I Must Confess Something

I have never been a fan of reality TV. In fact, other than sports and late night episodes of Seinfeld I really don't have any television addictions. None of the many different reality shows have ever gripped me to the point of having to watch them week after week. I know several people are into American Idol. But every time I have tried to watch it I get irritated at those judges. Every time I have tried to watch the show I have seen them pass up good talent for the sake of choosing someone with the right image. But then again, it is called American Idol, and in America we tend to worship image... so I guess it's accurate.

A few years ago I tried to get into the popular reality show Survivor, but every time I watched it I wanted to punch somebody. So I felt it best to turn that one off. I did sort of get into a couple of episodes of one FOX did a year or so ago called My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance. But I should repent for even saying that.

In the past five or six years I really have not had the opportunity or the time to commit to a regular TV series. There are some that I think I would really like, such as 24. But it seems like with TV these days if you miss one episode you would be lost for the rest of the season. So finding a reality television series that I like and commit to is something I have not done.... until now.

I must make a confession. I am hooked on a reality show. It is helpful that it doesn't come on until 10:00pm on Thursday nights. It's late enough that I am home by that time, and Thursday nights are usually open for me. And, in my opinion, it is the ultimate reality show because it leaves very little room for flukes, image, alliances, or any of that other garbage. Bottom line is, the toughest and best will win. And my urges to punch someone are always appeased. It's The Ultimate Fighter on Spike.

You're thinking, is that okay? A preacher likes Ultimate Fighting? Well, I don't know if it's okay or not, but I like it. I suppose when you consider the entertainment factor of all the other shows mentioned, I could either watch a bunch of vain, whining, gossiping, lying, slandering, conniving characters or I could watch some characters training their behinds off and being straight up forward with one another about how they plan to send them home by whipping the dog snot out of them.

I have always been a little fascinated by the art of fighting, even though I truthfully got into very few fights in my lifetime. But I have always enjoyed watching boxing whenever I've had the opportunity. During my last two years of high school I would go to my uncle Roger Stewart's house to work out and prepare for the upcoming baseball season. Roger used to train boxers, and there was always a couple of guys out there with me training specifically to box. Because you basically use the same muscles for baseball, and you could certainly use the conditioning, he always trained me like a boxer. I even got the opportunity to spar a couple of times.

But UFC is more than boxing. It's "mixed martial arts". Meaning, someone decided to take the world's most popular methods of fighting -- various martial arts, wrestling (not the WW-whatever kind of wrestling, but real wrestling like in the Olympics), and boxing -- and combine them into one. They train as hard as any athlete I have ever seen, then put two guys guys in an octagon-shaped ring with chain-linked fence around it and a referee, then they go at it to determine who is the ultimate fighter.

The other night after watching an episode of The Ultimate Fighter I had a dream about the show, but it was with all Oasis people. In my dream Ray Willford was the trainer (he was perfect for the role by the way), and his son Cassidy was one of the fighters. The other fighters were Jon Perrin, Chad Dodson, Jim Durst, my son Brock (I know, a little young), and myself. We never did fight in the dream, but we all had massive tattoos and did our training at the American Legion building. Maybe tonight I'll dream part 2 and we'll go over to the Methodist Church for our first match.

Or even better yet, perhaps I'll dream that all the churches in Meigs County are training their men like fighting warriors... and the matches will take place all over the county... and they are on behalf of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I like that dream. That's a good dream. Men becoming men, and taking the lead in the fight for the Gospel in our communities.

The UFC (The Ultimate Fighting Christian). Who wants to sign up?

Comments

[Jared]

"Maybe tonight I'll dream part 2 and we'll go over to the Methodist Church for our first match."

That's pretty funny! I think Mike Bartrum goes to that church though, so I think I'd pick a different one. Probably not smart to mess with an NFL player. He's a big dude! LOL :-)

I know, I know that's not the kind of fighting you were talking about...just trying to be funny.

[Chris Stewart]

No, you were right. In the dream we were training to roll some heads. But you were also right, I wouldn't want to take on Bartrum. Thankfully he would not be in my weight class. :)

[Chad]

COUNTDOWN TO UFC 60.....GRACIE VS. HUGHES...WHO WANTS TO CHIP IN ON PAY PER VIEW!!!!! Man I'm bad addicted to the UFC. Those guys are ridiculously tough. Manly men indeed. And speaking of manly men, it is a good dream to dream the ultimate fighting Christian. I've thought often of this, men who stand out fearlessly as an advocate for God's glory. We need more of that. We need powerful voices in the world who love God's glory. The writers of the scriptures were powerful voices and they were entirely human as we are. The same Holy Spirit that was poured into their hearts is the same Holy Spirit that has been poured into our hearts. CALLING ALL MEN!!! God's word is alive, well, and available to you. Soak yourself in it and emerge anew as one who is unafraid to boldy stand to speak of God's glory revealed in the world and beyond.