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Peter & John — Mark 16:5-8

19 Oct

When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. Then they briefly reported all this to Peter and his companions. Afterward Jesus himself sent them out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen.
Mark 16:5-8

Dear God, Judas took his own life after he betrayed Jesus. I wonder if Peter ever considered it after his betrayal of Jesus. The fact that, in this telling, that the angel mentioned Peter by name indicates to me that Peter was really struggling. What a tragedy it would have been if he had. There is no way, in that moment of despair, that Peter could have known who he would become and the role you had for him to play. His mind wouldn’t let him see it. Satan wouldn’t let him see it. But you sent a messenger to ensure he got the message—man, you’re still my guy.

I talked with a friend this week who called to ask for advice on how to help another friend. Her friend has a middle school son whom they had to put in a mental hospital. He is being scary and destructive. They are afraid of what he might do or who he could hurt, including himself. My advice to her was to first realize how helpless and desperate his parents feel and to accept that she won’t have any advice for her friend. Her job is to love her friend, be there for her in any way, and pray.

There was a movie several years ago with Clint Eastwood that delved into assisted suicide called Million Dollar Baby. Someone was injured to the point of being quadriplegic and Eastwood’s character helped her kill herself because she brought him into her delusion that she had nothing to live for. Watching the movie, I thought of Joni Eareckson Tada. I just looked her up on Wikipedia to refresh myself about her. She turned 69 this past Monday, but she became quadriplegic at 17. She has lived an inspirational life the last 50+ years. Her life changed. Her old temple was destroyed. And it was a terrible reality for her that I wouldn’t want to face. But she absolutely built a new, beautiful temple with her new reality.

Father, I certainly didn’t expect this passage to take me here. And it’s likely that Peter never considered harming himself. I certainly wouldn’t want to suggest this as truth. But it reminds me that those contemplating suicide are in a mental fog that is hiding reality from them. They are hearing voices that are lying to them. So lift the fog for anyone right now in this situation. Speak truth to them. and help them build a temple that will bring you glory.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 19, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 14:66-72

18 Oct

Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth. ” But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.
Mark 14:66-72

Dear God, I wonder what would have happened to Peter if he had said, “Yeah, I’m with him.” I’m mean, he wasn’t the one claiming to be your son or the Messiah. They might have made him testify. They might have beaten him for what they deemed false testimony. Oh, why do I always go down these “what if” paths?

Peter was scared and confused, and he caved. He went into survival mode. Survival mode is, forget everyone and everything else. Forget honor and ethics. There is one priority now and one priority only—for me to survive.

I don’t think I’ve ever truly been there. I can’t think of a time when my life or safety was on the line to this extent. I’ve been fortunate, I suppose. What would I do in this circumstance? Probably exactly what Peter did.

Father, Peter was in such a confused fog. I suppose my prayer for myself is that when I am in a situation like this I will have great clarity and perspective. Help me to see what you see and hear what you hear. Help me to make great real-time decisions so that I might be ready to do exactly what you need me to do in the moment.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 18, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 14:50

17 Oct

Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.
Mark 14:50

Dear God, I wonder how this would have played out if any of them had stayed and taken with him. Would we have a whole new respect for someone like Thomas? Would that person have been crucified too or just tortured?

I guess I like to look at a lot of what ifs, but it’s because, in a case like this, I’m curious to see a colossal failure by the disciples and understand what would have happened if at least some of them hadn’t failed. What would have changed for Jesus if he had seen one of his disciples beaten while he was going through his own trial, beating, and crucifixion?

Father, at the end of the day, I suppose stories like this encourage me because they intimate that your plan is John-proof. My failings have already been worked into your plan. That doesn’t guarantee me anything, but in the grand scheme of what you have for the world there is a certain amount of relief for me that my shortcomings, while certainly material, won’t keep you from accomplishing what you want to accomplish. You need me to work. You need me to pray. You need my whole heart, mind, and strength, but for the occasional moment that I scatter with the disciples, there is grave for that too. Thank you for everything.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 17, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 14:32-42

16 Oct

32 They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33 And He *took with Him Peter and [n]James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might [o]pass Him by. 36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” 37 And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Again He went away and prayed, saying the same [p]words. 40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41 And He *came the third time, and *said to them, “[q]Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being [r]betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

Dear God, I wonder what Peter, James, and John were praying (before they fell asleep). I wonder what Jesus wanted them to be praying. According to Jesus in verse 38, at least Peter should have been praying to not come into temptation.

I would imagine that their prayers were kind of along the lines of, “Father, I don’t know what is going on, but I’m scared. If this is the preparation for the battle with Rome, strengthen me and be with us. Give us victory. Let your glory reign and bring the entire world into submission to you. Be with Jesus and strengthen him as he leads us.”

Here, however, in retrospect, is how they probably should have prayed: “Father, I don’t know what is going on and I’m scared. Jesus seems scared too. Please be with him. Strengthen him. And give me the strength that I need to go through whatever lies ahead. Help me to glorify you with everything I say and do. Provide for this path that you have us on so that your name, above all names, will be glorified by everyone in the world.”

Frankly, in my life right now, I don’t have much more of an idea of what is going on around me than they did. Sure, the stakes for their situation were a lot higher than mine, but I think the sentiment should always be the same.

Father, I don’t know what is going on and I’m scared. Give me the strength I need to go through whatever lies ahead. Help me to glorify you with everything I say and do. Provide for this path that you have my wife and me on so that your name, above all names, will be glorified by everyone in the world.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

 
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Posted by on October 16, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 14:27-31

15 Oct

On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.
Mark 14:27-31

Dear God, I’ve talked before about Peter and his moment here, but I guess what I’m thinking about now is the last verse listed here: And all the others vowed the same.

Did they, or was that Peter’s perception? Did some of them stand there quietly and secretly wish they had already left? I think that would have been me. When Jesus said that all of them would abandon him, I’ll bet there were at least a couple who were relieved that 1.) they would get a chance to get out of there and 2.) they weren’t alone.

While I know I can relate to all of this, I’m sitting here now trying to think of how I can use it in my daily life. What lesson can I learn? Frankly, I think I can take from it that I need to remember that there are probably others feeling the same way I am in a group, even if their thoughts at the time are like mine and unspoken. Instead of just putting up a brave front, bluffing, and saying, “Yeah, me too,” I need to think through my truth, figure out if I should screw up my courage or follow my feelings and retreat, and then help others around me who might be feeling the same.

Father, help me in this. I’m back at work today after being gone for two weeks. Encourage others through me. Lead them through me. Break this all down so that I will be the man you need me to be for everyone around me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 15, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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A Star Is Born (Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga Edition) – What did Bradley Cooper Want to Tell Me?

14 Oct

Every once in a while I see a piece of art that moves me. It might be a song, a book, a painting, a musical, or a movie. I was a fool for years in thinking that the arts were not worthy of our philanthropic support. It took my daughter getting involved in theater when she was nine years old to show me that the arts are critical to human development.

I cannot explain why the latest version of a “A Star Is Born” featuring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga touched me from the get-go. As soon as I ran across the trailer on YouTube, I knew I had to see it. And I hadn’t seen any of the previous iterations at the time (although I’ve since seen the Judy Garland version). I guess what I want to do with this series of blog posts is try to figure 1.) why this story keeps being retold, 2.) why this version, even from the trailer struck me so hard, and 3.) what are the lessons that Bradley Cooper wanted to teach all of us in his interpretation?

Before you read any further, you need to know that I’m not writing this for you. I’m writing it for myself. This is how I am processing what I’ve seen and why it has hit me in this way.

In this post, I want to look at what I think Bradley Cooper might have wanted to tell me and the world through this telling of this 80-year-old story (spoilers ahead). Why do I think he had something special to say? Because at least four times in the movie his character, Jack, references the idea that those with a public voice need to take the opportunity to say what they want to say when they have the chance to say it. He also said that they have to speak the truth.

I want to start by looking at the songs on the soundtrack that he had a part in writing. Here’s a list of the songs he had a part in writing according to the credits:

“Black Eyes” by Bradley Cooper and Lukas Nelson (Willie’s son)

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper, and Rob Fetters

“Maybe It’s Time” by Bradley Cooper and Jason Isbell

“Alibi” by Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, and Lukas Nelson

“Too Far Gone” by Bradley Cooper and Lukas Nelson (I think–it’s not clear)

Let’s look at the lyrics one at a time and see if we can find Mr. Cooper’s message to us.

“Black Eyes”

Black eyes open wide
It’s time to testify
There’s no room for lies
And everyone’s waitin’ for you

And I’m gone sittin’ by the phone and I’m all alone by the wayside
And I’m gone sittin’ by the phone and I’m all alone by the wayside

By the wayside
I’m by the wayside
I’m by the wayside

Too far gone and I’m by the phone
And I’m all alone and I’m off alone by the wayside

I’m by the wayside
I’m by the wayside
I’m by the wayside

By the wayside
By the wayside
By the wayside

I’m by the wayside
By the wayside
By the wayside

Black eyes open wide
It’s time to testify
There’s no room for lies
And everyone’s waitin’ for you
Everyone’s lookin’ at you
Everyone’s lookin’ at you
Everyone’s waiting for you
Everyone’s waiting for you

I’ve got to say that interpreting poetry like this isn’t my strong suit, but it seems to me that someone has been disillusioned of their feelings and thoughts for someone else. I think their eyes are now opened wide. It’s time to confess to the truth. Everyone is waiting. And the victim of the lies is alone, worried and sitting by the phone, but left in the other person’s wake. This song is a lot more foreshadowing for Ally than I realized.

“Somewhere Over The Rainbow”

When all the world is a whole blessed jumble
And the raindrops tumble all around
Heaven opens a magic lane
When all the clouds darken up the skyway
There’s a rainbow highway to be found

This is our first introduction to Ally’s singing. She’s leaving work, walking and singing this little song to herself. I think it’s more foreshadowing. She has just broken up with a boyfriend (I still don’t understand this opening scene for her, and I wonder if there was more about this relationship that had to be edited out for story flow and time). She doesn’t like her job or her boss. But now she’s on her way to be with people whom she loves and enjoys. Little does she know the rainbow that awaits her at the club.

“Maybe It’s Time”
Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die
Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die
It takes a lot to change a man
Hell, it takes a lot to try
Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die

Nobody knows what waits for the dead
Nobody knows what waits for the dead
Some folks just believe in the things they’ve heard and the things they read
Nobody knows what awaits for the dead

I’m glad I can’t go back to where I came from
I’m glad those days are gone, gone for good
But if I could take spirits from my past and bring ’em here
You know I would
Know I would

Nobody speaks to God these days
Nobody speaks to God these days
I’d like to think he’s lookin’ down and laughin’ at our ways
Nobody speaks to God these days

When I was a child, they tried to fool me
Said the worldly man was lost and that a Hell was real
Well I’ve seen Hell in Reno
And this world’s one big old Catherine wheel
Spinnin’ steel

Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die
Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die
It takes a lot to change your plans
And a train to change your mind
Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die
Oh, maybe it’s time to let the old ways die

This song deserves a little more attention. First, it’s Jackson Maine’s signature song so it’s obviously important to the story. Second, the lyrics are much more complicated than the first two songs.

I have no idea what he’s referring to in the first verse, but it feels like the song of a tired man. He’s been trying to recapture something that’s gone, and he’s telling himself that it’s time to change.

The second verse could be foreshadowing his willingness to kill himself. He doesn’t know what’s beyond, but we know he attempted it when he was 13 and he will do it again by the end of the movie. I like the line that says, “Some folks just believe in the things they’ve heard and the things they’ve read.” It’s true and I’m one of them. I’ve found peace and affirmation throughout my life in my Christian faith. His character is just lost and has never found that one thing he could set his anchor in. He had his fame, but that is now waning.

This bridge is quite beautiful. He really misses his dad even though it sounds like he offered him not only nothing, but actually warped him a bit. He doesn’t want to go back and live it again, but he would love to have his dad with him. And probably to have known his mother.

The third verse explicitly mentions God. It’s obvious that Jack doesn’t have a framework for what relationship with God looks like, but this lyric seems to indicate an agnostic’s view of a God who exists, but has no interest in engaging with us.

The second bridge is a rejection of the idea that a worldly life is a dangerous one. I looked up what a Catherine Wheel was. It is a torture/execution device that was apparently last used in the mid-1800s. It’s obvious that Jackson sees life as tortuous. He’s looking for peace and absolutely cannot find it within the framework through which he enters and interacts with the world.

“Alibi”

Don’t ask me ’bout tomorrow
Or tell me about my past
My heart is yours to borrow
Ain’t nothing meant to last

I ain’t lyin’
I don’t lie
Without an alibi

Don’t ask too many questions
You don’t want answers to
You don’t like my direction
Hell, I won’t follow you

I ain’t lyin’
I don’t lie
Without an alibi

I told my dyin’, daddy
That I had to run away
Looked him in the eyes
Said there ain’t no other way
So woman, if I tell you that I love you, be okay

‘Cause I ain’t lyin’
I don’t lie
Without an alibi

I love you in the morning
And when the day is done
But if you want my freedom
You know I’m bound to run

I ain’t lyin’
I don’t lie
Without an alibi

I told my dyin’, daddy
That I had to run away
Looked him in the eyes
Said there ain’t no other way
So woman, if I tell you that I love you, be okay

‘Cause I ain’t lyin’
I don’t lie
Without an alibi

One thing about Jack is that he really doesn’t lie in the movie. He always admits to drinking whenever anyone asks. He seemingly opens his first beer after their marriage on the SNL set and his brother walks up behind him. It doesn’t seem to phase him. In fact, he drinks it right in front of him. Jack is actually a pretty truthful person, and he says over and over again that speaking truth to your audience is important. He also seems very honest with Ally when it comes to expressing his feelings for her. We really don’t get any deception from him. He is tortured, but he’s honest.

“Too Far Gone”

Please don’t tell me I’m too far gone
I can’t go on if I ain’t livin’ in your arms
Please don’t tell me I’m too far gone
I can’t go on if I ain’t living in your arms
Please don’t tell me I’m too far gone

Set me free, oh, oh
Set me free, yeah, eh
Set me free, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh

I wish I could remember him singing this song. On the soundtrack, it comes right between her performance at her last concert to which Jack never shows up, and the speech by his brother about 12 notes between any octave. It pretty much shows Jack’s desperation and fear of having to live without Ally.

So after I’ve gone through this, have I come up with an answer to my question? Maybe. At the end of the day, the thing that Jackson Maine (a.k.a. Jack) seems to value is truth. This movie is about finding your way through the muck of life–the Catherine Wheel, if you will–and sharing your insecurities, confusion, and lack of having all of the answers with those around you. Jack makes a speech to Ally in the cop bar at the beginning that everyone in that room has talent, but the important thing to do is to take that talent and use it to say what you feel like you need to say.

The problem with Jack’s philosophy, and I think Mr. Cooper would agree, is that there are more important things in life than having something to say to others on a large stage. In my own opinion, there is the sacrificing of your will to God and accepting grace and forgiveness through Jesus. But beyond that, there is also loving others and giving of yourself for them. Jack really struggled when his time was fading and he got angry when he sensed that Ally’s was not only rising, but that she was squandering it by not having a message (his complaint about the song she sang on SNL). But his time was just changing. He needed to let the old ways die and embrace his new role. Supporting Ally and giving her what she needed. And also just serving the world through his celebrity. He was right that every person in that cop bar had a gift. We just need to be honest with others and help them as we live it out.

Okay, I’ve probably really overthought this, gotten it completely wrong, or both. But this has at least been a good process for me to go through as I tried to figure out why this movie touched me so deeply. If you’ve read this far, I hope it has meant something to you as well.

 
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Posted by on October 14, 2018 in A Star Is Born (Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga Edition)

 

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A Star Is Born (Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga Edition) – The Story

14 Oct

Every once in a while I see a piece of art that moves me. It might be a song, a book, a painting, a musical, or a movie. I was a fool for years in thinking that the arts we’re not worthy of our philanthropic support. It took my daughter getting involved in theater when she was nine years old to show me that the arts are critical to human development.

I cannot explain why the latest version of a “A Star Is Born” featuring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga touched me from the get-go. As soon as I ran across the trailer on YouTube, I knew I had to see it. And I hadn’t seen any of the previous iterations at the time (although I’ve since seen the Judy Garland version). I guess what I want to do with this series of blog posts is try to figure 1.) why this story keeps being retold, 2.) why this version, even from the trailer struck me so hard, and 3.) what are the lessons that Bradley Cooper wanted to teach all of us in his interpretation?

Before you read any further, you need to know that I’m not writing this for you. I’m writing it for myself. This is how I am processing what I’ve seen and why it has hit me in this way.

For this post, I’ll look at the overall story and what it is about it that keeps Hollywood coming back to retell it for a new generation (spoilers ahead). For the posts about why this version hit me so hard, and what lessons Cooper is trying to teach, you can click the links imbedded above.

First, I want to look at the year of release for the four versions.

  1. Original in 1937 featuring Janet Gaynor and Frederic March. Based on a male actor helping a female actress achieve stardom. No music involved.
  2. First remake in 1954 featuring Judy Garland and James Mason. Based on a male actor helping a female singer become a star in musicals. 17 years since the original.
  3. Second remake in 1976 featuring Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. Based on a male rockstar helping a female singer become a rockstar. 22 years since previous remake and 39 years once the original.
  4. Third remake in 2018 featuring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Based on a male rockstar helping a female singer become a rockstar. 42 years since most previous remake and 81 years since the original.

The common themes for each one are that the male star has some form of a substance abuse problem. Whether it is alcohol or a combination of drugs and alcohol, the male lead has the best of intentions when it comes to helping the female, and they are successful in helping. But ultimately, the male is fatally flawed and ends up exhibiting their love for the woman by taking their own life in the end so that they won’t get in the way of the woman’s fame. (It should be noted that, from what I’ve heard because I never saw it, the 1976 version leaves it vague as to whether or not the male killed himself, but the first two are about as explicit as they probably could have been back in the 30s and 50s, and the 2018 version is very explicit).

Let me go through slowly and see what I can find that is similar between the versions.

  • The male lead’s addiction issues are shown right up front. In the two versions I’ve seen, before we even meet female lead we see both the struggle and how his handlers enable the behavior by trying to either protect them from making a fool of themselves or giving them what they want and not telling them no.
  • The female lead is shown as someone who is outrageously talented, but stuck at a nominal level of performing for others. She is also very insecure. The male lead happens upon them in a bit of a drunken/high stupor and instantly sees their talent. We presume they are attracted to her as well.
  • The male uses his influence to giver her the breaks she needs to break through and become a star. He also breathes confidence into the female lead
  • While the 1954 version made it clear that the male lead’s career was fading fast, the 2018 version showed an artist past his prime, but still getting work and enjoying some amount of fame. The common thing for both, however, is that the female’s career shoots past the male’s, and there is some amount of jealousy that comes to light. The level of the male’s intoxication seems to determine how much he lets the jealousy show and control his actions.
  • At some point, the machine that the male tries to introduce the female to takes over and the male starts to lose his influence on the process. The machinery of fame is NEVER shown positively. I wonder if this is both a message on the part of the filmmakers to the machine itself and a message to the audience that what we are seeing, and the fame that some aspire to attain is not real and it comes with a price. My wife commented after we just saw the 2018 version that it reminded her that everything we see in music is produced and controlled by an A&R person who is doing their best to manipulate us so that we will spend our money on what they are selling.
  • There comes a time when the male’s substance abuse gets in the way, culminating in a painful event that is embarrassing to the female and her career. It’s interesting that the female never really seems to start to struggle with substances in these tellings. The message does NOT appear to be that fame will lead to substance problems. The new “star” really adjusts to the fame part of her life pretty well and we aren’t left with much notion that it is costing her much of herself.
  • After a stint in rehab for the male (during which the female isn’t shown doing any of the work that a spouse or family member of an addict would have to do such as Al-Anon, support groups, one-on-one therapy, etc.) tries to be the man she needs him to be, but he doesn’t trust his sobriety. Nor does anyone else. The female’s manager tells her that he will ruin her career, and she decides to sacrifice her career because of her love for him.
  • The male ultimately decides that the most important thing is her career. As I think about it, this is probably the biggest unspoken fallacy in the story. He decides that her career is more important than his life, her love for him, or his love for her. The most important thing to him in his life, the thing that gave him meaning, was his fame. He had been successful in giving that to her and now he didn’t want to be the cause of her losing it. For Hollywood to keep making this movie, I wonder how many people there have come across this dilemma.

As I read back over this, I think I see a couple of things that I would think keep Hollywood coming back for more.

  1. The rags to riches, obscurity to stardom story. Nearly every child idolizes the TV, movie, or music stars, and the would love to be like them. American Idol is a great example of this. Even I would like to believe that I could sing in a way that others would want to hear it. I can’t and they don’t, but I’d love to be idolized in that way. Not only do we easily make idols of others and things instead of God, but in our hearts we would love to be idolized by others.
  2. We are intrigued by the suffering soul and his tragic tale. Either of these can be enough to make a movie, but to combine them into one story makes it irresistible.
  3. Everyone loves a love story. We all love the excitement of falling in love, those beginning stages of infatuation and attraction, and having someone else feel the same about us.
  4. Are there more important things than life and the struggles that come with it? Is there a hidden intimation here that for every star that rises one must fall? Maybe the story is telling us that there can only be so many stars–or maybe I’m reading too much into that. But this idea that he decided on her behalf that her career was more important than his life is sad and an indication of the lies that all of us hear.

Maybe that’s why this sits so hard with me. I didn’t know the story or that the male lead would take his own life by the end when I first saw the trailer for the 2018 version. I knew I wanted to see it when it came out in October so I took the opportunity to watch the 1954 version on Turner Classic Movies this summer. I was really surprised that the movie is actually a tragedy. Apparently, the makers of the 1976 version couldn’t handle that aspect of the story so the powers that be decided to make his death more vague and possibly an accidental result of his addiction.

In the end, I wonder how much this movie is a commentary on the mental illness that is behind suicide. I’ve never known anyone who took their own life who didn’t leave behind mountains of pain for others to experience. But in most instances, their mind is telling them that those people whom they are about to hurt in an unimaginable way will be better off without them. It’s a lie from hell, but I guess the reason this story keeps getting retold is because what the male lead and the female lead both go through are part of the human experience.

 
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Posted by on October 14, 2018 in A Star Is Born (Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga Edition)

 

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Peter & John — Mark 14:17-19

14 Oct

In the evening Jesus arrived with the Twelve. As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.” Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?”
Mark 14:17-19

Dear God, I can relate to having no confidence in myself. These poor guys had no idea what was going on around them. They were in the “fog of war” as much as anyone has ever been. Of course, Jesus left the type of betrayal pretty vague so maybe some of them had considered doing things like just leaving. Especially after it had been such a crazy week. Maybe some of them had talked among themselves or with others outside of the group, questioning Jesus in some way. I can see where I might have done any of these things as one of these 12. I don’t think I ever would have sold him out, but abandonment in the midst of scary would certainly have crossed my mind.

Are there ways that I betray you now? Sure, I know there are ways in which I let you down and miss opportunities to do your will. I know that I sin and make mistakes. But do I betray you? Do I think about leaving my faith for a more self-indulgent life? Do I consider complaining about you and your plans to others? Do I simply forsake spending time with you in deference to doing what I want to do with my time?

Father, “am I the one?” I confess to you that I recognize my own potential to betray you on many levels. I am sorry. I’m sorry I’m so weak and flawed. I’m sorry I can be so selfish and insecure. Help me to recognize these moments in myself and become one step closer to being the man you want me to be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 14, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 13:1-4

12 Oct

As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.” Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”
Mark 13:1-4

Dear God, this must have been such a weird week for them. A weird time, really. I can only imagine what their conversations were like among themselves. I would love to have heard what the four of them said to each other before they approached Jesus. I would imagine that they had to be wondering if it was about to happen that very week. They were trying to reconcile everything Jesus was telling them and turn it into a clear narrative.

It’s kind of like a movie trailer. That’s about how clear Jesus was being with them. I recently saw “A Star is Born,” and it really moved me. It was the trailer that first sold me on it. I went back and looked at it closely recently, trying to figure out what it was about it that attracted me and looking at how it compared to the actual movie. Basically, a good trailer will give you hints at what’s to come without giving you too much information. I believe that too much information about the future is not good forbid because it will alter how we live out our present. My dad told me one time that the point in prophecy is not so that we will know the future, but so when the future happens and the prophecy is fulfilled we will know that you are in control.

Father, help me to discern between the things I need to understand about the world and the things I can let go. Help me to not be fearful, but to always know that you are in control. Finally, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 12, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — Mark 11:12-14,20-25

11 Oct

The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it. The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!” Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Mark 11:12-14,20-25

Dear God, in the spirit of looking at John and Peter specifically for this series, I want to look at this more from Peter’s perspective than Jesus’.

What must this week have been like? Jesus was on a bit of a roll here. He was cursing dig trees, turning over commercial tables in the temple, rocking people off in general. They had been hearing Jesus say that he was going to die this week. If I were them I’d have been thinking, “Sure, because you’re egging them on!”

So Peter is watching all of this and he is in wonder. Maybe he’s the first one to see the fig tree. Or maybe he’s the one to say it first, but he’s amazed. He points out to Jesus what happened. At that point, Jesus turns it into a lesson about the power we have as believers. A power I still don’t understand. At a minimum, I don’t think I pass the “but you must really believe it will happen and have not doubt in your heart” test.

Father, when it comes down to it, I confess that I don’t know how your plan is unfolding or where you are leading me. But I trust you. So give me the faith you know I need to have. Help me to believe in the power you need me to access to accomplish what you have for me to accomplish.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 11, 2018 in Mark, Peter and John

 

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