McChristian

What’s the deal with Christians having to make everything “Christian”? Christians and non-Christians: have you noticed this? As a Christian it is hard not to notice. It’s plastered all over the place. So, I wanted to see how much ‘stuff’ I could find that was once just normal and now has been Christianized. Here is what I came up with:

Let’s start with board games. Now of course there are the usual Bible trivia games. Everyone would expect to see this on a store shelf. Although among Christian peers when you can’t remember how many books of the Bible there are (66), or who Jesus’ mother was (Mary), you almost feel as though stones are being thrown at you for being a “bad” Christian. No? Anyway, on to the copy-cat games. Ever heard of a popular game called Apples to Apples? How about the Apples to Apples Bible version? The games are played the same except that the cards are filled with people, places, and events from Christian history. That’s not the only copy-cat game. There is also; Mad Grab, Outburst, Guesstures, Scattergories, Bibleopoly (although Monopoly has been copied by everyone and everything), Bible Charades, Bible Baseball Trivia Game, Dominoes, Bingo, Sudoku . There are even some subtle name changes of games: Settlers of Canaan or Ark of the Covenant (A copy of Carcassonne). Of course all these games that have been produced with a lack of imagination, creativity, and a bit of plagiarism are still better than this or this. Or course there are also games like this which, as the games itself states, require ‘no Bible knowledge’, which in real life seems to be true, too.

From board games to video games. Christians have tapped that market as well. No need to buy Guitar Hero when you can buy Guitar Praise. And want to sing along? How about Heavenly Harmony?

And have you noticed the endless amount of slogans that have been copied from businesses, stores, television shows, etc: Subway, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Staples, Starbucks, ipod, itunes, Transformers, Superman, Heroes, Deal or no Deal, Lost, Survivor, Construction worker sign, milk slogan, American slogan, Army, Obama, Adidas, Puma, Major League Baseball, MLB (again), Intel, Crush, Facebook, MySpace, Red Cross, American Eagle, Reese’s, Hershey’s, Mountain Dew, CIA, AC DC, Ford, Abercrombie and Fitch, AT&T, Burger King, AllState, TMNT, LOTR, Sega Genesis, PETA, SUN, GI Joe, Yoo-hoo, Wii, YouTube, Aeropostale, American Idol, Monopoly, Guitar Hero, and I am sure there are many more.

There is a lot of stuff out there. There are a billion different versions of the Bible. ‘Oh my gosh’ products! Sandles. Boots. Little plastic hands. Million dollar movies. Giant Jesus statues in the middle of Ohio. Little Jesus statues playing baseball with little kids. Don’t like baseball? How about football? There are no words for this. Need a bandage? There’s a free toy inside. Jesus really can do it all. In case you didn’t want the regular Jesus, here is the deluxe version. Yikes! Never say Jesus was never on the seven dollar bill. Jesus is the light – switch. He can even tell time. And of course you have to look good for Jesus. Don’t forget people like Moses, David, and of course God. How about the whole set.

We may be trying to not be a part of this world, a light unto this world, a beacon of hope, but all of this shows me that indeed sometimes we are just as much a part of the world as anyone else. We ascribe to the television, to money, and to the consumerism of this world. We are at a crossroads. What path do we take?

As if an endless amount of t-shirts were not enough - Let’s go bigger! What about theme parks? In Orlando you can. And what about a museum? Well, of course there is that, too. The world can’t run on just normal activities and vacations, there have to be Christian activities and vacations as well. For those who like cruises, there are cruises.

I’m sure there is a lot more stuff out there. What are we proving to the world with all our “alternative” stuff? What is it saying to the world? What do non-Christians think of all this? How can we be light on a hill when we are too blinded and consumed with our own ‘world’? As Christians we need to stop adhering to all this consumerism. We need to adhere to the words and life of Christ.

today I march

If I was to aspire to follow after another human besides Jesus Christ it would MLK Jr. He’s a man that inspired a generation to rise up, to seek justice, to seek equality, to seek hope. On this day we cannot walk alone, we shall march ahead, and we cannot turn back1.

Tomorrow, an African American will be sworn into office as the President of the United States. There is no doubt that there have been great movements in equality since 1968, since 1900, since 1619. But there is no doubt that the dreams King hoped for us are not achieved yet. There is no doubt that the way of life that Jesus calls us to seek, and the people we are called to be, have not come into existence yet.

As a war wanders from Iraq into Afghanistan, I can’t help but think about the urban war that is going on in America: the inequality in education, housing, health care, and jobs. On these cold days the homeless seek warmth that the world is unable to give them. In Africa and other parts of the world diseases that are easily treatable cripple towns. We live in a land that does not seek a ‘beautiful symphony of brotherhood2.’ No, we live in a land of American dreams. But, the inequality of this dream is not Jesus’ dream, not King’s dream, and it is certainly not my dream. Nor do I think it is your dream. Today – march the march of freedom, march the march of equality, march the march of justice.

Be inspired today….


Be inspired tomorrow…

give me a burger, a beer, and some random junk on the wall

Last year I came up with a couple of posts of my favorite places I have been to eat and favorite places I would want to go to to eat. Well, it’s been a year, and both lists have changed a little bit. I’ve updated where I would like to go by adding a few restaurants that I have heard about in the last year and deleting a few that just shouldn’t have been on last time. I don’t know how much longer I will be in the city so I have titled it: “The restaurants I would like to go to before I leave Chicago.” For the restaurants that I have listed as my favorites they represent some of the best food I have had in this city. Many of the places are hole-in-the-wall hot dog and hamburger joints others are bustling tourist traps, but all of them are unique places that serve excellent food.


The restaurants I would like to go to before I leave Chicago:

Five Guys
2140 N Clybourn
Why: Although a chain they do serve up some of the best burger and fries you can find

Monk’s Pub
205 W Lake St
Why: It was rated as having one of the best burgers. Plus, it just looks like a great place to hang out

Julius Meinl
4363 N Lincoln Ave
Why: My sources say this place is great. And my sources don’t lie.

Chief O’Neill’s Pub
3471 N Elston
Why: Two words: Irish Pub

Paradise Pup
1724 S River Rd, Des Plaines
Why: Because 1) they serve hot dogs 2) It’s a hole in the wall 3) It’s close

Kuma’s Corner
2900 W Belmont
Why: They seem to have good burgers

Huey’s Hot Dogs
1507 W Balmoral
Why: Because 1) they serve hot dogs 2) It’s a hole in the wall 3) It’s close

Jury’s
4337 N Lincoln Ave
Why: They always seem to be rated as having one of the best burgers. Plus, I pass it every time I go to the grocery store

Boca di Beppo
521 N Rush St
Why: I said I would go here with someone

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co.
2121 N Clark St
Why: Because they have pizza and grinders. The sign says so

Abbey Pub
3420 W Grace
Why: Music and food

Costello Sandwich and Sides
4647 N Lincoln Ave
Why: They just look like they have great sandwiches

La Creperie
2845 N Clark
Why: Crepes

Milk & Honey Café
1543 N Damen
Why: They just look like they have great sandwiches

Anything Indian
Why: Because I love Indian and I haven’t had it in the city yet

Good Cuban food
Why: Because I have been craving good Cuban food ever since my trip to FL

Honorable mentions:
Bobtail Soda Fountain
Café Bernard
Heaven on Seven
Park Grill
Rosebud on Rush

I would go back to in a heart beat:
404 Wine Bar
Why: The have great food and a great atmosphere
Boston Blackie’s
Why: The best burger in town
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Why: Tapas, Tapas, Tapas!
Calo
Why: Great Italian food surrounded by a great atmosphere
Celtic Crown
Why: Great hang out spot. Plus $2 burgers on Mondays
Cyrano’s Bistro
Why: Because some of my greatest memories are here. Plus their French food is killer
Elphant Castle
Why: Because the English know how to run a pub
Garcia’s Restaurant
Why: Because the burritos are big and the drinks go down easy
Geja’s Café
Why: Best fondue ever!
Gino’s East
Why: Even though it is touristy, there is writing on everything and they make great pizza
Giordano’s
Why: Because it is hard to pass up Giordano’s
Hot Doug’s
Why: It’s a fun place to be. Plus they are cheap and give you a huge amount of fries
Jimmy’s Red Hots
Why: They have the best hot dog in town
Lou Malnati’s
Why: The epitomize what is Chicago
Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli
Why: It’s got history, it’s got great Jewish food, and they make the best corned beef sandwich
Moody’s Pub
Why: A great burger
Noon O’Kabob
Why: They make great Persian food
Pizza DOC
Why: Awesome pizza
Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill
Why: Great family friendly bar that is off the main street that carries a great burger
Superdawg
Why: They are an icon of Chicago hot dogs. Plus, you can’t pass up their chocolate shake
Tre Kronor
Why: Because I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else for a brunch
The Weiner Circle
Why: It’s one of a kind
Yes Thai
Why: Yes Thai

composting: the do's and don'ts

Thanks for the compost suggestion, but I don’t know how to compost.
Well, I’m not an expert so I’m not going to tell you. However, I did run across some great websites for composting 101:

-Compost Guide, including great tips
-How to compost
-Eartheasy, which also includes some great tips

I’ve also comprised a list of do’s and don’ts of things to compost here:

garbage in your house, yeeesss!

I always thought DIY were stupid. I figured people just did them because they couldn’t afford to buy the real thing in the store. Well, becoming more environmentally conscious, less-consumeristic, and less and less “dumb teenager-istic”, I have realized that DIY are actually kind of cool and fun.

So, while doing some searching on compost boxes for apartments on the Internet, I came across a DIY on the Discovery.com site. Not having a yard to make a compost pile, I wanted to see if other urban dwellers were able to compost despite the handicap of not having a yard. And apparently they are. And all you really need is some plastic or metal box. If, like me, you are interested in making your own compost box, go here. It lists out an easy step-by-step guide for making the box. Hopefully in the next month or so I can make my own. If you don’t have your own box outside or inside, think about making one of these.

at least you don't have to pick fruit

You gotta be flippin kidding me! The WSJ (We don’t know anything about Stinking Jobs or Wall Street Journal) recently came out with an article on best and worst jobs in the United States. The list is “based” on five criteria: environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress. Some of the jobs positions make complete sense – however, much of the list is so distorted it is a joke.

Some of the jobs are based purely on educational background, money, and cultural appearance. Just compare a software engineer (#5) to a taxi driver (#198). It is clear that income and employment outlook are the two driving forces for these two best and worst jobs. I think the WSJ is missing a few things on their list though.

First, auto mechanic (#187), nurse (#184) are at the bottom of the list. I know that my mechanic makes more in a few months than I make the whole year. And from working at a hospital for a summer I know that all the SUV and Audi driving nurses must get paid a decent amount.***

Second, I don’t think the job scale takes into consideration hard to calculate variants such as whether or not the job is rewarding. I think that a even though some jobs are dangerous (and maybe not so well paid) such as EMTs (#196) or firefighters (#181), both are well rewarded by a job well done at the end of the day.

Thirdly, a roofer (#195) and lumberjack (#200) which are dangerous jobs, as well as low paying (~$31-$34K a year), are at the bottom of the list. There are a couple things missing here. First, there are plenty of full time workers, who may not be risking their lives, but are sadly enough being paid in the low to mid $20K range and would die to be paid in the $30K range. Second, others are working two to three jobs just to earn that much money, and working possibly eighty hours or more a week to earn that amount. Thirdly, others in this struggling economy are only able to find a part-time job, while many have lost their jobs or are unable to find one. Many of these people are attempting to support families, who are then left to try to survive on their own and face the reality of becoming homeless.

Finally, there are also two sorely missed things in this article. First, that article has missed the thousands of workers who pick tomatoes, fruit, vegetables, and other crops for mere cents a day in the United States. If we are talking about hard laborious work, low pay, and injustice, here is the first place to look. The second place to look is the illegal slave trade that is not present only in other countries around the world, but also in the United States.

The WSJ’s poor attempt at job calculating clearly misses the point of some of the injustices and wrongs of this world, along with not taking into consideration many other variants and ideas of what makes a job the best or worst.

The joke of a WSJ article

*** Please recognize that I know that not all auto mechanics and nurses are well paid.

be like bill, well we can at least try

Do you remember Bill Nye the Science Guy? He was the quirky science nerd on PBS that somehow peaked the interest in little kids to learn and have fun with science. Well, Bill Nye is still around. Yup, in the Times they did an article on Bill Nye and his green house. Apparently Bill not only talks the talk, but walks the walk with science.

The article is good. It talks about how Bill converted his 1939 home into a new eco-friendly home. Although to me there seems to be two disconnects between him and the reader. The first: Bill’s got a lot of time on his hands. He is filming a new show. And while its true that some stars may work ten or twelve hour days, I don’t get the impression from the interview that Bill is having long work days. In today’s world however people are working sixty to eighty hour weeks, running around their kids to ten different things a week, and hoping they don’t get stuck in rush hour traffic. People are busier than ever. Whether this is good or bad is not the issue (although I would debate bad). The reality is that people are pushing the limits of their time. What does this mean? It means, unlike Bill, there is no time to grind organic coffee beans and sip a cup of coffee at the kitchen table or have fresh squeezed orange juice every morning. There is no time to grow your own lettuce in your yard (if you even have a yard), or ride a bike everywhere.

Second, Bill’s got a little more green to be green than most people. Let’s see: $20,000 for new windows, $32,000 for solar panels, all organic food, rain barrels (Probably $100 each), and a Prius. Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t bad things that Bill Nye is doing. Quite the contrary - they are great things. Besides the raging jealously I am feeling towards those who simply have a house, but then to add solar panels, eat all organically, and have his own garden, its clear that his lifestyle just can’t be obtained by everyone. Once again, this is not a knock at Bill Nye, but merely the ideals and culture that make it difficult to live a life that sees less as more, sees a love for creation, and a sense of protection instead of destruction.

The article teaches us a lot about our culture in regards to time, money, creation, and resources. In a world that is seeking more green, but putting aside actually being green, maybe a more suitable life is closer to Bill Nye’s than the millionaires and billionaires.

Bill Nye article