Support The War? Support Jesus?

O what a subject to tackle. I'm not even sure I know how to start this conversation. 

I understand that we may all be sick of hearing about the War in Iraq, as it constantly floods our media and lives. Yet, I feel as though it is of great importance to deny the War, and stand against this illusion that has been created that states "it is for the greater good." I've heard the phrase "kill one, save a thousand" used in movies, and it all use to make sense. It all seemed logical and right to me. Yet as my whole view has changed regarding War, and violence, the question arises in my mind that states, "well then who is going to stand up for that one?" With that question bearing down on me I am loudly told that answer through scripture... Jesus would be at the defense of that "one."

How did this all come about? It has been thanks to the multiple car bumper stickers, Shane Claiborne's "Iraq Journal," and most influentially, Jesus, that my whole world view has changed when it comes to War and party affiliation. I use to be extremely right winged. It use to be, you could cut me with a knife and I would bleed out elephants. Yet when reevaluating the "party," I now realize Jesus isn't exactly the white middle class republican that he somehow seems to be portrayed as. (thank you Derek Webb) I have reason to believe that if Jesus were here today you possibly would be able to find Him chained to the front door of the white house saying, enough of this killing... love your enemies. 

"It's for the greater good." That's what we are told in order to justify the War. Yet, with the using of this common justification phrase, are we really that different from those members of the Al Qaeda? 

I commute to work everyday, and everyday I see multiple bumper stickers that state "God bless America," "Support our troops," and "Win the War! Victory in Iraq." I think it is time we remember the message of Jesus. Now am I bashing our troops? No, never. I have numerous friends who are members of the Service and I highly respect our troops as well as admire their bravery. But when we just step out of our normal view of things and imagine what those bumper stickers might look like through the lens of an Iraqi citizen who has been affected by this war, I'm starting to wonder if we really want to support these things. 

Do our children have any more of a right to live than those who are living in Iraq? In fact, do our children have any more of a right to live than those whose parents are devoted members of the Al Qaeda? Let me quickly, and I understand this is already becoming quite a long blog, tell you a common situation that occurs quite regularly in Iraq that just breaks my heart. We, the United States, have these bombs called Cluster Bombs that we drop in Iraq. A Cluster Bomb contains 202 deadly bombletts, if you will, each of which fracture into about 300 steel, body-piercing fragments. An absolutely horrible bomb.... it can cover about the size of a football field and anywhere between 10% and 20% will not detonate. These, that do not detonate, will litter the ground until activated by animals or people. It is common that children will mistake them for toys or food... which then results in activation. 

War is horrible, thus the War in Iraq is horrible. It's time we break away from this illusion that "It's for the greater good." Jesus does not call us to be supporters of the War, in fact He calls us to the exact opposite. We are to oppose the war, and support Love. I'm sick of this War, I'm sick of any War, and I will be sick of Wars. Jesus is sick of Wars. Let's all be together here, let's support Jesus in what He called us to do and let's think the way He told us to think. 

"To our most bitter opponents we say: Throw us in jail and we will still love you. Bomb our houses and threaten our children and we will still love you. Beat us and leave us half dead and we will still love you. But be ye assured that we will wear you down by our capacity to suffer. One day we shall so appeal to your heart and conscience that we shall win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory." - Gandhi

Let us put our swords away. (Lk 22:51, Jn 18:11)

Drywall Anyone

My church, which has been meeting in a Cinemark theatre, has now bought a space. The theatre is located in the Pittsburgh Mills Mall and now we get our own space within the mall. (which i almost just spelled wall. yes... space within the wall) And today was the "Mills work day." Things within the new space had to be done in order for it to be up to par come October when we begin to meet there. (walls painted, walls made, new carpet, stage set up, sound system... the list goes on) I had quite the time working today.

First of all let me just say... I am convinced that over 80% of men who work where paint, drywall, lifts, studs, nails, screws, saws, ladders, and drills are involved, have absolutely no clue what they are doing. With this observation made I have come to the conclusion that I most certainly fall under this category. Despite feeling left out due to my lack of tool belt, I would say for the first two hours I was completely useless as I was standing nodding my head. (The head nod is indeed standard male procedure when the man has absolutely no freaking clue what he is doing)

It really all started as I was approached with a "test of my manlyness" kind of a question. "Do you know how to drywall"? (First of all I want to make a side note. When it comes to the world of manly construction, the complete English language is disregarded. To drywall is now a verb.) I could not be fooled by this test. "Yes..... Yes I can."

Nope, no I couldn't... I was a boy amongst men. I do want to say though, I now have a complete understanding of how to build a wall. By the 4th one I really started to get it. I left that place just as prideful as I had entered it. Another day, another wall.

It really was cool though watching how everyone as a family worked together. It reminds me of the way everything was intended to be. Harmony. I found it on this "Mills work day." (i had enough time to notice it) It really reminded me of the importance of coming together as one. Even though I stunk at drywalling.

The Public Throne

In the good ol' Pittsburgh there are many amazing things to experience. The possibilities to fulfill an agenda that would be labeled as a "great day," is quite simple. Yet while engaging in said activities one thing is in undeniable. Mother nature, so to speak, comes a'knocking eventually. 

I can't stand blessed public restrooms. Please allow me to vent to those of you who care. I know all of you are thinking the same thing when you are in those unsanitary silos. This is quite the universal blog. It is not limited to race, gender, orientation, or classification. Although I must say it is taken from a male's point of view from an experience in the male's quarters. 

Upon entry in these dirty dungeons comes multiple situations, aromas, sights, and sounds. (i pray you don't experience tastes) All of which simply cannot be spoken of in detail do to my audience. (be thankful) All I'm saying is, I can no longer stand, the floral wall papered, close proximity wall urinaled, dryer sheet like toilet papered, pee puddle floored, hand dryered with exit door opening inwarded, relief facilities. 

It appears that we, as a global community, have hit a brick wall. I'm not convinced our public restroom days could ever be labeled as "smooth sailing." Unless we developed a magic bag that would contain: a pair of virtual goggles, dividers, charmin ultra soft, stilts, paper towels and a flame thrower. In the mean time I suppose we will just have to endure. I guess i shouldn't complain too much. I mean, it does beat the, "just go out back and dig a hole."