July 31, 2012

1. Four years ago, I was preaching in Mexico for one week of the Summer Olympics. Although I saw a few events there on Mexican television—including some of the races of Michael Phelps—I missed a lot of the competitions... and I was fine with that. My wife on the other hand is a huge fan. Consequently, it seems like whenever I am home she’s got the Olympics on. Now my son and younger daughter have bought into the Olympics as well, so I’ve seen quite a bit.

            Here’s what I like about the Olympics so far:

A. The Opening Ceremonies

B. The men’s and women’s gymnastic teams

C. The class of world champion gymnast Jordyn Wieber, who did not qualify to compete in the all-around finals because of a silly rule

D. Missy Franklin

             Here is what I have not liked:

A. The whining of Hope Solo

B. The attitude of some of the men on the US swimming team.

2. I was sorry to see Tom Davis and Sherman Hensley passed away last week. I grew up watching both of them on TV, Tom Davis on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and Sherman Hensley on THE JEFFERSONS. I smile when I think about both of them. That’s a pretty good legacy.

3. My daughter Abby and I saw THE DARK KNIGHT RISES last Saturday. For my thoughts on theological reflection and this movie, see my blog for Monday: http://markedgeremarks.blogspot.com/2012/07/spiritual-reflection-on-dark-knight.html

            A local newspaper critic blasted this movie. I personally found it very satisfying. It was exciting, and I like the way the Christopher Nolan tied everything together. As I tweeted on Saturday, I could easily go back in line and watch the movie again.

4. Over ten years ago, I was assigned to a serious exegetical study on the subject of homosexuality and scripture in graduate school. That was when I encountered for the first time the move many scholars were attempting to make to justify same-sex marriage.

            Addressing the issue of same-sex marriage to a larger audience, in this case—a newspaper article for the West Texas town I lived in, I questioned why proponents of polygamy did not lobby for their rights. If anything (I wrote), they had an even stronger argument than the same-sex proponents did. Now I see in TIME magazine that some families who have been secretly practicing polygamy are now seeking to legitimize their marriages. If I believed like them (I don’t), I would do the same.

            For anyone who desires a stable society in the future—good luck.

5. Great quote from the therapist Edwin Friedman, "As long as one's orientation toward society is technological it follows that changing society will be thought of in terms of technique. In this case, leaders do not have to focus on their own being."

            What he meant by that is that great leaders regulate their anxiety. A non-anxious person is the most impactful person on a family or a society. This is not natural and requires hard work, discipline, and focus. Technology can never replace this reality, and one should not lean too heavily upon it.

*Thanks to Peter King for the inspiration for this blog's title.