leftovers: the action hero

I'm starting a new thread... one that you can track each week if you'd like. At least, as often as I speak in a church service (which is 6 weeks on and 1 week off - that whole rhythm of Sabbath works in more ways than one). In any event, there are often cool stories, quotes, or ideas for my my messages that I don't get to or put in because of time or context.

"Leftovers," if you will.

In the case below, I liked the illustration since we spoke about "The Action Hero" today and the things that move us to bring change to our world. While the story makes a humorous point about how the world tends to work, something about it didn't gel with me as I prayed over its appropriateness. So I kept it out... for whatever reason.

But this blog is no-holds barred, so enjoy.

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A man named George was going up to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things.

He phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" and he said no. Then they said that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be along when available.

George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again.

"Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now cause I shot them all." Then he hung up.

Within five minutes three police cars, an Armed Response unit, and an ambulance showed up at George's residence. Of course, the police caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the policemen said to George, "I thought you said that you'd shot them!"

George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"