Moving

This will not be the last time I address this subject. After 11 years in Fresno (and never having a yard sale or garage clean-up during that whole time) we are now attempting to pack up 31 yrs. of living, 11 yrs. of living in one place and move from a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,000 sq. ft. home to a 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, 1,000 sq. ft. apartment. Trying to figure out what to toss, store, move and sell is not an easy task. Joanie has been variously in tears, frustrated beyond belief, and joyously discovering long forgotten goodies that we did not even remember having. I, on the other hand, am grateful that we are moving somewhere where there is no garage so I won't store junk for the next several years that I didn't need for the last 11 years and didn't really need before that!
We do keep running across memories. We found music and materials from Joanie's mother who died 7 years ago; handprints Jonathan put on a piece of material from school; tapes of our wedding and of Joanie in concert - the stuff of memories. I guess I am not the most sentimental guy in the world when it comes to such stuff. I don't need the tape of our wedding to remember the day and what I felt. It still makes me choke up and smile when I remember that day. I am more interested in Jonathan's hands that touch me today than handprints from years ago. I remember Joanie's mother all the time (she would be so proud and supportive of what we are doing in this move - Just as Dad is). I love the memories, but the objects don't always make me remember. The things those people did to impact my life - I remember them all the time.

What is the World Coming To?

For years the fundamental wing of the Christian Church has speculated about the Second Coming based on the 1948 creation of an Israelite state in the Middle East. Bookstores have been filled with books (the "Left Behind" series has been a huge seller) about final things and eschatology. Undoubtedly, the events of this week will become constant fodder for the religious airwaves in the days and weeks to come. This will be viewed by the John Hagee's and Pat Robertson's as fulfillment of biblical prophecy. What are we to believe? What are we to think? What is the world coming to, anyway?
Time Magazine has put up this cover and proclaimed the end of "Cowboy Diplomacy". Yet today, the rumblings of the next war in the Middle East have been heard. Bombs are being dropped on airport runways and roads that link nations together. Soldiers are kidnapped and terrorists camps have been bombed. The seriousness of the conflict is intensifying. Iran is threatening an Arabic world retaliation if Syria is attacked. Is WWIII coming? Is Jesus about to return? What is the world coming to, anyway?
Well, I am thinking more about people like DonDeena Johnson in Beirut. She is trying to run a school and pastor a church while the city of Beirut is being bombed. I am praying for her and for the students, faculty and church members of that war torn country. Do I think Jesus is about to return? Sure. I always think he is about to return. Jesus told us to live our lives ready for an event (the second coming) that will happen at any moment but may tarry for another millennium or two. When it happens, no one will be prepared except those who are always prepared. I seriously doubt that any Mideast conflict will usher in the final event of human history. It is too obvious. But I do think that it will be the "second coming" for some people who will die in this conflict. To those who die today, their second coming will be to face Jesus and give an account of their lives and their faith. Let us live as though today is our last day and let us plan as though the Lord will tarry for our lifetimes. And don't listen to Time Magazine or Hagee or Robertson. Read the Word, it has more contemporary information in it than any of these guys have. And it reads better, too.

Family Time

I am so fortunate to have the family that I have. I talked to two of my boys today and that brought a smile to my face and my heart. After being separated from my youngest son for nearly a year while he and his wife were studying theater in England, I got to see them for the first time last week - and today I called him on the phone and got a chance just to chat. How nice. At the moment I am talking to my middle son who is just coming home from work (he lives in Indiana) and is telling my wife and I about his day. It is not earth shattering conversation, but is the joy that is inherent in communicating with my boys. It is a precious thing to be at this stage of my life (I'm 53) and with my boys in their 20's (Ok, Doug, is on the other side of 40 but who's counting?) and still have all of them enjoy talking to me, seeing me, having me visit, and asking for advice. In a world with so many estranged families who cannot communicate at all or who cannot stand to be together, I have a loving family that cherishes times together and moments spent eating a meal, playing a game, going to a movie, or just driving along talking together in the car.
My three sons (Ok, couldn't resist) have married three very unique and incredibly special women. They are beautiful, talented, caring, loving, and very interesting people. I look forward to decades of spending time listening to them and sharing with them. I will be a better person because of their unique gifts, talents and intellect. Amazingly, they have all married into families that we enjoy spending time with (though we have spent far too little time with Susan's family over the years). We have begun deep friendships with the Flores' and Klecka's that we cherish already and enjoy immensely.
Dads, don't ever take for granted the years you have with your kids. The struggles of early parenting are all worth it when you get to this side of life. Moms, make sure you hug your kids today and tell them that you love them. The expressions of love you get after they become adults are some of the sweetest expressions you will ever experience. Children, call your parents, email them, send them a note, do something that tells your parents how much you love and appreciate them. They will bask in the glow of your expression of love.

Signing

I spent one night at the North American Convention (Anderson Campmeeting) signing books. I'm not sure how to describe it. Awkward comes to mind. So does exciting and gratifying. Most of those who purchased the book (and wanted it signed) were friends of mine. That was the gratifying part. The exciting part was talking to people who had read the book or who were reading the book. Awkward was the part where you didn't want to be "hawking" your wares in the "Temple" (I was glad it was the entrance to the gymnasium - made me feel better). One of those who read the book was one of my mentors, Dr. James Earl Massey. He read it in one night (I shouldn't be surprised). He had nice things to say about the material. That was amazingly gratifying. I was most proud of the dedication page. I had many folks to thank. Here is what I wrote:

This book is dedicated to those who have helped me to preach the story:
To my parents, Frank and Florence, who told me my first stories and who, at their funerals, I had the privilege of telling their final stories;
To my in-laws, John, the finest pastor I have ever known and to Bertha who, even years after her passing, remains my biggest fan;
To my mentor, Rev. Forrest Plants, who taught me to trust the storyteller that was in me and encouraged me to preach the story;
To giants of the pulpit - men like Dr. James Earl Massey, Dr. Samuel Hines, and President Robert Reardon who spoke to my heart and soul as a young minister and invested in me the joyous and awesome charge to preach the Word;
To Rev. Horace Shepherd, Sr. who preached the story one night and offered to shake the hand of the first young person who would go to the altar and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. That night he prayed over a 17-year-old boy at an altar and started my journey in Christ and more than four decades later I still, “Feel constrained to say that I love this narrow way, singing glory, hallelujah, I’m one of them today”;
But mostly, this book is dedicated to an incredible partner and friend, my wife Joanie, who has loved me through good times and bad, through ups and downs, and through the fire and the rain and who has blessed me with three incredible children (Doug, Jonathan, and Joel and their wives Susan, Maria, and Shafali) who have given my life joy, meaning, and a wealth of stories that it will take a lifetime to share.

Thanks to all who purchase the book and to all who will read it. It is exciting and gratifying.

A Wonderful Day

Well, I got my wish. I spent a day with friends. Actually, we had a progressive dinner together (it was our small group Bible Study group) that started at 4 and ended at 10. We spent little if any time talking about "shop" and spent the day talking about our lives, our interests, Memorial Day, and sharing our stories. After writing about not talking enough about things other than business, it was indeed refreshing to spend the day together talking about other things. What fun!
In the midst of it we talked about the meaning and importance of Memorial Day. The other two guys that were there were both veterans. Hearing their stories and experiences made it all the more meaningful. I flew the flag today as a way of reminding others (and myself) of the sacrifice that has given me this day. Joanie and I watched "Band of Brothers" today. All of it left me with a profound sense of the real meaning of Memorial Day. I found that refreshing and moving.
I want to thank my brothers, Toby and Scott, for serving their country (Toby was in Vietnam). I want to thank my father, Frank, for serving his country (he was in the service during WWII). I want to thank my father-in-law, John, for serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII. I want to thank all those who have served. I don't like war. I don't want to be at war in Iraq or Afghanistan. I want all the troops to come home. I want peace on earth. I want to thank all those who put themselves in harms way to protect the freedoms and the rights we have. And, most especially, I want to thank those families who have sacrificed so much for me and my family. To all of you on this Memorial Day, I say "God Bless".

Anticipating Change

You ever notice how the subjects of your conversations tend to gravitate to work? Mine do. There are times I get tired of talking about the church with other church members. Isn't there something else to talk about? I am a fairly well read individual with a varied degree of interests. I like history, current events, sports, NFL fantasy football, movies, plays, dramas, family, and the life stories of other people. That's a pretty well rounded subject base. I can talk fairly intelligently about politics. I like to discuss ideas about a wide variety of subjects. I don't blush talking about sex or relationships. I don't shy away from controversies or controversial positions. I am equally at home talking to women or men. I relate well to those who are younger than I am. Having had two children from birth and one from the teenage years who are all married (or about to be) I can talk about family issues with some depth. I love my wife and can talk about her for days. I listen fairly well, especially for someone who talks as much as I do. So, why do so many of my conversations end up being about the work I do?
As Joanie and I anticipate changing course directions in our lives, one of the things we will be looking forward to is having conversations about lots of "other" things. Making new relationships is always challenging but now we will be going into a place where we are not the pastors and not everyone we meet wants to get to know us or talk to us. We will have to reach out to make many of these new relationships. And to do that, we will have to find other things to discuss. And I, for one, am looking forward to talking about those things and not the drama of the church or the latest problem in some program or ministry group. Talking about what is happening in the fullness of life should make life more full. At least, that's what I'm anticipating.

The DaVinci Code Part III - The Sermon

Well, I preached on the DaVinci Code this morning. It was quite interesting. Maybe the most interesting thing about the message was when I asked how many people from the congregation had read the book. Three hands went up. Just three. When I asked who had seen the movie, just one hand went up (beside Joanie and me). Maybe believers are just not interested in this kind of thing. And I began to wonder, is that a good thing or a bad thing?
The church always struggles with the same thing that Jesus found problematic. It is this. If you are going to be the servant of God and live your life for him, there are some places and things you ought to avoid. If you are to live a holy life, as the scriptures implore you to do, you must be willing to live above reproach. At the same time, Jesus has given us a command to go into all the world and an example of engaging sinners with the gospel truth even in social settings for which Jesus' participation was roundly criticized. So, which are we to do? Are we to live apart from sin or in the midst of sin and sinners? Should we be above reproach or in the middle of those who are most reproachable?

Jesus didn't have much time for the Pharisees as a leadership group. They lived apart from anything that was, according to the Law, tainted. However, their "holier than thou" attitude tainted everything they said or did. They could not understand how Jesus could put himself in the homes and places where sinners dwelt and where sin prevailed. The church holes itself up in ivory towers and brick buildings to develop believers who will go out to confront the world with the powerful word of Christ. However, we spend so much time preparing and running the training school that we rarely go out into the fields, white with harvest. There must be a balance between maintaining holiness and reaching out to those in sin. How we accomplish that is called mission, vision, outreach, and the priesthood of all believers. When we fail to maintain that balance we are called hypocritical, false prophets, and shams. Ministry is a dangerous place to live. But it is the only sure place that God has given to his children. Be holy and find some sinners to love!

The DaVinci Code Part II

After going to see the movie, "The DaVinci Code", I was walking out of the theater and I overheard a lady behind me say, "If that challenges your faith, your faith is pretty weak". Touche.
Tonight, after Jonathan and Maria went to see the movie, he called and we talked some. He told me about the ways in which the movie differed from the book. After our discussion, I understood why all the controversy had erupted. There are, apparently, some things in the book that are very strongly emphasized that Ron Howard, to his credit, chose not to include in the movie. The whole idea of "the sacred feminine" was barely touched upon. If it had been emphasized, it would have created a huge yelling match. Apparently, in Dan Brown's book, the truth of Christianity has devolved into a sexual cult that practices sexual acts as part of their faith or in keeping alive the "fullness" of God.
Well, I must admit, I thought the movie was C- at best and I would give a thumbs down (not for the religious content of the movie, just as movie-making goes, it wasn't very good). However, for Ron Howard to have left out some even greater offensive parts of the book gives me some hope for his sensitivity to the masses. Even the portrayal by Tom Hanks of the main character ends up giving him a skeptics eye. It gives some balance to the false teachings concerning Christianity and the church. All in all, I can't recommend the movie and I think I'll pass on the book.

The Da Vinci Code

I have not yet read the book, "The Da Vinci Code" nor have I seen the movie but I have read and watched much about the controversial nature of this story. It seems that the Christian community is very divided about how to deal with this material. My son, who has read the book, was visiting another church and heard a woman who had seen the trailer about the movie say, "I could feel the evil coming through the screen". (Can you really do that? Does evil make its presence that known? I always thought evil tried to dress itself up and look respectable until it has you in its grasp and reveals its ugly, true nature to the haplessly entrapped soul). Here in Fresno, pastors are developing sermon series on it; one church is even renting out an entire theater for opening night in order to invite people to come and than discuss the film. There are many churches and church leaders who see this film as an opportunity to dialogue with those unfamiliar with the bible and church history (that would include the mass of both believers and non-believers); about the real story of Jesus and the real story about the church through history. What should I do?

Well, I think I will preach on it. My reasons are simple. It points up an issue far more problematic than the fiction Dan Brown uses in his book to create an interesting yarn. It is this. How do we process information in this new age? If we do, indeed, live in the Information Age and we have unbelievable resources for information gathering, are we being responsible with the information gathered? For instance, is something true because someone says it? I've been listening to the History Channel's discussion on the book and it has a group of "scholars" on it that are making many statements, some of which have no scholarly merit to them at all. For instance, one man who is an author was commenting on the idea that Da Vinci had painted John as a woman in his Last Supper fresco. He said he took out his art books and, "Sure enough, I looked and it was a woman!" I looked and it was a woman? You've got to be kidding me! Is there no research into how medieval artists depicted young men in an effeminate manner? Is there no research into how this compares to other depictions that DaVinci has done of young men? But, because he said it, it had enough merit to be placed on the show as a statement of truth or support (Do you think the director had a point he/she was trying to make?).

With so much information coming our way, we must take a greater responsibility for differentiating between information and interpretation. One is neutral and the other is not. Granted, all biblical information is written so that others may believe but, at least, they are up front about it. The Bible is a document of historical truth designed to enable those of us who follow to believe in that truth which changed the world. The rest (like Dan Brown's book and Ron Howard's movie) is just speculation. You should know the truth and you should be careful what you believe to be true.

The Kentucky Derby - An Excuse for a Party

I used to live right across the river from Louisville. This weekend, the first one in May, was always a chaotic and celebrative Saturday. You couldn't rent a tent or some kind of outside covering anywhere within 50 miles. You see, the Kentucky Derby was always a great excuse for a party, for a family BBQ, and for bringing in the joy of spring. Now, I've been to Churchill Downs (The last time I went there was with our youth group here in Fresno. We were on a trip to Nashville, Tn. for a the Youth Convention and spent a few days in Louisville where we visited the Louisville Slugger Bat Factory and Museum, Churchill Downs and the Derby Museum, and an absolutly fascinating cemetery that is historic in its nature. The kids liked the Bat Factory more than the cemetery - go figure). Churchill Downs isn't much to look at. It is an old facility that they have tried to spruce up a bit in recent years. But as a place to visit - it isn't much.

In all fairness I should tell you that I have never been to the Derby. It is more of a mad house than it is anything else (unless you get to go with the rich and famous). Like the Indy 500 it is an all out party among masses of people who love to drink and, well, drink. Not being a drinker, the idea of going to the Derby or to the 500 looses its appeal. However, the idea of having a party has not and, I hope, never, looses its appeal. I love having a party.

When was the last time you had an excuse for a party. If there is one thing I have noticed about living in Fresno it is that we don't party very much. Maybe its the extreme heat in the summer or the nature of the culture, but we don't party enough. Maybe its because we don't have the Derby as an excuse. They say that the new Save Mart Center is the busiest concert venue around. We like our parties inside, sitting in an auditorium, watching someone else have a party. Sad, if you ask me.

Even in the church we find few reasons to have a party. What a shame. Jesus was a party goer. Just read the Gospels and you will be hard pressed not to come to the same conclusion. He loved being with others, sharing food, gathering for weddings, having a late luncheon with some new friends - any kind of party. I wonder what that says about our concept of Jesus as a dour, serious figure who never smiled? As a matter of fact, I think worship should, first and foremost, be a party. A celebration. A good time. After all, if you are in a place where praise is happening shouldn't that be a party atmosphere? The next time you go to church, I hope your worship experience has an element of celebration to it. I hope it is joyous. I hope it is more like a party than a funeral. I hope it is like the Kentucky Derby - an excuse for a party.

The Church is an Odd Place

The Church is an odd place. It attracts people with a message of grace, forgiveness, and love. It employs people with a message of meet these expectations or we will get rid of you. These are not mutually compatible philosophies. And the church rarely treats them in the same way or with the same attitude. Let me share a couple of examples:
When you come into leadership, you take on certain responsibilities and concerns. If you break those commitments, you forfeit the right to be in leadership. By accepting a leadership role, you must also accept the "baggage" that goes with it.
When you are employed by a church in some capacity, you accept certain responsibilities and concerns. But do you become a leader? If you are on the pastoral staff, obviously, the answer is "yes". But if you have another role, a support staff role, you don't automatically receive the role of leader that a pastor does. Should you be viewed in the same way? Should you be treated in the same way?
Where the "rubber meets the road" is how you deal with conflict. When a leader is acting in a negative manner, we rarely let them go or fire them from leadership. However, when an employee is acting in a negative manner, we are more than ready to fire them. Is this right? Even more than that, there are ramifications to the actions of leaders and to the actions taken by them when they act towards those whom they employ. We can, have, and do affect the way others feel about God, the church, and eternal truths by how we treat one another and how we deal with the failures of others. And so far, the church is not getting a passing grade.

"If you've got good health . . ."

Today I found out from the doctor that I have pneumonia. I've never had pneumonia. As a matter of fact, if I count down the number of health problems I have had in 53 years they amount to some childhood sicknesses, allergies, and bad ankles. Not bad, all things considered. But now, I have pneumonia. I can't sleep because I can't lay down (it both hurts and I start coughing and can't stop). I remain as tired as can be but with little relief. Not that I do well at sleeping anyway - I must have a touch of insomnia (Ooohh, another malady to add to my list!). I cancelled a trip to Indiana for a meeting and some time with my son because I couldn't see sitting on a plane for hours and hours and in meetings for hours and hours the way I feel. I remember when we were younger and Doug was living with us, he got mononucleousis when he was in High School (Is that the same thing as pneumonia? I don't really know but I do know he didn't have any fun with it either, as I recall, and neither am I). Come to think of it, my Aunt had carbuncles and I think my mother had a hairy mole! (Don't you hate it when people give you a travelogue of all their diseases and the full family history of every illness?)
So, for the next few days I get to stay home (I don't think I realized that pneumonia is highly contagious) and find ways to stay sane. I think I will get some sleep (eventually) and do some writing. You may hear more often from me. I promise not to bore you with the fascinating details of my recovery! I guess with every thing there is a silver lining. I will enjoy the chance to write creatively. I hope you will, too.