Grey’s Deconstructing Relationships … Rhimes intrigues …

From the first episode to sometime this season I have been a fan of "Grey’s Anatomy." The intrigue for me revolves around the complexity of human relationships exposed by writer Shonda Rhimes. I have written quite a bit in the past (noting something that struck me in the first two seasons). This season was different. I missed too many episodes and lost the continuity I felt from those first seasons. While I did manage to catch them on Tivo, I still felt disconnected. You could say I lost my bearings in the vicarious relationship with Rhimes.

In fact, I was so out of sync I found the Finale lacking. I complained to my daughter Kimberly. Now Kimberly found the same connection with Grey’s as her daddy. She took it to levels I neither had the time nor inclination. Often Kimberly would tell me what she read on the Grey’s blog written by Rhimes. We talked after the Finale and I told her I may have watched my last episode. I just could not make the connections necessary to want to stay hooked. Then, Kimberly did it. She printed off Rhimes blog post from May 17.

Not only did this help reconnect me but piqued my curiosity for next season.  What made the difference? Two things. First, we often need to take apart some things about us, deconstruct, in order to move ahead. Second, reading Rhimes telling the stories of the various characters and their "mirrors" fascinated me. I got the feeling had I given more time to watching the show as I had the first two seasons, I just may have seen some of what Shonda intended without the necessity of reading her post. Nonetheless I am glad to have it.

The cultural implications of the show extend beyond the apparent shallowness of physical intimacies that dominate from time to time. In fact, it may well be Rhimes intent to show the depth of the characters moves beyond the normal proclivity to see in the physical intimacies the goal of all human relationships.

I do see comparable moves in the life and ministry of Jesus to move people beyond the stereotypical assessments of particular groups - tax collectors and prostitutes, women and foreigners. Marked as hopeless and beyond the pale by those who sought to exert their conscience on these by ruling them incorrigible presented Jesus with a poignant opportunity to point out just how we get to see ourselves through His eyes rather than those who assume to control access to the Kingdom of God. Grey’s could well be something of a modern day parable for just such actions. "Burning down the house" means getting people to see ourselves as we should rather than through propped up images of self-preservation or via the lens of self-seeking ne’er do wells.

Could be a stretch. But, Rhimes has intrigued me … I will be watching …

Corn, ethanol and greater pressure on the poor …

Linda works at one of the local convenience stores where I buy fuel. She told me early last week she heard a gallon of gas would rise to $3.75. Fortunately news broke of a better than expected supply of oil and the price actually retreated from $3.29/gallon.

I recall a Wired magazine article suggesting the price per barrel points at which the search for alternate fuel sources would accelerate. The article did not suggest what kind of consumer pressure would be brought to bear if the price per barrel remained low but supply pressures gave cause for increases at the pump.

We all witnessed the variations on alternate sources - wood chips, cooking oils and a greater percentage of ethanol mixed with traditional fuels among others. The matters are certainly complex.

Today I read a brief in The Christian Century. Our attempts to search for alternate fuel sources will invariably affect the poor. For example, in the short piece, "Cornucopia" a piece taken from Foreign Affiars May/June notes the rise in a bushel of corn from $2.80 to $4.20. The impact is felt in Mexico where corn flour is used for tortillas. It seems that in 2006 the price for this flour doubled. Here is the effect,

"Several studies have concluded that the caloric consumption of the world’s poorest people drops by half of 1 percent for every 1 percent increase in the price of major food staples."(Christian Century, May 29, 2007, p.6)

Darfur gets Presidential Attention …

We walked around the gym. This has become a habit of late. Our conversations range from family matters to things in the news. Kimberly told me she heard a female DJ on KLOV report on President Bush’s action to put political and economic pressure on the Sudanese to end the genocide in Darfur. The DJ noted something like, "It seems genocide has been going on for a few years no one knew about." Kimberly could not believe her ears. To be fair, we make regular references to the tragedy in Darfur. Had someone not told us, we would not have known.

Growing up I rarely heard references to crises of such gravity. These things were to be expected. After all, Jesus said there would be wars and rumors of wars so to hasten his coming meant to do little more than acknowledge these kinds of events. I suspect the aforementioned DJ shares my experience. Now that we are aware of these kinds of things, we must do more than wait on someone to tell us. We must put ourselves in position to hear and take actions available to us.

My first notice of Bush’s actions came via my "Google Homepage" where a story from The Australian exclaimed, "Bush ramps up sanctions on Sudan." A quote that caught my attention,

"The President believes we cannot wait any longer for the violence to stop and the people of Sudan to be given what they need," a US official said.

I realize there are many things occupying the President’s attention. However, after four years (three after a UN Security Council resolution) it seems like the actions should have come sooner despite China’s special representative suggesting this kind of pressure does not help solve the problem. Yes, politics may be complicated but when we have a President who announces his value of life, it seems consistency would demand action when the innocent suffer death and relocation as they have in this somewhat out of the way place in the world.

Let’s pray this is the beginning of good news for those suffering these atrocities.

Another milestone becoming …

Tommie,

Your name fits! We recall the stories of teachers who scratched their heads learning "Tommie" was a girl. Even recently one of our relatives listed your dad as having a "son." Can’t be too close to us if they did not know you were our second daughter. The response is nothing new for you. Sometimes you took people in stride. Other times we could tell your irritation.

Over time you have made for yourself a name. Whimsical. Dreamer. Edgy. Flower child. Hippie. Some of these descriptions come from those who understand we should live into who we will become rather than that into which another would as soon mold us. Your creativity shows up in your hair, your "style." your art and your dreams. What some refer to edgy is in many ways a discovery of a day gone by. Some of those "styles" your mother and I recall as what was "in" for us. If "hippie" points to your willingness to challenge the norm then so be it. Yet, never be different for the sake of being different, in that there really is no purpose.

One of the things we have hoped to fund and to fuel is how you think. Now we do not always see eye to eye but one thing is for sure, you are a thinker. You don’t mind questions - and often realize we may not have an answer. You have developed a passion like your mother and sister. Your desire for justice in this world is honorable.

You are not what you will be. You are becoming. Mark graduation as one more step in that process. Celebrate the accomplishment. Continue to dream. Nurture that big heart. Speak with both love and boldness. Doing so will continue to illustrate both in you and for others what it looks like to follow Jesus.

We love you …

Listening Past Each Other … Keeps us Talking Past Each Other … When Talking Heads Get in the Way …

Reading over at the BHT led me to this article in The Christian Century by Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary. Quite a conversation broke out after the posting of the link to this piece. For some time I have been convinced we do not hear what it said in many controversial conversations. For example, I was reading the other day and the writer summarily dismissed someone for "sounding" like they had read Barth. Rather than listen to what is said and engage the person on conversation the accuser dismissed his would be conversation partner out of hand. I felt this way when my friend Spencer attempted a conversation with D.A. Carson over Carson’s remarks in Becoming Conversant with Emergent.

We tend to process what we hear in ways that work within the bounds of our own categories. So as Mouw’s piece attempts to point out it may be we do have significant disagreements, but it sure helps to be sure we are talking about the same thing. Evidently Mouw got the picture even clearer when those who read the piece began to take him apart over its assertion. He wades back in to clarify with another illustration.  I appreciated the attempt to help paint an even clearer picture.  I was left thinking we too often listen past each other and that keeps us talking past each other. Maybe we can be like the two ministers at the end of the illustration. We may still disagree but at least we will disagree about the same subjects rather than talking about different things because our "buttons" were pushed over a given topic.

Not for Sale … Where is Wilberforce When You Need Him? …

We sat captured by their voices. In what was surely and all Anglo "congregation" we were stirred by the young boys from Zambia. Imagine my disbelief thinking we supported the global slave trade a number of years ago right here in Oklahoma! Yes, David Batstone gave details of the sordid story in Not for Sale. I found this at Christianity Today - wished I had not missed this in February.

Frankly I would not have known about this issue had I not received an e-mail from Mike Morrell. I  immediately ordered Batstone’s book and could not believe it. We made reference to this issue yesterday in the context of Ascension Sunday. Jesus charged the disciples to tell the story - be witnesses. I could not help but think of Luke 4 where Jesus declares the Good News he brings is for those who are poor and captive. It is shocking what people will do to dehumanize another under the pretext of "helping" those who are poor. Nearly 30 million people and maybe $32 billion a year! Quite lucrative to trade in people.

On our sign we asked, "Where is Wilberforce When  You Need Him?" We refuse to "get involved" and in doing so fail to give credibility to the very life work of Jesus. My "growing up in the church" years helped me ignore these issues as certainly Jesus’ words should be spiritualized. After all, we are talking about those who are poor spiritually and captive to sin. So we absolve ourselves of action because everyone is poor spiritually and captive to sin. However, when it comes to churches we would rather bring Good News to the wealthy among us. Somehow we looked beyond Matthew 25

Our concern is for old hymns but we do not connect the story of Amazing Grace with Wilberforce and the work of the abolitionists. Newton’s hymn inspired Wilberforce. Today the hymn only conjures a personal nostalgia. The move to privatize our faith means it unnecessary  to inspire modern day Wilberforce’s.

Batstone’s book inspires us with the stories of modern day abolitionists. What would it take for you to be inspired. Get the book and read it. Become aware of where you eat, what you buy and those trafficked in your area. Jesus said, "when you saw me naked … when you did it to the least of these, you did it unto me."

Friday Photo … Late

When the narrative teaches subversively …

Growing up I loved a good mystery. I recall reading on Wednesday nights while my parents attended choir practice at church. Following the story lines were simple as I reflect on it today. I am left wondering if the writer intended something deeper than simply discovering "whodunnit."

Years later I learned preachers use stories to illustrate. I too learned to look for stories which served the purpose of propping up a "truth" or "point" to be made. Sometimes the connection jumped out quickly. Other times it almost seemed forced. As years have passed I grew to wonder just how we strip stories of their own intended "truth" or "point." A maxim I learned and followed, "Didactic passages help us interpret narrative passages." Stories in the Scriptures needed a connection with a truth in order for meaning to be realized. At least I thought.

What happens when it is discovered the story finds its location in a a larger narrative and at the same time teaches in its own right? I read the Lectionary passage in Acts for last Sunday. Many times I had read quickly of the story of Lydia coming to trust Jesus; the message the missionaries sat and shared by the river. Was this just one more story illustrating Luke’s description of the spread of Christianity? There is little doubt the story tells us how the church at Philippi came to be. But was the story "just" about the results of the missionaries response to a vision to help in Macedonia. Could it be the details of the story not only connect it with the larger narrative of the spread of the Good News but also illustrate just how the Gospel subverted cultural sensibilities? Could it be the way the story is relayed helps us understand precisely how the Gospel came to be Good News for the women by the river?

Everything about the story fights against the norm. Everything about the story fails to neatly fit a one size fits all telling of the Good News. A Jewish man leads a group of men to sit with Roman women by a river. Not just any women but women spiritually seeking. Not just spiritually seeking but seeking by water that may well have been the place they thought held some spiritual significance. Not just any women but relatively wealthy women. A woman trusted the Good News because everything they were searching for she found in the story of Jesus. She was so convinced she pressed her family to see the same news as Good News. In a man’s world we get a subversive story of women.

I now look at the stories for what they subvert in their own right not simply how they fill out a place in the larger narrative. The hard part comes when we must wrestle with just what is subverted and how it may undermine our own sensibilities.

Falwell and Grenz … strange comparison …

You have likely been through the "Where were you when …?" Our most obvious events in Oklahoma tend toward the Murrah Building bombing and what is referred to as, "The May 3rd Tornado." Yes, we do ask the same about Kennedy’s assassination and 9/11 once we peak out from our covered wagons and tent drapes. We all tend to first think to those significant events to which we have closer proximity.

Yesterday when my Google page came up with the news of the death of Jerry Falwell I admit to wondering if it is true. A friend called to see if I could verify the story. It did not take long. Neither did it take long for critics to begin the work of deconstructing the (non)value of Falwell. My thoughts raced to the news of Stanley Grenz’s death a little more than two years ago. I read in disbelief the piece written by David Dockery well before the memorial services could be planned much less conducted.

I had met Grenz and spoken with him on the phone. I never met Falwell. I heard Grenz at a conference. I may have heard Falwell but cannot recall. I was once in a service where Stan’s wife led worship. I have never seen Mrs. Falwell. I certainly have my preferences between the two men. However, both families deserve time to grieve.

I found Will Sampson’s words to point us in the right direction,

There will be plenty of time for deconstructing the legacy of Falwell
later. For now, please pray for his family, his loved ones, and the
Church that the peace of Christ will reign in our hearts.

Whose feet not to wash? …

Some may be sensitive about their feet. As far back as I can remember my feet often create(d) a degree of ogling. You could quickly associate the thoughts, "Those feet are ugly!" My family will on occasion make a comment. I do not find them so off-putting but then again they are mine. I confess to not paying much attention to feet. No foot fetishes here. The older I get the kind of attention my feet look for come in the form of massages and freedom from "dress shoes." Thanks to Crocs, my feet are generally "happy feet."

A couple of weeks ago the text from we wrestled in our church came after Jesus’ washing the disciples feet. An incredible charge to those laying claim to following Jesus, "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you are to love one another. By this all people will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35, ESV) What illustrates the love Jesus had for his disciples? Let’s see, he called on them to leave everything behind and follow him. Sounds pretty demanding!

How could the disciples live out the life of God in the world when some would do the unthinkable - betray another? We candidly rattle off the ditty, "Fool me once shame on thee, fool me twice shame on me." In other words we are too smart. We learn our lessons quickly. When someone wants to treat me poorly I do not have to go back for more. I will even be justified in my feelings toward that person. "After all do you know what they did to me?" (Oddly I do recall this phrase used by no insignificant person when referring to Christian people whom he felt had harmed him and others.) Soon Judas would betray Jesus. When this sunk in did Jesus want the others to take up his offense and harbor hatred and ill-will. No. It appears the action of washing the disciples feet set the stage for what would surely follow. "Love one another as I have loved you."

We often read a text with certain predispositions. When we read a familiar passage over and again it seems our observation skills become numb. Guilty. For you it may have been readily apparent Jesus washed Judas’ feet. For some reason it simply did not register. Quick to get to the action of foot washing and the significance of the "teacher" washing the "students" feet evidenced by Peter’s response obscured my taking account of the people around the room. Many an illustration of servant leadership is tied to the act of washing the feet. We relate this event to those we look to facilitate into leadership and do not consider looking around the room to discover one who will betray another. Intent to convey what it means to be a servant leader we often fail to point out that leadership often includes a discussion around the issue of what will you do when you are betrayed. How we respond to betrayal may mean more than how we are perceived as a servant.

Pastors’ betrayed? We read all too often of pastors who betray. Makes for better headlines. What however is the pastor, leader, Christ-follower to do in the face of betrayal? Jesus set the bar at "love one another." Jesus washed both Judas’ and Peter’s feet. John conveys he did so with the full knowledge both would betray him. The guilt overwhelmed Judas to the point of death. The shame hung around Peter’s shoulders until invited to "feed my sheep."

Would those in need of Jesus see our love for one another. Maybe then we could sense participation with God to set the world to rights - seeing our way to redemptive relationships. Until then all that may be seen is common vindictiveness. One suggestion. Rather than ask whose feet should I wash, why not ask whose feet should I not wash?

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