We frequently confuse internal biochemistry (caused by habits and genetics) with external events. If we didn’t, marketing wouldn’t work nearly as well… We don’t say, “I’m genetically pre-disposed to mild depression,” or “I haven’t exercised in a while and I spend a lot of time watching TV,” instead, we say, “I’m disappointed because I don’t make enough money and my boss is mean to me.” And yet, someone in the very same circumstances seems much happier than we are. And somehow, nothing ever happens in our career that makes everything all right forever… We don’t say, “I eat to drown out the way I feel about my mom,” instead we say, “Hey, if it’s on a salad bar, it must be good for me. And anyway, next month is my birthday”… The external world is remarkably consistent, and yet we blame it for what’s going on inside of us.

Take another minute and read the whole thing.

Jesus Loves Everyone from Jeff Gill on Vimeo.

I filmed this with my 10-12 year-old group on Friday. We showed it at our Sunday meeting today and I spoke on the scandalous love of Jesus. Substitute a few names, and you’ve got a sketch that is guaranteed to get people thinking. Greg Boyd would be proud.

He likes design. He designs with Lego and pen and paper and animation software and Photoshop and bits of stuff out in the garden. He has one of those non-stop creative brains. But reading is not a big thing with him. I’ve never heard him remark casually, I’m going to go read my bible for an hour.

So what I’m going to do is combine his love for creating with my design skills and the book of Romans. Each weekday morning this summer I will give him a design assignment that is based on a concept in Romans. In the evenings we will evaluate the work together from both a scriptural and design perspective. There will be a blog.

I’ve chosen Romans because in his group he is already going through Genesis on Friday nights and the life of Jesus on Sunday mornings.

If all goes well, he will finish the summer with a solid understanding of the work of Christ in him and he will have a head start on a creative career. I am so excited about this!

Two people in a queue. They stand uncomfortably for a bit (draw it out) then start to talk.

Woman: So you signing up for the kingdom of God?

Man: Yeah. You?

Woman: Mmm hmm.

(pause)

Man: It’s going to be great.

Woman: I know. I can’t wait.

(pause)

Man: Finally, God is going to have his way.

Woman: Filling all the world with love.

Man: Destroying all the wickedness.

Woman: Peace on earth.

Man: War like you’ve never seen it.

Both: What?!

Woman: What are you talking about?

Man: The Kingdom of God.

Woman: But that’s what I’m—

Man: I’m so sick of all these perverts and politicians and prostitutes and pimps and taxes and hoodies and emos and chavs and other religions full of hate and communists and fascists and Lib Dems. But God’s going to set things right. He’s going to make an army of good decent people and we’re going to get together and kick wickedness in the teeth and then we’re going to jack these sickos up against the wall and say, Jesus loves you, so you better start living right or I’m going to kick you across the channel into France. And the dirty frogs can keep you because we don’t want your type here.

Woman: That’s not the kingdom of God.

Man: Oh no? I say that’s exactly what the kingdom of God is – good, decent British people who’ve had enough taking charge of things again. When we’ve got the power, when were in charge, then things will be just the way God wants them.

Woman: No, no, no! That’s not right. The kingdom of God is lovely and fluffy like a little sleeping kitten. Jesus died so that I can feel good all the time and never be sick and never have problems and all the sadness will go away because everyone loves each other and gives each other lots of hugs. And when I get in the kingdom of God I can eat cream cakes all the time because the kingdom of God sets me free from calories.

Man: That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.

Woman: No it’s not! And anyway, God’s not mean like you.

Man: Look, sister, if you can’t handle a litle bit of tough love, then maybe the kingdom of God isn’t for you.

Woman: It is for me! Now stop stomping all over my dreams, you nasty man.

Woman proceeds to beat him around the head, drop him to the ground with a knee to the groin, then kick and hit him while singing: Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The bible tells me so. (Exits)

Man raises up from the floor, shakes his fist at her and calls: When God puts me in charge, I’m putting your type in prison!

Here is the poem:

I’m checking out the people as I walk down the street.
I’m passing out my judgements on everyone I meet.
You’re snide.
You’ve died.
You’re far too wide.
You’ve cried.
You lied.
You want a date? Denied!

I’m feeling good about myself. I’m whistling a tune.
I’ve grown superior to you like a great big balloon.
You’re weak.
You geek.
You greasy freak,
Don’t speak.
You leak.
I’d call that nose a beak.

I’ve had a lot of practice from watching the TV.
That old Simon Cowell ain’t got nothing over me.
You sing?
Don’t sing!
My ears will sting.
Don’t cling.
You’re wrin-
kling my clothes, you ming.

My reputation is the world’s greatest cynic.
I justify my arrogance by being ironic.
Green pus.
Size plus.
Your bum’s a bus –
Discuss.
Don’t fuss,
You hippopotamus.

Hey! Where are you going. Don’t just walk away.
I’ll joke about someone else and not you for today.
Stay here.
Have beer.
I like you near,
It’s clear.
Oh dear.
Fine! I’ll sit right here and sneer.

I’m feeling rather lonely up here in my room.
My friends have all departed. I’m in a fog of gloom.
They’re bad
I’m sad
I’m really mad
Not glad
They had
To hate my cynical fad.

The only other thing you need to know about this is that is that it worked and it probably made Jesus happy.

Amen.