Warning: This may sound boring to some
More often than we go to movies, Dawn and I go to book signings. Usually they are by authors whose writing purely for
entertainment, not deep theological writers ... that's called going to a service. Most of the time, the writer comes in to
applause by 100 or 200 people jammed into the aisles of a book store.
Occasionally, though we go to see a much more popular author. In this case, over 1300 people began arriving and
buying books when the store opened. For their promptness they received a bracelet that told them what number they were in
line and given a time to come back. The author was arriving at 6.00 PM. The parking lot was closed down all day in deference
to other stores. Those stores set up sidewalk sales to latch onto the traffic.
As 6.00 approaches, the store begins to fill up. This is not a Wawa, it is a Barnes and Noble. People are milling around.
Every available chair is taken so people sit on tables and on the floor between the stacks. I heard one lady say, "It looks
like a homeless shelter." But the place is buzzing with energy. Just try to look at the books while you are waiting.
The line begins forming a half hour early, but that doesn't bother you, because they are announcing the progress in 50
person increments ... you are number 425 ... no problem. Suddenly, you hear an uproarous applause, you would think a rock
star had arrived. She comes around the corner as fans snap pics. Some are dissapointed because the crowd is like a wall, and
they can't see. Now the event begins in ernest.
The atmosphere is like a carnival. Balloons are everywhere, being freely handed out to customers ... you want two? No
problem. B & N must have emptied out the temp pool, because crowd control staff is everywhere. One or two young ladies
are circulating and handing out samples of Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.
At 8.15 our time in line arrives. Some folks with numbers in the 800s try to sneak in. They are weeded out and told to
stand aside. The lady behind us tells us her husband is home with the kids. He wanted to come and have a word with the author
who keeps him up at night because his wife is reading and laughing out loud. She took the day off work and is hoping that
she doesn't get caught.
We round the bend on the final approach. The author's daughter is walking up the aisle asking women (the crowd is mostly
women), "Ranger or Morelli?" When they answer (Alex says this is a Morelli crowd) they are awarded with a pin that says "I
heart Morelli." Guys get a sticker that says Plum Crazy (or apparently something about Grandma Maser ... go figure). I realize,
almost too late that this daughter was a co-author of the book I bought, and get her to sign it.
We are next in line. The guy in front of us, apparently has something in common with the author and kind of ties her
up. She is cordial (very clearly thriving on being with her fans) and chats with him for a few minutes. Her husband is standing
by. He takes people's camaras and snaps a pic for them while they chat with his famous wife. We say, we already have the pic
and don't want to be confused by which time which pic is from. He says, "Yeah, it just causes arguments and who needs that?"
The discussion wanders into disagreements over tooth paste and we learn that they hate each others brands so they keep two.
We step up to a smile and a friendly hello from the pleasant red-head. Her manner is not faked. She genuinely likes these
folks (though she isn't stupid ... flanked by two capable looking ... and handsome ... body guards - are they from Rangeman?
Probably not).
I remember going to a J.K. Rowling signing. The crowd was limited to 400 and there was no time for conversation. You
could barely approach the table where she was sitting. I'm sure it was necessary, but it was very impersonal. Perhaps it is
English reserve. It's ok. But it is fun to see an author who is so casual and jolly about the occasion. She clearly likes
being liked, and likes her likers back.
I do not broadly recommend her books, because there are elements in them that some would find terribly offensive, though
I just find them real ... in a seedy element kind of way. However, for a fun day and a change of pace from the same old entertainments,
figure out who your favorite authors are and being scouring the web for their visits to local stores. Be patient, it may take
a year or more to find one. Be ready to travel, they may not be as close as you would like. But for the sheer fun of seeing
another side of someone whose mind you only access indirectly, and for finding out what kind of a crowd you fit into, take
the opportunity and go.
So, in the quad of a Christian High School where they have kind of a monument garden. Three flag-poles, with the stated
purpose of honoring God, Country and Flag. Immediately there comes to my mind these three guys standing on top of a mountain.
They see Moses and Elijah visiting with Jesus and suggest that they build each of the three great men a tabernacle. Obviously,
the Father is careful to set them straight. Moses and Elijah are great, but they aren't in the same league as Jesus. Three
flag poles: God, country, flag.
Obviously your good Mennonites would never dream of doing this. Even a flag in the sanctuary is kind of not done ...
whose kingdom is this anyway? On the other hand ... This is wonderful, let's build three tabernacles:
- One for Jesus
- One for Family
- One for Community
- or One for peace
- or One for Anabaptism
- or One for social justice
I am bothered by our tendencies (including my own) to place priorities alongside Jesus. Nothing and No one stands next
to Him on an equal level. And yet we readily make our faith about those things, important things, but not equal to Him.
What does a world with only one Tabernacle look like
One Tabernacle.
