* * * My Words, My World, My Way * * *

Please Write: ALewisPDX@gmail.com

Sunday, May 04, 2008

One Bible Verse Over the Cuckoo's Nest


It is the Lord's Day, after all. So, I deemed it only appropriate that I bring you One Bible Verse Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Having grown up in church, and having my back end etched for eternity in the pew, I often wonder if I caused other's grief....say, when I was out in public with my youth group, wearing t-shirts that exhibited the "Glory of Jesus" or some other fancy verbiage that someone decided should be promoted. I ran into a group of red-t-shirted boys and girls today with something about "Missionary" and "Bible" and "Faith" and "Mission Trip" and "Mexico" on the upper left-hand corner of their shirts. They were the usual rowdy and obnoxious that you'd expect from teenagers .... except that they had these special shirts that promoted their clear commitment to saving the world. They yelled, threw things, tossed garbage around, stood in the way of others without regard, had their Bibles out for obligatory reading sessions, and offered few "please" or "thank yous." Have times really changed that much? And the leader of the group? She was a middle-aged woman toting the same t-shirt with a freshly-bleached dew on her head, pulled back into a nice pony tail. She pranced all over the place, over and over, with two of the most giant bags of candy you've ever seen. In every one's way, her giant bag on the floor where no one could pass by, and down on her knees with panties, toiletries, jeans, and bras doing their best to escape the confines of her suitcase. Shall we say it wasn't pretty? I think that maybe they had all memorized one too many Bible verses, and not really the right ones, quite frankly. Checked out and a general oblivion to others gave me the distinct confirmation that I hope none of these kids is ever President. I hope that the mission field is ready for them. Because I was clearly ready to see them go on their way.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Smirking and chuckling. Ah the memories of youth group, matching t-shirts, and trips to wherever to share the "good news"! I do think times have changed though... I certainly hope we gave off a better impression overall back then. Our youth pastor was a RIOT!! I loved him! He has since come out as gay and is writing Christian drama productions somewhere in CA. :-) I miss him!

Lemuel said...

I'm afraid it's too late. I thin one of them already is President.

I think they missed the children's sermons on "let your light so shine...", the Pharisee and the tax collector, and the biggie, "do unto others."

Breenlantern said...

IMHO, people who preach their own virtues rarely actually have them. Publicly airing your holiness is like telling people how hot you are, or how smart or talented you are. Your true qualities will shine through if you exhibit them. Don't talk the talk, just walk the walk. I don't care if your christian, hindu, jewish or atheist, so long as you behave civilized and respect others with your actions. This behavior sounded far from civilized and actually ironic given the claim to holier-than-thou-ness they seemed to want to put on display.

Birdie said...

Somebody told those kids this was the way to act. You can't blame them for believing it; kids really do want to make a difference, and they haven't yet lost their zeal for trying. Give the kids a break—and pull that leader aside and suggest they try a less obnoxious method for fundraising.

Java said...

I have had the good sense to never volunteer to chaperone a trip like this, though I've had the opportunity.

They have moved on to other mission fields now. Praise the Lord!

savante said...

Muahaha. Hilarious. We all remember the days of sharing the good news.

Rick said...

There's nothing more obnoxious than a youngster thinking they are sheltered in the arms of God.;)
But somewhere Lewis, their parents were kicked backed enjoying the peace and quiet and thankful.

Anonymous said...

You should have told them that they look like they're headed to Walt Disney World for Gay Days with all their red shirts! ;-)

dit said...

sounds like my co-workers. lol One did become president. One did! lol

Ur-spo said...

just watch them closely; they are plotting, I just knows it.

Anonymous said...

You know... many of us have been in that same "group" when we were kids. Most of us came to understand that it is more than the dogma of the mislead sitting in the hell of a pew that makes the world a nice place.

We outgrew it; maybe these kids still have hope for a future yet. I hope so at least; too often there are the few on the fringe that give the rest of humanity a bad name.

travelling, but not in love said...

ha. The lord knows which ones to send away to far-flung places on missions, doesn't he!

Well done him for sending the freaks away from us normal folk....

Greg said...

Is that an example of hypocrisy in action?

WAT said...

There is a documentary I want to see but am a bit afraid to watch called, SHOOT, was is the name of this thing?! I can't remember right now JESUS something about these very young children that are already being indoctrinated to be fundamentalist Christians.

It just sounds like a massive frightening closed-minded brainwashing to me!