A Tasting, #1

Every so often I'd like to compose a blog that is something akin to a wine tasting of the thoughts that alternately flit, sit down, sleep and fly through my head. I remember the first time I read a blog by a friend (thanks, simplefelicity :)) who had done something similar: I really enjoyed reading it and felt like I had looked through a window into her personality that I hadn't seen before.

Just as wine comes in many colors, textures and varieties of brightness--each with a unique appeal and value--so I imagine that these thoughts will bring clarity to how my world is composed of unique layers and how I experience the world around me in all its beautiful varieties.

#4:
It started with a political earthquake in Tunisia, then into Egypt (massively); then Yemen and Jordan had similar tremors. I have been utterly fascinated by these events--sometimes more excited, sometimes more cynical and sometimes more prayerful. I see these people visibly displaying what grips them to the core; I see them, collectively, become a movement. Movements? Well, they are a part of human and cultural identity. And more than anything, I want to be a part of the Movement that is the most subversive of all: to lose my life so that it can be found by and in Him.

#3:

Good coffee is irreplaceable. Especially when it is paired with friends old and new. Today, I had a wonderfully crafted latté made by the good folks at Salento Cafe while enjoying stimulating and yet restful conversation with a new friend from work. Suddenly, that coffee, the atmosphere of that cafe and that new friendship didn't make going to the post office and the drugstore the day of the predicted Houston-snowpocalypse seem so terrible.

#2:

I just finished reading The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight. If you have any interest at all in the Bible, I dare you to read Dr. McKnight's book. I double dare you. His synopsis of how people (Christians, particularly) read the Bible and how people should read the Bible is absolutely approachable and compelling. It will make you think, and in my opinion that is always a good thing. I'm not going to tell you about the plot because I'm trying to string you along as much as possible.

#1:

Movies are powerful. A couple of weekends ago, I watched Eat.Pray.Love and The Dilemma. Neither of these movies were particularly good (as is obvious by their rankings on IMDb); however, because they touched on and (somewhat) developed themes that are sensitive issues for me, I found myself entering into the plots a little bit too much. Themes like insecurity, significance, trust, commitment and independence always strike a chord with me, no matter what the medium is. Film has an even more powerful influence because it employs plot, visuals and musical interpretation--all of which are significant symbols of creation in my internal world. I literally had to work through the issues those two half-baked movies brought to the surface, and that is a good thing.

That is all for this "tasting." Viva la revolucion!