I Can't Believe I Didn't Notice Earlier

I know, I know, I make a big deal of post-modernity. That seems fair to me, since it is the worldview most prevalent around me every day. So, as one who is "aware," I am surprised when a sign of the times becomes obvious that I should have seen earlier.

One of my laments is that today everyone is treated the same. All kids who participate get a trophy. Everyone is a winner. Teachers feel that pressure in school. Every parent expects his or her child to get an A.


I always preached to parents to give it up. "When your child becomes an adult," I always said, "they won't get that kind of treatment. Let them learn reality now!" How many times have I told parents and kids that? Well, yesterday, at about 5:47 PM, I found out that I was wrong. Yep, there in the Publix parking lot was the proof that even adults are now getting trophys.

I saw a young soldier driving his car. He had a black beret pulled down in a way that said, "I have a beret and I am cool." Then it hit me. ALL soldiers get berets. No more do only green berets, Rangers and other elite groups wear berets. Now EVERYONE in the Army can cruise the Publix lot with the "cool" beret.

I can't believe I didn't notice earlier. I guess the good news is that even though I didn't catch on right away, I'll still get my trophy.

The Vick Irony

What caused Michael Vick to plead guilty? I believe it was the overwhelming public disdain for his actions. After all, he killed dogs. It is ironic, that he could have driven the same co-conspirators to an abortion clinic without the slightest outcry. Welcome to the fallen world, if you make it out of the womb!

The Yankee paradigm, Kevin Millar and post-modernity

I had the time of my life last night watching the Baltimore Orioles trash the Yankees 12-0. I don't like the Yankees much, so it was a great thing to watch as the score mounted higher and higher throughout the game.

Watching the game got me thinking. The Yankees have, from a purely objective view, the best team in baseball. They are loaded with high-priced talent in most all positions. Their younger starts are among the best in the new talent line up. So, why don't they win?

I think it is because they are the paradigm for the post-modern world. They don't concern themselves with relational chemistry. Just sign stars and let them play. They are a cookie cutter production, with little thought for the relationships that do or don't develop between players. You can replace anybody with another body that hits with a higher average, or has a better arm throwing from the outfield. Life in general is becoming like that. A certified teacher is the same as any other certified teacher. Let's not consider whether or not there is passion in the act, let's just look at qualifications.

In Scripture, personality plays a big role in how God directs his kingdom work. In the post-modern world, it is irrelevant. Personal interviews, for example, have given way to online resumes that are computer searched for key words. If the best person for the job omits a "key word" that the computer is looking for--sorry!

Consider the Red Sox. They were world champions in 2004. Kevin Millar was a spark plug on that team. He was friends with everyone, and he is credited with the phrase, "cowboy up," which was a catalyst in the chemistry that developed on the team. He was let go at the end of the next season. The Red Sox are still good, but without the "bunch of idiots" chemistry, they lack the drive they exhibited in 2o04.

God uses relationships in the body to make us more together than we are individually. The world looks at resumes, God looks at living, breathing, thinking, personal beings. And, thank you, Kevin Millar, for your personality.

So, away with computer searching through resumes, eharmony.com and one certified teacher equals any other certified teacher. Bring back chemistry. Without it, marriages, churches and even baseball teams don't have a chance.