Today, on the other hand, was beautiful! it was in the mid 40s and sunny! We even rode bkes on the patio. Bring on the SUN and the SPRING!!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
SNOW, SNOW, GO AWAY!!
Just when I had decided I hated winter and wanted nothing to do with it anymore, it SNOWED. Yes, a few days ago we got our first real snow that you can actually play in and I hope it is our last. We did make a snow Mom and her baby with the help of some of the neighbor kiddos! Here's a pick of her and my guys with fresh haircuts!
Today, on the other hand, was beautiful! it was in the mid 40s and sunny! We even rode bkes on the patio. Bring on the SUN and the SPRING!!
Today, on the other hand, was beautiful! it was in the mid 40s and sunny! We even rode bkes on the patio. Bring on the SUN and the SPRING!!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
Big Rig!
Well thank God that Phil didn't see his shadow today. We are sick of what I call "ugly winter." You know what I'm talking about--freezing temperatures, grey skies, high winds, but no SNOW. Nothing white and fluffy to soften the landscape of leafless trees and brown foliage, nothing to play in or build with, nothing to make it worth your while to venture out into the cold. We have yet to see snow that doesn't rise above the dead blades of grass. So, bring on the Spring! Snow has had its chance with us and we have given up on seeing it this winter.
Here are the boys taking turns driving Aidan's remote-controlled semi truck. They had a blast managing this "big rig."
Blessings to all!
Jodi
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Here's a Recap...
Well, we had an eventful holiday break! We flew with the boys to KC on the 13th of December, 2006. Then Justin and I left the next morning for TN to visit a parish in Knoxville. We had a blessed time and are waiting on the Lord to see if that is where we will end up. Right now it looks promising!
Then we had a great time with family and friends when we returned after our long weekend without the kiddos. It was almost like a vacation ... Almost!
We visited Justin's family while we stayed in KC, traveled up to Iowa to visit our good friends the Fjellmans, and even got to see my grandparents and parents. My parents made the long journey from CA after Christmas to stay in Laredo over New Year's! After we arrived home in NY on Jan. 3rd, we turned around the next day and left for NC to visit our friends the Foleys in Greensboro. We spent a lovely Theophany weekend with them and got to see their mission church in action. They are doing a fabulous job!
It is a strange thought to imagine that next year our Christmas will be celebrated in our own house, in our own town, and in our own way. Okay, so we don't really know how we will celebrate Christmas if we are in our own place. You see, in our eight years of marriage, Justin and I have never had Christmas in our own house! Now that he is a priest, our Christmases are taken from here until retirement. We so enjoyed our "last" Christmas in KC with family, but are hopeful that many of our loved ones will make the trek to see us over the holidays from time to time in the future.
So here are some pix from our journey. One is of Justin's Dad and the boys at breakfast. The others are from our road trip to NC. The boys are actually pretty great travelers. And, as you can see, we try and make it nice and comfy for them. And here we are: the Foleys and the Mathews (Evon wasn't home from school yet!).
Blessings to all!
Jodi
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Back in NY ... Is it time to leave yet? ...
Well we have landed back on the HILL here at St. Vlads, and I must admit that we are anxious to see this term come to a close. Our sights are set on what is coming in the next few months: the birth of a thesis, the birth of our third son, and the birth of a life-long-living-out of this new clergy family.
We spent Christmas in KC with family. The theme for the year was knights and castles, and they received various accessories for both.
We got to hang out on the farm with Nana Hazel and Papa Virgil (and Nanny and Poppy were there too!), and it was unseasonably warm. The boys played outside without coats. Asher had fun tying his rope to the petrified wood in the front yard until that pesky cat wandered past (note the kitty creeping into the right side of the first "cat shot"). Then he just HAD to chase after it! He also had fun chasing the geese. Turns out he is quite "brave" according to his older brother. You see, the large gander took off after Elias and Eli bolted. Well, Asher wouldn't stand for his brother being threatened by the big bird so he decided to charge the old fellow. He chased after the gander yelling, "I'll save you Elias." To which Elias replied, "My brother Asher is very brave."
There will be more to come about our holiday adventures (I PROMISE!).
RIght now we are settling in after traveling to Kansas, North Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee and North Carolina ... WHEW!
Blessings!
Jodi
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Pictures from Justin's ordination to the priesthood by +BENJAMIN Oct. 22nd, 2006
Friends, sorry for the delay but thank you for your patience. Click here to see photos from my priestly ordination.
FrJM
(Thanks Emily, Sophia, Gary, Jonathan, Roman, and Dave for the INCREDIBLE photos!)
Friday, October 27, 2006
OCF Winter Retreat - "Be Still and Know that I am God"
In years past I was honored to participate in this wonderful event. This year I am not speaking or giving a concert but I may be able to attend. The line up of speakers looks incredible!
Download this flyer (http://www.ocf.net/collegeconf/cc06_poster.pdf) and spread the word.
I hope you can come!
Fr. Justin
PS- Yup, I wrote my name correctly believe it or not... I was ordained last weekend! More on that awesome event to come - with some photos of course. Thank you all who have been praying for my family! Blessings!
I hope you can come!
Fr. Justin
PS- Yup, I wrote my name correctly believe it or not... I was ordained last weekend! More on that awesome event to come - with some photos of course. Thank you all who have been praying for my family! Blessings!
Monday, October 16, 2006
daily vitamins
"For him who is perfect in love and has reached the summit of dispassion there is
no difference between his own or another’s, or between Christians and unbelievers,
or between slave and free, or between male and female. But because he has risen above
the tyranny of the passions and has fixed his attention on the single nature of man,
he looks on all in the same way and shows the same disposition to all. For in him there
is neither Greek nor Jew, male nor female, bond not free, but Christ who 'is all, and
in all' (Col. 3:11; cf. Gal. 3:28)."
St. Maximos the Confessor
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to
us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness
and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is
Where our love for each other must start.
Mother Teresa
no difference between his own or another’s, or between Christians and unbelievers,
or between slave and free, or between male and female. But because he has risen above
the tyranny of the passions and has fixed his attention on the single nature of man,
he looks on all in the same way and shows the same disposition to all. For in him there
is neither Greek nor Jew, male nor female, bond not free, but Christ who 'is all, and
in all' (Col. 3:11; cf. Gal. 3:28)."
St. Maximos the Confessor
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to
us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness
and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is
Where our love for each other must start.
Mother Teresa
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Sermon on Luke 6:24-30
Luke 6:24-30
+
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen
Jesus came down from the mountain to the level plain, and sat in the midst of the large crowd that had gathered from all of Judea and Jerusalem, (jews) and from Tyre and Sidon, pagan costal towns – jews and gentiles gathered together. This crowd, including his disciples, was pressing into Jesus, gathered to HEAR him and to be healed of their diseases and cleansed of unclean spirits. And they were healed.
As the miracles multiplied the crowd pressed in with even greater determination in order to touch Jesus, get as close as they could, for the power of God was coming from Him. And the scripture tells us that ALL of those who had gathered to hear Him were healed that day. Jesus then looks up from his place seated on the earth, the earth which He made with His own hands as a footstool, but upon which he now sits in order that His disciples might hear Him if they have ears to HEAR.
This morning we also gathered like the disciples, standing, pressing in with each other around choir stands with the word in song, in front of icons with the word in paint, in order to strain OUR ears to try to HEAR Jesus speak - that we might be healed of our dis-eases (whatever they may be this morning) and be given a new and right spirit.
For in each of us there is a war raging - A war between the faithful disciple and the woeful sinner – which will win is our lifelong concern. For the Lord said woe to the rich, the full, the laughing, and the well spoken of.
As Christ’s disciples, I imagine that we can all recognize the woeful sinner…
For in as much as we are faithful disciples we are poor in this world, preferring the consolation of the treasure that is the Kingdom and not parish assignment stipends, nice apartment or worldly possessions.
In as much as we are disciples we are hungry in this world, preferring to be filled by God with Good things, the strong food of righteousness, and not sugar coated eye candy from the Internet or other manmade temptations that are nothing but empty calories.
In as much as we are disciples we weep actual tears for our sins and are not carefree and content with our successes.
In as much as we are disciples we rejoice when are hated, excluded, and reviled, for so were our fathers and mothers in the faith, those who took seriously the Christian’s prophetic calling to ‘go therefore to all nations’… only to be cast out for Christ’s sake.
In as much as we HEAR Christ Jesus we are his faithful disciples and we know the woeful sinner and the judgment that awaits him– the one who hates, curses, and spitefully uses the body of Christ for his own good pleasure.
However, in as much as we are NOT faithful disciples perhaps we recognize the woeful sinner all to well.
And the world would say to us in that moment: you are not poor; look at your vast wealth and school loans. You are not hungry; you eat every day after morning prayers. You have never once wept for your sins; and we have seen you sin so often. And even all speak well of you and your seminary.
So how could you count yourself as one of the faithful disciples?
Often this voice of the enemy is from those we know best. But perhaps this voice of the enemy comes just as often from within some of us…
Either way, Jesus replies, “But I say to you…” Love, do good, bless and pray for the ones who hate, curse and spitefully use you… Your enemies: whether from without or within.
We all try our hand at murder in our moments of doubt, when were not sure the pain of our faith is worth the plunder.
God will Judge us all in the day we are resurrected to life in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection or death if that is what we have chosen. But we are never allowed to sit as judge in this life, neither over others nor over ourselves. We are to love our enemies and to withhold nothing, to be utterly transparent in the world.
In as much as we listen to our Lord we are His faithful disciples, like the Theotokos who is our most blessed example of one who heard the word of the Lord and said amen. We even take her words as our own. In fact the Theotokos’ Magnificat that we just sang upholds the same teaching as the Gospel we have heard:
“He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree, He has filled the hungry with Good things and the rich he has sent empty away…”
So how then can we count ourselves as faithful disciples when we stand accused as woeful sinners? For Christ made us alive, even though we were dead in trespasses and sin, walking according to the course of this world, conducting ourselves in the in the lust of the flesh and the mind.
For what is a Christian but one who gets up after he has fallen? Knowing that he has already been given his second chance, the Christian does not judge his efforts or that of others, but tries once again to press in closer this time to Jesus, from whom the power of God is made manifest, and who alone can heal us - if only we can remain the ones who have ears to Hear His word.
AMEN
+
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen
Jesus came down from the mountain to the level plain, and sat in the midst of the large crowd that had gathered from all of Judea and Jerusalem, (jews) and from Tyre and Sidon, pagan costal towns – jews and gentiles gathered together. This crowd, including his disciples, was pressing into Jesus, gathered to HEAR him and to be healed of their diseases and cleansed of unclean spirits. And they were healed.
As the miracles multiplied the crowd pressed in with even greater determination in order to touch Jesus, get as close as they could, for the power of God was coming from Him. And the scripture tells us that ALL of those who had gathered to hear Him were healed that day. Jesus then looks up from his place seated on the earth, the earth which He made with His own hands as a footstool, but upon which he now sits in order that His disciples might hear Him if they have ears to HEAR.
This morning we also gathered like the disciples, standing, pressing in with each other around choir stands with the word in song, in front of icons with the word in paint, in order to strain OUR ears to try to HEAR Jesus speak - that we might be healed of our dis-eases (whatever they may be this morning) and be given a new and right spirit.
For in each of us there is a war raging - A war between the faithful disciple and the woeful sinner – which will win is our lifelong concern. For the Lord said woe to the rich, the full, the laughing, and the well spoken of.
As Christ’s disciples, I imagine that we can all recognize the woeful sinner…
For in as much as we are faithful disciples we are poor in this world, preferring the consolation of the treasure that is the Kingdom and not parish assignment stipends, nice apartment or worldly possessions.
In as much as we are disciples we are hungry in this world, preferring to be filled by God with Good things, the strong food of righteousness, and not sugar coated eye candy from the Internet or other manmade temptations that are nothing but empty calories.
In as much as we are disciples we weep actual tears for our sins and are not carefree and content with our successes.
In as much as we are disciples we rejoice when are hated, excluded, and reviled, for so were our fathers and mothers in the faith, those who took seriously the Christian’s prophetic calling to ‘go therefore to all nations’… only to be cast out for Christ’s sake.
In as much as we HEAR Christ Jesus we are his faithful disciples and we know the woeful sinner and the judgment that awaits him– the one who hates, curses, and spitefully uses the body of Christ for his own good pleasure.
However, in as much as we are NOT faithful disciples perhaps we recognize the woeful sinner all to well.
And the world would say to us in that moment: you are not poor; look at your vast wealth and school loans. You are not hungry; you eat every day after morning prayers. You have never once wept for your sins; and we have seen you sin so often. And even all speak well of you and your seminary.
So how could you count yourself as one of the faithful disciples?
Often this voice of the enemy is from those we know best. But perhaps this voice of the enemy comes just as often from within some of us…
Either way, Jesus replies, “But I say to you…” Love, do good, bless and pray for the ones who hate, curse and spitefully use you… Your enemies: whether from without or within.
We all try our hand at murder in our moments of doubt, when were not sure the pain of our faith is worth the plunder.
God will Judge us all in the day we are resurrected to life in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection or death if that is what we have chosen. But we are never allowed to sit as judge in this life, neither over others nor over ourselves. We are to love our enemies and to withhold nothing, to be utterly transparent in the world.
In as much as we listen to our Lord we are His faithful disciples, like the Theotokos who is our most blessed example of one who heard the word of the Lord and said amen. We even take her words as our own. In fact the Theotokos’ Magnificat that we just sang upholds the same teaching as the Gospel we have heard:
“He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of low degree, He has filled the hungry with Good things and the rich he has sent empty away…”
So how then can we count ourselves as faithful disciples when we stand accused as woeful sinners? For Christ made us alive, even though we were dead in trespasses and sin, walking according to the course of this world, conducting ourselves in the in the lust of the flesh and the mind.
For what is a Christian but one who gets up after he has fallen? Knowing that he has already been given his second chance, the Christian does not judge his efforts or that of others, but tries once again to press in closer this time to Jesus, from whom the power of God is made manifest, and who alone can heal us - if only we can remain the ones who have ears to Hear His word.
AMEN
Friday, September 29, 2006
We have the toughest kids on the block!
Don't make us come over there and open up a can of wup on you... Just ask our mom and dad...
Monday, September 11, 2006
FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!
The boys had their first day of preschool today! It was a shortened schedule and Mom and Dad were invited to stay. Elias took right to building and even got the other boys in on his project. Asher had fun playing with the animals and Mrs. Ball, one of his teachers. Asher has been memorizing his teachers' names. His other teacher is Mrs. Walpole, although when he says it it sounds like "Mrs. Waffle." Elias has Mrs. Lioi and he warmed right up to her. I think they are really going to enjoy this little school. Elias goes from 12:15-2:45 on M, W, F and Asher goes from 12:30-2:30 M, W. We will keep you posted on how Wednesday goes. That is when they go in by themselves ... They will be fine (I hope I will!).Hope you all are doing well. We miss you so!
Jodi
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Back in NY!
Well, we are back in NY! It is good to be "home," but hard to believe this is "home." Living in New York, so close to Manhattan, has been a challenging and interesting experience. We will only be here until June, so we down to counting the months! We still haven't seen a Broadway show, visited the Empire State Building, or traveled out along Long Island. We have many things we want to do before we leave!
We are also expecting our THIRD baby April 12th! It is crazy, but we are overjoyed! We had a great summer in sunny California. Since we have been back in NY, we haven't yet seen the sun.
I will post some more pictures of some of our summer outings over the next few posts. This summer was packed with fun! The boys went on the first campout, hugged giant redwood trees, swam in the Pacific Ocean, played at the lake, went bouldering, saw fireworks over the San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, visit a dairy, ate fish and chips at the Wharf, joined the library's summer reading program, saw a rad reptile show, and even went to their first magic show! Whew!
The above pix are of the boys at the dairy and feeding some animals at a local gouda cheese producer. The cheese store had a few animals for the kids to feed. The boys loved going here and getting some fresh baked bread, fresh gouda cheese, and feeding the critters. This little place is in Oakdale just 20 minutes out in the country from where my parents live!
I will put up some more photos from our summer soon. You can expect us to post more regularly now that we are back in our routine!
Love to all!
Jodi
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Swooping Down in KC
SOOOO ... We are living the high life in the beautiful central valley of California for the summer. On our way to paradise we stopped in good old KC for five days. In that short time we got to visit with our family and friends there, Asher got his first haircut, we rode Thomas the Train, and Justin and I helped Karen with her real estate business.
Here are several pix from our visit...
Here is Papa Virgil giving Asher John his very first haircut. Asher was a good sport and Papa gave him a nice "bowl cut." The kids enjoyed eating Nana Hazel's great cooking and hiking through the pasture after the Mama cow and her calf. And we made it through without any ticks on the kids!
We also had the good fortune to coordinate our trip to KC with Thomas the Trains' stop nearby in Baldwin, KS. We took the kids along with Granddad and Grandma Deb and Wyatt to see and ride Thomas for ourselves. The kids had a blast and they got to taste their first sno-cone!
And with Karen's real estate business booming, Justin and I had an opportunity to lend a hand with a new venture she has started. Here they are the first photos of "Karen Calvin's Community Commode." It is a simple concept really. A truly "Open House" for all to use and it is right there in beautiful Mission Hills. This could be great for the neighborhood!
Honestly, we had a great visit!
Love to all! Jodi (&Justin)
Here are several pix from our visit...
Here is Papa Virgil giving Asher John his very first haircut. Asher was a good sport and Papa gave him a nice "bowl cut." The kids enjoyed eating Nana Hazel's great cooking and hiking through the pasture after the Mama cow and her calf. And we made it through without any ticks on the kids!
We also had the good fortune to coordinate our trip to KC with Thomas the Trains' stop nearby in Baldwin, KS. We took the kids along with Granddad and Grandma Deb and Wyatt to see and ride Thomas for ourselves. The kids had a blast and they got to taste their first sno-cone!
And with Karen's real estate business booming, Justin and I had an opportunity to lend a hand with a new venture she has started. Here they are the first photos of "Karen Calvin's Community Commode." It is a simple concept really. A truly "Open House" for all to use and it is right there in beautiful Mission Hills. This could be great for the neighborhood!
Honestly, we had a great visit!
Love to all! Jodi (&Justin)
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Daddy's takin' us to the zoo tomorrow...
A little video journal of our trip to the Bronx zoo a few days ago.
Wishing you all the best!
click to download:
Zoo May 23.2006.mp4
Love,
the Mathews
Monday, May 22, 2006
Preschool Party Video!
Hey friends!
Sorry it has been so long... We have had class, kids, finals, papers, 80 hospital hours, women's group, etc... the list goes on. One of the most joyful things in the bliss that has followed since things were completed on Saturday was a party for our kids. The mommies got together to celebrate the great year of learning and fun the kiddos had. I thought I would share a little video with you... Click below for the link. (if anyone knows how to make these things bigger let me know. Thanks!)
Preschool Party! (Big)
Preschool Party! (small)
With Love,
Dn. Justin
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Justin's Ordination to the Holy Deaconate!
Our deepest gratitude is due His Grace Bishop BENJAMIN, my wonderful parents, the Huddleston family and the Johnson family who all traveled so far, faculty, staff and friends at St. Vladimir's Seminary and everyone who attended the ordination, sent cards and gifts, helped with the reception and prayed for us on this big day!We are so grateful for your love and friendship...
Click here for photos!
In Christ,
Dn. Justin and Jodi Mathews
Dn. Justin and Jodi Mathews
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Download the Mathews Family Newsletter!!
+Dear Family and Friends,
Please find here a digital copy of our family newsletter.
Please take a few minutes to read it, print it out and share it with others. Its easy to forward an email on to friends who might also be interested in what our preparation for ministry at St. Vladimir's Seminary.
There are pictures of the kids, reflections from Jodi and I and much more in the newsletter! Check it out!
God bless!
Justin Mathews
PS - Please allow a minute for download and forward this post on with the email link at the bottom of this post to all your friends, your church and anyone you think might be interested! Thank you!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Asher's Birthday Party
It does seem as if I measure my own days in my children's growth and experiences. "It was a good day. Asher, ate a great breakfast and had a long nap."OR "Today was crazy. Elias and Asher wouldn't obey and they picked on each other all afternoon."
I guess when you become a Mother those lines between "mine" and everyone else's blur. No, they don't blur; they erode. And now, my little monkey, Asher, is two years old! What have I been doing the past two years? Hard to say. But I can tell you in detail the happenings of this little love of mine. He speaks in full sentences now. The first person he asks about when he crawls in bed with Justin and I around 5:45am is his big brother,Elias. Elias is his best friend. When he sees Elias for the first time in the morning or meets him coming in the door, he yells, "Hey, Lilee!" and hugs him fiercly. He loves to dip his food in anything, ketchup, butter, dressing, salsa. We call him the "dipper." He loves Bob the Builder and monkeys. In fact, I have caught him dropping food on the floor at dinner time and when I ask him why he is doing that he replies, "Monkey will eat it!" Some mornings when he is laying in bed with Justin and I he will play a game with himself where he hides under the blankets to get away from the "monkeys." He and Elias are the only monkeys in this house though! And the boys are now in swimming lessons. Asher loves the water and especially gets a thrill from jumping from the side of the pool into his Daddy's arms.
As you can see, our little two-year-old truly enriches our lives. I will go on measuring my own days in light of the joys and trials presented to me by the "men" in my life.
I hope you enjoy some snapshots of Asher's birthday party last Saturday. It was the first warm, sunny day in months so about the whole seminary showed up to eat some cake and fellowship under the sun! We had a blast and the kids enjoyed the party. I made a monkey cake and the kiddos wore Curious George birthday hats. The playground was full of monkeys that day. What a joyous day!!
We love you all!
Jodi
I guess when you become a Mother those lines between "mine" and everyone else's blur. No, they don't blur; they erode. And now, my little monkey, Asher, is two years old! What have I been doing the past two years? Hard to say. But I can tell you in detail the happenings of this little love of mine. He speaks in full sentences now. The first person he asks about when he crawls in bed with Justin and I around 5:45am is his big brother,Elias. Elias is his best friend. When he sees Elias for the first time in the morning or meets him coming in the door, he yells, "Hey, Lilee!" and hugs him fiercly. He loves to dip his food in anything, ketchup, butter, dressing, salsa. We call him the "dipper." He loves Bob the Builder and monkeys. In fact, I have caught him dropping food on the floor at dinner time and when I ask him why he is doing that he replies, "Monkey will eat it!" Some mornings when he is laying in bed with Justin and I he will play a game with himself where he hides under the blankets to get away from the "monkeys." He and Elias are the only monkeys in this house though! And the boys are now in swimming lessons. Asher loves the water and especially gets a thrill from jumping from the side of the pool into his Daddy's arms.
As you can see, our little two-year-old truly enriches our lives. I will go on measuring my own days in light of the joys and trials presented to me by the "men" in my life.
I hope you enjoy some snapshots of Asher's birthday party last Saturday. It was the first warm, sunny day in months so about the whole seminary showed up to eat some cake and fellowship under the sun! We had a blast and the kids enjoyed the party. I made a monkey cake and the kiddos wore Curious George birthday hats. The playground was full of monkeys that day. What a joyous day!!
We love you all!
Jodi
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Thoughts after reading a NY Times book review > "Young Adult Fiction: Wild Things"
"These books look cute. They come in matched paperback sets with catchy titles, and stay for weeks on the children's books best-seller list. They carry no rating or recommended age range on the cover, but their intended audience — teenage girls — can't be in doubt. They feature sleek, conventionally beautiful girls lounging, getting in or out of limos, laughing and striking poses. Any parent — including me — might put them in the Barnes & Noble basket without a second glance. Yet if that parent opened one, he or she might be in for a surprise." ... "The "Clique" novels are all about status. But sex saturates the "Gossip Girl" books, by Cecily von Ziegesar, which are about 17- and 18-year-old private school girls in Manhattan. This is not the frank sexual exploration found in a Judy Blume novel, but teenage sexuality via Juicy Couture, blas and entirely commodified...."
<><><><><><>
This is an exerpt from a review by Naomi Wolf in the NY Times today on a new and very popular trend in young adult fictional works on the best seller lists. Check out the semi-critical, but not fully aware (in my opinion), review in full HERE. I was so shocked by what is passing for literature and culture these days in our "great" society that I thought I would share the link and a few thoughts.These books are selling literally millions of copies and passed off as "young-adult fiction" for girls. Complete with oral sex and other very explicit scenes featuring young teens, this is the "literature" that is shaping millions in the next generation of American women.
What are your thoughts? Are your children or your friends children reading these books? What role does this sort of "literature" play in influencing the values of the next generation? What happened to the venerated "classics" - are they no longer relevant to our kids.
Should a classic book be discarded if it becomes "irrelevant" to us or should we endeavor to become relevant to virtuous works - such as those by Homer, the Fathers of the Church, Jane Austen, Fyodor Dostoevsky; who could discount modern writers like Madeline L'Engle or CS Lewis?
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." -- Philippians 4:8Is the notion of calling our children, ourselves, to the heights of Truth, culture and virtue no longer a priority? Are we simply to be "tolerant" of the mass consumerization of such base humanity targeting our children in the name of freedom, or worse, art?
Or will we dare to judge and be prejudice when required, scrutinize and criticize, teach discernment and even shelter our children if need be?
I pray we will, so that in forming their minds by what is higher and most noble, their souls too may be shaped into the likeness of the image of the One who created us all.
Justin
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