Vol II: #75 Past and Future

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O.J. Simpson has a twitter account. All of his tweets are selfie-style videos and he begins each one with “Hey Twitter world, it’s me, yours truly!” like he’s a gameshow host from the ‘70s. After his enthusiastic introduction, Mr. Simpson will ramble on about the NFL or politics or whatever fancies him. His words are not insightful or interesting yet each tweet is a mini spectacle of its own. Because Twitter is the place where people get to respond to each other, and respond to Mr. Simpson they do. The replies to O.J.’s tweets usually fall into opposing camps. First we have the “I know you did it/why did you murder those two people?” camp. And the second is the opposite “Ur innocent dawg/I got your back Juice!” supporters. Debate and insults follow. Regardless of subject, this predictable yet hilarious cycle renews itself with each new tweet.

The fact O.J. Simpson has a social media account and uses it on regular basis is hilarious and kinda sad. The man is either a NFL Hall-of-Fame murderer, or he’s an NFL Hall-of-Famer, wrongly accused of double murder. And the man is 74 years-old. (Why is he tweeting? Who said “you know what Juice, I think you should tweet.” That’s a question I wanted answered.)

I was born at the start of 80’s and I remember corded telephones, clear Diet Pepsi, and Rocky IV. No one at Pontiac Elementary or Spring Valley High School ever imagined a day where OJ Simpson would mass communicate his thoughts to the world only to be heckled by the same insults every time he decided to publish his opinions. When I step back from the moment, it’s all very bizarre. We thought the future would be flying cars and self-drying clothes, space credits and food replication. Star Trek predicted warp speed space travel but not social media, 24-hour news, or viral dance crazes.

What A Time to be Alive

The future is better than I thought it would be. I mean that. Taken as a whole, I really believe it’s a wonderful time to be alive. Remember the 80’s? The Cold War was real and we honestly believed the world could end at any moment. No one had friends much beyond where they lived, but now we can stay in constant communication with anyone via messaging apps and video chat. And my dad was treated for early stage prostate cancer and the treatment did not involve months of nasty chemo or invasive surgeries. It’s not flying cars but I’ll take a more peaceful, slightly smaller, and more advanced world.

Yes, It’s Getting Better

Yesterday, I read through some parts of the New Testament I rarely bother to read. In 1 Peter, the author (who we assume was Peter) exhorted the listener to love their spouse. How odd I thought. The Old Testament is full of laws and war and famine but the New Testament is full of grace and instructions on what love looks like. It’s a thrilling evolution.

I can make the case that the Lord has continued to reveal who He is and what’s His nature. Abraham certainly knew the voice of God but I don’t think He knew the Father we know. Moses saw miracles, but He didn’t have the Holy Spirit or heal the sick. David worshipped the Lord while having multiple wives and concubines. And Jesus never condemned slavery. My point is we are on continuum and what we know of the Lord is greater than what they knew. I believe that too.

Our number one task of the Kingdom is to preserve the Kingdom in our hearts. Then, we add to it. It’s work that ebbs and flows but is always in motion, throughout time. From ancient stories to cold wars to social media, the wheel turns, and the Lord marches us one day closer to the fullness of who He is. What a blessing to be alive and experience more than those who came before us.

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Journal: #322 Random Coffee Thoughts

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I am over-caffeinated right now. I can feel that my eyes are slightly bulgy, and my thoughts are frantic. Not bad frantic, just sporadic and quick. My ability to focus is suffering, which makes this a humorous enterprise— at the moment. As I type I am concerned about the looming coffee crash. Oh well. Perhaps this afternoon will require an extra dollop of grace.

Here’s a random sample of my brainscape:

1. This morning I went to Wal Mart to buy supplies for my trip to Mt Hood. The workers were busy re-stocking empty shelves, and the store was as peaceful as a Wal-Mart can be. Most of the employees looked middle-aged and tired— the type of workers with families and middle-aged concerns. Few made eye contact, even less smiled. Working for Wal-Mart probably carries few social perks. Netflix does not make specials on the glory of hourly work in big retail (the opposite is more little.) I wanted to hug each person I saw and thank them for their hard work.

2. Last year, I didn’t know what to do for my 40th birthday, so I fled to South Carolina. At the time, I thought throwing a party for myself would be lame. I do not think that anymore. If I want to host a party for myself, I will.

3. A loss of hope can usher in fear, which leads to the dark side of life— judgment, anxiety, shame, etc. As a Christian, whenever we lose hope, it’s an opportunity to turn to the Holy Spirit. In all likelihood, we need a new infusion of hope from the Lord, or we need to move on from the situation. No unnecessary handwringing or strain. (Or, as like as possible.) We need to grow more comfortable “moving on.” And, as always, the Lord is the answer.

4. I’m ready for an infusion of new friends. Nothing against my current friends. They are God’s goodness and grace to me. Most of them are also married, with kids. Even my two newest friends— Nathan and Hudson- will both be married by the end of October. I need the everyday type of community. (Which I lost when a certain couple moved back to Texas.)

5. My trip to Mt Hood is going to be emotional- in a good way. I can feel it.

This is a good place to stop. I have more thoughts but most of them are fragments. Tomorrow, I will write my entry from Oregon.

(God is good. All the time. Which means I am good…all the time. You too. Any voice, no matter how convincing, that tells us otherwise is bullshit.)

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