Musical Jews

The following thought is completely unrelated to the subject of Jews, but I just want to throw it in.  I wonder if sporting events qualify as religious experiences.  I went to a Saint's game in Dallas and I have NEVER heard more "Please God"s, more "Goddammit"s, or more "Lord/Jesus"s at any church in all my life.  I didn't find or feel closer to God on that day, but in fairness, I didn't when I went to Jewish Temple either.  Mostly for the same reason:  I don't understand football, and I don't understand a word of Hebrew.


That said, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at temple.  Everything I know of Jewish practices and services could hardly fill a yarmulke, but what I didn't know made it, well, FUN.  Speaking of yarmulke (the little contact-lens shaped hat worn by the males), this one kid at temple had one that was disguised as an actual baseball.  Awesome!  It seems like the equivalent of a Muslim woman's hi jab being airbrushed to look like a mess of hair.  But maybe I'm reading too much into it.  Hip head coverings. Tee hee. 


But seriously, what was so enjoyable about that service was that nearly the whole thing was conducted in prayer songs.  Albeit, prayer songs I didn't understand.  I was obviously extremely overcome with awe that everyone, even the younger children, knew how to pronounce all these words I've never seen with letter patterns that were totally foreign and knew the medley to songs that seemed to have no medley.  And the rabbi played GUITAR the whole time!!! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love live music, especially of an acoustic nature so I was having a ball.  The only problem is that I had absolutely no emotional connection to the service whereas with the other services I've attended I felt a range of emotions (peace, sadness, love, etc). 


I had an interesting conversation with my Jewish friend about this and she actually agreed.  She said they all know the words because they are taught to memorize them when they're very young, but they have no idea what they're actually saying or praying for.  From an academic/sociological/theological perspective, I'm very curious to learn more about their faith and worship. I wouldn't mind going back to another service, but let's face it.  I'll never be a Jew.  My momma is a Cajun and being denied Jewship even once would hurt my feelings and I wouldn't go back.  However, I hope to have more experiences like this.  It was part of my journey and also a clear reminder that there are so many different faiths that one person holds on to just as passionately and dearly as the next.  What will it be like when I find mine?

Liar Liar

First off, I feel terrible for not posting in so long.  In truth, I've only been to two services since my last post.  Which brings us to the lesson learned in one of them:  stop freaking lying so much.  The church that taught me this innovative lesson was none other than the JW's.  I have made repeat visits to their Kingdom Hall for a couple of reasons:  Reason 1-  My mother is elated when I go.  Almost as happy as if it was also time for God's kingdom.  Reason 2- When I go home to visit said mother, she practically forces me to go and bribes me with dinner at Pizza Hut.  I'm starting to suspect that a trip to Pizza Hut is HER incentive.

Anyway, the lecture was basically about being the type of Christian that others want to be around.  It was pointed out that no one wants to be around a lying Christian.  Of course, until I have faith I apply the message to humanity at large,  not just the Christian variety.  But the truth about me was the same either way.  I'm a regular Pinocchio!  Like... whilst lying I can actually smell the seat of my pants burning.  Awww man.  That sucks to say, but it's true.

I was discussing this revelation and dilemma with my best friend and we decided that I probably lie so much because I'm non-confrontational and a coward (I added that part. I seem to have no problem telling the truth about myself).  Lying is just so much easier than telling the truth.  The truth hurts feelings and I HATE doing that.  I've lied the most to turn down dates, invitations, and to people who have already come up with their own truth and are really just looking for affirmation. Who am I to deny affirmation?! Here are some scenarios of my lie vs. what the truth would have been.

You get the idea.  So obviously I can appreciate that I don't have to tell the complete truth.  I don't know.  I find that when I tell a gentle, toned down truth people don't understand what I'm saying and keeping pressing me and trying to talk me in to things.  Or they'll keep prying for reasons and stuff.  So I lie.  In any case, I really do need to start being more truthful.  Maybe this is why God won't meet with me.  That God is a stubborn God.  Then again, I guess he has oodles of time and is not pressured in the slightest by my whining.  Either way, I will start incorporating more honesty into my daily life so that I can live a better life, be a better person, and (should I ever accept Jesus as my personal lord and savior) Christian.