"Race"

I know I promised to do emotions next but something more pressing came to light whilst on my travels in Bowling Green. With the resolution of the Ferguson case still in more than recent memory I've seen far to many post on Facebook that have to do with race coming up that it is enough to be annoying. Why though is it annoying? It is very simple actually the more we focus on things like black skinned, or white skinned the more power that we are giving to this preconceived notion of race. What I mean is race is a made up concept to give one type of people power over another. The more we talk about white and black the more it reinforces race in our culture. Let me give some examples that might help clarify what I mean. I saw this particular post on Facebook earlier this week.
"I hear many people say that America doesn't have a race problem, or at least "I'm not racist!"

But, then I start thinking- Am I an ally? What percentage of my FB friends are non-white? The numbers in my phone? When is the last time I had a person of color over for dinner? When was the last time I was invited to a person of color's house for dinner? Would I consider adopting a child of color? A teen? How would I respond to my child dating or marrying someone of color? Do I encourage friendships of color in my children? (I don't discourage it- but do I encourage it?)

I think I can count on one hand the people of color I have had over for dinner this year.

Plenty for me to work on. Plenty."

At first glance this post seems totally legit, What could Cory have an issue with? Before I give you my issue let me first ask, "Why the hell does it matter how many 'colored' friends you have on facebook, or how many you've had over for dinner?" Oh wait it doesn't the fact that this particular person is raising a question on what the color of a persons skin is pointless, it shouldn't matter. Like who cares if you have 'colored' friends on Facebook, just because you don't have a lot doesn't make you racist, but the fact you bring it up is only giving power to the idea of race. IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!!!! Stop trying to treat people of 'color' equally and start treating "ALL PEOPLE EQUALLY" STOP FOCUSING ON SKIN COLOR AND START FOCUSING ON THE FACT THAT THEY ARE PEOPLE. Like I get trying to treat people equally is a totally good thing, but don't treat them equally cause they are black, treat them equally cause they are FUCKING PEOPLE!

Now this whole Ferguson deal the bullshit that really reinforced the way I've been thinking was something a friend posted. Totally with good intentions but still it really annoyed me because they were focusing on the wrong thing.

Who the fuck cares if the guy he shot is 'black' the mother fucker shot a person. he became a millionaire for killing a young man!!! like it is a travesty, but not because he is black but because he is human. I'm all for equality but focusing on a made up concept about what makes us "different" is the wrong way. Let's instead focus on what is the same, like I don't but the fact that WE'RE ALL FUCKING HUMANS sounds like a good place to start.

I hope that this makes sense. I'm not trying to be a dick, but I hope what I'm saying makes sense. Stop using "race" as a rally cry, and start using the fact that we're humans being treated unjustly as a rally cry,

Journal #1 Spirituality

I was inspired by a dear friend of mine to start blogging again so here goes. Disclaimer though I may go on many a tangent throughout this, because my mind doesn't know what I want to talk about just yet.
To Start, I have gone through so many changes in the past year, Spiritually, and emotionally.

SPIRITUALLY: I don't even know where to began, A year ago I was so on fire for Jesus! I wanted nothing more than to serve The Son and The Father. I wanted to travel the world and spread the Love of Christ. I was reading the Bible everyday and expressing my love of Christ to everyone I met. I was so happy to meet new people and learn about them and care about them  truly It was a high point in my life! I absolutely loved going to church being a part of THE church, Singing Praises to the Almighty OMG Literally one of the best feelings I've had. I even lived with a pastor and his family It was so great, they inspired me in ways I couldn't have imagined. Even their Children inspired me and I saw that beauty that Christ has to offer. But then... I moved back to Bowling Green, and while I was still on fire, While I was Reading and thinking, I realized that I just couldn't love the God of the Bible. He just doesn't appeal to me anymore, I know the arguments for why one should believe in the God of the bible, and why one shouldn't, and for me right now that god isn't for me. I don't agree with a whole lot of what God has done and a whole lot of what is mentioned in the Bible. He just doesn't give me the "fix" I was looking for or even am looking for. Which leaves a large question, what do I believe?
I believe in the power of Love
I believe in the power of Nature
I believe in the power of People
I believe in the power of Hope
I believe in the power of Belief
There doesn't need to be a being that encompasses all of these things. I can believe and practice the love and belief of these things without having to worship someone or something! I had a conversation with my brother  It went a little something like this "You're not Christian anymore?" "no" "Atheist?" "No" "What are you then?" "Do I have to 'be' Anything?" "No I suppose not".
And I think that was a huge thing! People are trying to "be" something whether it is Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, hell or even Agnostic. Like Dammit people If you're going to "be" anything be yourself! Like its totally cool if you're a Christian, or a Buddhist or whatever, I don't care, but don't force it! Nobody should feel like they have to "be" anything or anyone. Believe or don't Believe but please don't feel like you have to believe anything, and that is one of my biggest issues with the way I see Christianity portrayed, They act like it is do or don't LIVE or DIE, There is no middle range, which I just cannot live with. That some of my best friends are condemned because they don't sweat fealty? It's Bullshit. Which is why I have strayed away from that path and am where I am right now.

Next time on Captain Cory's Blog of Truth and Awesomeness
Emotions....
Shit is going to get deep.

Risk

So I’m new to this whole Blog dealio but here goes. Just a warning this isn’t a sit down and read blog, if you are feeling safe after reading this, let me know, I am hoping to challenge those of you that are reading this as I have been recently challenged by who I am assuming has been God.

            I have a radical idea and am unsure if it is stupid or remarkable. AS people of Christ we are supposed to forgive those who trespass against us. Which is tough enough to do with a living people that wrong us, But what would it look like if forgiveness extended and surpassed humans and extended to Demons and Satan Himself and to forgive him. And whether or not he accepts the forgiveness love is being extended even to the “Unlovable of Unlovables”  But Is this thought of mine just a silly fantasy or a radical reality?

            So then what does this mean for us? I hate Bad theology with a passion, and I really hope that this idea of forgiveness isn’t one of those bad theology instances. When people Talk about “Safe Jesus” or when they think that Church on Sunday is enough, or that because they have Christian radio on it is enough or that they occasionally open up their Bible it is nice. BUT IT ISN’T!!!! Jesus isn’t safe he is dangerous and Risky and wants us to be challenged. And if you think that you have brownie points with God because you do some of the above things. If you aren’t laughing with people,  and crying with people and loving with people, and rejoicing with people and living with people, I honestly think you have it wrong. If you think that Life is safe, that it is all about jolly good fun and feel good music and Mega churches, there is so much more to learn

            Example: I work at a gas station in Bowling Green Ohio, so very often I ask people how their days are, they tell answer, and sometimes they ask me how I am doing. Today when people asked me how I was doing I said reluctantly….”living” and I was realizing slowly that I was lying to my customers. I wasn’t living and I was in fact just living in sorrow and remorse. I wasn’t truly living with people, and I wasn’t helping change the world. My heart is breaking for change and I am doing so little to help move change. Another conversation at work that struck me hard was one with a lady whom I said I’d be praying for. And she Asked me to be truthful and honest about how my day was going. And I told her that I felt like my heart was breaking for the world and the people in it. And she told me that she understood but wanted somebody else to show her that change was possible. Which obviously begs, the question Do we want someone else to show us change and to start change before we even believe change is possible?

            Change is coming whether or not we lead the charge, or we wait for someone else to charge ahead of us. The time is coming where we will bring joy in place of tears, olive oil in place of sadness, and will rescue the captives. (Isaiah  64 check it out it is awesome the prophecy that Isaiah predicts is coming soon!!!) The time for us to live with people and love with people is NOW!!! But will you allow God to change your life and to lead this change in your life? Will you answer the call and live and laugh and cry and LOVE with people? Will you allow God to help you go out of your comfort zone, be challenged, and meet people where they are?

Just some thoughts, about my struggle and what I hope I can change or allow God to change using me. After all anything that happens is thanks to God and not on our own.