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