Jackie Chan, Quartets, and Relationships

The following is an excerpt from my book in progress entitled "the Real world:"

"My Dad, my brother and I used to be big Jackie Chan fans. We loved the fight scenes and the fact that plot was never really all that good which meant that our brains could be left alone for almost two hours. If you didn’t pay attention, though, you would miss that one move he would make in every scene which might go by so fast that you don’t notice it, but if you did you were amazed at his precision and speed. We would look for it in the previews, we scoured the theater screen for it, and when we rented it, we would keep the remote in hand and replay it over and over again at varying speeds. Sometimes we would even attempt the move ourselves with devastating effects.

"What we saw, however, was the good take. We saw the time he actually moved so smoothly that they could keep it and distribute it to the entire world to be analyzed behind buttery popcorn. Who knows how many times he had to re-hash and re-do each kick and jab in order to perfect the scene.

"I loved the fact that he did his own stunts. So many actors just won’t do that anymore, and I must say that if I were in their shoes and knew that my body and my ability to make another movie was my ability to make money in general, then I would probably desire a six foot, bald guy to pretend like he was me, too.

"The acting in these movies was never that great, but the actors who played the villains were incredible at making you hate their character. I despised them. It was usually the leader of some gang who was terrorizing a neighborhood or a family, or some money hungry drug lord who hated Jackie’s character with extreme passion. I loved to see this character step to Jackie without any thought that he would lose, and Jackie would clean the floor with the guy. Yes, I know its all violent sounding, but the truth is – that’s just plain appealing to a guy!

"What I loved most about these movies, however, were the credits. It was here that the viewers got to see the cast in a very real state: missing lines, screwing up the blocking, and, my favorite part, messing up in the action sequences. I know that sounds a little sick on my part, but I liked it for a different reason than what appears on the surface. I liked seeing how quickly those outside the frame would come to his aid. Gasps and shouts were heard, all the technical equipment was visible, and the cast and crew shot to his side. It made the people and the situation descend to a more real level than what the perfected and polished final product seemed.

"I especially liked to see one particular person with a look of compassion on his face – the guy who played the villain. They could be in a heated argument or an all-out scuffle, and when Jackie got hurt, even the bad guy wanted to make sure he was okay. You could hear the pain in his voice as he attempted to be sure that his co-star was fine or at least coherent. I loved that. It provided resolution, or reconciliation even. It told me that these guys were really friends and that in the end, they weren’t really mad; they were just playing a part.

"It’s a lot like listening to a quartet sing. As their song comes to a conclusion and we’re all waiting on the big finish, they come to the last chord and the baritone and bass move to it quickly while the lead and the tenor hang out one chord back for what seems to be an hour just milking the moment for every penny. When they finally settle in with the other two who have been patiently waiting, the entire audience is relieved and may at last scoot back in their seats.

"That’s exactly what I feel in the Chan outtakes. It didn’t matter how horrible the acting was, just like it didn’t matter how poorly the quartet’s song was sung, when the resolve comes, I feel just fine about everyone in the song and the film. When the bad guy jumps to his side, the chord completes. When a movie doesn’t end with outtakes like Jackie Chan’s movies do, I feel a lot like the quartet never resolved; like if I ever saw the actor who played the villain on the street, then I would be forced by duty to pull a little Chan on him myself. I hate that. I hate it because I can’t really see the man in another film, especially as the good guy, without thinking of the horrible things he did in the last one. It’s like he’s now forced to be bad in every situation. I’m pretty sure this is what leads to the ever-dreaded typecasting.

"I think this is why I like reconciliation so much in relationships. I’m pretty sure I like it more than seeing someone “get saved,” be restored, or be baptized. I mean, I love that stuff as well. There’s nothing greater than when someone else joins the family – like the birth of a child. Still, when two family members who couldn’t get along before make up and mend their brokenness, I like that better than the birth. That’s what really attracts people to our Father. That’s the stuff that causes more births. That’s the stuff that proves beyond doubt that Jesus works. The lost most likely haven’t seen anything quite like that before, and when they see that, when they see our love and how it heals even the deepest most purposefully caused wounds, they’ll be curious."

Clarification

This time away from going to church has revealed a lot. I really don't think that I'm as far off as others seem to believe. I think I may have said this in a blog, but I've been in a continual search mode seeking the things that are ultimately true about God. When the major leaders of a congregation, and in several others as well, react to sinners and sin the way some of the ones I have seen did and have, I can't help but question the Way they profess. All of the sermons and classes these guys give tell of doing exactly the opposite of what has been done so many times. It didn't make any sense that these people of God who spoke of His forgiveness and acceptance would reject and spread rumors and gossip!

Just last night I walked by a couple who are attending nowhere now because of the rejection they were given due to some domestic issues. They've not gone anywhere and the church's reaction to this is that they don't come because he beats his wife! I say even if he does it everyday, then the church should be the first to come to their aid - not just hers, but his as well! The other day I spoke with a man who divorced his wife and is now on drugs. He is the offspring of church leader and rejected. The very problems which should be the reasons they are being suffocated with love and attention have become the reason they are rejected!

My reactions are based on this thought: if the same church that taught these leaders taught me, have I learned the right things? There are many more things yet to be learned, though I can say that I have learned a lot. Mainly: don't put stock in God's people as being more than people. A friend down here put it best when he told me that if I would be more surprised when church people did things right than when they did things wrong, I would probably like them more.

Most of the time people are just asking about whether or not my wife and I have been to church. No one asked how we were with God, Christ, the Spirit (which would imply the term "spiritually") or otherwise. They simply assumed that no one could ever come to terms with God outside of being in a church building. Even before I began to question and seek a little more about God, I was well aware that that was a strange conclusion. But, now that I have learned more, I can see that even they are simply reacting by saying what they've been taught to say.

No naturally-thinking human being, bringing no biases to the table, can take church attendance away from Heb. 10.25. Neither could the idea of "church," as we have it today where the buildings are bigger than many synagogues and rival Catholic cathedrals, be taken away from the New Testament in general! It was not a legalized religion at the time of the Bible's writing - they couldn't have met in scheduled masses. Pentecost cannot be counted among mass meetings either because Acts 2.6 speaks of the crowd gathering "when this was noised abroad." The apostles were being loud and the people were looking at the spectacle. It is a great example of mass conversion, but not church as we see it today.

The end of the chapter spells it out best when the relationships were formed from "house to house" in verse 46. Yes, the term "temple" is also there, but we know that those were Jewish temples not Christian ones because in Romans 12 the Christian ones (N.T. ones) are the bodies of Christians. The Spirit is in the temple as he has always been, and, so that he could reside in us, God just changed where the temple was to be located.

Still, if one would like to farcically imply that the "temple" in v. 46 was actually a meeting place of Christians like we have it today, then that one would have to meet there daily: "and they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple..."

I think a lot of this comes from a complete misunderstanding (even though most would say they know this, though they just don't speak or live according to what they know) of the word "church." It means "a calling out." The Lord added to those who were being called out daily. This means that the church directory in Heaven was growing not the one at the local building. The end of chapter 2 in Acts shows the first reaction to salvation of those at Pentecost to be to sell everything, pool their resources and meet with each other daily "house to house" - communism at its finest! It’s the best deal this side of Heaven!

I am in no way bashing church, leaving church, or making excuses. This is simply a crusade to be pure and know the truth about it all, and maybe I should keep it to myself.

I came to a conclusion last night, however, which I have not entertained before. If we want to meet like that (in big buildings), then as Christians, we can. But the real "forsaking" comes when we don't continue it with each other daily and when we don't seek Him in such a fashion that causes our lives to react. The curser can focus on quitting cursing, the drinker on drinking, the smoker on smoking, and the killer on killing, but just because they stop doesn't make them better people. Christianity was never meant to create moral people - plenty of moral people exist in all religions and walks of life and are going to hell, but I want to follow Him and seek Him in such a fashion that my life naturally reacts. I don't want to stop doing anything just because I'm a Christian - I want my life to look like a Christian and be lived like a Christian because I am a Christian.

I do hope this gives a little more insight into what's been going on in my head lately. I really want you guys to know that I'm just seeking to at least know what the purest way is.

I think God finds a great deal of honor in that.

Happy Holidays!

This is getting ridiculous!

Christians: IT'S OKAY TO SAY "HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!"

It's okay to hear it, read it, buy it, smile about it and even endorse it! We seem to only stand up about something when we feel there's no real sacrifice, and believe me, there is no honor in this battle.

So what if the employees at your local department store do not say "Merry Christmas?!" They don't sell to Christians only! These are not LifeWays or Family Christian Stores! Bacon's, Dillard's, Parisian and so many others specialize in clothing and home items - not Bibles and Matzo crackers!

"But, Joey, we have got to stand for something or this world is going to walk all over us!"

Where were you when Gone With the Wind gave us cursing?! Where are the massive protests over the deaths of innocent babies everyday?! How many times have you changed the channel or ignored the Christian Children's Fund?! (and don't give me the junk about not knowing if all of the money goes to the kids - God calls you to give and He calls them to be good stewards!) Where are the protests over the fact that our country's minimum wage hasn't increased in 10 years?! I didn't hear your voices protesting the government's slow-as-molasses response to the Katrina disaster! (again I don't want to hear the crap about how they brought it on themselves - WE BROUGHT SIN ON OURSELVES AND WE STILL EXPECT GOD TO JUST FORGIVE US WITHOUT REAL RECOMPENSE! Let's revere Him a little more for not making calls that reflect the ones we would have made!)

I'm telling you the truth - there are much grander and heavier issues than this whole Christmas versus Holidays thing.

I will continue to shop at Target.

I will continue to be annoyed by those stinking bell-ringers.

And, while I do not shop there, I will still listen with joy to the great Garrison Keillor who advertises Land's End quite often.

I'm so flustered right now about the way "Christians" are acting about this that I can't continue this blog right now.

Explain this for me, please.

It is no secret to those who know me that I have not been of the church-going mindset for quite some time now. This place marketed as a center of hope, peace, reconciliation and family seems to contain a few sincere people who are sincerely fooled and a few false people who are falsely sincere. It's just too much because you never know which one with whom you are dealing. If you get the sincere ones, the conversation will lack substance. If you get the false ones, you won't know if you've gotten substance or not.

Confusing?

Exactly my point. A place of enlightenment for the down-trodden and weary forfeits its purpose if no one can figure it out. It's okay if the purpose is lost, however, because the place can always become, as most churches have, a social club. Holiday parties, gospel meetings, concerts, benevolence by proxy and so many other things have clouded the ability to see the void.

As depressing as all this sounds, I do have a point.

I don't know whether we are genetically built to go to church or we just get so used to it that we long to return to what was a mainstay for so long, but I am beginning to miss it.

"Just go then," you say, but it's not so easy.

My absence has not been the result of laziness or worldliness (as some of the self-righteous may say) because I have been in a constant search. I believe I have found a purer truth having not been there than I did in all the years I was there. But, I still find myself missing it all.

So, at the beginning of this week, I called God out. Karen went to the church this past Sunday (I was at work) and told me that she had put $30.00 in the collection plate. Cynically, I looked at the sky and said, "God, I want to see a $60.00 check this week!" I was thinking that if it happened, I would go back, but I knew this wasn't going to happen and thought it to be a safe way to get out of the supernatural pull this realist has been feeling.

Now, I don't believe in what I call the "kookiness" of this religion stuff. I don't want to hear about the miraculous disappearance of cancer overnight; angels visiting and saving from certain death; resurrections; feelings during prayers; and everything else that makes no sense in the real world. It lacks intelligence on the part of what God designed. You can try to convince me with all the times it has happened to you and tell me the story you think to be immutable, but it doesn't work with me. It isn't logical.

Still, I can't explain the $125.00 check which came unexpectedly yesterday. My apprehensions are great, but I cannot dismiss that peice of paper which now resides in the bedroom and that we had no idea was coming. Part of me would like to brush it off because it wasn't the $60.00 to which I challenged Him. Another part would like to forget about it because I was thinking it would come in the mail (if it were even to come) - this check was handed to us.

But, I do know this: in spite of all my attempts to forget about it, or attribute it to chance, I still know in the back of my mind that it would be absurd to give it no attention.

I guess I'll be pondering this all week.

Sentence Fragment of Truth

"...any man who afflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood, and that is what happened to Jesus."
H. L. Mencken
from Treatise on the Gods Part IV