Courage + Believe = Life

18-year old John Challis died Tuesday night at his home in suburban Pittsburgh. John had an incurable form of cancer whose story became an inspiration to sports reporters and many of the professional athletes he admired. I shared John's story in my blog entry for Mother's Day 2008.

ESPN did a tear jerking story on John upon the news of his death this week. You can watch it below. WARNING: If you aren't familiar with John's story have plenty of Kleenex. If you are familiar with John's story have plenty of Kleenex. This brave kid showed the rest of us how to live and appreciate life. Any petty concerns or complaints we have buckle under the story of the way John Challis chose to live upon his diagnosis with a terminal disease. Rest well John and may God comfort your parents and sister!

A Model of Grace and Hope

In May of this year, the family of popular Christian artist, Steven Curtis Chapman lost their 5-year old daughter, Maria in a tragic accident. The Chapman's, long-respected for their authenticity are modeling for every Christ-follower how to grieve with hope. This touching interview on ABC's GMA reminds all of us that we have hope in Christ. Click the GMA link above to view.

Sorry Sir Your Life Isn't Valued

A recent column by syndicated columnist Cal Thomas seems to have gone largely unnoticed by the American public, or worse, it indicates that fewer Americans value life. I'm hoping it was the former and not the latter, but when you read the article you may wonder. Here's the nuts and bolts from Thomas:

Randy Stroup is a 53-year-old Oregon man who has prostrate cancer, but no insurance to cover his medical treatment. The state pays for treatment in some cases, but it has denied help to Stroup. State officials have determined that chemotherapy would be too expensive and so they have offered him an alternative: death.

Oregon’s physician-assisted suicide law allows taxpayers to pay for someone to kill Stroup, because it’s cheaper than trying to heal him. How twisted is this? Some have called this a “chilling” corruption of medical ethics, but medical ethics have been in the deep freeze for some time. The American Medical Association, which once strongly opposed abortion, now buys into the “choice” argument despite Hippocrates’ admonition that physicians make a habit of two things — “to help, or at least to do no harm.”

How much is a human life worth? Body parts and bone marrow can fetch some pretty high prices, but a human life is more than the sum of its body parts. The reason this is important is that the federal government is now placing a price tag on individual lives and if government ever gets to run health care from Washington, bureaucrats will start making decisions similar to the one made for Randy Stroup.

I'm unashamedly prolife, but even if I wasn't this makes a complete mockery of the intent of the Oregon doctor-assisted suicide law. An Oregon medical professor interviewed by Fox News seems to think the same:

"It's chilling when you think about it," said Dr. William Toffler, a professor of family medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. "It absolutely conveys to the patient that continued living isn't worthwhile.....It corrupts the consistent medical ethic that has been in place for 2,000 years," he said. "It's absolutely breathtaking."

At least Randy Stroup didn't take the edict from state authorities lying down (sorry for the pun). Stroup fought state officials and the egg-faced, Oregon Health Plan reversed its decision and is now paying for his treatment. Given the Oregon agency's initial ruling, Stroup may want to have his chemo tested just to make sure they aren't trying to follow through on their initial decision. Imagine, a world where 53-year olds with cancer aren't valued?

Thank God those with a biblical worldview still value life and view it as a gift from God. Psalm 139:13-16:

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

A Middle-Aged Olympian

The XXIX Olympiad begins this Friday with opening ceremonies in Beijing. Every middle-aged woman and man will have their eyes on 41-year old American Olympian swimmer, Dara Torres. Her comeback story is downright Olympic! Not only did she qualify for the U.S. Swim Team, but she set a record in the process. Harry Smith of CBS News recently interviewed her regarding her appearance at a record 5th Olympic games. She was 17 when she appeared in her first Olympiad in 1984!

Go Dara, Go U.S. Team! To see the video interview just click the CBS link above. Sorry about the 30-second commercial that comes before it.

An Open Door, But a Watchful Eye: Violence in America's Churches

Churches have long been known as places of refuge and peace. From people seeking political and religious asylum, to the oppressed seeking the peace of a sanctuary. And those who are mentally, physically and emotionally drained often seek the peace, unconditional love and encouragement of the church. Whether we go to pray, hear God, worship, or silently reflect and meditate, churches have often provided peace in the midst of our chaotic world. But the stillness of the sanctuary has been peppered with gunfire more than once in recent months.

Sunday's fatal shooting in a Knoxville Unitarian Church is the fourth time in 15 months that an American church became the scene of a fatal shooting! Is anyone else a little concerned about this? According to CNN:

In December 2007, a 24-year-old former missionary candidate killed two people at a suburban Denver, Colorado, missionary training center and two more at a Colorado Springs megachurch the following day. The gunman, Matthew Murray, killed himself after being shot by a security guard.

The previous August, police said, 52-year-old Eiken Saimon shot and killed three people and wounded five others at a Congregational church in Neosho, Missouri. The attack left three people dead and five wounded.

And that May, in Moscow, Idaho, 36-year-old Jason Hamilton fatally shot a police officer and a sexton at First Presbyterian Church, then killed himself before police stormed the building. Hamilton's wife was found shot to death in the bedroom of their Moscow home after the church shootings.

According to reports from Knoxville's News Sentinel, yesterday's shooting that killed two people and wounded several others is being investigated as a potential hate crime. According to police the suspect entered the church with a shotgun concealed in a guitar case and he left a four-page letter detailing his hatred for homosexuals and the "liberal movement".

I don't care what stand a church, organization, company, group, or individual takes on homosexuality, politics and social issues, NOTHING gives any of us the right to touch, or attack those with whom we disagree. Violence is never an appropriate moral, or biblical response for disagreement. Those who choose such a response are in serious need of a confined facility and medication that will no longer allow them to act on their anger, prejudice, hatred, pride, indifference, and ignorance in way that threatens or endangers anyone.

Public places that were formerly considered as safe (schools, churches, shopping malls, hospitals, government buildings, etc.,) are increasingly becoming targets and outlets for troubled souls and minds battling serious emotional and mental issues. A good case can be made that while violence in otherwise safe places is on the increase, the overall emotionally charged/mentally disturbed population is increasing at such an alarming rate that no location, organization, or group is immune from such potential threats.

As one who stands weekly to teach God's Word and proclaim the liberating power of the Gospel, I cannot advocate closing the doors of the church, or the use of full body searches prior to worship or other gatherings. We must not cower in fear behind closed doors with only a "select few". However, I do believe it's time for church leaders to carefully review their safety policies and procedures in their efforts to insure the safety of everyone who gathers in their respective faith community. While our doors must remain open, we need to keep a watchful eye on everyone who comes through them. Such was the case with one of the Knoxville congregation's shooting victims. 60-year old, Greg McKendry, was killed when he confronted the gunman as he entered the church. Police and church members believe McKendry, a leader in the church, saved many lives by putting himself in front of the shooter.

May God give us incredible wisdom and discernment in recognizing the troubled souls around us and the courage to seek professional help for them as we seek to minister with grace. But may God also give us stout hearts like David's who protected and cared for his father's sheep without apology.

The Need for Peace-filled People

According to apple experts (the fruit, not the computer) one rotten apple does spoil the entire barrel! Apparently when an apple starts to rot, it releases a chemical called ethylene that causes it to decay. The other apples in the barrel can sense the chemical reaction, and when they do, they start producing their own ethylene, causing all the apples in the barrel to spoil.

Peace-less people are like cancer. Left unchallenged and without accountability they spread division, unrest, and negativity wherever they land. Who are peace-less people? They are negative, hypercritical, arrogant, prideful, gossips, divisive and downright mean people. Peace-less people can infect an organization, business, team, or group just like one bad apple can affect an entire apple barrel. I’m not referring to people who handle conflict or disagreement in a healthy, mature manner. These are usually people who have a long pattern and history of this kind of behavior. Look behind them and you will most likely find they have serious issues with previous employers, their family of origin, children, a former spouse, neighbors, fellow church members and others who have experienced their bent for the acidic.

The majority of peace-less people are often unaware of the depth of their own negativity. In fact, many peace-less people view themselves as healthy and genuinely believe they are deeply connected and committed to the organization, business, or team. I believe a very small percentage of peace-less people are intentional about their behavior. While they are in the minority, they are extremely dangerous and will ultimately spoil the good fruit of any organization.

Most, peace-less people are simply acting out of past pains or wounds. Unresolved issues from the past are some of the greatest contributors to current conflict. Leaders who encounter these folks should try not to take their words and actions personal. They are really crying out for help and many of them are scared to death someone is going to discover their wounds. Control is a real issue for peace-less people. They are most comfortable when they are in control of conversations, disagreements, and their environment. Control enables them to keep the spotlight on someone, or something else without having to face their own issues, sins, pain or problems.

Churches and volunteer organizations seem to be fertile ground for peace-less people. No doubt this is where they need to be, but if the church, company, team or organization is not clearly focused on its mission and purpose, a small number of these folks can bring everything to a grinding halt. Left unchallenged they can bring an organization to its knees.

Just as it is with personal finances and stewardship, the New Testament is loaded with admonitions, counsel and warnings about the importance of, and need for peace. Yet, we are often unwilling to fight for peace because it means we can’t “cut and run”, bury our heads, or suppress it. Instead, we have to face the conflict, or disagreement in a Christ-like manner with dispassionate conversation. A good case could be made that the ability to disagree in love and remain committed to a common mission (Big Picture) is a sure sign of a healthy church, organization, business or team. Consider the following Scriptures on living/pursuing peace:

1 Thess. 5:13; 1 Peter 3:11; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:3; James 3:18; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:22

Many Christ-followers forget, or they were never told that we have been called to a ministry of peace. It’s not an option. If you cling to the promise of eternal life through Christ, you have a Scriptural mandate to seek, produce and work for peace. This is not an optional fruit of the Spirit that only a few are to develop and pursue. Paul says that just as we desire the peace of Christ in our heart, and are part of one body, we are called to a life of peace (Col. 3:15). What would happen if we really started working for peace where we live, work, play, worship, work out, shop, vote, and live? All of us would have to start with a serious dose of humility and repentance. Man, I would love to see just half of God’s church commit to pursuing peace. It’s got to begin with me. It’s got to begin with you. May the peace of Christ rule our hearts!

Friendships Are Meant to Last a Lifetime