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Mario Kart Wiiiiiiiiiiii!

Last week my nephew Andrew (13) got a Wii for his birthday.  It was his big "welcome to your teenage years" gift from my parents.  Many of you know that I bought a Wii earlier this year just to have some fun with friends (and to become a Guitar Hero).  Up until a few weeks ago I had no idea that some of the games have an option to play with friends through the internet.  I was so excited!

If you don't know, one of my biggest goals in life is to be the greatest aunt on the planet.  My nephews live in Ohio so I don't get to see them nearly enough.  But now I have a fun way to spend time with them through cyber space!  I bought Mario Kart for my nephew for his birthday.  And then I bought the game for myself.  And over the past week and a half I've been racing my nephews almost every night through Mario's Gold Mine and Coconut Mall. 

Today as I was starting my work day my cell phone rang.  On the other end was my nephew Joe (6).  "Hi Aunt Tammy.  I think we should play Mario Kart at 3:30 today."  I had to explain to this sweet boy that I actually had to work during the day.  But don't worry.  We still got a few races in tonight before his 9pm EST bedtime.

unChristian

Finished the book unChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.  I would highly recommend it for anyone who has a passion for helping young adults find their way back to God.  The book is based on extensive research by the Barna Group into the thoughts and perceptions young adults hold regarding Christians and therefore Christianity.  It's not a pretty picture with words such as "Hypocritical," "Antihomosexual," "Sheltered," and "Judgmental" naming the chapters.  But the central message of this book is hope... hope that we can change, hope that we can grow, hope that we can shed an "unChristian" faith for one that resembles Jesus.

I took away a lot from this book although strangely I felt a bit schitzophrentic reading it.  As I read the perceptions of young "outsiders," I found myself identifying with them.  I see the things they see.  I'm frustrated by the same things they are frustrated by.  At times I'm as angry as they are at all that is definitely unChristian.  Yet, the other half of my brain and heart were being convicted at the same time.  Convicted of the ways I contribute to their perspective.  Convicted of ways I am too sheltered, too judgmental, too concerned with just "getting them to church."

This book is challenging in the best kind of way.  I hope to read it again next time in a group with some 20-somethings who are on the outside of Christianity or teetering on the edge of faith.  I think it would be a fascinating discussion.

Politics

I am on a political journey.  Many months ago I decided to wipe the slate of my political consciousness clean and go into this year's presidential election with an open mind.  Yes, I declared myself an "undecided voter" and prepared to carefully consider the candidates and issues as we inch our way ever-so-slowly toward the November 4th general election.

Now let me be honest, my political consciousness has never been very developed.  I grew up believing that Christians always voted for one particular party based on one very important issue.  When I was 23 my sheltered worldview was sent into confusion when I found out that one of the Christians I admired most and looked to as a mentor had been a lifelong supporter of the opposite party.  "How could that happen?" I wondered.  I knew she loved Jesus more than anything and her life displayed incredible evidence of godliness yet she was bucking the Christian system.  I wasn't really sure what to do with that.

So I did nothing.  Just coasted through another decade of political complacency.

But I want this year to be different.  It's not that I'm feeling the need to become a political activist.  Not sure I'm ready for that yet.  But I do want to become a thoughtful, intentional voter.  And for me this year that means starting from the point of "undecided."  I am listening to the candidates, trying to understand their differences, and trying to prayerfully consider where I should stand on the issues.  I still have no idea where this political journey will land in November, but here are a few things I'm learning along the way:

1. I won't agree with either candidate on everything and I won't disagree with either candidate on everything.  If I want an elected official who sees everything exactly as I see it, I'm going to have to vote for myself.  But I definitely don't want to do that so I'm going to have to weigh things out and make a difficult choice.
2. Being undecided gives you the opportunity and ability to acknowledge good things in all the candidates.  You don't feel "threatened" by the other side because you aren't on one yet.  This makes it much easier to listen to the speeches and consider the rhetoric without a reactionary posture.  Sadly, it also can tempt you to look down on those who do take a reactionary posture towards everything on "the other side."  But I am trying not to become an "undecided" snob.
3. There actually are a lot of Christians on both sides of the aisle.  And both are equally passionate about their position.  And many seem quite irriated when you are open to considering the other side.  I find this a little amusing and a little disturbing.  Maybe it's the closet rebel in me, but when I run into a Republican who tries to shame me it makes me want to vote Democratic.  And when I run into a Democrat who tries to lecture me it makes me want to vote Republican.  But I know I shouldn't vote just to stick it to the last person who bothered me so I'll have to grow beyond this too.

So I'm on a political journey.  Please don't send me links denouncing Obama for not supplying his staffers with pencils or criticize Sarah Palin without hearing her speak.  Those things really aren't helpful.  (Although I did enjoy the SNL Palin-Clinton skit link.  Very funny.)  If my "undecided" position concerns you, pray for me.  Pray that I would learn what God would have me learn during this political season and that I will make the best decision I can come November 4th.  And whereever you are in your political journey, I will pray the same for you.