The American Way of Life

My roommates and I went to the movies this evening. We went to see "The Other Guys" starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Farrell. Typically, I am completely able to guiltless-ly enjoy this type of mindless, distasteful humor.BUT this time, there was a provocative quote from one of the characters in the movie, David Ershon (played by Steve Coogan).

Ershon: America has always been defined by its excess. The Grand Canyon, professional sports contracts, Wendy’s baconator, extra bacon! I myself have 18 Lamborghinis, and a Subaru station-wagon. And it’s because of this excess that I have flourished. I implore you, please do not stop profiting. Live for excess, it’s the American way.

I have been plagued by that thesis in the following hours since hearing it. American excess is something that has been gnawing at me for probably a good six months. It becomes harder and harder for me to understand how we, as Americans, have so much and the rest of the world, so little. Even our homeless are considered upper-class compared to some impoverished people in the world. How, as a believer, can I lounge around on my couch eating M&M's and feeling guilty about the Calorie count when there are children who are going to bed tonight without even having eaten a meal today? Why do we demand so much extra? Why are celebrities making billions of dollars that they don't actually need and having 10 different cars when they really only need one?

In terms of national pride, I would be found amongst those who cry at the playing of the National Anthem and soldier's burials. I salute my country's flag and treat my leaders with the utmost respect. It nauseates me to wrap my mind around the fact that WE DON'T CARE. We are a nation that doesn't give "two figs" about the rest of the world. Our culture has become so individualistic and self-centered that we have become desensitized to the needs of the world around us. Children die because they don't have clean water...and the sad thing is that a small portion of what we spend on entertainment, food, or weight loss could solve this problem.

I read of the great student mobilizers of "old" and I am moved. Students - people who were my age - revolutionized the world.It just takes a few people to step out and "take up their cross" (Matthew 14).

This generation is hungry. We want something to be consumed by. For some people, it is relationships. For others, it is drugs...others, success...yet more, becoming a celebrity. We like to push the envelope - to be extreme. We thirst for something to mend our brokenness - our broken families diminished by divorce and hatred, our unpredictable circumstances, our lost love. It may not have been the intention of God for us to suffer, but I believe with my whole heart that He will bless this mess.  Perfect setup for a revolution, if you ask me!

I am so passionate about shaking this. Why are we still living like we haven't been commanded to DO SOMETHING? Why do we live in our comfort and sin and expect God to bless us when we are doing nothing to bless Him or bless others? In the Old Testament, God told the Jews that He blessed them so that they would be a blessing to the nations. Do we think that doesn't apply to us post-modern Gentiles?

Well, I say that it does. It does matter. It matters to the Nubian woman in Sudan who rocks her child to sleep tonight, knowing that he might die of malaria - and she has never even been shown the love of Christ. It matters to the little girl in India who has been forced into sex trading. It matters. Above all, it matters to Christ. In James 1:27, the Word says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Obviously, God expects more than simply this - but it is quite apparent that He considers it imperative. Maybe we should too.

[Well this kind of spiraled. lol Hey, the Spirit does what He wills. Side Note: I did think the movie was stinkin' hilarious. Good moral, to a point, as well. :) ]

You'll Always Be My Baby

Today I've really been contemplating my father's love for me. I called him today and talked for a substantial amount of time..which is not a "norm" for our conversations. He's been going through some stuff and my being so far away makes it hard for me to be there for him. I enjoy just conversing with my dad - and I know that his world revolves around my sister and I.

I am seeing how, although my dad is a non-believer, he exemplifies the fatherly characteristics of God. No matter what I do, my dad loves me with all he has. He is always swollen with pride for whatever insignificant achievement I accomplish. The amount of time he spends worrying about me is ridiculous. He worries about protecting my heart.

On that note, I feel like he feels as if he failed me when Taylor broke my heart. He had never liked him but gave us his blessing to continue in marriage. The way he was talking seemed as though he sees himself at fault because he allowed it; not that I would have listened to him if he had objected. I have since learned to trust his judgment. He told me, "The next guy that comes asking for your hand is going to have to go through me. There's too much at stake."

I realized that though my dad's affections are sometimes misguided or overzealous, that I will always be his little girl. I am his baby. The love and joy that he experienced that first day he held me continues to regenerate his love for me now. Its never going to change. Nor is God's love for me, for us. Yes, He is sovereign, He is fearsome, He is powerful. Remarkably, He is love. He is wonderful, never-ending, I-knew-I-loved-you-before-I-met-you, reckless abandon, guarding your heart, guiding your path LOVE!!

Ponder that for a while. :)

First Blog!

Hello there, friends. I'm Brandi.

Yep, that's me.This is my first official blog since the days of livejournal...pause for nostalgia! Anyway...I'm a big quotaholic so I thought this might be a wonderful way for me to share my witty, profound, or silly quotes with the general world. :)

Here is a current list of all the quotes on my facebook quotes section (which, by the way is too long):

Quotations"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." - Jesus (Matthew 25:35)

"There are 2,300 verses of scripture pertaining to the poor. History will judge us on how we deal with this crisis. God will judge us even harder. We really must make this a priority." - Bono

"God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them."
...-Bono

"The next guy that comes and asks for your hand is going to have to go THROUGH me...for your sake. There's too much at stake."
-Daddy ♥

"The greatest gift and honor is having you as a daughter"
-Mulan :)"

"Isn't this where its all headed anyways? You can fight it or you can rock out to it!"
-Corny Collins (Hairspray)

After being pushed off the bed and my face being covered with a pillow:
"Kelp me! Kelp Me! I can't seaweed!!! Oh my, this is a very unfURCHINate situation. This BLOWfish."
-Me

At the Demolition Derby [I had never been to one]:
"Sooo...this is like bumper cars for big kids?!"
-Me

"What's the difference between opium and Abraham?
Opium is the juice of the poppy....Abraham is the poppy of the juice (Jews)"
-Dr. Fuhrman

C. Bass: How do self-governed churches demonstrate unity?
Kim H: They go to church camp!

"Did you know that God created the Universe with His left hand? Yeah, Jesus was sitting on His right!"
-Another great Dr. Fuhrman quote

Becca: I don't know what to write for my spiritual journey..
Me: "I was born, I died, the end!"
Bec: But....I'm not dead yet.
Me: Oh...oh yeah!

On Resurrection morning:
Becca:"Jesus wasn't up this early..why are we?"
Me: "He was too! He probably already had His coffee and was readin' the paper"
Becca: "Its like...a giant stone tablet"
Me: "..and He's sitting there reading his obituary LAUGHING His head off."

At lunch one day...
Deborah: I had a bagel for breakfast.
Me: Wanna know what I had? A big hearty bowl of the Word of God. Wanna know what I drank? The Holy Spirit.
Kim: What did it taste like?
Me: Truth....and strawberries. :)

Dr. Malone: You're implying that God has these huge hands that He can fit all of us in...which would mean He as a huge body.
Me (under my breath so only Levi can hear): Is that a fat joke?!

"Our God is a consuming fire...not a microwave"
-Brad Fogerty

Me: You're inapprop.
Deb: YOU'RE inapprop.
Amy: What's a prope? Why are we in it?

Trey Brothers (Sonny with a Chance): "Well, I think it's gonna take more than that little forehead beard if you want to make it into the next famous meeting, mate."

"Why are you staring at me and singing into a cup?"
-Becca

"When is living with Brandi NOT awkward?"
-Deborah

Brandi: Rednecks think that fireworks are appropriate for any summer holiday. Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day...
Deborah: ...Saturday.

"Carrot Page..I mean..Caty Perry."
-Becca

Ross proposes that babies crying for attention is a form of their sin nature. To this, Dr. Bass replies, "Babies. Dirty Sinners!!"

"Historical Christianity is a cancer that has been eating away at the foundations of our faith for years."
-Dr. Reeves

On the topic of escapism concerning Pauline theology:
"He [Wrede] blames dispensational eschatology...and Southern gospel music."
-Dr. Reeves

"Movies are the narrative of our generation's spirituality."
-Dr. Reeves, again

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Also, if you were wondering where I got the name for my blog, it originated with a quote from the great William Shakespeare. :)

Have a wonderful day!