Moments

I tried to convince a few people today that they should skip more classes. I don't think I completely won them over, but I definitely got them thinking. At least a little.

Abb.

Of all words, shouldn't there be an abbreviation for abbreviation? Maybe there is...

General Thanksgiving Day

Many of you American folk often wonder about the origins of our Canadian Thanksgiving (it was in October). So I did some research (the reason why I was researching is irrelevant) and found out some interesting things.

At first General Thanksgiving Days were by proclamation for specific reasons. For instance, on Thursday, 10 January 1799 we had a day of thanksgiving for victory over our enemies and for the manifold and inestimable blessing which we receive.

We proclaimed days of thanksgiving at other times (after we burned Washington D.C. in the War of 1812) until eventually it was mostly "For general thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings with which the people of Canada have been favoured." And eventually they decided on the second Monday of October.

But I say, "Why stop there?" At Union we often have Thanksgiving a weekend before American Thanksgiving. I will not be here that weekend. Let's have a General Thanksgiving Day now (and any time we wish, just more than we usually do). Why? Because God is good. Because he doesn't ever leave us. And when we need him, he says, "I know just how you feel. And I'm right here. So don't worry."

Thank God.

Sick

How many of these can you do? I can do all of them. Sick, I know. But I didn't actually look for them. That's good, right?

Random Facts

When nobody else is around, 47% of people drink straight from the carton.

If you toss a penny 10,000 times, it will not be heads 5,000 times, but more like 4,950. The heads picture weighs more, so it ends up on the bottom.

A toothbrush within 6 feet of a toilet can get airborne bacteria from flushing.

I don't believe in using humor to distract from problems that surround us (see below). I do believe that for all the heaviness in the world, we can use a little lightness from time to time.

What's the answer?

I have a question. This is a pretty serious topic so if you're in the mood for light reading move on and come back later. We talked about this issue in my Current Events class and I need to air it out a bit.

There is an AIDS pandemic in Africa. One contributing factor to the pandemic is a myth that sex with a virgin cures a man with AIDS. Girls as young as nine months have been raped. There is little in this world more disgusting than this.

What would you say as an answer though? Would you say justice? Find the perpetrators and make them pay. But the question must be raised, how widespread is the myth? What if the justice system is infected by it? Some have answered by setting up support systems for vicitims. Agencies provide anti-viral agents that can stop AIDS if used shortly after the assault. Counseling for the victims is provided. This is a response, not a solution. I have a few outrageous solutions. One is to take all the women and children and move them somewhere else. Probably not going to happen. A typical answer I would give is education. But many who believe the myth also believe that AIDS is a foreigner's disease. That it is a ploy by outsiders to infect the citizens. And so the education is ignored. And people are hurt.

Here's my question. I tend to believe that Christians are called to be an answer to the pain in the world. I believe quite strongly in heaven and eternal life. I also believe that God calls us to advance his kingdom now. Life can be better right now because of God and his love. I think advancing his kingdom includes providing food for the starving, health care for the sick, and education for all. But is there any answer to this pandemic caused by myth other than God? I believe strongly that it is more effective to feed people physically first and then when they seek to know more, to share my beliefs with them. But education and justice cannot solve this problem. Is there anything but the gospel of grace that can answer this pandemic? What do you think?

Brought to you by the digital age

I never thought it would come to this. I have three older brothers. I answer to a range of names. Matthew. Kevin. Greg. Sometimes Gerry (my dad). These days I spend enough time with Jesse that our names get confused (they kind of sound a like). So I'm used to answering to many names. One of my favorites growing up was Jason--used by the senior ladies from my church. (we go to church right next to a seniors' complex where my mom works.)


BUT. I never thought it would come to this:

From: Virginia Simmons
To: juokimi@ucollege.edu
Date: Oct 21, 2005 4:39 AM
Subject: RE: Genogram

Jason,
Your grandparents, their siblings' spouses, their children and if any oftheir children have children. List them and their spouses. It's everyone from the grandparent generation to the present; (all aunts, uncles, and spouses, cousins spouses)
Have fun and thank the Lord you don't have 12 siblings!!
Dr. Simmons

How does this happen in email!?

Cold pizza

Reason not to have kids #463

Ben Yancer

Apparently my memory has holes in it. Because it hasn't been even an hour and I've forgotten what Ben and I talked about. Well, I remember the gist, but the exact words slip away like the piece of potato in the garbage disposal that you try to lift out with a fork over and over to no avail.


Something to the effect of Top Ten Reasons Why Ben's Life is Sad*:

10. Hot water eventually runs out
9. He cannot drink a full glass (Of anything. It has to be just partly filled.)
8. The upstairs bathroom is out of toilet paper
7. Teddy has gone home and Shelby lives in Kentucky
6. Once, Teddy peed on his bed
5. Full time work happens every weekday
4. Full time work does not allow for naps
3. He has to put up with me (as a roommate AND friend)
2. This will be the third year he's put up with me as his roommate

And the Number 1 Reason Why Ben's Life is Sad:
1. Coffee-flavored Silk is not yet sold in Lincoln

Ben, I'm glad we're friends and that we'll still be friends after you read this.

*Ben said something like "Why is my life so sad?" And I asked how he wanted the answer. He said I should put it on my blog. I said I'd make a top ten list. If you know me and Ben, you know I've probably fictionalized this conversation in some way. You also know that Ben will probably share his version with you eventually.