About the worship thing...

Hehe. While objecting to the term "body worship" some other potentially share-able thoughts crossed my mind...
(as thoughts will do sometimes). While it's clear we're worshipping God and not the vague "body," it was kinda unclear as to why we were bothering. Kind of like special praise--really, what makes it special?
Kinda a stupid question when I think about it.

But not SOOO stupid that I thought it unworthy of a blog post. Clearly.

Hehe. When I thought about what we did in prep for body worship, how people prep for special praise...when I think of the mindset it puts you in...then it's obvious. It's NOT special praise by itself. It's just another song. But because you spent time ahead of time to prepare it for God, because you gave up time or dinner or a few problem set points, because you wanted to make something pleasing to Him, that's why it's more special.

Why everyone watches though, I'm still not quite sure about. I guess it's more of sharing. In doing special praise or dance, you're presenting worship to God on behalf of the fellowship, not <> it. Kind of hard to remember when they're all staring at you...but otherwise its pretty vain and meaningless. Haha...especially since the technical quality of the praise tends to be despite our efforts ;)

Ah yes. So before doing special praise, I'm sure everyone prays a little harder. I was kind of like "God PLEASE make this something pleasing to you..." yes and also "please don't let us screw this up." and then the time comes, and you share what you've done ten times already...only now you're focusing on imbuing it with meaning, and not on getting the timing and motions and notes right. and then AFTER, it still forces you into a worship mindset...as in, a big and much repeated "THANK YOU..hehe, what'd you think?"

So yes. I answer my own question. Kinda cool, how one act of worship kind of builds on itself to put you in a more-than-usual God focused mindset for some time before and after the actual act.

Really, forget about the human audience. ;) I always wonder how body worship type stuff looks to non-participants...
- posted by Audrey @ 9:49 PM |

 
NAKED PEOPLE AND GORILLAS
One time when I was reading in the Bender Room, a bunch of naked people filed through one door and out another without saying a word. And it was just another day in the Bing Wing.

Last Friday during a lecture in TCSeq200, two people dressed in full-out gorilla costumes calmly walked down the steps to the front of the auditorium, handed a few bananas to Professor Sapolsky, then cruised out the main doors. And it was just another day of classes.

Man, I'm gonna miss this place.
- posted by - @ 11:23 PM |

 
Random ThingsThatMightPassAsThoughtsIfYourVisionsBadAs...

Nevermind. I am accused of posting inane, unworthy of two seconds (much less two cents) sorts of blogs.
Come, now. "blog" Does that speak to you of profundity?

At any rate, the late hours make the mind explore new depths...all in an attempt to deny the reality that for some dumb reason, it's awake at 5 am. Creativity and late night meditation take procrastination to a whole new level.

I went to the LA Times website. The headlines were such as "Blasts at 3 Iraqi Police Stations Leave 30 Dead," "Case on Terror Captives Heard," Bush policies, and the like. What do I click on? The restaurant reviews. If I were my sister, I'd click on the Laker's game. All of which is to say, I don't care what goes on in the world. Really. And if I don't care, how can I really pray for it?

I remember once, a friend said to go to the CNN site because of some unbelievable news story.
Rather than the terrorist bombing of THAT day...

Turns out they meant the "Woman bitten by own dog" story.

Kinda sad. This is our world, you know? We overlook the true pain and such, in favor of something we can manage, something more palatable, something merely amusing. God...must really be disappointed in us.

Here, then, is the question.

Is it more valid to care without believing in God, or to care only because you believe in God?

Because, really, He's the only reason I would. Otherwise, it's on the other side of the sea. I don't see images, I don't know of deaths, I'm cold, logical, self serving. Otherwise, I won't deal with it until I have to.

It's like, one way you're sincere, but useless. The other way, you're detached and i dunno...somehow less sincere...?

Sigh.

Otherwise, I really really really wouldn't care about this dumb model engine either.



- posted by Audrey @ 5:22 AM |

 
RANDOM ADVICE
Time to pass on some advice. Just some random thoughts I wish I had known earlier.

For the hardcore crazies: Do not make the mistake of living in the library. I did this junior year and I regret it. If you have to study, mix it up by going to the bookstore, a cafe, or maybe even your room. Also, exercise drastically improves your efficiency. Go running or lift weights.

Take advantage of Lake Tahoe's proximity and go snowboarding often. There is probably no other place in the world with such a high concentration of mountain resorts and it's only 3.5 hours away. I wish I had discovered it sooner.

Buy a camera and use it. I have zero pictures from freshman year.

Rely on God's strength alone. The times I tried to carry myself, I failed miserably. The times I just surrendered, fell on my knees and cried out for the Lord's help, he delivered.
- posted by - @ 11:31 AM |

 
I thought it would be kinda a shame to let this blog go a whoooole week with nary a post...
it would be, wouldn't it? it seems the trend is thoughtful, positive posts. i shall be a bandwagon jumper onner and follow suit. for what reason i really can't say though...

so, senior class, how do i love thee? let me count the ways...

haha, or NOT. ;)

the weather is chilly these days...


- posted by Audrey @ 11:28 PM |

 
bowling was fun! we should do stuff like that more often :) what a great time ... and it was nice getting to know the berkeley folks. that david guy is hilarious. thanks to juds and blung for setting that stuff up
- posted by pkchen @ 1:25 AM |

 
clearly my brain is still functioning.

what kind of an inferior noise is "wuahhh??"
it is like...the song of a strangled anime character falling down a never ending well.

or something.

besides. it's not even one o' the clock.

if it were one am, well, then we might discuss the premature termination of my neurons.
but alas pat, that time is not now...
- posted by Audrey @ 12:58 AM |

 
um. audball is here in lab with me and i think her brain stopped working... wuahhhh
- posted by pkchen @ 12:55 AM |

 
dude. so i dunno about this "nostalgia factor" alice cho speaks of.
cold people the lot of you.
nothing to blog
nothing to say

boooooooooooring.
what is there to chill and grill about?
we should just take the time and STUDY.

because that is ALL WE DO.
grumble.
HRMPH!!
- posted by Audrey @ 12:52 AM |

 
Woohoo, I'm the first to post after Spring Retreat!

Wow, what an amazing past two days. A wonderful time of retreating from school and reconnecting with God.

Besides some really engaging discussions and messages, I had a ton of fun with everyone else. Some of the best times were playing Mafia, during which I was twice citizen, once cop, and once angel. I had a great time, despite being referred to as "the cockroach that survived a nuclear holocaust," and that was then "crushed by a heel." :P And I don't think I'll ever be able to trust Susie again in this game. She's so good, it's terrifying.

Also, wasn't it tremendously fun returning the love that the GameMasters showed us in the great relay race? All I can say is SWEET JUSTICE. Gosh, they should have seen it coming...muahahaha. Many thanks to Pat, Audrey, Danny, Annie, and Mary for some great times! By the way, I personally thought the whipped cream look was quite flattering on them; too bad they didn't agree.

Alrighty, it's late and we're also losing an hour tonight. Darn Daylight Savings!
- posted by Bryan @ 1:12 AM |