The World of Facebook Validation

Yes, that is correct. Apparently we have entered the world of Facebook Validation. This is a world not all that unlike our own. There is quite a bit of diversity and there is always something (but many times nothing) going on. So why don’t you join me on a short trip to the wonderful world of Facebook Validation.

On this simple little world there are millions of people, the strangest people you have ever met indeed. Whenever you look upon the natives they seem to be exposing their tongue, or wearing some horrible sweater, and sometimes they are in some odd contortionist pose that is fully alien to all who gaze upon them. Yes indeed this world is quite strange.

While here you learn more than you ever desired about the inhabitants. For instance, one resident recently informed us of their need to go study (but really they prefer to procrastinate.) Another resident just blurted out that they really had to use the restroom (and the funny thing is; I actually was curious about that.) The topper, though, is the one that just validated their relationship by posting their lovers name in their relationship status (how disgustingly sweet!) As you can tell this is a very 'open' territory and few people are holding back their thoughts.

It was recently explained to me, though I still don’t quite understand the logic, that "[I]t ain't official if it ain't on Facebook." Apparently in the world of Facebook Validation everything that is important to the residents must be shared in an open forum or it just didn't happen. It is as if the whole world has spiraled into this existence where their actions must be approved of by all other residents.

Fortunately, I have the luxury of not living in this world, though I am not fully free from its grasp. I, for one, still believe in the individual and that sometimes the unpopular decision is the right decision. In many ways this society has forgotten how to keep the mystery of self sacred, and instead has placed all their cards on the table with what are essentially strangers. Where is the romance in that?

I am glad that I only visit this world occasionally (though my current visit is getting quite lengthy) and I can leave whenever necessary. Some people (oh, how I pray) have become lost in this world and currently we are sending rescue teams to call them back. So far we have rescued a total of -8 people. That is right we lost our entire maiden team. To that we are not concerned; for we are sure our next team of 12 will prevail.

A final note for all of you lost in the world of Facebook Validation: we are on our way, just hang in there. For now I leave you, but please hurry with the teams for I write this from behind enemy lines and your link to me can be found in my status as I await you validation.

My Dog, My God?

Recently I finished reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (who is my long lost English uncle, though the family disowned him for heavenly debauchery some years ago) and there were many intriguing points that caught my interest. One in particular was the meaning of the word "my". It is stunning how such a simple word can so quickly paralyze my "my" thought as I realize the horror of my "my" misunderstanding.

C.S. Lewis contends (well maybe not contends because Screwtape states it as fact) that we as people have neglected to realize the dual meaning of the word "my". This little word does in fact have two distinct connotations.

First, you can use this inconsequential pronoun to show possession; such as found in its use with the phrase: "My dog."

Secondly, you can use this word to show relation; such as is found in the phrase: "My God."

The problem that was revealed is that we have forgotten how to use the word in a relation context. Over time we have begun to feel that we not only own our dog, but we also own God. Clearly it is evident where the problem begins.

As I leave you to ponder how you have used this two letter word I want to point towards one final telling phrase. In the Old Testament God tells the people time and time again that His will is to “[I will] be their God, and they will be my people.” Given the nature of God I want to add to Lewis’ contention by stating that in this popular quote of encouragement God intended both bodies to be in the relational context. He does not desire to own us, nor does he desire to be owned. He simply desires to have a relational existence with his beloved creation.

God in School

How does one define ‘public’? When we interact in our community through the ‘public’ institutions what guidelines should there be and which ones are appropriate? These are just a couple of the questions that have been troubling me today, and they both originate from a news article that I read this morning.

A local high school has recently come under attack because they give recognition to God in their mission statement and even go as far as saying they value this sentiment in their students. I, personally, support this recognition that is held by the school district. However, a group out of Madison, WI known as Freedom from Religion Foundation has taken issue with it and has collected three complaints to give to the school board in order to strong arm the district into rewording their mission statement.

Now here comes my issue. As a ‘public’ school their actions and values should be dictated to them by two groups: the local community and the government bodies that preside over them.

1. Local Community: this group of people can easily be defined as the tax base, those who pay into the school district. Of this group of people it appears that most are in favor of leaving the mission statement alone, after all only three complaints have been lodged. One would think that when it comes to the local community’s belief there would need to be a much larger group of people involved in the complaint.

2. Government Bodies: a school district is directly controlled by the bodies of government over them (specifically the state) and therefore should reflect the values held by that government. With that said I wish to point out that in Ohio, where all of this is happening, the state motto is “With God, all things are possible.” It is obvious to me that Ohio has established a precedent that the belief in God is acceptable. Not only does this apply to Ohio, but the motto of the United States of America is “In God We Trust.” This leads me to believe that this school district has only extended the belief system, and model of standards, that has been established by their governing bodies.

In conclusion, I again have to ask, what is ‘public’? According to the actions of these protestors who lay in the minority it would seem that ‘public’ means to serve the interests of small groups. On that matter I disagree. Any institution that is in the public sector must follow two basic rules. First they must listen to their constituents and second they must follow the standards that have been put in place by their government. To both of these points the above mentioned school district has followed and therefore should be allowed to continue on with their currently stated mission until conditions change.

Let there be Light: Shining light on change

"'In the beginning God said 'let there be light.'"
What a popular quote this has become. There are many popular variations that can be heard on any given day in today's vernacular. I recall a time when I was a bit younger when I would enter a room, flip the switch for the light, and call out, 'and God said let there be light.' (Yes, I was that annoying kid that needed hit when I was younger, and according to my wife I still am.)

However, the intention is not to discuss the relevance of this scripture in relation to creation of the world, but instead we will be looking into the creation of a new you. At some point in every person's life there has to be that moment of change, that moment of a light turning on. That light turned on for me when I left to go and be a soldier in the Army.

The wedding bells were still dancing in my head, or at least the recorded version of the bells was, the day that I kissed my young wife goodbye. The two of us had been united as one for not even a month when we first departed ways. Her tangled mass of curls draping over her sullen face did little to hide the tears that raced over her slightly sloping cheek. Gently I caressed my thumb just under her eye and swept away the brackish water as I gently whispered my devotion and love to my one and only girl. She offered a forced smile, our lips met one last time, and I turned to enter the recruiter's office. I made it through the first four weeks of basic training before I completely cracked.

When I left to join the military I was a very selfish man and cared little for other people, but when I came home I was an on fire agent of God. It was when I was taken away from those who I loved that God was finally able to breakthrough. I had been separated, made open to the world around me, broken to the point of desperation, and then received the light that made all things possible. It is these principles to changing your life with the aid of God that made me a new man.

-Be Set Apart
-Be Open
-Become Broken
-Receive the Light

Be set Apart: You must allow yourself to be taken away from the situations in your life that cause the most harm. There is no way to transact change if you are unwilling to move. For every action there is an equal or greater reaction. If there is no action then there is no reaction.

Be Open: After you remove yourself from the harmful situation, then you must become open to the realm of possibility. Remember that God created you for something, no matter how crazy it may be. A dream is nothing more than a vision of your future.

Become Broken: Now that you have taken action and allowed yourself to dream it is time to be broken. When I say broken I mean it is time to realize your shortcomings and the wrongs of your past. This is VERY painful, but well worth it. We all have those proverbial skeletons and in order to accurately cast your vision you must let them free. Remember: The only way to be repaired is to first be broken.

Receive the Light: By now you will be a big ball of confusion, good that is just where you should be. On one hand you feel free because of your vision and removal from the situation. On the other hand the broken state has humbled you. It is only in this humbled state that you can peer through the darkness into the light and see the road meant for you. In darkness we can only dream, but in light we can actually achieve.

"In the beginning God said, 'let there be light.'" It is this command by God that changed the world and today I reference it to point out that God is saying the same about you. It is the desire of God to be part of your life, He wants to be the change. We, as people, can only go so far, but with God (the light) we can accomplish amazing feats. Let there be light in your life and you too can experience the change you need.