Andy Borgmann's Blog
Where The Producer Gets the Mic
Category: Christianity
This morning was one of those rare times in life where I got 5 hours of sleep and it seemed to be enough. Mixed with a mind that was racing at a million miles an hour, I decided to not fight it and just get up.
Due to my roommate's pretentiousness towards movies, my intake of movies has dropped significantly in the past year. Even Blockbuster tried to lure me back upon my last visit - since it had been so long - in hopes of bringing me back to our once happy and consistent relationship.
So with some extra hours on a lazy Saturday morning I popped in Seven Pounds thinking maybe I'd fall back asleep if it got boring. It turned out to be one of the deepest movies I have seen in a long time.
As I lay in my bedroom early this morning, amidst a sunrise I rarely get to be apart of, and a stillness I never experience in my home, I was brought to literal tears as I watched a man so deep stricken with a loss in his life attempt to make amends by lovingly sacrifice to those in need.
And while I guessed the ending from about 10 minutes into the movie, this did not detract in the least from its power.
I found myself gearing up for a powerful and emotional end, but it was the scene with a gift of new life for battered woman and her kids that best exemplifies the heart behind the grace and love in this movie. And as powerful as the final moments of this movie turned out to be, it was this scene that caught me off guard.
" All I ask is that you honor my wishes and of course live life abundantly."
Sound at all familiar?
Is that not the reason Jesus himself said he came to this earth?
Is that not the power of the gospel? That it not only has the profound ability to changes one's life, but that life that is changed yields one that isn't easy, or effortless, or without pain: but that is abundant and full.
I preached a mini-sermon series back in 2003 where I talked about the "Great Contradiction" between denying oneself and living life to the fullest.
Yet I wish I had this clip back then because I think it communicates not just the grace of God - which has become almost cliché in most sermons - but probably more importantly the heart behind the grace.
As Will Smith narrates, " ...if you are wondering why you? Please stop." I find myself believing that it is that picture into the heart of God that best enables one to live an abundant life.
11 Comments •
Religion Christianity Law
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590 Words
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
 This is quite possibly the most controversial blog I have ever written - even more than the Anything For Love post of 2007.
Dr. George Tiller was the late-term abortion doctor who was gunned down while serving in his Lutheran church this past Sunday. And while i freely acknowledge I do not know this man's heart, and judgment is only for God, I am going to go out on a limb and say that we will see Dr. George Tiller again in heaven.
From the start I should say that I am pro-life - although from posts like mine back in October - it is probably obvious that I am not "super pro-life." I do believe that abortion is wrong, I just fail to see it anymore wrong than anything else and therefore I refuse to make it a wedge issue.
Most of my personal theology stems from the statement: "In the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity."
It is this theological principle that helps me appreciate the theology from Catholics to Baptists and the super-crazy Greek Orthodox. It is why I don't get bogged down in the pros and cons of Calvinist vs. Wesleyan theology. Do I have stark disagreements with all of these, sure. But I realize in the end we all accept that Jesus is God, none of our theology is perfect, and therefore we are all unified in salvation through Christ alone.
But the question that arises is: is abortion a theological essential to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is it so heinous and irredeemable that an abortion doctor, who on at the surface seems to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and trusts in him for his salvation, cannot be forgiven?
Now I know just becuase you go to church hardly makes you a Christian - especially in Kansas. But this man was an unapologetic abortion doctor. If there is anyone in our society that wouldn't feel the social pressure to go to church, don't you think it would be him? So I am going to proceed with the assumption that he attended and served in church for the right reasons.
He clearly didn't see abortion to be wrong.
Do I disagree with him. Yes.
Is abortion such a cut and dry issue in the Bible that I believe it to be "an essential" of Christian theology. No.
There is a lot of sin in my life that I know about. I am not proud of it, but I humbly admit that I am not perfect. What's more is that there is probably even more sin in my life that I do not know about. I go on doing what I do, thinking I am right and correct, but in actuality I am not. Do I understand myself to be any less forgiven or redeemed because of this known and unknown sin? No.
What does Jesus say really saves us? I know sin in my life continually gets brought to the surface every day I am alive. I see no evidence that Paul or David or Peter or anyone went on to live a sinless life. So if we are saved only by the grace through our faith in Jesus Christ, why would it be hard to believe Dr. George Tiller - while probably erroneous in some of his theology and practice - would be unsaved?
So while I do not know the heart of George Tiller, if I were a betting man, I am going to bet that I'll see him again in heaven.
I had a wonderful weekend. Went to the Alliance Theatre, a Thrasher's game, and a Braves season ticket holder event. But then Saturday night's show came along...
If you listened and followed my Twitter you'll know that I got pretty frustrated with Allen during the Bobby Knight and Obama & Iran hours.
I will write later this week on why Allen is fundamentally wrong on those two issues in a blog where I won't be constantly interrupted. But first I must clear the air about one of my largest frustrations since starting this show almost 4 years ago: assumptions.
Allen let me talk during the Iran hour (not the Bobby Knight hour) and the following "conversation" took place. If you don't have time to listen, it can be summarized in that Andy thinks Obama would be right to go over and talk with Iran and Allen is wrong.
But after this conversation we got an email from a listener who agreed with Allen. No biggie. I know I am not in the majority on this one. But he made two assumptions that just ate at me over the next couple of days.
He (Andy) sounds very much like so many people, who went through school in the past twenty years and were influenced by liberal professors that are undermining support for Israel.
Your producer also sounds the naïve person, who would have to go to Gaza and be beheaded before he would get it.
Let's examine these two statements.
 First, the liberal professors I was obviously educated under. I'd like for you to meet Mr. Oded Yinon. Oded was my Introduction to the Modern Middle East Professor while studying in Israel/Palestine. Oded's father was one of the founders of the Mossad (the Israeli CIA). Oded is easily one of the most intimidating people I have ever met as I am pretty sure he could kill me before I even knew it (this still didn't prevent me from arguing with him).
Oded once made a comment in class that, "these vermin [Palestinians] will never compromise." A statement I vehemently disagree with, but not exactly your typical "liberal professor" viewpoint now is it.
Second, I am obviously a naïve person who needs to go to Gaza and get blown up. This of course will change my mind.
 The date was September 9, 2003. I was lying in my bed at 11:20 pm and I will never forget the dull thud and the ensuing police sirens. I didn't need to, but I walked out of my room onto the roof of my building and watched as police cars raced to the Café Hillel suicide bombing.
This bombing took place less than a mile from my bed. It was a cafe I had eaten at earlier in the week. And I lived in Israel/Palestine at the height of the suicide bombings of the Intifada II (the height being 2002-2003 where 362 people died).
So don't you dare call me naïve and excuse my insight to be out of ignorance or blindly following liberal professors.
Your assumptions aren't just wrong about me, but like most people, your assumptions are what make you wrong about most of the beliefs that you hold regarding issues you know only what FoxNews or MSNBC tells you.
We try and label people based on our perception of them and in doing so we ignore the value their perspective might bring to the discussion. It's a problem we have in our relationships, in our politics, and in our companies. Assumptions do far more than make an ass out of you and me, they destroy cultures.
12 Comments •
Christianity Children Parenting
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492 Words
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Sunday, December 21, 2008
 I was the Editor-in-Chief of my high school yearbook. I know, über-nerdy right? I wasn't very good at it to be honest. The yearbook was a finalist for a prestigous national award, so it was designed well and the final product was nice (and late), but my overall ability to lead the staff was an utter failure. I made many, many mistakes.
But one thing we were good at: debating. Didn't matter the topic. I had a staff full of women - including one exgirlfriend and a few other very close friends of another exgirlfriend - and one very quiet man. Needless to say, many times it was me versus them all (with the man abstaining).
As Christmas approached, one day the topic of Santa Claus came up. I made the statement that I was not going to tell my kids there was a Santa Claus.
Ohhh....my....gosh! You would have thought I said I will let my kids spend the night with Michael Jackson and Christopher Walken.
I got accused of not fostering a creative environment for my kids.
I got accused of ruining Christmas for all my friends kids.
I got accused of not letting my kids enjoy being kids.
I know how the pictured Santa felt a bit.
But no, just a simple desire not to ever set a precedent of lying to my kids was my motive.
Now I will freely admit that this was right at the height of my extreme "conservative" stage - one many of my current friends won't believe I ever went through. But even with the loosening of my perspective on many things, I still feel I won't tell them there is a Santa.
I think there is already so much pressure from culture to redefine what Christmas is all about. It becomes about the presents, or about family, or about giving, or about joyfulness. And while none of those are per se bad, it isn't really what the season is about at its core.
 But it goes beyond this. I know one of my greatest strengths, but also greatest weakness, is that I try to live be a mantra of honesty above all. And while that sometimes means I am not as compassionate and caring as I should be, I do believe that you can rarely go wrong with telling the truth.
I think this becomes all the more important with children. There is already such an innate skepticism with kids as they grow up towards their parents. Why feed into that? Not just with Santa, but in all areas of life.
Apparently I am not the only one. Carl Honoré wrote an article titled " Well, Virginia, It's a Longer Story..." about the "Great-Santa Debate" in a recent article in the Washington Post. But then of course, you have all those wonderful Macy's commercials with the comforting confirmation of Santa's existence from the likes of Martha Stewart and Donald Trump.
So what do you think? How were you raised? How are you raising (or planning on raising) your kids?
The largest hurdle I have in believing that there is a God is the existence of evil. I know this doesn't make me unique, or profound.
I was watching Dirty Sexy Money earlier this week and resonated so strongly with the following clip. Brian is the religious one - but by no means the Saint - in the family. As the show develops, one realizes he really is the metaphorical example of all of us struggling with good and evil.
I love the honesty. The rawness. The emotion. It reminds me of when Jeremiah laments in the Bible by saying, " You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived. You seized me and prevailed..." As an Old Testament professor once said, deceived is a "soft translation." Deceived, should be raped. But you never hear that story in Sunday school.
I once preached a sermon in Indiana where I read the passage where Jesus said that "his burden is easy and his yoke is light." I followed up by saying, "yeah right!" Had I been bolder I think the better phrase would have been, bullshit.
There is nothing about this world that seams easy - and I say that having lived on both sides of the faith continuum. Why is there so much pain if an Omnibenevolent Being is behind it?
Here's the truth, I don't know.
As much as I love Robert Frost's poem, I think there are really three roads that can be taken in life.
There are those who take the road of naiveté. They say things like, "all works out for the good in the end" or "evil is just a byproduct of a fallen and imperfect world." Meanwhile ignoring the true sense of injustice in the world. Not recognizing that there is legitimate, undeserved suffering in the world.
There still others that say fuck it. They take the road of bitterness. There can't be a God. They don't understand evil, it makes no sense, therefore the only logical conclusion is there is no intelligence or compassion behind this world. Meanwhile ignoring the good that some how comes from nowhere, and the beauty all around us, and all the benevolence that can be generated by them.
And then there is the third road. This road gets traveled the least. It is a road that freely admits they don't have any answers on this one - but wish they did. It is a road that doesn't offer up cheesy clichés in the face of injustice or sorrow, but will cry with you when it happens. It is a road that doesn't become bitter at the evils society face, but recognizes there is work to be done to help overcome them. It is a road that humbles, but also empowers one to do something about it - even if little impact can be made - which is tough to accept.
And while I know the one taken less, I freely admit I do not know which will make all the difference in the end. But I know which one I have chosen.
13 Comments •
Christianity Friendship
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416 Words
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
 Niki (not real name): "I thought you said your cousin is a Christian? He's so fun."
Julia: "Yeah, being a Christian isn't his problem."
Niki: "Well what's his problem?"
Julia: "He blogs."
This was a conversation my cousin had with a friend of her's after I met up with them in East Atlanta after the show on Saturday.
I had no alcohol that night and my sister was still able to get me dancing up on a pool table with everyone else - something most of my friends find astonishing.
The night was a blast, but it was the above conversation that got me the most excited. So even though they make fun of my blogging, I decided to blog about it.
Earlier that week our show was rejected by a potential station in Mississippi because, as they put it, "our show is too risque for their market." Keep in mind, they aren't a Christian station - they are a mainstream, secular station. True, it is Mississippi, but still, a mainstream station rejecting a show about faith because they are too risque. Awe-some!
My response: "Can I quote that when developing our marketing campaigns."
Both of the above statements mean much to me because they reinforce that I am living the vision and purpose I set out to live - both professionally and personally.
As my cousin said later in the above conversation, "Andy is a real Christian - he isn't judgmental."
Now at this point you are thinking, wow this post is incredibly egocentric - which I do not deny.
But I have said over and over on this blog that the judgementalism and lack of grace usually exuded by Christians is a significant problem with their ability to relate to this world.
In our attempt to make the right choice, we end up treating people with disdain with a lack of compassion that is incredibly obvious and unsupportive to loving this world.
So on Saturday night, I didn't get drunk, but refused to judge those who did.
And on Saturday night, I didn't go home with anybody - even though I am pretty sure I could have (shut up Cassie) - but didn't look down on those who did.
I just had a great time with some fun people and I look forward to doing it again.
So while there are many, many ways I fall short of the standard I attempt to live up to (like being egocentric while blogging), I find the two conversations above to be encouraging.
I often feel like the least forgiving place in this world is the place that should be the most. As the saying goes, "the church seems to shoot their wounded."
This saddens me how few people recognize how imperfect we all are, and how all sin is equal in the eyes of God. When will we try to be as forgiving as God.
I know I can't post them all, but if you follow Post Secret, you will be astonished how many of them are about carrying around guilt and shame years - sometimes even decades - after something happened.
...Women who are vegans because egg yolks remind them of their abortions
...Men who feel bad about the way they treated people in high school
...First time sexual experiences that were not what they expected
...Mothers missing their daughters because they don't speak after and event
...Fathers knowing they should never have left their kids
...Business deals that fell through
...Friends mistreating and taking advantage of other friends
Stop carrying the guilt around with you. God forgives - even if we don't.
Be sure to visit Post Secret for more interesting looks into the human condition.
1 Comments •
Religion Christianity Politics
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111 Words
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Friday, November 21, 2008
There is little in this world that makes me angrier than this mindset. People are so lost to the idea that a.) God is an pro-American, and b.) God is a pro-Republican that I am sure the mindset above rings all too true in millions of homes around the country.
It makes me want to vote Democrat for no other reason than to send the message to the Church that God is bigger than their political ideologies.
(Although I am sure this rings true in Democrat homes as well, so if that is the case, then vote Republican).
Be sure to visit Post Secret for more interesting looks into the human condition.
It's a surprisingly cold March evening in a city much further north than Atlanta. Two teenagers find themselves in a cheap, Pontiac Grand Am - that is at least a decade old - after a high school sporting event. She had been there to cheer the team on to victory; he was suppose to take her home afterward. But neither of them really wanted to go home and - since there was no school the next day - they went for a drive. The two had been dating for sometime, and as teenagers often to do, they thought they were in love.
It was one of those drives that as they get older they will have less and less. Drives that really have no purpose - just an excuse for spending more time together until curfew. A drive that always ends too soon, but a drive that lasts forever in the memories reserved for the "good times."
On this particular drive, one thing lead to another on the starless night, and the two made love. It was the kind of love that those older and more experienced wouldn't call great, but it was all that they knew, and it was great for them. And just because the greatness might have been lacking, the mechanics worked the same, and against all odds, one of the million sperm released found its way to its destiny. It was a sperm that would change everything. And the only witness to this unexpected world changing moment was a moose...
Admit it, until you got to the moose part, you thought I was writing about my own experience? But there are no moose in Indiana and this isn't my story. It is the story of Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston - with some creative liberties I am sure.
Bristol Palin is the 17-year old daughter of Sarah Palin - John McCain's running mate. And in a move that caused everyone to rollover in their grave, Bristol Palin is 5-months pregnant, and John McCain knew this and still selected Sarah Palin as his running mate.
My first thought is if you would have told those teens whenever/wherever they were doing it that this event would have national implications, I bet they would think you are crazy. But then I realized what I really should be thinking about is how glad I am the mistakes I made in high school (and beyond) weren't under the national spotlight.
But here is where I am going to make everybody, no matter where you stand on this story, angry. This story both highlights the hypocrisy of Republicans/Christians, as well as the illogic of the Democrats/Secularists.
I am not for politicians, pastors, and leaders stepping down in their roles when they make stupid personal morality decisions. I have been saying so for years. Whether we want to admit it or not, the mindset behind those who think leaders need to be perfect come from those who subconsciously think they are perfect...and that there families are perfect.
But Republicans & Christians a like (not saying they are the same) need to recognize that most of us are hypocrites, but that is ok. That's the point of grace. Life is messy. Families are messier. And we all do stupid things from time to time. The idea that "Sarah Palin can't run her household" or that "Bill Clinton shouldn't have been leading a country" is absolutely ridiculous. Some of the greatest leaders of all time have had huge moral failures in their life, but with out them, this world would be drastically different.
Two Examples (I could list more): The Apostle Peter & Martin Luther King, Jr.
Liberals on the other hand need to stop using this as an example of a woman's and/or family's "right-to-choice." Just because a family chose to keep the baby, does not change the moral question of when life begins, and therefore, the value of not taking that life, one bit.
Those who read this know that I am open to the discussion on when life begins. But the idea that Bristol's situation indicates that we shouldn't defend life is absurd at best, and deplorable at worst.
I will say one more thing that will infuriate everyone even more. Levi & Bristol should not be getting married. A shotgun wedding is taking a bad situation and making it a permanent, worse situation. If the kids are in love and would have gotten married anyways, then fine. But a baby is never a reason to marry. It doesn't make the conception anymore "holy," and it shouldn't make everyone else feel better with the situation.
My sympathies go out to Bristol and Levi. To use a hockey term: who knew two teens slipping one past the goalie would have such large implications on the election of the most powerful man in the world.
On a side note, I have been asked by a few to comment on my feelings about Sarah Palin as VP. I will do so in a blog that will be release on Monday. Enjoy the weekend.
6 Comments •
Religion Christianity Politics
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0 Words
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
One of the greatest moments in a Presidntial Campaign happened last night and I am pretty sure we all missed it because we were watching Phelps get his 8th gold medal.
I am not really sure who "won" this discussion; Obama, McCain, and Warren for that matter all represented themselves beautifully. But I know with out a doubt, hands down who the losers were: James Dobson, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Al Franken, Bill Maher, and countless others.
Warren showed us what it truly means to be a patriotic American and to ask the tough questions that we aren't all going to agree on, but deserve to be discussed in a civil, mature, and respectful manner.
There was no "Stop Obama Expresses" allowed at Saddleback. There were no "Evil Neocon Bush Administrations." Simply tough, fair, and introspective questions for two people running for a very tough job.
In the opening segment Warren made the comment I have to tell you upfront but both these guys are my friends. I don't happen to agree with everything either teach or believe, but they both care deeply about America. They're both Patriots and they have very different views on how America can be strengthened in America. We've got to learn to disagree with out demonizing each other and we need to restore civility. We need to restore civility in our civil discourse and that's the goal of the Saddleback Civil Forum.
Great job Rick! I am very proud of you. Great job!
A Good Recap If You Don't Have 2 Hours
What You Should Watch, Even If You Have to Take Breaks
Description
Andy's blog aims to be like a Scrubs episode, mixed with a Chuck Klosterman column, centered around the topic of faith. It is open, honest, raw, and a little embarrassing. It is a place to discuss religion, politics, ministry, pop culture, and well, just life - especially focused on the time of life we call our 20s!
Andy is the Executive Producer of The Allen Hunt Show; a progressive (in the literal sense), talk radio show based in Atlanta, GA aimed at bringing faith back into the public discussion. Andy enjoys travel, aviation, web design, politics, friends, and faith. He holds that the secret to a full life is loving God and loving people - which he fails at constantly.
Andy grew up in Fort Wayne, IN. He now lives in Alpharetta, GA.
More information about Andy can be found at www.2timothy42.org or Andy's Facebook.
P.S. As has been mentioned on air, Andy is horrible at grammar and spelling. Please excuse any mistakes, trust me, he's sorry.
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Andy's Blog
