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I can’t do drama anymore. When I come home from work I want random escapist entertainment. I love movies like UHF, Tommy Boy, and Happy Gilmore. I get enough serious situations in my work. So, I rejoiced at the recent television show “Community.” If you haven’t seen it, the show revolves around a group of community college students who form a study group. They are all dysfunctional in their own ways and led by Joel McHale’s character “Jeff Winger.” Each week they embark on some absurd adventure that leads to conflict and argument.

Last week I did something I have sworn not to do on numerous occasions. I got in a facebook fight. I am frankly embarrassed at myself for being drawn in to one. Internet arguments are kinda like breaking up toddler fights. No one gets what they want and everyone leaves upset. There is no voice inflection in text. You can’t read body language. Most of the time, you don’t know the person well enough to understand their motives. I cannot tell you how many times I have resisted the temptation to post something I knew might start a fight. Last week, I didn’t.

Anybody remember the band “Extreme?” You know, that band who transformed college campuses everywhere by giving “that guy” with an acoustic guitar, a realistic shot at attracting girls who were way out of his league simply by strumming “More Than Words” in a public place. I am guessing you hear the song in your head as you are reading this sentence. Sorry about that. They were also known for lending their lead singer to Van Halen in a triumphant attempt to produce VH’s worst album (sorry, that really had nothing to do with my point.)

So I have been pondering the concept of “faith” recently. This past Sunday I shared with our congregation that I really don’t like faith. I have come to believe that “faith” is NOT a word used to describe our religious beliefs and activities, but a verb that is almost synonymous with risk, uncertainty and utter dependence. Most of the time, if I am honest, I really want God to lead me into a place where faith is no longer necessary. Much of my obsession in the midst of trials that require faith involve getting out of that trial as quickly and painlessly as possible.