The Movie

We decided to bite the bullet and go see The DaVinci Code yesterday afternoon. Diana and I put on our Groucho mustaches and glasses and bought our twilight matinee tickets ($4 each) and found our seats in an almost empty theater. Unfortunately, just before the movie started three big black men came in talking on their cell phones, talking loudly to each other, and proceeded to shout at various intervals throughout the movie. It tempered the enjoyment of the movie experience - that and not buying the refillable barrel of buttered popcorn and bucket of coke (we didn’t need the extra 3000 calories). Now to the movie.

I am always amazed at how movies made from books never quite live up to the books they are made from (except for Lord of the Rings). And yes, I realize you can’t have the same depth of character development, and especially in cases where the book is long you have to abridge the plot in order to keep the movie version within a reasonable length.
In this case, though, the two were substantially different. Tom Hanks character, Robert Langdon, wasn’t quite the kindred spirit of Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellan) that he was in the book. In fact, he was in several instances combative with Teabing’s railings against Jesus, the church and the Bible. The movie did follow the plot line of seeking the Holy Grail as the remains of Mary Magdalene, and even more conclusively establishing that Sophie was of the bloodline of Jesus through Mary.

I went, expecting that the movie would be a truer representation of the book in its invectives against the church and the Bible. The claims made about Constantine and the Council of Nicea and the canonicity of the Bible and the divinity of Jesus were all historically inaccurate (as they were in the book), but the movie seemed to soften the tone and made them a part of Teabing’s eccentricity instead of statements of long-accepted historic fact. Of course, the notion that Jesus and Mary were married and conceived a child was offensive as well as erroneous, but the movie’s portrayal of it came across more as a fictitious plotline in a whodunit movie than the book’s arrogant rendering of academic research behind the statements.

Was I offended? Only as offended as I usually am when Hollywood attempts to do theology. Will this movie threaten people’s faith? Only the most gullible, biblically illiterate, conspiracy theorists. Would I recommend it? I’ve spent $4 and watched worse movies, but I would recommend you go ahead and splurge with the buttered popcorn (and get the refill) – that will be the highlight (that and the amazingly tiny car Sophie drives in reverse through the streets of Paris!)

Get It Said

Maybe I’m odd (have fun – it’s a free setup line). I’ve got a little bit to say on a lot of subjects, but not a lot to say on any one subject. In other words, I’m not an expert or a specialist. I admire people who are the go-to guy in their field. They’ve found their niche and everybody wants them to come and present their whas-happnin-now seminar. Turn them loose and they can speak for days on every aspect of their particular focus.

But I’m the master of the 20-minute sermon. Get it said, sit down. I’ve never subscribed to the old speaking mantra – tell them what you’re going to say, say it, tell them what you just said. I don’t like to listen to people who repeat themselves over and over, and I figure most people are like me. So I try to say it once, as clearly and illustratively as possible, but then move on. When I’ve run out of something to say, I don’t feel obligated to fill time rambling, so I quit. (Of course, I find that also bleeds over into conversation and I’m not much at small talk, either – I am pretty good at asking questions to keep the other person talking though!)

Don’t get me wrong, I admire those with the gift of gab – that ability to articulately and extemporaneously speak on a subject for hours. And I’ve known a few, whom I can describe in no other way than “gifted.” I’m not – I have to work hard for my few minutes of speaking time. I write and edit and rewrite and craft every word and phrase – and by the time I’m ready to stand up and deliver it I’ve got too much invested in my manuscript not to use it. I’m not a performer, I’m a communicator – and in an increasingly performance oriented society (and church), I’m afraid I’d probably be voted off fairly early in the “American Preacher” competition.

I’m not complaining, I’m honestly assessing. I’ve heard Socrates quoted twice this week – “Know thyself” – perhaps I’ve needed to hear it and practice it – to quit lamenting what I’m not and find the strengths in what I am.

Checking in

I know, I know, I’m slacking off on the blog. Everyone is anxiously waiting for the next nugget of wisdom, and I am completely wisdomless (or would that be nuggetless?) The truth is, I’m meeting myself coming and going around here – in between writing sermons, preparing classes, doing an unusually large amount of counseling, organizing (and executing) events, attending meetings and weddings and… – you all know the routine as well as I do – there’s just not been much time for blogging.

I should mention that my son Justin’s birthday was last Tuesday. He turned 15, but other than now having a permanent iPod attached to his head, not much has changed. I’m waiting for him to get the driving bug and start studying for his learner’s permit, but so far he’s not been all that interested.

Friday, Diana and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary. If someone had told me 27 years ago how much more in love you are when you’ve spent nearly three decades together (and someone probably did) I would have said no way, no one could love Diana more than I do right now – but the truth is, we are more in love now than we have ever been.

Thanks for checking in – you are all in my thoughts.

Another blog...

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my spiritual beginnings and found myself putting several future blog promises about different events and people (Beginnings). I thought I’d tackle a couple of them today.

My first encounter with the church was so disarming that I responded on a completely emotional level. I’d never really thought through the doctrinal and lifestyle issues (I didn’t really have any concept of doctrinal issues to begin with – I was raised so a-religiously that I was as close to a blank slate as I can imagine).

After I had attended church for about a month (at that time, my younger brother David was also still going) – one Sunday afternoon we were at the church building for some youth activity and some of the teens asked my brother if he would like to learn about baptism in the Bible. As they were heading to a classroom, one of them asked me if I would like to come along. I said I had already been baptized, thinking, of course of my sprinkling as a baby in the Methodist church. But I agreed to come with them anyway, not imagining that I had anything to learn. This was a group of teens mind you, no adults leading the study – in fact, the entire youth group consisted of about six girls and one guy. They were all in there, and all we did was start reading scriptures about baptism – I had no idea there were so many! There were a few contextual issues pointed out about immersion and believing and repentance – but it wasn’t long into the study before I was in a virtual panic over what I needed to do (remember, math was my strength and I added up 2 + 2 and got 4 quickly). I knew I couldn’t continue just to come to church and not do something about Jesus. The evening service began and as soon as the invitation song began I burst into the aisle and walked to the front. I knew what I needed to do – I didn’t realize all the implications of it – didn’t know all that I would later learn about what baptism means (and would later struggle with whether I knew enough) – but that night I knew enough to know another day wasn’t going by without becoming a baptized believer in Jesus.

My brother David hung back, and as the song was ending he also came forward. We were both baptized that night, but he attended another two or three weeks and quit coming to church. I’ve often wondered whether he didn’t feel forced by peer pressure to follow me down the aisle not to lose face with the youth group (after all, he was the one they originally invited to study with them). No amount of pleading with him after that could get him to come back – I’m not really sure what happened.

But that night, September 8, 1974 was the date of my spiritual birth, and I try to stay connected with how I felt that afternoon and evening as first we studied the scriptures and I felt the power and conviction of God’s Word and then the relief and newness I felt in baptism.

I was one of over a hundred who were baptized that year at the Meadowlark Church of Christ. We were a congregation that was passionate about sharing the gospel. In the next two years I would study with and baptize ten of my friends. Our youth group grew from seven to over 80. It was a hothouse for the beginnings of my spiritual life. I hungered for the Word and for church. It became the center of my life.

So, six months later, when our youth minister had me over to his house for dinner and challenged me to consider going into ministry I remember it being the most obvious decision I ever made. It wasn’t Damascus road but I look back and so clearly felt God’s preparing me for that moment and that decision, I never questioned that God was guiding me.

A couple of weeks later, thinking it through and making my decision, I remember telling my mother that I had changed my life’s plans from college at MIT and a career in math and science to ministry and she shook her head and said, “what a waste.” (I won’t repeat what she said when I was baptized.) If only she knew what she set in motion when she made me get on that red double-decker London bus so Paul could get his Bible.

Driving in style

Drove by the Dollar Store on the way back to work – had to wait for a Mercedes to take a right turn into the parking lot – he was waiting on an Escalade to pull out. I noticed other high-end SUV’s and sedans parked in the lot as I went on by. Now, I’m as frugal as the next guy (my kids think I’m a cheapskate), and I like Dollar Stores as much as the next guy (there are 88 cent stores for those who think $1 is just too much to spend.) There just seems to be a disconnect between driving $60,000+ cars and doing your shopping at a discount store for junky merchandise.

Perhaps that’s how they are driving luxury cars – they took the pennies and dollars they saved shopping so they could afford to pay cash for their vehicles – do you suppose? Not likely. That’s not to say that shopping at Wal-Mart or Target or even Neiman-Marcus would be a better alternative. It is the mindset of going into unbelievable, unmanageable debt to drive expensive vehicles to impress people when what you can really afford is a used Chevy Cavalier.

Our church building is next door to a Title I elementary school – 95% qualify to receive free lunches. Every morning I’m in line behind parents driving the same luxury vehicles to drop their kids off at school.

I’m afraid it’s not just at the Dollar Store and the elementary school – a lot of luxury vehicles dot our church parking lot while our very conservative, bare-bones budget goes unmet nearly every Sunday.

Priorities. That’s really the bottom line. Spending your rent money on cable TV, cell phones and car payments, and then asking for benevolent help from the church. Happens every week. Is there an answer? Yes, but it would be a tough sell in a world that makes us believe we deserve it all and can have it all.

Da Vinci yes, Da Vinci no?

It started out sunny and clear this morning, and then when I came back to the office it was so dark I had to drive with my lights on – and then came the downpour. I’m praying it on through to Cecil and Chuck in Florida.

I’ve been thinking a lot more about the hype that The Da Vinci Code is gathering as the opening of the movie arrives next week. I finished reading the book a couple of weeks ago and have watched the mass media frenzy anticipating the first summer blockbuster. After reading the book, and of course receiving all the ads for books, videos and workshops refuting the blatant, anti-Christian polemics in the book, I’m even more convinced that the movie will have a devastating effect on a lot of Christians’ faith. If you have a fairly strong faith and even a moderate grasp of the Bible, you would recognize the supposed “facts” in the book as rubbish. But if you were among the biblically illiterate or your faith was marginal already it could easily shipwreck you spiritually.

So, my concern is what my response should be. Some suggest to ignore it, some to publicly protest it, others have forbidden their members from going to the movie, still others say to embrace the movie as a teachable moment. At the very least, I plan to preach sermons addressing four areas that the book/movie attack: the divinity of Jesus, the legitimacy and authority of the Bible, the credibility of the church, and the whole bizarre issue of the Holy Grail (a little Monte Python anyone?) Beyond that, I’m not sure whether a series of classes on the specifics of the book/movie would be of interest or help to anyone. (I did a class series on Revelation a few years ago right at the height of the Left Behind series, intending to deal with the issues in the books – only to find out that nobody had even read the books. Shelling empty foxholes as LeMoine Lewis used to say.) Do you intend to address the book/movie, and how?

Back to work

Quite frankly, I didn’t know how loved I was. But when I returned from Pepperdine after a week without having checked my e-mail, I had 88 letters waiting for me. I had twelve people interested in my financial health with suggestions about these wonderful stocks that are going to “explode in the next 2-3 days!!!” I had a dozen more interested in selling me medications that will help me to… to… umm… never mind. And, of course, there were the usual assortment of normal ads from companies I seem to have told I was interested in: Lowes, Golfsmith, etc., several ads from church related companies, and a fair number of urgent letters telling me how to vote, what not to buy and how to raise my kids. Oh, I did have two personal letters…. well, really one (office memos don’t count as personal)…. oops, I just read the second and realized he wasn’t really writing to me. BUT!!!! Keith emailed me pictures from Pepperdine. Thanks for saving the day, Keith! (From left to right: John, Greg, Cecil, Keith and Chuck. I'm sorry that Randy is missing from the picture.)



Diana just read over my shoulder and reminded me that SHE loves me, even if she didn’t e-mail me. And, of course, she’s the one that really matters. (My kids were moderately aware that I was missing last week! Although Tim did call me in Malibu not realizing I wasn’t at home – to tell me Megan was graduating on Friday. Yeah, Megan!)

Back in the office this morning to all the stuff I left unattended when I rushed out of here a week ago. Ugh.

It’s Scott VanWormer’s birthday today. Scott is a regular reader of this blog and a good friend. He’s a pilot for Northwest Airlines (you think preachers have it bad!), and has an IQ of about 290 and a vocabulary to match. I’m going to take him golfing this afternoon and try my best to keep up my end of the conversation (just kidding Scott!) and not humiliate myself with my golf game. Story at 11…

Last day at Pepperdine

It’s Friday. We’re in the last day of lectureship. I’ve been to classes and lectures and devotionals and concerts. They’ve been upbuilding and encouraging and I’ve been refreshed by the things I’ve listened to and experienced. Without a doubt, though, the best thing of the week has been the fellowship and friendship of the guys I’ve met and spent the week with. Greg, Cecil, Randy, Keith and Chuck have been such a blessing to my life. People have asked me what brought me to Pepperdine and I feel kind of sheepish telling them I came because of my blogging community (it sounds kind of like I’m meeting some anonymous stranger from a chatroom), but before I ever arrived I felt like I knew these guys. Listening in on their thoughts and lives as they have shared on their blogs, and as they have commented and encouraged on mine has been an incredible experience. I counted them close friends before I ever met them face to face and this week has just solidified that respect and appreciation I have for them. Thanks guys!

I’m flying out in the morning. Whether I’ll be back to Pepperdine I’m not sure. I’ve realized what a homebody I am, and after a couple of days away, I was ready to be home with my family. I appreciate Diana letting me get away for a few days. Like I told her as she was driving me to the airport Monday morning, I felt kind of like Billy Crystal on City Slickers going off to find himself. I’ve felt drained and depleted for months now. I am returning with a better attitude and refreshed spirit. It has been worth coming.

Stranger in a strange land

I’ve been at Pepperdine for a day and a half now. It’s an incredibly beautiful campus – if your definition of beauty includes steep elevation changes and mile long walks from the dormitory to the cafeteria and speaking venues (and to add injury to insult we’re on the 3rd floor of the dormitory!) But the spectacular scenery does more than make up for the walking. And of course, the walking does have its own benefits. But first, I really need to describe our trip up to Pepperdine from Long Beach.

Greg drove us up the Santa Monica Freeway and then took a detour through Beverly Hills, Wilshire Blvd., Rodeo Drive, Sunset Blvd., and the Pacific Coast Highway. We observed the absurd to the sublime. Strange people, strange cars, strange lifestyles, beautiful homes, beautiful scenery, and the Pacific Ocean – on the way to supper we saw a pod of dolphins just off the shore traveling up the coast – pretty amazing stuff.

Here at Pepperdine we’re settled in to the dorm and everybody has been working at getting their internet connections up and running. It looks like an internet café – 4 laptops in one dorm room. I feel like such a stepchild carrying around a notebook and pen. Thanks again to Cecil for letting me borrow the computer time to write and blog this.

We began with the opening lecture last night. The singing with Hallal was wonderful. I had forgotten what lectureship singing was like. Not quite as big as ACU, but probably 4,000 singing made for an awesome sound. Then we took in one of the late night concerts – we heard Won by One. They were good, but half way through I was about to fall asleep (I’m still on Central Time – 2 hours ahead).

This morning, I was up early and headed to breakfast and the morning devotional. It was supposed to be Zoe and Mike Cope. It turned out to be one third of Zoe and no Mike Cope. Stayed in that same auditorium for the class with Rick Atchley and Bob Russell. It was inspiring to hear them talk about their different takes on bringing healing to the split between Churches of Christ and Conservative Christian Churches. I hope it becomes a reality. After that, I went to a class with Lynn Anderson about Running Deeper, Not Faster. He began a three class series on Spiritual Formation. It was really good. I have enjoyed Lynn Anderson since I was a freshman at ACU. He taught a class during my graduate work on Theology of Ministry that was ministry defining for me. I also got to see Tim Willis again – he was introducing the class – he is the son of John Willis and we went to school back at ACU. Tim is now teaching Old Testament here at Pepperdine. Later, walking through the courtyard I ran into Larry and Sheila Wishard, dear friends of mine from Abilene days. I was Larry’s church secretary and associate minister at the 16th and Vine Church of Christ back in the early 80’s. It was great to see them again.

I’m taking a few moments to rest right now, and then maybe take in another afternoon class, and then the evening lecture later on.

It’s been a great start to the week. It’s been fun hanging out with the guys. They have a fun take on life, church and all things religious. They are refreshingly honest, humorous and at the same time, encouraging. We’ve all been around long enough not to worry about what others think. On the other hand, we don’t mind poking fun at ourselves (which is good, because everybody else will do it if you don’t!) What bothered me most, though, was finding out that I’m older than Cecil, who is an elder at the church in West Cocoa. It’s not that I really mind being older than Cecil, just being older than an elder. And all this time I was thinking how much younger I looked than everybody else! At least I’m still younger than Greg…

Notes from California

Safely in Long Beach … the flight was excellent … no, the big one didn’t hit and we haven’t dropped off into the ocean. I’m looking forward to seeing Pepperdine for the first time later this morning, and the Pacific Ocean. I also hear we’re going by Rodeo Drive and Hollywood Boulevard on the way to Pepperdine. It will be a day of firsts.

I met the gang of five – Greg, Cecil, Randy, Keith and Chuck. What a great group of guys. After Cecil and Greg picked me up at the airport, we came back to Greg’s house, which is directly to the side of the Long Beach church building. Everybody was in the gym playing “pig.” The shooting was impressive – but I don’t think the NBA will be sending scouts. It’s been fun sitting and listening – they’re like a family of brothers who spend all year looking forward to this week. I’m honored to be included. (I also met Greg’s wife Janice – what a great hostess – imagine taking in six men into your house for three days and making sure everyone had bedding and towels and coffee and food – and doing it with a smile. She’s an angel!)

The flight yesterday was the first time I’ve actually enjoyed flying. I think I’ve gotten over the dread of takeoffs and landings. That doesn’t mean we couldn’t fall out of the sky, but at least I’m not worrying about it. I was once again enthralled by the bird’s eye view from 34,000 feet above the earth. Sunday, I spoke about the majesty of God’s creation, yesterday I experienced it. The majesty of the clouds, the grandeur of the mountain ranges, even the deserts we crossed were breathtaking. I’m actually looking forward to the flight home to re-experience it and have it fresh in mind for next Sunday.

I found out I’m about the only one in the world without a laptop. My thanks to Cecil this morning for allowing me to use his to post this blog. Hopefully by tomorrow I’ll have some Pepperdine experience to pass along. I understand from Greg that we actually plan on going to some of the classes…

Until then… blessings from California