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This past week, a bunch from my family went to see the movie “Tangled”, featuring the popular story of the Princess Rapunzel, and her long blond hair.  I’ll sum it up briefly and say, the movie was the best recent cartoon anyone has put out, and definitely trumps Princess Tiana by far.  (Don’t get me started on why Tiana’s movie smelled like swamp water…I’ll just point out that she’s a FROG for 80% of the movie.)

It’s rated “PG”, and stays out of the raunchy innuendo humor that makes movies like Shrek so popular.  There is still enough sarcasm, creativity, and wit to make “Tangled” fun for any adult who pretends they’re there because the kids really wanted to see it.  There are even some scenes that will make your eyes water just a bit (From what I’ve heard at least.  Mine were totally dry throughout.  Grunt.)

If you’re unfamiliar with the storyline, here’s a brief introduction.  (not really “spoilers”, it’s the first 2 minutes of the film).  A drop of sunshine falls to earth, and becomes a flower.  The magical flower has powers to heal and bring life, and it’s kept secret by a woman who wants to hoard it’s magic to herself for many years.  One day, the pregnant Queen seems like she won’t last long, and the people go searching for the mythical flower.  It’s discovered, and by drinking a solution made from it, she survives.  Her daughter is born, and it seems the flowers’ powers are now carried in the child’s hair.  She is kidnapped by the selfish woman, and she vows to keep the girl hidden forever, just as she had the flower.  Once a year, the entire Kingdom releases small lanterns into the air, hoping that wherever she is…she knows she is missed and loved.  They want her to return.

I’ll admit, there was a moment in the movie where I got kind of emotional.  A beautiful illustration of an entire Kingdom who yearns for their royalty to return, not out of desire for their power, but presence, and out of love for them.  A scene where hundreds on hundreds of lanterns are lit, a few at a time and then spreading throughout the Kingdom.  They release them into the air together, making a giant communal statement of their love and desire for the return of the princess.

Sure, the illustration falls short if you take it much further.  There are also definite faults in the movie, and things that other groups will probably yell about.  But in that moment, the connection was made to a church that lights its’ collective lanterns on a regular basis, releasing acts of worship as a communal statement of our love and desire for the return of Christ and completion of what began in Him.

I’m thankful that He does more than gaze at what we’ve released, and feel good, knowing He’s loved.  He has promised that the work we do in His name is now and forever connected with the Kingdom that is, and is to come…

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Time magazine’s recent article on “Marriage: What’s it Good For?“, reveals how much our world needs Marriage.  Not simply people who will get married for happiness, economic partnerships, equal rights, or to procreate, have families and chase an ambiguous dream.  But men and women who pray together, “May our relationship reveal the nature of Christ’s relationship with the Church.”

In the article, Belinda Luscombe writes about PEW Research Center’s new findings on changes in marriage statistics.  She makes some sweeping general statements like “we found is that marriage, whatever its social, spiritual or symbolic appeal, is in purely practical terms just not as necessary as it used to be.”  I believe those same statistics are actually a testimony and renewed call for Marriages that reflect Christ to exist.  How does that happen?  By recognizing the false measurements and foundations used by this exact study.

She seems confused, “Neither men nor women need to be married to have sex or companionship or professional success or respect or even children–yet marriage remains revered and desired.”  Amen!  What a testimony that a marriage relationship is more than simply a means to an end!!

Then she jumps into other stats, “The Pew survey reveals nearly 40% of us think marriage is obsolete.”  She quotes a sociologist Andrew Cherlin, saying “Getting married is a way to show family and friends that you have a successful personal life.  It’s like the ultimate merit badge.”  The progression there is, with more people choosing to live together before marriage (mostly in low income situations), there is less inherent “value” in such a badge.

It’s disappointing that in the entire article, there is not one mention of “covenant”.  The closest she gets is quoting a Marriage educator that, “Marriage is like glue.  You can build something with it.  Living together is like Velcro.”

We believe we have been designed to live in relationship with others.  Each of us is incomplete as an individual.  This leads many of us to marry.  Marriage is given to us as a gift, a covenant relationship where God’s relationship with humanity can be revealed.  He offers Covenant with us, His Love and Forgiveness, and desiring to spend time drawing closer to each other toward what He has revealed will come.  We enter into marriage with that same Love and covenant…not simply an economic, romantic partnership where we strive to achieve “happiness” and feel like we’ve failed or we should move on during days where we feel like less than mountain-top experiences.  Luscombe closes with the statement, “Yet marriage is still the best avenue most people have for making their dreams come true.”

Nope.  Marriage is not healthy when it is viewed primarily as a path to making our “dreams” come true.  As romantic and desirable and marketable as that seems, it can still quickly lead to brokenness without a context for healing.

There is Love.  There is romance.  There are all sorts of things with the gift of marriage that offer to make it an amazing and enjoyable life-long experience. But we receive it as covenant, it is a window into the heart God has for His bride, the Church.  When we do, it reveals Him to a world that needs to hear God’s covenant Love for us, and offers a reminder to others who are caught up pursuing other reasons to marry/be married.

Here in the (Church/marriage relationship), is a place we can be broken, genuine, honest, imperfect, and released from burdens of performance and measurement…and still incredibly loved, valued, and pursued…together.

On the mens’ retreat last month, we had a morning conversation outside.  I thought I’d be the smart one, and wore swim trunks and an undershirt while everyone else wore layers of warmth.  Thunderclouds were nearby, and I smiled, hoping we’d get drenched and these “men” would try to tough it out in their layers.  Well, the rain came.  The circle of guys moved under shelter.  I was just cold.

But good conversation was still had.  The discussion prompt was asked by our host, “When during your day do you “become Christian” for that day?”  Despite sensing some bit of theology I didn’t like there…I understood what he was really asking.  “When do you spend time with Jesus in a way that matters to how you live?”  We went around the circle.  It was obvious that our host believed this should be done early in the day, so that it offers something for the rest of your hours.  I answered honestly.

I’m a morning person.  I can get up whenever the alarm goes off, usually.  But when we began having kids, it began to change.  If I get up early, it often wakes others up, as they’re curious of the noise.  So I began sleeping until our kids woke us up, and the morning was with them.  I find my time usually later in the day, at work (as a pastor, I can usually carve out a moment), or in the car, etc.

Then he pointed out…wouldn’t I rather my daughters grew up learning their dad spent his first moments of each day with Jesus, preparing for whatever may come?  Yes, actually, I’d love that.

I came back from the retreat, and set my alarm for 6am.  My wife has joined me as well.  I’ll be honest, it hasn’t happened every morning.  But most mornings, it’s been a great way to begin the day.  I’ve tried different things: prayer, scripture reading, writing, reading other things, silence, etc.  I’ve found no matter the avenue, God blesses those moments for the day ahead.  On occasion, a daughter does hear the noise and come out.  “What are you doing?” she’ll ask.  “Spending some time with Jesus” we say.  Then they’ll usually cuddle up on the couch and rest, or grab a book themselves.

This is a good discipline. 🙂