Jonathots Daily Blog
(2277)
(Transcript)
In the midst of puberty, football, family problems, unbearable school work, insecurities and an unwillingness to walk the dog, I managed to wiggle in time to attend church.
I didn’t go there because I loved God or was fond of listening to sermons. Matter of fact, I couldn’t recall one single point from one of these elongated discourses. No, I went to the Steeple House to see church friends and because I had an abiding love for gospel music.
So when it was announced by our pastor that a competition would begin in the style of College Bowl, using the Bible for questions and answers, and that we would be competing with eleven other churches in our district, to win a trophy, I was immediately on board. It would give me a chance to be with my friends, carpool to new locations, and actively participate in a way to prove that I was better than others.
The first category for our pursuits was Acts of the Apostles, which had intelligently been shortened to the Book of Acts. We studied the material for three weeks. The teams were divided into Junior Bible League and Senior Bible League.
I was at an annoying age–the oldest in the Junior League, but youngest in the Senior League. So they stuck me in the younger group. We went out for the first competition and won handily against Milford.
Having a disconcerting mixture of ability and ego, I quickly decided that the Junior Bible League was beneath me, so I immediately began to lobby to be in the Seniors. This stimulated many discussions, church board meetings, and phone calls among pastors, all trying to decide if it was righteous for me to be with the older participants.
I think they wanted me to give it up. Yes, they figured that eventually I would stop asking.
But I didn’t.
So by the third contest, studying the Book of John, I wore them out and was placed on the Senior Team. Within two weeks, I was one of the starting members and on the third week was voted Captain.
Can I tell you the problem with progress? The reason life has steps to it is so we can enjoy the graduations–because even though I got my way and was on the Senior Team, I was stuck there for four years, with no further encouragement for ascension–just an expectation of ongoing winning.
For the first three years we won the trophy for the best Bible League Team in our district. But by the fourth year, quite honestly, I just wore out.
My jot was exhausted and my tittle lay dangling.
So the lasting memory of this experience is that we lost, in my final year, because of my indifference, and I shall forever be remembered as the guy who almost pulled it off.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to stand up against unreasonable rules and regulations. But often they are there to ease us into a joyous journey, where we have the pleasure of growing instead of the aggravating expectation of doing well … again.
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After an appearance earlier this year in Surprise, Arizona, Janet and I were blessed to receive a “surprise” ourselves. Click on the beautiful Arizona picture above to share it with us!
Please contact Jonathan’s agent, Jackie Barnett, at (615) 481-1474, for information about scheduling SpiriTed in 2014.
Sit Down Comedy … May 1st, 2020
Jonathots Daily Blog
(4397)
Normal people work abnormally hard to appear normal.
Not for me.
It seems exhausting, if not humiliating.
I am peculiar, set apart—engaged in an uncommon consciousness, constantly and purposely dismantling the complexity into its simpler units.
I am peculiar.
How do I know? I respond to the information provided.
I get on the bus in front of me, noting that it’s been a while since any buses have passed by. For to remain normal, you must coincide with the majority.
A vote is always being taken.
It would be best if you voted with the masses, but acceptably good if you change your mind and disappear into the crowd.
I am peculiar.
I don’t think women will gain equality by acting their rendition of being men. Matter of fact, the whole concept of gender equality is foolish since we are all so much the same. It makes me giggle that we continue to try to compare the two, when oneness seems obvious.
The black man will never be able to tell his black sister that they are humans as long as they’re encouraged to rally without seeing improvement, struggle minus achievement and fail to guard their offspring from being cursed as inferior due to crime and sloth.
Religion is the wicked stepmother who refuses to let the children sit and dine with Father. Religion wants Father all to herself, so she can stumble from His presence to establish the rules and regulations which turn seekers into the distraught.
I am peculiar because I don’t think art is a paint by number set, with stipulations being made up by frustrated, discordant human trolls who have lost their lust for life and sit around finding ways to mock and condemn the human race.
I am peculiar because I hate politics.
Politics dresses up in a jim-dandy suit and marches off, teaspoon in hand, to fill the ocean of need while simultaneously carrying a thimble to empty the shit-hole.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, our common sense is not allowed to be common and is spurned for having too much practicality.
I am peculiar.
I’m not better than anyone.
I wear my flaws and virtues in equal glory.
I am not superior.
I am satisfied with my humanity, sporting its knowledge of good and evil.
What I see are beautiful people who smear mud, acid, poison and medications all over themselves in an attempt to emerge beautiful.
Why? Because it’s normally accepted that we possess an ugliness that needs disguised.
I can no longer condone a God who hates humans and wants them to become little gods so He can destroy them for their presumption.
What’s it like to be normal? How does it feel?
Do you ever have a moment’s rest?
Do you grow weary in well-doing?
Do you ever wish to do less, yet become so much more?
Do you want your vote to be honored instead of tallied by crooked counters bound to a party?
Do you wish that heaven was more real because you feel God on the Earth?
Are you sick to death of being normal when it really isn’t your choice, but rather, a fallback position of a generation of frightened dreamers?
How peculiar.
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Tags: comedy, commentary, complexity, gender equality, Humanity, majority, masses, normal, paint by number, peculiar, politics, practicality, racism, regulations, religion, trolls