Ever had one of those weeks where things go so well that you start wondering what is wrong with things? I mean – you might not be one of those people who get suspicious like that but I do.
I had a good week (last week). I mean, I didn’t win anything and I still had my moments in terms of the normal human issues but, all and all the waves were reasonably light and the sky seemed to be clearing. It also doesn’t mean there was no conflict. You don’t have to be human for long before you realize that there is ALWAYS conflict. The good side of conflict was my response to it. Non-combative (which is unusual). So – what’s wrong? Nothing…that’s what’s wrong. For some this is that stage known as the sunshine after the rain (please don’t throw up, I know that sounds corny). For others (like me) it feels like the calm before the storm.
I lay no claim to prophetic gifting. If anything I have an anti-prophetic gifting (i.e. everything I think is going to happen does not) so I write off these ominous feelings by suggesting to myself that I lay off the coffee this week and let the ol’ brain chemicals move to a place of balance.
All that to say – it was a good week and I hope that the coming week is good as well.
Last Friday I spent the day in Grand Forks, North Dakota listening to Sydna Masse talk about post-abortive counselling and the needs of the post-abortive. It was much better than I thought it would be. First of all I didn’t know what to expect so I was relieved it wasn’t a class on how to make offensive pro-life placards and signs (’cause there’s nothing more love-filled and motivating than sickening people right?).
Sydna, who had an abortion at 19, spent the day talking about the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the post-abortive woman (and to a lesser degree those who are associated with her like the father, parents etc.).
We Christians spend a great deal of effort trying to convince people not to take the lives of the unborn through abortion. We do almost nothing in terms of caring for the individual should they choose to move ahead with the abortion. Compassion and love were the words of the day. It was a good event.
Last Saturday I spent the afternoon at a youth ministry seminar entitled How to Reach the Nominal Teen. Another well done seminar with a lot of good content. A spin-off thought from this seminar was my increasing awareness of just how freakishly amazing and accurate Nirvana’s song Smells Like Teen Spirit was/is. The lyrics were bang on and continue to reflect youth culture (and increasingly young adult and adult culture as well). Cobain didn’t just tap into the youth culture of his day – he saw where things were headed and wrote it down. The song is as much a warning as it was an anthem.
So I will end this post with the lyrics from Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana:
Load up on guns
Bring your friends
Its fun to lose
And to pretend
Shes overboard
Myself assured
I know I know
A dirty word
Hello (x 16)
With the lights out its less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yea
Im worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end
Hello (x 16)
With the lights out its less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yea
And I forget
Just what it takes
And yet I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard
Its hard to find
Oh well, whatever, nevermind
Hello (x 16)
With the lights out its less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yea
Harnessing Chaos 