aliens among us

Subtitle: An unacceptable risk

I went to a church last night with some trepidation, some fear, some negative anticipation in my heart. I was afraid that the last thing that I wanted to happen, would happen. And it did. I knew that it could happen, that by going, I risked finding out that my fear was true. But it was an acceptable risk. What is the difference between an acceptable risk and an unacceptable risk? It’s pretty simple. The acceptable risk is the one you take.

More after the more break.

I stayed longer than I planned, and had a good time talking to three of my fellow blogging neighbors(yes, like it or not, the second greatest commandment is still the theme. grin). Here they are:

1. Ben Nockels – Author of Mars Hill Journey. Ben, your posts are way too long. Hey, just some advice from a fellow very wordy guy. If you want to keep writing really long posts, use a gimmick. This might hurt your feelings. We writers hold our precious words far too close to our hearts. Having somebody else spank them is very similar to somebody else spanking our children. I don’t think so!

But it’s an acceptable risk. You’re a pastor. I’m sure you have learned to deal with “well intended” criticism by now(grin). Us blog readers are fickle. The denser the message, the shorter it needs to be. Your posts are way, way too dense for the length. We’ll put up with length, but you have to make it light, fluffy and entertaining. And make it at least LOOK short. I use this one a lot. Dividing it up into smaller, easier to digest chunks.

2. Esther – Author of Who said anything about safe? She’s not joking. She doesn’t live safely, and is still young enough not to realize how much danger she’s in. Now that’s a very risky statement for me to make. She’s young and impressionable. I worry when I make statements about or to young people. They may mistake my age for wisdom or authority that I don’t have. But in her case, I feel it’s an acceptable risk. I’ve already challenged her on this issue. She stated categorically “Yes, I believe this is where He has called me.” I can have all the opinion I want. I don’t think it will change hers.

Esther of the many shoes, keep the shoes. Wear the shoes. Be the shoes. OK, maybe not that last one. (grin). Esther had the patience to sit through both a “grandfather story”, and a “when my self-esteem was so low I lived on the streets” story. I told them to her even though I got the distinct impression she was already familiar with them. That didn’t stop me from telling them again, just in case she missed the import the first time. Did I mention I’m old? (grin)

3. Rex Barrett – Author of The Collective. Nice guy. Great blog. Less filling?(grin) Actually pretty filling. The only reason I said that is because Rex told me that unlike me, he sometimes has a hard time saying risky things. I know you revealed something important about you, but watch it! If that wasn’t so accurate about me I might be offended! (grin) But now it’s your turn.

I don’t mind taking some risks with what I say online. These three people are probably well aware that I don’t take the same risks in person. It’s a character flaw, I admit it. I’m a much nicer, kinder, gentler paravane in real life, and gosh darn it, people like me!

That’s the reality. We are all much nicer, kinder and gentler in person. Whether we want to be or not(grin). I’ll risk a lot more here than I ever will to your face. Try it Rex. What’s life without risk? Actually, I know the answer to that one. It’s boring. (grin)

Which brings me to the last blogger. The hidden, unspoken about until now blogger:

4. Jay. Sorry that’s all I have to go on right now. Ben, can you get me the name of Jay’s blog? I can forget the name of Jay’s blog, but I can’t forget Jay. He does something that prevents that. He makes me uncomfortable. That always catches my attention. (grin)

Jay and I had an intense conversation. I can’t remember a word of it. Jay does something bold. I don’t know if it’s a fashion statement of his all the time, or just for church. He wears some form of very colorful tie or bow tie with a t-shirt. It’s my kind of style! Just off enough that it distracts the normals from everything else about you. It’s not just the style, it’s the calm intensity with which he wears it. Or the calm intensity with which it wears him? One or the other.

The thing that is bothering me is that I don’t consider myself a normal. All you normals seem alike to me is not just a personal motto! Jay bothers me. But not in a bad way. Still, the fact that I’m carrying on about him and this style when nobody, including Jay, has actually said anything about it, well that’s a risk. What If I offend Jay? Or his pastor, Ben? Or somebody just reading this blog?

I should be the last person to talk about someone else’s sense of style. Mine consist solely of jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes. And my leather jacket when it’s even barely cool enough to get away with wearing it. Hmm…I wonder where Jay get’s his ties…

But it’s an acceptable risk. You aliens are a risk to me. All of you. No exceptions allowed. If you claim to represent “the answer” then I get to ask “the questions”. (grin)

I can hear you all now. “jimmy, I read through this entire post, and I haven’t found any reference whatsoever to your subtitle. You said the subtitle is what you usually use to give the real theme away.” Well, I didn’t this time. I realize this may irritate you enough that you stop reading my blog. That’s OK. It’s an acceptable risk.

This time, the subtitle is the title of my next post. Clever huh? OK that’s not fair. I’m suppose to end with a question you can actually respond to in a comment…I know! Can you guess what the subtitle of my next post will be?