Indiana Jones

Well, I’ve seen it now … twice, since opening day last Thursday. I admit it- I’m a fan of Indiana Jones. I remember seeing the first movie, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in the summer of 1981. I was a sophomore in college and like a vast majority of American theater goers, I sat through that movie, wide-eyed and gripping the arm of the chair until the credits began to roll. I entered curious and exited a fan. The whole series, including the latest, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, is just plain fun and tells epic stories with surprises and excitement.

So, yes, I enjoy watching them just for pure enjoyment, but I can’t escape my natural tendency to look for deeper meanings in things. For instance, I watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and saw Indiana standing at the edge of the precipice contemplating the faith necessary to step out across a vast chasm toward the Holy Grail. When I think of that scene I can’t help but view that as a picture of stepping out in faith and believing in what you can’t see. There are a number of things throughout the series that offer moments of pondering the deeper things, such as the power of God, self-sacrifice and good versus evil.

Indiana’s mission was to seek out relics lost for ages. Christ came “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Indiana went to the ends of the earth (just about) to rescue those he loved and cared about. Is that not what Christ did, come and rescue those whom he loves? So for me, beyond the sheer adventure of the series, I enjoy those moments of illumination.

So today I’m simply indulging in frivolous musings of the adventures of Dr. Jones and celebrating this final chapter in the saga. Go see it (by yourself before you decide to take the kids) and enjoy it for what it is. Then, after you’ve seen it a second time, you can begin to reflect about the meaning of Kingdom and all the mysteries that life holds, but until then… may the force be with you … (oops, that’s another series).

Prince Caspian

Last Friday I attended the opening day of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. It is a continuation of the story told in 2005’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. These movies, adapted from the series of books by C.S. Lewis, are wonderful stories and I think both movies were worth watching. TLTW and TW was more of an allegorical tale that pointed to Christ’s death and resurrection. I found its allegory to be clear and showed the power and victorious nature of Christ, as well as his compassion and gentle love.

You’ll not find the same train of thought in Prince Caspian, as it contains Christian themes instead of allegory. Aslan the Lion, the Christ figure, is more prominent in the first film, but does make an appearance in the second film and retains his supreme status. If you watch (or read the book) carefully, you’ll see themes of grace, faith, and restoration that reveal themselves and offer moments of reflection. This film is worth seeing for the pure enjoyment of it, but don’t miss out on pondering over it later to think about what it says on a deeper level. The one thing I missed in the movie was the way the book detailed the interaction between Aslan and Lucy. For me, that was a great picture of walking in faith, and I wish the movie had spent a bit more time on that relationship. But in any case, it was a great movie. I hope you find time to enjoy it too.

Ron Stone: A Good Neighbor

On May 13, a Houston icon passed from this life to the next. Since Tuesday there have been a multitude of stories on TV and the web about Ron Stone, who served as a news reporter and anchor in Houston on channel 11 (CBS) from 1961-1972 and channel 2 (NBC) from 1972-1992. (See channel 2 stories here.)

Co-workers and even so-called competitors called him friend and used superlative language to describe him as a person and news anchor. They tell about his skills in the news business, his penchant for history, and talent with telling stories, on screen and in print. Without fail each story talks about what a nice man he was, but the details go way beyond just being friendly.

He worked hard and he volunteered hard, giving time to causes he considered worthy, such as Muscular Dystrophy. One woman tells how she was a child with Muscular Dystrophy and met him at the telethon. He eased her fear and called her friend. Some years later, he sent a helicopter to her house because she was unable to come to the telethon that year. On air he was heard to pass along get-well messages and off the air he went to great lengths to show his concern for others. One story I found interesting was a note in a visitation book from a young man thanking Ron for being his Sunday school teacher in the 60’s, which shows he served outside of the secular path of life. One woman recounted how he offered much needed change to her while she was juggling groceries and toddlers in the checkout line. He took time to be with the common person, because he considered himself to be a common man… a neighbor.

Who is my neighbor? In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer that question and teaches what it means to be a good neighbor. It may take a little extra labor to be the good neighbor, but that is exactly what Christ calls us to do. The parable is an example to follow: Love your neighbor as yourself.

This week many people are offering prayers of thanks for the life of Ron Stone and the example he left for us to follow. Many have commented on his good humor, sincerity, kindness, thoughtfulness, and genuineness stating that if more people acted like Ron Stone, then the world would be a better place.

Mr. Stone’s signoff each night was “Good night neighbors”, and I offer that up for your own daily response of choosing to be a good neighbor.

“Don’t tell anyone I told you, but…”

What a way to begin a conversation. Even better yet there’s the infamous, “Susie said … (blah blah blah), but said not to tell anyone.” Secrets are hard to keep, gossip is easy to spread, and neither is beneficial to the life of the church. Whether it is in person, by phone, texting or MySpace, wounding words- from Christians no less- cut deep without regard to our call to live as Christians (literally “little Christs”).

Ghandi once said, I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” He makes a point about how our actions don’t always match what we know to be Christian behavior. In Romans 7:7-25, Paul talks about our struggle with sinful behavior. There is absolutely no justification for choosing hurtful words and actions over forgiveness and love.

If you read chapter one of Romans, Paul talks about God’s wrath toward those who suppress truth. He then lists a number of depraved actions which include gossip and slander. In Galatians 5:13-20 Paul reprimands the church for back-biting, discord, etc, instead of serving “one another in love.” Too often, then and now, we “good” Christians justify our jealousy, rage, and need for revenge against those who have hurt or disagreed with us. But giving in to that only drags one down to the point of leaning on your own will and straying from the faith. Only a downward spiral follows.

The next time someone begins to spread gossip, whether in the guise of truth or not, I challenge you to boldness and to “[speak] the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Stop being a party to the spread of rumors that destroy and instead gossip the gospel. When encountering the “Susie said not to tell, but…” preface to a conversation, I have learned to interrupt with “then please don’t tell me.” Remember, whoever doesn’t keep Susie’s secrets, won’t keep yours either. And, briefly, there’s the email stories that beg to be forwarded. Try checking their validity at snopes.com and you’ll be surprised.

Those who consider themselves to be Christian need to quit kidding themselves into thinking hurtful words are acceptable in retaliation for the hurtful words they have received. We need to put child-ish and petty ways behind us and embrace God’s grace. We need to cling to a child-like faith and share forgiveness with each other as easily as God forgives us. Let us get back to the task of being transformed so that the world outside the church doors will see us and see how Christians are so very much like the Christ we preach.

Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 7:8

Senior-itus

Senior-itus: that debilitating syndrome that strikes high school and college seniors during their final year of school. You have certainly either witnessed it or experienced it in your lifetime. During my own senior year of high school, my very astute government teacher shared his observation regarding the senior’s participation in the “class yell” portion of the pep-rallies. He suggested a more realistic pep-rally cry in lieu of the traditional one, and offered, “A-P-A, T-H-Y, that’s our senior battl… (sighhhhh).” He knew the struggle of senior-itus and gave us the opportunity to recognize it enough to push through the rest of the year.

But senior-itus doesn’t just affect students. There are other strains with similar symptoms which originate outside of the realm of school. These symptoms appear about this time of year as a type of office doldrums precariously set between the memory of Christmas vacations and the hope of summer vacations. The church, full of people with these symptoms, is affected by that same struggle of being faithful, despite the times we feel tired or worn out. But if we recognize the struggle, then overcoming becomes possible.

Hebrews 12:1-3 serves as a rally cry for me, almost as a spiritual pep-rally to encourage this “team” of Christians to keep moving forward with Christ.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The Message ends this section saying, “That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” When I picture that great cloud of witnesses cheering me on, I remember that others struggled like I do, needing encouragement to even ask Jesus for help. That lifts me up to refocus my eyes on Jesus, whose power enables me to not just walk, but run with perseverance. Whatever is happening in your life- great changes, or even yearning for changes- seek God first and allow Him to pull you through. And He will… every single time.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. (2nd Thess 3:5 NIV )