One Tree Hill and Theology (again)

Jeremy and I are plowing through our seasons of One Tree Hill. Before we started watching, I told him there were so many times to the gospel that is blows my mind. He's theology-driven and loving brain seems to point out more things than I see. I don't know if any of the writers were believers, but I do know that our hearts long for redemption on all levels. This is often played out in the movies and television; we are created to be rescued.

I must give credit where credit is due. Jeremy pointed out the falling episode's relation to theology. It has had me thinking ever since.

In Season 6, Brooke takes in a foster child, Sam. Sam is a rebellious teen girl in Haley's class who is homeless and living in the shop class car. Though Brooke has already had a run-in with Sam when she shoplifted from Clothes Over Bros, Brooke invites Sam to come live with her - Brooke sees much of her teen years playing out in Sam's life. Brooke's wild and rebellious years like structure and more importantly love from her parents. Brooke wants to offer this to Sam in hopes of calming her down by giving her the two things she needs most. One night Sam has a wild party in the Brooke's store; everything is destroyed including Peyton's wedding dress. Whereas Sam wanted to push the boundaries, she now recognizes that she's completely wrong and due to be kicked out of the house. Brooke returns home to find Sam cleaning the dress and a bag packed. However, Brooke will not let her leave.

Brooke disciplines Sam. Brooke gives Sam three weeks of punishment for what she has done. Sam is shocked assuming she would have to leave after having messed up.

Don't we all think this way. I know I do. This is what made the episode stand out to Jeremy and me. We think that when we mess up, we need to run and cover it up. Better yet, leave. We know we've made God ashamed of us - think: Adam and Eve fumbling to cover themselves up in the garden. But God doesn't turn us away. He doesn't sever our relationship with Him. He draws us closer. He holds us closer, but He does discipline us.

Hebrews 12:6 explains this clearly: "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every one He receives."

When we receive the Lord's discipline, it should be of great comfort because then we know we are His children. We are all like Sam. Just like Brooke held Sam close though disciplined her, our God loves us unconditionally. He saves us. He redeems us.

When You Meet Meredith Vieira

And I completely kept my cool. Whew!

Yesterday, my friends and I headed into the city for a taping of the Meredith Show. This is her last season, and we wanted to get in on the action. We're going strong on our 15 minutes of fame! We scored VIP tickets because I pulled the military card and mentioned we were Army wives when requesting tickets. We got prime time seats, folks.  

Meredith is the only one who will allow you to take pictures inside the studio. My panoramic setting on the phone got some love yesterday.. several times. Until I perfectly mastered this bad boy, so you can feel like you're right there with us.

I was a little excited. Just a bit. I had visions of Meredith and Lance and I becoming best friends and dancing to Bye! Bye! Bye! #agirlcandream

Brightly dressed and ready to go. Even with the Rachael Ray show, it was requested we avoid white. On a last minute wardrobe change, I pulled out all the stops. Yellow it was! 

Meet Holly, Jane and Kemper!

During a moment of pure chaos, one of us got a lap dance from an male audience member. It was a competition of sorts and that fella took it further than need be. The one on the receiving end shall remain nameless!

This is quite terrible, but I've only seen the show a handful of times. I'm aware of Lance but the other two - no idea their names. I proudly recognized faces.

And Meredith.. Well I've been a fan for a while.. Today Show style.

(Not so much the view, but don't let that cat out of the bag.)

After the show, we hung around and requested a picture with Meredith, well because.. Duh! 

Meredith: So do your husbands go to West Point?

Me: No, That'd get us arrested. (and we all laugh.)

It really wouldn't get us arrested, but that would just be wrong. Meredith was so nice and talked with us for about five minutes about Army life. I was super impressed if you haven't picked up on it.

I managed to keep my cool, smile, avoided sweating profusely and narrowly escaped deer in the headlights. Winning.

And it never hurts to attempt a sky line shot from the car!

If you're ever interested in visiting a taping, just find your show and submit your request. You definitely have to be close to the city or visiting, because it's usually a one to two week turnaround on requests. We will be on the Feb. 24th and March 1st show for sure!

One Tree Hill and Theology

Jeremy and I have been steadily making our way through the seasons of One Tree Hill; this was by my suggestion of course. In case you don't know about One Tree Hill, it's a teen drama that aired in the early 2000s and was filmed in Wilmington.

What I love most about One Tree Hill is the constant pictures of redemption that are woven throughout all of the seasons. The show ends in the culmination of this picture and leaves me breathless every time. Today and in posts to come, I plan to write about a segment that stands out to me and how it relates to Christian theology. To be sure, it may be a stretch at times but work with me here.

Season 3:
Dan Scott has been wrongly accused of Daunte's death. Tree Hill didn't want to see their mayor in prison and at last Dan is found innocent. Daunte died on impact in the car crash. As Dan is released from prison, his lawyer quickly says, "Mr. Mayor, you're free how does it feel to be innocent?"

For you: "You're free, how does it feel to be innocent?"

This quote gets me every time because I think the same is easily applicable to a believer. We are free once and for all by the blood of Christ, but we constantly return to those chains and willingly sit behind bars. The guilt and shame of sins present and sins past restrain us to not believe the Truth of who we've been proclaimed to be in Christ. 

It is for freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

This powerful verse explains exactly the innocence Dan Scott was claimed to have on the day of his release - Except our innocence is much greater. Sure there are days when I don't understand this. There are days when I certainly don't think I deserve this (more on that in another post.) But it is not about my own efforts. It is about the promises of God's Word that He has washed us whiter than snow. He has taken away our sin and guilt because of the sufficient sacrifice of Christ. 

Where we were once in chains, we are free to go.

Where we were once laden with guilt, we are now proclaimed innocent.

Where we were once a sinner condemned unclean, we are now clothed in righteousness. 

Where we were destined to an eternity apart from Him, we are now His sons and daughters.

Therefore let us stand firm in our freedom. For when we are asked how does it feel to be innocent, we will know that we walk freely because of what was accomplished for us on the cross. 

In Christ, my friend, you are free. Now how does it feel to be innocent?