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.

July 17, 2012

1. I saw an excellent cartoon the other day where a boy and girl were talking to each other. The boy asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

            The girl said, “Fired by NBC…”

            In the frame was the headline of a newspaper that proclaimed, “Ann Curry to receive $10 million to leave ‘Today.’”

            I think the girl had a point. If Ann Curry can eliminate her pride, she is set for life.

2. I saw this month the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) approved a resolution calling for the end of spanking in the home, while also promoting legalized abortion. Something tells me they got it backwards.

3. Did you see that many scientists are making a big deal of the evidence for the Higgs boson recently? I am not sure what the Higgs boson is, other than something about giving atoms their mass. What interests me though is that some scientists are referring to it as the “God particle”.

4. I was fascinated to see some of the discussion at the convention of the Southern Baptists a couple weeks ago in New Orleans. First off: because they elected as their new president an African-American pastor. Secondly, because they’re now giving their churches their blessing to call themselves the “Great Commission Baptists.” Third, because they voted on a proposal by David Platt, a Calvinist Southern Baptist pastor from Alabama, to eliminate the Sinners Prayer because it was “unbiblical,” “superstitious,” and “gave many a false assurance of salvation.” Instead, the SBC voted to affirm the legitimacy of the prayer.

5. I disagree with the homosexual agenda, but I tip my hat to their lobbyists for their impact on our culture. The latest example of that is the decision by Marvel Comics to publish a comic book last month featuring the X-Men superhero, Northstar, marrying his boyfriend, Kyle. This motivated the rival DC Comics to bring the Green Lantern character out of his closet. Disagree with the lobbyists if you wish, but I have never seen such a small portion of the population (those who are practicing homosexuals) make such a disproportionate impact on society. Maybe we in Christian churches could learn a lesson from them on that.

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