P.O.D. Rips my face off
Posted by Brett Veenstra
Ok, my white self is totally enamored with the latest P.O.D. album : Testify.
The combination Hard Code, Reggae, Hip Hop all interlaced with Christian imagery, keywords and themes totally wigs me out.
Goodbye for Now looks to be the single they’re going to be pumping for while — I got the video when I bought the album on iTunes. Check the bridge:
And you can sing until there’s no song left
And I can scream until the world goes deaf
For every other word left unsaid,
you should’ve took the time to read the signs
and see what it meant
In some ways everybody feels alone,
so if the burden is mine then i can carry my own
If joy really comes in the morning time,
then I’m gonna sit back and wait until the next sunrise.
When you see the video, it looks oddly like they’re having a worship service, with arms raised awaiting the next sonrise.
Rock on bro’s. This white boy will be a head bouncing wit ja.
Failure of Courage?
Posted by Brett Veenstra
I was hanging in the wonderful city of Toronto this week.
I really don’t like city life, although this trip I have it real easy: no kids, free meals, an ultra-modern hotel with wireless and a real fountain in my room!
It seems such a paradox though… I just get done spending some big corporate bucks on a sweet steak dinner and decided to have a walk. I hadn’t walked 2 city blocks and walked by 5 homeless humans sleeping on sewer vents. A particularly disturbing scene was a young woman with down syndrome that was sprawled out (like you can do in a bed), but this was just on the sidewalk and the vent was just keeping her back warm.
The images of sleeping homeless just stayed in my thoughts during the trip. I just don’t know what to do… It feels like a cop-out - to see such a need and feel like I can’t do anything because I’d be enabling them, or couldn’t trust them to handle cash for their lasting benefit.
A crazy idea came over me… invite them into my hotel room, I had more than enough space for them… what happens whey they jack my company’s property (cell/computer)? So I bailed on the homeless need in Toronto.
It doesn’t seem like a calling to go rescue the homeless, 
yet the need was very problematic on my heart. Perhaps I should leave the cushy corporate job to figure out how God can finance my family while I truly help the needy? That seems like the courageous, faith-filled life I’m supposed leading.
I dunno… the next time a needy person asks me for money, I have an idea I’m gonna try though: offer them to buy them a meal at the nearest McDonald’s.
What do you think you suburbanites?
Heaven is… scary?
Posted by Brett Veenstra
If you’re feeling real shaky in your faith right now, I’d encourage you to read this posting LATER. But if you’re up for the craziness, continue…
Ok, this must really mean I’m a weak Christian.
We have had a death in the family recently, and while I’m TOTALLY CERTAIN that we’re better off in heaven, there is this part of me that freaks out at the thought.
My mind cannot comprehend, and maybe that’s my problem… here goes:
Does anyone have a problem with the notion of NO TIME?
Here’s some questions/concerns:
- My existence right now is wrapped around DOING, and the idea of just BEING is something totally uncool.
- It’s scary to think that there would be NO GROWTH in Heaven (I mean, you have no time, hence whatever your essence is, that IS what you “is”… forever)
Ok, I’m really starting to freak out here and this ain’t helping…
Anyone hear of a good way to think about this? Bible verse suggestions?
Continuing on in faith of the greatest Father I will ever have.
Authority, Position, Relationship…
Posted by Brett Veenstra
In an attempt to steal some of God’s principles for my own parenting strategy, I’ve been chewing on this all day…
God is all about authority. He created everything and then as the last “piece”, He decides to insert a soul into it. He then gives that soul an ability to CHOOSE — that’s it: authority. Totally wicked isn’t it?
God cares about position. He places us near people & events to share His love and message. He lets us run off and get into trouble. He invites us back to His path. He provides positions to grow and mature along the journey.
God is all over relationship. He took it upon Himself to fix our mistake, ’cause we certainly couldn’t. How strong is this relationship, or His desire to have it with you? Take a second, think about how big your town is if you had to walk from your house to the grocery store. Now, think about walking to Florida. Now, take a second and zoom past the moon, our galaxy and imagine the distance of the UNIVERSE. Blow your mind? It does mine, and yet God made sure that we are invited to know Him and spend time with Him…
So how does this relate to parenting? Well I think authority, position, and relationship are mere stepping stones in the stages of my kids maturity. Authority goes first, then position, but hopefully never relationship.
Here’s my explanation:
- Authority - the more authority I allow my children, the more adult-like they have to become. We provide our kids with rather generous allowances. That’s not bragging (frankly I’m a week behind with #1), but rather in seeking to give our kids tastes of authority, they need to have freedom to make decisions. I’d rather have them make mistakes with money now then when they hit the big leagues. This is certainly on a continuum though - my goal is that they would have quite a bit of authority over themselves before the teen pressure kicks in full steam. If this is to happen, I can’t hold back opportunities from them and I can’t totally revoke authority once given… totally amazing concept that God did right at the beginning. [Now don't get all wiggy if you're reading this and seeing the formula for brats - responsibility goes hand-in-hand ergo, maturity will result]
- Position - this one is simpler to see… as my kids move out of the house, my position as father will completely change. The authority will be completely transferred at that point… Continuing to maintain a position as “because I said so, I’m your father”, will not only be hurtful to the relationship, but won’t be valid. My position as head of a stable, safe place will no longer be necessary. They will have their own position to take on. [Of course they can come back and visit and get charged up to go out again, but they won't be allowed to stay the weekend]
- Relationship - I have to work on this A LOT. With the 5, it always seems like I’m just catching them at bad points (i.e. I’m yelling at them to stop that), or they’re crying, or they’re frustrated by homework, again… Anyways, this will be the lasting element of the whole parenting task. The relationship with my kids needs to be strong enough to withstand the change as they move into their own position, outside my authority. They will lead their own lives - that’s what we’re working for in the firstplace! If I don’t hear from them on Christmas or Easter, then I guess it’s a sign that our relationship needs a boost (or they were just too busy saving the world).
As a child of God, I’m glad that He is so forgiving in our relationship, suggests positions for my life, and gives me authority over my gifts and time in order to respond. I pray that I can do but a sliver of that for my kids.
The "C" Factor
Posted by Brett Veenstra
No, not that C (as in #1)…
The “C” factor is something that is at work in world today, just doesn’t seem to live real close.
It appeared a LONG time ago, and spread quickly throughout the world upon its arrival. In our modern, comfortable existence in the Western Age, I’m not sure we see it very clearly these days. I’m talking about the magentic properties of being a Christian.
Jesus - swarmed by people His disciples - swarmed by people
[Before you go off thinking about all the upsides, don't forget they were almost all killed for the message]
Being a true geek, I have to record what makes up the “C” factor:
- People focused
- Willing servant of others (not just friendly/kind)
- An encourager
- Passionate about this life and the next
- Can relate the truth
- Willing to get “run over” in order to love someone
- Genuine
American culture has had some of these things ingrained for several generations now, and I can see it starting to fade. Perhaps then the “C” factor will become more prominent once again and increase it’s magentism.
Care to add/change the “C” factor?