A couple of months ago my wife and I made a decision. The decision was for me to take a year off from school and pursue acting (a passion of mine) and see where it takes me. The deal was to continue working part-time at J.Crew as a sales associate at night and go on auditions and go-sees during the day and hopefully book some gigs.
I had just finished a year of seminary at Emory University's Candler School of theology in their M.Div program. I kept getting acting auditions and worried that I would miss it once school started back up so we took a leap of faith and just went for it.
A couple of months later life has changed yet again. A manager-in-training program (called a "key holder" position) became up for grabs. Although I was auditioning like crazy I wasn't booking anything with my new "full-time" acting career. To top it off, the stuff I did book was non-union work and they pay you when they want to pay you. I was becoming more and more cynical about the entertainment industry, my agent, and my boring house chores at home.
I had lunch with one of my mangers at J.Crew and decided to sit for the interview. I got the job, started this week, and know I made the right decision. Now I am still taking a year off but am making more money, realizing that acting is a great hobby for me but not a career, and want to enroll for a different master's program at Candler next year.
It's nice to take some time off, think about where you want to go (or where you think you want to go) It's funny how the path changes when you decided to go a certain way. I'm blessed that I am happy and can't wait to see what lies ahead.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Go. Do. Love.
When I let people know I am a seminary student I get many of the same responses and questions thrown at me. “Are you going to be a minister?” “What denomination are you?” “What do Episcopalians believe and aren’t they the ones that were affiliated with Henry the 8th”? After I have time to sum up in 20 words or less the answers to these (by the way I’m getting pretty good at it and almost have my summation down to 10 words) the person (in order to feel justified to this future “minister”) usually gives me a spill about the last time they went to church. The typical responses are: “I was raised FILL IN THE DENOMINATION BLANK but I’ve been attending the OTHER DENOMINATION church recently”. “I like the conservative churches”. “I like the liberal churches”. “I go to church for the music”. “I go to church for the preaching”. The interesting thing that these types of questions and the free information these persons are gladly providing to me is proof of an individualistic society and how church has become this way to many people. Church, to them, is a place where they only need to show up on Sunday and try to sneak in and out the door before being caught by a greeter or clergy member. Church becomes a place where they come to be inspired by the “great speaker”, “marvelous choir”, or “awesome youth program” and not pressured to give their money or time. God is happy they made it and are trying out church. God (and the preacher) know that they are “saved”. What else is there to do?
Essential Christianity is about showing up. It is about doing a job, serving in a community, and lifting others up all in the name of Christ’s love for his church and people. It is about hearing a dull sermon but volunteering your time to serve on a committee within the church body. It is about eating with the rich and the poor. It’s about praying to connect with something greater than your self. Essential Christianity is selfless love that the world cannot understand. It is not about satisfying your need to feel good by going through the motions of a Sunday church service. It is about showing up 6 other days out of the week with the love of Christ in your heart, mind and soul. There are too many examples of how today’s church is being outsourced to marketing firms, publishing houses, and television programs each with their own agenda and products to push. It is understandable that the church is old. The liturgy is old. The songs are old, but Jesus’ philosophy remains revolutionary, cutting edge, and life-changing. “Go.” “Do.” “Love”…these are Christ’s selfless and simplified commands.
The famous Rabbi Hillel was once asked to sum up the Torah while standing on one foot. He said, “What is harmful to you, do not do to others. This is the meaning of the whole Torah, and the rest is only commentary. Now go and study it.” Too often the commentary, the noise and the fan-fare is what we get caught up in. Essential Christianity is about avoiding these unnecessary distractions while promoting Christ’s philosophy through acts of selfless love. Now, “Go”. “Do”. “Love”…and study it.
Essential Christianity is about showing up. It is about doing a job, serving in a community, and lifting others up all in the name of Christ’s love for his church and people. It is about hearing a dull sermon but volunteering your time to serve on a committee within the church body. It is about eating with the rich and the poor. It’s about praying to connect with something greater than your self. Essential Christianity is selfless love that the world cannot understand. It is not about satisfying your need to feel good by going through the motions of a Sunday church service. It is about showing up 6 other days out of the week with the love of Christ in your heart, mind and soul. There are too many examples of how today’s church is being outsourced to marketing firms, publishing houses, and television programs each with their own agenda and products to push. It is understandable that the church is old. The liturgy is old. The songs are old, but Jesus’ philosophy remains revolutionary, cutting edge, and life-changing. “Go.” “Do.” “Love”…these are Christ’s selfless and simplified commands.
The famous Rabbi Hillel was once asked to sum up the Torah while standing on one foot. He said, “What is harmful to you, do not do to others. This is the meaning of the whole Torah, and the rest is only commentary. Now go and study it.” Too often the commentary, the noise and the fan-fare is what we get caught up in. Essential Christianity is about avoiding these unnecessary distractions while promoting Christ’s philosophy through acts of selfless love. Now, “Go”. “Do”. “Love”…and study it.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Military Spending of the United States
“The World Bank estimates that, if countries improve their policies and institutions, the additional foreign aid required to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 is between $40-$60 billion a year” (http://topics.developmentgateway.org). Is the United States really trying? Consider this:
* “The United States spends more than the next 45 highest spending countries in the world combined.
* The United States accounts for 48 percent of the world's total military spending.
* The United States spends on its military 5.8 times more than China, 10.2 times more than Russia, and 98.6 times more than Iran.
The United States and its strongest allies (the NATO countries, Japan, South Korea and Australia) spend $1.1 trillion on their militaries combined, representing 72 percent of the world's total” (www.armscontrolcenter.org).
* “The United States spends more than the next 45 highest spending countries in the world combined.
* The United States accounts for 48 percent of the world's total military spending.
* The United States spends on its military 5.8 times more than China, 10.2 times more than Russia, and 98.6 times more than Iran.
The United States and its strongest allies (the NATO countries, Japan, South Korea and Australia) spend $1.1 trillion on their militaries combined, representing 72 percent of the world's total” (www.armscontrolcenter.org).
Out of School for the Summer
I finished up my first year of seminary. It has gone by very fast because I have been busy studying, reading, and writing which keeps me entertained quite nicely. As a treat, Ann and I went to Hilton Head and Charleston for a few days. I'm going down to Austin to see Bryce graduate from the University of Texas this weekend. When I get back I will be working at J. Crew over the summer and doing some yard work at the house. I'm also looking forward to reading some of the books I've been wanting to read and exploring some of the new ideas we touched on at Candler. Until next time, Brandon.
Monday, November 26, 2007
What the Bible Means to Me
The Bible is perhaps the greatest compilation of religious books every written. The three powerful monolithic traditions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) all draw from the Bible in some shape or form. In this paper I will narrow the topic question down to a personal level showing how I view the Bible as a spiritual toolbox used to refresh and renew my life through the spiritual tools of meditation, liturgy and literary criticism.
Before coming to seminary my meditation practice was very elementary. I would find a soothing psalm, proverb or verse from the lectionary to start my meditation. The words were read and contemplated on as written. Now, after a semester of theology school behind me, when I am reflecting on a book I studied in my Old Testament class, I contemplate not only the words but also on the possible reasons why a particular verse was written. Once concentrated on the possible reason behind the verse a deeper understanding of the words come alive that lead to more questions and a deeper contemplative session. The Bible, through meditation on its chapters and verses, becomes a questioning exercise. Questions lead to more questions and not having the right answer or any answer is of no concern to me. Before seminary, I would want to know the answers to my contemplative questions. Now, I understand the Bible as more abstract and more like a work of art or piece of music that cannot be totally explained away.
The Bible becomes mystical in the liturgy. Traditional Episcopalians such as myself bow when the Bible passes by the pew in which one sits. The reading of the scripture is followed by a hearty, “Thanks Be to God”. When one of the four Gospels is being read, great reverence is felt throughout large cathedrals and smaller parishes. While in the congregation, I feel the Bible is the object of my affection. It is mighty and powerful like the God of the Old Testament. I imagine that if the building would suddenly collapse or burn that the Bible would still remain intact. These feelings of awe are what the Bible is to me while in church. Maybe it is because the Bible is far away and not close to me, or I desire it more because I cannot touch and feel it (like I can in my meditation or contemplative practices). My feelings toward the Bible have not changed while in seminary when it is seen, read and proclaimed in the liturgy and Eucharist on Sunday mornings.
Lastly, the Bible is spiritually important to me in the practice of literary criticism. Before seminary, a study on the Bible would entail reading a particular story and using a study Bible for extra reference. This gets one pointed in the right direction for literary criticism, but falls short after experiencing Biblical commentary from three different sources while in seminary. My Old Testament class has taught me to look beyond the text and to explore not only other viewpoints of the text, but the history behind the story and studying what was going on that causes the author to write in a certain way. This kind of study fills my spirit because I feel I love God more with my mind whereas before, not enough thought was given to the scriptures and the different meanings and interpretations between the words.
The Bible remains a spiritual toolbox used for meditation, liturgy, and literary criticism. While at seminary, I find these three tools enhanced while studying and listening to scripture. Questions, and forming the appropriate questions, become increasingly important in the presence of the Bible. I am forever fascinated by the Bible (like the religions mentioned above) and hope to grow in my understanding of what it means in my spiritual life.
Before coming to seminary my meditation practice was very elementary. I would find a soothing psalm, proverb or verse from the lectionary to start my meditation. The words were read and contemplated on as written. Now, after a semester of theology school behind me, when I am reflecting on a book I studied in my Old Testament class, I contemplate not only the words but also on the possible reasons why a particular verse was written. Once concentrated on the possible reason behind the verse a deeper understanding of the words come alive that lead to more questions and a deeper contemplative session. The Bible, through meditation on its chapters and verses, becomes a questioning exercise. Questions lead to more questions and not having the right answer or any answer is of no concern to me. Before seminary, I would want to know the answers to my contemplative questions. Now, I understand the Bible as more abstract and more like a work of art or piece of music that cannot be totally explained away.
The Bible becomes mystical in the liturgy. Traditional Episcopalians such as myself bow when the Bible passes by the pew in which one sits. The reading of the scripture is followed by a hearty, “Thanks Be to God”. When one of the four Gospels is being read, great reverence is felt throughout large cathedrals and smaller parishes. While in the congregation, I feel the Bible is the object of my affection. It is mighty and powerful like the God of the Old Testament. I imagine that if the building would suddenly collapse or burn that the Bible would still remain intact. These feelings of awe are what the Bible is to me while in church. Maybe it is because the Bible is far away and not close to me, or I desire it more because I cannot touch and feel it (like I can in my meditation or contemplative practices). My feelings toward the Bible have not changed while in seminary when it is seen, read and proclaimed in the liturgy and Eucharist on Sunday mornings.
Lastly, the Bible is spiritually important to me in the practice of literary criticism. Before seminary, a study on the Bible would entail reading a particular story and using a study Bible for extra reference. This gets one pointed in the right direction for literary criticism, but falls short after experiencing Biblical commentary from three different sources while in seminary. My Old Testament class has taught me to look beyond the text and to explore not only other viewpoints of the text, but the history behind the story and studying what was going on that causes the author to write in a certain way. This kind of study fills my spirit because I feel I love God more with my mind whereas before, not enough thought was given to the scriptures and the different meanings and interpretations between the words.
The Bible remains a spiritual toolbox used for meditation, liturgy, and literary criticism. While at seminary, I find these three tools enhanced while studying and listening to scripture. Questions, and forming the appropriate questions, become increasingly important in the presence of the Bible. I am forever fascinated by the Bible (like the religions mentioned above) and hope to grow in my understanding of what it means in my spiritual life.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Starting Tomorrow
As of August 14th, I am once again jobless. This is well intended; however, because I will return to the world as a student. I will be pursuing my Masters of Divinity Degree from Emory University's Candler School of Theology.
Starting tomorrow, I will be in pre-orientation mode (i.e. getting parking permits, books, checking in w/registrar's office). Then on Thursday, I will have a formal orientataion both at the school and my new intern site (Wesley Woods).
I'm sure I'll have a lot to talk about then, so until that time....
Starting tomorrow, I will be in pre-orientation mode (i.e. getting parking permits, books, checking in w/registrar's office). Then on Thursday, I will have a formal orientataion both at the school and my new intern site (Wesley Woods).
I'm sure I'll have a lot to talk about then, so until that time....
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Vacation at Martha's Vineyard
Ann & I had a wonderful time at Martha's Vineyard. Her family (on her Mom's side) rents a beautiful home every year and have a quasi-family reunion. It is very informal (a sort of come as you please attitude). The schedule is basically what you want it to be, with the exception of "Happy Hour" that starts promptly at 4PM. Jenny's whiskey sours were brillant.
We made the usual rounds that anyone visiting the Vineyard should do (Breakfast at The Black Dog, Coastal drives around the island, and shopping at Vineyard Vines). I think my favorite thing to do was waking up every morning with the ocean outside my window and the sound of waves crashing along the shoreline.
After Martha's Vineyard, Ann & I spend about a day and a half in Boston. We celebrated the 4th of July there last year so we had pretty much seen the sites. This time, we shopped 'till we dropped at Filene's Basement and did a scenic tour of a local park in the Swan Boats.
All-in-all it was a lovely vacation. There is nothing better in the world than to have a family around you that loves you and a beautiful girl by yourside to share it with.
We made the usual rounds that anyone visiting the Vineyard should do (Breakfast at The Black Dog, Coastal drives around the island, and shopping at Vineyard Vines). I think my favorite thing to do was waking up every morning with the ocean outside my window and the sound of waves crashing along the shoreline.
After Martha's Vineyard, Ann & I spend about a day and a half in Boston. We celebrated the 4th of July there last year so we had pretty much seen the sites. This time, we shopped 'till we dropped at Filene's Basement and did a scenic tour of a local park in the Swan Boats.
All-in-all it was a lovely vacation. There is nothing better in the world than to have a family around you that loves you and a beautiful girl by yourside to share it with.
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