Word Play

I went to spend some time with my 13 year old niece last weekend. Her new favorite movie is Mean Girls, which seems to be a mock representation of the real world today. This movie was PG-13 and it had an interesting color of language. Either I am getting old and while getting old I am getting more conservative or I just don't feel comfortable watching a movie like that with my niece.

One of the words that these teenage girls seemed to use so casually was the word  - well, it rhymes with "itch." It struck me in a new way. When I was growing up we called people that because we didn't like them or because they were simply that. Now that word has come to be such a causality among people. It almost has become flattery.  The definition has changed. I recently also watched another movie called Everything is Illuminated. This movie was placed in the Ukraine and the family that was focused on had a female dog. They referred to the dog with that word simply because that is the original definition of the word. It wasn't offensive, it was just how the word was originanally supposed to be used. This word started off with one definition and as culture formed and changed, this word changed.

This tends to be the same with intimacy. Intimacy used to be linked with the idea to be honest and clear about something. This idea then turned into a friendship. Now I look at intimacy and it doesn't seem to have much meaning anymore. Lust has seemed to replace it. Not only in the sexual realm but in the friend realm as well. We want friends who have money and who seem put together. We don't want our children playing with 'bad children' that come from rough homes. We lust after things and people who are successful and who have it made. We live in a world where intamacy is a price tag on a shirt that is not really affordable and so we get a knock off at the Target down the street.

This intimacy has shifted in such a way from when it began. The word and the idea has changed and has formed to the culture that it has been involved in. The question is how do I still fulfill these cravings to be known? I so want to be known but I don't know how I can reach that point. I have started asking people. I asked the Batista at Star bucks, and I asked my neighbors. I even asked my mom. No one seemed to know how to reach this craving. I mean they gave me some answers like; make more money and it will go away, it's just a phase you'll get over it, or my favorite, are you having a mid-life crisis?

Then I talked to one of my co-workers and he invited me to his church. Now I have never been much of a church goer but he said that this church changed his life and it even saved his marriage. I'm still skeptical but they are having a series called Soul Cravings and hopefully it will help me answer some of my questions. It's called Community Christian Church, have any of you heard of it? I will tell you  how it goes, but until then I'm still searching.

Comments

[Shelley]

Today's culture really has pulled us away from true intimacy. Its really sad. Fortunately, I myself have found some answers. It is not something you can just walk into and it is suddenly there, its something you have to persue.
Maybe you can find some answers by getting to know some of the people at church. I myself have found that some folks at Community Christian seem to have gotten it. I really enjoy going there. Community is more than just a name, maybe that can help you out.

[Jon DeWitt]

I pray that you enjoy your visit to Community Christian Church. One little "Hint" of advice. Please do not be intimidated by those around you. You may think that you and only you are the only one that "Doesn't get it". Know that EVERYONE there goes through the same struggles, burdens,questions as you! They've all come from different paths in their search for THE TRUTH of our Lord and Savior. So open up Craveman and follow your heart!
Blessings to you
jon