4 People I'd Like To Party With
The gospels tell us that Jesus was the kind of guy that liked partying with questionable types in seedy places. I love that about him.
This got me thinking: If I was the President and I could have anyone over to the house for a party and I knew they’d come, who would I invite?
The first guy I’d invite is Bernie Madoff, the guy who “madoff” with billions in the largest ponzi scheme ever. I’d like to ask him what he felt at the height of his success, right when he felt no-one would ever touch him. In the midst of the cars, the homes, dolling out cash to friends and family right and left…was it working for him? Was it the trick he thought it would be? When was the exact moment you crossed the line? What went through your mind? Do you still have any friends?
The second person I’d invite is Christie Brinkley, every 14 year olds fantasy super-model dream girlfriend (in the 1980’s at least). At 55 years of age now, I’d like to talk to her about what her feelings are now about building an entire career and persona based on her looks – the ups and downs of the whole thing –and whether or not that affected her numerous marital difficulties. I’d like to ask her if she’d do it all over again if she had the chance.
The third person I’d send an invitation to is Hugh Heffner, the founder of Playboy and the ring-leader of the Playboy Mansion. What I’d like to talk to Heff about is his son. At 83 years of age what does he think his legacy will be? Not in terms of cash, fame, the Playboy enterprise, but in terms of what he is leaving his son. What are his dreams for him? What kind of non-material legacy does he think he’s leaving him? How was he or wasn’t he a good father? Does he have any regrets?
The final person I’d invite is Lebron James so I could play him in a friendly little no-holds barred game of 1 vs. 1. After hanging out with Madoff, Christie Brinkley and Heff I’d definitely need a break. The Pastor of Disaster would give him a little membership orientation to the church of the pointy elbows.
Who would you invite? Why?
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Comments (13)
Doug Kelley on Jul 21, 2009 2:24pm
How about The Duke, he didnt get to be the biggest movie star ever by bashing his country but by embracing it, I wonder what he would have to say about today's over paid, classess, anti-american bums that keep me from watching movies today?
Doug Kelley on Jul 21, 2009 2:25pm
P.S. Yes I know he's dead
Sean Healy on Jul 21, 2009 3:12pm
1. Dalai Lama. I would ask him about how he sees the roles of spiritual leader vs. political leader.
2.Eliot Spitzer. I would ask him about "crossing the line" and the feeling of being untouchable and if he still feels that way.
3.Osama Bin laden. OK, morbid curiosity of the chance to talk to a person that spends their life spreading and receiving hate.
4. Sandra Day O'Conner. I think history will reveal her as one of the most influential people of our time. I would love to hear about her observation, insights to our government and what it means to be a Supreme Court Justice.
Brett McFarland on Jul 21, 2009 10:43pm
I have spent a good part of my life arguing this exact issue with myself and my "reverent" family and friends. A lot of the people I hang out with are in my vision pretty far from following God's path, but then again, who am I to judge. Regardless, my thoughts right now are that I am not Jesus, and may not be able to keep as clear of a head as he did in these situations. I hope I can, and I'm working on it. Who would I hang out with? First, Jesus, so he could shed some of his light on me, then maybe I'll progress to some of the "sinners" that I'm not sure how much better than them I am in God's eyes.
Brett McFarland on Jul 21, 2009 10:45pm
P.S. The first sinner would be the guy that keeps sending me emails about how to enlarge my manhood.
john alan turner on Jul 22, 2009 3:02pm
My name is John Alan Turner, and I am prepared to confess that I have a man-crush on Bono.
Laura Fillinger on Jul 23, 2009 10:59am
I second John's pick, definitely Bono.
charlotte on Jul 24, 2009 1:00pm
What is it with this church and your obsession with Bono??? One of the reason I don't attend anymore is that weird Christmas with the month long sermons about him.
Brian Jones on Jul 25, 2009 7:44pm
Hi Charlotte,
I'm assuming you're referring to the "U2 Christmas" series we did two years ago? Arguably the most popular Christmas series we've ever done by a long shot. We sang songs by U2 to open each service and then talked about the need for the church to care for the poor the way Jesus asked us to. That series set the stage for our church adopting 240+ malnutritioned kids in Nairobi, Kenya, rescuing them from the urban slums and giving them an education and hope for a future. Yeah, I can see why a Christian would think that's weird.
Brian
Lorayne on Jul 29, 2009 11:25am
you are a hard hitter ... no holds barred. I like that you do not apologize for doing what you believe to be worthwhile
Anonymous on Aug 4, 2009 3:57pm
Yeah, how weird of me to think that a Christmas service might want to revolve around Christ. But then again, we're trying to be all cool and "relevant". As long as we have one scripture verse in there- we're good!
Anonymous on Aug 4, 2009 4:01pm
why would enlarging your manhood be sinful? I guess if you're in a marriage and want to please your wife. Would it be sinful for your wife to wear a push up bra?
Anonymous on Aug 4, 2009 4:03pm
from that U2 sermon I don't remember anything about feeding the poor. I remember a lot of music (which is ok, no issues there) and a ton of videos with interviews with Bono. I don't remember a lot of scripture or reference to Jesus- which is pretty typical of a CCV sermon. Most of them are just pop laden messages with lots of stories of things that happened to the pastor. Jesus had a few stories to tell, why not share some of those. And you "rescued" kids? Seriously? Philly has a lot of people in need.