Of Chickens, Eagles, and Other Winged Creatures

‎”We don’t first define a class of people who will be our neighbors and then select only them as the objects of our love — leaving the rest to lie where they fall. Jesus deftly rejects the question, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ and substitutes the only question really relevant here: ‘To whom will I be a neighbor?’ And he knows that we can only answer this question case by case as we go through our days. In the morning we cannot yet know who our neighbor will be that day. The condition of our hearts will determine who along our path turns out to be our neighbor, and our faith in God will largely determine whom we have strength enough to make our neighbor.”

– Dallas Willard

* * *

The power of the internet was evident this week.

I promised myself I would not say anything about the Chick-fil-A controversy, but I’m going to fudge a little bit. The cynical part of me would like to simply write it off as a stunt by a politician (Mike Huckabee) with little actual redeeming value. However in my opinion, like most things, the whole incident turned out to be a mixed bag of good and bad. Here’s my scorecard:

  • Chick-fil-A made record profits and people ate lots of chicken. (good for business, bad for chickens, good for the CFA cows)
  • American citizens supported another American citizen who exercised his right of free speech. (good)
  • The power of mass media and the internet to rally people to a cause was once again demonstrated. (good and bad)
  • People somehow came to believe that standing in long lines and buying fast food meant that they were making a coherent statement on behalf of righteousness. (bad)
  • People bought into the idea that bold, public actions which demonstrate “power” (people power, political power, power of moral persuasion) are the way to influence society and bring about change. (good in a democratic society, bad if you think that’s what Jesus is all about)
  • The people who participated either didn’t take into account (or didn’t care) how their GLBT neighbors might have felt about what happened that day. (bad)

iMonk Classic: Ordinary Thoughts

Weaver Near an Open Window, Van Gogh

Classic iMonk Post
by Michael Spencer
 From August 2007

First, thoughts.

You go to the doctor with pain in your chest. He spends the whole hour talking about God.

Is this OK?

You go to a musical production of “Oklahoma.” The cast comes out and gives their testimony the entire time.

Is this OK with you?

You hire a carpenter to redo the kitchen. He spends most of his time talking about God, and runs the hours up twice what they should be.

An EMT comes to help you when your mother falls. He talks about God all the time he’s taking vitals and getting her ready to go in the ambulance.

If you are like me, you’re happy these people are godly and God-centered. But at these moments, you would like them to do the ordinary thing, and to do it right and well. They can talk later.

This isn’t hard, and it’s not denying the faith. It’s the way good parents raise their kids, the way good employers and employees do their jobs, the way anyone expresses their faith in their vocation.

Sometimes I preach and sometimes we conjugate verbs. Both are God’s work in my life. I believe, confess, teach and preach that God is sovereign, but I’m not the guy who falls down the steps and says “Glad I got that over with.” And when someone else falls, I’ll help them up and see if the steps need to be fixed. It doesn’t mean I believe in God’s sovereignty less. Maybe I believe that if God is sovereign, I’m free to not worry about the whys, objections and explanations.

Continue reading “iMonk Classic: Ordinary Thoughts”

Eagle Update: 8/4/12

I’ve tried to call Eagle on a couple of times recently, but always seemed to pick the wrong time, when he had a visitor or was busy with his medical caregivers.

I did talk with Dee yesterday, who literally went the extra mile(s) by making a four-hour drive to see him and help him work through some of decisions he needed to make. When she arrived home last night, she wrote:

I just arrived back in Raleigh after a great visit with Eagle. He is now accepting stronger pain medicine since he is having a lot of pain and understandably so! He is essentially bedbound at this time. Things are up in the air as the doctors continue to monitor the course of the infection. As of this morning, there was no discussion or estimate of discharge. Please continue to pray that the infection comes under control and does not advance beyond the thigh. He is in good spirits and enjoys reading the well wishes. He is so grateful for all of you. He is open to visits.

I told Dee she exhibited the very definition of love: being with and for someone for their benefit. And so have many of you, by your words of encouragement and prayers.

In order to protect Eagle’s privacy, we have not broadcast his name and information. But if any of you would like to send a card to him, email me and let me know. I will have you send it to me and I will forward all that I receive to him. Use the “Write Chaplain Mike” link in the upper right part of the page.

I have not yet heard results of tests that may indicate his further course of treatment, but will keep you posted of any significant developments.

Saturday Ramblings 8.4.12

Welcome to the sweltering edition of Saturday Ramblings. The only place hotter than Tulsa (our fair city), Oklahoma on Wednesday was Saudi Arabia. And when the Rambler’s AC broke on Thursday, well, things in the iMonastery got pretty hot. So along with the heat, what else has been going on this week? Oh, nothing much. So, as they say in Atlanta, let’s Eat Mor Ramblings.

Did you make it out to your local Chick Fil A on Wednesday? Your Rambler did, just for fun. (And for a chicken sandwich and a peach shake.) I even saw the Synonymous Rambler there, enjoying some chicken. The heat didn’t keep the crowd away at the nearby chicken shack, with long lines all day long. Why the crowd? It was the day to show appreciation for a fast food chain standing up for traditional marriage. It was also the day for record profits for same said chain. And yesterday (if you’re keeping score) was the day for same-sex couples to Kiss Mor Freely at their local Chick Fil A restaurant. Having said all that, I can tell you I really enjoyed the peach shake.

One casualty in the Chick Fil A mess (and there are many) could be Billy Graham. I took a lot of heat last week for referring to a letter supposedly written by Graham as a fear-based fundraising letter. Seems I’m not the only one who saw through the words that were over Billy Graham’s name. Yes, I do know a thing or three about how these letters are written. No, I don’t believe Billy Graham wrote a single one of them. Yes, I do believe it was manipulative to get people to give. And no, I never did think Graham was going to leave his home on Wednesday to go to a fast food restaurant for a chicken sandwich. Connecting Graham to the whole gay marriage debate in this way is unkind and unfair to this man of God.

Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 8.4.12”

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Just as it takes a farmer to really identify BS, it takes a preacher to recognize self-righteousness…a preacher who has been there, done that, and who is still pretty good at it.

– Steve Brown, Three Free Sins

* * *

I’m one of those preachers and I ought to just own up. So, here goes…

“Hello. My name is Mike, and I am self-righteous.”

That would be a great way for me to introduce myself at every Christian gathering. Why? Because self-righteousness is my deepest sin (and yours), my greatest sin, my most unrecognized sin, and the sin of which I ought to be most afraid. I need to be reminded of this continually.

Self-righteousness is not something I do. I express it in my words, attitudes, and actions, but those expressions reveal what I am. It is my nature, part of my default position as a sinful human being.

And the problem is, it is one aspect of my sinfulness that actually has a tendency to get worse when I become a Christian.

I have found the way.

I have discovered the answer.

I have trusted God.

I have seen the light and embraced the truth.

Oh, what dangerous ground the new Christian stands on!

Continue reading “Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid”

Eagle Update: 8/2/12

9:30pm — Update from Dee…

Eagle has a seriously infected leg. They are planning on multiple IV antibiotics for some time to come hence he will be having a central line placed in the next day. I am hoping the red above the knee is do to serious inflammation and not infection but new cultures were taken today and he will know for sure in 48 hours. He is in quite a bit of pain however, he is now getting medication that will help him in this area.

However, the good news is that he is “with the program.” He is conversant and even has a sense of humor. That means alot in these situations.  He cannot believe all the well wishes. Last night, when he was having trouble sleeping he was able to read most of them. he is so grateful for the support. He kept saying it was “unbelievable.” He loved the visit from “Leila.”She brought him train magazines. Eagle is a model train aficionado.

I will spend the morning with him and see how things go.

* * *

8/2/12, 11:45am: Dee from Wartburg Watch is traveling to see Eagle at the hospital today. She called last night and asked for prayers for wisdom and discernment as she tries to help our friend. Please join us in seeking the Lord for his guidance, direction, and continued manifestations of his loving, healing power.

Her comrade, Deb, and her family will be in D.C. this weekend and will also be visiting.

BTW, Eagle left a few comments over at Wartburg Watch during times when he could not sleep last night. He hasn’t lost his sense of humor. However, the mere mention of the word “catheter” is enough to make me cringe.

His comments start at .

Splendid Isolation

Don’t want to wake up with no one beside me
Don’t want to take up with nobody new
Don’t want nobody coming by without calling first
Don’t want nothing to do with you

Splendid Isolation
I don’t need no one
Splendid Isolation

Warren Zevon, Splendid Isolation, from the album Transverse City

I have shared before that I am suffering through a bout of depression. Kind of like a lingering cold, it’s there in the background just enough to drag me down but not enough to knock me out. Most days, that is. Yes, I am taking the meds prescribed by my doc, who is a good man and says that he believes this is just temporary. I make it through my work days just fine; interacting with customers and coworkers seems to energize me. But when it comes to Sundays, I want to hide. I have found it very difficult to drag myself to church these last few months. And that bothers me.

I know we are very critical of what we term the “evangelical circus” here on this site. I know we have many readers who feel the same, and have given up on church all together because of the narcissistic nature of today’s Western Christianity. Yet I still feel church is a vital part of a disciple’s life. It is not to be discarded just because many churches are no more than religious social clubs. If we are to believe church—a regular, consistant gathering of believers in Jesus—was God’s idea, then why would we think it unimportant to him whether we are committed to one?

So on many Sunday mornings when my illness is acute and I would rather pull the covers over my head and hide, I remind myself of the reasons church is vital in the life of a follower of Jesus. On those days when I’m feeling fine emotionally, but don’t want to attend services because I know we’ll sing happy-clappy songs from the latest Time/Life praise and worship CD or because we have a guest speaker who will be hawking his books rather than preaching from The Book, I remind myself why church is important to its Founder. I want to share some of those reasons why I see church as still serving a central role in the Christian’s life.

Continue reading “Splendid Isolation”

Eagle Update: 8/1/12

UPDATE: 8:30pm. Although the post below tries to inject some humor into this situation with Eagle, it is important for us all to realize that he is still very sick and in need of continuing prayers and support. Dee from Wartburg Watch lives a few hours away from the hospital where Eagle is, and she is an RN and her husband a doctor. They are very concerned about Eagle’s condition and want to make sure he is supported as he continues to deal with his medical issues. So, Dee will be traveling to see him tomorrow. She called a little while ago and asked for prayers for wisdom and discernment as she tries to help our friend. Please join us in seeking the Lord for his guidance, direction, and continued manifestations of his loving, healing power.

* * *

It seems there’s a competition of Olympic proportions afoot here. It’s Internet Monk vs. Wartburg Watch in a battle for who can show the most concern and attention to our friend Eagle!

I received this from Dee this evening:

So you think you can out do us, huh? This means war!

5:30 PM Wed — Leila drove 90 minutes to get to Eagle. Thank you for being so kind! Where did all these wonderful people come from on our blog?? However,she brings word that  the good people at Internet Monk are attempting to outdo us. Never fear! We glam blog queens will not take this lying down!!!

From Leila:

“I had a delightful 90-minute visit with Eagle today. Once he felt comfortable I wasn’t some strange internet stalker, we had a great time discussing theology, our observations and experiences with churches, and more. He is such a kind, gentle soul and for a fellow as sick as he is, I never would have known he was in great pain. He was sharp as a tack and not the least bit grumpy — which makes him a much finer person than me, because when I’m sick I’m not nearly as articulate or personable. He did say he was so bored that even listening to a John Piper sermon would be a treat.

“We found many common points of interest besides theology, not the least of which is that he’s a history buff like my husband, and that every now and then he gets to Annapolis (where we live) so we might get together in the future. He showed me his leg – yowza!!! His nurse, Matthew, is a Christian and seems to be the perfect person to be taking care of him.

“While I was there, a box of chocolates and flowers arrived from the crew at Internet Monk. [cue crowd wildly cheering]

“Anyway, thought you’d like to hear that his spirits seem pretty good and that the love and prayers of the internet community are really blessing him.”

David Brooks Nails It

In his July 30 New York Times article, columnist David Brooks quotes Peggy Noonan and agrees with her when she says about this year’s presidential election: “It’s incredibly consequential and incredibly boring all at the same time.”

Brooks gives the following reasons why he concurs with this observation:

  • Intellectual stagnation: “…our big government/ small government debate is back where it was a generation ago. Candidates don’t even have to rehearse the arguments anymore; they just find the gaffes that will help them pin their opponent to the standard bogyman clichés.”
  • Lack of any hint of intellectual innovation: “…the ideological climate has ossified. Candidates know that they’d be punished for saying something unexpected — by the rich, elderly donors and by the hyperorthodox talk-show hosts. Instead of saying something new, now they just try to boost turnout within their own demographic niches and suppress turnout in the other guy’s niches.”
  • Increased focus on the uninformed: “The prevailing view is that anybody who would pay attention to such a speech is already committed to a candidate. It’s more efficient to focus on the undecided voters, who don’t really follow politics or the news.”
  • Lack of serious policy proposals: “President Obama’s proposals are small and medium-size retreads, while Mitt Romney has run the closest thing to a policy-free race as any candidate in my lifetime.”
  • Negative passion: “Both parties are driven more by hatred than by love. Both sides feel it would be a disaster for the country if the other side had power during the next four years. Neither side is propelled by much positive enthusiasm for their own side.”
  • No enactment strategy: “To avert catastrophe, the next president will have to rally bipartisan majorities around a budget deal and many other things. That will require personal and relationship skills neither has demonstrated.”
  • Ad budget myopia: “Both campaigns fervently believe that more spending leads to more votes.”
  • Technology is making campaigns dumber: “The campaigns get lost in tit-for-tat minutiae that nobody outside the bubble cares about.”
  • Dishonesty numbs: “It’s impossible to take ads seriously. They are the jackhammer noise in the background of life.”

* * *

Friends, that’s about as accurate as it gets. The only thing I’m getting from either party these days is why I should hate the other party. Would somebody please give me some good, positive reasons to vote FOR one or the other?

Where’s the leadership? The vision? The ideas? The proposals? The kind of character and relational skill that wins our hearts and minds?

A plague on both their houses. At this point, I’m seriously considering sitting it out and filing this election under “Same Old Bull****.” Don’t blame us for being cynical when this is what you offer the American people.

 

One of My Favorite Cases

A few years ago, I was involved in a unique chaplaincy situation with a patient and family that combined two of my greatest loves: pastoral care and Cubs baseball. It illustrates one of the basic principles I try to follow in pastoral ministry —

Take interest in the interests of those you are trying to serve.

 The following video was done by our health network so that I could tell the story.

 

* * *

The video doesn’t fully capture the spiritual result of our relationship. On one of my last visits, I had gone outside for awhile to talk with the patient’s wife about funeral plans while her family tended to his needs. When we came back in and I was getting ready to depart, he looked up at me from the bed and said, “It’s time.”

“Time for what?” I asked.

“Time for you to pray for me,” he replied.

This man, who had not wanted a chaplain in the first place, who had never wanted to broach the subject of his relationship with God, who had simply wanted me to come and talk about baseball with him, now expressed his desire to have me commit him into God’s care and bless him before he died. His wife’s eyes opened wide and she looked at me with her mouth open and tears glistening. I went to the foot of the bed, we held hands, and I committed my friend to the Lord.

The next time I saw him was the encounter described in the video. The funny thing about this entire case is — I really didn’t do a thing. The patient and family called all the shots. I just made visits and talked about baseball. They befriended me, brought up every discussion topic, came up with all the ideas, and led me all the way. And it wasn’t my bright idea to call the Cubs, either; the whole thing came out of a sleepless night! And the logistics of having everything work out so perfectly was absolutely beyond my control.

To be honest, I just think I was along for the ride.

I wrote the following in a letter of thanks to the Cubs organization:

In the big scheme of things, so people say, sports like baseball don’t amount to much. In the face of terminal illness, death and loss, what’s so important about a silly game? I have a different perspective, because I watched a dying man take comfort, encouragement, and joy in one of life’s simple pleasures, and it helped sustain him. It gave his family, friends, and caregivers a context in which they could share friendship, enjoyment, and love. I feel especially blessed, for it gave me a chance to make a friend who grew to trust me enough to pray for him.

Thank you for what you do. And thank you for taking the time to reach out to encourage my friends. It may seem small and relatively unspectacular, but as a wise one once said, “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love” (Mother Teresa).