"christians" vs who?

Here I am stepping onto a soapbox. Ahem....

There's a new movie coming out called "Amazing Grace". Its the true story of how a former British slave trader fought to end slavery. It was the impact of his faith in God and the convictions that stemmed from it that led him to reject his slave trading past. Part of that change involved him writing the song we now know as Amazing Grace. Its a powerful story of how one man's change of heart changed the world we live in.

Here's what irks me so much - the advertising. On the radio they have the usual comments by movie critics about how great the movie is. Then comes the quote from Chuck Colson, a prominent leader among American evangelicals. "This is a movie every Christian must see." WHY ONLY CHRISTIANS? Its a historical movie. Its something that is pertinent to the world we live in. So is he saying that because it is also a story about faith that its not a movie for everyone? It pisses me off to see prominent church leaders creating such dividing lines. Really, if its good enough for your church members to see is it going to kill anyone else to see the movie? Why not say that its a movie everyone should see? But no, apparently in Colson's eyes, and the advertising execs, its better to cater to a group that they see as more imortant or better than everyone else. That is a freakng tragedy. From the top down evangelicals in America have created an us verses them mentality and they refuse to see the damage they've caused. Yet another reason why I'm embarrased by the implications of being called a Christian in today's culture.

Note: I need to clarify something thanks to the observation of a friend. This blog represents my initial reaction to the radio ad. Frankly my reaction stems from a sometimes unhealthy cynicism I feel toward my own religious background. I do not believe that my statements above were necessarily the intent of the advertisers. It is simply a reflection of how the ad came across to me.

music in the car

A funny thing happens when you become a parent. The music you listen to in the car suddenly becomes a big issue, especially on road trips. Yesterday we drove to Spokane and to avoid arguments everyone got a turn picking the music we would listen to. And so began a strange progression from Veggie Tales to kids worship to Krystal Myers to Chris Daughtry to The David Crowder Band... The list goes on. In some ways its the ultimate test in perseverance and tolerance. A road trip with kids.

a rock on a path

It's pretty blatant when you have toddlers or young children in your life because you begin to refer to events in stories or cartoons far too often. (Though that often was the case in college too, lol) Anyway, there is this cartoon on the Learning Channel called Peep and the Big Wide World. Now I know that it is written to teach lessons to young children but there is one story that really stands out to me.

Quack (he's a duck) is on his way to see his friend Peep. As he's walking up a hill along a path he runs into a big rock. Quack gets angry and starts telling the rock to get out of his way. He's at what appears to be an impasse. Now Peep comes walking down the hill, walks around the rock and is surprised to find Quack just standing there. Peep asks him why he doesn't just walk around the rock and Quack is adamant that he has the right of way and the rock should move for him.

This is a pretty amazing picture of how we often approach our lives. Life is moving along when something unexpected happens. It could be something at work, in our relationships, school, health... But we find ourselves unable to move past what has happened. From where we are sitting there is simply no option, no way past. But from the outside there are lots of options. We are simply blind to them because we are so focused on what is before us. When our focus becomes so narrowed that all we can see is our hurt or our troubles we lose sight of our very lives. Life throws all sorts of curve balls our way, some because of others, some because of our own choices. Either way those events are not the sole definers of who we are. Our life doesn't stop because of them unless we let it. I can't tell you how mny times I've seen people who let there entire lives be defined by hurt and troubles. They refuse to see the other possiblilities for living life. They exist without hope because they refuse to see hope. They exist without peace because they refuse to see the path that will lead them there. And so some of us walk around the rock and keep going, while others stay there waiting for it to move. Waiting... waiting... waiting.

attention

I find myself constantly struggling with a strange quandary. I am sure that I am not alone in this but still... there are two aspects of attention that just frustrate and confound me.

There is a part of me that craves attention. The person I used to be would have just outright bragged about something, anything, to get that attention. I don't brag the way I used to. Yet I still find myself at times saying stuff that is simply trying to garner some attention. It's a struggle of ego vs. humility and it is constantly there. I think the biggest difference between then and now is that afterwards I recognize what I just did and it leaves me feeling uncomfortable.

There is another side to this issue of attention. While I can be far too quick to draw attention to myself, I get really embarrassed when someone else says something positive or flattering about me. Why is that? Its crazy that attention can both come from blatant pride and also stir emotions of embarrasment or even guilt.

I know that I've been a bit, well, obsessed really about identity lately. And I think that this is just one more part of it. When we feel insecure about who we are... When I feel insecure about who I am the need for attention grows and the conflicting emotions and reactions grow. However, when I know who I am, no doubts, no worries - the struggle fades. I don't crave the attention as much and I don't get as embarrased at compliments from others. When I am sure in who I am I don't need the attention for significance or meaning in my life.

The biggest difference in me now verses 10-15 years ago is that it is a battle. Before I never knew who I was and totally defined myself by the attention of others. I've seen the real me, who God made me to be. Now the battle is on as I learn and grow to be comfortable with who I really am. Progress, one day at a time.