Finding Dreams

Hoping this will clear my head a bit and let me focus on more demanding concerns...

If we can put aside the critical analysis of Disney fairytales/corporation-empire, I'd like to reflect on a standard Disney theme: making dreams come true. "A dream is a wish your heart makes..." "Be true to your heart..." "Listen with your heart..." Love requires risk. These are all themes or moments found in Disney fairytales which reflect the character's struggle to embody a dream. Sometimes the characters understand the flaw in their original reasoning, but find their heart's intention pure and they find a satisfying conclusion. Only by daring to dream and strive for those dreams were they able to grow.

There are days when dreams seem very dim and unreachable. There are 'practical' reasons why dreams should remain dreams, but I think it is a reflection of our character when an opportunity arises and we have a choice to make. Do you reach for your dreams or do you say 'some day' will be a better time to fulfill it? This, of course, doesn't mean blindly running into a potential opportunity, but where is a full life when you release life's breath in a sad sigh?

Am I lamenting a missed opportunity or preaching that you should risk something? No and yes. I am reflecting on the (almost) success of making one dream come true. Israel, here I come!

Divinity School motto

T-Shirt on cafepress.com that resonates with the divinity school experience:

GOD SAID IT.

I INTERPRETED IT.
 as best I could in light of all filters imposed upon me from culture and my upbringing.
  which I try to control, but you can never do a perfect job.


THAT DOESN'T EXACTLY SETTLE IT.
but it does give me enough to evaluate and make decisions.

commentary isn't really necessary for this one. :P

Book Purism and Theological Humor

I have discovered I am NOT a book purist... meaning when I really read a book it ends up covered in my own notes and comments. Prior to this semester, I have not really considered the consequences of my habit. One particular theology book I read last year is one primary source for a constructive theology paper. When I was going through it and trying to locate the section I wanted to cite, I found some notes on sections that made me laugh for at least 10 minutes. Of course, I was in a quiet study area when I stumbled on my old comments which made the moment increasingly difficult to contain.

My skeptic inclination is embodied in one of the notes which made me pause: "It doesn't seem possible that any human created system can liberate b/c no one has stepped fully away from sin (the actions) even with grace. I realize pessimism hinders, but it identifies basic reality."

I am still not entirely sure why I found this note so incredibly funny, but you know, when all you read is theology you have to develop a new sense of humor. ;)