a l i v e & a w a k e - speaking_into_the_culture

What's in a Name?

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:15:00 -0500

My name is Joe. What is the depth and meaning to my name? Does that sound that vocalizes my name inform my being? Is it just a symbol to help me be identified or is the symbol my identity? I respond to it, but do I live for my name or does it serve a purpose to help my being and essence be recognized? Now I appreciate names (read about my daughter Liv). My question is, "Aren't names just symbols?"

Maybe my name is not as important as others. Some others had names they lived up to, like ‘Joshua’ (which doesn’t it mean in Hebrew what ‘Jesus’ means in Greek –Savior?). He actually lived this name of ‘saving’ and was a symbol to the Israel nation. He became the one who all looked up to making the work of the Creator come true on this physical planet. But his name is still not the total sum of his essence, his being. There is still missing the life he lives outside of the job description of his name. Joshua’s life continued even though Israel was in the promise land.

Let me dare to talk about a name that may not be the total sum of His being ---Jesus Christ. There are many people who give a special power to the name of Jesus. Does that name have power or does the person behind it have that power? For instance if I named my child Jesus, would there be certain anointed power given to my child? History has shown no (Jesus Jones, etc). So really the name means nothing unless it is point to a being or person. Jesus is the most familiar way to refer to the being who came to earth as the second part of God, lived a dynamic Kingdom life, spoke the message of abundant life, raised up disciples, died, rose again and empowered a body of people to be like Himself.

He has a name for us as a reference point to this being, but is that so important to the heavenlies and God? The name means deliverer (Jesus) and anointed one (Christ). Those concepts are important but are not all encompassing. Even Jesus when asked by the rulers of the day he replied “I am”. If we want to get more accurate it may be we need to go back to terms like ‘Messiah’ and ‘Emmanuel’. The word Messiah is more the term Jesus confirmed Himself to be rather than Jesus Christ. Looking at the word Messiah we can see this starts to open new insight on this being. I have lately heard about the Samaritan definition of Messiah.

Messiah to the Samaritans meant ‘Taleb” (there is an accent over the ‘a’ of some sort). That word means ‘revealer and restorer’. This is different from the word Messiah in Hebrew terms meaning ‘victor’. Looking to the interaction of the woman at the well in John 4, the dialogue Jesus and the woman had was in Aramaic. It was translated to Greek and than to our English eyes. Let’s look to the passage.

The term ‘Taleb’

25 The woman said, "I know the Messiah will come--the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26 Then Jesus told her, "I am the Messiah"!
27 Just then his disciples arrived. They were astonished to find him talking to a woman, but none of them asked him why he was doing it or what they had been discussing.
28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone,
29 "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?"
John 4:25-29 (NLT)

The word Messiah is used the same every time. So let’s look at maybe what this conversation looked like dropping the titles.

The woman said “I know the revealer and restorer will come, --the one who is called the ‘Anointed One’. The revealer will explain everything to us.

Jesus told her “I am the revealer and restorer” (He uses her term not the typical Jewish term).

The woman goes back and says “Come meet the man who knows all I have done and has revealed it to me. Could He be the revealer and restorer?”

That concept of being the revealer is fascinating enough to me, but I want to drive home the significance of a name. Jesus doesn’t seemed to correct her or clarify any specific name, in fact He embraces her name and terminology.

My last name is Tenthorey. Now how would you say that? Most people pronounce the ‘th’ in the middle so it sounds like ‘ten- thor- ree’ when really the ‘h’ is silent sounding like ‘ten- tor-ee’. My one mentor of eleven years still introduces me pronouncing the ‘h’. That doesn’t threaten me or my identity though, because I know he is referring to me and cares about me. I think the same could be true of Jesus.

Jesus uses many terms to help us understand His being, not His name. The names I have seen are;

-the two Messiahs (Hebrew victor/chosen and Greek revealer/restorer)

-Son of God (John 10:36)

-Son of Man (

-Holy One (John 10:36)

-Christ

-King of the Jews (Mark 15:2)

-Son of the Blessed One (Mark 14:62)

-I Am (Mark 14:62)

-many more like ‘life’, ‘way’, ‘truth’, ‘door’, ‘vine’, etc.

Is Jesus trying to be confusing or is He painting a big picture with a mosaic of many name to give greater understanding of His total being? That term “I Am” should be ringing some familiar bells, especially because it ticked off the religious rulers He told it to. They were really upset because this term “I Am” was how God introduced Himself to Moses in Exodus 3. ‘I Am’ is a very open ended, vague term. This may have been purposeful on Jesus’ part just as it was purposeful on God’s part in the time of Moses. Before I drive home a practical implication of this for our world I want to go back to God’s use for a name.

The word ‘God’ is a man made term for identifying this being the Israelite nation was encountering. YHWH or Yahweh or Jehovah, is the most correct term of God’s name that the Jews didn’t even say. Apart from that title (because it still isn’t His name), this being is explained as;

-Jehovah Jireh

-My Banner

-El shaddi

-Lord

etc. (too many for the purposes of this read, but you get the point, there is maybe 50 different terms used)

God did not seem threatened by the names given to Him by His people. In fact we benefit from those names because it paints a greater picture of Who this God is. The main point of all His names was to relationally involve His people in His work and have them understand His character. So what does this mean today?

The Name Jesus seems to be (unfortunately) tainted and misrepresented. The true being of Jesus is what the world wants and craves for they just cringe when this name is said. Why is that? I have heard that the name Jesus is offensive because of the conviction that name brings to people, but I am not sure that is really it. Awful and evil things have been done and said in the name of Jesus throughout the history of Christianity. There are many terms that are in the same boat as being social ‘swear words’ like; church, bible, Christian, God, etc.

So what do we do, make a mission to redeem these names or change the title to fit the needs of people who need the work of Jesus and a greater understanding of His character? It may be we are more looking for people who display the character and work of God just as much as those who can say the ‘proper’ terms of God, Jesus and church. Sometimes those who know the right terms display less of Jesus’ work and character than those who cringe when they hear that title. More and more I believe if we are to ‘reach this world’ we are to saturate ourselves in the work and character of God/Jesus in the world measured by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), and the ‘one another’s’ (like love, forgive, encourage, exhort, bear burdens, confess to, etc. -31 in all).

Jesus even gives a test for Himself,

why do you call it blasphemy when the Holy One who was sent into the world by the Father says, 'I am the Son of God'?37 Don't believe me unless I carry out my Father's work.
38 But if I do his work, believe in what I have done, even if you don't believe me. Then you will realize that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father."
John 10:37-38 (NLT)

There are many people who do not know the right words or the right terminology for God and Jesus, but they display His character more accurately than those who do know the right terminology. Why are we so hung up on names than? Do a study some time into the dark history of the church and a group called the "Cathars" in France. This story now from our view point is horrific as far as what people do in the 'name' of Jesus. The well know phrase "Kill em all and let God sort em out." comes from that time period.

Chances are that if we open our view and scope to seek out the character and work of Jesus even though we do not hear His name, we might see way more of who Jesus is and have all the more to celebrate of His character in the world and people around us.

-joe

The Human Crisis

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:50:00 -0400

The world around us is suffering and dying. As we look at the various causes, we find that there is a new common link connecting the deadliest diseases infecting our world. It could arguably be called the biggest ‘pandemic’ the world currently faces. Billions are suffering from it. It leaves the victim numb, hollow and severely disabled from the normal everyday functions of life. Truth be known, most of us have symptoms of this disease. It destroys us from the inside out and is the leading cause of AIDS, malaria, cancer, war, poverty, consumerism, separation, injustice and waste. It IS preventable but too many are letting it go undiagnosed for too long. “What is it” you ask? It is apathy - the indifference to life.

While some may argue that death is the biggest enemy of humanity, I can think of two reasons why this may not be the case. First of all, we know from nature (especially in the plant world) that death often marks the beginning of new life, making death not an end but a new beginning. It is a necessary part of the life cycle. Secondly, the work of Christ on the cross was done to take the finality out of death. Death has lost its power to destroy us. Though we still die physically, there is something more insidious than this … the ongoing day to day squandering of our most precious gift – the gift of life. If we live life to the fullest, we reproduce, we build, we help, we commune, we cultivate ourselves and others, and we leave a legacy. We are being true to our nature when we live this kind of life. If we miss these opportunities to live, we violate our very nature as people made in God’s image. When that happens our selfishness can kill, harm, ruin and devastate people we don’t even know and all of this can be done in complete ignorance.

The devastation we see daily from wars, diseases, starvation and injustice is due to our inaction rather than just the action of an oppressor. There is no one government, dictator or terrorist to blame. You don’t need to look any further than yourself. You may have heard that the opposite of love is hate, but the complete opposite of love is indifference and numbness to your fellow being.

This crisis or pandemic we are currently experiencing needs to be identified in ourselves, our churches, our cities, our nations and our world. We need to paint this picture for one another over and over again in many creative ways until we can wake up in the morning and know that we are no longer carriers of the disease (especially in North America). We need to paint this picture for our family, our community and our world, because the most harmful component of this disease is that is makes us sleepy, unaware and numb. The tension (as put by Alan Hirsch in his book “The Forgotten Ways” ) needs to be presented over and over until the ‘guerilla warfare leaders’ present themselves. These will be the people who say “That’s enough! We can no longer live this way. We need to take action right now!” They will be the ones who lead us to Life abundant – the life for which we were created. They will keep us uncomfortable and yet moving in a positive direction. They will have discipline to see their cause as the number one cause of Christ (John 10:10). Who are these people? Who will lead us?

You may disagree with me at first, but I don’t believe they will be the popular leaders of our day - the wealthy, the politically astute, or the influential. They will be … the poors.

The poors will be the ‘guerilla leaders’ and the restorers of justice, leading us to the way of true worship and compassion. ‘Poors’ include the weak, the disenfranchised, the oppressed, the abused, the imprisoned, (the true Hebrew biblical definition of the word). Isaiah 61 is evidence of this plan (in case you think my ideas are WAY out there). In Luke chapter four Jesus is given one chance to bring a message to the Jews of His day and the one He brings and says he has fulfilled is the amazing truth of Isaiah 61. In Himself he reveals God’s heart and mission to the world. He gives an anointing to the cause of bringing justice, freedom, good news and life to the poors. They in turn will be “oaks of righteousness” and restorers of the ‘devastation’. In the same way a healthy garden brings forth food that nourishes all, these leaders will bring righteousness and celebration to creation and restore it to health. As we see the work and intent of God in this, we must also see the leaders He is calling to this cause. Seeing this compels me to submit a strategy of creating healthy environments

I think the analogy of a garden fits this discussion well. A healthy garden is a rich environment requiring good soil, care, sun, and smart planning in order to bring out the best of what you have planted. It’s all about cultivation. When it comes to growing people, cultivating the right environment supersedes raising up good programs, services, leaders and buildings. The proper environment will produce and reproduce all of these things. The strategy of creating a healthy environment – one that cultivates lives – must be our highest priority. How do we cultivate environments that will cultivate lives? We do this by seeking the face of Christ, seeing the face of Christ and celebrating His face (by celebrate I mean to speak of, treasure and live in response to).

May I suggest 3-4 principles that can be helpful when we talk of “seek, see, and celebrate”: Build Relationships that are on mission for encouragement and feedback Listen and Highlight the Work of Christ at every moment in your day

Pay close attention to How people think rather than What people think

Respond by offering your compassionate presence and look for ways to cultivate others.

The Barriers of Suburbia North America

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:45:00 -0400

I have lived in the suburban context now four about 7 years now. It is a very nice atmosphere to live in on the surface. Once I’ve been in one location for a long enough time I realize the veneer is only a covering to a deep subversive disease –separation. The design of the streets, houses and even backyards today show more of a value system for privacy and loneliness compared to 50 years ago which had more of a small town feel to the communities. Open concept backyards that you can see for quite a distance are now replaced with high fences visually closing off a postage stamp size plot. We pay top dollar if we want a bigger yard for ourselves that can keep out the view of other neighbors but yet keep local to the action of the city.

This has recently been more apparent to me as of late. I have one month experience of being a community developer of the Meeting House (officially called lead pastor). One day in particular, I went walking handing out cards of a new series coming out on Sundays. At first I was looking forward to getting some exercise, praying for the community and maybe even seeing people who would show up because of this. I haven’t seen results yet but I encountered a much different experience.

I began walking with my dog as a postal worker would to all the different homes in my area. At first I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know what people thought of me as they saw me doing it. Then I got more uncomfortable not because of people but just the overwhelming feeling of not being welcomed by the design of the home. Looking back at that experience, I felt like the locations of mailboxes were such that you almost felt like you were walking into the living room of the home owners and really you shouldn't be there without very good excuse. Now I already have had a hard time with going around doing ‘cold calls’ and depositing paper when most people will not want it. This soon became a sheer exercise of forced work. I felt like my feet were made of lead as soon as I got within the personal space of the front door and they would quickly become light as a feather once I moved towards the end of the driveway. When that happens 250 times (the cards I handed out), you get a real complex. Now I know some of my feelings have a lot to do with my own insecurities, personality and issues. But there was something also that was more than just me.

It is more than just the design of the homes. It is society that has created a milieu of separation. We are glad to be separate. In fact we praise it. The more money you have the more separate you can be. Now I don’t advocate all of us move into communal homes, (tried that and it didn’t work so well). I appreciate some distance, but this is gone to the point of we hardly even talk to our neighbors. Our houses are bought and sold with in two feet of each other but praised for how private they are. This may also be a growing fear and distrust of people in general but I believe the value of separation is the first reason. Too many of us have bought into being separate from each other and will do many things to not have to encounter other humans. I find myself catching myself being distant and proud to not have any one around my suburban castle,,, why it that?

The Movie ‘Crash’ is a great example of these phenomena. The premise of Crash is that we crash into each other just so we can have an interaction with another human because deep down crave it. Most of the time we spend looking away or looking busy with something as we pass people as to say, “I’m really a busy person in my mind or with what I’m doing”. Importance and busyness are good to portray to others. Or deeper down I am saying “don’t talk to me because I am afraid of who you are and if you are going to want something from me”. Or worse “you may need something but I just don’t care and you would really be bothering me to even look my way”. It is initially deceptive because it looks like we were the one who were in a better spot maybe to say hi back, or give joy or assistance but in the long run maybe we lose out from a human contact point. I will even say a Divine moment of some sort.

I will say this again in other write ups but even our best intentions to help others are handouts, cheques and give-aways. It is good to do these things but it lacks human contact points and interactions which is probably the best gift we can give today in this day and age to others and to ourselves. At Christmas we feel drawn to be giving and we give in ways to the ‘less fortunate’ that we will never have any relational withdrawal. If we do relationally give it seems like a lot of effort to muster up for the season and it doesn’t get continued for the year. We feel a sense of satisfaction and a job well done but yet what we lose out on is community. Community is what we need. Community is what we have designed best to give despite the zeros in our bank account. It takes effort and a whole different mentality to combat years of practice and social acceptability.

How can this be changed? What are ways to be in community relationally? I feel in retrospect that my country up bringing has values ingrained in me that could put me at an advantage. I need to start practicing them again. Be a front yard person. Most of our time we hide and ‘free’ ourselves from seeing others in the back yard when we can see more people out front on the street, (if they are not in their back yards). Go frequently and consistently to places where many people go –Tim Hortons, Bars, Malls, etc. Walk someone’s dog (if you don’t have your own). I am amazed by the dog walking culture and how easy it is to strike up conversations or have conversations about the dogs we have. This is not a suggested dating tactic! Say hi to people on the street as you walk. Look them in the eye and be genuine about greeting someone. Say it like you own the street and your job is the designated ‘welcomer’ of that section of sidewalk as you walk. These are a few suggestions and I’m sure there are many more.

Sadly I lament that this will not change society because of the vast merchandise and social values given today. It will however give certain individuals a chance to be community and we may be surprised by all who will be ‘blessed’ by it.

Spiritual Narcolepsy

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:55:00 -0400

My Grandfather had Narcolepsy. There are many stories of how our 'Papa' (that's what we called our grandfather), fell asleep at different places or during many acivities. Some of them are quite humerous like when I was a child, papa and I would go out on the snow machine at night for a cold ride. One night in particular I remember we were out and the moon was very bright. He took me around a field zig zagging through the field and all of a sudden he started leaning to one side and we tipped over for no reason and there was snow in our faces and snow suits. I laughed and went to papa and kind of jumped on him as to say "hey you did that on purpose". I now look back realizing that he had fallen asleep driving and I woke him by jumping on him (this wasn't the only time).

My dad would also tell me that when he was a boy, papa would fall asleep at the wheel of their truck and they would head into the ditch. The bouncing truck and jolts would wake him and luckly they could back out of the ditch (although sometimes they had to get help). He would look to my dad and say, "Don't tell your mom." There were also many times he would fall asleep at the dinner table. We laugh now when we talk about those stories. Some of this story is serious and sad because my papa died on the lake fishing when he fell asleep on the water and drowned, we think it was related to the narcolepsy. I was about five when he died and so the encounters with him I can remember are vague and few. Narcolepsy is a disease around today and physically dibilitating in many ways to those who have it. Spiritually I think there is a narcolepsy that is hitting this world and ultimately is much more serious than the physical one.

What is my definition of spiritual narcolepsy? The sudden nodding off of our spiritual receptor at any given moment of the day and without us realizing it. Now there are people who are just plain not awake in the first place, but for those who are awakened this disease still overcomes us unaware. What does this look like? It's a moment that has spiritual value and truth and we appreciate it, but then something, someone, or our own distraction shuts down the reception. It was open and fed by the moment, it gets shut off, and we continue on our way without realizing it has been shut off.

What causes this Spiritual Narcolepsy? Distractions, busyness, and meanial tasks are at an all time high in North America. We hardly have two minutes in our day where it is quiet -a chance to think. TV, radio, comercials of sound wave and advertisements divert our energy from some of the most important things in life. For me I can be talking to my wife and look like I'm listening, but really be watching TV, a magazine rack or a cat that just ran by. I think this behaviour has been trained in us since we were young and now the only things that seem to hold our attention are the stimulous of todays world. Other contributing factors may be the fact we have not set goals for ourselves and found our purpose in life and so we welcome in distractions to help us forget the fact we really don't know ourselves or maybe like ourselves. This is a form of apathetic drifting that hollows out our souls. The world is rich and vibrant, just waiting to shed light--spiritual light, on our souls. How do we undo this problem?

Fortunately this spiritual narcolepsy has a cure unlike the physical narcolepsy (to my knowledge). It is unfornately for most people called -discipline. If you're like me, it is difficult to train a habit or break a habit. It's something like 21 days to form new habits as a natural part of our life. There's an odd statement that I use to form this habit -MAKE IT NATURAL. That becomes a semi mantra I use as I move closer to what I think God is wanting me to be. Being spiritually awake is one of those things that I find I need discipline in. I am no expert whenI talk about this problem (in fact it has been difficult enough for me to enter this segment because of all my distractions!) So what can we do to combat this?

Each will have their own way to deal with this but I believe it begins with celebrating life. If we have eyes to see the amazing and plentiful things that this life has to offer -that God is offering, than we can begin to undo the narcoleptic episodes that hit us. Celebration not only is good for the soul, but it is physically good for the body. I find if I take time to meditate on the amazing work of God in my life and around me my demeanor changes from numb to alive, drowsy to awake.

Take a quiet moment, breath deeply and take inventory of all that is good, holy, praiseworthy, and begin to cure the spiritual drowsiness.

Lords of the Affluent War

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 08:25:00 -0500

Just watched “Lord of War” recently. For some reason it has been probably the most impacting movie as far as dealing with the issue of poverty, war and injustice in our world, mainly 3^rd world countries.

I will try not to give away the plot if you are about to watch it but Nicolas Cage is known as the ‘lord of war’ because he sells arms to countries with civil war or upheaval. He is profitable because men hate each other and use bullets and guns to do solve their problems. The movie portrays this as a ‘necessary evil’ in our world today.

Lately I have been watching a lot news, movies and documentaries on the poverty of countries like Africa, India, and South America.

My wife is a part of World Vision and takes many trips and edits a lot of footage of the horrific scenes and evidence of how evil humankind can be. I see so much effort generated to get food, money, supplies to cure preventable diseases, and help people in communities to develop their own ways to sustain a way of life. This effort is needed and very noble but it has been lacking because it does not hit what I would call ‘the big issue’. It hit me again in “Lord of war” of the complicated level that plays into poverty and governmental corruptness. It’s a spiritual war. I see it like this:

“I think God is concerned with poverty on this earth. I think it has to bother Him, He is an abundant provider just waiting to give abundantly! I think He doesn’t care as much for the physical poverty as much as He does for the spiritual poverty of separateness and emotional disconnect. This spiritual poverty is more like the first sin of humankind in a garden long ago. It is the desire to be more than God –pride. This poverty is the reason the earth is barren in many areas. This poverty is the reason that millions of people have died by curable diseases. This poverty is the reason millions die in wars all over this earth. This disease needs more resources and supplies than what is given-yet is free.”

This poverty is much more subtle and harder to diagnose and cure. Chances are if you are reading this on a computer, you are probably in the midst of the most dark, evil and horrific form of this spiritual poverty –curable spiritual poverty.

North America, Western Society or formerly known as ‘1^st world country’ is the most deep and damaged in spiritual lethargy and apathy. We are lulled to sleep by so many things that keep us from being close to God. Our move to help other countries with physical poverty is probably the only strand of hope that we have from being totally devoid of help. In my opinion, we need to help those countries more for our well being then theirs. What does help look like for our situation?

I wonder more if the ‘food’, ‘shelter’ and ‘clothing’ for 1^st world countries looks like community, discipleship/spiritual companions, and being neighborly?

Society's Bankruptcy

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 16:10:00 -0500

When I was living in Bancroft, we used to feed the birds. My favourite ones were chickadees. The more time they spend at the feeders, the more bold they became. They soon learned to trust us (the hand that fed them) so much so that at times they would feed from our hands (for a little guy -that's power!)

The most accessible "bird-food" we had in the house at the time was bread. I remember taking entire loaves of bread at a time to distribute to the hungry flocks. I felt very proud that I was helping these poor creatures to survive the freezing Canadian winter.

Then one day I heard some disturbing news. Apparently our wonderful bread doesn't have all the vitamins and minerals that birds need to live. In fact, all is really does is fill them up with "empty calories". They fly away feeling full, but nutritionally deficient.

That's how I would describe our society at large. We have been fed many humanistic philosophies and social programs and recreational events and scientific theories and governmental laws that have kept our lives packed full, but have failed to provide the moral, social, physical, economical and spiritual "nutrients" to really bring life.

The result is bankrupt lives producing broken marriages, disfunctional families, economic polarization of the rich and poor, disconnected and directionless young people, insolvable homelessness and unemployment as well as corruption in many levels of government. We are busy, but not happy. Moving, but going nowhere. Engaged in thinking, but not connected to truth. Our government's attempt to deal with the issues have largely been temporary, and usually have caused more complications than cured situations. It's sad, but I think it is time people heard this news. It may be disturbing, but if accepted it will begin the process of saving lives.

What is it going to take to being to restore people in our country to a place of wholeness and complete health? New programs to feed poor people? Another philosophical theory on how to better ourselves? A new law? No. These attempts are simply symptomatic solutions (see article on Inside-Out Change) I believe the answer is one that reaches to the very root of all the problems: the human heart. We need to change the human heart to change everything else.

From our hearts come our thoughts and actions. From our hearts come our ideas and theories. The human heart is the engine that runs all programs and events. It is also the heart that is the centre of morality and spirituality. It is the human heart that makes decisions to love our neighbour, or to give to the poor, or to oppress the helpless or to ignore injustice.

If we could somehow experience change at this level, imagine what the world would be like. What would your life look like? If you had a chance to get rid of the negative and evil desires within you, would you do it? If you could receive a new heart, become a new person, would you?

Jon

A Movie with an Incredible message

noreply@blogspirit.com (Alive and Awake) — Wed, 9 Nov 2005 21:05:00 -0500

Just watched The Incredibles again (I know, I know - it's an old movie now). But it is a movie that has a "now" message.

Bob is a man dealing with a lot of issues. As a retired superhero (Mr. Incredible), he has to deal with simply trying to live life as a married man with kids. His wife, Helen, is also a former superhero (Elasta-girl) and they have 3 very "super" kids who all have their own issues. He works in a dead-end job under a supervisor who has less than ideal standards. Although he works hard and tries to make it all work, he finds himself trapped in a life that is unfulfilling. Often, he sneaks out of the house with a fellow "super" under the cover of "bowling night" to listen in on police reports with the hopes of being able to participate in just one more covert operation. Eventually, he is "recruited" by an organization to help them deal with a "problem. The promise of adventure and action is too much, and so Bob (unbeknownst to his wife) begins to live a double life to fit it all in.

Like Bob, a lot of guys are out there feeling "trapped" in a lifestyle that doesn't match their glory days. It seems men rely on competence as an indicator of self-worth. When you can't do what you used to, you either try to find something else to replace it, or something else to hide your inability. And when you can't do either, you have what some people call "mid-life crisis". This time of warped perspectives is usually characterized by compulsive spending sprees, adulterous affairs, job changes, unwarrented travelling and absorbsion in personal hobbies. It can also mean withdrawn tendencies from the family, a lack of intimacy from family members (especially your wife) and many, many secrets. It is a dangerous way of thinking.

Watching Bob being lured back into his supersuit by the promise of "action" and its intrinsic significance reminds me to make sure I keep my priorities straight. Regardless of how much I have left behind to my younger years (and at times it seems like quite a bit), I have made choices of who I married (for which I am happy) and what I am currently doing (what I love). And to those choices, I must be responsible.

Bob spends the mid-portion of the movie lying to his wife and children about what he's really doing, and it is only because Helen visits a mutual friend that she finds out his escapades (and consequently has to help bail him out). That is so typical of so many families - it's when the "head of the home" becomes the heel that things get turned upside down, and break down. I wonder how many married women have taken on the role as a single parent because men are out "finding themsleves".

It is near the end where Bob finally realizes the enormous value of his family (only after he thinks their all dead), and is quoted as saying, "I guess I forgot that you (the family) were my greatest adventure". In typical Hollywood style, the family once rejoined becomes a crime-fighting, burglar-busting force of justice, ready to take on all the evils of the world.

The Incredibles is a fun movie - I highly recommend it. I particularly enjoyed the inside look into family, and the message it has for all of us who need a reminder from time to time of what is important in life - and what should stay that way.

Jon