don't gimme no lines and keep your hands to yourself

Charismatics are funny people. I appreciate and admire so much about their faith and passion. In a world where people only believe what they can see and touch, charismatic Christians seem to believe more strongly in what they can't see than in what they can. I love that. It's inspiring.

But what's funny about them is that they also seem to think that life is one giant spiritual free-for-all.

On Tuesday nights, I attend a class about healing prayer at a church in Utica. The teaching is solid and responsible. People are encouraged to continue seeking medical treatment when they're sick, but are also reminded that God is the ultimate Healer and that He can and does work miracles. It's a great class. I started going because I'm not really sure what I think about healing prayer and miraculous healings. This seemed like a good place to figure that out, and so far it has been.

Because it's dealing in the miraculous, many of the people who attend are more charismatic in their faith. Last Tuesday night as we were leaving, one of the girls suggested getting people together for a night of prayer. In true charismatic fashion, she started talking about entering the "holy of holies" and allowing God to enter the "holy of holies" of our hearts and how powerful and wonderful that is. Then, rather suddenly, she reached out and grabbed my arm and started praying. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes, looked at me, and asked if I'm an intellectual person. I asked why she was asking and she said that when she grabbed my arm, she was trying to give me a little "Holy Spirit jolt" but that I was blocking her from doing it. "So I figured you must be pretty intellectual, 'cause intellectual people are harder to get to."

Here's what I wanted to say:
"First - I don't consider myself 'intellectual'. Second - maybe the reason you were 'blocked' is because I don't know you."

God has entrusted *me* with this body, spirit, and soul. Which means that *I* determine who has access to what and when. That's my perogative. Charismatics always seem to think they can lay hands on anyone anytime they please and that everyone should simply let them. But gifts of the spirit need to be handled responsibly and with respect for the other person. I spent most of my college years involved in the occult, and one of the things I learned through those experiences is that *I* determine who gets spiritual access to me. It doesn't matter what the other person wants. My spiritual body is no different than my physical. It should be treated with respect - by myself and by others.

I'm not writing this in anger, more in amused bewilderment. Spiritual connections are very personal and intimate, and sometimes I worry that charismatics treat them too casually.

everyone go here: SmartPunk

and by this:













The band is called "Search the City" (in case you can't tell by the CD cover). They're a local band from here in Michigan, and they're really good. These guys have worked HARD and are having some great success. They played Warped Tour this year, which was awesome.

So check 'em out. And by the CD. For real.

::sigh::

Amsterdam is on the cover of National Geographic Traveler magazine this month. The article is awesome and mentions so many familiar places.

::sigh::

i'm suddenly very homesick.

i've come to the realization....

that accomplishing my "work" doesn't make me feel accomplished. Yesterday I finished two articles for a client. Sunday I did 4 press releases for another client.

Today I haven't really done anything "work" related. But I spent two hours with one of the girls from our high school group, and today I feel like I accomplished something.

One of the "strengths" on the StrengthsFinder test is "Achiever". When I read the description, I applied it to work and career and thought "nah, that's not me". but the truth is that I do feel good when I feel like I've accomplished something. And I'm motivated to accomplish things everyday. But my idea of accomplishment has nothing to do with work. I can spend 12 hours working on some big project, and when it's done, I don't feel like I've accomplished much.

But when I'm able to spend time with people, building new relationships or deepening existing ones, I feel truly satisfied. Like I've done something worthwhile.

I'm not sure what to do with that, but I thought I'd share it. :)

are you kidding me with this??!!

I'm doing some research for an article on the increased abuse, by teens, of prescription medications. This http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/16366.html is one of the articles I was using for my research. If you notice, every article reference to prescription medications or internet pharmacies is also a web link to an ON LINE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION COMPANY!! Is it just me, or is that a little ironic? Or perhaps just flat out infuriating and irresponsible?

The article's author goes so far as to say that "the availability of prescription drugs is an epidemic that has the potential to far exceed the devastation society is being faced with already, through illegal drug use in the U.S." And yet his article is contributing to the very problem he's complaining about.

omg.wtf.

If you're feeling so inclined, do me a favor and drop an email to the editor of this website, and point out this little bit of irony. You might also mention that it's the very addiction to commerce which is evident is his article that has made prescription drugs so widely available to young people!