This is the way.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

My husband and I started watching ‘The Mandalorian’ at the start of quarantine. If you don’t know much about the series, it follows the Star Wars genera and is about a sect of people called “The Mandalorians.” The Mandalorians are people who wear a very specific type of armor and are generally contracted bounty hunters. They have a code that each Mandalorian is to follow and one of the rules is that they are to never show their face. Whenever asked to take off their armor or why they do things the way they do, a Mandalorian’s response is always; “This is the way.”  

I wonder if the writers of the Mandalorian knew what 2020 had in store. I imagine that this series might help children feel safe and empowered behind masks. I have to admit that I hate masks, in fact I would rather get Covid for two weeks at its worst than to have to use a mask for the next year. The mask for me has caused discomfort, difficulty breathing, anxiety, and even facial irritation, and that is just on a personal level. Externally, it seems that in the past ten months we have been dehumanizing one another, name calling and lumping everyone into groups of “selfish,” “reckless,” or “self righteous”. The masks have become more of a symbol for individuals to identify where they stand in this pandemic as opposed to a simple aid in preventing the spread of a virus. Masks have become a dividing line for many, and perhaps given confidence to others to fight battles they otherwise wouldn’t fight. For me the mask represents oppression, I would shut up and deal with it if the statistics made sense and showed that they were in fact preventing the spread. Instead, the mask has become a power trip, a moral high ground, an anxiety inducer, and an obligatory pain in the butt for so many. This is the way.  

mask on during preaching

This past Sunday was the first time our church gathered (legally) since last March. My husband had to sign an agreement with the government of Argentina back in March. The agreement basically stated that he had been informed of the new laws and that the church could be fined and shut down should they fail to comply with the laws (holding worship was against the law at the time). The laws are constantly changing and as of recent we have been allowed to reopen the church under certain limitations. There are several rules in place including; no more than 10 people in the church, the windows must be open, there must be a towel on the floor covered in bleach at the entrance, and accessible hand sanitizer. In addition, everyone must practice social distancing, and wear a mask (even the pastor, at all times). I expected this day to be a day of rejoicing as the body of Christ reunited and joined together under one head. Instead, it was rushed, due to a law mandating we allow 30 minutes of vacancy in the church between activities. I was going to take a stand and not go to worship since I didn't want to worship with a mask on but I recalled a valid point stating; "If you have an excuse for not going to church, you probably weren't going for the right reasons in the first place." I felt out of breath saying the Lord’s prayer and creed behind a mask, my mouth and skin have been breaking out which makes it even more uncomfortable. We are getting into summer so we are all uncomfortably sweating behind our masks. What should be a time focusing on the Word of God and a time to boldly confess Christ and the many and various ways He has and continues to care for us, has become a pageantry of “who wears it best” or rather; who is most faithful to God and government? The pastor is difficult to hear as the members fidget with their masks. We no longer see each other unveiled but hidden behind masks. The mask for me is representative of a law that has held back worshipers from enjoying hymns of praise without baited breath and to hear the word of God without strained and labored ears.  

After the worship I did as I have been doing for most of the pandemic, I put on my home congregation’s  worship service and I cleaned my kitchen. As each hymn I knew was played on the organ I sang at the top of my lungs unencumbered by the unsanitary, and ungodly piece of cloth I am required to wear in public but not in crowded restaurants. I sang as if the words we were singing should usher in the second coming of Christ. I sang as if by singing with God’s people our healing was being imposed upon us with far greater welcome than the imposition of all the laws put before us. I sang, remembering that we await a better country, that this is not all that there is. We sing together even though we are far apart recalling that one day, laws, borders, and governments shall be destroyed and we will live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness forever. 

Come quickly, King of kings!

The King shall come when morning dawns and light triumphant breaks, When beauty gilds the eastern hills and life to joy awakes.

Not as of old a little child, to bear and fight and die, but crowned with glory like the sun that lights the  morning sky. 

Oh brighter than the rising morn when Christ, victorious, rose and left the lonesome place of death despite the rage of foes. 

Oh brighter than that glorious morn shall dawn upon our race the day when Christ in splendor comes and we shall see His face.

The king shall come when morning dawns and light and beauty brings. Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray: Come quickly, King of kings!

LSB 348

Cuties in the Middle

 My father used to tell me “There are always two sides to a story and somewhere in the middle is truth.” Do you remember the film “Precious?” To refresh your memory it was a film that came out in 2009. The synopsis of the film from the IMDB is as follows; “In New York City's Harlem circa 1987, an overweight,abused, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.”

I remember there being a viewing party for Precious in David commons when I was studying at CUNE. I remember thinking and feeling jolted for the content of the film. I watched “Cuties” last night, probably because many are yelling in indignation about the film. When I hear “Don’t do that” I automatically have to do it. I must say, I didn’t feel as jolted for the the content of Cuties as I did for Precious or for other films that were supposed to be for entertainment. 

I understand if as a Christian we believe it is our duty to bash potentially corrosive materials for the edification and the raising up of morals within society. After all, we are called to lift each other up with Pslams and hymns of praise. I would however encourage you to investigate what you are knocking down and examine yourself before judging something based only on what you have heard and not what you know.

Consider the book; “Reviving Ophelia- Saving the selves of adolescent girls.” American clinical psychologist; Mary Pipher wrote a book in 1994 including case studies of adolescent girls she would seein her office. In 2019 a new edition was released celebrating the 25th anniversary of her book (I would encourage you to read the interview for that book put out by NPR as it is very informative: (https://www.npr.org/2019/06/30/737478316/reviving-ophelia-turns-25). Mary Pipher brought to light the very things director and screen writer Maïmouna Doucouré was trying to bring to light in her movie “Cuties.” Yes, that is correct! The director and screen writer wasn’t some cheese puff stained pervert who gets off watching 10 year old girls twerking. The film was written and directed by a Senegalese woman raised in France. I would also encourage you to read her opinion piece put out by the Washington Post: ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cuties-director-maimouna-doucoure-why-i-made-the-film/2020/09/15/7e0ee406-f78b-11ea-a275-1a2c2d36e1f1_story.html). 

In her opinion piece for the Post, Maïmouna Doucouré mentions that she was trying to address an issue in society that she hoped would stimulate a discussion and not be knocked down by a “cancel culture” mentality. She handled the film being careful and mindful of the young actresses even hiring psychologists to be on site to care for any needs of the crew. I would argue that Cuties is nothing more than a more contemporary investigation of what our young girls are being exposed to. It does not glorify young girls having sex and becoming sex idols. 

Things to consider before adopting a “Cancel culture” position on Cuties:

Know the culture- I recall while living abroad, seeing 3 year old children dancing quite suggestively. The parents laughed and made videos of the spectacle to share with friends. The children were mimicking what they saw in their culture without understanding. That is clearly depicted in the film. In addition for a French film, Cuties is quite clean (for a French film mind you). 

Know yourself- Why even bring this junk to light and watch an hour and half of some girls life falling apart at only 10? Because we live in a culture that needs to be entertained and chances are you wouldn’t watch a documentary. Do you enjoy Game of Thrones, Outlander, Weeds, Breaking Bad, Umbrella Academy or almost anything on Netflix these days? There are far more corrosive shows and films that we watch that disguise “grooming” as entertainment. I don’t know about you but I have to put limits on what I watch if I want to sleep well at night. My everyday life fills my head with enough things to fill my dreams with. Are you against the film? If so, is it based on facts and truths reflected in your personal life? 

Know the agenda by knowing the source:  (Netflix wasn’t the creator of this film even though they are responsible for streaming and presenting a lot of junk). The film takes place in France where there are different expectations and standards of public exposer (Think of all the historical art that everyone is exposed to on a daily basis). The film was born as a response to young girls dancing inappropriately in public and being objectified. The project was approved by the French government’s child protection authorities as it addressed a cultural issue, it was not a film to promote the behavior among young. This film did what it was supposed to in France, what makes the States different?   

I have to admit that I found the film interesting, not as entertainment but informative. There were the disturbing scenes that you have probably heard about where a 10 year old girl objectifies herself and tries to use her undiscovered sexuality to solve her life problems however, it is not glorified like you might think. Those disturbing scenes come with shame and disgust that is communicated in the responses of the other actors. It is depicted in all its brokenness and awkwardness of a prepubescent tween unwittingly mimicking what she sees in society. It isn’t as uplifting and cute as Troop Zero, but it touches on the real issues addressed in Reviving Ophelia. The film is depicting where grooming is coming from, I wouldn’t say it is the one doing the grooming.

I’m not advising you to go and watch this film, in fact I would encourage you to abstain especially if you don’t want to think about the way society and culture creeps in and robs children of their innocence. I certainly would not allow children to see it and I think the director of the film would agree. I am encouraging you to seek the middle by being informed. I am also encouraging my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to remember what we are called to and what that means for how we interact with worldly things. Sometimes we cast down people who are fighting with us because we don’t understand their methods or the platform from which they stand. At the end of the day, as a Christian, I try to err on the side of edifying others with Biblical truth, however I know I have and do fail on a daily basis. Look up Colossians 3 or Ephesians 5 for meditation. 

Colossians 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Alleluia's in Lent II (Never Forsaken)

It feels like fall here. My grandpa died in the fall of 2016 and my grandma died this past Monday. In my mind, they both died in the fall. Grandpa in September (fall in the States) and Grandma in March (fall in Argentina). My grandma was a God fearing woman and I know she is with her Lord. My heart does not mourn the victory she has gained in her death; she lived a long full life. My heart is heavy because I said goodbye to my baby on Monday as well. The day started with a loss and ended with a loss. We were ten weeks pregnant and looking forward to delivering this baby in what would have been fall in the States; spring in Argentina. I can get pretty lost in time here in Argentina. I have to remind myself what month we are in and the weather often betrays me. We are hot in December and cold in July. I suppose my baby was a little confused too and didn’t realize that it was supposed to wait until it would be fall in the states, not in Argentina. 

I was excited about our timeline. I was already anticipating bringing our family back to the states in October to celebrate Octoberfest, halloween, my sister’s birthday and the new baby’s first birthday. I was getting the house ready to fit one more tiny human. I was planning how to tell family and friends. I was not anticipating another miscarriage, especially with every day of progress. It is such a cruel thing to loose a child in the first trimester especially when all the symptoms of early pregnancy are the worst and we endure and push through with the hope of holding a child at the end. My timeline for the next seven months was all set. It is hard to believe that God had a different timeline that includes my suffering. It is hard to believe because I don’t believe that He does that, His timeline is not so sadistic. I have to believe that my suffering will one day give birth to joy even if I can’t see it now.  

I’m no better at this than I was with my first miscarriage. I don’t really even feel any wiser. A great difference between my first miscarriage and this one is that I feel more supported this time. It can be hard to reach out and tell people what is going on when you know that the road to joy could take a sharp left and leave you at a dead end of grief. Yesterday a missionary friend checked up on me regularly all day. Last night I cried with my parents, my aunt, and my sister. This morning I found messages from my brother and sister-in-law. My husband held me, and my daughter wiped away my tears and told me not to cry. I hugged my sweet little girl and remembered God’s mercy in the midst of my last miscarriage and the joy He gave us in our sweet little Evangelina. I recall His promises and His faithfulness and I feel peace. My soul still mourns and magnifies the Lord at the same time.  My spirit longs for restoration and rejoices in God my Savior. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! 

Revelation 21:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Picture of my mom caring for her mom in her last days (because I don't have any pictures of the baby)