Thoughts from Pastor Stan

SERMON NOTES
AMAZING GRACE
August 17, 2008
INTRO
During the PASSING THE PEACE
QUESTION: Do you have more respect for people who say or do?
We will continue to wrestle from Batman the issue: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT’S WHAT YOU DO; that defines you” through the movie Amazing Grace
THREE WEEKS AGO - Brothers Karamazov
Point: If there is no God, all things are permissible
TWO WEEKS AGO - Citizen Kane
Point: Previous experience (“Rosebud”) can haunt us and impact our life and we can choose to respond by putting up “No Trespassing” signs.
LAST WEEK – Batman
Point: It’s not what you say, but what you do, that defines you (or action speak louder than words)
TODAY – “Amazing Grace”
This movie deserves more respect than it received.
SCRIPTURE # 1 – Romans 7: 14 - 20
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

QUESTION: Is this you (do you agree)? What causes us to go against our own sense of right and wrong, or the established law of right and wrong? Do we have guiding principles that we subscribe to; but there is something else, another guiding principle that “vetoes” the guiding principles we follow?
QUESTION: What do you value more, intention or the actual act?
POINT
Do it! There are many variables when making a decisions. Some of these variables have the power to veto/trump a guiding principal in our lives.

Guiding Principle: Jesus is Lord!
Trump/veto: Myself is Lord (of my life);
Implication: Who do you trust? To make the best decisions for your life? God? Or Self?
Trust & Obey (for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey)

IN HISTORY
Two weeks ago; wrestling with Citizen Kane and “Rosebud”; and other famous last words; James Adams on his deathbed said “Thomas Jefferson survives!” This says something about their relationship:
John Adams also said: “Abolish slavery!”
Thomas Jefferson did as well: “Abolish slavery!”
John never owned slaves.
Thomas never got rid of them.
Passing the Peace Question: Do you have more respect for people who say or do?
If we were only basing our value on this one issue, how would you answer?
Notice, the decision seems to also have other variables intertwined.
So, Thomas Jefferson has a principle, no slavery” but yet he retains slaves, why?
Question: Why do you suppose, Jefferson never got rid (even after death) of his slaves?
Many reasons? Bottom-line: ??? (self-preservation? $$??)
REMEMBER LAST WEEK: Does the end justify the means?
Is it possible that the end does justify the means when it comes to personal finances?
Implication: even good people guided by laudable principles can have a flaw or two impacting their decision making process?
Question: Does the end justify the means (guiding principle)
Remember: At times, a guiding principle can be vetoed by a more precious guiding principle (such as self-preservation).

SETTING THE SCENE CLIP not shown (0:0:35 – 0:1:05)
A. By the late 18th century, over eleven million African men, women and children had been taken from Africa (re: Citizen Kane & Batman, taken from “Rosebud”, i.e. their parents) to be used as slaves in the West Indies and the American colonies
B. Great Britain was the mightiest superpower on earth and its empire was built on the backs of slaves. The slave trade was considered acceptable by all but a few. (Why?)
C. Of those, even fewer were b rave enough to speak against it.
EDMUND BURKE (1729 - 1797)
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.
SETTING THE SCENE FOR CLIP #2
This scene will offend you. What offends you in this scene? The most? Duke of Clarence (son of the king) opposes abolishing the slave trade. In this scene, they are playing poker. William Wilberforce an abolitionist is considered a “tradesman.” Note how each person values human beings differently.
CLIP #2 (0:12:36 - 0:14:21)
Question: “Are you in or out?” (or, do you have the stomach to stay in the game?)
Question: Is a human being (the slave in this case) a “poker chip”?
Question: What disturbs you more, the use of the “N” word; or a person being played as a poker chip?
Question: If you are William Wilberforce, what do you do?
CLIPT #3 (0:14:22 - 0:15:00)
William Wilberforce responds “the games off.”
Question: Did he DO the right thing?
End Justify the Means
Question for last week: does the end justify the means?
Mill’s Utilitarian Vs Kant’s Deontology

Mill: The greatest good for the greatest amount of people
Can you free one slave with one hand of cards?
vs
Kant: the Moral Imperative or the Categorical imperative
the essence of the act is good or bad and the end/consequences are insignificant (duty)
The disturbing issue of a human being played as a “poker chip” in a game?
Note: Wilberforce is disgusted (for him the end does not justify the means in this particular situation).
Question: Is it possible for a situation that Wilberforce will choose the end to justify the means?
It must be admitted: That there are more variables in the decision making process (last week)

Scripture #2 – Matthew 21:28ff
MT 21:28 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, `Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

MT 21:29 " `I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

MT 21:30 "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, `I will, sir,' but he did not go.

MT 21:31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?"
"The first," they answered.
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.


What’s the next step?
Moments later in the movie, Wilberforce responding to the “game” is frustrated.
His friend William Pitt (future Prime Minister) asks Wilberforce “don’t you believe we can change England (the issue of slavery)?”
Wilberforce says, “I would have to change myself first.”
(I have no idea what that means. But in the poker game, for Wilberforce, (the end does not justify the means;” will this have to change?
He will then sing in honor of Duke Clarence, a song he learned from his pastor, “Amazing Grace.”
(Call to Worship) “I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see.”


DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL – where the self is changed
Wilberforce says, “I would have to change myself first.” He needs to recognize his blindness and wait upon God to “see.”
Wilberforce will go through his own personal dark night of the soul. Wilberforce will consider a life of solitude in the priest hood. Seeking direction, He will seek the advice of John Newton.
John Newton (Amazing Grace)
John Newton was a captain of a slave ship for 20 years. He will say 20,000 Africans died as the result of his ship and journey. He will feel responsible for the death of 20,000 lives. He will become a Christian, a monk on Mondays and Wednesday and write the song, “Amazing Grace.”

Newton’s advice to Wilberforce about Wilberforce’s crossroads, of contemplating the life of solitude or politics, “You have work to do” (re: it is what you do that defines you”). This advice, and the advice of others (we humbly suggest you can do both” the work of god and that of the activist), will echo the concept “so heavenly minded and no earthly good.” Newton will go on to say, “Do it!” (3 times).
His best friend, William Pitt (the future Prime Minister) will help him to see that he is at the crossroads of God and politics; and say, you have a choice, either to “Praise the Lord” or change the World.” In other words, the principles of Christianity lead to action (do). You must choose.
Unfortunately, he will not be successful, year after year, failure
Setting the Scene for Clip #4 - FAILURE
In the words of the future fiancé of William Wilberforce:
“Every spring the daffodils come out; every summer the cherries ripened; every autumn William Wilberforce present his bill to the house (to abolish the slave trade).
And it fails, year after year.
In the words of William Wilberforce:
“I have been chosen for this task and I failed.”
Wilberforce’s failure will be so dismissal, that at one point in his failure he will be viewed as a traitor/revolutionary/seditious. He “Follows no leader but the preacher in his head and has no loyalty to the king.” Part of the evidence against him is that Wilberforce will receive countless letters from Thomas Jefferson (who is seen as stirring up revolution; in America and France; and now the concern, England). Wilberforce responds that the letters are all about abolishing slavery.

There are many reasons why Wilberforce will experience failure and defeat. He is opposing a powerful group of people, who have guiding principles that are being vetoed by many reasons; one of which is self-preservation ($$$$; or coolness; life-style). We only see the shadows when we begin to “know thyself.”

We can learn from these folks, we have guiding principles; but like the keepers of slavery, we may have an overarching guiding principle that trumps our moral guiding principles.

Interesting enough, this will also be the leverage that will help William Wilberforce experience victory.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORDS: “This is not a game for them”
Question: because it is not a game, does it allow “the ends to justify the means”?

CLIP #4 (1:32:38) - (1:33:44) - “We Cheat”
Question: Is it morally acceptable “to cheat” to stop what is morally wrong (or, does the end justify the means)? After all, it is about five years of defeats.
Setting the Scene for Clip # 5
The Prime Minister is golfing and is interrupted by William Wilberforce and companion to request a favor, informing him that they will not bring their usual bill of abolishing the slave trade (failure)
CLIP # 5 (1:34:42) - (1:37:34)
QUESTION: What would you do if you were the Prime Minister? Continue the deception?
Setting the Scene for Clip #5
As the scheme unfolds, notice all that was taken into consideration.
Clip # 6 (1:37:34) - (1:40:37)
The bill passed and the door was slowly closing on the slave trade
Point: The end of the slave trade began with “We cheat.”
QUESTION: Would you “cheat” to end what is morally wrong?
POINT: Not asking you to be a vigilante, but…dose the end justify the means?
Setting the Scene for the Postlude
It has been a 7 year battle. They are now preparing to vote to abolish the slave trade throughout the entire British Empire.
POSTLUDE: 1:46:16 - 1:53:33 (Final Vote, Speech & Amazing Grace)
NEXT WEEK (August 24):
MOVIE: Matrix
QUESTION: How clearly do we see?
SCRIPTURE: I Corinthians 13:12
POINT: Know Thyself

Sermon Notes
August 10, 2008
Batman
INTRO - LAST WEEK: FAMOUS LINES, ROSEBUD,
John Adams (1735-1826) "Thomas Jefferson--still survives..." (4 July 1826. Jefferson died on the same day.)
Famous Last Words – may reveal something about the decease (i.e. John Adams)
LAST WEEK – CITIZEN KANE
Charles Kane was a young boy who was sent away from his family (love, symbolized by “Rosebud”). Kane’s childhood departure from his mother and his sled, Rosebud; made an impact on his life. His response for love taken from was to build a “No Trespassing” sign around his life. He desperately wanted love, but he wasn’t willing to give love. He became hedonistic. Only cared about himself. All this as the result of his childhood (previous experience). He responds by putting up “No Trespassing” and becoming a self-centered individual).
THIS WEEK – BATMAN
Batman was recently released. Many people have seen it. Beyond the cool visual effects and gadgets, Batman has a message.
How was Batman created?
Bruce Wayne, as a child, witnessed the murder of his parents. He responded to love taken from him, by also building “No Trespassing” signs. In his teenage/young adult years he adopted a self-destructive lifestyle. He would eventually continue to pass through the dark night of the soul and instead of being hedonistic (or self-centered, or egotistical; like Charles Kane), he became altruistic as he became Batman.
Point: In our childhood we have witnessed many “events” (that can haunt us).
Question: Do you know anyone haunted by their past?
NOTICE THE SIMILARITIES OF CHARLES KANE AND BRUCE WAYNE
Both were molded, haunted by their past, by a previous experience (love removed; i.e. parents were taken away). Both wanted love (perhaps parental). Both responded by refusing love (vulnerability factor). Charles Kane became hedonistic (self-centered & egotistical). Whereas, Bruce Wayne became altruistic. Both were molded by a previous experience as they put up their own “No Trespassing” signs and yet they responded differently.
QUESTION: Who is Batman?
CLIP # 1 “It’s not what you say…..” (1:09:50)
Intro to scene: Bruce Wayne is attempting to cover-up his identity as Batman by living as a millionaire playboy and not as a vigilante.
Bruce Wayne (caught as a shallow millionaire playboy); “Rachel, all of this…it’s not me…inside…I am more.”
Rachel Dawes (responding with a sense of concern); “But it’s not who you are underneath; it’s what you do that defines you.”
QUESTION: Agree or Disagree?
Are we defined by our actions or intentions?
CLIP #2 “It’s not what you say….. (1:58:17 - :44)
Intro to scene: When Batman is about to depart Rachel Dawes, she is concerned that she does not know who has saved her and fears that he won’t survive fighting the bad guys and believes there is a chance he may not survive and says, “Who are you?”
Batman responds; “It’s not who I am underneath; but what I do that defines me.”
Rachel Dawes (surprised and confused); “Bruce?”
And leaps away and “flies” off to beat up bad guys.
QUESTION: Who are you (Batman)?
1. Are you someone who has had a previous experience that defines you?
2. Are you someone who puts up “No Trespassing” signs that defines you?
3. Are you someone who responds with being “hedonistic” or “altruistic” that defines you?
4. Are you someone who hides behind a mask?
5. Are you someone who takes their fear and make it their strength?
MEANS Vs ENDS (Machiavelli)
QUESTION: Does the end justify the means?
For some, the end never justifies the means (i.e. vigilantes are always wrong)
Where for others, the end usually does not justify the means (i.e. vigilantes like Batman are accepted)
Where for still others, the end has less impact at restricting the means (i.e. vigilantes molding Batman, “Dark Knight”)
POINT: Batman some times, the end justifies the means (even his mere act of being a vigilante)
The TROLLY PROBLEM (Philipa Foot & Judith Jarvis Thomson)
A trolley car is traveling down the track. Further down the track is a group of people who do not hear the trolley and who will not be able to move out of the way. There isn’t enough time to stop the trolley before it kills the group of people. The only way to avoid killing the group is to switch the trolley to another track. However, there is one person standing on that track and the switch will kill that person. You have the power to switch the track of the trolley, what do you (morally equivalent)?
Utilitarian (what is the best for the most): you are required
Deontologist (obligation, duty – action over consequences; the end does not justify the means): No
Middle of the road: Not required, but permitted
BATMAN’S RESPONSE
Batman does not kill because, if he killed, it would make him as bad as the bag guys.
IMPLICATION – Guiding Principle
When the end justifies the means, this would imply that there is something more important than the principle or variable of “the end does not justify the means.” When does this happen in our life, help define who we are. The more we wrestle with this issue the more we get closer to answer the question, “Who are you”?
QUESTION: What is your guiding principle(s)?
Are there additional guiding principles beyond Previous Experience?
Prepunishment – Philip K. Dick, “Minority Report”
Infant Hitler syndrome
TRIADS – “relational discipleship” - a way of growing spiritually (know thyself)
JOHN 1:21 - John the Baptist was asked; “Who are you?
John the Baptist knew who he was and his mission/purpose (Ric).
John the Baptist defined himself by his actions:
A. Baptized
B. Knew he was not the Christ and his purpose to prepare the way
C. Died for his convictions
John 8:25 - Jesus was asked; “Who are you?”

QUESTION: Is Jesus defined by his actions?

RESPONSE TO THE IDENTITY OF JESUS
Does “Who are you Jesus?” make an impact on your life? Are we defined by how we respond to the question, “Who are you Jesus?” In other words, if Jesus is divine,, or Lord, or human, revolutionary, ; make an impact on our life.

HOW TO RESPOND TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES (paint of the past)
There are times, we must overcome our previous experiences; because our previous experiences make an impact on how we live our lives and the impact our choices make on the lives of others (Dennis Prager, “Happiness is a Serious Problem”; we are morally responsible to be happy). Victor Frankyl (Man’s Search for Meaning) reminds us that we always have a choice. They (Nazis) can take everything away, except how we respond to them. We need not be victim to our previous experiences; we have a choice.
CHALLENGE: What issue would cause you to agree that the end justifies the means?
NEXT WEEK: AUGUST 17: AMAZING GRACE
We will continue to wrestle with this issue: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT’S WHAT YOU DO; that defines you” through the movie Amazing Grace
CLUE: John Adams, said and did “no slavery”; whereas, Thomas Jefferson, said “no slavery”….

Sermon Notes
August 3, 2008
Citizen Kane

OPENING - FAMOUS LAST WORDS
(I don’t know how true any of these are; but they are interesting)

James Brown (1933-2006) "I'm going away tonight." (Reported by his personal manager, Charles Bobbit, who said he was at Brown's bedside when he died, and added that Brown said the statement above, then took three long, quiet breaths, and closed his eyes.)
Charles Chaplin (1889-1977) When the priest who was attending him at his bedside said "May the Lord have mercy on your soul", Chaplin is reported to have replied "Why Not? After all, it belongs to him."
Beecher, Henry Ward (1813-1887) "Now comes the mystery."
John Barrymore (1882-1942) Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) "... the fog is rising."
Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) "Farewell, my children, forever. I go to your Father."
QUESTION: Do last say words say anything about us?
Errol Flynn (1909-1959) "I've had a hell of a lot of fun and I've enjoyed every minute of it." (Said shortly before his death.)
Bing Crosby (1903-1977) "That was a great game of golf, fellers."
Lou Costello (1906-1959) "That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted."
John Adams (1735-1826) "Thomas Jefferson--still survives..." (4 July 1826. Jefferson died on the same day.)
Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) "I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis." (Unverified -- attributed.) (A recent television biography of Bogart includes Lauren Bacall, his wife, saying that he was at home bedridden with cancer when she left the house briefly, maybe to do grocery shopping. "Hurry back", he said as she closed the door. When she returned he was dead.)
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) "Drink to me."
Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) "I have just had eighteen whiskeys in a row. I do believe that is a record."
Laurence Olivier (1907-1989) "This isn't Hamlet, you know, it's not meant to go into the bloody ear." (To his nurse, who spilt water over him while trying to moisten his lips.)
Voltaire (1694-1778) "This is no time to make new enemies." (When asked on his deathbed to forswear Satan.)
Karl Marx (1818-1883) "Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough."

Question: what do you want your last words to be?
Joshua – Joshua 24
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (the most important message of Joshua)

INTRO TO CITIZEN KANE
In 1988 American Film Institute named “Citizen Kane” the greatest film of all time (that’s because they haven’t seen “Casablanca”). What would you consider the greatest film of all time?

Clip 1 “No Trespassing” (Scene 1) (0:22 – 2:09)
Observation Note: Cay “Watch for spatial relationship”
The sign says, “No Trespassing.” The mansion is off in the distance. What does this say about Kane? Is he distancing himself from others? Why?
Does it look like he wants to allow others to enter into his life (fence keeps people out)?
Is this a rational position?
Did Previous Experience impact this decision?
One solitary light in the huge mansion is on.

Clip # 2 - “Rosebud” (2:10 – 3:00)
One solitary last word, “Rosebud.” Then he dies.
One solitary, nameless, faceless nurse enters the room after his death.
Fade to black
NOTE: The story of Kane is told 6 times from 6 different perspectives:
A. Film Reel
B. Mr. Thatcher (Guardian)
C. Mr. Bernstein (Business Manger)
D. Jedeiah Leland (Best friend)
E. Susan Alexander (2nd Wife, ex)
F. Raymond (Butler)
QUESTION: If 5 people told your story what would it sound like?

Clip # 3 – Xanadu (a film clip about the life of Kane) (Scene 2) (3:11 – 4:50)
“Xanadu, the most costly monument a man has built to himself.”
Is Xanadu a symbol of Kane’s identity?
Notice: not completed

Clip # 4 – “Find out about this Rosebud” (Scene 3) (12:30 – 14:20)
The quest of the story is to find out about “rosebud”

Clip # 5 - Clue (18:56 – 23:05)
The childhood of Kane, and when love was withheld.

Clip #6 - “All he wanted was love” (54:03 - :39)
TENSION: within Kane’s desire to be loved & the pathological fear of giving love in return

Clip # 7 - “Love on my terms” (1:14:00 – 1:15:22)

Clip # 8 - “You don’t love me” (1:42:20 – 1:43:26
Kane says to his wife as she is leaving him, “You can’t do this to me.”
Second wife in anger, “You don’t love me. You want me to love you.”
Note: It’s all about me (Kane).

Clip #? “Why Don’t We Go Out?”
Observation Note: Cay “Watch for spatial relationship”
Notice: 2nd wife working on a puzzle and how far away Kane is from her. She then asks, “Why don’t we go out?” His answer, “we did, last week.” What is your sense of Kane in this relationship?
Tension: love given and love received
Implication of not receiving love is to distance oneself from others (previous experiences)
Even though one may be a rationalist, the emotions of not receiving love can cause one to respond with emotions due to previous experience of not receiving love.

POINT
Rosebud is the last time Kane felt love. It is his best memory of his childhood. The love of mother. It is a time he would want to go back to. Is there a time yhou want to o back to?

POINT
Kane is an individual who lacked love. His lack of love began with his parents holding back on love. The one thing he really loved is his sled, Rosebud.” Rosebud brought to him a feeling of what he loved and his great joy of love, the love he never experienced. As a result, he held others at a distance and missed out on life. His life began and ended with Rosebud.

POINT
Kane can’t find the love he needs because “No Trespassing” (his refusal to be vulnerable in love)

IRONY
Do you know anyone who needs love desperately, and they have put up a “No trespassing” sign.
They have distanced themselves from others. A huge barrier between the world and them (Simon and Garfunkel, “I am a Rock”) Often time, those who need love the most, are those who put up “No Trespassing” signs.

LAST WORDS OF JESUS
MT 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

MT 27:51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Point – the “No Trespassing” sign at the Holy of Holies was ripped in half
POINT
The love of Jesus rips the “No Trespassing” signs that people have posted keeping love out. We love, because God loved us first

POINT
Withholding love damages the other. Love heals.
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: “I’m a Rock’
BIBLICAL CHARACTERS WHO LACKED LOVE
WOMEN AT THE WELL (John 4)

John – Jesus seven Last Words
Point of the last words of Jesus – Love
They’re killing you Jesus, forgive them. That requires great love,
John 15: No greater love than



PUPPETS
CHUCK: What are you doing?
STAN: Preparing to be loved by the masses.
CHUCK: What are you some kind of politician?
STAN: Nope
CHUCK: Then are you some kind of celebrity?
STAN: Nope, just your average Joe, I mean Stan.
CHUCK: So, what’s thing about being loved by the masses?
STAN: Well I’ve I been thinking.
CHUCK: Oh, oh. I know where this is going.
STAN: For the good of the masses, me an ordinary citizen, is willing to receive the love of the masses. Mind you, I am not doing this for me, but for the betterment of humanity.
CHUCK: How is you being loved by the masses for the betterment of humanity?
STAN: It’s simple. I am volunteering to receive.
CHUCK: Receive?
STAN: Masses of the world, step right up and give me your love.
CHUCK: I don’t get it.
STAN: Now, isn’t it better to give than to receive?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: Well, it just stands to reason that the best way I can help all of humankind is to let others give and I will be the recipient of all this love. Mind you I am only doing it to help humanity, my share of the load you know. Okay everybody, the love line forms to the left. Liner up and bring me your love, and gifts would help in this whole process.
Chuck: There’s something wrong with this picture.
STAN: Listen citizens, I am being a good citizen here, helping others by receiving, even though it is better to give, I shall receive. I don’t see anything wrong with this picture, except I am getting the short end of the stick if it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: I don’t get it.
STAN: Chuck, isn’t it better to give than to receive?
Chuck: Yes.
STAN: That means, wouldn’t your first choice be to give?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: And isn’t the first choice better than the second choice?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: So since giving is better than receiving, I am giving all citizens the first choice and I will take the second choice, which is to receive. Because it is better to give than to receive, right?
CHUCH: (hesitation) ahhhh….yes, I guess so.
STAN: So for the citizens of the world, I am willing to forgo my opportunity for the first choice and what is best, and take 2nd best, the 2nd choice, which is to receive. Citizens of the world, those who choose the best choice, the first choice to give, the line forms to the left.
CHUCK: I don’t understand.
STAN: Just get in line Chuck. Citizens of the world join chuck as he prepares to give, because it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: I don’t see any line.
STAN: Nonsense, there are a lot of people who want to give, because it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: Including love
STAN: Including love.
CHUCK: I still don’t see any line.
STAN: Nonsense, give it a time, a lot of people want to do the best choice and give.
CHUCK: No line.
STAN: (SCREAMING) What do I have to do to get these people to give me love?
(Silence)















STAN: So all I am doing is letting everybody have the best choice first, let them choose the best, that is to give, and I will forfeit any opportunity I have to give, which is a second choice and not as good as the first choice, you know like giving. I am a martyr here. So, line forms to the left


NEXT WEEK: August 10
Movie: Batman
Question: Why Doesn’t Batman Kill the Joker?
9 am, no clips
11 am, several clips

RESPONSE
There is a time to “trespass” and a time to “No Trespass”
We trespasss at different levels, for some folks, NO Tespassing, others differently, and how close is determined (spouse one level, children another level, friends, etc.).