The Marvel of Tomatoes

I am pretty proud of myself. I just ate nachos with tomatoes. That’s a major accomplishment, which demonstrates my soaring maturity levels as the big 3-0 looms alarmingly near. It helps, though, that I was ultra-hungry and ultra-in-a-hurry. Still, I choose to think I’m achieving adult status.

Has anyone else ever noticed that tomatoes taste like apples? Maybe it’s just that they’re red. Or maybe it was the beans and nacho cheese.

Either way I think I’ve just had a major revelation that I like tommy toes after all. I found a page dedicated to the marvels of the fruit/vegetable(?) Turns out the tomato was known in the 19th century as the “love apple” so my apple diagnosis was not far off.

Here’s my new slogan for my new tomato promotion campaign:

Tomatoes: more than just a reason to laugh at Dan Quayle...

Oh wait. That was potatoes. Never mind. At least it prompted me to do a “where are they now” search on Dan Quayle. FYI – he’s in the private sector making lots of public appearances and graduation speeches these days. Eating lots of tomatoes, too, I hope.

Amen, Oprah... or Not?

I recently mentioned/questioned if there is anyone who is not fascinated by Oprah. With her personal triumph of rising from obscurity to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in the world, it's hard not to take notice, even if not necessarily a view of admiration.

Imagine my surprise, then, when today I discovered a USAToday article examining Winfrey's impact on her follower's spirituality.

Saint Oprah?
The premise of the article is that both Oprah's household name status and her message of self-improvement, introspection, and the eerily Olsteenish "live your best life" theme equal spiritual sermonizing. The article adds:

"In a November poll conducted at Beliefnet.com, a site that looks at how religions and spirituality intersect with popular culture, 33% of 6,600 respondents said Winfrey has had 'a more profound impact' on their spiritual lives than their clergypersons."

Should Christians be horrified? Or is it just a reality to be expected from our hero/icon worship culture?

Do We Hate Her?
Some Christians really are horrified. Stacy Harp, a Christian media blogger, is pretty upset about the issue. Her vehement attack almost makes me feel guilty for calling myself a Christian but yet not sending Oprah hate mail and burning effigies. But I just can't hate Oprah. I'm sure some of her positions are New Age-ish (though I'm not sure I know what that means--the term seems outdated, or is it just me?). But if easily swayed hero-seeking viewers latch on, it's not Oprah's fault... or is it? Should I lump Oprah in the same category as Ellen and the gang seeking to advance a non-Christian agenda through their mass media monopolies?

The "This Little Light" Concept
Ultimately, the article is further proof that we each have a spiritual affect on the people around us, whether we mean to or not. You are always a witness. It's just up to you whether or not you are a good witness.

High Wattage Bulb

"With 49 million viewers each week in the USA and more in the 122 other countries to which the show is distributed, Winfrey reaches more people in a TV day than most preachers can hope to reach in a lifetime of sermons."

Seeing that Oprah affects the spiritual decisions of people without even overtly trying reminds me that people of great influence have that much stronger of an impact on their circle. It should encourage us to develop ourselves as much as we can so our influence can be both extended and felt that much stonger by the people around us.

Cast Your Vote Now
Now admit it.... do you watch Oprah?

Sen. Hilary: Do Young People Hate to Work?

Sen. Hilary Clinton in hot water? Well, lukewarm may be more like it. Recently at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Senator criticized the work ethic of American youth.

I Owe, I Owe...
Chelsea complained, and Sen. Clinton apologized to her and then made public the incident while speaking at Long Island University's graduation. Her original point was that America's instant gratification climate has created a resentment toward work among younger generations. But after talking with Chelsea, she reversed her stance.

So Off to Work I Go
For once I am not sure where I stand in regards to the junior Senator's position. First, there is the "spoiled Americans" syndrome to contend with. Think of the many times you've been flooded with guilt over our materialistic culture when staring at the huts in the missionary slide shows. Then there is the "these kids today" argument. Who hasn't been subjected to a senior family member's "when I was your age..." speech lamenting the ease of life for youth today compared to the plight of said family member many moons ago?

Sen. Clinton's original point may in fact be valid. Do we (young Americans) hate working? Are we spoiled because of our American culture?

I'll think about it while I'm at work.

Happy Mother's Day

As Mother's Day draws to a close, I send belated wishes and thanks to all the Moms among us. On this day I always think of Jochebed, Moses' mother. You really have to a dig to find her name. But her courage saved her son's life and, in turn, impacted all of Biblical history.

I am thankful for women of courage today who make great sacrifices to raise children and instill godly principles amidst an often Christian-unfriendly culture. Like Jochebed, mothers often don't have their names spotlighted, but its because of their courage that we can look back with gratitude on blessed lives. Thank you, Moms!