Grateful

What a week! We spent two frantic days getting the house ready to fill with people. Wednesday morning my daughter arrived from college; that afternoon we sprung my Mother-in-Law (Peggy) from the (physical) rehab center (you have to clarify those things these days); and Wednesday evening the kinfolk arrived from Louisiana. It was crazy and chaotic in the most wonderful way.

Peggy suffered a stroke five months ago and except for 15 days has been in a hospital or rehab facility every day of those five months. She was overjoyed when her sister Pat and husband Dave walked in--it's a long way from Baton Rouge, LA.

Thursday saw Kim's brother and his family arrive from Northern Virginia with baklava, Italian cream cake and a 12-inch-wide pumpkin pie so we decided to let them in. We enjoyed a huge feast late in the day. Peggy was so tired, but so happy to be surrounded by her family.

After dinner Tyler (age 14) and Katie (age 12) treated us all to a concert of flute and acoustic guitar arrangements which were beautiful. Peggy was exhausted and slept until 10:00 Friday morning and we just relaxed and enjoyed being together and catching up with each other.

Today (Saturday) I'm looking forward to the Alabama/Auburn football game (Roll Tide!!!) and our local high school team playing in the state semi-final game today. Life is good, and will be whether my teams win or not, but I'll be cheering as though my life depended on their victories.

We are so fortunate to have our family together, to have Peggy back home with us, to be in relatively good health, and to be safe and satisfied. We do not take these gifts for granted, and don't ever want to be so arrogant as to think they are of our own doing. It's not that we are lucky; it is better than that -- we are blessed.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17)

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1)

Week in Review

Monday: I have had several ambulance rides, but this was my first one while conscious. I was escorting my mother-in-law from the (physical) rehab center to the hospital for some testing. It was a different perspective. On the return trip with a different crew the driver made me ride shotgun. He stopped allowing ride-alongs in the back after hitting a deer and sending everyone flying around. While watching TV in the hospital waiting room I was touched by young Miss Emily Bear's performance on the Ellen Degeneres show.

Tuesday: I really felt badly for the astronaut on the international space station who lost the $100,000 tool bag. I lost a favorite hat once--great sentimental value. A gift from my granddad. I was five years old... and cried for a whole day. I lost a kid once--but found her within about 15 minutes--scariest moments of my entire life.

Wednesday: celebrated my Mother-in-law's birthday. It was a little different, partying in a rehab center, but she enjoyed a special meal, a beautiful cake, cards and gifts from family and friends, and she had her children and one of her grandchildren on hand for the festivities. News that she has a pretty nasty infection put a little damper on the party.

Thursday: Attended a Leadership Prayer Breakfast with the mayors from 5 cities in the Norfolk, VA metropolitan area, honoring police, firefighters and military personnel. The keynote speaker was H. Wayne Huizenga, Jr., one of the owners of the Miami Dolphins football team--very inspiring. That evening at a local Bar-B-Q joint, sitting at a booth near our table, was televangelist and former Presidential candidate Pat Robertson. Kim made me behave, bite my tongue, and let him and his wife enjoy their dinner... and so did we.

Say Something

I've seen the movie Fireproof and was blown away. It is not the best movie ever made, but is pretty amazing considering the unpaid volunteer cast, with a couple of exceptions, is comprised of untrained actors. My emotions ran the gamut from laughter to tears, with a couple of white-knuckle-sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments thrown in.

In the story hero/fireman Caleb Holt (played by Kirk Cameron) is asked by his father to take a 40-day marriage challenge before moving forward with divorce proceedings to end his seven-year marriage to wife Catherine (played by Erin Bethea).

The “challenge” is presented in the form of a book, The Love Dare, which Holt agrees to read and which eventually transforms him and his view of love, marriage, and faith. The Love Dare is a plot device that became a reality and landed on the New York Times Bestseller list.

So, inspired by the movie, I got a copy of the book--figuring there's always room for improvement...in my case LOTS of room. So lesson one is, "love is patient" and the "dare" for the day is...

The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It’s better to hold your tongue that to say something you’ll regret. (excerpt From: The Love Dare, Copyright © 2008 by Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick. All Rights Reserved. used by permission)

So here’s my problem: when I’m hurt or angry I tend to give her the “silent treatment” or a “cold shoulder”, leaving her to guess what it is I’m angry about. I usually don’t have a problem “holding my tongue”, but rather “holding my tongue” is part of the problem.

So a more appropriate dare for me is not only to “say nothing negative” or “hold my tongue”, but rather say something, but make sure that something is positive.

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (James 1:19)

Courage

Courage does not always roar.
Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying…”I will try again tomorrow.”

~ Mary Anne Radmacher

God Without Limitations

God knows no limitations. To finite human beings, time and space seem infinite, without end; we’re on the inside looking out.

God is not limited by time or space. God is on the outside looking in—time and space are part of his finite creation--God sees the beginning and the end at the same time.

God is writing an epic story, a masterpiece. Sometimes our story takes a tragic turn, but He is at work in every situation to bring about good for those who love Him.

While we may be overwhelmed during the current chapter of our story, God is not overwhelmed. Unlike us, He can see the end of the story.

And so we live with hope... and those who live with God and for God now, will live happily ever after, also.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

A Pledge to President-elect Obama

Dear Mr. President-elect Obama:

Congratulations on your hard-fought victory and election to our nation's highest office, and becoming the leader of the free world.

I want you to know that I will be praying for you. Not praying against you, or about you, but for you. That is both my pledge, and my obligation as a follower of Christ. In the Bible, the apostle Paul writes, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

And I will do so with a full and undivided heart.

I will be praying for you from my position as a father of two children, and God willing, future grandchildren; that you will have the foresight to think through what your decisions will mean for them as the next generation.

I will be praying for you as a citizen of the United States; that you will seek wisdom from God and humbly submit yourself to His leadership as you lead our nation through economic turbulence, domestic divides, and cultural diversities.

I will be praying for you as a member of the global population; that you will work with other well-intentioned leaders from around the world as we face environmental challenges, wars and rumors of wars, and humanitarian crises.

And finally, I will be praying for you as a Christian; that you will encourage faith in God to flourish and never allow deeply held spiritual convictions to become a matter of ridicule, instead encouraging everyone to grant them a respectful hearing, even if they go against the political policy of your party.

You have inherited more that needs immediate attention than any other president in recent memory. As a result, it has been a hard-fought and hotly contested election. I will pray for you as you lead all who cast a ballot in your favor, and those who did not, to set aside their differences, no matter how deep the divides may be, and work together for our common good.

I will be praying for you.

Pastor Jim Thompson

Adapted from an article by James Emery White. Scripture reference: I Timothy 2:1-2, New International Version.

Who I Voted For

I am a political junkie, but earlier this year Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw (authors of Jesus for President: politics for ordinary radicals) ruined me—in a good way. "It’s easy to have political views—that’s what politicians do. But it’s much harder to embody a political alternative—that’s what saints do".

So I’ve been wrestling for some months with how to vote. I thought about not voting, but couldn't bring myself to do it. I thought of voting for a third party candidate in order to "send a message". I wanted to vote “none of the above”. I wanted to vote against war... and the taking of innocent life, whether it's justified by calling it "collateral damage” or "choice".

I wanted to vote against a political system that wastes millions of dollars on too-long campaigns while citizens go hungry and homeless. I wanted to vote against a system of greed, pride, power and consumption. In short, I wanted to do something radical with my vote.

So I gave it away. I gave up my vote. I gave it to someone who is not allowed to have a voice in such matters. I voted for Rodger, or I should say I voted on Rodger's behalf.

He's a friend of mine who “lives in a large gated community out in the country” who is not allowed to vote. So I gave him my vote. I was his proxy. I asked him how he would vote if he could, and I honored his wishes.

I won’t tell you who we voted for. I voted for giving a felon a voice. Does that make me a criminal…or crazy? Just a simple act of rebellion…and hopefully grace. I wanted to be counted among the "ordinary radicals".

Joseph, Samson, Jeremiah the prophet, John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostles Paul, Peter and John – just a few people in the Bible who served jail time. God has a special place in his heart for the prisoners.

Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; According to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are appointed to die. (Psalms 79:11)

Lord, when did we see you in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:39-40)

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

So now I'll sit back and watch the election returns and see if we won. Regardless of the outcome of the election, I feel like we already have.

Election Day

My voting precinct made the national news! We had some malfunctions with the machines, but even before that occurred the wait was 3+ hours... in the rain... to cast a ballot. They finally re-routed the lines inside, wrapped around the gymnasium wall and down a long hallway.

A member of our State House of Delegates was working the lines, not working the polls, but working the lines. Greeting and grinning and kissing babies inside the polling place, 10 feet from the machines. He was wearing a ball cap supporting the candidate of his choice. Our state voting regulations prohibit the wearing of campaign apparel within a certain distance of the polling place. When someone asked him about it he said, "I'm not campaigning, I'm just wearing a hat." Right.

Can't wait for the results!

Election Eve

I am a political junkie, but Shane Claiborne has ruined me—in a good way. Earlier this year I read Chris Haw and Shane’s book, Jesus for President, and have been in a quandary over how to vote—or whether to vote—ever since.

Here’s a bit about what the book’s about:

“The church has fallen in love with the state and this love affair is killing the church’s imagination. Too often the patriotic values of pride and strength triumph over the spiritual virtues of humility, gentleness and sacrificial love. It’s easy to have political views—that’s what politicians do. But it’s much harder to embody a political alternative—that’s what saints do.”

Jesus for President encourages a new kind of campaign, a different kind of party, and a different kind of commander in chief, casting a vision for what the Christian Church could look like if it placed its faith in Jesus, instead of American institutions.

“One thing that’s clear in the Scriptures is that the nations do not lead people to peace; rather, people lead nations to peace…The end of war begins with people who believe that another world is possible and that another empire has already interrupted time and space and is taking over this earth with the dreams of God.”

So I’ve been wrestling for some months with how to vote. I can't wait until tomorrow.

Radical Reformers

On Friday I posted some thoughts about Martin Luther and the Protest-ant Reformation, and the new reformation going on within the church. But there is also a reformation going on outside the church, and in some ways leaving the church behind. This too, is not without historic precedent. At the time of the Reformation in the 1500s there was also a group known as the Radical Reformers.

The Anabaptist were part of the Radical Reformation. They were not looking to reform the Church, but to separate from it altogether. They saw (see) it as broken beyond repair. A distortion of Christ's plan for the church.

Anabaptists ("re-baptizers") in Europe in the 1500s were Christians who held to believer’s baptism, a practice considered heresy by Catholics and the other major religious groups of the reformation period. They rebelled against the Roman Catholic Church and began re-baptizing adults who had followed Jesus, but had been 'baptized' as infants.

Anabaptists were heavily persecuted during the 16th century and into the 17th. They condemned oaths, would not bear arms or offer forcible resistance to wrongdoers, nor wield the sword. They believed civil government (i.e. "Caesar") belongs to the world and many refrain(ed) from voting, holding public office or even pledging allegiance to the flag. Their sole allegiance was (is) to Jesus Christ.

The believer, who belongs to God's kingdom, sees the government as an authority which is to be passively obeyed, but their ultimate allegiance is to God. Some scripture verses that would form the foundation for their thinking...

"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." (2 Corinthians 6:17)

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

I find their stance on the separation of church and state both interesting and refreshing, especially in light of the past few decades where so many relgious folks have been eager to marry religion and politics and return to a church-run state.

Proud to Be An American

Today was a special day. My 20-year-old daughter voted in her first Presidential election--and I was there. Due to attending college many miles away she qualified to vote absentee. I get my turn on Tuesday.

We waited in line together for 31/2 hours! It was hot. There were people there with walkers and canes and wheelchairs. I felt sorry for some of the folks voting today.The polling place has had similar lines all day long, every day this week.

Our area is expecting, and already seeing, record turn-outs. We live in "a battleground state" that could go either way and candidates from both parties have targeted our area for heavy campaigning--between the two parties we've had 5 visits in 7 days.

It was a good experience. Strangers became friends--saving spots in line so folks could take turns retreating to the shade in order to get some relief from the heat and then returning to give their "spot-saver" a turn in the shade.

It was moving to see people willing to stand in line, and endure momentary misery, in order to participate in democracy. To see elderly African-Americans waiting to cast their ballot for "a brother", thinking they would never live long enough to see this day. Military families enjoying having Dad home for awhile. To see young people like my daughter picking a president for the first time. Pride, in a good sense of the word.

Discussions steered toward the weather and local high school football--intentionally away from politics--and that was okay. The crowd knew they didn't see eye-to-eye on issues and candidates. But at the same time they were sharing a common experience--and it was special.

The pride of being an American, of getting a say in how things are run and who runs things, of enjoying the privilege and freedom to elect our leaders--a privilege and freedom that people in many countries would give nearly anything to enjoy. It was special.

When people exited the building others still waiting in line would cheer and congratulate them. It didn't matter for whom they voted, but that they voted. It was a special day, and I can't wait until Tuesday.