Commentary on 'Family Tradition' - The Artform of Intercession

Four days ago, I was shopping at a discount store, when a horrible rendition of Silent Night played. I received a picture in my mind of a man in his fifties, shooting himself in the head. That was the inspiration for the post. It was originally a 'character development' piece about a man who had incessant thoughts, then shot himself, and ironically Silent Night played.

I don't have a computer at home, and I didn't want to write it out by hand, so by the time I got to a computer yesterday, the story was yearning to be told. As I began to document it, there was an expansion that included the wife and children. The birth of Justice is, of course, symbolic. It's a depiction of one life ending, so another one can begin, much like Evey Hammond in V for Vendetta. I guess Marian would be Evey, and the baby is the purpose, or 'vendetta'. I mention it because after the post was finally published, I witnessed a news report that was eerily similar. It was so strange that I could not sleep until 5 am, and am now wide awake on four hours of sleep.

That is not like me. My favourite song is Deep Purple's Lazy. If I could have a no worries week's vacation, I wouldn't travel. I'd just want a really nice room with a waterbed, internet access, notebooks, sketchpads, and good food. Anyway, this is a blog, not a novel. Or as it is heard on the Roadhouse Blues outtakes, 'We're going to the roadhouse, not the bathroom.' *smile* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b6gpNK7FMM&feature=fvw

Here's the news report: http://www.aolnews.com/tag/clay+duke The comparisons (including symbolism) are:

• couple in their mid fifties
• wife surrounded by children that are not her own
• Zavier translates house, the man's name was Clay
• man shot himself in the head
• V for Vendetta / the birth of Justice
• man went upstairs / man went to board meeting (symbolic)
• Marian having to relieve herself / Ginger L had to 'do something' - both confront situation
• The Sound of Music- the theme of finding salvation in another geographical place / Rebecca, Clay's wife was looking for work in another area when the incident occurred
• in both instances, Justice is conceived in the error of the man's ways

Instead of continuing with the comparison of details, I will conclude. Whether or not you believe in God, I want to share with you about intercession. Intercession is not a boring ritual of repeating liturgys over and over again. Intercession is like lovemaking that occurs between a married couple.* It is a 'getting to know one another' at an intimate level. God shares a little detail. As we let the detail develop, He continues to share. We continue to respond. At its conclusion, the natural confirms the event. I hope this commentary has given a bit of insight to intercession b/c I believe that's what happened. After the man shot himself, every one accredited God with the protection of their lives.

One final note: When I was originally composing the blog, the wife was speaking with an older boy while the girls watched the movie. I could not fit it into the story, but I wonder if there originally was a young man (perhaps as a security guard) in the event.

* ¹⁹ I will betroth you to me forever;
   I will betroth you in^[e] righteousness and justice,
   in^[f] love and compassion.
²⁰ I will betroth you in^[g] faithfulness,
   and you will acknowledge the LORD.  - Hosea chapter 2