Realizing that Privilege is a Lie.

Yesterday afternoon was very interesting for me.  I had to drive a smaller bus.  Now it wasn’t because my 83 passenger bus was downed for maintenance, which I am used to having done, the bus was needed for a charter .  There wasn’t another 83 pack for me to drive.  I hadn’t been on route in a 73 passenger bus in a year and a half..   Most of the time when my bus is going to be used or downed I get a heads up.  There was none.   I carry 55 to 65 students.  An overload for the school I drive for is 58.  This was upsetting and  I felt like someone had taken away a personal item.  Things took a slight turn towards darkness. 

Every single kid got on the bus saying , “Where’s our bus?  Why don’t we have our bus?  This bus sucks!”  The kids would not quiet down enough at first for me to give an explanation for the smaller bus.  The 8th graders got upset that I said they needed to share the back seats that were usually assigned to them.   I was missing 10 seats due to the smaller sized bus.  It then hit me very hard. 

 

The USA is TOO privileged.  A sense that just because we are here we OWN everything.  And I was just as guilty about this feeling as the students. 

 

The kids on the bus wanted “their” bus.  No, it’s the school districts and if the larger bus is needed it’s got to go, even without it’s regular diver. 

I found myself upset that MY bus wasn’t going on route.  For goodness sake, it’s MINE.  No, it’s the school district’s bus, you get to drive it when you can. 

We think that “ownership” is what we need.  The reality is that EVERYTHING, from the clothes on our backs, to the vehicles we drive, to even the food we eat is not ours to own. 

All these things are for our use, but not for us to keep.   I find that when I have taken pride of ownership of a thing, like a car or even my own kids, I like how that feels for a few days or months and then that feeling fades.  I then just take for granted that I’ll ALWAYS have the car.  Then the warning lights start to come on.  I start ignoring them.  Then the engine locks up.  It’s done.  I’m left with either getting a new car or relying on public transport and walking.   There is a loss of privilege. 

Or should I have felt this in the first place?  I think not.  

I then realized we are all BLESSED to be here.  When I sense that I am blessed, I don’t feel privileged, that sense of entitled to something.  Younger children understand what it means to be privileged.  Like the kids on my route riding in our regular bus in the AM, to all of a sudden having to ride a smaller bus,  not liking it because “it’s not our bus and this one sucks” we all need to see that it’s not about getting your own way and about what is best for all.  

I must admit that I was upset that I didn’t get MY bus.  This morning I am humbled that our Heavenly Father has taught me another lesson on my resurrection life.  Just because I have earned a school bus credential, doesn’t mean that I will always have the same bus.  Just because I follow Jesus doesn’t mean that I will have “no problems” though out my life. 

I’ve come to understand that the so called “privieged elite”,  either religious or financially are living a lie.  Just because you know Jesus, have a ton of money, or both, you are not more or less privileged than I.  

My hope this morning is that I will be able to drive my usual bus.  But if not, that is fine.  I will still have a bus to drive, just not the one I would prefer to drive.  I will have to deal with kids being out of their comfort level.  I will have to drive the bus differently due to where the wheels are.  My usual bus front tires are behind the driver, the other style, they are in front.  Many things that I take for granted on my usual bus are gone.  I have to re adjust. 

This is what happens when you see that privilege is just an illusion, but oh what a tempting illusion it is.  

I find that Jesus was NEVER under the influence of privilege.  He understood that he WAS, but never lorded that over his disciples or other people.  He humbled himself.  He didn’t take for granted what we do.  He used things because they needed to be used, not for the sake of the thing being there, but because it has a purpose.   Finding your purpose is humbling and you then sense that there is a reason for you to be here.  You find you don’t look at the things of this world and want it.

I find that the idea of being privileged is compatible to being OF the world.  We are NOT of this world, but we are to live IN the world.  The things here are for use, but not our individual use.  Does that make sense?   Not to a person who thinks that the world is for their use and their use alone.  

We still have a long way to go before we reach a state of being that will resound the ideal Kingdom of the Heavens.  

So today, I’m going to be grateful for what I am able to use.  I’m going to be grateful for my work, no matter what kind of bus I’m driving.  I’m going to be loving and kind, but firm in what I need to do. 

Rich or poor, religious or not, we need to stop seeing ourselves as privileged to be here and to start living as greateful and blessed people who don’t NEED to be privileged. 

 

Amen!

 

 

 

 

REAL Defense of Marriage

I’ve tried to keep my voice out of this debate about “gay marriage” but I feel moved to push against this war and start a different movement.  One that doesn’t focus on “rights” but on the characters of those who ARE married or want to get married.   FIGHT TO KEEP YOUR MARRIAGE GOING! 

The standard in the USA today seems to be that the act of marriage is just a social contract that can be broken when one or both people are tired of each other and want their “freedom”.   This image doesn’t help when most married couples in movies and TV are presented as  little kids playing house and there is no real commitment to each other.   The last time I saw a real committed couple on screen in was Steve Martin and Diane Keaton in the remake of Father of The Bride.  Our culture would rather have us be individualistic to the point of not needing each other or even commit to a vision.  So the real problem is not that homosexuals want to have the same civil rights that a traditional marriage, it’s the traditional marriage that the couple doesn’t submit to each other and work to make the marriage be a safe haven, unconditional place of love, acceptance, and to help each other heal from the wounds of the past.     

  My wife had been living  with a very passive/aggressive little boy.  Without realizing it at the time, I was looking to replace my mom.  I wanted someone to take care of me.  I bought into the lie that in marriage that the man of the house is the king and the wife is the “helper”.  By that I mean slave.   I found out that the reality of marriage, the “happily ever after” was over romanticized.  I demanded love.  I would throw tantrums. I became abusive to my wife.  The manchild that I was didn’t see my wife as an equal.  I was a bully.   

My wife and I filed for a divorce together and separated.  

  This was the moment I turned back to God. 

I spent some time getting to understand God again.  I went back to the Methodist church and started to heal from the wounds that I gave myself.  A few months later I got a call from wife saying that she had gone back to a Catholic church and felt that God wanted her to call me.   With that conversation  I see this as LOVE, GRACE and the LORD proving to us that we were MEANT to be together.   We got back together and started having children.  But even then I was still not changed.  I fell back into the same habits and was a demanding child in an adult body.  I still was abusive.  And I was being a stay at home dad, which went against the traditional model of marraige  that I had grown up with. There was no example to follow in that.  I felt like less of a male and more of a failure.  It wasn’t until much later that I really understood that God had created a new creation in me and part of the stay at home dad thing was to help me heal and change my heart.  

 Kathleen and I became very active in a local Methodist congregation.   There I found the example on how to be married became from the Pastor and her husband.  Pastor Becky Goodwin and Chuck Meyer.  The other example for me on how to be married is my in-laws.  Bruce and Susan Burton.  You see, the example set for me on how a couple should act when married  broke up when I was 18.  I grew up with parents who fought , it seemed, all the time.   My parents fought about money, career, and even how to raise the kids.  

Growing up in house where my dad had taught science and then became a principal and a mom who never seemed satisfied with the life she had and then having a Grandma who was a midwestern Methodist, I got a very interesting education in liberalism and conservatism.    I also saw how a social marriage worked and not a marriage put together by God.  Harsh words but this is how I perceive this. 

Thank GOD for the Burtons and the Goodwin-Meyers.  They showed me what a real marriage is all about.  My father-in-law taught me that sometimes it’s best for the husband to “just go along for the ride”.  Chuck Meyer showed me what it is to be a loving father and spouse and to be able to have individual interest while supporting emotionally his wife.  Chuck also helped the small town of Rancho Cordova CA obtain cityhood so it wouldn’t have to depend on Sacramento for everything.  He spent a good deal of time at home with his kids.  He passed away from Melanoma in the brain a few years ago.  

These are TWO men who have a love of Christ that they may not speak of, but show with their actions how they relate to their God.  So now I feel it’s time to pass on this image.  

The real defense of YOUR marriage is to stop thinking that the relationship is all about yourself.  A marriage is more than just the social benefits recognized by a tax code,  or a hospital who says that you are family.  GOD sees and understands love, for I do believe that He put it in the heart of everyone.  You forget this because there is a sinister force in the world that really wants people to think that they are all alone.  There is an evil that want you to be all about yourself, just look at the story of Jesus being tempted in the desert.   I really do think that Jesus is FOR people being committed to each other in Agape.  I have experienced that myself.    

So if you are gay, straight or something in between  and want to be in a committed relationship that is more than just a social contract that will be recognized by the state, GO FOR IT!  But don’t make it all about you.  Make the sacrifice and start doing things for your partner.  Don’t go around flirting with other people.  Settle down and start enjoying each other.   Let the  romance become something more and deeper.   Don’t enter into a marriage lightly.  Your life will only change if you finally commit to someone besides your own selfish ego.  You will find that having children forces you out of adolescence,  and you will have to deal with that evil voice telling you that you are king.  You will be tempted many times to cheat and act the way the world is telling you should act.  That you are still an individual and that you are the most important person.  Make sure you have people who can keep you grounded and honest in your relationship with your partner. 

As for those who are against gays living with each other, examine your own life first before making a judgement about the life that YOU are denying yourself.    Seek within your heart and ask God to examine you inside and out.   Even if you are an unbeliever I trust that you can take an inventory of what goes on in your inner being and get the help so you won’t just go on your own definition and understanding first.  

I am on a mission.  That mission is to prevent bullying in ANY relationship.  That mission is to prevent people from marrying for JUST social benefits.  My mission is to tell this story you have just read so you will not make the same mistakes that I have made.   This is also an appeal to ALL males.  It doesn’t matter to me if you are attracted to the same sex, but do realize that your actions will set the course for ANY relationship.  Make sure you have learned to have self control in any situation, other wise you are headed for a break up that you might not come back from.  As crazy as it sounds, put GOD first in your life and see what happens.  You don’t have to start with the Bible or any Religious ideal.  Ask your heart what it needs, not what it wants. 

As for those of you who choose NOT to marry at all.  Good for you.  The truth is that not everyone needs to be married, no matter what society says.  I believe that marriage is NOT for everyone, but for those that really want to be with a person and live a life together til each other’s body is worn out, be kind to each other.  See each other as a divinely made human.  Be quick to forgive.  Don’t “play” house.  LIVE out your life and see how it enhances your loved one.  Build on Agape, not infatuation, looks or financial gains.   

For me marriage is now a haven AND Heaven on Earth.   Oh there’s those days where the kids get to my soul and make me want to let the bully out again, but my wife is now there to stop him.  I find that my old “broken” childhood family is no longer an issue. For many years I kept wishing and attempting to put back my mom and dad in a place where I could have them nearby, but I’ve come to understand that will never happen now.  They both have new lives and even though they brought me into the world, I thank my Heavenly Father and brother Jesus for being the head of my life.  I now have the family I always wanted.  It took giving up what I thought the family model should be and let God guide us.  

If there was anything that I could put into a Constitution about marriage is that it should not be entered into on a whim, lust or without the guidance of another married couple. I know that would never be put in because it really DOES make good common sense.   

It’s time to stop equating marriage with civil laws.  It’s time to stop defending an institution and return marriage to what it SHOULD be.  A joining of two souls to become one.  That each person brings hurts to each other and that we love each other though the hurts to become whole again.  It’s time to LOVE as you are LOVED. 

This is the REAL protection of a marriage and that the marriage is BLESSED.  

YOU and your spouse will NOT be hurt by two people of the same sex entering to a marriage recognized by your  city, state, country or world.  Your marriage may not be of the “American”  ideal, but if it’s built on Agape, you will reflect the God you follow.  

Cookies, Trust, Fraud and Forgiveness

As you may have heard or seen on KATU and other local Portland news that a Girl Scout troop mom got hoaxed on a giant order of cookies.  My daughters are in those troops.  And the whole thing became very surreal to me.  

During the past week as my wife kept me updated on what was happening, I had some feelings about this hoax.  I was first agitated that a person would even do this to young girls.  From time to time people will place orders and not pay for cookies, but not on the scale that this person ordered.  But over the years in my own experience in retail sales, fraud and lies find their way into business, even those that adhere to the rules.  

Having married a Girl Scout, I understand that trust is one of the biggest values that is taught to a Scout.  My wife has taught me more about being truthful and trustful than any book or church sermon.  So when someone does something so deceitful to a group, especially young children, you wonder HOW the group or person will act.  

Considering how many people’s comments on news websites about this hoax are very supportive of the troop, there are just as many that are built on fear and “they have no street smarts/ common sense” ideas.   I’ve just come to accept that there are people who THINK that they are doing good when they make comments that are hindsight.  There is the old saying that hindsight is 20/20.  Perhaps people who make those kind of comments need to learn a bit more about self control themselves and really read their post before pushing “publish”. 

I had to witness the line of people at the sale on the internet.  My wife had to go out of town with our teen girl scout for an event for their troop and I chose to stay here at home because I didn’t see the need for me to go.  There were enough volunteers to help the girls.   I sat there seeing people who are not associated with the troop showing up on a Saturday at a location that really is hard to get to and buying as an act of kindness.   I felt I was watching a real life Hallmark movie.  It felt so surreal.   

Saturday evening watching the full article on KATU I felt so much love for these girls.  That people understood that the person who made this horrible joke on the troop was not going to have their way.   That the girls got a second chance to earn the points for camp. 

Then I went back to reading postings on sites.  Those that posting that the hoax really was being done by the mom in the troop just because they didn’t make the troops sales goals. The postings that were founded on ignorance on how the cookie sales work.  I honestly felt that my family was under attack.  

Then I remembered one small part of the news articles that didn’t get the attention of the “far right fear mongers”.  The mom who took the order forgave the person who did the hoax.  Yes, she FORGAVE the person. Check it out, it’s there in the articles but you might just miss it because we don’t look for forgiveness.   There was no reason given to the media WHY the person did the fake order in the first place. According to the person who took the order, when she spoke to this person “wanted to help the girls out” but upon asking about not paying, the person didn’t think it would be that big of a deal if payment wasn’t done. According to my source, this is not the first time this person has done something of this nature.
I’m not sure if the media doesn’t find this part of the story worth talking about, or that it would be considered deformation of character, and please understand I’m only realting what information I have. But to make this all good it takes forgiveness. Unconditional forgiveness. This is where I saw the Kingdom of Jesus happen.    It takes courage these days to forgive when so many people would want some kind of revenge.  Thank you for forgiving. 

This is where I find that real justice has been done by Jesus’ Father!  

Look at what happened.  All these people who don’t personally know our troop came out to help. To show this joker that what you did was wrong. Saying that “you did this to the least of these and so you did it to God.”  

What I saw now over these past two days was what is promised by Jesus.   The Spirit of Love stepped in and defeated the trickster, the liar, and WON!  

My hope is that we can all forgive each other for mistakes, poorly timed jokes, and even those things that lead to death.  My hope to is that the person who did this hoax can learn to forgive themselves and to never do this again.  That is what Jesus would tell her to do.  That is what I’m telling this person.  

I’m not mad at the person who started this.  I am grateful to all those who came to support the troops.  I am also grateful to all those who purchase the cookies during the regular sales. You do support a wonderful organization.  

My greatest hope though is that everyone, from the parents of the troop, to the leaders of the troop and to the Girl Scouts of America, that we can really learn the lesson of grace and love that pours out of the Divinely human heart.  

This bit of scripture that came to mind and seems even more fitting in this situation, especially since we are about to enter into the season of resurrection/ Easter  :  

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

 Hey, Jesus said this, not me.  

My hope is that we all can do this same thing.  

Mysteriously Enchanting

MAGICAL: adj. mysteriously enchanting

I’ve been reminding myself about the word “magical”.  That this entire world is very magical. That we are magical creatures.  A perpetual being.  That we found the way to make small explosions to make a heavy metal machine and travel at speeds beyond our bodies capability is magical.   We have even found a way to fly.  Though not like the birds, but yet we can still be in the air.  

Some would say to thank “science” and that there is no “magic” behind it. I find all of these human creations to be mysteriously enchanting. Magical!

 

I remember seeing my daughters when they were small toddlers look at the birds in fascination.  Then pretend that they were a bird.  The pure simplicity of just enjoying that magical moment.   

In many of my Facebook circles I see people who have thought that magic is an evil and bad thing.  I’ve also seen people decrying the value of mystical thoughts.  People forgetting that magic comes from a LOVING heart.

 

We entered into the Advent and Christmas season this past year with a terrible tragic events. We were reminded on how “un-magical” the world can be.  In a season that is filled with stories that remind us on how angels, a very mystical magical being, sang.  How a jolly fat elf goes around the world with his magic red nosed reindeer to bring presents.  How a man was born to show us The Way.  A man who would then die and come back to life.  A very magical story!  

The magic of the season was disrupted by a very evil act.  As a parent, I know that if my children were killed in such a horrific act that I would end up living in a world where magic would now be lost.  I can see myself reacting in ways that would not be fitting of one who claims to be in Christ.

  Belligerent, anti communal,  possibly going and purchasing a gun for protection.

 

But I still have my children. They were NOT shot and killed.  They are still here.  The magical being that they are is still here.  I’m sad for those parents who have lost their magical children.  The pain that they are going through is NOT unthinkable.  Anyone who has had a loved one die can understand the pain.

 I’m disappointed though that there are people who now are so fear filled that they now want to lock up their magical children in walls.  I’ve seen what can happen to children that go to school and they hate it because the place feels like a prison to them. In High School I felt like this. The point of education in the United States seems to be to develop a working class society in the USA. Most kids when they are “locked up” in school do not understand WHY we require BY THE LAW for them to be educated. School is becoming a non magical experience. A “factory” to put out the American person. I see it in the parents who have forgotten what it is like to see the world in a magical way. Teachers are “teaching to the test” instead of inspiring the students to discover the world around them.

There needs to be a balance between the magical and the practical again. Practicality has taken over reality and needs to be pushed back a bit. We need not solve every mystery that comes around to be in love with each other. Perhaps those of us that are in love with extremes of critical thinking and those of magical fantasies were to spend a few months in each others mind-state, we could stop worrying so much about attacks that may or may not happen. We could stop fearing our “rights” being taken away from us. We can and should stop all the nonsensical fears and realize that we are magical beings.

We need to live in a magical place again. I find that LOVE is very magical . Love heals when a doctor can’t. Love creates a safe place when vile acts of violence disturb the peace. Love resurrects old ways that really have never left and makes them new.

The more I remember and really do SEE the magical presence of being IN Jesus’ Way, the more I feel that we all do not need to worry about money, thing, even evil acts. With love there is no fear of evil. In love all things are possible, but not every thing is beneficial. When you can bare all the hatred, doubt, fear and anguish without relenting to these, you have found how magical love really is.

As a country, we have a long journey through LOVE to go on. This is not found on a map or in a Bible or even through meditation. It is a mysteriously enchanting to develop this type of view. I started off by reading the Bible, but when I started to see how the text IS a full and abundant description of a life in LOVE, It became an intoxicating way, and I want more of this view. It involves learning to be in a romantic state without over romanticizing what has gone before. LOVE is giving hope to someone who thinks that owning a gun is the solution to keeping yourself safe. It’s understanding that LOVE does not murder, and yet there will still be murders. It’s knowing that just because you have a gun, knife, or some kind of weapon, that it’s not the weapon that makes you safe, but on how you LIVE with everyone around you.

It’s putting away a childish view on the shelf, and not throwing it away, but looking to that shelf to remember what it is like to be in that state of LOVE. To be enchanted in a beneficial way that brings life and not death. Death is only a transition.

This is the magical life in Christ that I have and continue to experience. May you find this in your life too.

Go in LOVE and peace.

The Night The Internet Went Out in Parkrose Heights

Though it is rare in this current technological age, our internet service went out for a few hours on Friday night.  The whole experience of not being able to stream a TV sitcom or movie, and the 2G network just made things too slow to use my smartphone to surf the net.  My wife did stay on line on Twitter, but she was on less and we started to *gasp* talk and enjoy each others company.  The kids had to play before bedtime instead of watching something on Netflix.  

My wife, Kathleen, and I even shared a joke about “four lights” on the wireless router. (Star Trek: The Next Generation fans understand.)   I even took a chance and watched the good story/poorly excuted  ”Batman & Robin” which I have a copy due to buying the Batman 4 Favorite Movie collection.  (A list,review of bad movies which should never be watched sober    is coming sometime this holiday season, stay tuned).  

What I discovered is that since our family doesn’t need to “wired” all the time.  We did very well without the internet and are closer to each other when we don’t HAVE the internet distracting us from being present with each other.   There is a “wireless connection” between  people that help to make us ONE.  Every person is connected to the other by just looking at each other.  

  How often in our current society you see people on the bus, walking down the street, in the store with their face down, looking at the smartphone instead of looking up and seeing the person next to them.  We would rather be a “faceless” society and not worry about seeing yourself in another person.   I believe that we were created to be together.  Our personal smartphones, PC’s, and tables make us connected, but only in a superficial way.  My words here have been edited, picked and crafted in a way to make myself clear without face to face contact.  But what if you and I were face to face?  Would looking each other in the eye make it easier to communicate my feelings and point of view be clearer?  

Yes, yes you would understand me better.  Because you would SEE me.  You would HEAR me.  The words you are looking at are NOT me, but an interpretation of me.   An edited version of me.  

Spending face time changes what you will see of your mates, family, friends, co workers, EVERYONE.  

So here’s to internet outages, electric outages that last a night, here’s to unplugging from our electronics for a while.  Create reality without your laptop.  People are much more fun in person.  You may even want to spend time alone outside your little electronic universe.  Get to know yourself again.

Leaving the Long, Long Time Ago for Where LOVE Has Gone Before

I watched William Shatner’s Documentary “Get A Life”, about Trekkies at the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention.  He talks to the curent head of Joseph Campbell Foundation about what mythos we live by.  Many of us that grew up with Star Trek The Original Series have taken Gene Roddenberry’s vision to heart.  From the documentary it is clear that there is an underlying story that has a universal , common story to it.  More so than I think Star Wars does. 

Gene had a hopeful vision of a humanity that accepts ALL humans as equals.  A FUTURE that IS possible. For a kid who was raised in a Methodist church that said all of humanity IS equal and that everyone belongs, the show’s main theme was not a surprise to me.  I just accepted that all the people on the USS Enterprise were team mates and loved each other.  But what a shock comes when we get to stories about wars in TOS.  The stories of wars were done through the alien cultures.  And we’d get how much more balanced humans are to aliens. (Ego much there Captain Kirk?)

Then in 1977 came George Lucas’ Star Wars.   HUMANS were now fighting other humans, an Empire that demanded you to conform to the Empire or die.  The thrill of a galactic story that happened in the PAST.  That the idea of War should be IN the past and not our current present.  (George was on to something there by setting war in a long time ago in a… well you know it).  Now we see a story of rebels fighting for the lives and freedom of the people.  But the story wasn’t really about the rebellion, as we would learn that it was the story of the Skywalker family and the restoration of one man’s soul.  (Yep, Episodes I through III changed our perception of what Star Wars was) 

I think that George Lucas had always wanted to make the Star Wars movies a metaphor that would inspire generations to rethink about what Empire is. HOW we live our lives.  And yes, I think he has accomplished that.  But look at the stories that other people have written and how dark that galaxy still is.  With an Episode VII on the horizon, I fear that the hope that came at the end of Return of the Jedi will be lost. 

Now I’ve not read or really bothered to read the beyond ROTJ stories, the only ones I really read were the Marvel comics series,  because I’m of the mind set that “All Good Things” must come to an end so a new beginning can happen.  As much as I’d like to think that life is a circle, I still slip and end up on that linear time line. 

I have also thought deeply on why so many people were disappointed with SW I-III.  My conclusion is that it’s not only Jar Jar Binks or the meticlorian idea, it’s that the movies, for some, did not live up to the ideas that they had in their heads about what the past really was for the Star Wars galaxy. Our stories didn’t match up with what the creator, George Lucas, had come to his mind. I was NOT disappointed or annoyed, I was FASCINATED. Where I saw the story of a child corrupted by a power and then redeemed, other people have seen something else.  

 I find that when you do things that the fans are expecting and you cow-tow to the money, you become highly rich, but loose your story to the masses.  Your vision doesn’t matter anymore,  the one that started the vision disappears and a different story line takes over.  Then you go back to the story creator’s vision and find that it sucks because you don’t like it.  You want to make it over in YOUR image and story. Along the way of changing the story to fit your personal style, you discover something that you were NOT looking for. That the vision of the original story maker IS better that what you though you could come up with. 

 

Here’s the problem:  No matter how much tweaking, or changes are made, the past vision is set and unless you destroy it all, the original story is still there!   And the fans don’t LIKE that. 

Every time a sequel movie or TV series is created, either by the author or the company, the story gets added to, nothing is gone from the memories of those who saw the original. “Han shot first” comes to mind.     This is how I remember it happening.  But George changed it to a “quick draw”.  And so now the puriest come along and try to stop the creator from fixing his story to match what he says it is.  The next “George” knows better than the original “George”. 

 In this case,  the creator has to pass on his vision because it becomes bigger than himself.  He has lost all control of his creation and has let it have a life of it’s own. And the people start to write their own version and ignore what has gone on before. There gets to be more and more added, and most of it is not benificial  to the story, but man can you get rich off the story, sell the rights and spread the wealth. (BTW, I just missed spelled “wealth” and the auto correct thought I was trying to type “death”. Hmmmm) 

This happens with trying to live in duality. Then there comes an us vs. them mentality. And those of us who like both are stuck in the middle of a battle we can’t win.  So we do what we can to be the mediators, hopefully make both sides see what new hopes can be found as we boldly step into a new reality steeped in a new vision.  (And coming off sounding like we are egotistical too) 

The vision that I find in Star Wars is NOT a unified universe, but one of constant duality of good and evil.  Star Trek had conflicts but all the series find a way to END the conflict. Star Wars fandom seems to not want that.  The battle of duality doesn’t want an end, it wants to keep the trap of and endless cycle of hate, fear and destruction so that there is always a new hero to come and save everyone.  But what if the ONE has already saved the galaxy?  What if the duality story is causing us to be in an endless cycle that never brings peace? 

 

 

So how about a NEW story all together?  

How about a story based on the values that intrigued you?  Instead of passively sitting there waiting for the next story and then aggressively attack what you don’t understand, create a NEW universe, a new story that will describe your view?  I have to admit that I would like to create a new universe using the themes that I find intriguing and unifying.  I would like to see a new creation instead of trying to out do the previous TV series or movie franchise. 

I would prefer to see a TIMELESS story reintroduced to speak to a NEW GENERATION in a way that can communicate HOW we all wish to see our reality. If that be without a deity, how would that way look and would it be worth living?  If there is a deity, HOW does that deity act?  If we are a continuation of a story, who’s the original author?  What is that universe built on?  Is it science?  Is it built on a foundation of peace and not war?   Could it be said that war is something that should be only in a far far away place in a distance past?  Or is the universe built on a circle motion that our ending is our beginning? 

As I have written this post, I find that I want to go where no one has gone before, but with a story that is founded on a concept know in Greek as “Agape”.  Something I find to be the underlying story of BOTH the Star Trek and Star Wars universes that NO ONE is willing to admit is there. 

Yes, we map out our own reality and yes, we need to have a main story to go on. Otherwise we are just wasting time, space and our life.  For me, a “Star Warrior” universe is a sustaining of good and evil.  I want a universe that says there is no place for war. No place for hate and fear. I want to live in a universe of acceptance, and unconditional love. A place where people are quick to forgive and even quicker to forget why the fight ever started.  A wondrous world that puts creativity above profit. A world not founded on personal power, but brings power to a person through self control and self sacrifice.  A world founded on serving one another in Love.

I find the universe of Star Trek tells tales of our present past with the revelation that we HAVE overcome our differences and work together to be a much more satisfying ending to our lives than one of continual war and battles.  This is how I wish to end my story when my body finally wears out and I can meet the ONE who’s story I REALLY live in.  I find in Gene Rodenberry’s secular humanism story, the TRUTH about Christ.   That all humanity IS one.  That war is unnecessary between humans.  I find that the Jesus story has this element too. 

To those who wish to remain in the story of good vs. evil, I would like you to really think about what it mean to LIVE that reality out.  To take a good look at the story that you believe to be the truth and then think about what it would mean to leave that vision, that story for one that is built on nothing but ONE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE! 

In the Star Wars universe, the idea that the FORCE being ONE needs to be the factor to tie in the next part of the saga. Otherwise the series is “dead” and not worth watching or living.  Star Trek needs to remember that it is the human heart where LOVE (God) lives.  Otherwise Star Trek is “dead” and not worth watching. 

 

There are stories to be retold. Timeless themes that need to be restored to all of us. The theme of unconditional love is hard to see in Star Trek, but you look at the fans that end up at the conventions.  Same for Star Wars.  You go to Comic Con or any “cult” TV show, you see unconditional love. You see people who are not concerned what faith you follow, who you voted for in the last election, or what you do to bring in the paycheck.   We need to be taught how to overcome our egos and get right with love.  Perhaps we need to show people the “Geekdom” in a wider way.  

  We all need unconditional love. NO MATTER HOW we get to it, we need it.  That is the mythos that we need to recover, because it IS constantly there, has been from the day we were born, has been there before history, has been there because it is a part of us that needs to be used on a daily basis.  And I have a feeling that science will catch up to our stories sooner than later.  If anyone knows of a scientific study that can prove that we are to live in a constant state of love, please post the link in the comments.  I would LOVE to see that. 

Over the years I have learned that what we consider the good in life is NOT always good for us, it’s just the way we were meant to function. We have bought into lies that are not beneficial to our life. And we are still on a trek to find what really does work and what doesn’t. Constantly at war with our brothers and sisters just doesn’t help.  We have to turn away from war and to  something much vaster and indescribable that speaks to our heart. 

According to the internet “Love” is a passing emotion.  But what if it is NOT just an emotion, but the WAY to live life?  What if love really is a state of being that has no conditions?  What if unconditional love IS the NEW hope we have been treking for?  

And no, Firefly or Babylon 5 aren’t the answer either.

We have returned to  a time where we are lost and are looking for our story.  We are in a time where we would rather sit back and not do anything but wait.  But I see and hear unconditional love telling us of who we really are. I see in Star Trek a new world that is worth living in.  Star Wars is the reality we have been living in.  

Empire or Federation.  Neither is founded in love, but love IS there.  You just have to look and see with better eyes than you were born with.  Your Jedi Master or Captain who can be an Emissary to your story is out there.  You just need to find him or her.  

As for myself, I found Christ.  I found Christ through Jesus. I found a story that is worth living in reality. I have found that HIS story is a challenge to everyone who was born in the United States of America, including those in the religion that rose up about Him.  I find his story quietly hidden in BOTH Star Wars and Star Trek.  I hope you can see it too.  

 

 

 

 

Star Wars The Next Generation :All Good Things

While we should be more concerned with the people of the East Coast and the remains of The Frankenstorm that was Sandy, the internet exploded yesterday afternoon with then news that George Lucas sold out to Disney.  The jokes went flying. Disney on Ice, The Magic Kingdom of Lucasfilm were some that my wife came up with.  Even Will Wheaton, that darling of the internet who played one of the most annoying charters on Star Trek the Next Generation made fun of Jar Jar Binks being in the  daily parade at Disney land.  Messa thinks you are calling the kettle black there Mr. Internet.  

Anyways, I am disappointed to hear so many people are WANTING a seventh Star Wars movie without George Lucas.  Yes, he has made some awful choices in his storytelling.  But face it folks, YOU WENT!  YOU BOUGHT the 8 billion versions of the movies on VHS , DVD and now the infamous  NO. NOOOOOOOO Blu-Ray ones.  (Thank God I’ve not upgraded to Blu-Ray, will stick with the Special Edition DVD releases.)   

For me, yesterday was the last straw for any new Star Wars for me.  The movies really are just cinematic eye candy.  They are a tribute to the serial cliffhangers.  And I wish “The Empire Strikes Back” had never been made.

Think about this, if George Lucas hadn’t decided to pen Episode V, we would NEVER have Jar Jar Binks.   And we would never have to argue over who shot who first.  We would never have to have seen Leia kiss Luke and wonder how far a brother and sister could go.  I’ll admit that I was excited back in 1980 for another Star Wars movie.  But it ruined the original movie for me. I couldn’t go back and not watch it now knowing that Luke was the son of Darth Vader and Vader tried to kill his own son.  

Talk about an abusive father.  

I remember back when Star Trek the Next Generation was about to go on TV and how people said it would never last.  And yet look at what has endured.  Each series has built on the other, but when they went for a prequel series they went off track and people lost interest.   Gene Roddenberry’s vision of an earth that had over come our human weaknesses got lost.  Each series got progressively darker, though Deep Space Nine attempted to get back on track with the last 7 episodes. With Return of the Jedi the Empire is defeated and you left the theater hopeful that the Empire was gone for good.  But the fans wanted more stories and so the “happily ever after” never comes.

But wait, isn’t that what Walt Disney always had in his movies?  Happily Ever After?  This is what bothers me about the stories AFTER ROTJ.  We need more happy endings in life, we need more humor and clowns that reflect our own silliness (yes that is WHAT Jar Jar is).   

But I do look at the success of Star Trek, the redo of Battlestar Galactica.  My hope is that the next series is fresh for a new generation.  I have no invest in seeing a new Star Wars movie.  I would rather go back and watch what is already there.   I would rather enjoy the movies instead of attempting to make things relevant for a new generation.  Perhaps I’m just becoming too old or jaded, but movies are supposed to be FUN.  Fandom is supposed to be FUN.  

Perhaps there comes a time when the storied need to stop and we re visit the story the way it was meant to be told.  I’m finding that there are Zelot Jedi amongst the fans of Star Wars that need to step away and really understand that all the movies, all the books, and all the other stuff is just that- STUFF!  

I love the George Lucas Star Wars saga.  I will miss having him in charge. I am grateful that he came up with Star Wars.  May the Force be with him, Always!