I met a man last week. His name is Frank. He's 86 years old, is a World War 2 Veteran and lives alone. His wife is long gone, and he has a brother he hasn't spoken to in a long time, and he has 2 adopted daughters. One of the daughters comes to see him fairly regularly to help him, and the other comes by to take from him.
A dear friend of mine has begun to look after Frank every week, and last week invited me to come with him. Last week was filled with stories of flying a B24 in WW2, and his work for Southwestern Bell. While I am deeply moved and challenged by the love that my friend is showing in taking care of this man that is not his family, there is a part of me that is deeply saddened to see Frank, so old, quite alone, with no one really around. It must be a terribly lonely place to be in life.
Today we met and went to eat Mexican food. Frank had shaved for the occasion. He combed over his hair from his left ear to the right. Quite a "part" I must say. He was out of his robe, wearing khaki's and a long sleeve. Amid moments of his forgetfulness, we had good conversation, talking about planes, the Spurs, and other topics. He shared at the table, "it's hell, not having someone to help you cook, or be a chef for you," as he asked for a take-home box for his remaining lunch. Dinner was already prepared for him tonight, no doubt. I don't really want to imagine what he must feel each day, having no one there.
After we ate, we went to Frank's old house that is being remodeled to be sold. He walked in and was so surprised at all of the work that had been done. My friend and I walked away looking at another part of a room, and Frank stood in the kitchen looking outside in the back yard that he planted 30+ years ago. He just stood there, grinding his teeth, and I could hear it from the next room. I wondered, "what is he thinking?" Have the years passed and dulled him in his senses to the point that he just looks and recalls memories? OR, is he as sharp as he appears to be, and is he "seeing" the memories in action?" He lived with his family in this house for over 30 years. A home for certain, full of memories, events (both forgettable and unforgettable), a life found within the walls of that place once called "home."
Now living in a senior citizen apartment complex, he doesn't get out of the house much. He doesn't mow his yard, and sometimes doesn't even let his dog out to use the bathroom outside. He smokes, even though I've never seen him, I just have the tainted clothes to prove it. He told me today that he planted his back yard at his old home. I wonder when the last time was that Frank saw something grow. I wonder what sort of "life" he has been around recently, as everything in his life seems to point to death.
I know, I know, there is a book out there called "Tuesday's with Morrie." I've never read it, but I know the premise. This isn't my book, and today's not Tuesday. It is Wednesday, and this is my Frank. I wonder what I will learn. Thanks Terry.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hall of Fame
Hebrews 11, known as the Hall of Fame of Faith is perhaps my favorite part of the Bible. It's not some dogmatic doctrine for us to uphold. It is theologically meaty, and while it incapsulates many stories of adventure in just a few short lines, it is life changing for me... it is different... it paints a different story. It is a story that I long for. Don't get me wrong, I don't necessarily long to be imprisoned, burned, or sawed in two as the passage says. BUT, I do long to live a life that is worthy of such suffering. Sure, in my own way, relevant to my life, I have and am currently living under the suspicious nose of those who don't agree with the path that my family and I are following. But most of those are the "religious right."
It's interesting, because I view so much of "church" today based on an ability of "believers" to get others to like us. See, if I can get you to like me, then maybe you'll come back for more of what I have to say. That has been the path of the church over the last many years, as we've entertained people in hopes of getting them to like us or to "like church." And now there is a swing in the west that is more of a social gospel. Thank you! We need to be socially active in our communities and reaching the hungry, poor, and the rich who think they have everything, but have nothing. However, it seems in many ways that this too is just another form of getting people to like us. I don't intend to undermine the true desires of believers to really want to help people. But what bothers me about the social gospel movement is that it often lacks the call to Christ. Maybe this is for another post, but the call of Christ sounds like this: "follow me... go and sin no more... your sins are forgiven... repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." These are all ways in which Jesus called us to Him. I fear that through some of our social reaching, we are simply giving people a drink of water without introducing them to the Living Water. I am concerned that we are feeding the hungry without introducing them to the Bread of Life. It's a delicate balance, because we cannot continue, as we have been, "targeting" people and only giving them what they need if they become a follower of Christ. That's wrong too! But we cannot give with a closed mouth.
You see, the ancients of old didn't just die because they fed the hungry. They didn't just die because they simply believed. They didn't die because they went to church, paid their tithe, joined a small group/Sunday school, and served in the church building. They died because their faith was revealed by their actions. Their actions were a constant movement of true love shown for people around them. Because of that love, they would not be silent. They would not close their mouths concerning the greatness of Christ. They did not do it out of condemnation, they did it out of love and Christ's power. They healed the sick, raised the dead, and as they marched off to their death, they were thankful that God considered them worthy of a life of suffering for His sake. It puts it into a completely different perspective when we view God's blessings in our life as houses, cars, careers, money, stability and safety. Consider the life of those that went before us. For us in the United States, today we are not faced with the prospect of dying for our faith. That time will come again. For us, the real question is are we willing to truly LIVE for Christ? For living in Christ is death, and that death is true life.
You know, on second thought, there is something in me that desires the tribulations of life like those in Hebrews 11. Then I would know that I'm alive! I do wonder how many of those people that were killed for their great faith were killed by "believers"? Perhaps that is the greatest danger for me today.
So much more to write about this, but that's all for now. Leave some thoughts.
It's interesting, because I view so much of "church" today based on an ability of "believers" to get others to like us. See, if I can get you to like me, then maybe you'll come back for more of what I have to say. That has been the path of the church over the last many years, as we've entertained people in hopes of getting them to like us or to "like church." And now there is a swing in the west that is more of a social gospel. Thank you! We need to be socially active in our communities and reaching the hungry, poor, and the rich who think they have everything, but have nothing. However, it seems in many ways that this too is just another form of getting people to like us. I don't intend to undermine the true desires of believers to really want to help people. But what bothers me about the social gospel movement is that it often lacks the call to Christ. Maybe this is for another post, but the call of Christ sounds like this: "follow me... go and sin no more... your sins are forgiven... repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." These are all ways in which Jesus called us to Him. I fear that through some of our social reaching, we are simply giving people a drink of water without introducing them to the Living Water. I am concerned that we are feeding the hungry without introducing them to the Bread of Life. It's a delicate balance, because we cannot continue, as we have been, "targeting" people and only giving them what they need if they become a follower of Christ. That's wrong too! But we cannot give with a closed mouth.
You see, the ancients of old didn't just die because they fed the hungry. They didn't just die because they simply believed. They didn't die because they went to church, paid their tithe, joined a small group/Sunday school, and served in the church building. They died because their faith was revealed by their actions. Their actions were a constant movement of true love shown for people around them. Because of that love, they would not be silent. They would not close their mouths concerning the greatness of Christ. They did not do it out of condemnation, they did it out of love and Christ's power. They healed the sick, raised the dead, and as they marched off to their death, they were thankful that God considered them worthy of a life of suffering for His sake. It puts it into a completely different perspective when we view God's blessings in our life as houses, cars, careers, money, stability and safety. Consider the life of those that went before us. For us in the United States, today we are not faced with the prospect of dying for our faith. That time will come again. For us, the real question is are we willing to truly LIVE for Christ? For living in Christ is death, and that death is true life.
You know, on second thought, there is something in me that desires the tribulations of life like those in Hebrews 11. Then I would know that I'm alive! I do wonder how many of those people that were killed for their great faith were killed by "believers"? Perhaps that is the greatest danger for me today.
So much more to write about this, but that's all for now. Leave some thoughts.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Ikman and Jeremiah Wright
So my buddy Ikki asked me what I thought about Jeremiah Wright, and I thought it worthy of a post. ikman, starting it off hot. I must confess that I have not heard Jeremiah Wright first-hand, and I don't really trust the press to accurately depict facts. I know the tendency is to either agree with him or hate him. There's not much middle ground being taken. Having seen some of his comments, in context might I add, I think some of his remarks were grossly misrepresented out of context. However, some of his remarks are quite incendiary, and I believe fall more in line with opinion versus truth. As a believer, we are called to make a "right judgement" about those who are part of the body of Christ, and when we see a believer sinning, we are called to confront them out of love (1 Cor. 5, Matt.18:15-17). Our accountability hopefully leads them to repentance.
I don't understand Jeremiah's world, nor what brought him to make some of his comments. I think the issue for me is that he appears to be using his position to somewhat "bully" change. For instance, in his speeches about how governments lie, I'm not really sure of his message. Governments don't lie... people lie. It seems his words appear to be framed in such a way as for political purposes. I believe, that as a minister and messenger of the gospel, he should frame his words in a way to bring about social change through changing people's hearts and minds through the hope of Christ. In fact, isn't that the outcome of the cross and Jesus' work? He did not scream and yell condemning the unrighteous, he reached out to them to change their life by changing their heart and renewing their mind (John 12:47). He showed them life (John 10:10). There's no question that Wright speaks the truth about how American people have treated many people groups. I agree with him, but that's not just an American issue, it's a heart problem of all people. I also agree with the idea that as a nation, we will, can, have, and are paying for the misdeeds of the past, just as any other sin has a consequence. I think the reason so many people really get frustrated with his speech is because it is about America, and we often view our selves as the modern-day Israelites, God's chosen people. But we're not. Would we tend to agree more with him if he were saying these things about Iraq or Iran?
Unfortunately, there are many parts of his message that come across as angry, bitter, and loss of control. If we view him as a traditional pastor of a church, then his message certainly does not fit, and many are repulsed. If we view him as a prophet, which still happens today, then many become incensed and dispel him as crazy. Either way, the message of the Gospel is being lost in all of this, and it seems that it is another negative shot for Christ followers, because he has essentially condemned the sinner and not the sin.
I could write so much more, but, in closing, let me say this. Sadly, Reverend Jeremiah Wright's words have been used for political purposes. We hardly would have heard this had he not been the pastor of Barack Obama. But what is just as concerning is the lack of truth that is spoken in churches all across America every day and weekend. Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal, Charismatic, and more speak a hollow message of the Gospel that is tailored for people with itching ears. You see, our churches are full of people who hardly hear the truth about God. They call themselves Christians, and yet they serve an impotent God, taking on a form of godliness, but denying His power. That's for another post. But the reality is that before we go condemning Wright for his words, we better evaluate the lack of truth that we accept in our life on a daily basis, and then spread it around to those around us.
I don't understand Jeremiah's world, nor what brought him to make some of his comments. I think the issue for me is that he appears to be using his position to somewhat "bully" change. For instance, in his speeches about how governments lie, I'm not really sure of his message. Governments don't lie... people lie. It seems his words appear to be framed in such a way as for political purposes. I believe, that as a minister and messenger of the gospel, he should frame his words in a way to bring about social change through changing people's hearts and minds through the hope of Christ. In fact, isn't that the outcome of the cross and Jesus' work? He did not scream and yell condemning the unrighteous, he reached out to them to change their life by changing their heart and renewing their mind (John 12:47). He showed them life (John 10:10). There's no question that Wright speaks the truth about how American people have treated many people groups. I agree with him, but that's not just an American issue, it's a heart problem of all people. I also agree with the idea that as a nation, we will, can, have, and are paying for the misdeeds of the past, just as any other sin has a consequence. I think the reason so many people really get frustrated with his speech is because it is about America, and we often view our selves as the modern-day Israelites, God's chosen people. But we're not. Would we tend to agree more with him if he were saying these things about Iraq or Iran?
Unfortunately, there are many parts of his message that come across as angry, bitter, and loss of control. If we view him as a traditional pastor of a church, then his message certainly does not fit, and many are repulsed. If we view him as a prophet, which still happens today, then many become incensed and dispel him as crazy. Either way, the message of the Gospel is being lost in all of this, and it seems that it is another negative shot for Christ followers, because he has essentially condemned the sinner and not the sin.
I could write so much more, but, in closing, let me say this. Sadly, Reverend Jeremiah Wright's words have been used for political purposes. We hardly would have heard this had he not been the pastor of Barack Obama. But what is just as concerning is the lack of truth that is spoken in churches all across America every day and weekend. Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal, Charismatic, and more speak a hollow message of the Gospel that is tailored for people with itching ears. You see, our churches are full of people who hardly hear the truth about God. They call themselves Christians, and yet they serve an impotent God, taking on a form of godliness, but denying His power. That's for another post. But the reality is that before we go condemning Wright for his words, we better evaluate the lack of truth that we accept in our life on a daily basis, and then spread it around to those around us.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Here We Go!
So, it's been a long time since I've blogged. Believe me, I'm bloated with all kinds of thoughts, musings, frustrations, and more. I'm ready to flood. There has been so much I have thought about writing lately, but haven't. So, I'm going to attempt to recall some of the thoughts I've had, and keep up-to-date on the new ones. Stop by and let's talk.
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