I read an article today that was about the issue of "transgender." There is a cry for help from a group of people that needs to be addressed. There is a lot of pain associated with this whole gender identity issue. The article spurred me to write out my thoughts.
The topics related to sex / gender have fascinated me for some time now. Why? Because I am someone who doesn't fit "the norm." I will say that I agree with this article. This gender identity issue is a mental one that should be addressed, but I want to offer up another answer to the issue. One that is near to my heart.
Gender is cultural. What it means to be a woman in the US is different than a woman in a remote African village. But beyond that, we are ALL different. I like to think of these things as a spectrum. Both sexes have testosterone and estrogen right? They're not doled out in equal parts to all of us, we all land somewhere on the spectrum. We are mostly all born clearly one sex or the other, (there are a few born with both parts) but how our life develops is up for grabs. I think environment definitely plays a part in determining our preferences, but I'm sure our biology does as well. (no, I have no formal education on this topic, just thinking with my brain and reading random articles over the years) A girl who has more testosterone will likely be better at sports and therefore pursue it more than a girl who does not. Just a generalization, but you get where I'm going.
Let me tell you a little about me that shapes how I view this issue. All who know me will tell you that I'm a tomboy, that I hate girly stuff, I hate pink, I hate flowers, but I love sports, baseball caps, and eating burgers instead of salads. Does that mean I identify as a boy? No!
Why am I this way? I would guess in part because I grew up in a neighborhood full of boys. When I went out to play with the neighbor kids, it was all baseball, football, Star Wars... We watched action movies and played ball. I had an older sister, but she married and moved out when I was 8, so before I hit the age of really starting to develop who I was. Maybe if we'd been closer in age I would've been different. Who knows? I know a lot of kids look up to and emulate their older siblings. But as it is, I have always much preferred "boy activities" to "girl activities." This of course caused me to be picked on in school and I never quite fit in with the boys or the girls. Even into adulthood, there were women's meetings at church and I never wanted to go to them because they were all tea parties, fashion shows, and girl food that I wouldn't eat. I have finally come to terms with my identity, I am secure in who I am, but it has not come without a lot of heartache. I would think that I can relate to these youth that call themselves transgender on some level. I don't fit in. I am not what people have told me I should be.
How do I identify myself today at 37? Honestly, to tell you the truth, neither. And I think that is how it should be. (I'm sure some would disagree with me on that, but it's my opinion) I think the entire problem is that people really like to put things in boxes, to create labels to attach to everyone. We so badly want control in our world, we subconsciously insist that everyone fit perfectly into all sorts of little categories. This is what I believe needs to change. There is a loud cry for freedom that is running into brick walls everywhere it turns! Growing up and discovering who you are is hard enough without all the outside pressure to conform conform conform!! We are destroying the uniqueness in people by forcing everyone to be exactly the same or get tormented by their peers. We claim to be a tolerant society, but we are so far from it. Ask any junior high kid. Any little thing that is different about you brings the torment of the other students. We have all been there, we've all felt outcast at some point. Just because we're different.
We all know the boy that likes fashion and art and dancing and is immediately labeled "gay." We all know the girl who dresses for comfort, loves sports, and can fix a car so she is labeled "lesbian." It's sick and wrong!! It is ludicrous to think that a person's likes or dislikes have anything to do with sexual desires. But that is how we label, and that is a big part of messing up the minds of kids who are trying to figure out who they are. We're telling them that "because you like this, you must be this." Why can't a boy like fashion and still like girls? Why can't a girl be good at sports and still like boys? Why are these people the targets of bullying? Why can't we just let people be who they are? If we're all the same, life is boring and a lot of stuff wouldn't get done. We need everyone to be who they were created to be. What would the world look like if everyone could be free to be? I think it would be a much happier place.
I don't know how to end this. It's human nature to categorize things. All I can hope for is that I can write something that makes one person think, and that person shares it with another and it spreads, changing attitudes and perceptions. We desperately need true tolerance and acceptance of the unique nature of every single human being. Stop labeling people on first impressions. Stop insisting that everyone be the same. Stop telling little boys to not play with dolls. Stop forcing little girls to wear pink every day. We all have a sex, male or female, that is not up for debate. It tells us what our role in reproduction is, that's about it. Beyond that is a huge spectrum of possibility.
The rest of our identity is a mystery to be sought out and discovered with great joy! I wasted so many years listening to others tell me that who I was was wrong and I needed to change it. I had a culturally based gender identity forced on me and I didn't have the courage to fight it yet. I know that eventually my journey brought be to a discovery of my destiny to live and serve in Uganda. Once I found that piece, all the other quirks and oddities suddenly made complete sense! I was created for this! This is who I am and where I find my joy. I only hope that everyone else is given the same freedom to find who they are and rejoice in it.
I am Superman. Deal with it. :)
P.S. -- Since this whole Bruce Jenner story has blown up, I'm revisiting this post. I don't know his story. I don't know why he thinks he should be a woman. My heart breaks for him that he sees his only option is to mutilate his body and artificially medicate himself for the rest of his life so that he can appear as a woman. I wonder if the things I've said here could've helped him see another option if he had encountered these ideas. I wonder what made him believe he couldn't be himself without changing his appearance. It's so sad, and even sadder that our media is hailing him as a great courageous hero for what he's doing. I think he is a very hurt and confused man and I hope he finds the help he needs so he can be at peace with the man he was created to be.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Monday, February 2, 2015
Destiny
What am I supposed to be doing with my life? Some would tell you that every answer you need in life is in the Bible, but I would like to propose that isn't exactly true. Yeah, I said it. There are tons of good teachings in there, but they are broad and generic so to speak. But what about my life? There's no way the Bible is going to tell me to move to Uganda, because Uganda didn't exist when it was written. It's not going to tell you to go to college for a computer programming degree. The Bible gives us principles and guidelines, but there has to be another way to get specific instructions for our own lives.
The purpose of the Bible, I've heard it said, is to introduce you to the author. As we get to know Him, He shows us who He created us to be. When you know who you are, and what your passions are, it becomes much easier to choose your path. He created us all for something specific, and it isn't all 'super spiritual' looking. Some are called to be pastors and missionaries, sure, but some are called to be postmen or football players. There's plenty of possibilities, and as we discover our unique identity, gift mix, and passions, our destiny becomes clear.
The Bible contains principles by which we can make decisions which is great. It also contains stories of people who messed up and people who got to see God's miracles, many times they were one in the same. The Bible is about redemption. God used the worst of people to accomplish His works on the Earth. I just heard a preacher say something like 19 books of the Bible were written by murderers. Ever looked at Jesus' family tree? Prostitutes, murderers, adulterers, liars.... Not the prettiest heritage. But God. I think the Bible is a story of hope. All these people messed up big time, yet God still loved them and still used them for great purposes.
So what can I learn? I learned that why these people overcame their sin was their relationship with God. David was called a man after God's heart. He killed tons of people and he lusted after a married woman and slept with her and then had her husband killed to cover up his sin. Not the best resume, but he lived a life of repentance and God blessed him over and over. This in no way tells us it's ok to sin, but if and when we do mess up, it's not too late. I am encouraged in that. My sin is not bigger than God's plan for my life.
Sometimes it's easy to start thinking it's too late for me. I've messed up too much, I didn't do enough, I didn't work hard enough... I'm 37 years old, it's too late to discover my purpose and get on it. I think the Bible is full of stories of people who didn't start their journey at age 20. People who took a lot of detours before they finally clicked into their destiny. It's not too late for me. Tomorrow is a new day, full of hope and new opportunities. I will choose to partner with Jesus and discover what He has for me this day.
Right now I'm in a season of waiting. God is working quietly in my heart, healing deep wounds and working bad habits out of me. No one really sees what is happening under the surface, but I know what's happening. Yes, He has called me to Uganda and given me a great vision for what He wants to do there through me and I can't wait to get started! But first, He has work to do inside me. People ask me all the time when I'm going, and I don't feel like giving the full answer. Some things are just between me and God right now. He has showed me some things that need to fall into place before I'll be ready to take on my mission, but I am not going to share the details with everyone. He just keeps telling me to "wait and trust." So that is what I'm doing. I have been building a relationship with the author and perfecter of my faith, and I'm choosing to trust in His timing. Without a solid relationship with Him, I will fail in Uganda, I'm sure of it. I might still do some good, but there is no way I'll have the same kind of impact that I'll have with Him.
The purpose of the Bible, I've heard it said, is to introduce you to the author. As we get to know Him, He shows us who He created us to be. When you know who you are, and what your passions are, it becomes much easier to choose your path. He created us all for something specific, and it isn't all 'super spiritual' looking. Some are called to be pastors and missionaries, sure, but some are called to be postmen or football players. There's plenty of possibilities, and as we discover our unique identity, gift mix, and passions, our destiny becomes clear.
The Bible contains principles by which we can make decisions which is great. It also contains stories of people who messed up and people who got to see God's miracles, many times they were one in the same. The Bible is about redemption. God used the worst of people to accomplish His works on the Earth. I just heard a preacher say something like 19 books of the Bible were written by murderers. Ever looked at Jesus' family tree? Prostitutes, murderers, adulterers, liars.... Not the prettiest heritage. But God. I think the Bible is a story of hope. All these people messed up big time, yet God still loved them and still used them for great purposes.
So what can I learn? I learned that why these people overcame their sin was their relationship with God. David was called a man after God's heart. He killed tons of people and he lusted after a married woman and slept with her and then had her husband killed to cover up his sin. Not the best resume, but he lived a life of repentance and God blessed him over and over. This in no way tells us it's ok to sin, but if and when we do mess up, it's not too late. I am encouraged in that. My sin is not bigger than God's plan for my life.
Sometimes it's easy to start thinking it's too late for me. I've messed up too much, I didn't do enough, I didn't work hard enough... I'm 37 years old, it's too late to discover my purpose and get on it. I think the Bible is full of stories of people who didn't start their journey at age 20. People who took a lot of detours before they finally clicked into their destiny. It's not too late for me. Tomorrow is a new day, full of hope and new opportunities. I will choose to partner with Jesus and discover what He has for me this day.
Right now I'm in a season of waiting. God is working quietly in my heart, healing deep wounds and working bad habits out of me. No one really sees what is happening under the surface, but I know what's happening. Yes, He has called me to Uganda and given me a great vision for what He wants to do there through me and I can't wait to get started! But first, He has work to do inside me. People ask me all the time when I'm going, and I don't feel like giving the full answer. Some things are just between me and God right now. He has showed me some things that need to fall into place before I'll be ready to take on my mission, but I am not going to share the details with everyone. He just keeps telling me to "wait and trust." So that is what I'm doing. I have been building a relationship with the author and perfecter of my faith, and I'm choosing to trust in His timing. Without a solid relationship with Him, I will fail in Uganda, I'm sure of it. I might still do some good, but there is no way I'll have the same kind of impact that I'll have with Him.
Friday, January 2, 2015
God doesn't hate 'fags'
Today I want to post something a little odd. One of my biggest pet peeves is people who misrepresent God in very public ways. It breaks my heart that so many people are getting a very wrong idea about who God is and because of that they're missing out on the greatest relationship they could ever have. One of the biggest offenders in this area is those who picket with "God hates fags" signs. This makes me so angry! I know it isn't true, but I decided to do a search of the words "God hates" and see what I could find in the Bible. Just for kicks.
I did find a few things. I'll just lump them all together. This is everything that came up in a computer search on biblegateway.com...
God hates: sacrificing children in the fire, setting up altars to false gods, people who love violence, Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, new moon festivals, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, one who spreads strife among brothers, divorce, and Esau. (if you want all the references, just ask, I don't feel like typing all that out at the moment - they're all OT except the Esau one)
I did find a few things. I'll just lump them all together. This is everything that came up in a computer search on biblegateway.com...
God hates: sacrificing children in the fire, setting up altars to false gods, people who love violence, Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, new moon festivals, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, one who spreads strife among brothers, divorce, and Esau. (if you want all the references, just ask, I don't feel like typing all that out at the moment - they're all OT except the Esau one)
Anyone see homosexuals in that list? I don't. I see a list of things that if we're honest with ourselves, we've all done at least a couple of. I can pretty much guarantee that EVERYONE has lied at some point. The thing is, with the exception of Esau, (and I don't claim to understand why he's named on this list) these things God hates are all actions that cause harm. Really, that is what sin is. God didn't set up a list of stupid meaningless rules to keep us down, He gave us guardrails to keep us from getting hurt. He loves His children, every last one of us. How many of you parents like seeing your kids get hurt? I hope that no one does. God hates things that hurt His kids. He's a good Papa and He loves us all very much.
As I've written about before, I think that people only sin because they are either wounded or believing a lie. I believe sin is a deceitful thing that is attacking us. That is the bottom line of what God hates. He hates this thing that is out to destroy His kids. If you've done things on this list, it does NOT mean God hates you. I don't want anyone reading this to take up shame, that is not the response I'm looking for. I do think we should all be mindful of the things God warns us about. I personally do not enjoy pain, so I will listen to His guidance. I'm not perfect, I still fall into the trap, but I strive to do better and better as the years go by. That's all we can do, and only with Jesus' help.
I would add that I bet God also hates the harm caused by these people and their picket signs. I apologize to anyone who has been hurt by seeing these signs. These people are misled and NOT displaying the heart of the Jesus I know. He really is good and He loves you very much.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Stereotypes - Cops and Thugs
Stereotype: a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group:
Profiling: the use of personal characteristics or behavior patterns to make generalizations about a person
These terms are pretty much always used in a negative context as if they are wrong, but if we're honest, we all do it. It's how we process our world. We make an instant judgement about a person on sight. We then can choose what we do with it, but there is a first impression that we all have based on similar situations we've encountered previously. If guys in cowboy hats have always called you ma'am or sir, the next cowboy hat you see, you will probably expect the same. We recognize patterns and create expectations based on those patterns.
I believe this is an important issue to be aware of when we consider how we present ourselves to the world around us. Let us look at the hip hop/rap culture. These boys that dress like gangsters/ thugs give off a certain expectation about their character. When one chooses to align with a music scene that promotes violence, drugs, crime, sexual violence, promiscuity, lack of respect for authority and who knows what else.... I personally am going to be much more inclined to not trust them. I don't know why anyone would like listening to all that if they didn't aspire to that lifestyle. That is just my opinion, but isn't that what we're talking about here? It is my opinion that one will primarily choose to fill their eyes and ears with things that align with their moral standards.
This has been on my mind with the current news line. I have not intentionally looked at anything related to the Ferguson case, just heard the bare bones basic idea, so I won't pretend to know anything about it. (as if watching the news really tells us anything about anything) I'm just thinking that this isn't new. We hear stories often about authority figures abusing people, be it cops or teachers, and the news creates this huge hoopla about it and incites the people to riot. It is something that I am trying to be understanding about. I am not saying it is right, but I feel like I understand how it happens and that the authority figures aren't really the problem.
I remember an incident back in middle school where a teacher grabbed a student by the throat and pushed him out in the hallway and up against the wall in anger. I realize now that wasn't ok, but at the time, I think we all thought the kid deserved it. He was always acting up and being a turd. No one liked him. He pushed the teacher to the breaking point. Years later I heard another teacher that I really liked had been suspended and accused of slapping a student. I'd been in his class for 3 years, he was a great guy, so my thought again was, what that kid must've done to push the teacher to that point. My point is that cops and teachers deal with troublesome individuals on a daily basis. The growing number of punks that just smart off and fight back is something I would never be able to deal with. I would totally want to slap them around. Think about it. How much disrespect could you take? I'm surprised more of them don't snap.
So back to my original word, the cops have for sure got a certain idea in their head about how these punks will behave, and that includes pulling a gun. If I'm an officer facing off with someone that looks like every other punk I've dealt with, the threat of a weapon coming out is running on red alert. Have you ever had a gun pulled on you? These cops have I'm sure. A few months ago I just happened to drive right past a situation where a cop shootout was happening and I know what happened inside of me. My racing heart, shaking hands, two hours trying to calm down, not thinking straight .... How much time do you have to make a decision in that situation? I would never want to be in their shoes.
I hope we as a nation can learn to have some compassion. Yes, bad things happen, mistakes are made, but we all make them. Can we choose to not vilify cops when one of them makes a mistake (or alleged mistake)? Can we try to understand their circumstances? Can we forgive? If you can't forgive others their mistakes, how can you ever expect yours to be forgiven? Can we address the real problem? Can we seek to provide resources for the cops to turn to when the stress builds up so they don't snap? Can we acknowledge how much crap they deal with on a daily basis and give them our respect for doing it?
And secondly, how are you presenting yourself to the world? I would venture a guess that not all black people are automatically suspected of being criminals, but only those who dress and act in a way that lumps them in with the sector that is. If you associate yourself with criminals, don't whine when you are assumed to be one at first glance. Realize that stereotypes exist and you will be treated as such on first impression, just as you do it to others.
And lastly, let us do our best to get to know people beyond first impressions. They might surprise you. I'm challenging myself on this one, I'm not very good at this myself. :)
Profiling: the use of personal characteristics or behavior patterns to make generalizations about a person
These terms are pretty much always used in a negative context as if they are wrong, but if we're honest, we all do it. It's how we process our world. We make an instant judgement about a person on sight. We then can choose what we do with it, but there is a first impression that we all have based on similar situations we've encountered previously. If guys in cowboy hats have always called you ma'am or sir, the next cowboy hat you see, you will probably expect the same. We recognize patterns and create expectations based on those patterns.
I believe this is an important issue to be aware of when we consider how we present ourselves to the world around us. Let us look at the hip hop/rap culture. These boys that dress like gangsters/ thugs give off a certain expectation about their character. When one chooses to align with a music scene that promotes violence, drugs, crime, sexual violence, promiscuity, lack of respect for authority and who knows what else.... I personally am going to be much more inclined to not trust them. I don't know why anyone would like listening to all that if they didn't aspire to that lifestyle. That is just my opinion, but isn't that what we're talking about here? It is my opinion that one will primarily choose to fill their eyes and ears with things that align with their moral standards.
This has been on my mind with the current news line. I have not intentionally looked at anything related to the Ferguson case, just heard the bare bones basic idea, so I won't pretend to know anything about it. (as if watching the news really tells us anything about anything) I'm just thinking that this isn't new. We hear stories often about authority figures abusing people, be it cops or teachers, and the news creates this huge hoopla about it and incites the people to riot. It is something that I am trying to be understanding about. I am not saying it is right, but I feel like I understand how it happens and that the authority figures aren't really the problem.
I remember an incident back in middle school where a teacher grabbed a student by the throat and pushed him out in the hallway and up against the wall in anger. I realize now that wasn't ok, but at the time, I think we all thought the kid deserved it. He was always acting up and being a turd. No one liked him. He pushed the teacher to the breaking point. Years later I heard another teacher that I really liked had been suspended and accused of slapping a student. I'd been in his class for 3 years, he was a great guy, so my thought again was, what that kid must've done to push the teacher to that point. My point is that cops and teachers deal with troublesome individuals on a daily basis. The growing number of punks that just smart off and fight back is something I would never be able to deal with. I would totally want to slap them around. Think about it. How much disrespect could you take? I'm surprised more of them don't snap.
So back to my original word, the cops have for sure got a certain idea in their head about how these punks will behave, and that includes pulling a gun. If I'm an officer facing off with someone that looks like every other punk I've dealt with, the threat of a weapon coming out is running on red alert. Have you ever had a gun pulled on you? These cops have I'm sure. A few months ago I just happened to drive right past a situation where a cop shootout was happening and I know what happened inside of me. My racing heart, shaking hands, two hours trying to calm down, not thinking straight .... How much time do you have to make a decision in that situation? I would never want to be in their shoes.
I hope we as a nation can learn to have some compassion. Yes, bad things happen, mistakes are made, but we all make them. Can we choose to not vilify cops when one of them makes a mistake (or alleged mistake)? Can we try to understand their circumstances? Can we forgive? If you can't forgive others their mistakes, how can you ever expect yours to be forgiven? Can we address the real problem? Can we seek to provide resources for the cops to turn to when the stress builds up so they don't snap? Can we acknowledge how much crap they deal with on a daily basis and give them our respect for doing it?
And secondly, how are you presenting yourself to the world? I would venture a guess that not all black people are automatically suspected of being criminals, but only those who dress and act in a way that lumps them in with the sector that is. If you associate yourself with criminals, don't whine when you are assumed to be one at first glance. Realize that stereotypes exist and you will be treated as such on first impression, just as you do it to others.
And lastly, let us do our best to get to know people beyond first impressions. They might surprise you. I'm challenging myself on this one, I'm not very good at this myself. :)
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
The Woman Caught in Adultery
I have often thought of this story found in John 8 and thought that it may be the most important passage that begs us to reflect upon our own lives.
For anyone who doesn't know, the religious leaders catch a woman in the act of adultery and they bring her to Jesus in an attempt to find another excuse to accuse Him. They remind Jesus that the law says she should be stoned to death. Jesus tells them, ok, whoever of you is without sin can throw the first stone. The religious leaders all leave the scene. Jesus, the only sinless one present, tells the woman that He doesn't condemn her, she should go and sin no more.
I think it shows us three different groups we might fit into, and I think we can probably find ourselves in all 3 at some point in our life. What can we learn from each group?
1 - The "sinner" -- We've all been here. The wages of sin is death, and we've received a pardon. Consider the gratefulness this woman would have felt in this moment immediately following a horrible shame and fear filled situation as she receives the grace of Jesus. It is good to remember where we have come from and thank God often for His grace and mercy on us. It was the greatest love that Christ died for us while we were still His enemies.
2 - The religious -- The Pharisees are always the bad guys in the Bible, but oh how often I have been them, or I run into people standing in their shoes? Self-righteousness is such an easy trap to fall into. How quickly we can forget that we too were sinners and Christ saved our butts. We turn our nose up at people who don't do the things we do, or do the things we do not do. We love to cry out for their blood. We love to see those who do wrong get what's coming to them. Oh the hypocrisy! I would recommend that we all examine our own attitudes often to see if we are falling into this pit. The world won't see our love if they first see our judgement and spite.
3 - Jesus -- Of course we all want to think that we'd be like Jesus in this story. Jesus sees our hearts and He knows the hurts and lies that have assaulted us. He wants more than anything to restore us to our created ideal. Justice for Him is to see us healed and delivered from the enslavement of sin. He was the only one in the story that had the right to stone her, but He chose to love on her instead. We never hear what happened to her, but I would guess that her life took a drastic turn after that incident. I want to be the person that loves people that do things I don't do, things I don't think are right. I want to see past the surface and see the heart. Jesus sees our golden centers and He calls us up into that path. We, as His disciples must learn to do the same. The world has enough hurt and judgement and hate, we don't need to add to it. The kindness of God is what leads us to repentance. Let us strive to be more like Jesus.
For anyone who doesn't know, the religious leaders catch a woman in the act of adultery and they bring her to Jesus in an attempt to find another excuse to accuse Him. They remind Jesus that the law says she should be stoned to death. Jesus tells them, ok, whoever of you is without sin can throw the first stone. The religious leaders all leave the scene. Jesus, the only sinless one present, tells the woman that He doesn't condemn her, she should go and sin no more.
I think it shows us three different groups we might fit into, and I think we can probably find ourselves in all 3 at some point in our life. What can we learn from each group?
1 - The "sinner" -- We've all been here. The wages of sin is death, and we've received a pardon. Consider the gratefulness this woman would have felt in this moment immediately following a horrible shame and fear filled situation as she receives the grace of Jesus. It is good to remember where we have come from and thank God often for His grace and mercy on us. It was the greatest love that Christ died for us while we were still His enemies.
2 - The religious -- The Pharisees are always the bad guys in the Bible, but oh how often I have been them, or I run into people standing in their shoes? Self-righteousness is such an easy trap to fall into. How quickly we can forget that we too were sinners and Christ saved our butts. We turn our nose up at people who don't do the things we do, or do the things we do not do. We love to cry out for their blood. We love to see those who do wrong get what's coming to them. Oh the hypocrisy! I would recommend that we all examine our own attitudes often to see if we are falling into this pit. The world won't see our love if they first see our judgement and spite.
3 - Jesus -- Of course we all want to think that we'd be like Jesus in this story. Jesus sees our hearts and He knows the hurts and lies that have assaulted us. He wants more than anything to restore us to our created ideal. Justice for Him is to see us healed and delivered from the enslavement of sin. He was the only one in the story that had the right to stone her, but He chose to love on her instead. We never hear what happened to her, but I would guess that her life took a drastic turn after that incident. I want to be the person that loves people that do things I don't do, things I don't think are right. I want to see past the surface and see the heart. Jesus sees our golden centers and He calls us up into that path. We, as His disciples must learn to do the same. The world has enough hurt and judgement and hate, we don't need to add to it. The kindness of God is what leads us to repentance. Let us strive to be more like Jesus.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Heroes, villains, courage, and morality
The other day at work I was asked a question by one of my teammates. Basically, what is the appeal of Superman if he's invulnerable and you already know he'll win any fight? It took me a minute to be able to answer that question, and I've continued pondering many rabbit trails off that main thought. I will share some ideas with you.
I think about the kind of movies I seem to enjoy the most. They are the ones with superheroes, or just regular heroes. Stories of someone who stands up and chooses to risk it all for the sake of others. With the supers obviously the risk seems smaller, but it's still inspiring.
Superman is fairly hard to kill or even hurt, so what risk is he taking? This brings me to something I've been noticing in the movies that I am still chewing on. The villain will often allude to the fact that the love the hero has for the people is his weakness. That doesn't sit well with me because love is the greatest thing of all. Love is the ultimate source of power, not weakness. But still there is a truth in what the villain is pointing out. He has no scruples. In his quest to win, he will destroy anything he can in order to hurt the hero. He begins to throw buses at civilians because he knows the hero will rush to save them and give him a chance to escape or get another advantage. The hero must always be mindful of the people around him and that slows him down and distracts his focus. An interesting conundrum. It is fun for me to ponder situations where the right choice isn't always clear. To choose your priorities in the moment can be difficult.
The other issue that I find the most fun to explore, is that of morality. Right and wrong are not always black and white. The most interesting stories to me are those which explore the grey areas. Man of Steel SPOILER following. ...................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................. There was some controversy about this movie when at the end Superman killed General Zod. They argued that Superman was supposed to be good and not kill anyone. It was a good dilemma, but I think he did the only thing he could do. The man clearly stated that he would continue killing humans until he was stopped. Is it moral to allow that in order to not kill this one man? ................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... .......... ....................................................................................... ..........................................................................
I also think about the Machine Gun Preacher, a real man portrayed in a movie by Gerard Butler. He went to Africa because he learned of how the rebels were taking children and turning them into soldiers. This is possibly the most horrific thing happening in our world today. He took his skills from his past as a pretty bad man and he went after these evil soldiers. Some would accuse him of being a murderer and not a Christian. I don't know. This is a hard one. We want to say what Jesus said, turn the other cheek.... but that isn't going to end the problem, you'll just end up dead most likely. Then the children would still be taken. Is this "preacher" a hero or a villain? Still chewing on that one. Again we have the issue of priorities. Is it more important to protect children from that much harm or to not kill one evil man?
I love stories of people who have courage and stand up for what is right. How they go about it is the thrill of the story. Some do it with violence, which gives us an intriguing moral question.... some do it by simply standing up in rebellion against corruption. They stop doing what they're told, they come up with new ideas and they lead others into a new way. Each time I leave a hero movie, be it Superman, Captain America, Divergent, or most recently The Maze Runner, I am inspired to be more courageous, to stand up for what is right, no matter the risk.
Every situation calls on us to pull from our moral foundation and that is why I spend so much time pondering. It is best to know what you believe before you're in a situation. When adrenaline kicks in it's too late to decide what you believe. I believe God's word is true. I believe that He gave us a code for right and wrong, but in the grey, we have to rely on Holy Spirit to guide our choices. He built us to live an adventurous life running alongside Him as He works in the Earth. I was born to be a hero...... and so were you! Will you accept the challenge?
I think about the kind of movies I seem to enjoy the most. They are the ones with superheroes, or just regular heroes. Stories of someone who stands up and chooses to risk it all for the sake of others. With the supers obviously the risk seems smaller, but it's still inspiring.
Superman is fairly hard to kill or even hurt, so what risk is he taking? This brings me to something I've been noticing in the movies that I am still chewing on. The villain will often allude to the fact that the love the hero has for the people is his weakness. That doesn't sit well with me because love is the greatest thing of all. Love is the ultimate source of power, not weakness. But still there is a truth in what the villain is pointing out. He has no scruples. In his quest to win, he will destroy anything he can in order to hurt the hero. He begins to throw buses at civilians because he knows the hero will rush to save them and give him a chance to escape or get another advantage. The hero must always be mindful of the people around him and that slows him down and distracts his focus. An interesting conundrum. It is fun for me to ponder situations where the right choice isn't always clear. To choose your priorities in the moment can be difficult.
The other issue that I find the most fun to explore, is that of morality. Right and wrong are not always black and white. The most interesting stories to me are those which explore the grey areas. Man of Steel SPOILER following. ...................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................. There was some controversy about this movie when at the end Superman killed General Zod. They argued that Superman was supposed to be good and not kill anyone. It was a good dilemma, but I think he did the only thing he could do. The man clearly stated that he would continue killing humans until he was stopped. Is it moral to allow that in order to not kill this one man? ................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... .......... ....................................................................................... ..........................................................................
I also think about the Machine Gun Preacher, a real man portrayed in a movie by Gerard Butler. He went to Africa because he learned of how the rebels were taking children and turning them into soldiers. This is possibly the most horrific thing happening in our world today. He took his skills from his past as a pretty bad man and he went after these evil soldiers. Some would accuse him of being a murderer and not a Christian. I don't know. This is a hard one. We want to say what Jesus said, turn the other cheek.... but that isn't going to end the problem, you'll just end up dead most likely. Then the children would still be taken. Is this "preacher" a hero or a villain? Still chewing on that one. Again we have the issue of priorities. Is it more important to protect children from that much harm or to not kill one evil man?
I love stories of people who have courage and stand up for what is right. How they go about it is the thrill of the story. Some do it with violence, which gives us an intriguing moral question.... some do it by simply standing up in rebellion against corruption. They stop doing what they're told, they come up with new ideas and they lead others into a new way. Each time I leave a hero movie, be it Superman, Captain America, Divergent, or most recently The Maze Runner, I am inspired to be more courageous, to stand up for what is right, no matter the risk.
Every situation calls on us to pull from our moral foundation and that is why I spend so much time pondering. It is best to know what you believe before you're in a situation. When adrenaline kicks in it's too late to decide what you believe. I believe God's word is true. I believe that He gave us a code for right and wrong, but in the grey, we have to rely on Holy Spirit to guide our choices. He built us to live an adventurous life running alongside Him as He works in the Earth. I was born to be a hero...... and so were you! Will you accept the challenge?
Monday, August 11, 2014
Hollywood Suicide
Today broke our hearts as we heard the news that one of our favorite funny men apparently took his own life after a battle with depression. We are all saddened by this tragic news.
Suicides and drug overdoses seem to be happening more and more often in Hollywood. This is the 4th I know of in less than a year of people who are still working, on top of their game so to speak. They aren't has beens, they aren't down and out. They are "successful" people. I'm thinking of Cory Monteith, Lee Thompson Young, Philip Seymour Hoffman and now Robin Williams, all within the last year. I don't recall this ever happening this much all at once. It begs the question: Why?!?
I think the obvious one is that money and fame don't bring happiness, but I think we all know that. I began to dig deeper, and this is something that came to mind and I believe it applies to us all. I hope that my words will touch hearts where there is pain and bring a bit of hope.
These celebrities are known world wide and adored by fans, loved even, you might say. But is it really the love that is needed? I am a big fan of movies and stars, but when I say I love one of them, what am I really saying? We love how they look (which they know they can't hold onto forever), or I love this character or that character. We love them for who they pretend to be or for things that are fleeting. This phenomenon applies to us all really. How often have we 'put on a face' or acted how we thought was required just to "fit in" and "be liked" ? I think we all realize at some point that those people don't really like us because that's not us. When I become what you want me to be so that you'll like me..... you don't like me. You like who I pretend to be. We feel more and more lonely and unloved the more we pretend.
Loneliness is a huge issue among us humans. We are surrounded by people and yet we are lonely. Only when we are able to be real with the people in our lives can we really begin to believe we are truly loved. I know that I have felt lonely most of my life. I knew there were two sides to me and I didn't know how to make the real one come out around the people I called friends. I love being around people, and I often am, but I still feel lonely all the time. The people don't really know me. It's not really their fault, I have so many walls around my heart "protecting" me, they can't really find out who I am.
I remember a time many years ago when I contemplated driving my car off a cliff. Not so much to die, but to see if anyone would come visit me in the hospital. That is a sick way to think!! That is not healthy! Thankfully I never did it. How do we know who are friends are? How do we know who really loves us and who has a selfish agenda? If it's hard for us, imagine the multiplication in Hollywood! They have people all around who want to be their friends, but who is real and who just wants to share in the fame and fortune? How can they ever really know? I can see why they may be the loneliest people on the planet. Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside. It makes me so sad to think how empty they must be without knowing if they are truly loved. It makes me sad for all of us who don't know if we are truly loved by anyone.
But there is hope! I met someone 2 yrs ago that broke through those walls and convinced me that I was loved for exactly who I am. She loved me unconditionally at my worst and helped me to see that Jesus loved me too. He wasn't disapproving of me or mad at me for anything I'd done. I've grown a lot these last 2 yrs, the real me has come to the surface much more often. :) The more I hear from Papa God about how He made me and He likes me the way He made me.... the more comfortable and confident I am in who I really am. I am so grateful to have finally been able to see that I have a Creator who loves me for who I am, it makes everything that much easier. If He likes me..... who cares what anyone else thinks? He is my hope. He is my source. He is my Creator, my friend, and my love. He's not some imaginary friend in the sky, He has shown Himself to be so real and so good in my life. In Him I have it all. I still feel lonely a lot, but when I stop and connect with Him, it all fades away and I have joy and life again. Jesus really is the source for Hope and Love. Without Him, we only get a glimpse of what is available. I know that I was blown away when I began to just taste of His goodness and how much love He had for me. I didn't even know it was possible!! No matter what you are facing..... there is always Hope, and His name is Jesus.
Suicides and drug overdoses seem to be happening more and more often in Hollywood. This is the 4th I know of in less than a year of people who are still working, on top of their game so to speak. They aren't has beens, they aren't down and out. They are "successful" people. I'm thinking of Cory Monteith, Lee Thompson Young, Philip Seymour Hoffman and now Robin Williams, all within the last year. I don't recall this ever happening this much all at once. It begs the question: Why?!?
I think the obvious one is that money and fame don't bring happiness, but I think we all know that. I began to dig deeper, and this is something that came to mind and I believe it applies to us all. I hope that my words will touch hearts where there is pain and bring a bit of hope.
These celebrities are known world wide and adored by fans, loved even, you might say. But is it really the love that is needed? I am a big fan of movies and stars, but when I say I love one of them, what am I really saying? We love how they look (which they know they can't hold onto forever), or I love this character or that character. We love them for who they pretend to be or for things that are fleeting. This phenomenon applies to us all really. How often have we 'put on a face' or acted how we thought was required just to "fit in" and "be liked" ? I think we all realize at some point that those people don't really like us because that's not us. When I become what you want me to be so that you'll like me..... you don't like me. You like who I pretend to be. We feel more and more lonely and unloved the more we pretend.
Loneliness is a huge issue among us humans. We are surrounded by people and yet we are lonely. Only when we are able to be real with the people in our lives can we really begin to believe we are truly loved. I know that I have felt lonely most of my life. I knew there were two sides to me and I didn't know how to make the real one come out around the people I called friends. I love being around people, and I often am, but I still feel lonely all the time. The people don't really know me. It's not really their fault, I have so many walls around my heart "protecting" me, they can't really find out who I am.
I remember a time many years ago when I contemplated driving my car off a cliff. Not so much to die, but to see if anyone would come visit me in the hospital. That is a sick way to think!! That is not healthy! Thankfully I never did it. How do we know who are friends are? How do we know who really loves us and who has a selfish agenda? If it's hard for us, imagine the multiplication in Hollywood! They have people all around who want to be their friends, but who is real and who just wants to share in the fame and fortune? How can they ever really know? I can see why they may be the loneliest people on the planet. Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside. It makes me so sad to think how empty they must be without knowing if they are truly loved. It makes me sad for all of us who don't know if we are truly loved by anyone.
But there is hope! I met someone 2 yrs ago that broke through those walls and convinced me that I was loved for exactly who I am. She loved me unconditionally at my worst and helped me to see that Jesus loved me too. He wasn't disapproving of me or mad at me for anything I'd done. I've grown a lot these last 2 yrs, the real me has come to the surface much more often. :) The more I hear from Papa God about how He made me and He likes me the way He made me.... the more comfortable and confident I am in who I really am. I am so grateful to have finally been able to see that I have a Creator who loves me for who I am, it makes everything that much easier. If He likes me..... who cares what anyone else thinks? He is my hope. He is my source. He is my Creator, my friend, and my love. He's not some imaginary friend in the sky, He has shown Himself to be so real and so good in my life. In Him I have it all. I still feel lonely a lot, but when I stop and connect with Him, it all fades away and I have joy and life again. Jesus really is the source for Hope and Love. Without Him, we only get a glimpse of what is available. I know that I was blown away when I began to just taste of His goodness and how much love He had for me. I didn't even know it was possible!! No matter what you are facing..... there is always Hope, and His name is Jesus.
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