Yesterday, I officiated a funeral service for a friend. Mike was fifty years old, with a grown son and a teenaged daughter living at home. He and his wife had been married 23 years. Less than a year ago, they called it cancer. Chemo, radiation, all the things that you do. Yet, here we are. Sad in a lot of ways.
Mike was a firefighter by profession. And every fire department for 40 miles was represented at the funeral service. The bagpipes played Amazing Grace. The trucks were draped with black. Hundreds of people came to say farewell to a friend and colleague.
I know God loves us. I know He cares for us and provides for us, and is with us in the good and bad times. I can give all sorts of intellectual and theological arguements for when bad things happen to good people. But none of those debates or discussions has the ability to heal the deep wounds of grief, loss, tragedy. And for the life of me, I can not seem to find the words. I cannot give a good reason that a brave and a decent man would be dead of cancer at a young age. Had it been an accident, a tragedy while Mike was saving a child from a burning building, it might be different.
The loss of a friend, a vibrant life-loving good man, hurts in so many ways. The so-called experts say that God has a plan. The well meaning religious folks produce some trite comments like "God just wanted Mike in heaven with Him." And to be honest, none of that kind of talk seems very satisfactory.
There are so few words, and so much pain.
God Bless You, Debbie, Angela, Eric and family.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
From the Desk of Pastor X-
ESPN the Magazine has a recurring column written by an anonymous NASCAR driver that details the sometimes ridiculous and often dangerous life behind the scenes of motor sports most popular series. Likewise there are blogs and articles from Player X contributed from the NBA, NFL, and MLB.
Ministry is always a struggle. Church members struggle with one another over the direction and leadership of the church. Personal conflicts get in the way of loving our neighbors. Mean spirited people and small minded church members sometimes attack their pastors. Committees wrestle for control and the esteem of men.
On the other hand, ministry often filled with great joy and incredible opportunities to express love and grace. We get to witness and participate in the changing of lives. We get to share in some of the most intimate and memorable moments in the lives of our church family. For those of us that are preachers, we have the awe inspiring privilege of being the spokesperson for the Lord, and we can boldly proclaim a timeless truth.
Vocational ministry is often a misunderstood profession. Within the church, the membership seems to think that the pastor is a benevolent uncle that is always there to help them in time of need, easily dismissed in time of plenty. Outside of the church, the pastor is considered at best an oddity, an intellectual that avoids the real world, a holier than thou ready to point the finger of condemnation, or at worst a charlatan hypocrite that is cloaking his own perversions behind the walls of a church.
In truth, I find ministers to be hard working men and women that believe deeply in a God that loves, a faith that heals, and a church that is flawed and less than perfect. We are misunderstood because often we misunderstand. We too, are impacted by the fallen nature of man. We too, are confused, hurt, rejected and abused. We too, have our hang-ups and histories. But in spite of the faults of the servants, the Word and work of the Master continues.
Grace abounds, lives are changed and the Image of God that remains in the soul of man grows strong enough to overcome.
Ministry is always a struggle. Church members struggle with one another over the direction and leadership of the church. Personal conflicts get in the way of loving our neighbors. Mean spirited people and small minded church members sometimes attack their pastors. Committees wrestle for control and the esteem of men.
On the other hand, ministry often filled with great joy and incredible opportunities to express love and grace. We get to witness and participate in the changing of lives. We get to share in some of the most intimate and memorable moments in the lives of our church family. For those of us that are preachers, we have the awe inspiring privilege of being the spokesperson for the Lord, and we can boldly proclaim a timeless truth.
Vocational ministry is often a misunderstood profession. Within the church, the membership seems to think that the pastor is a benevolent uncle that is always there to help them in time of need, easily dismissed in time of plenty. Outside of the church, the pastor is considered at best an oddity, an intellectual that avoids the real world, a holier than thou ready to point the finger of condemnation, or at worst a charlatan hypocrite that is cloaking his own perversions behind the walls of a church.
In truth, I find ministers to be hard working men and women that believe deeply in a God that loves, a faith that heals, and a church that is flawed and less than perfect. We are misunderstood because often we misunderstand. We too, are impacted by the fallen nature of man. We too, are confused, hurt, rejected and abused. We too, have our hang-ups and histories. But in spite of the faults of the servants, the Word and work of the Master continues.
Grace abounds, lives are changed and the Image of God that remains in the soul of man grows strong enough to overcome.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Twice in One Day...
I have had someone tell me about this blog project, and ask the obvious question... Why so infrequent? Why only one a month or so? So here are my answers, in no particular order--
1. I am lazy at heart. Writing requires thought. Thinking deep and clear thoughts is difficult. I would rather play Bejeweled.
2. I am busy. Like a one armed wallpaper hanger. Like a one legged man in a kicking contest. Like I can sit around all day and think up something (see #1) wise and witty to write about.
3. I used up all my good stuff last Sunday.
4. I forgot about it.
5. It is just too hard to put into words. I deal with the same emotions and thoughts and feelings that everyone else does. And I have the added benefit (read burden) or helping others deal with their emotions, thoughts, feelings as well. because that is what the pastor does. So I often carry some intellectual and emotional loads. Sometimes they get heavy. Writing them in a blog causes me to lift them all again.
I like to blog. I really do. I like giving you some insight into my thoughts and ideas. I don't so much like the effort of making a worthwhile post. And that is the truth of it all.
See you in a couple weeks.
1. I am lazy at heart. Writing requires thought. Thinking deep and clear thoughts is difficult. I would rather play Bejeweled.
2. I am busy. Like a one armed wallpaper hanger. Like a one legged man in a kicking contest. Like I can sit around all day and think up something (see #1) wise and witty to write about.
3. I used up all my good stuff last Sunday.
4. I forgot about it.
5. It is just too hard to put into words. I deal with the same emotions and thoughts and feelings that everyone else does. And I have the added benefit (read burden) or helping others deal with their emotions, thoughts, feelings as well. because that is what the pastor does. So I often carry some intellectual and emotional loads. Sometimes they get heavy. Writing them in a blog causes me to lift them all again.
I like to blog. I really do. I like giving you some insight into my thoughts and ideas. I don't so much like the effort of making a worthwhile post. And that is the truth of it all.
See you in a couple weeks.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Spring is in the air-
The worst winter in the history of the eastern Panhandle seems to be over. It is early yet, and the ground hog did see his shadow, but the snow is mostly melted and the sun is mostly shining, and the robins are coming back. Optimism is a great thing.
Yet another puzzle is upon me. As I am building some momentum in this new place, as I am growing relationships, developing trust, finding out who is who and what team they are playing for, I find myself perplexed. First impressions are usually false, and I knew that when I made my mine. The truth of the matter is revealed slowly, like a jigsaw puzzle, or an artist's canvas.
I am being pointed in some directions for this ministry event, I am developing the picture, I think I know what I see. But I do not have confidence in what I am seeing. Is there more than meets the eye? Has the portrait reveled itself to the degree of accuracy required? If I decide on direction, staff, purpose and vision today, will the call stand up under further review? or shall I just keep my head in the booth, keep everyone waiting for a few months, let the payers get cold and frustrated, and take my chances?
Death by meeting tonight. I anticipate much discussion, little conclusion, and perhaps one more plot of color in this panorama before me.
Yet another puzzle is upon me. As I am building some momentum in this new place, as I am growing relationships, developing trust, finding out who is who and what team they are playing for, I find myself perplexed. First impressions are usually false, and I knew that when I made my mine. The truth of the matter is revealed slowly, like a jigsaw puzzle, or an artist's canvas.
I am being pointed in some directions for this ministry event, I am developing the picture, I think I know what I see. But I do not have confidence in what I am seeing. Is there more than meets the eye? Has the portrait reveled itself to the degree of accuracy required? If I decide on direction, staff, purpose and vision today, will the call stand up under further review? or shall I just keep my head in the booth, keep everyone waiting for a few months, let the payers get cold and frustrated, and take my chances?
Death by meeting tonight. I anticipate much discussion, little conclusion, and perhaps one more plot of color in this panorama before me.
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