AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

It is time to address this so-called media love affair with the Obamas. Now please pause before your defenses and blood pressure both begin to rise. Let me first opine 2 appropriate caveats: 1) The question of infatuated impropriety rests not on President Obama but on the media; it is an unrequited adoration. And 2) I am not speaking of partisanship; I am speaking of those whose journalistic opinions now drip with enamored affection.

Follow me here...

Lee Cowan, Obama reporter for NBC News during the campaign: "When NBC News first assigned me to the Barack Obama campaign, I must confess my knees quaked a bit."

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews... "I've been following politics since I was about 5. I've never seen anything like this... [Obama] comes along, and he seems to have the answers. This is the New Testament!”

Printed in the UK’s Daily Mail, 6 weeks after the election: Michelle Obama is "a goddess [who] stepped onto the world stage and made it her own...married to someone who is, frankly, a sex god."

Andy Rooney, closing CBS’s “60 Minutes” last Sunday: "Obama just looks good every time he does anything."

And back to Matthews, who arguably provides the most comic relief, reacting to Obama’s shirtless, beach vacation: "The sun glinted off chiseled pectorals sculpted during four weight-lifting sessions each week and a body toned by regular treadmill runs and basketball games." (“Chiseled pectorals?” ... ok... give me a moment for the laughter to subside... that would be the laughter from BOTH the President and me!)

A quick glance at the magazine covers with the Obamas’ pic... GQ’s “Obama Rules” ... Us’s “Why Barack Loves Her”... Der Spiegel’s “Der Messias-Faktor”... Ebony’s “Black Cool”... even Tiger Beat’s “I Sing in the Shower”... wow... I sure miss those days of Leif Garrett and Parker Stevenson.

Let me re-state that this infatuation in no way reflects negatively on our 44th President. The reality is Obama has the potential to be an excellent leader IN SPITE of those who are seizing the Messiah complex on his behalf. But this affair has caused me to google the following: “...and there he was... effortlessly gliding across the East Lawn via his strong, stalwart strut, with his robust shoulders as only a bold Texan could muster... the master from Midland... and when he spoke, it mattered not if there was a babble... a blunder... his divine slang still captivated us all...” Uh, I’m still googling.

Enough, enough! ...time to read my new Women’s Health mag that came in the mail last week... oh, look on page 82... I kid you not... “Michelle Obama’s 7 Secrets of a Sexy Marriage!”

AR

BLINDED

Read a great story yesterday. Actually, I’ve read it before, but there was something that struck me differently this week...

A band of brothers has their share of family dysfunction. Fathom that idea. The dysfunction swells to a state where the older brothers detest one of their youngest brothers, as the younger’s youthful pride, natural self-assurance, and father’s favoritism erode any empathetic, brotherly relationships. They detest the young man so much, that at 17, they fake his death and sell him to the nearest bidder. The young man is taken away from his home, sold into slavery.

As the familiar story is told (sometimes rhythmically with a very attractive, eye-popping coat), the brother, Joseph, finds himself in the house of Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharoah’s officials. Potiphar’s wife was so smitten with Joseph’s well-built and handsome physique that she had him discarded to prison, after he rejected her overt sexual advances. Still Joseph earned much favor in prison by his exemplary behavior, and when he was empowered to interpret the dreams of those in Pharoah’s service, his reputation grew... even though his sentence remained forgotten. Joseph spent 2 more years in prison... again due to his brothers’ initial betrayal and his master’s wife’s deception.

When Joseph later accurately interpreted the God-given dreams of Pharoah himself, an astonished Pharoah placed Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Here Joseph would confidently and courageously lead the country through a 7 year famine, dispersing both resources and hope to a malnourished people.

10 of the people craving nourishment shared his name. They were his brothers.

In contemporary society, I shudder to think of what we would do were we in a position of power when someone who previously wronged us bowed before us in their time of need. Would we be merciful? Would we choose wisdom? Or would we... for lack of better ways to put it... make them pay?

Through a process of clever and creative discovery, Joseph reveals himself to his family. Quite naturally, they are aghast, thinking, too, that the so-called system of payback is entirely appropriate. But instead, Joseph offers these words: “Come closer to me... Don’t feel badly. Don’t blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. There has been a famine in the land now for 2 years; the famine will continue for 5 more years... God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance!”

How many of us see good (or God) in previous misfortune? How many of us seek the silver lining? How many of us are too blinded by past betrayal that bitterness is the only thing qualifying as leftovers?

Seems as if there is much more to admire in Joseph than a technicolor coat.

AR

DARK NIGHTS

“Step aside, Spider-Man 2 and Superman II,” says People Magazine. “The phenomenal The Dark Knight now reigns as the greatest superhero film of all time... While [Christian ‘Batman’] Bale again astounds, The Dark Knight’s real star is the late [Heath] Ledger.”

Listen to these pans of Ledger’s performance as the villainous Joker... “I’m tired of the early Oscar talk too, but when you’re talking the best performance in years, if not decades, it’s worth talking about.” Or try: “I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker.”

Heath Ledger was a talented actor. His credits include 19 films, most notably Monster’s Ball, Brokeback Mountain, and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. I especially enjoyed him in The Patriot, as Gabriel Martin, the independent, eldest son who moves into manhood all-too-quickly, witnessing the horrifying carnage resulting from the Revolutionary War.

But even though I, too, was a Ledger fan, there is something about the current rave reviews and Oscar rumblings that make me uncomfortable.

Ledger died at the age of 28 from an accidental drug overdose. Note his interview with the New York Times 2 months prior to his death, having recently completed filming The Dark Knight: "Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night. ... I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going." Ledger said prescription drugs were not helping. It is reported that Ledger suffered significant insomnia and nightmares, as he portrayed a character dripping with evil. This wasn’t your DC Comics Joker or the 1960’s Cesar Romero, whose comedy-themed crimes entertained some of us as children. Ledger’s character was, according to film reviewers at www.pluggedinonline.com, “an embodiment of nihilism, a manifestation of pure, unapologetic evil.” In other words, the role had the potential to create in its portrayer an unprecedented “disturbedness.”

Shortly after Ledger’s death in January of 2008, Jack Nicholson, who played the Joker in 1989, simply and eerily stated, “I warned him.”

My question is this... Obviously, the ability to portray a character so striking showcases Ledger’s natural talent. He was gifted. But if that role led Ledger to the nightmares, prompted such unrest, and motivated him to take an overabundance of pills (oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine) - should we be celebrating that role? Should we ignore the impact that role had on his mind? Would Ledger even want us to honor a performance which polluted his head with pure, unapologetic evil?

When the Oscar winners are announced on Sunday, February 22nd, I will tearfully smile when I remember Heath Ledger and his consummate gifts. Yet if the Academy awards him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his 2008 Joker performance, I’m not sure I can applaud.


AR

ALL CHILDISHNESS LEFT BEHIND

“When I was child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child...”

As President Obama said in Tuesday’s inauguration address, “In the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things."

TOP 10 THINGS TO SET ASIDE (...ahem, this could lead to change ALL of us can believe in...)

10. Partisan disrespect. From those who vehemently vowed to avoid viewing any celebration of a President Obama - to those who taunted President Bush with “good riddance” in accordance with his exit. Intelligent as they may be, both fall into the disrespectful category.

9. Celebrities who wish to come back as a politician in their next life (...but still want me to buy tickets to their movies and watch their TV shows NOW!).

8. Vulgar attacks on candidates for their lack of experience. I will continue to promote the idea that character trumps experience. While acknowledging that public service has value, I would still rather elect a man or woman of integrity before one who has been elected 43 times and has polished the ability to recite partisan talking points without cue cards.

7. Trash. Did you see the mall after all those people?

6. The craving for a monarchy. Surely we can find future candidates other than Clinton’s and Bush’s to lead our country.

5. The belief that President Obama is a beard short of the Second Coming. Yes, he brings hope. Yes, his unifying words are refreshing. But his own words will also tell you he is simply a man... not the Savior of the world.

4. Governor Blagojevich. He was thrilled with the inauguration! It meant no cameras on him.

3. The facade that the persons behind those cameras are objective. Respectful kudos given to David Gregory, Brit Hume, Jim Lehrer, Bob Schieffer, and the late Tim Russert. If they had/have an opinion, they kept it off their sleeve. But some journalists (i.e. MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann) cling to those partisan cue cards.

2. Mexican food in the White House - the favorite food of our last two Presidents. Pass the salsa! Here’s to Obama's All-American pizza.

Last but not least... 1. Campaigning. It's too long, too partisan, and full of too much manipulation and self-righteousness. (...at least for another couple of years... wait... won’t Hillary be running in 2012? Won’t she start in 2010? Oh, wait... Barack took care of that... smart man, that guy...)


AR

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT (#2)

Greetings, Mr. President. I write you today for two purposes: one, to thank you for your service, and two, to share a few, layman’s insights for the coming 4 to 8 years.

It comes as no secret, that you have been graced with a fairly immediate public popularity. According to Scott Rasmussen’s “Rasmussen Reports,” 65% of Americans already approve of your performance, and let me acknowledge that this is prior to any swearing kind of ceremony. As one who believes in tackling truth straight on, this is a gift not forded to your two most recent predecessors. Also tackling truth, whether it is deserved is not the question. It is simply an opportunity to begin your service well, knowing you have awakened an expectant hopefulness in many... even if you failed to secure their vote. I pray you utilize the opportunity well.

Part of me wonders if the excitement you have stirred is similar to what JFK experienced. I haven’t heard historians declare that JFK was our most successful President; his time in office was far too short to discern said evaluation with certainty. But for those who were of adult age during Kennedy’s campaign, they spoke of an individual hope that previously was dormant. When Kennedy said on that cold, snowy inaugural day, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty... This much we pledge—and more...” I believe Americans made that pledge with him. They believed we would pay the price, bear the burden, and meet the hardship, as they were motivated by the swelling sense of confidence they had in JFK’s leadership.

That is the kind of leadership we desire from you, Barack. And we are with you. As Americans, we are each and all with you. I pray you lead us well.

A couple of specific concerns...

First, one of the many reasons your candidacy was refreshing was because you unequivocally articulated an opposition to the political captivity silently sought by special interest groups (...somewhere in here is the colloquial assertion, that “if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”). I’m sure it is not a surprise to you, sir, that several fringe special interests still clamored for your election. Several will base their vocal support for your RE-election, leveraged against how you gratify their peripheral issue. Just as those who’ve come before you, remember those groups are “fringe” for a reason.

Second, please be prudent with our national checkbook. As noted on these pages, there exists a trendy line of thinking that we can limitlessly spend without ever experiencing a negative financial consequence. That seems a little different than what we’re teaching our children. According to a FOX News poll last week (egad, did I say that?), 80% percent of the American public believes “debt is ruining the economy.” Lest you think that FOX pollutes the polling perceptions, 78% of Democrats polled concurred with such assertion. But my concern to you is this, Mr. President: be discerning about your spending decisions. Some President, someday, needs to be intentional about spending less instead of more. President Clinton and his congress encouraged us to balance the budget, but for the good of our nation, we need to go a step further; we need to pay down the debt. You currently possess the clout and the public following to confront this fragile state - albeit potentially, politically unpopular. But this may be the answer to JFK’s question of “what you can do for your country.”

And finally, if you put your country first, be sure to put Michelle, Malia, and Sasha a very close second. They need you. And since the world is watching, we will notice when you cherish your wife. We will notice when Michelle conveys her tremendous respect for you. And we will notice when you love on your girls, teaching them the difference between right and wrong. Your family will be an example to us all.

Best wishes to you in Washington, President Obama. Again, thank you for your service. Thank you for your leadership. And thank you for respectfully accepting “the torch” from President Bush. Our country needs that. We need the example of respectfully accepting that torch. We are too polarized. We are so polarized, in fact, that some of us will refrain from acknowledging the good you can accomplish.

Best wishes. God bless you. And thank you.

AR

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT (#1)

Greetings, Mr. President. I write you today for two purposes: one, to thank you for your service, and two, to share a few, layman’s insights from the past 8 years.

It comes as no secret, that your polling numbers have plummeted these past 3 years (sorry, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I’ve never been one to ignore the truth). In fact, Scott Rasmussen’s “Rasmussen Reports” posted this week that 57% of the American public now believe you are one of “the five worst Presidents in U.S. history.” Also in the name of one not ignoring truth, I ponder the depth of information those polled possessed, assuming they were equally knowledgeable of the 42 others who have held your position. Sometimes, we Americans, criticize and praise most those we know best - those who are freshest in our minds - without ever acknowledging that we are historically ignorant in regard to the intricacies of those who came before you. Funny thing, we Americans.

Primarily, I think the most sensitive events during your Presidency were: one, the decision to invade Iraq, and two, the perceived slow response to Hurricane Katrina.

For some of us, sir, our judgment of you shall always center around those two events. Some of us are fairly passionate in the expression of our objection. Some of us are even disrespectful (save any reader encouraged by “the Intramuralist”). But as I reflect on some of the decisions on which I disagreed, I am reminded of your words from Thursday’s adieu: “I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.”

Juxtaposing being a citizen to being the President, I have to assume you had more information at your disposal than I had when you made those tough decisions. Truth is, we ordinary citizens have to rely primarily on the mainstream media, which has proven to be somewhat of an unbalanced filter of objective information. Hence, I have to trust that you knew more than I. Hence, I have to trust your conscience - agree or not. Based on your recent words on behalf of Presidents Bush 41, Carter, and Clinton, I know you desire we ford the same leniency and respect to your successor.

A few specific thank you’s... Thank you for your work on AIDS in Africa. President Clinton had a similar desire, but you made it a reality. You initiated a 5 year, $15 billion plan to fight AIDS in 2003, and then you followed such priority with an additional 5 year, $30 billion extension 4 years later. In the words of U2’s AIDS activist, Bono, “I’m standing up and I’m applauding the President.”

Thank you for your leadership “post 9/11.” Pundits are quick to acknowledge that we haven’t faced an attack on American soil since that tragic September day. For you or against you, that is a tremendous accomplishment. On 9/11, so many of us asked, “How could this happen? How come we didn’t know? How did we allow this to happen?” Under your leadership... under your establishment of the Dept. of Homeland Security... under the passion with which you confronted terrorism and the Islamic jihadists, it hasn’t happened since. This is arguably your greatest accomplisment. We are each safer and better because of it.

And thank you, finally, for introducing us to Laura. Her grace and authentic, ladylike feminism is an example to us all. She has been a advocate for literacy, early childhood development, and women’s health - specifically heart disease and breast cancer. Sometimes she even seemed more popular than you, Mr. President. But noting that unique Texan smirk, you never seemed to mind.

Best wishes to you as you return to Texas, President Bush. Again, thank you for your service. Thank you for your leadership. And thank you for respectfully handing “the torch” to President Obama. Our country needs that. We need the example of respectfully handing off that torch. We are too polarized. We are so polarized, in fact, that some of us will refrain from acknowledging the good you have accomplished.

Best wishes. God bless you. And thank you.

AR

WOULD YOU KNOW?

I had the privilege of reading Roland Merullo’s “American Savior” last week, a creative satire depicting the second coming of Jesus Christ - save this time he comes as an aspiring politician, one aiming to secure none other than the US Presidency.

The novel is clever and witty and full of multiple moments when the reader finds himself almost chuckling out loud. Jesus is an adept surfer and marathoner, not to mention being a master orator, strategist, friend to the special needs community, and counselor, as well. Undergirding the plethora of sarcasm amid the pages, Merullo confronts the prevalent self-righteousness that girds current political candidacies. (Granted, Merullo’s credibility would be a little stronger had he more equally challenged the self-righteousness oozing from BOTH political parties.) But his point is well taken. The American public craves a leader that puts our country’s best before personal ambition and is not enslaved to the polarizing self-interest groups to which his or her actual election is perceived to be indebted.

(A footnote here... Rightly or wrongly, many believe Barack Obama is exactly that kind of leader. Truthfully, we can’t tell yet; let’s wait and see. I hope he is. All we currently know, however, is he’s not the second coming. I think ‘Barackstar’ would agree with me.)

Yet in regard to the “American Savior,” there’s a nagging point I just can’t shake. It deserves a little personal “wrestling,” if you will. At this fictional point, Jesus is addressing a fairly hostile, swarming fundamentalist crowd that’s perplexed at Jesus purported identity. He passionately shares with them the words of John chapter 7, describing his initial coming, when he was met by ignorant accusers (remember the word “ignorant” means “lacking knowledge”). The text reads as follows:

Jesus went on calmly, a bit more loudly: “Part of the crowd, it says in the Bible, was thinking, ‘He is a good man.’ In fact, a bit later in the text, when the temple guards are sent to arrest him, they come back empty-handed, saying, ‘No one has ever talked like this before.’ And Nicodemus, in a famous passage, stands up for Jesus’s right to speak. So, you see, as painful as it might be for us to admit this, we could draw a parallel to our situation today. If --”
“You are not God!” A woman screamed. “You are not the Risen Christ!”
Jesus looked at her patiently. “I might not be,” he said slowly. “I might not be. But my question to you is this: would you know him if he came into your midst? If he came into your midst and did not look the way you expected him to look, and did not speak as you expected him to speak, would you know him?”

I doubt any of us know exactly what he’d look like. Would he still have that long beard and olive skin like in all those black felt Sunday school paintings? Would he wear jeans? Levi’s? Certainly nothing on sale from Kohl’s. He’d pay full price. Would he surf? Would he sing? Would he know all the words?? Would we be able to discern his heart?

Parallel to our situation today... would you know him? Would you know?


AR

COMING SUN. & TUES. (after our Jan. 15th Blog): OPEN LETTERS TO BUSH AND OBAMA... stay tuned...

GO, TONY, GO!

While perhaps many of us may wish for such, few of us go out on top. Most Presidents (not just the current one) have plummeting poll numbers when the end draws near. Most athletes leave with weak knees and sagging statistics. Most coaches are terminated before having opportunity to graciously resign. So when a coach voluntarily leaves his post still with masterful command of his team, we notice.

Tony Dungy, we will miss you.

Tony Dungy leaves after 13 seasons as a head coach in the NFL - first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the past 7 as the calm, confident leader of the Indianapolis Colts.

We watched him lead his team through an unprecedented 10 consecutive playoff seasons. We watched his peaceful, sideline demeanor - win or lose. We watched him mouth “money” when Adam Vinatieri kicked that winning field goal. We watched him hug Peyton Manning, who matured via Dungy’s example. We watched as Dungy stood stoically on the sidelines, having buried his then 18 year old son, James, after a heartbreaking suicide the week before. We cried then... wondering how Tony could be so faithful, when some of us were faithless.

Still we watched when his 2007 Colts won the Superbowl that muddy Miami night, even though Chicago’s talented Devon Hester gave us a scare at first. Way to go, Tony! Few deserved it more. Lovie Smith, coach of the opposing Bears, I’m sure even said the same.

I’m reminded of the Tampa Catholic church, whose pastor on that February 4th Sunday, concluded his message by reminding his parishioners to enthusiastically cheer, “Go, Tony Dungy!” It’s said that day, the applause was “thunderous” in worship.

Something about Tony Dungy makes us applaud. Perhaps it’s his public example. Perhaps it’s his example within the sporting community that sometimes seems so full of ego and egged-on personalities that quiet wisdom and hard work are easily overshadowed. There is something within Tony that is different and attractive.

You led your team well, Tony. You were an example to us, too. Way to “go out on top”! We look forward to what you do next. I’ve heard that yes, there is life after football.

God’s blessings to Tony and the entire Dungy family...

AR

SICKNESS

I’m going to be sick.

Keeping pace with the “USGBCT” (“U.S. Govt. Bottomless Checkbook Thinking”), on Wednesday of last week, unabashed entertainment moguls, Joe Francis and Larry Flynt, announced they have requested the US government graciously grant them 5 billion dollars, claiming the fragile economy has damaged their beloved professional field.

I’m not kidding. The porn industry has requested a bailout. (...didn’t we ask somewhere here weeks ago, if you start distributing free money, where will the line for handouts end?)

Flynt semi-humbly said, "With all this economic misery and people losing all that money, sex is the farthest thing from their mind. It's time for congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America. The only way they can do this is by supporting the adult industry and doing it quickly." Francis (producer of a video series with such wonderfully titled episodes that we will refrain from offering any further publicity) added that “the US government should actively support the adult industry's survival and growth, just as it feels the need to support any other industry cherished by the American people."

Cherished by the American people?

True, many in our nation significantly invest in pornography (I hesitate before referring to it as any kind of adult “entertainment”). Do a quick fact check on the internet. We spend billions. We spend more than the revenues of the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball combined. We spend more than the revenues of the leading technology companies combined... Microsoft, Google, Amazon, EBay, Yahoo!, Apple, etc. Half of all hotel guests rent X-rated videos. There are nearly 5 million porn websites. 260 porn sites are added daily. 90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed porn (usually when doing homework). And 80% of 15-17 year olds have had hard-core exposure. Average age of first exposure? Somewhere between 9 and 11. (Note: special thanks to www.nationalcoalition.org, www.techcrunch.com, and www.familysafemedia.com for their undoubtedly alarming research.)

Yet perhaps Francis and Flynt have never met a woman, whose husband callously discarded both his vows and his wife because he couldn’t control his sexual obsession. Perhaps Francis and Flynt have never met a man OR woman who lost his/her job, career, and all ambition, because a sexual addiction became his/her most pressing priority. And perhaps Francis and Flynt have never interviewed a child who’s lost a parent, because sex was more important to that parent than their own flesh and blood.

Cherished? An industry we can’t live without?

No, a perversion cherished only by the padded pocketbooks of Francis and Flynt.


AR

THE REALITY SHOW

The room swelled with eager anticipation. The cameras were rolling, and those officially invited had gathered in their most attractive attire with “game face on.” Did you watch the unfolding of events this week??

Some were undoubtedly nervous. Skittish. Maybe a little on-edge. Others were more stoic... quietly confident in calculated response... perhaps a tinge arrogant, even though there remained a public uncertainty regarding how the new man-to-assume-control would arrive. All knew this would be the day, and each of the elected would be intentional in their initial interaction. They wanted the message to be clear, even if their individual connections would weaken the party atmosphere.

For most in attendance, this was the first time they would meet him face-to-face. Granted, both the man’s admirers and detractors had watched his every move for days now - maybe weeks. The media has hounded him... (perhaps they think hounding aids in establishing their impartial persona facade.)

But this man is full of style. Full of grace. Technically, in fact, one could say the gentleman has said all the right things. Like it or not, he’s qualified for this position, and this was his appointed time - even if the foreshadowing events were not as he would have scripted. Our man was not new to this intense, polarized, and often biting arena.

Would he show up or would he not? Either way, he would be making a statement. All eyes would be on him.

And there he was.

Dressed in a dark suit, with a sly smile, gradually intensifying, he remained confident of his intentions whether the public voices echoed any squall of support. He was articulate, purposeful, and respectful of all; it seemed he was merely eager to join his party.

I heard Roland Burris, the plagued Governor of Illinois Senate appointee, went to Washington this week. Reportedly, many were watching. Sorry, friends, but I wasn’t one of them. I hesitate to actually admit this, knowing it has the potential to knick my mature credibility, but this week I watched ABC’s premiere of “The Bachelor” instead. People have been waiting for “Jason, the single dad Bachelor,” for months! But I wondered whether the Senate floor or the convergence of 25 single women had the more intense, polarized, and biting arena. Supposedly one of these was a reality show.

AR

BETTER & MORE & TRUE

With the start of a new year and resolutions quickly evolving more into reflection, the question remains, “What do you desire in 2009?” Resolutions are well intentioned; however, most of us begin to weary of doing good at some point, and thus it serves to ask the greater question: what should we do better and more?

For true transparency, the answer rests in what drives us to get out of bed each morning. What drives you? What do you base your life upon? Do you have any moral absolutes? Or are our lives simply a response? ... a response to the moment, to whatever comes next, or to which way the conventional wisdom winds attempt to blow?

Let me not appear any holier than thou. Friends can vouch for personal seasons in life when my greatest ambitions may have appeared to be synonymous with Loverboy’s “[Everybody’s] Working for the Weekend.” Thankfully, maturity does tend to reign somewhere post-college.

Several years ago, I read of a man I respected who decided to read through the Bible in its entirety every other year. He said he wanted to see what it says... and I would add, see what it doesn’t, as well. Something struck me profoundly that day. I thought, “If I’m going to really get this, to base my life upon this, then perhaps I should read it through every year.” Ok, ok, so I have a little nerd in me... But I decided then that if I wanted to live for something greater, I needed to know what this book says.

So many persons profess to live by the Bible’s teaching without knowing what it says. I have heard persons claim it simply means to be nice, courteous, and love those around you. True, that’s a good point, but it says a little more than that. I have heard others claim that the Bible says items such as alcohol are totally taboo. An interesting claim, as well, but I wonder how those reconcile such with the first public miracle of Jesus. Yet still others claim that the Bible would never substantiate war. Hmmm... another good idea, but perhaps more reading would be beneficial.

My point, friends, is that it’s hard to claim what the Bible says and what it doesn’t if you don’t spend time within it. Simply believing you know what it says inadvertently projects a wisdom that is greater than the Author Himself.

If you invest some time in it - and no worry, no need to be that nerd - but you will see there are things presented that make phenomenal sense. There are some teachings that are incredibly empowering and generate the kind of hope each of us craves. There are things, too, that are a complete, utter, and ambiguous mystery - things in which the teaching will remain inconclusive this side of the “Pearly Gates.” But we can’t state any teaching unequivocally unless we know what the Bible says... unless we actually spend time within its pages. That applies to those of us who think it’s true, to those of us who think some of it’s true, and equally to those of us who deny it’s true.

What are you basing your life upon? Because of that basis, what will you do this year that is better and more? Will you somehow cling to that which blows with the wind and changes daily? Or will you invest in something greater... something in which you know what it says?

I’m going to begin by studying that first miracle. I kind of like that one.


AR

BC WHAT?

The Intramuralist (I): “Welcome to the BCS! Yes, it’s none other than the ‘Big Confusion Sitcom’ -- ongoing since 1998 -- where we welcome the likes of college football’s most notorious personalities. Through the years we’ve entertained many, usually ending our show with some creative cliffhanger... or at least something fairly murky... something that keeps churning out frustrated viewers year after year... never knowing what ambiguous forces will grace us next.”

(I) “Pete Carroll, coach of USC, is that you?”

(Carroll) [grumbling] “Yes, it’s me. I think this stinks. There should be a playoff system in place!”

(I) “Funny, Pete, but I didn’t hear you speak quite as loudly in the years when your mighty Trojans appeared in the National Championship Game. Maybe your credibility would be a little more potent if you spoke out about a playoff when it didn’t serve to benefit you. Hey, Tebow...”

(Tebow) “Greetings, friend. Hey, nice blog, by the way.”

(I) “Thanks, Timmy. Sorry about the Heisman. I heard some guys intentionally left you off their ballot, wanting to make sure to steer the vote in either Bradford or McCoy’s favor. You received more first place votes than anyone else, but still didn’t win the trophy?”

(Tebow) “No need to cry foul. You know, it’s out of my control. Sam had a great season. In fact, I can’t wait to play his Sooners Thursday night. Will you be watching?”

(I) “Of course! It only adds to the confusion.”

(Tebow) “Yeah, talk about confusion -- I’m sorry about Texas. Not that I’m their biggest fan, but how do the powers-that-be justify that?”

(Carroll) “You don’t! This stinks!”

(I) “So let me get this straight. Your Gators, Tim, Sam’s Sooners, and Colt’s Longhorns all only have one loss, and Colt’s team beat Sam’s team, but Sam’s team lost earlier in the season than Colt’s, so they somehow earn the right to play Florida in the National Championship?”

(Carroll) “I told you this stinks.”

[Joe Paterno enters the room.]

(Paterno) “Anyone speak about the Utes yet?”

(I) “What’s up with Utah?”

(Paterno) “Utah didn’t lose a single regular season game. Still no option to play for the championship.”

(Carroll) “I told you this stinks!”

(Paterno) “Quiet... I’m not talking to you yet!”

(I) “Wait... didn’t they beat Alabama the other night? And wasn’t Alabama ranked #1 for much of the season?”

(Tebow) “Right. Alabama was ranked #1 until we beat them in the SEC championship. Utah also beats them handily and finishes with a perfect season, 13-0. But no national championship for the Utes. In fact, if a team goes undefeated, they have little chance to even make the championship game unless they’re from one of the 6 major conferences. Ball State would have been in a similar predicament, had the Cardinals not blown their final conference game.”

(Carroll) “Anyone seen Tressel around here, by the way? He’s usually part of this discussion.”

(Paterno) “He’s still trying to recoup his luggage... something about no sweater vests allowed in Arizona.”

(I) “So why does the sitcom remain in place? I mean, so many of you seem frustrated. So much of the country feels like they have to crown a true winner. What keeps our sitcom on the air?”

(Paterno) “You don’t know? Have you ever noticed the huge amount of revenue generated from the current system? The monies produced by having multiple big games as opposed to one ‘big one’? People who profit usually aren’t quick to surrender, whether it makes more sense or not.

(Carroll) “Even if it stinks.”

(Paterno) “Yes, Pete... even if it stinks.”

(I) “Hey Tim... before you leave, can you tell us, as a former Heisman winner, who did you vote for in 2008? Did you vote for yourself?”

(Tebow) “I learned some things are best kept quiet. Just like you don’t talk about whether you voted for Obama or McCain.”

(I) “True, there were things I liked about them both. Things that concerned me, too. But wait... did you see Obama’s plan for our sitcom? He wants to change our current confused status, ending our annual mess, and institute an 8 team college playoff.”

(Carroll) “Really? Truly? FINALLY??”

(I) “Yes. I hear it’s called change we can believe in!”


AR