"The real danger for professing believers lies not in the more glaring and grosser temptations and sins, but in a slow deterioration of vision, a slow death to daring, courage and a willingness to adventure." - J.B. Phillips

Among the post-college twenty-something Christians that I know, there are several top recurring issues and struggles we tend to face. These include finding a mate or life partner, career direction (or more likely, lack thereof) and understanding or finding the meaning or purpose of our lives (and yes, those issues tend to be wrapped up together.)

Another one I've noticed and discovered upon talking with my peers is the sense of loss of spirituality/faith from our college years - or at the very least, a noticeable reduction in our passion and commitment - and the disappointment or angst that tends to result from that sense of loss. I say "sense of loss" because it's entirely possible that some of us never had that spirituality or faith in the first place. Or at least, that's what it may seem to us now that we look back and wonder - was it real? Was it just a product of my idealism and my environment?

I remember a speaker one time asking the audience - are you a thermostat or a thermometer? That is, do you actively make the change around you, or do you passively accept and become like those around you and adopt their values and goals, for good or bad?

It seems, more often than not, that we are the themometers. Some of those changes are minor and innocent, and perhaps only external. For instance, a friend that begins work at a retail clothing store or as a hairstylist begins to sport new fashionable and trendy outfits or hairdos. Other changes are more severe and detrimental, and tend to be internal. Obsession with our own "advancement", whatever that may mean. The way we view the world and our place in it. Cynicism, materialism, greed.

I'm rather ambivalent about the changes I've detected in myself. Not all of them have been bad. But I do suffer from the sense of loss of faith. And there are moments of despair as I realize that I'm powerless to change myself for the better. And while I believe that God can change me, I'm afraid that I won't cooperate with him. That, instead, my rebelliousness (in the form of apathy, lack of discipline, lack of hope) will be what overcomes.

God help our generation.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jason and I enjoyed hotpot with my mentor/employer and her family and friends. Although I miss being with my own family at this time, the people congestion everywhere has made me a firm believer in staying put for the Thanksgiving weekend. Plus, it's neat to hang out with other families on this holiday (and eat their good food.) And, their kids are too adorable. (Lauren is 6 and Luke is 6 mos. The friends' kids - Sophie is turning 3 and Talia is about 1.5. Seriously, they are darlings.)

And we played some Karoake Revolution game on the XBox. It's like Dance Dance Revolution, except it's with singing! Very entertaining. After much cajoling and teeth-pulling, I finally stepped up to the plate and busted out "Killing Me Softly." And that was a wrap!

Today, we are going to take a very spontaneous trip to Vancouver, BC - every now and then we need a change of scenery for eating and studying.

The weekend is a blur. Too many photographers, too little time.

I'm heading home to Socal for the long weekend. Hope to see some of you then!

Mark my words. The Incredibles is going to be a major hit... no, no - BLOCKBUSTER. It's refreshing, hilariously funny, witty, perceptive, clean, rollicking fun - in short, INCREDIBLE. (Not to mention that it celebrates family unity and saving the world. Finally!) Go see for yourself. I'll go again with you.

“Sacrifice yourself for once for God’s will. It will not be in vain. Sacrifice yourself for truth, for justice. Sacrifice yourself for once against all human sense for something that is truly good. Sacrifice yourself for Christ in all things, and seek the kingdom of God. There is great strength in this… Stand for something: then your joy will be unbroken and lasting.”- C.F. Blumhardt in “Joy in the Lord”

Check out that astounding vertical! (See photos below. New York, NY; courtesy of action photographer, Bev.)

Go! 

Ready, set... 

Have you voted yet? If you're voting via absentee ballot, I'd recommend dropping it into the mail the day before (that's today, Monday 11/1/04). It needs to be postmarked by Tuesday, but just in case there is no mail pickup on Tuesday.... better safe than sorry.

I voted by completing my absentee ballot (bubbled in with PEN, according to the directions) and it's sealed and ready to be mailed. I did it, alas, albeit with imperfect information and an imperfect understanding of the issues and candidates. But I gave it my best shot and voted with my conscience.

What a wild ride the next couple of days (or weeks?) may be! May God's will be done.