Blog on the Lillypad
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
 | Day Four of the Convention
I opened my eyes that morning and instantly felt a weight of disappointment. The last day! How had it come so fast? I sat up and considered the disappointment of it. But there were a few hours left, so I showered and dressed and went down for breakfast. |
However, the partying the night before had been quite stiff. The hotel cafe was nearly empty. Breakfast was delicious, and then I wandered out to see who was up and about. I stood in line to get my picture taken with the whole group of celebs (Anneke Wills, Frazer Hine, Colin Baker, and Michael Sheard). By noon more people were appearing. I had a salad with a gang of convention friends while they had McDonalds food. A couple people were starting to get symptoms of cold or flu, and my throat was now becoming raw.
I deliberately missed the last session with Frazer and Anneke in the main room. I was surprised at how bad I felt about the convention ending, and being in the last discussion with them would only make me feel worse. By then it was afternoon, so I joined the others at the pub for discussion. They wanted to know what the year of the Monkey (2004) would be like, so I held forth for a while.
In overview, I think that's one thing that surprised me about the Con. From the start, I discussed the Brent Stevens matter more with convention buddies than I have with church people. For one thing, many church people plainly ask me why I am involved in being the voice for a child who was killed nearly 20 years ago. Nobody at the convention asked me that. And many church people find Dave Hyles' list of scandals and broken lives in the churches where he has been on staff to be something to be left unaddressed, not confronted. But nobody at the convention felt that way.
Talking about the IFB-KJVO scandals was not boring to several of the people. One fellow wanted the entire story from start to finish. So I gave it to him as we stood in line to get photos. (He was amazed by it.) Another fellow also asked for more details. Tom was concerned about the effects that the stress has had on my health. And Nick from Milwaukee also listened and asked questions. Their interest, of course, enables me to speak more openly of Christ and Who He really is.
| Kevin Parker asked me not to be offended but told me that he finds many evangelicals to be so sure they have all the right answers that they don't listen---and that includes not listening to hard truths about themselves. And Nick, an avowed agnostic, told me as gently as he could that he has often seen a double standard in Christianity. I welcome these honest remarks. They weren't given in hostility but out of concern for me because these people see that I've put all my heart into speaking on behalf of those people the IFB-KJVO corruption has victimized and will continue to victimize. Obly the strong survive in IFB-KJVO fundamentalism, but Christ came to bind up the broken reeds and encourage the smoking flax to flame brightly. |  |
As the last day drew to its close, I realized that I'd really needed Chicago TARDIS. Somehow my life got away from me, and I let everything get to me and bring me down. And now I have poor health and few friends and almost no opportunities to have fun and just relax. Tom talked to me about getting things turned around. I will, and I'm looking for every opportunity to do so. But I cannot leave Brent's death behind me. I'm not going to take on the world like Ihave done. But Brent was made in the image of God, and Christ died for him. He had dignity, and I am sensitive to the value of that life and that dignity that have been sacrificed to IFB-KJVO pride and corruption.
 | And yet, there is a life to be lived---mine: the gift of our own lives comes to us only once, with no second chances. I like Doctor Who. In fact, I love Doctor Who. And getting together once or twice a year with creative, imaginative, gentle people to swap stories, admire creative endeavours, and share beer and laughter is somethng I hope to do for the next 20 (or 100) years. I'm still nagging Steve Hill and Jennifer Adams Kelley to make a third Doctor fan story. I'm still planning on working on my own audio projects once my throat improves. Some day all of this has to stop because it's only man made and will cease. But until then, I plan to enjoy it for all it's worth. |
