Denny Crane … Walk the Line … and the narrative that changes everything …

“Denny Crane,” blurts William. I admit it a leap from Captain of the Starship Enterprise to Crane of “Crane, Poole & Schmidt.” Denny really believes the mention of his name stirs fear in opposing counsel, awe in potential clients and longing in all women. He can be a cad of a character. Other commitments have kept me from the weekly indulgence in another show always willing to tackle some of the more controversial socio-political issues of our day under the guise of a “legal” series.

Denny takes the case of a man accused of electrocuting a burglar. The prosecuting attorney grabs the media spotlight claiming his client is an “everyman” figure. Startled at the attention Denny says, “He stole my story.” Denny hires a PR specialist and explains the move by saying, “The narrative changes everything.” He goes on to say they will need to take the story back because in the end, lawyers are storytellers and the better story wins the day. Maybe a bit simplistic when it comes to trial law and obscures what occurs behind the scenes. But, consider high profile trials and just see you find something of what Denny describes as true. It is important to see which story wins the day.

While at lunch today, Greg reminded me of a similar thought from the movie, Walk the Line. Johnny asks his brother why he is always reading the bible. His brother, who planned to be a preacher, responded by telling Johnny he will only be able to help people when he knows which stories to tell.

Many want to take those to task who look to emphasize the narrative of Scripture. Yet, it is the “old, old story” we tell mediated by the Spirit of God that changes everything, including a person’s understanding of reality. Denny was right, “The narrative changes everything.”

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

9 comments on “Denny Crane … Walk the Line … and the narrative that changes everything …

  1. says:

    Story is critical. Even corporations are learning that. Facts may move intellect, stories move the heart. The epistles tell us how we should live, the narratives of Jesus grab our attention, and shows us what it looks like. The story involves our emotions and inspires and engages us to change and to live out the life that God has for us.

    Why don’t advertisers focus on facts. They know that telling a story is more effective. I’m a member of toastmasters, a good toastmaster will tell you if choosing between facts and figures or a story which relates to your point, go with the story.

    I’ve always preferred the stories. I can’t get into psalms and proverbs. I do get into the stories about Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles.

    I guess that’s why I’m not really into apologetics. Apologetics generally are debate oriented. I’m more interested in stories that bring people in. Let them see themselves in the story. Jesus used stories all the time as he spoke parables. We were built to hear and respond to the story. The story of God and his creation, and our place in it.

    Unfortunately the church does a lousy job overall sharing the story. I hope we learn how to recover the story of Jesus.

  2. says:

    Story is critical. Even corporations are learning that. Facts may move intellect, stories move the heart. The epistles tell us how we should live, the narratives of Jesus grab our attention, and shows us what it looks like. The story involves our emotions and inspires and engages us to change and to live out the life that God has for us.

    Why don’t advertisers focus on facts. They know that telling a story is more effective. I’m a member of toastmasters, a good toastmaster will tell you if choosing between facts and figures or a story which relates to your point, go with the story.

    I’ve always preferred the stories. I can’t get into psalms and proverbs. I do get into the stories about Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles.

    I guess that’s why I’m not really into apologetics. Apologetics generally are debate oriented. I’m more interested in stories that bring people in. Let them see themselves in the story. Jesus used stories all the time as he spoke parables. We were built to hear and respond to the story. The story of God and his creation, and our place in it.

    Unfortunately the church does a lousy job overall sharing the story. I hope we learn how to recover the story of Jesus.

  3. says:

    Story is critical. Even corporations are learning that. Facts may move intellect, stories move the heart. The epistles tell us how we should live, the narratives of Jesus grab our attention, and shows us what it looks like. The story involves our emotions and inspires and engages us to change and to live out the life that God has for us.

    Why don’t advertisers focus on facts. They know that telling a story is more effective. I’m a member of toastmasters, a good toastmaster will tell you if choosing between facts and figures or a story which relates to your point, go with the story.

    I’ve always preferred the stories. I can’t get into psalms and proverbs. I do get into the stories about Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles.

    I guess that’s why I’m not really into apologetics. Apologetics generally are debate oriented. I’m more interested in stories that bring people in. Let them see themselves in the story. Jesus used stories all the time as he spoke parables. We were built to hear and respond to the story. The story of God and his creation, and our place in it.

    Unfortunately the church does a lousy job overall sharing the story. I hope we learn how to recover the story of Jesus.

  4. says:

    Story is critical. Even corporations are learning that. Facts may move intellect, stories move the heart. The epistles tell us how we should live, the narratives of Jesus grab our attention, and shows us what it looks like. The story involves our emotions and inspires and engages us to change and to live out the life that God has for us.

    Why don’t advertisers focus on facts. They know that telling a story is more effective. I’m a member of toastmasters, a good toastmaster will tell you if choosing between facts and figures or a story which relates to your point, go with the story.

    I’ve always preferred the stories. I can’t get into psalms and proverbs. I do get into the stories about Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles.

    I guess that’s why I’m not really into apologetics. Apologetics generally are debate oriented. I’m more interested in stories that bring people in. Let them see themselves in the story. Jesus used stories all the time as he spoke parables. We were built to hear and respond to the story. The story of God and his creation, and our place in it.

    Unfortunately the church does a lousy job overall sharing the story. I hope we learn how to recover the story of Jesus.

  5. says:

    Story is critical. Even corporations are learning that. Facts may move intellect, stories move the heart. The epistles tell us how we should live, the narratives of Jesus grab our attention, and shows us what it looks like. The story involves our emotions and inspires and engages us to change and to live out the life that God has for us.

    Why don’t advertisers focus on facts. They know that telling a story is more effective. I’m a member of toastmasters, a good toastmaster will tell you if choosing between facts and figures or a story which relates to your point, go with the story.

    I’ve always preferred the stories. I can’t get into psalms and proverbs. I do get into the stories about Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles.

    I guess that’s why I’m not really into apologetics. Apologetics generally are debate oriented. I’m more interested in stories that bring people in. Let them see themselves in the story. Jesus used stories all the time as he spoke parables. We were built to hear and respond to the story. The story of God and his creation, and our place in it.

    Unfortunately the church does a lousy job overall sharing the story. I hope we learn how to recover the story of Jesus.

  6. says:

    Story is critical. Even corporations are learning that. Facts may move intellect, stories move the heart. The epistles tell us how we should live, the narratives of Jesus grab our attention, and shows us what it looks like. The story involves our emotions and inspires and engages us to change and to live out the life that God has for us.

    Why don’t advertisers focus on facts. They know that telling a story is more effective. I’m a member of toastmasters, a good toastmaster will tell you if choosing between facts and figures or a story which relates to your point, go with the story.

    I’ve always preferred the stories. I can’t get into psalms and proverbs. I do get into the stories about Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles.

    I guess that’s why I’m not really into apologetics. Apologetics generally are debate oriented. I’m more interested in stories that bring people in. Let them see themselves in the story. Jesus used stories all the time as he spoke parables. We were built to hear and respond to the story. The story of God and his creation, and our place in it.

    Unfortunately the church does a lousy job overall sharing the story. I hope we learn how to recover the story of Jesus.

  7. says:

    Story is critical. Even corporations are learning that. Facts may move intellect, stories move the heart. The epistles tell us how we should live, the narratives of Jesus grab our attention, and shows us what it looks like. The story involves our emotions and inspires and engages us to change and to live out the life that God has for us.

    Why don’t advertisers focus on facts. They know that telling a story is more effective. I’m a member of toastmasters, a good toastmaster will tell you if choosing between facts and figures or a story which relates to your point, go with the story.

    I’ve always preferred the stories. I can’t get into psalms and proverbs. I do get into the stories about Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles.

    I guess that’s why I’m not really into apologetics. Apologetics generally are debate oriented. I’m more interested in stories that bring people in. Let them see themselves in the story. Jesus used stories all the time as he spoke parables. We were built to hear and respond to the story. The story of God and his creation, and our place in it.

    Unfortunately the church does a lousy job overall sharing the story. I hope we learn how to recover the story of Jesus.

  8. says:

    sorry, I don’t know what happened. I think something didn’t like me. Yuck – how did I get it to seven comments…. It timed out a couple of times.

    So sorry

  9. says:

    sorry, I don’t know what happened. I think something didn’t like me. Yuck – how did I get it to seven comments…. It timed out a couple of times.

    So sorry

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