I say use to because I truly believe you can grow out of the hippie mindset and become "one of them." I became one of them a long time ago, and sometimes I miss my jeans with holes in them (I still have jeans with holes in them but they are now used for painting and working in the yard). I sometimes miss my long hair because now my hair is thin and grey. I sometimes miss the ability to pack all my belongings into the car and move to another city, because now I have to be responsible and work at a job to pay for all the things we've acquired. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret not being a hippie anymore, just sometimes I miss it. There is something deep inside me that stirs my emotions when I see my younger friends (and even some of my older friends) who can still grow their hair long, pulled back into a pony-tail. Today, I would be the one with the earring, and the tattoo, and the long hair. Not spiked or red, just long. My dad hated my hair and music and we almost came to blows several times over it. I was the one who was a non-conformist, in a conformist kind of way – we were all "individuals" who looked alike. We wanted to "find ourselves" and didn't trust anyone over 30. The problem is we were always trying to find ourselves in drugs and sex and music and rebellion and Height-Ashberry hype (if you don't get this last reference you're too young to understand). But some of us never really found ourselves, and some of us are still looking. And we were users. My parent's generation is often called "The Greatest Generation." My generation? The "Me Generation." Says a lot, does it not? It was always about us. When I became a Christian I became a "Jesus Freak." We brought guitars and drums and that rebellious spirit into the church and delighted in the shock and disgust of the older generation. I suppose that's why it has always been difficult for me in the church, difficult being a Christian. I've always tried to make it about me. What could I get out of it. And usually I got nothing. I've tried to conform for such a long time but it never really set well, so I became the kind of Christian who could say all the right things but never really believed any of it, never really lived any of it. Even after I "got saved," I lived life on MY terms. I was called a stoner last night, but that isn't accurate – I was more of social smoker. The drug scene was never really my thing. But I was able to score some good stuff from my friends at church. If my parents and preacher knew what went on in our youth group they would have had a heart attack.
So when did it all change? When did I change? When did our music become the background music in an elevator? When did we become "the older generation?" It's happened oh so gradually, season after season. Time seems to mellow us, to give us perspective. We look back over our lives, not with a microscope but more of a telescope. And we realize that for those of us who are Christians, the journey to maturity, to salvation, is worked out over that lifetime – through the good times and the bad, the hard times and easy. I'm probably going to be looking through that telescope a little more on this blog than normal because it's where I'm at. And the reason for this rambling reflection? I got notice of my 35 year high school reunion. *sigh*
B~
May 18, 2006 at 3:35 pm
*sigh*
May 18, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Bruce,
You are still a hippie at heart. That’s why we all love you so much. Here’s a question for ya. Is conforming the opposite of transforming? And if it is, why the gradual process for both? You are one of my favorite people on earth, even if you are old π
Tenille
May 18, 2006 at 4:21 pm
What do you think, T? My opinion is that conforming could lead to not becoming transformed. We conform to what society says we should be as Christians, not transformed into what Jesus says we should be as Christians. So many of us conform, and then pretend we are transformed, eventually becoming what you and I talked about the other night – deformed Christians. To me, conformity is rules and laws and even, to some degree, narrow-mindedness. Now, what say you?
B~
And go easy on the old stuff.
May 18, 2006 at 10:19 pm
This was a great post, Bruce, I enjoyed getting a glimpse inside what you’ve been thinking about lately. You’re a really good writer, glad you let loose.
I think Jesus was the first non-conformist and is the only tranformerist(I made that word up so I hope you get the meaning)
I think I was your female counterpart back in the hippy days. I was born a few years too late to be a real hippy, but I was the major con-conformist dating all the guys like you with the long hair and the good pot. Oh yeah, and my hair was down past my butt and I wore flowers and feathers in it. UGH!
May 19, 2006 at 7:03 am
“So many of us conform, and then pretend we are transformed, eventually becoming what you and I talked about the other night – deformed Christians”
I don’t want to be DEFORMED! May God continue to enlighten us on this mystical process called transformation.
May 19, 2006 at 9:12 am
OK so say we become ‘deformed’…..can we not still be TRANSFORMED…..
How after 40 years of thinking one way can we think differently, trust that it’s not us still wanting what we want…..
So the whole process is frightening and yet to not be in process scares me more…
THanks for a great post and thread of discussion.still *sighing*
May 19, 2006 at 9:51 am
Time just catches up one day and hits you like a rock in the head.
I know!
May 19, 2006 at 10:03 am
Yes Becky, MY opinion is that you can become deformed and still be transformed, but it’s only through the work of the Holy Spirit. Deformity is, according to my friend Webster, to “spoil the form of.” For me, and I can only speak about me, the more I conform to the image of Christianity that the church presents instead of to Jesus Himself, the more I slowly “spoil the form of” who God created me to be. We have to be very careful to what, or who, we conform to. To be conformed is to “bring in harmony or agreement.” Who better to be in harmony with than God Himself as reveal to us through Jesus!
This whole non-conforming thing is a holdover from my youth and I’m just now realizing how it’s effecting (affecting?) my being a Christ Follower. To quote Webster one more time: “TRANSFORM implies a major change in form, nature, or function.” I’m sorry, I just don’t see a lot of transforming in the church today.
Enjoying the discussion. Still *sighing* my ownself. And comments from T about being one of her favorite old persons doesn’t help. π
B~
May 19, 2006 at 11:32 am
A friend of mine says it’s like the DNA is shifting…sounded like a really good way to explain it to me…..the good thing is once it does shift….we are changed indeed???
May 19, 2006 at 12:53 pm
Wow. This is a very interesting post.
I think you are a cool guy, Bruce. From one non-conformist to another: I definitely relate.
May 19, 2006 at 11:40 pm
**sigh**
Agh..enough of the old stuff. We’re NOT old! The older we get the better we get. We mellow, and we know a lot of stuff.
I embroidered my hole-y jeans, had long long hair and wire rimmed glasses and beaded jewelry, wore smocked blouses and…HEY! Kind of like everyone is wearing these days!
I like who we’ve become! You rock, Bruce!
May 20, 2006 at 4:54 pm
I like this one!
Lately I have been on a old tunes binge, checking CDs out of the library.
The Velvet Underground
CCR
CSN&Y
Dylan
Joni M
Judy Collins
I had a pair of flair levis with paisley cuffs sewed on.
I also had a denim jacket with “Maranatha” in large letters across the back and a bunch of patches.
May 21, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Curious! I’ve got CSN&Y in my Bronco right now. Along with 3 Dog Night, The Eagles, The Doobie Bros., James Taylor, and of course, The Beatles (right now it’s Abby Road).
I haven’t seen “Maranatha” in a very long time. And paisley cuffs – you rock.
BTW Karen, I never said we were “old,” just older. π
B~
May 22, 2006 at 10:51 pm
Tenille said we’re old….. π¦
I wuz stickin’ up fer us….
May 22, 2006 at 10:52 pm
π
May 23, 2006 at 7:10 am
Ah, Karen, my apologies…you are so correct. T DID call us old, at least me. But I know she doesn’t mean it. π
B~
May 23, 2006 at 8:00 am
I come by way of Bar Bar A. 35 year high school reunion? Wait…that’s this year for me too – class of ’71 right? Wow. Am I that old? I don’t feel it. Aren’t we all still young at heart. Did the previous generation reflect as we do? Will our kids reflect as we do when they right our age? Is it is just us?
Maybe it’s just me but I seem to relate better to my kids than my parents ever did with me. I actually enjoy some of their music. I don’t think my parents did.
As for “conforming”, “transforming” or “deforming”, it’s all “forming”, isn’t it? It seems the difference is who doing it and for what purpose…you, me or Jesus Christ.
May 23, 2006 at 9:56 am
Grasshopper: I don’t know if you will come by here again, but welcome – I know who you are. And I agree about “forming” and where our focus lies. I think I can relate better to my daughter than my parents did to me, and we listen to some of the same music (she even listens to oldies). As far as the previous generation reflecting as we do? Yes, I think that goes without saying that all generations, at some point, start reflecting on what they did, or didn’t, accomplish.
Thanks for stopping by. It’s always good to have someone in my generation make comments, someone who knows what I’m talking about.
B~
May 23, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Let’s see some pictures!
May 23, 2006 at 12:13 pm
Uh, no. But thanks for asking.
B~
May 24, 2006 at 1:50 am
Hi Bruce,
I’m new to your blog…found you through BJK’s blog, INTHEQUIET. I guess I dug the picture in your profile.
My grandpa is a conservative minister, my mom a totally rebellious hippie…and you know what? I love her for it and I praise God for her diversity. My past has challenged me to go PAST religion and into a direct relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rob Bell made some sort of reference in Velvet Elvis…not sure if I got this right, but he says to American Pastors “are you smokin’ what you’re sellin’?” I mean, who but a hippie would get that!!
Consider yourself like Paul who was a Jew’s Jew and also cared enough to learn about the cultures of the people he ministered to…he did this to wisely “meet them where they’re at”…and you seem to be doing the same thing here in your blog.
Blessings, brother!
In Christ,
Danielle
SoCal
May 24, 2006 at 1:51 am
Oh…hey to “curious servant” … today is Bob Dylan’s birthday!
Woo-hoo!
May 24, 2006 at 4:58 am
Hmmmmmmmmmm great blog. . . . could you ever imagine a 35 year reunion. . . . I did the 20th reunion and decided it was way to weird. . .
June 5, 2006 at 6:27 pm
Ummm, I think I called you an “ex-stoner”.
Guess i was mistaken. π
Tenille, yes, it is the opposite.
Trinitie