Yesterday....

Hellooooooo out there, world.

If you've been wondering whatever happened to that enthusiastic rambler, shooting off eyes and ears in cyberspace, you're not alone.  I should put you all to the question, instead of diving further into my own enigmatic whatnots.

On that note, I had better keep this short as I have a HEBREW quiz to jump on this afternoon, and rather hastily too.  My only thought was to say "Time, you haven't found me defeated quite yet."  So here I am to say to you who might have a moment to hear my words ... that I am alive.  Seminary has been far more challenging in the last three and a half months than predictions could have guaranteed.  The fool inside I'd balance five courses with such precision as Babe Ruth's eye on a fastball.  The only inconsistency in that parallel is I absolutely suck at sports. 

Between the storms, however, I love New York City and wonder why on earth it has taken me this long to a) figure that out, and b) to get my butt down there (I almost wrote "thurrr" but seemed very wrong).  I cannot wait until my next adventure.  Another "new" love is the oh-my-wonderful-Lord-in-Heaven (thank you (for a bite of awesomeness) - Prinzi's in Beverly... check them out!

http://www.udine4less.com/prinzis/

They have the most amazing waffle fries.

So now what?  The fight against human trafficking still wages, but Massachusetts is making such amazing progress with legislation!  Now I'm working to partner with as many churches in the North Shore area for support (and we need tons of support in so many ways).  And then there's school, ah yes, that funny thing called school.  Hebrew ate my life on day one.  Church History sat back and cried, and 1st Timothy did what he could.  Now I'm catching up on ALL of Church History, slowly but surely, and at this stage in the game, all the work for 1st Timothy has been completed.  All that remains is a long paper on monasticism (who'd ever thought I'd love this monk stuff more than sliced bread!???!) and I have a Church History final exam to cram for.  Hebrew final exam is coming up nexter week.  Then it's vacation.  But vacation time is going to be spent working to make sure the rescue victims have a safehouse to come home to.

I'd appreciate your prayers in this effort.  If you'd like to learn more... check out www.amirahboston.org and send an email to learn how you can get involved: contact.northshorecore@gmail.com - thank you!

Finally, if you're wondering where the man in black came from.  Well, it was because YESTERDAY I was hopping around online for a filmmaker friend of mine that I met at the Flaherty Film Seminar (2 summers back) and there was an article regarding this awesome human being on Matador.. which I'd never heard of.  But since my skills set didn't quite match what they were looking for (a traveler, with something to say, .. and probably organized, a skilled writer, and someone with time to read the various sorts of pieces that they publish)... I decided to move on.

So I came back!  From outta' space!

Shalom *_^

PS, I found out that my name "Y'hoshua" is a combination of the name "Yahweh" and "Y'shua"... Ye'hoshua.. Joshua... which means "God is my salvation"/"God saves" and I think that is so stellar.

Letters... in DA mail.

I wrote this over a year ago.... (7/19/09).... I like it so, so I'm bringing it back to the future.

I've got a lot on my mind at the moment.  Email is a really wonderful thing.  My Dad is always excited about how quickly and often he can keep in touch with people all over the world.  It's truly a phenomenal concept, but we're moving into the age where letters are falling quickly into extinction.  The lost art of writing to someone, (and of course, writing something nice!)  The true beauty of it all is being able to hold a letter in your hands and read it whenever you want.  We're glued to the screen, hands stuck on the keyboard (just look at me!!!) and a new age is pushing something valuable into a fading memory.

Don't let this happen.

Write to someone.  It doesn't have to be me.  It should be someone you truly care about! (Ha) - or better still, someone who needs to know that you care for them.

I don't know if anyone has been placed on your heart, but the GOODness of GOD wants us to continue to show love to someone.  Maybe that means you need to pick up the phone, but if you've got some pen and paper, make it happen.

I charge you!  Do it and put a little bit of yourself into.  Don't wait till Christmas or Father's day or Mother's Day to do something nice for someone.  Don't wait until their birthday.  Don't wait until their calling you asking for help or advice.  Don't wait.

Go get 'em now.

Godspeed those stamps!

................................................  Okay, so that was then, and this is now.  I go back and forth between whether or not our expanding technology is dehumanizing daily users of that technology.  Have you ever questioned whether or not technology is destroying the essence of our humanity?  Whether or not you've debated a different stem of this question, the point still remains that technology can no longer be ignored.  Many of us think it enhances our interactions, but it has the power to create more walls and minimize our life "circles" (thank you Google Plus).  

In all honesty, I don't actually think technology as a whole is bad.  However, if it eliminates our personal, face-to-face interactions with people, we're in danger of losing something vital to our natural identity.  To be a communal being, no matter how introverted or extroverted we may be, means recognizing and embracing that community.  There's no immediate ease in this, but it begins with having some sense of the world around you with regards to other people, not other things.  I know there is more to life than smartphones and such.  

So why even bother with letter-writing?  Isn't this just another way of diminishing "face time"?  The vast difference between playing chess on your computer and writing a letter to someone may not be radically polarized.  Why do we play video games?  Why are we inseparable from our smart phones and gizmo gadgets?  Could it be for the same reason that people enjoy books?  And playing sports?  Maybe I'm taking this too far, but my point is, another part of our humanity is to enjoy the physical world around us.  We're all different, so we all manage to do it in different ways.  The difference between playing a multi-player video game, sending an email, and writing a letter is time, care, and purpose.  The world really is a better place when you take time out to think about someone else and show it in a tangible way.  If people got letters in the mail every day, the world would surely be a different place, but we don't!  The personal touch of letting someone know you thought about them outside of their birthday or whatever the event may be, is one that people never forget.

To find that, is to find someone's humanity and make life worth living a thousand times over.

Boats on a Highway

This is fun.  I watched two films on the same day last week, both involving people traveling in boats on the highway.  I don't say this to sound superstitious nor do I utterly dismiss anything as a simple coincidence.  Instead, I prefer to say "Ha!  Check that out!"

The first movie was Heroes.  It just so happens that Harrison Ford is my favorite actor and Netflix had only so many of his films up for grabs, so when I saw Heroes, I jumped to the 8am occasion and said "Play!"  To my disappointment, the first film star that I noticed was Henry Winkler, The "Fonz" from the 'old school' television show "Happy Days" and also the pathetic coach Klein in The Waterboy (1998) - an outrageous comedy favorite of mine, by the way.  Along with Winkler is Sally Fields (who'll be seen next summer in the new reboot of The Amazing Spiderman and also starred in the award-winning Forrest Gump, as Forrest's mother).  I'd say the two are fairly classic, yet this film was never on my radar, and the fact that I was forced to wait to see Harrison Ford's face really kept me on edge.

Winkler plays "Jack" who escapes from a veteran's hospital, meets Carol (Fields), and goes on a nutty roadtrip across the country to meet up with some old army pals of his to start some kind of business.  You have a difficult time figuring out just how crazy Jack might be, but once you realize he actually has plans that involve real people, you realize Jack isn't trying to ruin everyone's life around him, which he does.  The first from unit that he manages to get in touch with is Harrison Ford, who plays something of a country bumpkin named Ken.  Ken passes up a road race and decides he'd rather give the couple his sporty red and pink sports car (which despite the door latch, they have to climb in and out through the windows).  When the car gets beat up in a crash-through-the-wall bar fight, the couple is forced to abandon "ship" and hitchhike to California.  One successful ride-giver just happens to have a boat attached to the back of their car, so you see the couple start out cruising in a close cuddle, with Jack at the wheel and the shot zooms out to show their "driving" a boat on the highway.  It was really fun to watch.

Overall, the movie doesn't really wrestle with Jack's problems of post-traumatic stress disorder until the very end, but maybe the film was simply building up to it.  Is Jack really out of his mind?  I don't think so.  Is Carol out of her mind?  IMDB says she's "sympathetic."  You watch it and you tell me.

My response would simply be "only in Hollywood."  This brings me to Pineapple Express.  It was choir tour, 2009.  We had just returned from Italy.  And after a long time away from home (that is, Clinton, NY), I want to do two things: eat amazing food and be with my girlfriend.  Other than that, I really don't want to do anything, or be talking to anyone, and then... shouts across the bus ring out about what movie to watch.  And we've got a 6 hour drive from NYC to Clinton.  I'm not in the mood.

I don't recall how I knew it was Pineapple Express that was on.  I managed to catch the picture of the cross-shaped-joint, (in the beginning) and someone getting stabbed in the back with a fork later on.  That's all I remember to this day from that bus ride.  Going through one of my roomies' DVD collections, I came across the movie a couple times this summer and thought "meh!" and shrugged my shoulders and moved on.  Only 4 hours or so after watching Heroes, a goofy comedy about drugs, backstabbers, and ... I didn't-know-what-else, sounded like a great idea!

Again, another banged up car situation, and a couple of lost travelers needing a ride, gets Seth Rogen and James Franco a free ride on the back of someone's car in their boat.  I watch this and my eyes go POP!  I wonder, was it copied?  The shot wasn't even closely related, but I wonder who thought up the idea!  I didn't do my research to see how many other films involve people riding in boats on the highway, but it could totally help the environment now couldn't it?

Next time you're going on a roadtrip, bring a boat!  You could advertise it on Twitter, Facebook, or even Craigslist.  Then again, after watching these two movies, maybe you'll regret bumping into some stranger.  Then again, only in Hollywood would that person that you've hated for the 3 day road trip is the love of your life, or a near fatal encounter with a drug dealer.  Only in Hollywood.

Baby Blue Eggshell

Two weeks ago, I nearly stepped on a baby blue eggshell, another sign that Winter's frozen butt is far, far away.  How happy are they that relish in the sun.  I left this post for fear of my love of writing, and a possible addiction to sitting in front of computers.... so, 12 days later, I'm picking up the pieces.


Well, all that to say, my last ramble left me with promises I've now failed to keep for over 2 weeks, and I wish to put an end to this sort of rabble-frabble.


Let's talk about New York.  I'll tell you why, so don't ask!  I've actually had this little fear of the Big Apple, but every time I went, growing up, it was always with my old man, who never enjoyed driving at night.  We'd maybe stay a while for a little family time to see his brother, (my uncle, aunt, and cousin), and then we'd usually proceed southward towards our nation's capital.   <<Capital vs. Capitol... see below>>


I've always been a city boy.  One of my youth group kids asked me on Sunday if I had my beach sticker yet, and my response was "I'm a city boy... I like smog!"  (I guess that's equivalent to saying "I love asthma!")  I love cars honking, taxis, people shopping and doing all that jazz, but the thing I like about NYC far better than Boston is nobody ... cares.  Sounds awful right?  Especially coming from a Christian, who's viewpoint is to have a heart for others.  Still, when I was visiting my dear friends from college, I felt I could lose myself, and just blend in with this lot of busy-walkers.  


I suppose I could do the same thing in ANY city.  Europe would be the best place to start, because there are plenty of places where speaking English is far from cool.  Displays of ignorance and the camera-flashing tourist drive people away from our French Fry smell and baseball shaped hearts.  


Why do I say all this?  New York was a breath of fresh air, Boston is home, but no matter where I am, I think I'll always have a heart for people.  Living on the North Shore of Massachusetts has actually given me my first real sense of community, and it starts with my church family (The Anglican Chapel, soon to be Hope Chapel), and then local shops and what not.  I hope the next time I'm driving around town, when people hear Boston's "More Than A Feeling," they'll think of me.  Or, perhaps, they'll throw eggs telling me to "toin it awff!"


Those eggs will not be baby blue.  Speaking of which, check out this youtube video!
Baby Blue - Emiliana Torrini

(http://www.grammarist.com/usage/capitol-capital/)

Two Movies

I've had something of a busy weekend.  Let me start off by saying last week was incredibly mind-numbing. A jam-packed shmorgishborg of blah-blahs and hoo-ha's... then Pastoral Counseling (9am-12pm, 1-4pm for a week straight).  Then there were the little things, but Monday I set up a local /open meeting for people to check out Not For Sale and our work against human trafficking.  I spent the rest of last week trying to get the minutes for that meeting together to email everyone back, and didn't send that email until this morning.  Goodness!

Anyway, feel free to check us out!  http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

This week, now that the Bruins have won, and class ended, I'm feeling a little more relaxed.  Monday, that is this morning, has had a lovely start.  But what's most on my mind right now is the fact that I've seen two very well done films this weekend.  The first was "The Green Lantern."  Some of you know I rather enjoy the colour green, but I really didn't know a whole lot about the DC Comics hero.  I think it was really great to see a hero admit that they're afraid.  When questioned about a near fatal jet accident, Hal Jordan responds by tuning people out or walking away.  So his internal struggle is something that he works out throughout the entirety of the film.  This isn't news, but the issue of fear is dealt with differently.  Villains "feeding on" fear and heroes combating fear is done not with simple courage speeches (though yes, there is one) but overall, it's the power of will.  I've heard a pastor once say that the opposite of fear is not courage, but it's love.  Does this mean a boxer has to love his opponent in order to win?  Unlikely.  Rather, it's finding what you love and why you do what you do that helps us to fight our fears.   The challenge to fear in this film was not courage (per se) but it was will.  Go see it and enjoy it.

I suppose this is why my next review is a little more appreciative.  Someone had recently discussed the Graduate with me and me being me, I didn't bother to check in to see it until... well... LAST NIGHT after spending 3 hours failing to make a work-out schedule.  (I love life, I really do!)  What an interesting film.  Now, if anyone hates spoilers, it's me.  I don't even like previews because I like going in to a film with a fresh slate.  I don't recall where I read this, but a recent review I read stated that the film's ending was a demonstration of the hopelessness of our society and the distrust of institutions and authority. (Thereby, my instincts tell me this opinion might have come from a Christian magazine or review).  Since I felt the film had been given away as the review describes Benjamin as carrying his true love off, making a mock of the church, and looking completely clueless as to what the future holds.  

My opinion is quite different.  I don't have to state my views on sex or even adultery, but I will say that Benjamin's character is truly a result of this fallen world.  He's not to blame for his actions, but I almost felt encouraged by his literal 'taking up the cross' for what he believed in.  (Again, to revisit the Green Lantern, will vs. fear).  Benjamin spends the majority of this film dealing with fear.  In the Gospel of Matthew, we have this passage: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matt. 16:24, New International Version).  This makes me think that whatever we choose to do in life, we will have battles to face - and if our fears aren't challenged or wrestled with, are we really living?  Are we trying?  Are we giving life our best?  Is Benjamin a fighter?  By the ending, something in him has ticked - and it's really exciting to watch.

Benjamin is no hero for committing adultery, but once he finds out he's in love with Elaine, his character  develops, and everything that would have appeared to be wrong (not only in the sight of Holy Mother Church, but according to the rules of the film itself), is attempted by Benjamin to be made right.  Strangely enough, (and I'm sure there's been a world of film critics to discuss this), the use of the golden cross to bar the doors of the church is not altogether a mockery.  It is not the correct use, for certain, but what would you do if you were being chased by an angry mob in a church?  The film would have had "Godfather"esque sentiments regarding the "bad guys" getting away with murder (literally) and evil reigning at the end if Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson weren't discovered.  I would also add that I don't think Benjamin would have really grown up if he wasn't caught.  

Is our generation hopeless?  Do we not trust authority?  Do we like to break rules?  That would have to depend on the circumstances, now wouldn't it?  I found the movie very compelling and the ending was not as bleak as others may think.  If we don't find transformation and purpose, we allow the world to remain bleak.  Don't do it.  Surround yourself with people who will genuinely encourage you to grow!  Do it, dude.

Do it.

~ And now, for something completely different:

for all you hockey-Boston fans...

BRUIN PRIDE!

Victory!

Image Training

I wanted to write about my recent trip to New York following a very, very stressful year at Seminary.  (I think the NYC write up will just have to wait a day or two).  Instead I'm going to construct a little projection, as was suggested to me by a classmate from Korea (Joseph), while in Pastoral Counseling.  Now I know that Pastoral Counseling seems far from the insanely driven performer who couldn't stop flirting, but this course (a one-week intensive with an instructor from a dear former pastor of mine) has been not only mind opening, but convicting on several levels.

Joseph told me how he's able to project images of himself into the future, and he does this on a regular basis.  To be honest, the terminology threw me off ever so slightly, but I guess the basic idea is to PLAN YOUR FUTURE, and this is something I've always struggled with.  Part of the question has always been "Does God leave me to figure everything out on my own?  Or do I just sit here and pray, and let God do everything else?"  I think the answer is yes and no.

I wasn't planning on answering this question here, I just wanted to get to me... thinking about my life... I suppose "examine thy self" comes in quite appropriately doesn't it?  But before I can even begin to look myself up and down, haven't I got some questions to answer?

• On what basis am I examining myself?     - perhaps a question of values
• Where is my state of mind?                       - a question of emotional state
• Am I portraying myself accurately?          - a question of motivation

I guess that's enough for now.  I might start going in circles.  Still, I feel this is necessary because I feel called to do ministry of some kind in this broken, hurting, and confused world.  In one sense, I would say I'm not even ready to do "ministry" but when a friend calls me up and says they're having a bad day, or someone has a question about who to date, or someone is frustrated with a mutual friend's disrespecting of an individual and want's advice - all of these are areas where ministry has happened for me in the last year.  So there you go!  I'm not perfect, never will be - but I'm striving to correct things in my own life to give other people counsel and advice, or just a listening ear when they need one.

Part of the "image training" then is looking into the future while taking what I've experienced or done in the past and putting the two together, to see myself living, using my gifts and talents, and asking myself "Where can I serve?  How can I be a benefit to someone else?  Who in this world is hurting that I feel called to help?"  

It's funny, (now that I have paused), I feel quite good writing all this out, but in my heart/ head/ mind - I have NOOOOO idea what the answers are.  I'm okay with that.  Maybe it's the ADHD.  I'm okay with not knowing everything.  Writing down those areas which I see myself doing something is important though because it gives me some vision or perspective on who I am and what I want to do before I die.

Let us see where it takes me!

Now that I have one more (just ONE MORE!) day of Pastoral Counseling, I look forward to posting more.  

In the meantime, here are some photos I took after a short ride from my apartment to Jeffrey's Neck in Ipswich (MA).  Enjoy and keep living.  Take one step at a time.  Breathe.  Smile.  Laugh.

I suppose you should imagine this as a tryptic.   

Nobody's perfect.  ^_^

Call it "image training."

One more year...

As a second year of seminary comes to an end, I feel like I have far more breathing time to hop online and spill out my brains.

Human trafficking, woah - I hope you'll check out notforsale.org - It was early April that I heard speakers come and discuss this issue and since it was under the tag "Abolition" I thought, this might be something worth listening to.

Finally moved off campus, woah!  Greek exegesis went well.  It's like a whole lot of new chapters are getting written in my life.  No new songs since Valentine's Day, and maybe some day, youll get to hear them.  Since summer is just about to begin, I'm anticipating a whole lot of "newness" and I'm excited and a little nervous about all this jazz.

I bought a radio that doesn't seem to work unless I hold one of the speakers.  I feel like I'm just rambling now.

.....

Yesterday I bounced around youtube looking for an oooooold oldie that I recall my brother and I enjoying in our middle school days of innocence.  It was "Keep on Dancing" by the Gentry's, who I was surprised to find out were just a bunch of high school dudes (seven total) who knew how to have a good time!  That was some kind of inspiring.  I know God has thrown music on my lap with such a sense of urgency, that I can no longer going on not playing music, for any reason at all.  The next step is to play.  To play out, play for people.  I hope I can even do a house-show at my apartment (as long as I invite the neighbors downstairs!)

Anyway, it's a summer to get cracking, have fun, and be alive.

Did I mention all 3 of my roommates are musicians?