What's the Greek Word for Frustration

I haven't had a word of the day in a long time, but today I do. It's 'Frustrated'.

I know that I'm smart and have earned a place here. I know that sounds somewhat conceited, but that's what I have to keep telling myself. For example, today I was sitting in a class talking about Biblical interpretation and the future of the church. I felt like I had something to add to the conversation but I never spoke up. Why? Part of it is just that I'm shy and constantly underestimate myself. But today it was because I feel like a light-weight around here. I don't know the local buzz words or the Greek language. My mind doesn't work as fast as others and by the time I have something to add the moment has passed by. I want to have good conversations but it's been hard for me to do that in a class setting. (For Rach...it's kinda like sitting in Mrs. B's class trying desperately to earn conversation points only to be drowned out by that girl across the room. Not exactly, but it's what comes to mind right now.)

I'm not going to give up and I'm working to change things, but that doesn't negate the fact that today I'm just frustrated.

The Latest Fad

It's official. I've seen it twice in two days. Apparently, all the cool kids are traveling around with their desktops. Laptops are so a thing of the past.
For those that don't know, I work in a coffee shop in New Orleans. I went to wipe down the tables the other day and I saw it for the first time. Some guy had brought his entire home computer into the shop and set it up. Now, I'm in the library (obviously trying to avoid work) and another guy just did the same thing at a study table.
Dust off that old Dell you never thought you could take out in public again. The age of the desktop is back :)

Top Three Tuesday

I finally found three things I like in New Orleans...

1. Creole Creamery. All I have to say about this place is "red velvet cake ice cream." What could be better?

2. City Park. I remember City Park from a trip a made to New Orleans in college for an honors conference, but it was cool to see it again. Plus, the art museum located there is free to anyone who lives in Louisiana. After going to Creole Creamery three times, free is good for my wallet :)

3. Mulate's Cajun Restaurant. A couple Fridays ago I went here with a bunch of friends to experience great Cajun food and the restaurant's Zydeco band. My favorite part of the night was when I became a certified Cajun dancer. There was a sweet old man who worked for the restaurant that danced with every female that was willing. After finishing a dance, he gave out a card certifying a Cajun dancing ability. Pretty awesome.


Toodles!

The "Postmodern Crisis"

Here's what's been going on inside my head lately...I was sitting in class on Friday and one of my classmates was presenting on Rabbinic hermeneutics. I don't remember exactly what he was talking about, but I do remember hearing that we could take some pointers from the ancients about how to deal with the "postmodern crisis" that we're dealing with today. Most of my classmates gave knowing nods while my first thought was "Nobody told me that we were having a crisis. Is postmodernism spinning out of control and destroying humanity?"

After a few brief seconds of snide sarcasm in my head, I was actually saddened. While I'm sure my classmate is a great person, he's setting himself up for potential failure in ministry. He sees the present (in the Northeast and West) and future (in the South) mindset of people in the United States as an obstacle to be overcome and corrected instead of a reality that can be worked with for the glory of God.

My main point is this. The message of Jesus has never been in peril. God knew postmodernism was coming and has a plan to engage people in new ways. The question is: are we going to fight against the "crisis" (and lose the respect and attention of many in the process) or are we going to pay attention to our surroundings and see where God is at work?