Angels and Autobots

By Heidi Hiatt

“We are not alone, are we?”

In the trailer for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, mission control asks astronaut Neil Armstrong this question as he and Buzz Aldrin investigate a crashed spacecraft on the lunar surface. The camera dives into the wreckage where we see an old Autobot lying lifeless—until one of his eyes lights up. Clearly, in this version of the Apollo 11 mission, we are not alone.

Giddy with excitement for this third installation in the Transformers movie franchise, I had to ask myself what it is about giant robots that change into vehicles that so many millions of people find appealing. Speaking for myself, I joke that Optimus Prime is my ideal man. He’s loyal, he’s dignified, he’s protective, and he’s zen until he has to fight. Then he fights with ferocity, and for the right reasons. He also has nice guns, and you gotta love those baby blues.

There’s no such thing as Transformers, though, right? Aren’t they pure fantasy, an extension of a childhood cartoon series that has been morphed into a trio of successful action flicks? Many people would argue that they’re just good entertainment, and that there’s no equivalent to Transformers in real life.

But there are. We are not alone. It is naïve of us humans to think that we are the only life form in the universe just because we don’t physically see anyone else. If we could flip some sort of metaphysical light switch, we would see them standing right next to us.

The word for them in the Bible is messengers. They are ministering spirits, servants of God, sent to do His work. Christmas is a great time to discuss the mysterious beings called angels because angels played such a huge role in the Christmas story.

The archangel Gabriel visited Zachariah to tell him that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son. Six months after John the Baptist was conceived, Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth’s cousin Mary and told her she would have a son, Jesus. When she became expectant without any rational explanation, her fiancée Joseph was warned by an angel, in a dream, not to divorce her.

When the child was born, an angel suddenly appeared to shepherds near Bethlehem telling them of the joyous event. He was soon joined by a great many jubilant angels. Thirty-three years later, at dawn on a Sunday morning, two angels would ask Jesus’ friends why they were looking for the living among the dead when they visited a recently vacated tomb.

Into the threads of God’s Word are woven many accounts of these heavenly messengers. While only two are named, Gabriel and Michael, it seems that the angels might be as varied and diverse as we are. They come in a variety of forms, and Hebrews tells us to be kind to strangers, because we have entertained them without knowing it. As with their cinematic counterparts, there can be more to them than meets the eye.

Ezekiel described fabulous creatures with multiple eyes and wings, with wheels and fire and animal features. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood in a furnace with a man that Nebuchadnezzar described as a “son of God”. Genesis tells of an angel with a flaming sword flashing back and forth placed east of Eden to prevent man’s reentry.

Abraham and Sarah were visited by three men who assured them they would have a son in spite of their old age. Gideon had quite the dialogue with either an angel or God Himself before he fulfilled his destiny. An angel was with Daniel in the lion’s den.

Like the Transformers, they were created before us, and the Bible tells us that there are both good and bad angels. In the Transformers mythology, there are good guys, the Autobots, and bad guys, the Decepticons.

Angels and Autobots. Demons and Decepticons. I don’t want to equate Transformers with angels, but the comparison is interesting. They had a common origin but chose to go radically different ways, like real angels. Even the names of some of the Decepticons remind me of Judeo-Christian tradition, like Megatron and The Fallen.

C.S. Lewis tells us that “of all created beings the wickedest is one who originally stood in the immediate presence of God.” The darkness once known as Lucifer was a dazzlingly beautiful angel who became jealous of His creator and led a rebellion against Him. We are told that he and the third of the angelic host that followed him were cast to earth like a bolt of lightning. The first few chapters of Genesis give us some idea of some disturbing and unnatural things that happened after that. Combined with our free will, those events altered the course of our race, making a savior necessary.

Like the Decepticons, fallen angels are hell-bent on their own agenda. They are constantly trying to interfere with the Creator and His beloved creations. They operate in stealthy ways that have billions of people scoffing at the notion that they or He are real. As Kevin Spacey’s character in The Usual Suspects said, the greatest trick the devil ever played on the world is convincing them that he doesn’t exist. Ronald Knox said that it is stupid of modern civilization to have given up believing in the devil when he is the only explanation of it.

As in the Transformers movies, there really is a war between good and evil going on. Our lives are a series of choices between selfishness and selflessness, a sometimes seemingly constant struggle of what’s easy versus what’s right. Both sides have undercover agents operating to achieve their agenda, one side to deceive and conquer, and the other to protect, strengthen, and liberate. The evil ones know that they can’t win and so desperately try to snatch as many of God’s children from His arms as they can in the time they have left.

We ask why there seems to be an increase in evil in the world when man should be more enlightened and cultured than ever before. Perhaps there are forces at work besides us humans. If you are skeptical that our universe really could be that multi-layered, or are unsure that evil exists, then talking to a crime victim might help convince you. Many victims have looked straight into the dark eyes of someone who is entertaining or has succumbed to the losing team.

We are told not to fear, as author Frank Peretti calls it in his bestseller involving angels, this present darkness. An infinitely greater force is at work, and He said that He will “command His angels concerning you” (Psalm 91, also quoted by Jesus in the New Testament). While the Accuser—for that is what his name means—chips away at our hopes, our dreams, and our self-worth, God is on His throne, unfettered by time and space, working on our behalves.

While it is clear that we are not to pray to, worship, or deify His messengers, we know that they exist. They’re His servants, not ours. We know that the authentic ones, the good guys, always do His will and go by the Book. Any deviation from the Manufacturer’s Handbook signals a counterfeit.

Sometimes we wonder where they are, or where God is, when horrific and unconscionable events happen, and I don’t have answers to those questions. I do know that many of us can recall at least one time in our lives when we were sure that we were protected in a way that defies physical law.

Like the subject of C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, someday when we graduate to the next level, we will meet the very angels that now stand sentry on our front fenders, who sit on our roofs at night, and who silently walk next to our children on the way to school. We will realize that they were there far more often than we thought.

So to those who find themselves wishing for their very own Autobot to hide in plain sight and transform into a formidable protector when evil comes calling, know that such guardians do exist. While it is not important that we know their names or skill sets, it is comforting to know that we are not alone.

Maybe this is why some of us like the Transformers movies. It’s possible that the fascination with these giant, justice-driven robots stems from a deep desire to put a face on our allies. Through our sci fi fantasies we express our curiosity about who else is out there, and our imaginations can create heroes and villains similar to those that already exist.

No, we are not alone. There are others. There is so much we don’t know about them, and I’m not sure that we’re meant to know a lot about angels in this phase of our existence. We might become obsessed with them, or give them a place of honor that only God should have.

Ultimately, they are messengers that are pointing the way to Him, just like they did two thousand years ago over the hills of Judea. He is the Way, and all the angels rejoice when you find Him.

What can we know? What are we all? Poor silly half-brained things peering out at the infinite, with the aspirations of angels and the instincts of beasts.
–Arthur Conan Doyle

Wish Like a Little Girl!

By Karen Rae Elkins

Do wishes come true? In the wee hours of the night I stepped outside on the patio to watch the moonlight dance over the lake. I saw a shooting star but didn't make a wish. Some say if you wish upon a shooting star your wish will come true. When I was a child, I use to wish for things. You know, the birthday wish, the wish you made when the clasp of your necklace touched your charm, or wishing on an eye lash that fell to your cheek. My favorite time to wish was on the feather like petals of a dandelion flower. If you could blow all of the petals off in one blow, your wish was certain to come true. 

 I've recently discovered that abuse can kill the child in you. Just when I thought I was getting it "all together" there is yet another journey to be taken. It's the journey back to the child in me. Healing from abuse seems to be like a kaleidescope of sorts. You turn the gear and discover yet another image to study deeply. I see glimpses of the little girl in me sometimes when I'm fishing. Probably because I fished as a child. Some of my fondest memories were made while fishing. I didn't know it at the time but I believe fishing can build character that will sustain you throughout your life. It gave me a sense of who I am.

It was a different time when I was a child. I didn't know abuse in the world I lived in. I was fearless. The water didn't scare me. Could I swim back then? No, but I could tread water if I had to. There were no dangers in the water, just the invitation to play.  Most girls my age would scream at the sight of crickets and worms. But, not me. I saw bugs and Mayflies as opportunity. "Touching bugs", that was so me. When there was a fish at the end of my line I saw a creature of pure beauty.  Every fish was an chance to marvel at differences. I admired each catch from mouth to fin.  I found joy in the multitude of color that made the fish unique. When the fish were not biting, there were always river banks to explore. I would turn over rocks to see what treasure was hiding underneath. Sometimes the treasure wasn't a treasure at all. It would be a dead fish or worse a snake. Still it didn't stop me from turning over another rock or looking under a piece of driftwood. I'd gather rocks like they were gold and muscle shells as if they were silver.

It's time to bring back the little girl in me. I've missed her fearless spirit, her dare to explore ways, the ability to see treasures all around, and belief that wishes can come true. It is after all Christmas. The time of the birth of my Lord, Jesus Christ. He said it best when he said, "Be as little children." On the 13th of December, the eve before this blog publishes there was a meteor shower over North America. The skies over my home were clear and cold.  I had some special hot chocolate to keep me warm as I watched the show from my patio. I decided to re-connect with the child in me once again and I made lots of Christmas wishes for my sisters who are in the bondages of abuse. I may not have known your name but I know what you have been through or are experiencing right now. 

To the one in three women like me, this was my wish for you. I wish you knew that wherever you are in your journey, you are not alone. You have not been forgotten. I know your struggles. It is my strongest desire that you learn to be safe and protect yourself. I hope you know how precious you are to God. What has happened to you doesn't make you the monster he's told you you are. It makes you a very strong woman, capable of your hearts desire. May you find your anchor in life. Capture all that is good in this life and never let go. Release the doubt in yourself.  Be the captain of your own boat. I long to see better days for you and times of peace and hope. I wish you'd take a chance to breathe in without fear and exhale without despair. I wish you could see the lights I see and know they speak of healing and love. Let it be. 

Until next time, fish steady my friends in all you do. Merry Christmas and Best Fishes this New Year. May it be an incredible year for fishing women out of the depths of abuse. 

The Land of Never Enough

By Neil Schori

I don't know about you, but I never seem to have enough.  Most of my months have a few days left in them when my paycheck ends.  My house feels like a zoo at least half of the time because I've got 5 people under a roof made for 2.  Sometimes when I look around these affluent suburbs, I can convince myself that I'm the only person around here that isn't a CEO of a Fortune 500 company.  Never enough.  Can you relate to any of this?

But when I slow down, I become aware that the truth is really different than my lying perception and my fickle heart.  I'm getting ready to leave for Haiti in a few days to serve some of the world's poorest people and then two days after I return, I'll be with my family celebrating Thanksgiving.  I need this desperately.  Both of these events will be such beautiful reality-checks for me and keep me grateful for what I do have in the land of "never enough." 

Right now, I want to tell you about two things that make my heart nearly burst with joy.  The first is you.  I'm deeply honored to journey alongside all of you passionate seekers of justice for victims of domestic violence.  

Without all of you, the journey would not have the same meaning.  Why?  Because we were made for relationship.  We were never meant to walk this road in isolation.  Just ask any victim of domestic violence what her perpetrator's main tool was and you'll discover quickly that she was forced out of all of her meaningful relationships so that her abuser could in effect control her every move.  Isolation breeds confusion and fear.  Relationships bring the truth to light.

I'm also incredibly thankful for my DNA.  I'm not talking about my parents here, but I am thankful for them too.  The genetics I'm talking about are more enduring than an earthly blood-line.  I'm an advocate for the abused and oppressed because I have a Savior that has shown me the Way.  

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus came down to Earth.  He lived a perfect life even while dealing with all of the things that make me angry and cynical and at times completely unpleasant to be around.  He showed me that I don't have to fight for my own way.  I no longer have to "look out for #1."  He showed me that real life...not the "life" that comes from the land of "never enough," but the kind of life that makes you know why you were made to be in this world...comes from selfless service and sacrificial love.  He showed me that selflessness always trumps self-serving.  And this Jesus died for my sins so that I could be forgiven of all the wrong that I've ever done.  I'm an advocate because Jesus was my Advocate first.

Take some time to slow down over the next couple of months in between your over-eating and Black Friday shopping, and think about those things that make you truly grateful.  I would bet that not one thing on your list can be bought.  Tonight, while I'm engulfed in the artificial light of this computer monitor, I'm thankful for the real light you fighters for justice have brought to my life.  And I'm profoundly aware of the God who loves me and called me to real life and such meaningful work.

With a Grateful Heart,

Neil 


Editor's note:  Neil is now in Haiti.  You can follow him on Twitter ( @neilschori ) or leave a comment here on the blog, I'm sure he will appreciate your support.

The Pretty Church

By Charles Moncrief


Gina was a survivor of domestic violence, emerging from the effects of an abusive first husband and rebuilding her life with Steve, her current husband. Never content merely to survive, Gina wanted to help others going through the kind of experience she had. She formed a foundation dedicated to the prevention and remedy of domestic violence and its effects. She and Steve also presented the concept to the senior pastor of their church as a ministry opportunity. The pastor’s refusal even to consider the possibility was a slap in the face as painful as the injuries of her first marriage.


Gina and Steve were members of what we'd commonly call a "mega-church." Personally, I’d call it a "pretty church." The Pretty Church often has limited value for the currently suffering, other than as a beacon in the distance to provide inspiration to those who can see it.


Characteristics of The Pretty Church include attention to its preservation and growth, its distancing from what it teaches, its size, its attention to public and internal image, and its tiered structure of administration and congregation. These are all interrelated, but they each have their distinguishing elements.


PREACHING AND PRAXIS


This is the church-speak equivalent of practicing what you preach. In the eyes of the outside observer, The Pretty Church’s tendency to preach one thing and practice another is almost a given. The church teaches a lot that is NOT pretty, so The Pretty Church distances itself from its teachings. Let me give two quick modern-day examples, using Luke 7. In the narrative Jesus is dining with religious high-rollers when an unacceptable woman breaks into the banquet hall. She runs to Jesus and weeps all over his feet and wipes them with her hair, much to the disgust of the other guests. The Pretty Church’s congregation, under its collective breath, is cheering “Way to go, Jesus” as he rebukes the indignant guests. But neither the preacher nor the congregation will face the fact that Jesus, after saying “Your sins are forgiven” doesn’t say “go and sin no more.” She’s likely captive in white slavery, and Jesus knows it will be some time before she can escape her oppressor.


My first modern example is at the million-dollar retirement party of The Pretty Church’s senior pastor. Present are business, political, and other church leaders. In the corner is an insignificant clergyman from a small church across town, invited because he and the pastor were once friends. As the dignitaries eat and speak, suddenly a woman of the street breaks in and rushes to the token clergyman. As she collapses sobbing into the man’s arms, he takes her out of the banquet hall as the dignitaries curse the two of them. The bouncers are close behind, making sure of a quick return to order. The clergyman comforts the woman, reassuring her that he’s working on her escape from the street life. But he cautiously reminds her that some of her pimp’s clients are in the banquet hall, and that her pimp uses real bullets.


My second modern example is The Pretty Church’s Wednesday evening service. Virginia Dale, the guest speaker, wows them with tales of her pre-conversion life as an exotic dancer with Sally Rand and her past exploits with such notables as Jack Ruby. In celebration for the return of the prodigal, The Pretty Church kills the fatted calf. But then the congregation sees Heather Lou sitting in the audience, sobbing uncontrollably as she’s desperately seeking help to escape from the gentlemen’s club and its stranglehold. And the congregation kills not the fatted calf, but Heather Lou.

SIZE OF THE SHIP AND IMAGE-MANAGEMENT


The larger church typically has a large operating budget with reserves and an endowment to weather the storms of economic uncertainty. It also has the ability to sponsor numerous programs for member and guest participation, as well as a physical plant and staff to oversee such indirect outreach programs as Operation Head Start and Family Gateway.


But the larger church, in order to sustain the large operating budget, must give major attention to its public image. For example, when Jerry Falwell commented about the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center, world media outlets had a field day and damage control became a multi-year project. This leads to a paranoia that paralyzes The Pretty Church and makes them hesitant to take on any sort of controversy.


In addition to its public image, The Pretty Church must continually attract and hold large and financially strong members. It must compete effectively with other mega-churches and with the smaller ones. This requires attention to internal eye-appeal as well. The auditorium must be made beautiful with the arrangement of the performers' stage, the baptistery, the choir section, and the musicians. It must be purged of elements that would lead to controversy. Any depictions of social outreach, God\'s love for the poor, and the seedy people that Jesus associated with, are not allowed. If a cross is present at all in the auditorium, it tends to be shiny metal or well-manicured wood. Any thought of showing Jesus on the cross is quickly done away with.

US AND THEM


The worship structure is in an auditorium resembling a concert hall, with paid and volunteer musicians and a preacher who delivers a 45- to 60-minute message. The congregation's part is to sing with the musicians, listen to the sermon, and make responses when prompted. This hierarchical worship format tends to be the model of church administration as well. The leaders tend to become isolated, surrounding themselves with a small number of trusted advisors who insulate them from the needs and interests of their members.


The sermons speak of God's love for the poor, but in general and to protect its income stream Jesus' words about woes to the rich are severely qualified with a version of "I don't mean you who earned your fair wages." All words of welcome that Jesus extended tend to be followed by having the less acceptable worshipers do the equivalent of sitting in the back of the bus. In effect, the worship space must be "pretty." Any reference to Jesus' death on the cross, or any mention of blood, must remain abstract; it's OK to speak about the fact of Jesus' suffering, but it's never acceptable to speak of the forensics of death by crucifixion. References to "taking up your cross" are metaphorical, in the form of dealing with obnoxious co-workers. The fear is that members will jump ship if they are ever confronted with the true cost of their salvation, or with the true meaning of the Great Commission to go into all the world (Matthew 28:19-20).


This sentiment spills over to the church's programs. Programs tend to include the socially accepted ones, such as hospital visitation, divorce and addiction recovery, travel, book discussions, international mission support, and Bible studies.


Occasionally, depending on the demographics, the church may also include a program of re-entry into society following a prison sentence -- as long as the ex-offender's crimes fit within acceptable limits. But certain programs tend to be absolutely off limits, especially anything that ministers to victims of crime and violence. This is a continuation of keeping the church "pretty." Domestic violence is a taboo topic inside as well as outside the church, so Gina and Steve were definitely behind the curve. A rape victim, or someone disfigured by violent crime, suddenly puts a face onto the things comfortably kept on the other side of a wall. Occasionally such a face can be a guest speaker, with overhead slides and handouts, and the speaker then takes food and money over the wall to the recipients. A good time is had by all, and nobody has to take hand-wipes to photo-ops.


THE DEFENSE


Because of the need to be "pretty," the experts have constructed an eloquent defense of their practices.

• If we're pretty, we attract a lot of resources (oops, members and checkbooks) and can reach out with greater effectiveness to glorify God.
• If we're pretty, we can appeal to a wider range of worshipers at all levels of their Christian maturity. Substantive theology can be pursued in Sunday schools and Bible studies.
• Icons in our auditorium? Stained-glass depictions of Jesus eating with prostitutes and tax collectors? Heaven forbid that we would put these idols into the same place where we worship God in Spirit and Truth!
• A crucifix in our auditorium? This is crucifying Christ again!

This combined attitude borders on hypocrisy, and it is what Gina and Steve ran up against. It flies in the face of the Great Commission, and it sanitizes religion to remove all of the call in Matthew 25.


THE REMEDY


Fixing the problem is simple in theory, and it can be seen in some very happy exceptions. One of these is The Rock Church in San Diego. Under its Senior Pastor, Miles McPherson, The Rock Church runs several programs that meet people where they are, without judgment. Two such programs are "JC’s Girls," an exit program for women who honestly want to stop dancing in gentlemen’s clubs, and "Luv 'em Up," a ministry to those of different mental ability.


For resource, here are a few links provided by friends who reviewed the draft of this article.
http://openlibrary.org/b/OL8218313M/Showtime!_Worship_in_the_Age_of_Show_Business which tackles primarily the church as more eye candy than "heart candy."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finley_Peter_Dunne who is credited with the quote "Comfort the afflicted, afflict the comfortable."
http://urban.pcpc.orghttp://urban.pcpc.org, a mega-church that has addressed this matter creatively. Instead of creating a ministry to "the least of these," they actively support several Christian ministries in the area. They have an urban ministries staff pastor to oversee this work and invite members to volunteer. It’s not a direct involvement, but this is a start.
http://www.theraveproject.org, which addresses these complex issues from a Christian perspective was born out of rejections and disappointments.


I received indirect references to others, but these are samples. It’s heartwarming to know that these do exist, and that we’re not pioneering the concept. We have a long way to go, but a start has been made out there. Hopefully, in your own journey you will accumulate some resources and share them as well.


We've all heard it said, "If the job of the captain was to protect the safety of the ship, he'd never leave port." I once heard this quote in a sermon, paradoxically by a senior pastor who would never do anything to put his physical plant at risk.


Contrast this to the fictional Prime Directive of the "Star Trek" series. We can learn a lot when a church puts this idea into practice. When a church places God's priorities over the protection of its assets and income, when the endowment principal is spent on outreach to the hurting of the world, that church finds itself depending on the faith it promotes among its membership. It must seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and trust the Heavenly Father to provide for its own needs.


What a concept!


Grace and Peace,
Charles+