Sundaravej

In January, 2008, Samak Sundaravej became the 25th Prime Minister of the Southeast Asian Nation of Thailand.

The well-spoken, highly-regarded Sundaravej was not a career politician.  He also had no ties to others in the government as is sometimes the case in Indochina.  No, instead, he was a television personality...but not a commentator, newsman or anything of that ilk.  Sundaravej was the host of a cooking show.

He was as well-known for being engaging, witty and likable as he was for his signature dish -- Coca-Cola Braised Pork Leg.

However, in September of that same year -- a mere nine months after taking office -- Sundaravej was ousted from power, forced to resign by an edict from Thailand’s Constitutional Court.

He had not committed any grievous policy blunder.  He was not launching a subversive plot to alter the course of Thailand’s history.  His crime?

Hosting a cooking show.

The Constitutional Court determined Sundaravej’s continued cooking show was a “conflict of interest” and ordered him to resign immediately.

Strange, isn’t it?  The very thing which led him to being known well enough to win the office is the same thing which cost him his position.

Even more ironic, though, is the fact that people in Thailand seemed surprised that Sundaravej would continue cooking on camera.

It is what he does.  It is why he managed to get elected.  Is it really that shocking to think he may keep doing what he’s always done?  

The whole thing seems rather silly to me. 

But, then it occurred to me...this sort of thing happens all the time. 

People get into relationships with others who have known habits and flaws...and then act shocked when such traits continue.

We engage in behaviors which result in not-so-great of consequences...and then are taken aback when bad things happen.

We’ll eat something we know isn’t good for us...and then be mortified when our waist size increases.

We do things which we know are contrary to God...and then be frustrated when it seems we cannot connect with Him.

Some things are knowable...predictable...and avoidable.

Sundaravej, in my opinion wasn’t a criminal and did not deserve his fate.  He was simply being who he was and doing what he did.  The people of Thailand loved him for his cooking shows...they propelled him to popularity and prominence. They are the ones who should be held responsible or reprimanded.

In our lives the same is true.

We simply cannot invite things in which are known to be difficult, detrimental or dangerous only to act surprised when we suffer negative consequences.

Doing so is a recipe...for disaster.

Toy Safety

In 1974, the National Products Safety Commission (NPSC) issued 80,000 buttons which read:

For Kids...Think TOY SAFETY

Not long after making and distributing the buttons, the Commission was forced to recall all of the buttons...

...because they had sharp, non-safety edges, detachable parts small enough

for children to swallow AND were decorated with toxic lead paint.  

Well played.

Encourage the public to "think toy safety" while enabling children to stab, choke and poison themselves all at the same time.  Makes sense.

Yikes.

Obviously the irony of this is anything but subtle.  What's more, the life-applications are dramatic and deep as well.

This story is so ridiculous it would be almost unbelievable if I didn't see similar things playing out on a regular basis.

I am a practicing Christian.  I say it that way because I am both active in/with my faith and still practicing it (have yet to perfect it).  Sadly, though, I am all too familiar with Believers engaging in campaigns much like the one of the NPSC.  Our hearts may be in the right place -- a sincere desire to reach out to others and share Christ's love -- but shoddy construction of our message belies its content.

We talk about this unconditional love of God but then put conditions on our love for people.

We trumpet the once-and-for-all nature of Jesus' death and resurrection yet we hold grudges.

We mention how God can cleanse us of our sins and still refuse to forgive others.   

We espouse "brotherly love" only to eschew it when an opportunity to gossip arises.

We claim to have an "overcoming faith" and an Almighty God and somehow manage to worry and gripe just as much as anyone else.

Our words -- or even our jewelry, tattoos, t-shirts, bumper stickers and Facebook posts -- may purport the right things on the surface, but closer examination would prove we are actually toxic.

I do not necessarily have problem with Christians making public displays of their faith per se.  However, I am quite adverse to representations which end up being like these buttons.  If we want to represent Christ, the best way to do that is to live and love like Christ.  If we want to encourage others to consider Jesus, the best way is for us to always be considering Him first.

What those buttons said (and wanted to accomplish) was noble.  What they were made of, however, left them as more hazardous than helpful.  The buttons did nothing to help make toys safer.  They merely brought shame to the NPSC and ultimately needed to be recalled and replaced.  Left unchecked, they could have proven deadly.

I don't want to be like that.  Next time I want to make a public profession of something, I am going to make sure I am in private possesion of it first.  Before I attempt to influence others for the cause of Christ, I want to be confident I'm not presenting anything which may infect them instead.

Is what you're made of reflected in what you say or is what you say refuted by what you're made of?

Toilet time = Tourney Time

There are just some things you can never “unsee” -- no matter how badly you wish you could.

For me, there is something I wish my wife, Dawn, could “unsee”.  It is a decades-old image I am sure she still cannot shake.

Nineteen years ago today (not to the day necessarily but the opening morning of the 1994 NCAA Basketball Tournament [which was 3/17/94, so technically it was 19 years + 4 days ago]), my wife popped home unexpectedly around the noon hour.  What she found was me, on the toilet, bathroom door open, laptop fittingly placed, cordless phone and pager at my feet and the TV in the living room on loudly.  

I was embarrassed.  We had only been married a few months.  Without a doubt, this was the type of sight which could bring the proverbial “honeymoon” phase of a marriage to an end abruptly. 

She laughed uneasily, shook her head and pulled the door closed.

“Hey!” I exclaimed.  Embarrassment and end of the honeymoon notwithstanding, I needed to be able to watch the NCAA Tournament!  I am almost a little ashamed to admit I lifted from the bowl just enough to fling the door back open.  But c’mon, this is opening day of March Madness! 

My bathroom break was carefully planned.  Unlike today when I can just grab the iPad and watch the games streaming live, I needed to have a clear sight-line to our behemoth tubed television.  I also needed to have my cool Cobra “Intenna” cordless phone nearby (it was cutting-edge, as-seen-on-Seinfeld).  

I had forwarded my calls from my office to my home phone.  I had my pager nearby (no cell phone then) in case of emergencies.  My tiny Mac laptop had no internet capabilities (not even a color screen) but I brought into the “loo” not to surf the web but to actually do some work.

I had honestly scheduled this event (eat your heart out, Dr. Sheldon Cooper) to allow me maximum bowel evacuation and basketball-watching while providing for what I anticipated to be a minimum of disruption via phone, pager or unexpected visiting wife.

I am not proud Dawn had to experience that.  I am not one of those husbands who thinks bodily functions are family fun time.  My level modesty in that regard is quite high...

...except during March Madness, I guess.

My desire to watch the games outweighed my typical desire for privacy and propriety.

This post may run the risk of having some of you who know me think less of me.  But, truth is truth...I really, really wanted to watch those games.

The principle of this experience was not lost on me.  

It is amazing what can be done when we put HAVE TOs to our WANT TOs.

The philosopher Plato said, “Human behavior flows from three main sources:  desire, emotion and knowledge.”

I don’t think it is a mistake (or merely a matter of alphabetizing) “desire” was the first source Plato mentions.  When we WANT TO enough, we often can find a way or, if necessary, make a way.  Many times our accomplishments in life are a matter of the level of desire we have.

That is not to say all you have to do is “want”.  You need to figure out how to put “have to”s to our “want to”s.  Once that happens, we find ourselves willing to possibly go beyond what conventional wisdom may dictate.  Once that happens, we find ourselves making and executing plans that are helpful instead of merely thinking thoughts which are wishful.

What is on your “want to” list?

• Diet?
• Exercise?
• Relationships?
• Hobbies?
• More time spent doing something?
• LESS time spent doing something?
• Prayer?
• Bible reading?
• Learning a skill?

- The possibilities are limitless.

Of those things, which ones warrant “HAVE TO”s?  Which things are honestly so important you’re willing to change what you typically do and put yourself at risk of possible embarrassment?  Which ones matter enough for you to start to strategize the steps needed to move towards them?  Which ones need to be moved from the “want to” list to the “have to” list (don’t worry, it is okay to keep the other items, too)?

I am not trying to oversimplify things (nor am I trying to paint a mental picture...please, for your own sake, do not try to envision what I described in the outset of this post).  But, it really does kind of come down to just that.  When we want things badly enough, we are more likely to stop simply pining for them and begin planning for (and producing) them.  Find a way.  Make a way.

That fateful Thursday genuinely showed me what I’m capable of...and has challenged me ever since. 

Enjoy the start of the Tournament (if you’re into that sort of thing)...and rest assured, thanks to modern technology my bathroom door will remain closed and locked -- just don’t be alarmed if you hear Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkle in there with me.

Let the Madness begin...but stop the madness

Just over two months ago much of the nation -- sports fan or not -- was discussing and debating long-time sportscaster, Brent Musburger.

During ESPN's broadcast of the BCS National Championship game -- an Alabama rout of Notre Dame which left Musburger trying to fill air time -- cameras panned to Katherine Webb, girlfriend of Alabama's quarterback and former Miss Alabama USA pageant winner. 

Musburger said, “You quarterbacks, you get all the good-looking women," as the camera focused on Webb. "What a beautiful woman. Whoa!’’

Besides causing Webb’s Twitter followers to grow from 2,000 to over 100,000 during the course of the game, Musburger’s comments drew sharp responses from his contemporaries, employer and, of course the general public which seemed to think the 73-year-old announcer was nothing short of a “dirty old man”. 

Educated at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Musburger began his career in the 1960s as a newspaper reporter in Chicago.  Eventually he landed a national sportscasting gig with CBS and went on to earn notoriety for both his play-by-play skills but his studio host abilities as well.

The Webb scandal (if it can truly be called that) not only painted Musburger in an inglorious light, but also tainted a well-decorated and highly-respected career.  Some of his sportscasting counterparts tried to distance themselves from him and what he said.  Women’s groups picketed other contests he called.  Public opinion of Musburger was entirely swayed (and sullied) by his comments about Webb.

It may seem odd for me -- an avowed basketball nut -- to be discussing something which took place during a football game...especially on the eve March Madness.

...but that’s precisely why I’m discussing it now.

MARCH MADNESS

...it is a phrase we are quite familiar with by now.  In its most narrow sense, it refers to the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament (which tips off in earnest tomorrow morning).  In a broader sense, it refers to any/all end-of-season basketball tournament action (in fact, March Madness begins for my state (Wisconsin)’s high school basketball teams in February).

The term itself was first coined in 1939 when an Illinois athletic administrator wrote an article called March Madness in which he discussed the enthusiastic response fans in the Land of Lincoln had to the high school basketball championships.  

But it was Musburger who resurrected the phrase.

In 1982, while broadcasting NCAA games for CBS, Musburger referred to the tournament as March Madness...the first “modern” usage of the term.  It has stuck ever since and now is THE name used for this time of year and the tournament.  

Pretty neat, huh?

Thank you, Brent Musburger.

Should he have singled out Webb during the BSC game in January?  No, probably not (although, it was the cameramen who actually did it).  Should he have commented on her physical attractiveness?  No, he should not have.  But does that make him a dirty old man or worthy of censure and shame?  I’m not sure it should.

I have never really heard of anyone going out of their way to praise Musburger for March Madness.  It was something he said -- just like the Webb comments --  but for which he’s never really been given great deal of honor.

For as reprehensible as some people may think Musburger’s comments about Webb were, I believe his coining (“re-coining”) March Madness is equally as commendable.

The point is simply this:

Why judge a body of work (a life) by a single snapshot of time?

It would be foolish for those who only know of the Webb episode to judge Musburger accordingly and determine him to be a villain.  Likewise, it would be just as foolish for those who adore March Madness to view him as a hero solely for that.

I contend it is pointless for us to judge anyone else in the first place.  But, if we are going to judge, it is entirely asinine for us to judge based on a singular incident.  I know I am far better than my lowest moments...and probably not as great as my best ones...same with Brent...same for you.

Let the Madness begin...but stop the madness.

What we 'Kneed'

I am fat.

I have bad knees.

I don’t have bad knees because I am fat.  I am fat because I have bad knees.

After seven operations on my left knee -- largely due to a very athletic life and partly to do with some junky genetics -- I am left with the joint being nearly 100% bone-on-bone. 

I have opted to not have my right knee worked on at all...but it shares most of the ailments and abnormalities of my left one.

I love to work out.  I have certification as a Master Trainer.  I *know* how to get fit, develop strength, improve athleticism, etc.  My multi-discipline base of knowledge and experience makes me pretty good at dreaming up routines and zeroing in on specific areas of need for my clients, etc.  

Sadly, though, I can’t really DO the workouts myself at this point.  I literally sleep maybe 2-3 hours a night because of the pain and discomfort.  Much of my day is spent with ice on my knees and in search of a comfortable position. 

The pain isn’t the worst of the problems.  Truth be told, I could possibly endure that.  For  the most part, it is the lack of cushioning between my bones which makes many things nearly impossible.  Any running or jumping is downright dangerous to me.  The cartilage which is SUPPOSED to be there enables people to land, rotate, shift directions, etc.  I don’t have that luxury any longer. 

IF I jump or run, I have to HOPE my bones bang together perfectly otherwise I topple or run the risk of damaging the structure of the joint (Doctors tell me I have the ligaments, tendons and muscle structure of a 20-year-old...just nothing between my bones).  I fear simple little things like going down stairs.  If my bones don’t align perfectly with each step of my descent, I am at risk of completely toppling.

This isn’t an attempt to garner sympathy or even get people who see me to not be mortified at my girth.  It isn’t even a try to explain to my training clients why I demonstrate briefly but rarely ever do the exercises with them.  No, instead, it is my way of trying to discuss grace.

Huh?

Yes.  Grace. 

You see, grace, to me, is much like the cartilage I used to have.  It is the thing which allows fluid movement.  It is the thing which permits strength to grow.  It is the thing which enables full function.

Without it, we run the risk of painful contact...of instability...of pain...and, ultimately immobility.  

Ephesians 4:32 says:

“Be kind and loving to each other,

and forgive each other just as

God forgave you in Christ.”

If I forget God needed to extend His grace to me and forgive me of all the things I’ve done wrong, I am likely to neglect extending it to someone else.  

Without the buffer of grace, I am relegated to a life of weakness, instability and pain...and so are all of my relationships. 

Let me tell you, to have bone-on-bone knees HURTS...a LOT.  Eventually it becomes overwhelming.  Nothing “works” and EVERYthing brings pain, frustration and discouragement.  I need that cushioning.  Without it, life is not enjoyable.

A life without grace is just as rotten.  Each interaction with others -- if not perfect -- brings pain, frustration and discouragement.  Over time, that friction causes us to become more likely to just “sit out” many of those things which could potentially hurt us...

...and that leads to our being unhealthy (like I am now).  

I am thankful the Bible says God GIVES us grace -- not only through Jesus and His atoning death/resurrection, but for others as well.  He wants to cushion our relationship with Him...and with others.  That way, we can be active and able. 

IF you think of it, pray for me -- that my pain will diminish and my mobility will increase.  Most of all, though, pray for yourself -- as for God’s grace for your sins...and for Him to give you grace to help “cushion” your connection with those around you.

"The Bible" mini-series

History Channel's "The Bible" mini-series is just slightly past its mid-way point.  If you haven't seen it yet, you are most certainly in the minority.  With huge ratings, the big-budget production is drawing raves from some of the faithful and rants from others.

During the first episode, I posted a message on Facebook simply stating I was enjoying the show.  Nearly as soon as I clicked to send the message, I was alerted to several comments it spawned.  None of them were positive.  ALL of them were from "brothers and sisters" -- Christians holding the same faith as me.

I have a theology-based degree.  I have been serving in full-time ministry for more than two decades.  I could easily dissect the mini-series and point out inaccuracies and omissions.  Likewise, I could engage in unending debates with others about the shows' merits and hermaneutics.

Frankly, I see very little point in doing any of those things.

Shortly after the most recent installment aired, my various social media outlets were filled with people posting about how they disagreed with one component or another.  In fact, one post I read mentioned how "The Bible" on History Channel was doing a DISservice to God and running the risk of drawing people away from Christ.

The creators (notice, small-case "c") of the programs -- Mark Burnett of "Survivor" fame and his wife Roma Downy of "Touched By An Angel" -- admit they were trying to be as textually accurate as possible (they even employed 40 Bible scholars on-set during filming).  However, a precise point-by-point retelling of the Scriptures was not their intent.  Instead, they recently told CBS News, they merely hoped to create an interest in, and generate conversation about the Bible, its characters and Author.

For what it is worth, I frankly would rather have Christians be less concerned about the exactness of the mini-series and more concerned about their readiness to entertain the conversations it brings.

How profoundly sad that some of those conversations are centered around criticism and critique.  When was the last time Jesus (or Moses, Samson, Abraham, etc.) was readily-accepted water cooler fodder?  What a magnificent opportunity for Believers to bypass the chance to be knit-picky and embrace the possibility of saying, "...would you like to know more about that?  Let me tell you..."or, better yet, SHOW them.

I know in my life I am much more likely to "major on minor things" when I am not where I need to be personally.  It is easier to appear spiritual by diverting attention to miniscule details in others than it is to take responsibility for perhaps not being an accurate depiction of Christ myself.

Feel free to search for inaccuracies and point out areas with which you may disagree with what is on the small screen.  But, while you're doing that, I'll be trying to know and show Jesus as He is in real life -- mine...and hopefully others, too.

"They are blessed who are persecuted for doing good,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

People will insult you and hurt you.

They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you

because you follow me. But when they do, you will be blessed.

Rejoice and be glad, because you have a great reward

waiting for you in heaven...(Mt 5:10-12).”

I have not blogged for quite some time.  Obviously the world has not exactly been clamoring for me to write and post more of my assorted observations and random thoughts.  In fact, I've averaged just about one blog post per year since I started...and now two of them are about March Madness.

This entry isn't too terribly far from the previous NCAA Basketball Tournament musing I did a few years ago.  Thematically it holds many similarities.  I like Duke...to win it all...every year...no matter what.  

I am well aware such a proclamation may prompt people to stop reading this blog entirely.  I am also aware it may endear this post (and this post-er) to other people.  When it comes to Duke, there isn't too much of an in-between.  

Before we go on, perhaps a little glimpse into my Duke-loving background is in order.

My affection for Duke began when I first saw this:

...which looked quite similar to this:

To a pudgy Batman fanatic, the attraction/connection was instantaneous.

After that, I saw the Devils play on TV in 1976 -- USA's Bicentennial year -- and the team added red to their traditional blue and white school colored uniforms to honor America.  I am admittedly a sucker for all things USA, so that + the Batman-looking mascot moved Duke high on the list of favorite college basketball teams in my 7-year-old mind.

I casually followed how Duke did for the next decade...still holding fast to my childhood reasons for rooting.  In 1986, Duke lost in the National Championship game.  I vividly recall how crushing the defeat seemed to the players...and yet, how they conducted themselves with such grace.  I was hooked.

From there I got better acquainted with Coach Krzyzewski and his program.  Of course there were the back-to-back titles in '91 and '92, I had brief run-ins with them during those campaigns (watching them play in person, seeing them practice, etc.).  And I was fortunate enough to be able to take in the 2000-'01 Final Four festivities in Minneapolis.  I liked Duke...more and more.

Mascots and color combinations (full disclosure, royal blue & black IS my favorite) aside, Duke did things well.  In fact, as far as I am concerned, Duke does things right.

Besides being the winningest coach in Men's College basketball history, Coach K. boasts one of the best graduation rates for his players.  Duke's men's basketball team's graduation rate is consistently higher than all other schools.  For most of his tenure, Coach K. had a 100% graduation rate.  Recent early departures to the NBA, etc. have caused that to dip slightly (98% last year), however.

The program doesn't recruit just anyone, either.  Sure, you need to be able to play (Duke often leads the nation in McDonald's All-American players in its roster), but with academic admission standards akin to Ivy League schools, anyone hoping to be a Blue Devil must be a SCHOLAR-athlete as well.  Oh, and personal conduct is highly scrutinized, too.  There haven't be any player-related scandals involving benefits, illegal activities or anything of the sort in Coach K's 3+ decades, either.

Duke wins.

Duke wins the right way.

For that reason, I'm not ashamed to cheer for them...or pick them each year in my brackets.  In the same sense, I have no shame in being ridiculed for my affection for the Dukies, either.  For me, when someone is doing something the right way and doing it with excellence, it is worth aligning myself with regardless of personal consequence.

Before anyone thinks I am ascribing deity status to Coach K. or any spiritual connection with the Duke basketball program, I most certainly am not.

However, a look at the verses above make it easy for me to make a parabolic connection.

If people choose to persecute me for liking Duke, so be it.  They do "good" by any possible definition of the term.  If people want to speak ill of me because I follow the Blue Devils, I'm fine with that, too.  In my opinion, "suffering" for such an upstanding program is a reward, not a punishment.

I feel precisely the same way (although much more adamantly) about my faith.  I am not ashamed to stand up for God's standards and ways of doing things...even if it costs me pain, insult, loss, etc.  Some things are just "right" and they warrant unwavering support and emphatic endorsement.  

I like Duke...to win it all...every year...no matter what.   I choose Christ...to be my all...every way...no matter what.