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what do we know for certain?

As the answers come in but the shock ceases to subside, it is time for each of us to initially pause, recognize we don’t have all the answers, and refrain from rushing to judgment.  Hence…

 

What do we know for certain?

 

That bad things still happen.  Last I looked, planet Earth could not be equated with heaven, paradise, nor even any Garden of Eden.  This isn’t it, folks.  And until heaven is reality, we shouldn’t mistake Earth for something it’s not.

 

What do we know for certain?

 

That suffering continues to occur.  This may be the hardest thing we ever have to wrestle with, friends, and this post won’t begin to do the topic justice.  I don’t like it; none of us like it.  A wise man would wish suffering upon no one; that said, few life circumstances teach us more.  We are a stubborn people.  I admit it:  the Intramuralist can be stubborn.  Yet the painful paradox exists in that suffering often manifests itself as life’s most effective teacher.

 

What do we know for certain?

 

That so much on this planet obstructs the truth.  Perhaps most bluntly put, humans often get in the way.  For example, too many utilize their 15 minutes of fame or moments before the mic to rush to incomplete (and thus typically inaccurate) judgment.  Note MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, only a few hours after Boston’s bombing, saying, “Normally, domestic terrorists, people tend to be on the far right.”  Mr. Matthews, your response is not helpful nor wise.  You are thus potentially impeding truth.  Please listen to Pres. Obama, who wisely reminded us all yesterday to not “jump to conclusions before we have all the facts.”

 

What do we know for certain?

 

That evil exists on this planet.  Yes, again, this is no happy, oh-so-joyful analysis; as I believe you are aware, we will never intentionally circumvent truth amidst this blog’s dialogue.  Evil is real.  Immorality, sin, and depravity are not merely themes embedded within Aesop’s Fables; they are bona fide motivations on this planet.  They are hard to acknowledge, and they are motivations that will also not be extinguished simply by crafting new legislation or enacting creative government controls.  We are not capable of extinguishing all evil.  Hence, let me add a related tangent…  the Intramuralist does not care if the existence of evil stems from foreign or domestic sources.  We don’t distinguish whether the wickedness manifests itself within an Islamic Jihad, the Klu Klux Klan, or the hatred so often selfishly spewed, masked as a justifiable, passionate response.  Evil is evil.  It is the complete absence of God; it also then equates to the complete absence of good.

 

What do we know for certain?

 

That life should never be taken for granted.  What happened in Boston yesterday was awful.  Tears again flow when I think of the 8 year old boy, killed in the Boston Back Bay section’s blast.  Was he there to witness a parent or friend finally complete the grueling race?  God grant unprecedented peace to his family.  I cannot imagine the level of grief now lingering in the absolute pit of their hearts…

I think, too, of my dear friend, Leesh, who had just finished the race, picked up her medal, and was turning to walk back toward her husband when she witnessed the bombs’ blast in her spouse’s direction…  no doubt she is hugging him tightly this night…

 

What do we know for certain?

 

That there are more important things on this planet than politics, games, and division among good people.  God be with us.  My sense is we need him.  Daily.  Desperately.  I also deeply, totally, respectfully desire that we all know that for certain.

 

Respectfully… always…

AR

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how do you solve a problem like Korea?

(With all due respect to “Sound of Music” lovers…)

 

How do you solve a problem like Korea?

How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?

How do you find a word that means Korea?

A flibbertijibbet! A will-o’-the wisp! A clown!

 

Many a thing you know you’d like to tell her

Many a thing she ought to understand

But how do you make her stay

And listen to all you say

How do you keep a wave upon the sand

 

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Korea?

How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

 

How do you solve a problem like North Korea?  How do we hold this hostile ‘moonbeam’ in our hand?  … The rhetoric is rising.  The probability of a military conflict is increasing.  Allow me to first share facts (much of which was outlined by USA Today this weekend)…

 

  • First president Kim Il Sung established the country’s self-described Juche (“self-reliant”) state, which has essentially cut off North Korea economically and diplomatically from the rest of the world.
  • According to South Korean government estimates and Human Rights Watch, between 150,000-200,000 North Koreans live in prison camps.  A 2011 Amnesty International report reveals that as many as 40% of camp prisoners die from malnutrition while doing mining, logging and agricultural work with rudimentary tools in harsh conditions.
  • The World Food Programme estimates that 6 million of North Korea’s 25 million people are in need of food aid and one-third of children are chronically malnourished or stunted.
  • Only military and government officials can own a motor vehicle.
  • Citizens are allowed 1 of 28 government approved haircuts.
  • All legal televisions are tuned to state-controlled domestic programming; the Internet offers only a closed domestic network.  Observers believe that few citizens receive news from any source other than North Korean propaganda.
  • Nearly all property belongs to the state.
  • A modern independent judicial system does not exist.
  • Religious freedom does not exist.
  • The death of the leader Kim Jong-il in Dec. of 2011, prompted great, global uncertainty as to how the country will interact with foreign nations in the future.
  • 2 weeks ago, new leader Kim Jong-un (youngest son of Kim Jong-iI) declared it was in ‘a state of war’ with South Korea, promising “stern physical actions” against “any provocative act.”  He also announced that rockets were ready to be fired at American bases.

 

While many remain on edge because of the nuclear capability possessed by North Korea, many others dismiss the problem because the totalitarian country is a fairly small, singular state.  The challenge, however, lies in the fact that global conflicts are usually sparked by singular, sometimes isolated acts…  After multiple diplomatic clashes between nations, for example, World War I started after the assassination of the Archduke of Austria Hungary and his wife… World War II, with unresolved tensions from war #1, is generally understood to have been prompted by the German/Russian invasion of Poland and the Japanese invasion of China…  singular countries… isolated acts.

 

So how do we solve a problem like Korea?  While many among us promote peace at all costs, that position will likely not serve effective in halting the hostility of such a “flibbertijibbet” country [“flibbertijibbet” chosen for self, diplomatic purposes].  Unfortunate or not, there exists a time for everything… a season for every activity under heaven… a time to be born and a time to die, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time for war and a time for peace.

 

Let’s pray this isn’t a time for war.  But until the problem of North Korea is firmly and effectively extinguished, the possibility solemnly remains.

 

Respectfully…

AR

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I feel good (?)

“WHOAH!  I feel good!”

(Insert saxophone solo here and also perhaps, a memorable James Brown wiggle…)

 

This week Pres. Obama received a letter endorsed by over 100 celebrities.  Included were:  Harry Belafonte, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Roseanne Barr, Russell Brand, Jim Carrey, Deepak Chopra, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Ice-T, Scarlett Johannson, seemingly all the Kardashians, LL Cool J, Eva Longoria, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, Demi Moore, Michael Moore, Chris Rock, Susan Sarandon, Russell Simmons, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Mike Tyson, Lil Wayne, and more.

 

The 100 plus actors, rappers,and notable other celebrities asked to meet with the President to discuss reforming the criminal justice system and alter federal drug policy, pursuing less prison and more rehab.  They wrote:  “we are a coalition of concerned advocates that is ready to support you in more innovative criminal justice reform and implementing more alternatives to incarceration…  you now have the opportunity to leave a legacy by transforming our criminal justice system to an intervention and rehabilitation based model.  Many of those impacted by the prison industrial complex are among your most loyal constituents…”

 

While several of the advocates have been noted for questionable ethical behavior, I still appreciate much of what they espouse — especially the aspect of how the children of offenders are affected; that’s tough.  And yes, the Intramuralist is a strong supporter of mercy, forgiveness, and of second, third, even fourth chances.  But there exists another aspect the Intramuralist supports — and it’s the omission of that aspect from the celebrities’ printed passion that prompts this observer to pause…

 

Where is the acknowledgement of the value of consequence?

 

Hear me out on this, friends.  It’s not that I believe we are apt avengers of justice nor that people always need to be rebuked and punished; mercy triumphs over judgment.  However, I do not believe that punishment and judgment can be equated with consequence.  The reality is that negative consequences are often life’s most effective teacher.  We don’t like them; they don’t “feel good.”  My challenge, therefore, with the letter from those with louder voices is in their blatant omission that consequences — in this case, synonymous with incarceration — deter bad behavior.  The possibility of going to prison serves as a behavioral deterrent.

 

Too often persons base beliefs on process, policy, and behavior because of what makes them “feel good.”  Allow me to suggest that “feeling good” and acting wisely are two totally different things.

 

I’m reminded of one particularly poignant example from years ago.  Remember Karla Faye Tucker…

Attempting to steal a motorcycle after a weekend of rampant drug use, at age 23 Karla Faye Tucker utilized a pickaxe in the murder of 2 persons.  There was no immediate remorse, and Tucker’s own account was unspeakably gruesome.  While incarcerated, no less, Tucker became involved with a prison ministry program in which she began to diligently study the Bible.  In pursuit then of a loving, holy, and just God,Tucker’s repentance and need for redemption became increasingly clear.  “Before I knew it, I was in the middle of my cell floor on my knees. I was just asking God to forgive me.”

 

Tucker’s life changed.  In fact, her warden testified that she had been a model prisoner, and after 14 years on death row, he believed she had been reformed.  There was only one problem:  she remained inmate #777 on Texas’s Death Row.

 

Even though few doubted her changed heart, a consequence remained in effect for Tucker’s previous behavior.  Was that appropriate?  Should the consequence have remained in effect?  Do consequences have purpose?  Great questions.  Tough questions.  And questions that must be asked regardless of how difficult to answer…. even if the omission “feels good.”

 

Respectfully,

AR

 

(Editorial note:  while Tucker legally appealed her death sentence, she also told CNN’s Larry King that “I deserved a big punishment.”  She did not believe in capital punishment, abortion, nor euthanasia.  She did agree that “a very serious sentence” was necessary.  After her final appeals for clemency were either ignored or denied, Karla Faye Tucker was executed by lethal injection on February 3, 1998.)

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iron lady

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher passed away Monday at the age of 87.  The iconic conservative led her country by embracing free markets and individual liberties.  She held office for 11 years — longer than any other British leader in the 20th century; in the opinion of a strong and vocal many, Margaret Thatcher undoubtedly led her country well.

 

As I pondered her passing this day, part of me wondered about her potential, initial heavenly encounter with the most likeminded leader of her time.  Imagine greeting Ronald Reagan at the gates.  I have little doubt it would be uniquely warm and reflective…

 

“The race is over, Maggie.  We’re done down there.  So welcome!  It’s absolutely great here,” says the former president with that squinted-eyed smile.

“But Ronnie, there is so much more to do.”

“The question is not whether or not there’s more to do, Margaret; the question is whether or not you used your time well.  Have you used your time on Earth well?  It’s limited, you know.”

 

At that point perhaps Reagan would remind his British counterpart of her many wise words and her impact beyond liberty in London…

 

“Being powerful is like being a lady.  If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”

 

“Pennies don’t fall from heaven — they have to be earned here on Earth.”

 

The two would undoubtedly pause and mutually ‘amen,’ as they then methodically recollect Thatcher’s comments on socialism — especially noting how more and more persons in the 21st century are naively dismissive of socialism’s persistent, lasting perils.  Why has socialism become so attractive to some?

 

Said Thatcher…

“To cure the British disease with socialism was like trying to cure leukemia with leeches.”

… or…

“The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”

 

Ronnie and the infamous Iron Lady would then acknowledge some of Thatcher’s comments which were funnier for what they didn’t say, as opposed to what they did…

 

“You and I come by road or rail, but economists travel on infrastructure.”

 

“To wear your heart on your sleeve isn’t a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best.”

 

“Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.”

 

Most of all, no less, my sense is that Ronnie and Maggie would note Thatcher’s poignant sharing of truth…

 

“Where there is discord, may we bring harmony.  Where there is error, may we bring truth.  Where there is doubt, may we bring faith.  And where there is despair, may we bring hope.”

 

“My policies are based not on some economics theory, but on things I and millions like me were brought up with:  an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, live within your means, put by a nest egg for a rainy day, pay your bills on time, support the police.”

 

And yet, my sense is that their focus on any Earthly efforts would very quickly fade…

 

“You know, Maggie, people just don’t get it down there.  They’re so focused on self… what they can accomplish… how they are significant… how they must pursue their own path to happiness.  They just don’t get it.  Here, we don’t focus on self so much.  And it’s amazing how freeing it is… how peaceful… how incredibly, incredibly beautiful.”

“Speak it, Ronnie.  Speak it.”

“Love your faith, Margaret.  Welcome.  I’m so glad you’re here.”

 

Respectfully… always…

AR

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who is more successful than me?

Today reminded me of an endless truth…

… a truth, I believe, we each wrestle with.

In fact, it’s one we say we don’t believe, but when push comes to shove and the moment hits us squarely in the face, we’re forced to ask what we believe…

 

Can I truly celebrate the success of another?

Or do I look as someone else’s success as one less opportunity for me?

 

(Examples, please…)

 

… be that the kid who plays on the soccer or baseball or any other team before my beloved child…

… be that the older teen who is awarded the lead before any of those other talented teens I love…

… or be that the business man who is more successful than me in my adulthood…

… be that even the adult who is more successful than me?

 

Can I celebrate their success?

 

The reality is that if you and I view someone else’s good fortune as something lesser for you and me then we can’t truly celebrate their success; we can’t be happy for them.  We will instead look at them with displeasure or disdain, thinking that’s one less opportunity for me.

 

And then…  yes, then… we justify all sorts of things.  We justify:

 

… looking down upon them.

… playing (dare I suggest) “victim.”

… and yes… actually… (let’s say it…) physically confiscating from them…

 

… ah, do I dare even argue such taps into the inherent definition of socialism?  … in other words… a unitary controlling of goods and services regardless of who has worked hardest for them?  … regardless of who is most deserving?

 

This past weekend, my oldest sons have been involved in a national show choir competition in Nashville, Tennessee.  Several of the nation’s best performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage.  It has been a beautiful, emotional, awe-inspiring weekend.

 

After the preliminaries that spanned 2 entire days, the audience seemed thankful to witness the varying, amazing talents on display from high schools donning from Florida, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, etc.  It was no doubt a talented, uplifting time; it was also an incredible opportunity for our teens.  After day one, I wondered how the exiting choirs would feel, as a mere six were named finalists.

 

Would the competitors feel positive for one another?

Would they wish each other well?

Would they see opportunities as limitless?

Or would they only focus on what they, personally, had won or lost?

 

On Saturday, I woke that morning in prayer… praying that this day for my boys would be a confidence builder… that regardless of the result, it would be a day of enormous blessing… that they would gain confidence and self-esteem… and that they would realize the unparalleled rewarding of effort and hard work.

 

My boys’ choir won first place.  It’s a special, special group.  Yes, yes… like all good parents, the Intramuralist sobbed.  (Call me a grown up “softie.”)  But I sobbed most due to the humbling answer to my prayers…

Opportunity is not limited.  And blessing is undoubtedly bountiful.

Always and still… yes… always and still.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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Kevin Ware (yes, again…)

Of all the heartwarming insights and anecdotes shared regarding University of Louisville basketball player, Kevin Ware — the guard with the gruesomely shattered leg — the wisest words I’ve yet to hear have come straight from the young man.

 

After surgery to repair his compound fracture, Ware was asked what it was like to awake and see the regional championship trophy, which Coach Rick Pitino had personally delivered to his room.  Ware said, “It brought tears to my eyes.  It was one of the greatest moments of my life.”  He continued to cry, when asked about the encouragement he’s received from his teammates.

 

In other words, here when one man has the motive and moment to…

 

… play the victim…

… focus on the negative…

… claim ‘woe is me’…

 

Or when one could easily…

 

… blame someone else for his circumstances…

… shake his fist at the divine…

… or deny his current day reality…

 

Here is this 20 year old college sophomore…

… with negative circumstances suddenly thrust upon him, who has remained upbeat, thankful, encouraging, and even, actually others-focused.  Ware poignantly added in this week’s ESPN interview, “I know my situation isn’t the worst.  I’m truly blessed.”

 

How many of the rest of us — perhaps even older than 20 — continue to count our blessings when the consequences seem bleak?

 

Not Ware.

 

Earlier this season, Kevin Ware was suspended for 1 game by Coach Pitino for “disciplinary issues.”  At the time Pitino said Ware “isn’t coming back anytime soon.”  While the specific details of the suspension were never released, those close to the program believe it was due to an attitude problem.  Upon his return, Ware said the circumstances prompted him to re-evaluate his priorities and his place on the team.

 

Note:  once again… no victim, negative, nor ‘woe is me.’  Note also… again no blame nor shaking that fist at God.

 

Looks like we can learn much from young Mr. Ware.  Looks like he continues to see how the negative can become a positive… how each of us can learn and grow from the most challenging of circumstances… how always, no matter what, we are truly blessed.

 

I pray Ware continues to heal.  I pray the world continues to watch…

 

… and hopefully we’ll listen to him, too.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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praying for you

There was no time to prepare.

How we’d feel… how we’d react… what we would do.

 

Would we respond in unison?  Would we be encouraged go our separate ways?  … act our separate ways?  Would division be encouraged?  And when all else crumbled to the ground, who would stand as our support?

 

Would we fight? … would we chastise?  … would we judge?

 

Or… would we embrace what is good?  … together?  Looking not to what divides but instead to what unifies… what brings about the strongest, most lasting sense of unity?  … what is real?  … and what has actual power?

 

Somedays I am discouraged by how we react as a nation — and how those within leadership often use and abuse their leadership in how they rhetorically encourage us to react; it’s like we repeatedly miss the big picture because we’re so embroiled in life’s little battles.  Hence, we’ve made molehills into mountains and scratches into scars.  We so often miss the bigger picture.

 

Except last Sunday night.

 

In Indianapolis — in what was supposedly just a game — University of Louisville sophomore basketball player, Kevin Ware, suffered one of the more visibly gruesome injuries in the immediately-gone-viral age.  As Ware jumped to defend a 3 point shot, he landed awkwardly — so awkwardly that his leg buckled in 2 places, seemingly shattering, bending a way that legs don’t bend, breaking the bone in 2 places, with his bare bone sticking 6 inches out of his skin.

 

The injury prompted immediate shock, horror, and grief by those on the court, those in the stands, and those watching on TV.  It was spontaneously gut-wrenching.  (At the time, allow me to say the Intramuralist was incredibly thankful to be tuning in solely via radio airwaves.)  Thus, there was no time to prepare for how we’d feel and how we’d react as a body… as a nation… as a society.  What did we do?

 

All over the nation — as spurred on from sportscasters whose amplified words suddenly paled in comparison to the reality before them — we were encouraged to pray.

 

As grown men cried — visible arguably most clearly in the eyes of the typically, fashionably, completely composed coach, Rick Pitino — all over the nation, people prayed.

 

From Robert Griffin III:  “Prayers up for Kevin Ware, his teammates, & family”

From NBA’er Kevin Love:  “I don’t even have words. Only prayers right now.”

Fellow professional Stephen Curry:  “Pray for him!”

From baseball’s Bryce Harper:  “Wow! Speedy recovery for Kevin Ware hopefully! Scary moment! Prayers and blessings to you bud!”

From football’s Eric Wright:  “Kevin Ware injury was crazy, gotta send a prayer up for that young man”

And even from Lil Wayne:  “May God be with Kevin Ware and his family. Ya in my prayers bro”

 

When life is hard, we humbly fall to our knees and pray, submitting to a power and authority far bigger and better than ourselves.  Sometimes in those moments of crisis — when reality looms larger than rhetoric — wise men encourage one another to bow down.  There is no question then as to what is real and what is not — what is appropriate and what is not.  Sunday we witnessed the reality of the reaction in college basketball.

 

God bless you, Kevin Ware.  Heal fast.  Be wise, and cling to the bigger picture.  You now have a nation praying for you.

 

Respectfully,

AR

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blessing

(…previously posted although edited… but still worth considering…)

 

Studied religion?  Ah, yes… I’ve heard it can be controversial.  Then again, controversy should never impede the way to truth.  Our goal should be to handle truth well.

 

The Intramuralist has long studied other faiths…  Hinduism, Islam, Scientology, etc.  You’ve seen the posts over recent months.  Truth told, I find religion fascinating.  (Just ask my friends, the Jehovah Witnesses, who have visited me 3 times in the past 6 months… egad.)  Through study, no less, the more I learn.  The more I learn, the humbler I become.  I am humbled because it begins to make sense…

 

Truthfully, it would be easier to treat this topic more as a cafeteria plan.  You choose what you like.  I’ll choose what I like (usually the cinnamon rolls).  And then we’ll just eat, drink, and be merry together.  But while considering all faiths as equally true may be easier and more convenient, it may not be factually correct.

 

On the day billions around the globe honor Jesus, the Intramuralist believes it’s important to be factually correct.  Let’s offer 2 facts:

 

  1. Jesus is the only leader of a faith whose body was never found decaying in a tomb.
  2. In most all prominent religions, the life and teaching of Jesus is acknowledged.

 

Again, it would be easier for us to eat, drink, and be merry.  But it would be wiser to embrace what is true.  If it is true, and we are not embracing it, is that a problem?  I wrestle with the following words…

 

     …The basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is!  By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being.  So nobody has a good excuse.  What happened was this:  People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives.  They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life.  They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.

 

     So God said, in effect, “If that’s what you want, that’s what you get.”  It wasn’t long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside and out.  And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them — the God we bless, the God who blesses us.

 

Let me add a fact #3:

3. Christians have not always handled the truth well.

 

Although tempted to respond to those around us, we should never allow the behavior of man to blind us from truth.  Otherwise, we, too, may be trivialized into confusion.

 

Happy Easter, friends.  Feel free to dialogue and/or express opinion.  We walk this life together…  even enjoying the eating and drinking.  Let me also be very clear:  nothing else other than Jesus makes any sense.  Granted, there’s a lot to figure out there.  People get confused.  They omit grace.  They omit truth.  They even — we even — then sometimes, actually omit Jesus.  He, however, is the one thing that remains, that makes life make sense.

 

Wishing for blessing for us all… with generous grace… and full truth, too…

 

Respectfully,

AR

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gay marriage

Can we talk?

Seriously, can we talk?

 

As I watched the red equals sign go viral on Tuesday — knowing the Supreme Court was hearing arguments in regard to California’s Proposition 8, a voter-approved backing of the Defense of Marriage Act — I was struck by the lack of dialogue of the day.

 

In all seriousness, friends, in regard to this issue — in regard to gay marriage and its approval, constitutionality, and societal acceptance — allow me to say this:  there are some of you on both sides of this issue that I have significant difficulty talking to.  Why?  Because you don’t listen.  You don’t listen to me.  In fact, you don’t listen to anyone… well, at least anyone you don’t know ahead of time will automatically agree with your perspective.

 

It’s not that I don’t respect you.  It’s not that I don’t respect your opinion.  It’s rather because you feel so emboldened that you are right that you have no respect for the opinion of any other.  Listening, my friends, is a sign of respect.

 

Let’s face it; this is an emotionally driven argument.  Many of you who support gay marriage have had an experience that has propelled you in that direction.  Perhaps either you or a beloved friend or family member is gay and thus you have passionately painted this as an issue of equality.  Perhaps you see it as civil right…  an equal pursuit of happiness, and each of us deserves to be happy!  Thus, anyone who feels differently than you is a bigot… or a homophobe… or perhaps, egad, something far worse.

 

Similarly, many of you who oppose gay marriage have read all the scriptures that have caused you to condemn it — and condemn it with a spewing passion.  You have read the old… and read the new.  You have then weighted this sin above all others… overlooking “specks” elsewhere in order to zero in on this huge “log.”  Thus, anyone who feels differently than you is a blatant sinner…  or a gay sympathizer… or yes, perhaps, egad, something far worse.

 

The reality is that I find it challenging to talk with both of you.  I don’t always enjoy it.  Why?  Because with all due respect, my friends — really — you guys stink at dialogue.

 

I don’t say that with any articulation of hatred or meanness or even disrespect.  There was a time in my life when if anyone in my physical presence actually opposed the obvious, enduring greatness of baseball’s Cincinnati Reds, I couldn’t talk with them either.  I had no desire to listen.  I was right.  They were wrong.  End of story.

 

Here, however, is where a huge problem lies…

 

This is a tough issue.  Gay marriage is hard.  This is an issue where not everyone who supports it nor everyone who opposes it is some arrogant, blind, or idiotic zealot.  Not everyone who supports it is a weakminded sympathizer nor everyone who opposes it is a prideful homophobe.  But yet, far too many of us act that way; far too many of us judge those who possess a differing perspective.  And far too many of us find solace in the facade that if we keep shouting a little louder the other side will recognize the obvious error in their ways… forgetting that hardly ever — ever — does shouting prompt positive, lasting change.

 

We have forgotten that it isn’t just law either side wants changed.  Law is only the law.  Hearts are far greater… far, far more powerful…  far, far more influential.  Whether you believe either side is sinful or wrong, a change of heart is more meaningful than any change in legality.  And heart change, friends, will never happen as a result of one side shouting louder.

 

Hence, I return to my original question…

 

Can we talk?

Can we — will we — are we brave enough — bold enough — humble enough — to ask why each feels the way they do?  Is there a way to work together?  … that is, as an actual, united state of America?

 

Or is it sadly acceptable to simply stink at dialogue?

 

Respectfully,

AR

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go eagles

Stop the presses.  Postpone the previously planned post.  Forget (albeit momentarily) about the seizing of individual savings in Cyprus and the Defense of Marriage Act currently contemplated before the Supreme Court.

 

Forget, too, the 3 year anniversary of Obamacare — and the increasing wearying of the public, growing incrementally more knowledgeable about the actual, massive, embedded costs.

 

Ah, even forget for this day the promise of spring — especially as God’s sense of humor is once again evident, poking through the flakes of yet another Midwestern snow.

 

Yes, forget all of the above in today’s tribute to one event, one little school… a school of only 12,000, with pretty much zero famous alumni, residing just south of Fort Myers, Florida… a university which only offered its first class in August of ’97, which has now arguably, easily evolved into the sweetest story of the NCAA’s Sweet 16.

 

On Sunday, Florida Gulf Coast University became the first 15th seeded basketball team to ever advance to the 3rd round of the NCAA’s notoriously maddening, men’s basketball tournament.  With all due respect to their (now obviously disappointed) opponents, the 2nd seeded Hoyas of Georgetown and 7th seeded San Diego State, the Eagles from Florida GC are the sweet story that has stopped the presses.  Note captions from an increasingly captive audience:

 

“Cinderella Story Florida Gulf Coast”

“Florida Gulf Coast University:  They’re for Real and They’re Spectacular”

“Florida Gulf Coast Makes NCAA History”

 

Perhaps best expanded upon by Eric Adelson of Yahoo Sports:  “They came from a made-up place called Dunk City, a rollicking, refreshing GIF-machine consisting of nobodies who became somebodies with dunks and oops and just enough sass to raise an eyebrow.  And now the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast University have made history:  They are the first 15-seed ever to be one of the top 16 college basketball teams in America.  But it’s not just that.  No, not at all.  It’s the way FGCU has leapt and heel-clicked and chicken danced into America’s hearts.  It’s the memories they’ve made during games with their above-the-rim aerials and their below-the-backboard antics.  In a college sporting world of corporate fakery and soiled amateurism, FGCU stands for pure joy.”

 

In the most recent prior post of the Intramuralist, you will note that we acknowledged the reason this tournament is so fun to watch is because a group of young men come together — undaunted by the impure influence of arrogance, money, and power — and humbly recognize that this game is “not about me.”  There is a joy in that pursuit that an intelligent, watching world so often misses… perhaps because, too often, we omit that humility, and too often, it is the “me” we are about.  Very bright, intelligent people still pursue the “me” first.  And thus, very bright, intelligent people so often make foolish mistakes.

 

On the day before the tournament began, in the Intramuralist’s household, each of my sons completed their annual basketball bracket.  My youngest son, Josh, an insightful 11 year old who also has Down syndrome, completed his as well.  (Just for the record, he picked Duke to win; it’s the most fun school name to say.)

 

As we worked our way through the brackets — with me reading to Josh the name of each team, attempting, no less, not to over emphasize any opponent — he would articulate his forecasted winner.  As we came to the Georgetown/Florida GC match up, without delay, Josh confidently proclaimed, “Florida Gulf Coast.”  Wanting to steer my son wisely but not wanting to pollute the purity of our household’s competitive process, I hesitated, stared at my young son, and slowly said, “Really, Josh?  Are you sure?  Florida Gulf Coast?”  To which, Josh paused, smiled, and while attempting to heed his parent’s caution, he then nodded slowly but affirmatively, saying, “Yes… Florida Gulf Coast!”

 

I, too, had obviously made a most foolish mistake.

 

(Go Eagles… go.)

 

Respectfully,

AR