Where's Your Fishing Hole?

I found a new fishing hole. It's a place where I can retreat from the rat race, cast a line, sit in a lawn chair, or fish along the bank and unplug from the world. As old fishermen say, "I'd tell you where it's located, but then I'd have to kill you." Actually, it's on a piece of undeveloped property owned by a friend so I'm legal. However, I'm not sharing it with too many people.

Everyone needs a fishing hole. Whether you fish or not, you need a place where you can disappear, unplug, check out, chill, recharge your batteries and recoup. It needs to be a place where you can reflect, but you don't have to think a lot. A place where little or no demands are placed on you. A place where you don't have to worry about perception, responsibilities and your "to do" list. It may be a favorite hiking trail, golf course, park, the beach, or a spot in the woods. When I'm at the fishing hole, I don't have to worry about much of anything except what the fish are doing, and if I'm honest about it, most of the time I'm not even concerned about the fish. If I catch fish it's a bonus. Just being out there clears the cobwebs of life. Runners know what I'm talking about.

Where and when do you unplug? Summer is a great time to find a fishing hole. So grab a Pepsi, a pack of nabs, your lawn chair and find a place to wet a line. It will be medicine for your soul. Make an intentional choice to choose a path of rest on a regular basis. You'll be glad you did. Follow the lead of the ancients and the prophet Jeremiah (6:16):

¹⁶Thus says the LORD:"Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America!

We are indeed a blessed and beautiful nation. Despite our flaws and imperfections we live in a land of abundance and beauty. Our freedoms, resources, powers and privileges are among the greatest in the world. May they always be used to to help, nurture, empower, strengthen, free, and encourage the powerless, hungry, hurting, broken, weak, and disadvantaged. With blessing comes great responsibility.

I am proud to be an American. I love my country. You don't have to tell me how messed up we are in many areas of great concern. I am fully aware that we are far from perfect and we need to improve in many areas like government, healthcare, energy, education, the economy and poverty. Among my greatest disappointments is the decline of confessing, committed Christ-followers and the fact that we now receive more missionaries than we send overseas. However, despite our flaws, for me, the positives outweigh the negatives. Sure I'd like to visit some spots around the world, but I don't want to live anywhere else. I've been privileged to travel overseas several times and while I appreciate the lands where I've been, I am always grateful to return to America. This is my homeland, my country "tis of thee"!

So fly your flag, light some sparklers, watch fireworks, and celebrate our 233rd birthday with gratitude. Let us remember the brave men and women in uniform who serve to protect our freedoms and land. And those who have paid the greatest price both recent and times past. Let us give thanks for those courageous men who had a vision for something better, freer and more nobler than anything previously when they signed and fought for our Declaration of Independence. And for those who gather on Sunday, remember we come together to worship a God whose nations are many, but few are as blessed. Again, with blessing comes great responsibility. Happy Birthday America!

Darkness Doesn't Discriminate

The following list is pretty impressive:

Martin Luther King Jr. (Minister, Author, Civil Rights Leader)

Mother Teresa (Saint & Hands of Jesus to the Poor)

William Cowper (Minister, Hymn Writer)

Abraham Lincoln (President)

Winston Churchill (British PM)

Sheila Walsh (Author, Women's Speaker)

Mike Wallace (60 Minutes Newsman)

Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky (Composers)

Olivia Newton John (Musician & Actress)

Jim Carrey (Actor & Comedian)

Terry Bradshaw (NFL Great & Analyst)

Florence Nightingale (Nurse, Health Advocate)

Charles H. Spurgeon ("Prince of Preachers")

Robin Williams (Actor, Comedian)

Thomas Edison (Inventor)

Barbara Bush & Betty Ford (Former First Lady's)

Harrison Ford (Actor)

T.S. Eliot (Poet)

Eugene O'Neill (Playwright)

Anthony Hopkins (Actor)

George Patton (General)

Ansel Adams (Photographer)

Emily Dickinson (Poet)

Kirsten Dunst (Actress)

Dolly Parton (Country Musician)

Leo Tolstoy (Author)

Charles Dickens (Author)

Vincent Van Gogh (Painter)

Monica Seles (Tennis Star)

Every one of these famous people has experienced some form of depression. Some were/are professing Christ-followers, some were/are not. Some were catapulted by drugs and alcohol. Others experienced situational depression (e.g., divorce, death of a loved one, job loss, etc.,). Many of them battled clinical depression as the result of chemical imbalances, or mental illness. They represent the church, literature, politics, entertainment, athletics and more. They come from diverse backgrounds in terms of: education; socioeconomic circles; gender; personality; ethnicity; geographic and family of origin issues. Regardless of their differences all share bouts with darkness. Darkness, or as Charles Spurgeon and theologian Martin Marty described it, " the winter of the soul" does not discriminate. Like cancer and addictions it is not a respecter of persons, or our state in life.

Even greats of Scripture, like Jeremiah and King David battled it just to mention a couple. There are many more. The Psalmist wrestled with depression too. Remember, the majority of the Psalms are "laments". And Jeremiah wrote an entire book of laments. In Psalm 42 we find these words of deep struggle, and doubt:

³ My tears have been my food

day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
"Where is your God?"......

⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?.....

Some Christ-followers would rather rationalize or harmonize these and other honest words of lament in the Bible for fear of weakening the world's view of the church, or maintaining a facade of perfection. However, some of us believe the presence of such transparent and authentic words only makes Scripture stronger and more relevant. Who can't relate to the words of the psalter above? This makes the Bible even more credible to me because God is not afraid to leave the honest struggles of humanity in Scripture. Since Scripture is ultimately about God's reckless love pursuit of people through Jesus, what better group to drench with this hope continually revealed throughout the Old and New Testament?

Author and Sociologist, Tony Campolo suggest the church and Christ-followers have not always been so helpful or kind to those who battle depression:

As we consider the causes of depression, those of us in the church must face the ways we might be responsible for creating it. Supposedly, we offer a gospel that delivers people from guilt, but often, when we think people do not feel guilty enough to take our gospel seriously, we preach to them in a way that makes them feel guilty. Sadly, we do a much better job of making people feel guilty than we do of delivering them from the guilt we create. We need to confess this and change our ways.

If you have previously, or currently battle depression there is hope! You are not alone! Many of us have experienced it. Some longer than others and no two alike. Some needed medicine, others counseling, or behavior modification, diet, or exercise. Or a combination of several helps and therapy. All of us needed time. While Christ-followers are not immune to "valley of the shadow of death" we are not alone. God's Word continually and repeatedly reminds us of His presence and faithfulness to those who put their faith in Christ. Let's go back to the psalmist and Psalm 42. Look at the strong affirmation of faith and source of hope in the latter part of verse 5:

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation

Fellow strugglers and pilgrims don't walk this journey alone! There are too many helps out there to endure depression by yourself. You are not crazy, you are not without hope and you are not alone! Christ-followers unite, let's embrace those who battle depression. No magic wands, no magic "pastor dust", but instead, let us join them in the darkness. Let us sit with them, hold their hands, hug, and encourage! Let us be honest, quick to listen and careful not to offer trite cliche's that ring hollow. Let us remember, the darkness of the tomb preceded the light of resurrection. Jesus was in both and so should we if we are going to really model biblical community.

Ureters, Stones and A Red Letter Day!

I just returned from my doctor at Wake Forest University Medical Center.  We are giving praise to God again!  My reconstructed ureter passed the renal gram with flying colors!  It's not just working, it's working pretty well.  Once again, God has done His healing work.  

Had it not been working the next step would've been major surgery to create a ureter from my ileum.  Very rough surgery with a long recovery.   My doctor (God's gift to me) believes I had a rare, atypical peritoneal fibrosis, a condition known to produce tumors in the abdominal cavity and often on the aorta.

This has been an incredible journey.  I'm not done but my remaining kidney issues are small compared to what we've been through.  It has been a topsy turvy six months.  We have been on a roller coaster that included predictions of eventual dialysis, loss of a kidney, lymphoma, and t-cell carcinoma.   Thanks be to God that He had other plans!  And thanks to the Urology team at Wake Forest University Medical Center, specifically Dr's Assimos and Hemal for being God's instruments of healing. 

I would be remiss if I didn't thank the people all over the country (many I don't even know) who prayed for me.  People far greater and more faithful than me.  It's quite humbling and really overwhelming.  I cannot express my gratitude enough to the faithful---Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostal Holiness, Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, non-denominational, but more importantly, Christ-followers who have faithfully prayed for me.  I am deeply indebted to these ordinary, common, precious people! 

Mother Teresa said, "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish He didn't trust me so much." Boy can I relate.  I feel as though I've been entrusted with too much.  But God knew better.  That is sovereignty.  Our faith has been tested and tried, but we have not been moved.  Shaken maybe, but not moved.  Pastor, author and musician, Wintley Phipps said, "It is in the quiet crucible of your personal, private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born and God's greatest gifts are given in compensation for what you have been through." Amen!  

As I drove home from Winston-Salem, the hot sun was burning bright in the Carolina blue skies.  I was reminded of the lyrics to the song Red Letter Day, made popular several years ago by New Song:

Every day before the rush gets started 
I get down on my knees 
And I pray, Lord, I need You here to guide me 
Please speak to me 
And something happens that I can't explain 
His Word starts talking to me and 
I'm out to face this world again 

CHORUS: 
I do believe it's gonna be another red letter day 
I do believe it's gonna be another chance for me 
To take His Word and walk by faith 
I got a smile with every step I take 
Knowing He is here with me 
It's gonna be a red letter day 

I had a friend call me up and tell me 
How he struggles through each day 
I told him that I didn't have all of the answers 
This world's a crazy place 
I 've learned to hide God's Word in my heart 
So I can have it with me when the pressure of the day start 

CHORUS 

So many hidden treasures in God's Word for us to find 
The mysteries and secrets that are there to bring us life 

God's Word, family and friends who love us unconditionally, King Jesus and the small gifts we take for granted every day always make for red letter days.  We choose whether it will be or not.  Thank you Lord, for the promise of your Word and your ever-abiding, never faltering and unwavering presence!  

Governor You Are Forgiven!

Governor Sanford,

Thank you for going public with your affair.  It was the right thing to do.  Regardless of the media spin It took courage, and I'm glad it came from you and not a news photo of you caught in public with another woman .  During your public confessional you asked for forgiveness from your wife, sons, family, staff, and the residents of South Carolina. 

Governor, you have my forgiveness and prayers.   And yes, I am disappointed in this news, and disheartened that you lied about your whereabouts and potentially put your office and state government in jeopardy, but greater men than you and I have let sin cloud their judgment and determine their actions.  But that said, as a Christ-follower I have no choice but forgiveness.  Scripture is clear.  I cannot deprive you of my forgiveness when I have been forgiven so much more by God.  If I have learned anything on my journey as a Christ-follower, it's that we are all broken, fallen, and imperfect. And for those Christ-followers who say, "Well I forgive him, but..." let me simply recall the words of Jesus:  

Mark 11:25                                                                                                                                             ²⁵And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Matthew 18:32-35                                                                                                                                 ³²Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' ³⁴ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. ³⁵ So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."


Governor, I am not asking you to resign from office either.  I believe you will address that matter at the appropriate time after wise counsel, discussions with your family, and thoughtful prayer.  I am more concerned about praying for your marriage and your sons.  You have a tough and difficult road of biblical reconciliation ahead and you need space to do it.  I'm not sure living in the fishbowl of public life and the demanding schedule of leading a state is going to make that possible, but you must come to that decision.  

Governor, if you are like me, you married way above your head.   Your wife has publicly stated that she wants to pursue reconciliation.  Despite the critics and pundits, having counseled many couples in your situation, you are fortunate to have such a mate by your side.  In this day of self-centered preservation that seeks retribution, such a response is indeed rare!  I pray with all my heart that you will not be another statistic and that you will fight for your marriage with more energy and passion than you have fought the legislature, or courts in any previous battles!  And may the news media, legislature and my fellow citizens give you and your family some privacy to work through this "family" matter.  May God's grace, wisdom and abiding love be upon you and your family as you make this difficult journey.   

In Christ,

A Recovering Sinner Saved by Grace

A Missional Community

The Schraugher Story: Tragedy & Hope

Go to the link below for an incredible story that, I promise is worth your time.  Click on "Part 1: The Story" and then watch "Part 2: The House" to see how community really works.  This is an amazing story of hope born out of extreme tragedy and grief.  This is the heart of the missional church and community.  Click here for more: Oakland County Michigan 

Afterward click on the Steve Brown link below to hear Steve's interview with Cliff Schrauger, a man, who in Brown's words, has "raw faith in the face of unimaginable grief."  Click here:  SBE

My Dad

F-aithful
A-ltruistic
T-rustworthy
H-umble
E-thical
R-espected

B-uddy
I-ntegrity
L-ove
L-augh


Happy Father's Day Dad, You Rock!