using each to describe the other. He paints a picture of the church, and essentially the wife, as being cared for by Christ so that she may be washed in the Word - having a radiant presence, and exsiting without stain, wrinkle, blemish, or blame. And while all of this remains up to the husband to ensure, it is done by obeying one simple task. Love. Your. Wife.
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Starbucks Communism
Rain turned to slush in the skies over Clarks Summit, PA. I woke up, earlier than usual, to a soggy Monday morning with a mind to take advantage of the extra time before work. So I got ready, rotated the seedlings intended for this year’s garden, and naturally headed to Starbucks. The Clarks Summit Starbucks is okay in my book. Sometimes it has condensation control difficulties, and parking can be an absolute joke. But when all is said, it gets the job done. However, something happened this morning that has left me uneasy and feeling robbed of my right to choice. As I approached the counter to order my drink, and indeed began to request my “Grande Mocha,” all three of the baristas behind the counter began to glow with a pride that smelled eerily of smugness and self-admiration. And hardly had the words left my mouth when the drink was sitting in front of me on the counter.
“We saw you pull in,” they announced proudly.
“Oh, good,” I thought. “Stalkers and communists.”
This is what irritates me. Mondays can be a tough day. And though I typically enjoy them, certain things need to occur in order for me to get to my Monday morning utopia. And one of those things is receiving the simple, yet oh-so-very-profound sense of accomplishment and self-worth that comes with making the first major decision of the week: Starbucks. So naturally, when I walk in to find that a decision that I have paid $3.48 (I have a Starbucks Rewards card) for has been robbed from me, I am justifiably indignant!
And what about my right to wait? I’m not impatient for my Starbucks drinks. I would like to know that it was carefully crafted by well trained hands. Don’t get me wrong here… I know that Starbucks is the corporate farm of coffee shops where it’s not about nuance or atmosphere or amazing coffee - as much as they’d like us to believe that - but I do want my drinks to taste right. And if good things come to those who wait, what then for those who are forced not to wait? I fear that something less than good is in store for them.
But I’m not typically a wave-maker. So I muttered something about good service, gave my money to the greedy barista, and slumped down in a less-than-comfortable chair to complain to the blogosphere of my Monday frustration.
So, to the baristas and Starbucks ladder-climbers - hear my cry. Let me order my drink MYSELF!
Scranton and “The Office”
A friend from high school, now working in Marketing and Communications, posted a note on Facebook today about a writer doing an article about Scranton and “The Office.” The writer is looking for input on the topic. Here is what he says:
The article is on “The Office” and how the show has changed people’s perceptions of the city of Scranton. I am looking for a media expert to explain the impact pop culture can have on a small town like this. And I am also looking for anyone who has seen the show and has a strong opinion about the city. Please e-mail me if you can help (johngilpatrick@gmail.com). Thanks!
And here is what I say.
When “The Office” first aired in March of 2005, I was a transplant from the Scranton, PA area to San Diego, CA. I was rooming with some friends of mine from the same area, and we all, at the time, had an awful disdain for any association between Scranton, PA and ourselves. But instantly, when we found out that “The Office” was set in Scranton, we all had a very real sense of pride in our little town. Friends began to ask us if certain places actually existed and if the filming location was anything like Scranton. Suddenly we were experts on all things “Office” because we hailed from the same town that it was filmed in.
The first season was much more true to the grit and the atmosphere of what Scranton is really like. It’s rather dirty, and even the “upper management” people are a far cry from anyone you’d meet in New York City with the same job title. The first season was set in a more cluttered and unkempt office than you find in later seasons, which, from personal experience, is a more accurate picture of a Scranton office. Everything is old. Even the new buildings look old. Scranton was given the reputation of being the “armpit of civilization” a number of years ago by a newspaper columnist and it’s become almost a motto for the city. People here don’t really get up in arms about it…they just shrug their shoulders in half-hearted agreement and continue on with the day-to-day.
In essence, Scranton is just that. Day-to-day, mundane, and rather trivial. Until “The Office” put us on the map, I believe the last time Scranton was noted on screen was in “Home Alone 1″ when Kevin’s mom is stuck in the Scranton Airport and asks “Where the hell am I?” In truth, I think that’s what all Scrantonians are really asking.
Spring Is the Best Time for Monday Morning
I’m sitting at the Starbucks and wondering why everyone hates this day so much. I get the whole part about the weekend being over, and having to go back to a job that you probably don’t like very much, or even getting back to class. But I think most people miss the beauty of a Monday morning. Unlike any other day of the week, Mondays offer you a fresh start and a chance to apply yourself, and your mad skills, to all the stuff that the week is about to chuck at you. Think about it. You’re rested from the weekend, most of you haven’t had to see your boss or coworkers for two days, and you haven’t had a chance to fail miserably at anything yet. So naturally, now that it’s time to get back to the grind you should be ready to face it with renewed spirits (not alcohol) and tenacity.
So on this, the first Monday of a brand new spring, when the green is just on the horizon, and in spite of still being able to see your breath in the air, why not try to embrace a new approach to Monday mornings and enjoy it instead of loathe it.
iPhone 3.0…NOW Please!
I’ve been waiting for this since… Well since even before I had an iPhone. And I can see it in the distance. On the horizon is a speck, warped by the heat of the information superhighway, clothed in the majesty of OK that’s enough… Seriously though, Apple announced the iPhone 3.0 OS today. I’m waiting nervously (my leg is actually twitching) for th
e rest
of the story. The site says to “check back later today to watch the presentation about the new SDK and get a sneak peek at iPhone OS 3.0 software.” Honestly who writes this stuff? Where’s the quality assurance guy when you need him most. If it were me… I’d demand a parade with huge floats shaped like a pair of scissors, a piece of carbon paper, and a big bottle of glue, or maybe the Elmer’s monster. Why? (Drum roll please…) Because finally we will have cut, copy, and paste functions on the iPhone! It’s about time really. I would have thought that would be a standard feature from 1.0. Certainly 2.0… but alas, 3.0 has delivered, and now I can be at peace.
I’m not one of the clued in bloggers when it comes to Apple, so I don’t know much more about what’s in store for us. I’m just happy… and you know it.
Solve My Problems
Here’s a challenge for all of you creative types out there. The company I work for, Lamplighter Ministries, is expanding into new territory. Many new territories, in fact. We’re developing a much more multimedia minded branch as well as incorporating social media practices into our “marketing.”
For those of you who know anything about Lamplighter, one of our core operations involves republishing books originally published in previous centuries. They are hardbound books, often with authentic Italian leather cover materials. One of our goals is to maintain a high level of quality and beauty in these products. The newer portion of our ministry involves producing these books in “Hollywood” level audio dramas to be broadcast on the radio and sold on CD. In order to properly promote these productions, and increase general awareness of Lamplighter, we’re adopting many of the current social networking and “viral” marketing techniques. This is proves to be difficult for a company who has had a difficult enough time establishing any kind of web presence, let alone something that’s cutting edge in technology, yet true to it’s origins.
And so I pose the question: How does a company that is grounded in concepts and design trends dating back hundreds of years compete and be relevant in todays world and yet remain true to it’s mission and values? How do we offer up the same resources (social networking tools, new media, deliverable content, etc) as the most cutting edge organizations without betraying the basic principles that have helped bring us into existence (ie: age, beauty, texture, and moral value)?
Official Notice
Okay folks, brace yourselves, I’m about to be rude.
The Facebook version of Jared Brandon is no longer accepting invitations to participate in “dumb things.” The term “dumb things” refers to, but is not limited to the following:
- Poking (in any form) - Please keep your hands to yourself.
- Best Friends - Honestly, How many can you really have?
- Family Members - Does this really need to be announced publicly?
- Birthday Requests - I don’t care about yours…
- Gifts - I have no intention of giving you anything.
- Weird games - I have no time for these things.
- ETC.
Hero
News of an airline crash in New York City reached me late in the afternoon of January 15, 2009. My first reaction, before hearing the full story, was of nervous fear as a flood of memories of the September 11th attacks swirled into my mind. Like the rest of the US population, I have a very clear mental picture of what happened that day and I shudder at the memory of it. But January 15th turned my attention to another side of the story. I suddenly became aware of a long lost word in my vocabulary: hero. And as the story filtered through the airwaves and plastered the headlines, that same word seemed to be the common thread tying it all together. It wasn’t the crash that people were talking about. It was the hero.
Talk of the ‘hero’ permeates our society. It is a foundational idea upon which we construct a portion of our worldview. It influences how we perceive ourselves and how we view the deeds of others. Sometimes we’re the bystanders and on occasion we’re the rescued. But once in a while we are the heroes. In select moments of our lives that will try, and prove, our character, we see a glimpse of the best version of ourselves. We see the man or woman, girl or boy that God intended us to be — great beings full of life, opportunity, and ability. It is no small matter to face trial and difficulty and fail to see the teaching hand of grace upon us. Whether we succeed or fail, it is still the test – and we must take it. It is in the fire that we are cleansed. Between the anvil and the hammer we are molded. And in the waters we are tempered and refreshed.
Heroes may come in varying forms; they may be born of different circumstances. The Bible dictates countless deeds and acts of faith by many heroic individuals and ultimately shows us the greatest act of love and sacrifice imaginable. Some of the most influential heroes exist only in the pages of fiction. And these stories of suffering and sacrifice provide us with a model that we often cannot find elsewhere. Whether truth or fiction, the principles of overcoming hardship and enduring suffering under the guiding hand of our Saviour never tire of their validity. Stories written centuries ago are as relevant today as they were the day they were published. Through long years and changing worlds, characters long forgotten in the folds of a dusty book still bear the same volatile message of hope and perseverance. And it is upon these premises that Lamplighter Publishing is built.
Heroism, or the lack thereof, is personified in the skillfully-crafted words of authors like Amy LeFeuvre, Christoph VonSmidt, W.E. Cule, Eden Southworth, and many others. Historical and fictional characters, alike, battle loss, fear, depravation, and seemingly unjust circumstances without knowing how long they must endure. In the midst of the darkest moments, the light of truth and purpose shine through to reveal God’s sovereign design. Maybe it is for the strong man to learn humility, the faint hearted to become stout, or the secret to be revealed. It could be for the sick to be healed or the hero to be lifted up. But each story and every character follows a path of uncertainty in trials to learn that when we courageously trust in God, and relinquish control we so ignorantly attempt to retain, that we will finally experience, in all it’s fullness, the purpose for which God has placed us here. To daily die to ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. To heroically exemplify Christ in our daily encounter with obstacles and suffering and seek the truth that God so relentlessly tries to show us. These are the makings of a hero.
I Wanna Play
Decline In Lint Production
This may interest you…
I recently discovered that I have a decreasingly productive belly button. Most people, particularly women and male models, believe that the navel has no real function. Many would relinquish their own because of this ignorant belief. It has been my observation however that the belly button is actually a multifunctional “inpendage.” (I made up this word because an appendage sticks out of the body and doesn’t mean what I needed it to. Since a belly button sticks IN, I made the term INpendage…please use it often.) Following in a bulleted list format are some of the observed navelic (another made up word) functions.
- Lint Control: Provides a collection pit for lint that is collected and channeled by torso hair.
- Provides warmth for itself by being a collection pit for the lint mentioned above. (This also makes it efficient because the body does not have to worry about heating it’s navel and can concentrate on other areas of the body that need heat)
- Functions as a resting place for ten different fingers and some toes
- Provides safe keeping for marbles and small stones
- Disappears when you sit down so that nothing inadvertently falls inside without you knowing it
My own button has declined significantly in the past 9 months in the area of lint control. The chart below illustrates this with an orange line that goes from high to low with a spike towards the end. My own investigations have led me to the conclusion that because of a massive amount of chestal hair (made up term), my clothes have been scrubbed free of rogue fuzz (the raw material of which lint is made). Since I have not gotten any new clothes in a very long time, there is less and less rogue fuzz to be useful in lint production and therefore less lint to be controlled. My only explanation for the spike in july is that I did some laundry around that time. My navel is now at 7, down from 100.
Study Conducted 10/6/08 at 10:35 PM by Jared Brandon
