Today's News

There's an 'Unlucky lottery winner' who's a convicted bank robber. There's a 'tour of 50 Cent's dining room'. There's 'GOP debate'. And there's 'Supermodel inspires NBA'. These are yahoo 'featured' stories this morning. Is it any wonder I don't watch much TV. Then, screaming past
the window of the Jesus Bus I see there is the new extreme sport of motorcycle racing in your underwear, pictured above. Only sissies wear leather.


"Mass psychology plays a role here. We know something unpleasant is on the way, but we
really don't want to deal with it.

Polls show most people think that as a nation we are headed down the wrong track. We might call these people the middle class, not just for economic reasons, but because they try to play
by the rules and they show loyalty and affinity
to political and religious beliefs. Most try to feather their own nests and, if asked, a good
portion will say that their situation is fine. This dichotomy between what they sense in the "big picture" and what is happening in their
personal lives causes subliminal anxiety. Excess
debt adds another layer of anxiety and fear for many. "

(Quote taken from another blog's comments. No link.)


If there is an explanation for what I'm seeing out the window of the Jesus Bus, this is a good candidate. The 'news' is pure trivia. I suspect it's chosen because it has entertainment value. But, for the most part, I see it as a distraction from the mass psychology the blog commentor mentions above. '...we really don't want to deal with it.'


My psychology works a little differently. You can tell by now that I like my place out here on the fringe somewhere. It's a space as far away from the 'herd' as I can get. I've learned that this makes some people uncomfortable. The feeling is mutual. The 'herd' doesn't give me a sense of comfort -- just the opposite. Does that mean I'm a bad person? There is always the popular characterization that the 'loner' is a sinister person. But the 'maverick' is either eccentric or idolized, depending on their net worth. Like a Howard Hughes. The pitiful
things that we make into idols.


Jesus was thought of as a madman, by some.


Jn 10:19 Therefore a division arose again among
the Jews because of these words.


20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is
mad! Why do you listen to him?"


21 Others said, "These are not the sayings of
one possessed with a demon. Can a demon open the
eyes of the blind?"


22 It was the Feast of the Dedication at
Jerusalem.


23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the
temple, in Solomon`s porch.


24 The Jews therefore came around him and said
to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."


25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you
don`t believe. The works that I do in my
Father`s name, these testify about me.


26 But you don`t believe, because you are not of
my sheep, as I told you.


27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and
they follow me.


28 I give eternal life to them. They will never
perish, and no one will snatch them out of my
hand.


29 My Father, who has given them to me, is
greater than all. No one is able to snatch them
out of my Father`s hand.


30 I and the Father are one."


31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone
him.


He says we are his sheep. Fitting description.


Now, here we see the time tested technique of demonizing someone you can't agree with. It's understood that Jesus does not agree with popular religion. So, given that he has the power to demonstrate his authority by miracles, the accusation is that he's of the devil. That accusation just won't fly. But stones will do the trick. Some things never change, my friends.


Here's what I know. It's out along the edges that life offers it's greatest opportunities. Because few are willing to venture out there. It can be a lonely and unpredictable place. At least, in my mind, it beats the alternative.


What really is sad is that the 'church' has decided lately to take the low road. The way of popular culture and mass psychology. Like others their view is '...we really don't want to deal with it.' Let's try to make everyone comfortable.


Jesus never played it safe, as far as his willingness to challenge the status quo. Of course, he had a specific purpose to fulfil, as messiah. But he had alot to tell us about the good news that there is a way out of this world. He clearly identified the situation at the personal level as a condition of sin. That sin has separated us from G-d. And, that the
deepest desire of the human heart is to experience the love of G-d. That is heaven.


Mass psychology being what it is '...we really don't want to deal with it.' Set aside, for the moment the mass Psych thinking, and realize that Jesus is the friend of sinners. Everyone wants a friend. Everyone needs a friend.


Mt 11:18 For John came neither eating nor
drinking, and they say, `He has a demon.`


19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and
they say, `Behold, a gluttonous man and a
drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and
sinners!` But wisdom is justified by her
children."

----------

Mt 11:25 At that time, Jesus answered, "I thank
you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you
hid these things from the wise and
understanding, and revealed them to infants.


26 Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in
your sight.


27 All things have been delivered to me by my
Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father;
neither does anyone know the Father, except the
Son, and he to whoever the Son wants to reveal
him.


28 "Come to me, all you who labor and are
heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.


29 Take my yoke on you, and learn from me, for I
am humble and lowly in heart; and you will find
rest for your souls.


30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

-------

Jn 15:14 You are my friends, if you do whatever
I command you.


15 No longer do I call you servants, for the
servant doesn`t know what his lord does. But I
have called you friends, for everything that I
heard from my Father, I have made known to you.


16 You didn`t choose me, but I chose you, and
appointed you, that you should go and bear
fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that
whatever you will ask of the Father in my name,
he may give it to you.


17 I command these things to you, that you may
love one another.


18 If the world hates you, you know that it has
hated me before it hated you.


19 If you were of the world, the world would
love its own. But because you are not of the
world, since I chose you out of the world,
therefore the world hates you.


Sinners are welcome on the Jesus Bus. Jesus is the friend of sinners. Mass psychology is not your friend.