Monday, March 31, 2003
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 3
"Carpe Diem, lads! Seize the day! Make your lives extraordinary!"
- Dead Poet's Society
Those final few weeks had been filled with rehearsals, construction, and publicity. We spent our afternoons in the auditorium and regularly stayed late into the night. We had become a family. I had found my love.
Opening Night was the stuff that dreams were made of! I can remember Mom pulling up at the building to drop me off (I was not of driving age yet) and she told how much she loved me and how proud of me she was, then she said "Break a leg!" I gave her a funny look and she replied, "you aren't supposed to wish 'good luck' to someone in theatre." I considered myself an authority on drama but had never heard this before. I still am not sure I've ever asked her how she knew that. But it made an impression on me that lasts to this day.
High School Theatre is a mix of social club and religious sect. I liken it to what I imagine the Masonic Lodge to be like. There is much hierarchy, tradition, symbolism, and ceremony. Even the Men's dressing room was a sort of sanctuary. Hundreds of people from decades past had used that room to prepare for their curtain call... and we were all cognizant of the weight that was upon our shoulders. Things happened in that dressing room (as I am sure happen in all of them) that cannot be spoken of. But the memories will last a lifetime.
1 hour to curtain. The make-up had been applied. The costumes had become our clothing. And the men stood in a solemn circle in the smallish dressing room. It was cinderblock with egg-yellow paint, strewn with costumes and props from plays past. It smelt of time and must. Lynn broke the silence. He spoke of the importance of opening night, and the traditions that surrounded it. The new people were to be initiated. Fear set in. We were to be given a name... a designator that only the men in the room would ever know.... then we were to receive a wedgie. (Remember, this is high school). Lynn said it with a straight face, the upperclassmen all had somber faces, and no one laughed or snickered. This was serious, and we all knew it. I received my new title--Monkey--and my wedgie. (I tell you the name because a decade has passed and I think I am safe from the retribution of Lynn or the drama gods).
30 minutes to curtain. Women. We were now a part of another circle. The Women's dressing room was at least four times as large as ours. This seems appropriate. But in a stroke of justice it was also four times as crapped-out as ours was. Now the smell was time, must, perfume, and Aqua-Net. The Director praised us and encouraged us. She spoke of commitment and the importance of theatre. Others in the group also spoke of dedication and love. Then we all said our chant, and every lip fell silent until curtain....
15 minutes to curtain. The Stage Manager called "Places!" and we left the dressing room to take our positions. As was tradition, no one in the cast would speak again until their first line. And hopefully they would have no problem doing so! As I stood behind the Proscenium in the Stage Right wing, so many thoughts went through my head. I knew my family would be in the audience, friends too. Teachers and others would also be in attendance. I prayed that I would not forget my lines (all 7 of them, I believe) or trip and fall. I looked down and noticed that I was wearing a frilly shirt with puffed sleeves, knickers, leggings, and clogs (not to mention enough make-up to make Mary Kay proud). I decided to pray that there would be no cameras in the audience... and with that the lights dipped, the curtain pulled, and the show began.
Curtain. "Marley was dead. Dead as a doornail." I had always wanted to say that line, but being a freshman with mediocre talent there was no way I was going to snag the part of Scrooge or Cratchit. I was fortunate to have any part at all! Scrooge was played by a senior, whose name I have long since forgotten. I remember that he was a 'fringe-guy' and kind of scared me a little. He always spoke of reefer or weed, and always seemed to have a disconnectedness that could only have come from drug abuse in my estimation. He was a great actor and was a perfect fit for the part. Tonight though, he had done something dumb: sniffed smarties. I had NEVER heard of this, but I guess its the poor man's crack? Who knows. But he had done it, apparently, and this evening our Scrooge had a noticeable sniffle during the show. What an idiot.
12 Minutes in. I took a step forward and found it wasn't as hard as I thought that it would be. I took another and enjoyed this one more. The third took me into a large pool of light. The rest led me to center stage. "Why Ebenezer! Welcome to the Fezziwig Christmas Party! So nice to see you!!" Breathe Kevin. Breathe. "Mrs. Fezziwig, come see who's here!" Don't lock your knees. "Ebenezer, join us in a dance won't you?" Please God, don't let me screw this up... On Man! Why did I do this?!? "Start the Music!!!!" And with that we were off, Sharon and I leading half the cast in a makeshift Christmas Waltz. Just thank God its not on tape (to my knowledge at least). And as soon as it had begun, it ended. Exit Stage Right.
55 minutes in. Many in the cast had dual roles. I was not exempt. "Children of Ignorance and Want" was what the playbill said. I and six other members of the cast had a part to play in Scrooge's encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Future. I had a line during this section. Emphasis on HAD. "Some would rather die... and some would rather kill." I was to say, "And some would rather kill". Easy enough... but it wasn't. I couldn't say "kill". When I tried it came out "keeell". And every time I said "And and some would rather keeell" in rehearsal the whole stage cast would giggle. Eventually the Director took the line from me because my accent was a little too Kentucky for an Indiana play... so I was simply eye candy. Granted, eye-candy in a black Grim Reaper robe with 6 other people in Grim Reaper robes. But you know what I mean.
86 Minutes in. The lights dipped, curtain dropped, and crowd roared. Opening night was over. The lights came up full and the curtain parted one last time as we all made our way out for the final curtain call. I briskly walked out on stage from Stage Right, meeting Mrs. Fezziwig who mirrored me from Stage Left. Our hands clasped together, we took a deep bow and split. I caught a glimpse of my parents (who were broadly smiling) and I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. Other came, and finally Scrooge entered (with a Kleenex) to thunderous applause. And the curtain fell.
90 Minutes. We bolted for the back stage doors. Every member of the cast and crew broke into a dead sprint immediately when the curtain clasp closed. Like rats from a burning building we ran for the exit, cut left at the outer doors and formed a gangly group of runners trying to get to the lobby before the crowd. There was pushing, and shoving, and laughing as we began to release the tension that had been building for months.
91 Minutes. The crowd began to filter out of the theatre. And when they arrived in the lobby they found the cast (that had only moments ago been on stage) now waiting for them in the foyer. We met each others families, accepted praise and accolades, and hugged our parents. This was the pay-off.
Like a wild animal who acquires a taste for blood, I was hooked ; Live theatre had me in its grip.
posted by Kevin at 3/31/2003 01:06:10 AM
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Saturday, March 29, 2003
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 2
"Not all those who wander are lost."
- J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings
In a matter of weeks, I knew I had found my place. Not necessarily the place where I belonged, but the place I wanted to be. It would be much later in life before I would realize that sometimes we belong in places where we're not wanted (and don't belong in places where we are wanted). But I digress....
I learned a lot of things that first semester of Freshman year. Most importantly, I learned that High School theatre isn't as much about talent and acting as it is about belonging. These people accepted me at a time when I wasn't accepting myself. I remember Ben. Ben was the loner... the older guy (which meant he was a Senior) who was on the fringe (even for drama people). I immediately liked Ben. On the surface he was very easy-going and cordial. He was also the first person I knew that dyed their hair regularly... I still don't know what his true color was.
Lynn Goodner III was the unelected leader of our group. He was a Senior and had been in drama for four years, which meant he knew the most and we all looked up to him. Lynn had a great sense of humor and was always laughing or smiling about something. Lynn was our Stage Manager and had one of those shaggy bowl haircuts that were rather popular at the time... though it looked kinda slouchy on him. His younger brother, Todd, was also involved. Together they formed a kind of upper-level social class... but they never made the rest of us feel as though we were lower class.
Todd Goodner and Scott Halberstadt were close friends. Scott was my idol. He was a sophomore and already the best actor in our High School. We all knew that Scott would secure the leads in all future plays and go on to do great things if he stuck with his passion. Scott's passion was theatre. Many people enjoy theatre, some love it, but Scott was passionate about it. I immedately liked Scott. He was funny, quick-witted, smart, and had a love for theatre that none of us could even begin to approach. He made an excellent Bob Cratchitt, and I made it a point to pay close attention to everything that he did. I have forgotten many things about him, but one memory remains strong... his love for Genesis. This was my first true exposure to early 80's secular music. I can remember building sets with the sounds of Phil Collins echoing around the auditorium. Those were great times.
There were so many others, but the only ones that are worth mentioning are 'the girls' as I liked to call them. Shannon, Sharon, Jane, and Jeniffer became quick and close friendstp me. We spent many afternoons waiting in the wings for our minor roles on stage to require our attention. I have long forgotten what we talked about, but I will be forever grateful for the ministry they had in my life. You see, they were all Christians. And besides the fact that they were beautiful young ladies (and those are few and far between in theatre), they kept me grounded. It still seems odd to me that God chose a couple of Baptists, an Episcopal, and a Catholic girl to keep me grounded in Him and the church. I was still naive though, and theatre still had many beautiful and brutal lessons to teach....
posted by Kevin at 3/29/2003 02:30:21 AM
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Thursday, March 27, 2003
Life Lessons from High School Theatre - Part 1
"Et tu, Brute!"
- Julius Caesar, Shakespeare
Almost a decade ago I reached a fork in the road. One path led me long to where I am today, the other to places unknown.
High school came at a time in my life when I was highly introverted and backward. I knew that I wanted to find a group of people to 'belong' to--somewhere to fit in--and it wasn't long before I found my niche. A Casting Call for the winter production, A Christmas Carol, caught my attention. Acting sounded like fun so I showed up for the auditions. Much to my dismay, so did half the school. Fortunately I got the part, though a small one, acting as Mr. Fezziwig (whom you will recall was Ebeneezer's old boss in the Christmas Past scene) and also a Child of Ignorance and Want (which is a rather obscure part, but nonetheless fitting). I had several lines and was the lead in a dance routine with Mrs. Fezziwig (a bubbly girl named Sharon Brochin). This is where I developed my love for theatre.
We quickly became a family. The cast and crew spent an inordinate amount of together doing vocal and stretching exercises, line rehearsal, stage blocking, and just plain having fun. We painted set pieces, hung lighting, and raised support. I met people that I still consider good friends... Jennifer Hickman, Shannon Gardiner, Scott Halberstadt, Todd and Lynn Goodner, and so many others. I had found a support group. There was finally a place in my peer group that I could fit in. There was no looking back!
Tri-Epsilon! That was the name of our Drama troupe. In greek it stands for "Ep Ep Ep", I believe. There is a joke there somewhere. Cindy Haston was our coach, and she did more than teach us acting - she taught us about ourselves. Even today I am not exactly sure how she did it, but she made me believe in myself again. I began to realize that I had worth and something to contribute. Looking back on that time in my life I wonder why I found something in theatre that I didn't find in the Church?
posted by Kevin at 3/27/2003 11:21:21 PM
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Monday, March 24, 2003
The Pope is Fallible
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle."
Edmund Burke wrote this in "Thoughts on the Cause of Present Discontents". You might not recognize it, but in contemporary lingo it has come to be delivered as, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Which ever version you prefer, the message is the same: evil will, therefore good must.
I do not feel the need to justify the current war in Iraq, neither do I care to try and convince anyone else of its reasonableness. It is a lie of Postmodern culture that 1) Every action must be peaceful in nature and war is never justified. 2) The world community (and/or the US community) must be in agreement for action to be legal and legitimate.
ONE of TWO
First, let me speak about war from a 'religious' perspective. Being a minister and soon-to-be proud holder of a Master's degree (yes, I AM giving my credentials) I am going to speak of what I KNOW to be true from the Bible, not just what I believe to be true. Peace is foundational to Christian theology. So is war. In Ecclesiastes 3:1&8 the scripture states quite clearly, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven . . . A time for war and a time for peace." Jesus spoke plainly in Matthew 24:6-8 and said that wars would be a part of the history of mankind right up until the end: "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."
Several weeks ago my church was blessed with protestors who carried an enormous sign that read "Who Would Jesus Bomb?" I wish that I had made a sign that read "Sodom and Gomorra" and gone out to 'protest' alongside them. The Bible in NO WAY ever denigrates the 'just war'. In fact, much of God's work and blessing came about through war! I am reminded of the Israelites' move toward the Promised Land. I am also reminded of how God used war to PUNISH His people and bring them back into a right moral relationship with Him. Further, God will use war in the Tribulation and Millennium to bring about final justice on evil. Even some of the greatest figures in Scripture are military figures... Joshua, Moses, Gideon, Deborah, King David, and list grows long.
TWO of TWO
St. Augustine, of "Summa Theologica" fame, was the first person to articulate the idea of a "Just War Theory". Here are the basic tenets that Saint Augistine laid out, and I post here with no further comment:
- A just war can only be waged as a last resort. All non-violent options must be exhausted before the use of force can be justified.
- A war is just only if it is waged by a legitimate authority. Even just causes cannot be served by actions taken by individuals or groups who do not constitute an authority sanctioned by whatever the society and outsiders to the society deem legitimate. Romans 13:4: "for it (civil government) does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil."
- A just war can only be fought to redress a wrong suffered. For example, self-defense against an armed attack is always considered to be a just cause (although the justice of the cause is not sufficient--see point #4). Further, a just war can only be fought with "right" intentions: the only permissible objective of a just war is to redress the injury. Augustine says "A just war is apt to be described as one that avenges wrongs, when a nation or state has to be punished, for refusing to make amends for the wrongs inflicted by its subjects, or to restore what has been seized unjustly."
- A war can only be just if it is fought with a reasonable chance of success. Deaths and injury incurred in a hopeless cause are not morally justifiable.
- The ultimate goal of a just war is to re-establish peace. More specifically, the peace established after the war must be preferable to the peace that would have prevailed if the war had not been fought. Hence Augustine says, "True religion looks upon as peaceful those wars that are waged not for motives of aggrandizement, or cruelty, but with the object of securing peace, of punishing evil-doers, and of uplifting the good."
- The violence used in the war must be proportional to the injury suffered. States are prohibited from using force not necessary to attain the limited objective of addressing the injury suffered.
- The weapons used in war must discriminate between combatants and non-combatants. Civilians are never permissible targets of war, and every effort must be taken to avoid killing civilians. The deaths of civilians are justified only if they are unavoidable victims of a deliberate attack on a military target.
posted by Kevin at 3/24/2003 12:28:38 AM
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Saturday, March 22, 2003
FridayFive
1. If you had the chance to meet someone you've never met, from the past or present, who would it be? This is a hard one to answer. Most people I know would take the easy way out and say "Jesus". But its just not that easy. One day I will see him and most everyone else that I want to see anyway. Maybe instead I should list someone that I doubt I am ever going to see again. So here goes..... Saddam.
2. If you had to live in a different century, past or future, which would it be? Definitely the time of Christ and Paul. I could lie and say that I would choose some other time like the Renaissance or Medieval Times (which I believe you can still visit on I-35 near downtown Dallas), but honestly this would be the only other time that I would want to live. Second place would go to the Revolutionary times in our country, when the nation was founded. And third would probably go to either ancient Egyptian times or the Civil War.
3. If you had to move anywhere else on Earth, where would it be? I am gonna receive a LOT of flack for this, but anywhere in the US, and nowhere else. Call me a Patriot if you must, but there will always be red, white, and blue in my veins. I am now entirely convinced that there are more wackos outside the US than there are in the Democratic Party. ;)
4. If you had to be a fictional character, who would it be? Is this the dumbest question ever? I think that I might like to be Gandalf or Legolas, or possibly Aragorn... he definitely had the catch of the day. Optimus Prime is already taken, so that's out. Ernest was always pretty cool. Johnny Tremain's hand got melted, so I would have to say no to him. Hmmm. I think I am revealing my nerd side. Possibly Mulder or Captain Picard, definitely not any DS9 character. The Count of Monte Cristo, he was cool, but had some serious rage issues. Maybe I just need to be happy being me.
5. If you had to live with having someone else's face as your own for the rest of your life, whose would it be? Do you honestly think that I am going to answer this? Some things are just better left unsaid. Feel free to comment and make your own suggestions, but I will not be participating.
posted by Kevin at 3/22/2003 10:42:54 PM
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The Pike Mummy
This story is so strange, it has to be true... and oddly enough, it is! In The Obstinate Outlaw we find one the weirdest true stories that I've ever read. Elmer McCurdy: died in 1911, buried 1977!
posted by Kevin at 3/22/2003 02:01:56 AM
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Thursday, March 20, 2003
Will the Real Saddam Please Stand Up
The man on the left is the real Saddam, we think. Read on in this article, Saddam double: it's all in the ears.
posted by Kevin at 3/20/2003 11:07:13 AM
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Wednesday, March 19, 2003
War on Iraq: "Trying to Help"
NOTE: The following is purported to be from Dennis Miller of HBO fame, but thanks to a fellow blogger I have been able to verify that its origin is actually from W. Wayne Schields and was a Letter to the Editor in the Wichita Falls Times Record News.
All the rhetoric on whether or not we should go to war against Iraq has got my insane little brain spinning like a roulette wheel. I enjoy reading opinions from both sides but i have detected a hint of confusion from some of you. As I was reading the paper recently, I was reminded of the best advice someone ever gave me. He told me about the kiss method ("keep it simple, stupid!") So, with this as a theme, I'd like to apply this theory for those who don't quite get it. My hope is that we can simplify things a bit and recognize a few important facts.
Here are 10 things to consider when voicing an opinion on this important issue:
1) Between President Bush and Saddam Hussein ... Hussein is the bad guy.
2) If you have faith in the United Nations to do the right thing keep this in mind, they have Libya heading the committee on human rights and Iraq heading the global disarmament committee. Do your own math here.
3) If you use Google search and type in "French Military Victories," your reply will be "did you mean French military defeats?"
4) If your only anti-war slogan is "No War For Oil," sue your school district for allowing you to slip through the cracks and robbing you of the education you deserve.
5) Saddam and Bin Laden will not seek United Nations approval before they try to kill us.
6) Despite common belief, Martin Sheen is not the president. He plays one on TV.
7) Even if you are anti-war, you are still an "infidel!" and Bin Laden wants you dead, too.
8) If you believe in a "vast right-wing conspiracy" but not in the danger that Hussein poses, quit hanging out with the Dell computer dude.
9) We are not trying to liberate them.
10) Whether you are for military action or against it, our young men and women overseas are fighting for us to defend our right to speak out. We all need to support them without reservation.
posted by Kevin at 3/19/2003 08:42:55 AM
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Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Just for the Halibut
This article was sent to me by a co-worker, and I've not laughed so hard in a long time. Word is made flesh as God reveals himself... as a fish.
posted by Kevin at 3/18/2003 10:14:05 PM
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UK Times Online
I do not generally copy links from other pages unless I feel that they are too important to overlook. This article, See men shredded, then say you don't back war, was posted by my friend Ben over at Saucyspot. NOTE: Please be aware that there are some graphic details in this article.
posted by Kevin at 3/18/2003 09:59:42 AM
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Saturday, March 15, 2003
FridayFive
1. Do you like talking on the phone? Why or why not? Mmmmmm. Depends. If I know you well, then yes, I could talk for hours and enjoy every minute of it. But if you are not very close to me, then e-mail is less likely to make me annoyed with you.
2. Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? If you don't count the CSR from PearlVision, then it was my Mom. I was calling to tell her my Jeep was fine and the warranty covered all of the minors repairs and more (the Malfunction Indicator Light had come on a few days ago). Is there anything better than a warranty??
3. About how many telephones do you have at home? Four I guess. Six counting cell-phones. Does anyone use landlines anymore for personal calls?? No one in does in Dallas. Most of my friends don't even have home phone service. Its ALL about the cell.
4. Have you encountered anyone who has really bad phone manners? What happened? Working in Christian radio and television Master Control (TBN) for several years, I met HUNDREDS of people with bad phone manners. You can't begin to imagine the CRAZY people that call in..... or maybe you can! Some calls of note: 1. The women who called the 'prayer line' and then prayed for ME that I would be 'slain in the spirit'. Don't even get me started on THAT subject. 2. The man that called about the hymn we were playing and how I was going to Hell for playing that Devil-Music on Christian Radio (WCDR, for those of you in the know). 3. Any College-age Male, calling for any reason.
5. Would you rather pick up the phone and call someone or write them an e-mail or a letter? Why or why not? Well, write a letter actually. There are several who have been blessed with hundreds of these (not so tongue-in-cheek as you might imagine) and they will agree that I am sometimes an avid writer of personal letters. That being said, I am an e-mail fanatic. I love it! But I also have a strong reactionary tendency that drives me to write more personal letters than I think I ever would have if the internet were not in existence. E-mail is great, but a handwritten letter is king!
posted by Kevin at 3/15/2003 02:09:10 AM
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Thursday, March 13, 2003
the Death of Servanthood
NOTE: this diatribe was written specifically about Media Ministry, but can easily be applied to all areas of ministry!....
NOTE #2: Since some of my volunteers actually visit here! ... Word up! ... I want to make it clear that this was NOT written about any certain individual or situation. It is a culmination of recent reading, experiences of some of my other friends in ministry, and my own past personal experience. I'm sorry if it's a little biting and harsh, but I stand by the truth of the observations.
___________________________
Why do we serve God? What drives us to minister?
Recently, I have become increasingly aware of the motives of volunteers I see in ministry. I wish that I could say that we all serve God for the RIGHT reasons and out of a RIGHT spirit. But that is not necessarily so.
Ministry is Servanthood. Media Ministry is Servanthood through Media.
Where are the servants?
Oh that I never had another volunteer who was simply interested in putting another line on their resume. Oh that I never had another volunteer who wanted to 'climb the production ladder'. Oh that I never had another volunteer who wanted to direct because they were too good to run camera.
Oh that I had more volunteers who were willing to let God choose the talents He used, rather than telling God what talents they were going to let Him use.
Brothers, there is no place for self-importance, arrogance, self-righteousness, haughtiness, and bloated self-images in ministry!
When did we begin to see Church Ministry as a tool for our own egos and self-gratification rather than my spiritual service to God?
Where are the servants and why are there less of them in the Church today?
CONSUMERISM!
We have made our volunteers this way! I am convinced that the model for the 21st century church is fundimentally flawed. We cannot expect our volunteers to act any differently than our church-goers... and our church members have been trained to be consumers.
We tailor our services through research and standard-business practice. We bombard them with commercials, pamphlets, and multimedia at a rate that rivals MTV. We have taught them that they are gods in our universe, and how that God and the church are THEIR servants.
Our members now expect to wazzled and dazzled, or they will find another church. If their concerns are not met, their money will go elsewhere. And we churches know that! ....so we do what the world is doing, and take their patterns as our own.
And our techiniques work! Of course they work! They do exactly what they were created to do... they create consumers!!!
God is not in the business of consumerism. It flies in the face of ministry. To be a servant is NOT to be a Consumer - To be a servant is to be a Producer. Oh that we were in the business of creating PRODUCERS in our churches! Oh that we had more people who were in the business of producing Godliness and character in themselves and others.
Yes, I have my fair share of producers in my volunteer ministry. These are the people who are willing to give of their time day-in-and-day-out. They've been doing it for years, and they will continue to do so for years. I recently approached a volunteer whom I thought was overworking and giving too much of his time. He gently rebuked me by saying, "God has done SO much for me and this is the least I can do for Him."
But yet, I still struggle with giving grace and love to those volunteers who are consumers - there not for what they can give, but for what they can get.
And I shake my head, say a short prayer, and commit to do more to stifle consumerism in my church and increase production for the kingdom of Christ.
posted by Kevin at 3/13/2003 04:18:39 PM
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Friday, March 07, 2003
Rev. KEVIN M. YOUNG
An Ordination Story ... the inside scoop on my ordination
posted by Kevin at 3/07/2003 08:16:56 PM
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Wednesday, March 05, 2003
1 Timothy 1:12
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry."
Several hours from now I will be an Ordained Minister. So many thoughts and emotions are rushing through my head right now. It is so difficult to concentrate. I'm not sure that things will really change much, maybe only how I view myself. Ordination, in its most basic sense, is others ministers and the church body recognizing God's Call to the work of the ministry on a man's life and validating that Call. You don't recieve Ordination then become who you should be. You become what you should be, then receive Ordination. I qualify that last statement by admitting that it is God who gives the Call and makes us into who we should become.
This is all still a little surreal. Many 'pat-on-the-backs' have happened already, and I am sure many more will come. And yet, just as many jokes and humorous statements have been lodged at the prospect of my Ordination. I enjoy both the solemnity and joy that comes with this occasion.
In the end, I find myself asking what the future holds..... and I wait knowing full well that God will be silent on the issue. That is the exciting part of ministry. One never knows in what direction the wind my next blow or on what adventure the path might next lead. But knowing that You and God are making the journey together is comfort enough.
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My parents are running late because of ice in Detroit, so when their plane arrives they will be (at best) arriving here at PW just in time to see the end of the service. While this is a little unnerving, it frankly does not have me on edge. But I am sure that both my parents are on edge. :) When they finally read this post, it will all be over, they will have seen the videotape, and no one will be much worse for the wear. But I feel a little sad for them...
Link
posted by Kevin at 3/05/2003 03:54:10 PM
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Tuesday, March 04, 2003
This may ruffle some feathers...
... but it's time that I finally put the gender argument to rest.
How should women be viewed by our culture, or more importantly... how does God view them?
Let's take a look at Zechariah 5:5-8 from the Old Testament of the Bible which says:
Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said, “Look up! Something is appearing in the sky.” “What is it?” I asked. He replied, “It is a basket for measuring grain, and it is filled with the sins of everyone throughout the land.” When the heavy lead cover was lifted off the basket, there was a woman sitting inside it. The angel said, “This is Wickedness!,” and he thrust her back into the basket and closed the heavy lid again.
posted by Kevin at 3/04/2003 02:07:03 PM
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