The tomb of J...whose?

(That was my silly little attempt at a play on words. I'm sorry, I'm no Libby.)

I don't like to get into debates or any kind of controversy, really. In fact, I pretty much like to steer clear of anything uncomfortable or divisive.

This, however, is just a little important.

It seems that some Hollywood people (that's right, not scientists) are making a documentary about these tombs that they say contain the remains of Jesus (along with Mary Magdalene and a kid they allegedly had together).

It's The DaVinci Code meets James Cameron meets some skeptical archaeologists.

Some facts to consider if you're tempted to buy into this:

• This is not a recent discovery. These tombs were discovered in 1980, which means this news is as old as I am. To watch the news, you'd think this happened yesterday and is a groundbreaking discovery. If the scientists didn't draw these conclusions 26 years ago, one should wonder why it took a millionaire producer and his director to connect the dots now.

• The archaeologist who originally uncovered the tombs is disputing the conclusions the Hollywood people are drawing from his findings. He says that the claims of James Cameron and the makers of this new documentary (that these are the remains of Jesus) "are unfounded." The names on the tombs were quite common at the time.

• The makers of the documentary claim that they have "DNA evidence" linking these remains to Jesus Christ. However, it remains unclear what secondary DNA source (besides the bones in the tomb) they are using to make the connection. (As far as I know, there aren't any 2000-year-old blood samples labeled "Jesus of Nazareth" that they can use as a reference point.)

I could keep going, but I won't. The point is, this documentary is more about sensationalism and making money than it is about looking honestly and impartially at the facts and drawing a logical conclusion.

This whole thing is making the news because it claims to be evidence that Jesus didn't raise from the dead. Does that matter? Yeah, it does. (I could go into all the lines of evidence and reasoning that support Christ's bodily resurrection, but that's another blog for another day.)

I know how much easier it is to be spoon-fed what to believe, but it's worth it to do your homework before swallowing this crap for breakfast.

In conclusion, here's my favorite quote from a CNN.com article:

"The fact that [the 1980 archaeological finding] has been ignored tells you something," said Dever, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona. "It would be amusing if it didn't mislead so many people."

listen

If the video won't work for you, you can go to my myspace profile and listen to it there.

Reasons Why

I've been listening to this song a lot lately. It seems to echo some of my recent experiences, as well as those of some friends.

It's funny how we can be going along, thinking everything's fine, and then all of a sudden wake up one day and think, "Whoa! How'd I get here? This is not where I want to be."

We've all been there. But I think it's one thing to come to that realization, and an entirely different thing to come to that realization and then make excuses to stay there.

But I've done that, too. I'm trying to get back to where I want to be, but I can so relate to the self-deceived apathy in this song. (And if the grammar problem of the title bothers you, it bothered me too at first. You'll get over it, too.)

(I'm not sure if the video thing is going to work or not, but regardless, I put the lyrics underneath.)

Nickel Creek Music Video Codes

Now Playing: Nickel Creek - Reasons Why

Brought you by: Music Codes

Where am I today? I wish that I knew
'Cause looking around there's no sign of you
I don't remember one jump or one leap
Just quiet steps away from your lead

I'm holding my heart out but clutching it too
Feeling this short of a love that we once knew
I'm calling this home when it's not even close
Playing the role with nerves left exposed

Standing on a darkened stage, stumbling through the lines
Others have excuses, but I have my reasons why

We get distracted by dreams of our own
But nobody's happy while feeling alone
And knowing how hard it hurts when we fall
We lean another ladder against the wrong wall

And climb high to the highest rung, to shake fists at the sky
While others have excuses, I have my reasons why

[Bridge:]
With so much deception it's hard not to wander away
It's hard not to wander away
It's hard not to wander away

Progress

6.5 pounds in three weeks.

I can once again fit into some clothes that had become obscenely unwearable.

It's working, and I'm happy.

faithful (adjective)

Main Entry: faith·ful
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 obsolete : full of faith
2 : steadfast in affection or allegiance : LOYAL
3 : firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : CONSCIENTIOUS
4 : given with strong assurance : BINDING [a faithful promise]
5 : true to the facts, to a standard, or to an original [a faithful copy]

So I'm learning a lot lately about what this means. Hanging in there. Sticking it out. With friends, with work. In the relationship arena, it's teaching me a lot about God and what he's like. What it looks like when he is faithful. When he hangs in there and sticks it out. With me.

I reread this recently. This story has stuck in my brain and forever seared a visual there--a picture of faithfulness.

"My publisher told me the story of a summer afternoon when he was driving along the New Jersey Turnpike. One hundred yards ahead in the same lane was a Lincoln Town Car. Tom was shocked when he saw the right rear door of the Lincoln, still moving at full speed, swing open. The passenger threw a collie onto the pavement. The dog hit the concrete and rolled into a ditch. Bleeding profusely, the collie got up and started to run after the car and the owner who had cruelly abandoned him. His relentless faithfulness was not conditioned or diminished by the abuse and callous disregard of his master.

The dogged fidelity of Jesus in the face of our indifference to his affection and our ingratitude for his faithfulness...is a mystery of such mind-bending magnitude that the intellect buckles and theology bows in its presence. Humbly acknowledging our limitations, we are driven to the fervent prayer, 'Lord, I do believe! Help my lack of trust.'" (Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust)

That's crazy. Insane, even. Who would suffer that kind of treatment and remain loyal? No one with half a brain.

Still, that's who God is. Sometimes I think he's crazy, but I'm grateful. And somehow, it makes me want to do the same. To love people the same way. In a crazy, stupid way. Because it's kind of beautiful, but also because I almost feel like I have no other choice. I mean, I do, but I sometimes feel so grateful it's like I can't not try (in my ridiculous, fumbling attempts) to give it away. So yeah, I'm learning a little more what it looks like, and feeling more compelled.

ack, blogger has forced me to upgrade

So fine. They made me upgrade. They'd better not make me regret it. (I like "old" blogger!)

Ew

Being sick is awful. I thought I was doing so well about being healthy--eating well, exercising, cutting out unhealthy habits--and yet, my stomach is very angry with me today. I got sick at work this morning (and I don't just mean feeling sick at work...I mean getting sick...possibly one of the most disgusting experiences of my life).

So right now I'm drinking some sleepytime tea and trying to go to bed so I'll feel better for tomorrow. Beth is coming to town, and we have plans, and no sickness is going to get in the way, darnit!

Oh, and sidenote--does anyone know where I can find edamame at the grocery store? Is it just with the produce, or is it someplace special?

Goodbye, Betsy

After 20 years and 180,000+ miles, Betsy Jane was finally laid to rest yesterday, February 3rd, 2007. She was good to me--in the seven years I had her, she never left me stranded anywhere. Sure, something under the hood has been smoking for the past few years...and after driving her, you'd smell a bit like burning oil...and at the end, nothing but a piece of wire kept her rear bumper from falling off...and the muffler (long since rendered useless) swayed a bit in the breeze...and she wouldn't start without a jump...sure, she would never pass an emissions test if her life depended on it, and she didn't have a rear view mirror anymore (although if you angled the passenger sun visor just right, you could use that little mirror to see out the back window), and the little knobs that controlled the heat had long ago stopped sliding back and forth...in spite of all these things, she still has a special place in my heart, and I grieved a little for having to give her up.

Rest in peace, Betsy. You were a good girl.














Betsy Jane, 1987-2007

delayed reactions

Certain things tend to "hit" me later than they hit the average person. I don't get excited about vacations until I'm in the car or on the plane. September 11th didn't hit me until about mid-afternoon.

My friend is moving away, and I started to feel sad tonight, in the middle of her goodbye party.

Other things, however, spark an immediate emotional reaction. I found something out tonight that made me pretty angry, for example. I'm now working on how I'm going to respond to it. I can't help how it made me feel, but I can choose what I'm going to do about it, whether I'm going to keep fueling it and potentially alienate someone over something that, in the long run, is not a huge deal.

Which reminds me...this morning I was reading Job chapter 1, and I was struck by Job's immediate reaction to some pretty devastating news. He didn't immediately react with anger or hostility (like I probably would have). Not sure what his secret was.

Anyway, I'm going to miss you, Bradley. It probably won't really hit until Monday morning, but still.

I want to be a loser!

The diet begins.

I've never been one to be obsessed with food, but it's amazing how, the day after you start a diet, every thought is suddenly fixated on food. Calories. Points. Some of the things that go through your head are borderline insane: "Hmm, I think I'll watch some TV...I wonder how many points that will cost me?" Life, for a brief period of time, revolves completely around food. And all the math involved! I don't really enjoy making decisions anyway, let alone decisions that involve doing math while I'm hungry.

Today's my first full day, and my body is feeling two things: tired and confused. ("What the heck? What's with all these vegetables? What are we supposed to do with vitamins and nutrients? Where's the cheeseburger?")

Oh, and funny lesson I learned today: pay attention to the serving size on the box. There's a big difference between an entire frozen pizza, and one-third of a frozen pizza.

If I can make it through this week, I think it will get better. The nonphysical part of me feels good and hopeful. The physical part of me might be complaining, but honestly, it's been in charge for too long. Time to sit down and learn who's the boss.

Some things I'm looking forward to after I meet my goal:
hiking in Tennessee in May without getting winded immediately
fitting into my old clothes
feeling healthier and having more energy
sleeping better

I've never really been super self-disciplined, but I'm trying to take some encouragement from Paul, who definitely knew self-discipline. A super cool self-discipline, perseverence verse I found: "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave..." - 1 Cor 9:26-27

Thass right, body. Who da boss?

the big three-oh

So, today is the husband's 30th birthday. The festivities, however, have been in full swing since Friday.

Friday night was a combined surprise party with 20 of our friends. He was clueless, delightfully surprised, and we had a great time.

The greatest part was when, Thursday night, he confessed that he'd been feeling hurt that I hadn't planned anything for his birthday. I choked back a laugh, feigned remorse for my thoughtlessness, and cooked up a couple lies to tide him over. Worked like a charm. Too bad crow wasn't an item on the party menu.

Saturday he opened his gifts early, then sat in the basement watching the special features on his new Transformers: The Movie, 20th Anniversary edition DVD.

Last night, the in-laws came down to take us out to dinner. The restaurant choice was a no-brainer--Quaker Steak and Lube, best wings in town. Craig has been looking forward to the 30-wing challenge ever since his 29th birthday, and today he is at home recovering from the assault to his digestive system.

Tonight we wrap it all up with a cake from the Golden Delight bakery and a fun-filled Bible study with the gang, talking about God's love.

Happy birthday, baby :)

:) and :(

It's amazing the "fascinating" things one will think to blog about when she is procrastinating...

I know the week isn't over yet, but I'm getting a head start on the weekend.

Some things that irked me this week:

• My car locks freezing shut, causing me to (1) bend (ie. ruin) my key and (2) snap off (yes, snap off) the door handle. It's been a cold week in Columbus.
• Paying $20 at the vet for an unnecessary service that I had gone to passive-aggressive lengths to avoid. Half of me was irked at the swindling vet, the other half was irked at myself for not being more straightforward in turning down the unnecessary service.

Some things that made me smile this week:

• This:
  

This is a doll Shannon made for me. It's supposed to be Maureen, my podmate (who is always joking that she thinks I must have a voodoo doll of her in my desk, because she says things to the boss like "Oh sure I'll do extra work, but only if you'll let me take it home with me." Her dedication makes the rest of us look like slackers). I pinned her for fun, but it just made me laugh because Maureen is the most likeable person I know, and even the doll is smiling and sweet-looking. This was a great source of amusement to me on Tuesday.

• American Idol (although for the first time, I've been feeling sad for the sucky contestants, especially the one mother who went on and on about how much crap she's been through in life, and that singing is the only thing that's gotten her through it, and she started crying when she was talking about how amazing it feels "when people keep telling you that you're not good enough, and you realize that you ARE really good" [except that she wasn't, and they laughed at her, and it made me really sad])
• Finding a period in the middle of a word at work. It was "alo.ng" and I wielded my red pen and killed it. I don't know why (and I realize that the 99% of you who are not like me in my word-nerdiness will find this pathetic rather than cool), but finding stuff like that always makes me feel happy and like my work matters. I exist so that periods don't get published in the middle of words. That counts for something, right?
• The cat nap that produced these pictures (man, sometimes I wish I'd been born a cat):

The last one is the funniest to me--check out the smushed face and one-eyed, bored look.

Okay, enough procrastinating. Time to get some stuff done.