where to draw the line. is there a line. bible. | school integration...

When and where do you draw the lines when it comes to things that presumably hold high meaning to you? There are a few areas that have made me think about this recently: bible; justice; urban/suburban schooling. I will write on each of these as they come to mind. With that, here is bible!
Where do you, if you do at all, draw the line when it comes to the bible. When do we (I) choose to take the bible as it is stated and(or) when do I use it as a guide and(or) when do I use it as a historical record of God? I can say that this question is not important, but I truly believe it is. I know people that take the Bible as it is, word for word, if it is in the Bible, then it is truth. Whereas others I know would say the Bible is important in understanding the historical context of God, but believe that modern day differs from the Bibles' era and we can pull things from it that identifies how humanity ought to be lived out but is not an exact replica of then and now. When Jesus commanded us to do things does that mean exactly the same today? Do we apply it to 2011 and if so what does that look like? I would be willing to guess for each person it looks differently. To me at least, it never seems enough, whatever it is that I'm doing. I always feel  there is more to do and I'm not doing enough....maybe I'm interpreting the Bible incorrectly. All the gaps that the Gospels seem to have in Jesus' life, maybe I'm filling those in with unrealistic expectations of my own life. Or maybe it still is not enough? When do you stop helping others. Do you take "me" time? Or is that being selfish? I can go on, but I think you get the point. Where do you draw the line in Christianity and following Jesus? Or do you?

Chris Farley as Christian Laettner

money.god.responsibilities.

I was engaged in a conversation this morning about money. I seem to have had many of these conversations lately. It also seems to be very unsettling. All these conversations seem to come down to "what does the Bible say about it" response. Well, that is fine, but if we aren't doing a majority of what the bible says, why should money be different? I mean, if we're honest about it, what Christ really asks of me, I am not doing. I SHOULD be, but in all reality, I am not. Why? Truthfully, I am afraid too. I cannot bring myself to want to live as a radical of life as Christ told us to live. Giving up all of mine and Sara's possessions seems unreasonable. I do not trust that others in my life will buy into the community aspect that is so prevalent in the Bible to help and fulfill our basic needs on a regular basis. Sure we can supply most needs, but if we're giving our money and possessions away to those who "really" need it, that will most likely leave us in need and I do not trust that those needs will be met. Should this be different? Yes, of course. Do I think God can do crazy radical things to help us, yes, will God? Who knows? So what is meant by giving all your possessions to those in need? Should we give until we are completely reliant upon God? Is it our responsibility to use the gifts and resources(jobs, money) God has given us or helped us to obtain in a reasonable manner? What is responsible? Should I help all my friends out of debt and disregard my own debt? You tell me?

Dmx-lord give me a sign (lyrics)

I love this song. The Video is on youtube if you want to see it.

Eminem - Love The Way You Lie ft. Rihanna

I love this song. Not because I like the meaning behind it, but because of the symbolism. The fact that Eminem chose Rihanna, who herself was a victim of abuse. But if you listen to the lyrics it clearly shows the thoughts and feelings that each person would be feeling in a relationship like this. She convinces herself that what she is going through is normative and she enjoys it. Eminem's words are brutally honest of how someone, as the abuser, feels and reacts. It is somewhat chilling to imagine this but I really think this is reality for people in these situations.

[chorus]

just gonna stand there and watch me burn
that’s alright because i like the way it hurts
just gonna stand there and hear me cry
that’s alright because i love the way you lie
i love the way you lie

[Eminem - Verse 1]
i can’t tell you what it really is
i can only tell you what it feels like
and right now it’s a steel knife in my windpipe
i can’t breathe but i still fight while i can fight
as long as the wrong feels right it’s like i’m in flight
high off of love drunk from my hate
it’s like i’m huffin’ paint and i love it the more i suffer, i suffocate
and right before i’m about to drown, she resuscitates me, she fuckin’ hates me
and i love it, wait, where you goin’?
i’m leavin’ you, no you ain’t come back
we’re runnin’ right back, here we go again
so insane, cause when it’s goin’ good its goin’ great
i’m superman with the wind in his back, she’s Lois Lane
but when its bad its awful, i feel so ashamed i snap
whose that dude? i don’t even know his name
i laid hands on her
i never stoop so low again
i guess i don’t know my own strength

[chorus]

[Eminem - Verse 2]
you ever love somebody so much you can barely breathe
when you with em you meet and neither one of you even know what hit em
got that warm fuzzy feeling
yeah them chills used to get em
now you’re getting fuckin’ sick of lookin’ at em
you swore you’d never hit em, never do nothin’ to hurt em
now you’re in each other’s face spewin’ venom in your words when you spit em
you push pull each other’s hair
scratch claw hit em throw em down pin em
so lost in the moments when you’re in em
it’s the face that’s the culprit, controls ya both,
so they say it’s best to go your seperate ways
guess that they don’t know ya
http://www.elyricsworld.com/love_the_way_you_lie_lyrics_eminem.html
cause today that was yesterday
yesterday is over, it’s a different day
sound like broken records playin’ over
but you promised her next time you’ll show restraint
you don’t get another chance
life is no nintendo game, but you lied again,
now you get to watch her leave out the window
guess that’s why they call it window pane

[Chorus]

[Eminem - Verse 3]
now i know we said things, did things, that we didn’t mean
and we fall back into the same patterns, same routine
but your temper’s just as bad as mine is, you’re the same as me
when it comes to love you’re just as blinded
baby please come back, it wasn’t you, baby it was me
maybe our relationship isn’t as crazy as it seems
maybe that’s what happens when a tornado meets a volcano
all i know is i love you too much to walk away though
come inside, pick up the bags off the sidewalk
don’t you hear sincerity in my voice when i talk?
told you this is my fault, look me in the eyeball
next time i’m pissed ill aim my fist at the drywall
next time there won’t be no next time
i apologize even though i know its lies
i’m tired of the games i just want her back
i know i’m a liar if she ever tries to fuckin’ leave again
i’ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire

[chorus]