Food for Thought: I Love You and Budda Too

On iTunes today, I delightfully discovered that perhaps my most favorite musician has recently released a brand new album:

Mason Jennings:
In the Ever

So far, I've downloaded- Soldier Boy, I Love You and Budda Too, and Your New Man.

Based on his music and lyrics, Mason Jennings is certainly a thoughtful person, with some amazing musical gifts. Now, I can't say that I agree or echo with his thoughts and beliefs, especially with regard to spiritual matters, but I've found he approaches these very important topics with true integrity and honesty, so I can live with the differences.

That said, I'm posting the lyrics too the extremely catchy tune "I Love You and Budda Too." As a Christ follower, I wonder if his sentiment is perhaps similar to that of the countless folks in our Western culture who would describe themselves as being on a spiritual journey in some way, shape, or form...
_________________________

I Love You And Buddha Too
from In The Ever

Oh Jesus, I love you
And I love Buddha too
Ramakrishna, Guru Dev
Tao Te Ching and Mohammed
Why do some people say
There there is just one way
To love you God and come to you
We are all a part of you
You are un-nameable
You are unknowable
All we have is metaphor
That's what time and space are for
Is the universe your thought
You are and you are not
You are many, You are one
Ever ending, just begun
Alright, alright, alright
I love you and Buddha too

___________________

At earlier points in my life, I probably would have covered my ears and shouted "Blasphemic Inclusivism! Run for your life!"

Yes, Mason seems to identify himself in this song as embracing an inclusivist point of view, so the question I would ask fellow Christ-followers is, "For people in our lives who we know and love who may hold similar beliefs, is this a sign of the Holy Spirit drawing someone closer to Him, over time, gradually, progressively?*" Also, since I myself hold beliefs that would be described as exclusivist (Mason would say I'm one of the people who "say there is one way" and I have no bones about it), how do I graciously, yet accurately-truthfully represent what the Bible describes?

Questions no Christian can afford to ignore.

*The answer to this question entirely depends on the individual's spiritual background. Ultimately, though it falls under the "Only God really knows" category...

"The Silent 600"

I love Baseball. Especially Baseball in its purest form. I think this article captures the purity and takes time to remind us of the greats who often times fly under the radar.

Enjoy!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-griffey052108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Caps and Gowns, Smiles and Frowns

I started taking classes at Dallas Theological Seminary in the spring of 2005, and as of this coming Saturday afternoon, I'll be pretty much graduated.* This second chapter of education has certainly served its purpose; I have learned interesting things, skills applicable to what I feel like I was made to do, and I met some nice people. Moreover, in hindsight I honestly believe it was part of a path that God wanted me to take, and he also helped to pave it smooth at times.

Frowns? Only because the last couple semesters have fielded some of my most favorite and invigorating classes. I feel like just recently I've been able to invest some creativity into schoolwork and honestly, take more risks. I wish I had felt more free from the start to think outside the box, and attack projects and papers alike from different perspectives. Certainly Turabian formatting presents its own set of constrictions, but even first line indentation and double spacing can't stymie the spice of a concluding statement that is funny, serious, and pertinent; all at the same time.

So, lesson learned.

Note to self: Take more creative risks, let other people tell you something doesn't work AFTER, instead of yourself BEFORE, and for the love, don't take yourself too seriously...

*I still have one class left that will meet for one week in June, and then, THEN I tell you I will be officially doneski.

Funny Mr. Wind - By Epuron

Humor for the day:

In my opinion, this falls under the prestigious, "Pants-peeingly hilarious" category.