Heretics, Daleks, and Lalaith

A defining characteristic of G.K. Chesterton is his habit of turning assumptions upside down via paradoxes. In his book Heretics, he states that it takes a serious man to laugh. How is that possible?
Well, here’s a simple exercise to explain it.

Here my audience splits into two groups. One who is holding their sides and laughing hysterically, and one who is just staring at the screen. I may safely assume the former has watched “Doctor Who” and has seen the terror the Daleks can unleash. Only then can you laugh at them.
How does this apply to life? Chesterton states “A man who has faith must be prepared not only to be a martyr but to be a fool.” If you won’t surrender your dignity for a cause, would you really die for it?
The song ‘Undignified Praise’ drives this point home.
I will dance, I will sing
And be crazy for my King
Nothing Lord is hindering, this passion in my soul
And I'll become, even more Undignified than this

I will close with a quote from “The Bark of the Bog Owl” by Jonathan Rogers.
“Do not ask ‘Am I being a fool?’ Ask ‘Am I being the right sort of fool?”

Heretics, Daleks, and Lalaith

A defining characteristic of G.K. Chesterton is his habit of turning assumptions upside down via paradoxes. In his book Heretics, he states that it takes a serious man to laugh. How is that possible?
Well, here’s a simple exercise to explain it.

Here my audience splits into two groups. One who is holding their sides and laughing hysterically, and one who is just staring at the screen. I may safely assume the former has watched “Doctor Who” and has seen the terror the Daleks can unleash. Only then can you laugh at them.
How does this apply to life? Chesterton states “A man who has faith must be prepared not only to be a martyr but to be a fool.” If you won’t surrender your dignity for a cause, would you really die for it?
The song ‘Undignified Praise’ drives this point home.
I will dance, I will sing
And be crazy for my King
Nothing Lord is hindering, this passion in my soul
And I'll become, even more Undignified than this

I will close with a quote from “The Bark of the Bog Owl” by Jonathan Rogers.
“Do not ask ‘Am I being a fool?’ Ask ‘Am I being the right sort of fool?”

Faith

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things unseen. Hebrews 11:1

For some people, this explanation is nearly as confusing as the term itself. Does ‘faith’ mean you shut off all your brain cells and sing ‘Kumbaya’ around the campfire? Well, as appealing as that may be after a hard day of work, faith is more than that.
One song I used to sing had the lyrics ‘Faith is just believing what God says he’ll do.” God promises to be with us, to guide us, to never forsake us. Do you think God will keep his word?
Another helpful example comes from the Doctor Who episode “Flesh and Stone.” The Doctor’s companion Amy has to keep her eyes closed or she’ll die, but the monstrous Weeping Angels, who can only be stopped by being seen, are closing in. The Doctor has to leave to find a way of escape, but he promises to return. Unfortunately, past events make Amy skeptical of this claim.
“You need to start trusting me; it’s never been more important.” The Doctor says.
“But you don’t always tell me the truth.”
“If I always told you the truth, I wouldn’t need you to trust me.”
It’s easy to trust when we have all the details, but that’s not faith—it’s sight. For example, in the story above, Amy doesn’t really know much about the Doctor, but based on what she has seen, she has to trust that he means what he says.
It’s the same way with God. No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, there are still things you won’t understand about him. You have to take what you do know and trust him from there.

Reflections: The Boys Next Door

“Civilizations are judged by the way they treat their most helpless citizens.”

Growing up in rural America, I had very few encounters with mentally disabled individuals. But after attending “The Boys Next Door” tonight, I believe I glimpsed God’s heart for these people. The plot revolves around four disabled men living in a group home and their supervisor. The first half was amusing, focusing on the social tension among the men and their struggles, but the second half tugged the heartstrings in a serious way.
One of the men in the home went before a state congressional committee to testify when his benefits were cut. In the middle of a disjointed reply, the actor steps forward to deliver the following speech. While reading the words can be powerful, the actual scene makes it even stronger.


Another poignant subplot comes from Barry, a schizophrenic with delusions of being a professional golfer. After a brief visit from his abusive father, Barry must be removed from the home. The supervisor comes to visit him, but he never responds. I found it almost painful to see him lying there, not moving, not speaking, and only blinking proves he’s still alive.
One reocurring thought during this play was It’s so normal. Even the nonlinear conversations mirrored some discussions I have with my friends. That could mean I have very strange friends, but even so, it drives home a lesson worth learning. People with mental disabilities are PEOPLE.
Not freaks. Not trained animals for our amusement. Not shows for us to gawk at. They are people, created and loved by God. Jesus said, “Whatever you did to the least of these, you did it unto me.”
I can’t find a way to end this properly. But maybe that’s best. You can’t take a heavy issue like this and tie it up in a box with a pretty bow.

Rose Defeats the Daleks and other Musical Queries

I've done this before, and I wanted to celebrate the release of the series five Doctor Who soundtrack to (American) iTunes. You set your mp3 player on shuffle and answer the questions with the song that comes up.

Are you male or female?
“The Spirit of Christmas Past” by Enya

What do people feel when they are around you?
“Roman Paradox” from Doctor Who Series Five soundtrack

Describe your current relationship
“At the Sign of the Prancing Pony” from FotR soundtrack

Where would you like to be right now?
“A Time to Hate” from Perfect Timing by John and Diane Windle

What do you feel about love?
“Into the West” from RotK Soundtrack

What's your life like?
“Introduction” from Perfect Timing by John and Diane Windle

What would you wish for if you only had one wish?
“I Remember You” from Doctor Who Series Five soundtrack

Say something wise:
“I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin

If someone says "Is this okay. . ." You say?
“Sometimes by Step” (Rich Mullins)

How would you describe yourself?
“The Letter” (One of a Kind) by Newsboys

How do you feel today?
“My Hope is in the Lord” by Matt Hoffland

What is your life's purpose?
“Passion in Writing” by Bryan Davis

What is your motto?
“There’s Only One (Holy One)” by Cadman’s Call

What do your friends think of you?
“New Adventures” from Doctor Who series 1&2 soundtrack

What do you think of your parents?
“Unspoken” by Jaci Valasquez

What do you think of very often?
“Who Else is Coming?” from Doctor Who Series Five soundtrack

What is 2+2?
“Not Good Enough” from Fireproof soundtrack

What is your life story?
“Work” by Jars of Clay

What do you want to be when you grow up?
“El Shaddai” –er, what????? I want to be like him

What will you dance to at your wedding?
“The Nazgul of Dol Guldor”

What will they play at your funeral?
“First Steps” from LotR fanfilm ‘Born of Hope’

What is your hobby/interest?
“See Your Face” by Matt Hoffland

What is your biggest fear?
“In Your Eyes” by Matt Hoffland

What is your biggest secret?
“The Father’s Song” by Matt Redman

What do you think of your friends?
“The Bridge of Khazad-dum” from FotR soundtrack

What will you re-post this as?
“Rose Defeats the Daleks” from Doctor Who series 1&2 soundtrack