Theology from SpongeBob

It's my day off, and I'm watching the kids. What better way to pass the day than with SpongeBob Square Pants? Today's episode was about Mr. Crabs losing a special dollar bill to a blue lipped clam. This wasn't just any dollar bill, it was his 1,000,000nth dollar bill. So, he goes to exorbitant means to get it back. It begins with him driving the people around him crazy by getting them to pursue the clam and get back the dollar. That doesn't work, so then (in a stroke of genius much akin to Brett's gaining weight for the sole purpose of having some weight to lose) he offers a substantial reward to anyone who can help him get back his dollar. Yes, a reward for finding a dollar. I'm no math major, but.... Well, the reward doesn't work either, so he then uses SpongeBob and Squidward as bait to attract the clam, who then shows up with the dollar. Mr. Crabs still can't get the dollar from the clam, so he makes a deal with the clam - trade SpongeBob and Squidward for the dollar. What's the theology of this? I couldn't help but think of things in our lives that we desperately hang on to, or seek after, at the expense of those around us. In what ways do we cling to something of very little actual value, and in the process, we lose things of great value. What relationships do we endanger because of our overemphasis on work, or ministry, or the pursuit of self interests (or the almighty dollar)? What do we sacrifice of our own well-being, our own integrity, our own health, in pursuing things that don't really matter? What grudges do we carry, refusing to forgive others even as we watch ourselves negatively impacted by our vindictiveness and refusal to forgive? These are just some of my thoughts as I kick back and reflect on an absorbent, porous, yellow guy who lives in a pineapple under the sea. Nice to have a day off every now and then!

Right, Wrong, or Indifferent?

Back to Blogland after a very busy Advent season! The Magi came bearing gifts, I come bearing questions. I read Jeff Kahl's posts, some of which are political in nature (Poli-Sci undergrad, what else can I expect?) and I reflect on the commonalities between politics and religion. With politics, we have our parties: Republicans, Democrats, Independents. All hope to make positive changes and influence the world in positive ways, utlimately. They just have very fundamental disagreements on how to bring about such changes. Many democrats can't stand George Bush. Many republicans couldn't stand Bill Clinton. All are pretty much united against Hillary. Just kidding. But my point is, each party believes wholeheartedly that, in many areas, they are right and the other is wrong. Enter religion. Don't we see the same thing? Catholics believe they (and only they!) have the keys to the kingdom of heaven. In Methodism, the traditionalists believe they are right, the contemporary folks thing they have it right, the Conservatives believe they have the answers, the Liberals believe they do, and on and on and on. Without attempting to be divisive, I raise the question - who's right? Who's wrong? Who's indifferent? What really matters, and what doesn't?