Every so often we all say this one line. It’s not a once and only once statement. It’s something that children must say many times a day early in life. As we get older, this line comes less often. Remember saying, “Now, I’ve seen everything!” And yes, we say it right after we see something so bizarre, so crazy, we figure that no one will ever do something, shall I say it, dumber then that ever again. You know what I mean.
I must be getting younger again because I find myself repeated this line more times then enough. I guess it has something to do with reality shows. I can’t believe that people would subject themselves to self ridicule or self abasement, by doing this stuff or be filmed while involved in it. And I’m not just talking about Jerry Springer. I am not a fan of much of this type of programing. But sometimes, when you are trying to find something worthwhile to watch you read either the guide or surf. I’m old so I remember the early ones reality shows. When you thought, wow, that would be something to do. I remember some of the first things I saw. There was bungee jumping, and eating some strange foods from other lands. It was sort of, “I dare you to. . . .” And they did. One after another would do something strange or unusual. Eating bugs is definitely not on my bucket list. Back then, it was entertainment. Over the years it has become stranger and stranger. The reality programs have become more about the strange and the unfortunate.
Remember, “Candid Camera,” and “Truth or Consequences”? The in the sixties and seventies, we had, “The Newlywed Game”, and later, the strange “Gong Show”. In the eighties we had our own Canadian show, “Thrill of a Lifetime”. I was on one of those shows, racing a motorcycle on ice at Port Perry during a snow storm. It aired April 5 1982. Here is another line, “Been there, done that and have the T-shirt to prove it. I still have it and it reads, “Re-Born to be Wild”.
Over the years, this has all changed. Yes we still have dancing and talent and all those different Idols going around, but I believe tv has begun the long spiral down. Somewhere along the way we have become obsessed with reality that shows degrade people. The strangest part is, they line up to be filmed doing it. We have shows where people do unhuman activities just to win. Which means there are losers. “Fear Factor” and “The Weakest Link” and “The Real Wives of . . . ”. Where will this obsession with degrading people end? I think I have seen it all. I just saw on the tv guide a show that chronicled the problems of very over weight ladies and their struggles through their pregnancy. How about a show that chronicles a diet program where they loose the weight while pregnant? A close second might be the show that takes us into the struggles of wills between two mothers of the weddings. How about two mother in laws that work together.
I’m starting to wonder if the church is now the only place where people can go without it being broadcast to the world, to seek healing and forgiveness. Maybe this is the churches next mission? A place where people who have problems can go for help. Surrounded by other people have been there. A place where we lift each other up with care and love. Where we all work on one common goal, to be healed by a God who wants all of us to be winners and all of us get to heaven. Maybe that is the reality show they wouldn’t televise because no one would watch. It would be a show that brings the reality of our sin face to face with the reality of Jesus Christ, dying on a cross to pay for your sin and mine. And as Paul put it, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness . . . “
Something to think about.
Rob

Something Of Value?

You know where it is. It doesn’t matter if you have a place for everything and everything in its place or you are someone who sets things down and you remember right where you put them. You know exactly where it is. Well, most of the time anyway. A number of months ago, one of the kids asked for something. I knew I had a few of them. Going out to the garage, thinking on the way, it didn’t take long to find them and bring them out in the light of day. The article was one of those pieces most men put away as we say to ourselves, “I will keep that because I will need it some day.” Those someday articles might be the downfall of all Home Depots in North America. That is, if we could find them as readily as I found the hinges. That brings another thought to mind. How often then not do we not find what we are looking for? Been looking for another article for a couple of months now and this week will be the week I find it. And that is because I don’t need it now. Like many, I’m on a downsizing kick right now. Time to clear out the stuff that has not been used for more than 15 years. I have a building at the back of the yard that is full of someday stuff. Over the last few weeks some of them have found new homes and others have been introduced to the round file. Forget the garage sale, I just post them on Kijiji and away they go. In this quest, there are other articles that have been forgotten about for so long, it’s like a treasure hunt finding things we never remember were there. That would have to be another part misplacing things. Don’t get me wrong, but there is no hoarder in this home. In my bible I am reminded of the person who lost a coin. They went looking for it and couldn’t find it. So they cleaned the whole house until they found it. As a child I thought it was a cute story when the teacher told us we could not lose our faith in Jesus, He is always there. We just have to look for Him and we will find him. As an adult we have a different perspective. We recognize all that it entails to clean house, to find that one thing of great value and to appreciate it. I have a small nickel my grandfather gave to me when I was little. It’s one of the ones that are smaller then a dime. It is of great value to me for two reasons. First, because it’s from grandpa and secondly because he engraved the Lord’s Prayer on the one side. Can’t read it any more without using my glasses. But I know it’s there, I know where it is and the words are not just on the coin, but also in my heart. And there they are never lost.

Something to think about. Rob