Microsoft redesigns iPod packaging

Let's hope that this never becomes a reality... Original video: http://www.arctic.org/~patrick/misc/ms-ipod-parody.wmv

A Retreat

This weekend was the 8th grade retreat at Lord of Life. It went well. We used the theme "Eyes Wide Open" and focused on the scripture of the disciples on the road to Emaeus.

One piece of the program is a Q&A session called: "Ask Todd whatever you want."

Great questions...

...about creation
...about families
...about sexuality
...about sin
...about grace

Fundamentally, the root of many of the questions came down to "what if I'm not good enough."

Imagine the look of surprise on their (and some of their adult leader's) faces when I said "You're not good enough."

It has nothing to do with us. Quite simply we are not good enough. Not at all. So how do we communicate that it is God who makes us good enough.

They heard me. I'm not sure if they believe me.

There Is No Simple Answer

I just had a fun conversation with a friend and colleague. We were discussing "The Model", and how at the institution where he teaches, "the model" they are supposed to teach is done, often at the exclusion of all else, and with a sense that it is THE way of doing things in congregations.

It's not.

Far from it.

We look for single, "one-size-fits-all" solutions to problems. Life is full of adaptation. I am wary of those who tell me how to do things, especially those who do not know my context.

There is no model...no simple answer. And when those models begin with the presupposition that because I am not doing "the model", I must be doing it wrong...well...that just annoys me.

Life was not created to be simple. And people of faith, more than everyone, need to recognize that life is full of opportunity to "make good". God did not choose to give us an owner's manual for the world...lprobably mostly because we don't own it...we are tourists on the earth, living lives that are completely dependent on God.

It seems like we should get over ourselves.

A political upheaval

How interesting were the elections last night?

The debate is: was it a referendum on George Bush and the current direction?

Sure it was. To argue otherwise if foolishness.

People are not happy with the direction of the country. People are not happy with the war. People are not happy with the economy. People are not happy that the government seems to be more about maintaining power than sharing, or giving away power.

I think the American people spoke clearly last night, whether or not we choose to hear what was said. The question remains: Can the President and those in leadership listen and interpret?

Red

I read about the campaign that Bono, Oprah and others have kicked off called the "Red" campaign. There are selected items, (i.e. the iPod) being sold in a new red version. If you buy one, proceeds go towards the One Campaign.

I am a big fan of Bono. I am a huge fan of the One campaign. But I find the Red program troubling.

From what I understand, the stars are basically saying "Hey, we know that you're going to buy stuff. We know that we can't defeat consumerism. So go ahead...buy...get more stuff...and we'll try to take some advantage of that to raise some money. Now, this may or may not actually be what they are saying, but from my angle, it is what it sounds like.

This bothers me. I don't think we need to sell out to consumerism. Is this not merely treating the symptoms of the problem, rather than treating the problem? Is this not "buying into" buying? It seems to me that much of our problem really is rampant consumerism. It is the attitude that "I can buy happiness...if that takes resources away from someone else, well then, so be it."

I'm troubled and a little disappointed.