Class pt. 2

Thanks for the answers, Andy and Mark.

Class is a socioeconomic distinction between people. Literally, it's a classification. Now, I always thought that I was middle class and then upper middle class because of how much money my parents made. But, I've recently read something that opened my eyes a little wider. I, and most of my friends, are in the upper class. I am upper class because, first of all, I'm white. I am educated-college degree and graduate school. All these things, not just money, go into my class. The next time you're worrying about your own money troubles, DON'T? You are rich, you are wealthy, you are upper class...You have access to the internet don't you? Well, guess what, your technological awareness and access helps define your class.

In an ideal world, Andy, pastors are in the servant class or classless, somehow exsisting outside of class distinctions. But in the real world, that isn't quite so. Pastors are upper class. We are in positions of power, we are trained to speak well and act appropriately in social situations, we are highly educated compared to most. But, why does it matter that pastors are in the upper class? We have to take this knowledge into every pastoral care situation with which we are faced. We have to know that our position carries with it explicit and implicit power, BILATERAL, one-sided power. One person in the room is a pastor, the other is not. We have to fight against that power and create an atmosphere of mutuality and empowerment. But, recognize and accept our place among the upper class of our world.

Just something that came up in (school) class that actually made me think.

Peace in the Middle East, BB

Class

How do you define class? And what class do you put pastors in?

My answers after your comments! B

Movie Reviews

This weekend, Lynz had a big party for a friend, so I was all alone in St. Joe. I rented some movie to pass the time in the evenings and here are some recommendations:

A History of Violence, for adults only, but worth it. A great story and Viggo is great.

I don't see what the big deal was about MI:3. It's good, real good. A great action movie.

Idiocracy, the story of an average man, the MOST average man, accidentally frozen for 500 years and awakens as the smartest man in the world. It's a renter and a one timer. Mike Judge creates a future that is filled with stupid people. The smart people find it illogical to procreate while the less-than-average, due to unprotected sex and adultery, reproduce like rabbits. Everything is sponsored, including the presidency. CostCo is the size of NYC. And the most-watched show on the Violence Channel is "Ouch, My Balls." It's good.

My top three picks are true GUY movies. First, Crank. The story, the actor, the camera work, the soundtrack, the actress. Everything about this movie screams Testosterone. Chev Chelios, yes really, is injected with a poison that will kill him if he doesn't keep his adrenaline high. And then, it's an hour and a half of him keeping his, and our, adrenaline as high as it goes. If your in the mood, a great action flick.

The Proposition is an Aussie western with Guy Pierce and it's classic. Probably one of the top three Western's I've seen. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Tombstone...this holds its own with both.

And, if anybody hasn't checked out Tony Jaa yet, go rent The Protector and Ong-Bak, The Thai Warrior. NO ropes, NO computers, NO stunt men. Unbelievable matial arts. Check it out.

My little contribution to the movie world...more important posts on the way.

B

You've Got to be Kidding!

Hey everybody,
It's been a good few days for cynical bloggers like myself. My rather bleek view of American culture has come to fruition.

Thursday, Anna Nicole Smith passed away. I'm not taking anything away from the tragedy of a human life coming to an end. But, here's how I found out about it. I turned to CNN to catch the daily reports from Iraq and Congress, etc. However, instead of keeping up with the daily events in this complicated time we live in, I was watching all-day coverage of Anna Nicole's death. Now, Anna Nicole Smith lived a hard life and I'm sure she wasn't a bad person. But, CNN? You've got to be kidding!! This person is only famous for being in Playboy, marrying a dying billionaire, getting fat, starring in her own drug-induced reality show, getting hot again and dying. Meanwhile, thousands of children are dying everyday because they don't have enough food. As I watched CNN newsreporters talk about who out of four men is the father of Anna Nicole's baby, American and Iraqi casualties for the week went scrolling across the bottom of the screen so fast I blinked and missed them. Seeing Wolf Blizter talking about Anna Nicole led to my sermon for this week..."Don't You Have More Important Things to Do?" Matt. 25, the parable of the sheep and goats...the answer is yes, there are many, many more important things to do.

The biggest night in music was last night. While I missed the reunion of the Police going to dinner with my family (a much more important and rewarding thing to do, by the way), Lynz, my sister and I saw most of the end of the show. The Dixie Chicks??? You've got to be kidding? First of all, who the hell knows the difference between Album and Record of the year. Second of all, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, John Legend, Gnarls Barkley and countless others made exponentially better albums this year than those twangy sisters and that loud-mouth psycho lead singer. Now, I haven't given much regard to the Grammy's since Jethro Tull beat Metallica's Black Album for the first best metal album. But, come on. It's supposed to be based on music, not on taking a stand against a president and standing up for yourself. Neil Young, Pearl Jam, the Boss, Green Day, etc. all have SONGS dissing the president, not just a few words said on stage during some European concert. Awful, just awful. That's bushleague, Grammy acadamy, that's bush.

That's all folks,
B

Super Bowl Reflections

One more biggest game of the year is behind us and here's some reflections:

Rex Grossman wasn't ready. Peyton Manning was. It was a good game, but the Colts cleaned house. Clearly the better team. But here's what I really want to talk about.

I counted four times when Marvin Harrison ran out of bounds instead of lowering his head and plowing forward for another three yards. It's been slowly happening and I noticed it a lot last season. TO, Harrison, Kennison. They all would rather run out of bounds and not get a first down than take a hit. When receivers are sliding to avoid hits like QBs do, it's not the NFL anymore. So, in the grand tradition of guys who couldn't do what pro athletes do on XBOX let alone in real life, I want all the pro athletes out there reading Bustle to listen up...........MAN UP!!! We pay you millions of dollars to get hit, to get that first down no matter what it takes, no matter if you leg breaks and three guys have your facemask, get the first down!! For the love of Ditka...lower you sholder, bite your lip, and power through.

And how superbad was Prince? Awesome, totally awesome. That little transexual can play a guitar. Prince covering the Foo Fighters...Awesome.

Next year, if I hear Super Monday, once...I might punch someone. And, ESPN? It's time to stop talking about it. It happened. The Colts were on fire. Move on.

Just some random rantings on the biggest week in football. Gotta go do homework.

Peace, B