Godgrown

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  Mark 10:08 am on August 7, 2006 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Articles ( 50 )   

  Mickey and His Boat 

  

  One major memory from my childhood was Mom and Dad reading to me. An especially intriguing tale entitled Mickey Mouse and His Boat has been on my mind lately (stupid neurons, firing without cause or want..let’s see how well I remember the details).

  Its the story of Mickey and his lovable puppy Pluto, enjoying a nice day of fishing in his sturdy, red, (and modest) boat. Before long, his best buddy Goofy putters up in a nice looking blue motor boat, and before long Mickey and Goofy are engaged in a conversation about what men like talking about best: comparisons. Mickey feels the urge to upgrade, and he asks Goofy if he’d like to trade vessels. Goofy seems hesitant at first, but when Mickey throws in his fish net as collateral, Goofy obliges.

  So Mickey and Pluto are off in their nice motor boat, enjoying a day of fishing in their nicely sized motor boat. Suddenly, a monstrously sized wave crashes into the side of their new boat, almost flipping it over. Mickey, scared out of his mind, peers over the side of the boat to see Horace Horsecollar sitting pretty in a brand new Zoom2000, a high powered speed boat, white with gold trim, and a lower deck for convenient dining. Mickey’s eyes sparkled with envy, and after some coaxing, Horace is traded Mickey’s boat, along with his tackle box.

  Mickey’s speedy new boat has Pluto sea sick, and Mickey has all but forgotten about fishing as he races around the edges of the lake. Later that afternoon however, Mickey, who had dozed off, is awakened by Scrooge McDuck’s yacht, which had inadvertently bumped into his Zoom2000. Once again, Mickey’s eyes widened, and after a long, heated banter with Scrooge, Mickey sells his Zoom2000, his fishing pole, Pluto, and probably all his Disney stocks and bonds too.

  So, the last page of the story is a nice picture of Mickey, staring out across the lake, watching everyone else enjoying some great fishing and time together. He could see Pluto barking excitedly as Goofy, Horace, and Scrooge reeled in another fish. Looks like Mickey was trapped, hook, line, and sinker into America’s cardinal virtue: GREED.

  How might Disney perceive this book today? What about Microsoft? Mastercard? Wal-Mart? What about the United States? What about me? Why do I nab at every opportunity for financial gain? Why do my eyes glisten when a new toy comes out, why do I burn every time a “Jones” buys a new car or erradicates all their school debt? Where have I put my fishing pole? Have I lost friends, dear friends for the sake of GREED?

  

  Lisa Martin, and Trey are discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    Trey 5:05 pm on August 8, 2006 Permalink

    Your post rocks. What a great book for kids to teach them the value of being satisfied with what they have.

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    Lisa Martin 1:21 am on August 10, 2006 Permalink

    Haven’t read this post yet or many lately but just read this article at Relevant and it kinda reminded me of what I think you are doing…you are so up to date on things and have already checked this out, but just in case I thought I’d post the link:

    http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god_article.php?id=7190

    May God continue to bless you and Katrina’s ministry!

    -Lisa

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  Mark 6:12 am on August 4, 2006 Permalink | Reply  

  Vacare Deum 

  “When the time for silence comes, I ask you to take up your position for prayer (and sitting is usually best for most of us) and then, having asked the help of the Holy Spirit, to be content to wait patiently, expectantly, lovingly, longingly.  Try to realize that this is all you can do for yourself.  God must do the rest.  See yourself as the parched ground looking upwards waiting patiently for the rain to fall.  You can only wait.”

  – Fr Roger Schultz of Taize

  Vacare Deum    – “Be free for God.”

  
   
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  Mark 10:30 am on August 2, 2006 Permalink | Reply  

  Porch Squattin’ 

  A great news report on porches today got me thinking: just how “holed up” is our culture anyway? What about the modern conveniences of air conditioning, washing machines, indoor plumbing (okay, that ones kinda modern), and even backyards can drastically isolate people from one another. What a different world I find as I make my way through some of the poorer neighborhoods in Abilene, noticing how many people are available for conversation and the foundations of community from their front porch!

  

  Are we really doing ourselves such a service by keeping ourselves cool, inconvenienced, and plenty of elbow room? What have I missed out on as a member of the human race by remaining hunkered down under a little roof all by myself, knowing that there are souls sent by God living right next door??? Kinda makes me wanna go tribal or something.

  Porches are the place of “refuge and prospect”. Even in the caveman days, families stand at the entrance to their caves, spanning the horizons of the fields and forests below them, while still keeping their back close to a place they can always seek solace and safety. With home just behind, and the world before us, we too participate in this human propensity with the invention of the porch.

  Of course, this is just the beginning – you know that before long, once people start meeting each other with friendly glances or hand waves, there will be conversation, dialogue, and neighbors that trust each other. Cross cultural divides will be broken down, isolated marriages will be strengthened, and before long, sidewalks will be built – to help transport people from porch to porch! This slippery slope is not hard to follow…soon there will be porch barbeques, block parties, and – with a little help of God’s Spirit – life transforming experiences.

  America is on the upswing from almost half a century of being dominated by backyard, screened-in porches and decks. 14 years ago, 42% of new single-family homes were built with front porches, whereas today it is up to 53%.

  I believe strongly that the Good News of Jesus Christ is centered around the story of his life, death, and resurrection. I also believe that the message of that story is constantly changing to speak to the people of the culture. The isolated American culture will hear the Good News when they see communities that are not afraid of each other. They will hear the Gospel when they are invited into a family that transforms. They will hear the Gospel on a porch.

  

  Julie is discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    Julie 3:38 pm on August 4, 2006 Permalink

    Happy (belated) birthday, O Mark! Bret and I did not get in until around 9 last night! We’re sorry we were unable to participate in your birthday celebration, which I’m sure was totally lovely. I hope your day was special!