Wingman

I can understand why you would think that the wingman idea came from Top Gun. I thought so too. You know what a wingman is, the pilot on your wing who flies next to you, working in tandem, to conqueror the bandit ensuring that you’re not caught by an unsuspecting bogey.

This idea has translated into a common idea amongst guys, the wingman. The guy who sticks with you, helps you out, watches your back. The guy you can count on to be looking out for your best interest, whose direction is aligned with yours.

I came to the conclusion in thinking about it that the idea actually started in the Bible. Think about it… when Jesus was hanging on the cross, what’s one of the key things he did. He looked at John (the disciple Jesus loved) and directed that His (Jesus’) Mother was now his mother and John, her son. Jesus was about to die and never live the ‘normal’ life on earth again. His mom was already a widow. Jesus was her firstborn son. Without Jesus to take care of her, she may well end up as a city beggar. Jesus needed his best guy to come through for him and look out for his interests where He couldn’t. He needed His wingman to come through for Him.

And how about David and Jonathan? These guys were tight. Jonathan realized that David’s future as king meant that he would not be king. Even so, he protected David from Saul (Jonathan’s Dad, the king), risking his own life. These guys had a great friendship that money, power, fear, none of our normal motivators got in the way of.

What I’m talking about is much deeper than just a friend or just a person to keep you accountable. I’m talking about someone who knows everything about you and likes and trusts you throughout. Even when you don’t feel the same way about yourself.

I’ve got a great wingman or two and I wouldn't trade it. If you can’t say that you do, you’re missing out. Go find one, make one, whatever it takes. Look around at your close friends. Try to develop that kind of a friendship. Pray for God to bring someone into your life.

“That was some great flying, right up until the point that you got killed. You never ever leave your wingman.”

Out.

Is Bono the most influential person on earth?

And if he is, should he be?

I want to hear some comments on this one.

Bono is a hero. He really is. Rock star with a message. Celebrity with a heart. Christian without judgement.

Always right? No, I'd say not. But as is, with his 'Bonologues', he's called egomaniacal and pompous. Were he was always right or always got his way … he’d lose his edge.

At one point Bono was quoted as saying he was willing to sleep with the devil if he could lift the boot of world debt off the necks of the dying. That's the cry of a desperate heart.

When I look at Bono I see the world's greatest rock star and an important influencer in world politics. It amazes me that in today's society a Christian could get to be in that kind of position. Say what you want, but Bono is one of the world's leading voices for the poor and broken. It's like what would happen if you gave Mother Theresa some blue wrap arounds and told her that influence was what God wanted her to do to accomplish her goal.

To argue against Bono being the most influential person in the world you have to present some alternatives. Let's say entertainers: P. Diddy. No. Paul McCartney. No. Will Smith. No. No one's even close. There is no one in movies or in music who is as dominant as U2 is right now. If you doubt, you weren't with me trying to get U2 tix on Saturday. (For the record, I did get them... WOOHOO... and will be catching a show in MTL in Nov.) In sports, no one is transcending sports to make a difference worldwide. Michael Jordan - Nope. He spent his influence selling. I honestly think he could have had the same kind of influence on the world as Bono had he chosen to. But he didn't. In politics you would think you would find a great leader who influence the masses. But who? The US President? Bush has his followers, but his power comes from position. Tony Blair? No. Martin, Schroeder, Chirac? No. How about religion? The Pope? Yes, the Pope has influence, but in the same way George W. has. Were either to cease to hold their position tomorrow, who would they influence?

Bono's influence has come from his position as singer of U2, but his influence is not limited. People watch to see what Bono is doing. Bono's voice for social activism impacts the church and the world. He's known as The Pest around the White House and clearly has the ear of all of the Western world leaders.

What brought this subject to mind was the word this week that Bono had been considered to be the head of the World Bank. In fact, when Paul Wolfowitz was named by George W. to the position, in addition to calling world leaders, he called Bono twice in his first week on the job looking for his approval. Not a bad place to be for an Irish rock star with a high school education.
Love him or hate him, Bono is making his mark on the world as a voice for those without one.

This comes from his speech in U2’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Third Kodak moment: 1987, somewhere in the south. We'd been campaigning for Dr. King -- for his birthday to be a national holiday. In Arizona they're saying 'no,' and we'd been campaigning very, very hard for Dr. King. Some people don't like it. Some people get very annoyed. Some people want to kill the singer. Some people are taken very seriously by the FBI. They tell us that we shouldn't play the gig because tonight his life is at risk and must not go on the stage. The singer laughs. The singer pffts, you know. Of course, we're playing the gig! Of course, we go on stage! And I'm standing there singing "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and got to the third verse. I close my eyes. I know I'm excited about meeting my maker -- but maybe not tonight. I don't really want to meet my maker tonight. I closed my eyes and when I look up, I see Adam Clayton standing in front of me, holding his bass like only Adam Clayton can hold his bass. And, yeah, there's people in this room who tell you they'll take a bullet for you, but Adam Clayton would have taken a bullet for me -- and I guess that's what it's like to be in a truly great rock and roll band.

Out.

The Unknown

More from McManus

"Follow Me." He wants us to surrender our lives to Him and follow Him into the unknown. And if it means a life of suffering, hardship, and disappointment, it will be worth it because following Jesus Christ is more powerful and more fulfilling than living with everything in the world minus Him.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the mystery and mysticism of being lead by God. I find it hard to believe and, in fact, I 'know' in the non-cerebral sense that God has more than a buttoned down, civilized experience for us. The Bible talks at length about the unusual experiences we are to expect and the supernatural power and authority we will require. Though much of the experiencial side of the faith gets distracted by the gifts and fails to use them for their true purpose, the unity of the body. I know I need to keep an open mind to anything and any way that builds up the body, leads others to Christ, fits with God's character and does not contradict scripture.

I feel like the ability to sense what God is doing more deeply, to see into the spiritual world more accutely, would only help me in doing God's work. To know better how to pray for people, to see where God is working in evangelism and to understand people's unspoken spiritual needs in discipleship are gifts I would love to receive from God.

1 Cor 12:29 - 31
Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages? No! And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts.

Clearly to make spiritual class distinctions from amongst Christians based on gifts is not biblical. We are saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit. My point is that I believe that part of surrendering to God and following Him into the unknown involves unknown experiences and those which do not follow the same restrictions as we face in our day to day tasks.

In other news, I've figured out what European tour I'm interested in and expect to have the package booked within the next day or so. I'm pumped! It'll likely be May 15 through 29 starting in Rome, going to Florence, Venice, Lucerne, Paris and ending in London. Four countries in 15 days. What adds to the drama is that I'll be in Newfoundland for the weekend of May 7 for a wedding I'm in and will be heading to Moncton for a conference on June 3 and 4 (with Bill Hybels). Further, I may get to go to Chicago June 6 through 9 for Supercomm (work conference). I've never been to Europe, to Newfoundland or to Chicago.

Out.

No Parking

I've been trying to figure out what to write in my blog. I mean, it's my blog so I can write what I want. But if no one wants to read it or it has no use, does it really have a use?

Maybe.

Anyways, Whalen spoke tonight at Seven. Good times, well done. I had no idea that Jesus talked like a Sole Harbour High kid, but no matter. I'm sure it's the first of many good thoughts that he'll share showing people the way to God.

All part of moving forward.

I think I'll use this blog to talk about people who's thoughts intrigue me. Some names that come to mind include Erwin McManus, Bono, Jim Wallis, Rich Lowry, Lawrence Lessig, Phillip Yancy...

Here's a thought from McManus
'Anyone who can picture Jesus as the great Advocate of tradition is doing some serious doctoring of biblical history... The uprising was to transcend culture, ethnicity, race, religion, status - every and any divide established by men... Let no one remain captive to the nefarious schemes of religionists who attempt to hold God for ransom. Let nothing prevent you or hinder you from providing mercy and forgiveness to those living under the burden of guilt and shame. Who could have guessed that a message of love could incite so much hostility?'

If you get a chance, read one of his books like The Barbarian Way, he's got some great insights. www.erwinmcmanus.com

Oh, and I just found out that they are finishing the renovations at my underground parking lot. So my No Parking ban will be done as of next week. It's good. I've had enough of the peasant wagon.

Out.