A favorite childhood pastime was listening to my mother and her sisters share their childhood stories. I’ve regretted not recording my mother telling those stories before her death, because she was a master storyteller. However, I do have a good memory and would like to share with you one of my favorite stories.
The Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, New York is where my mother and her family spent their summers during the Great Depression. As soon as Baltimore schools officially closed, my grandmother would pack up the kids and head for New York for the summer. Because of his job, my grandfather would remain in Baltimore. Because the family was relatively, spending their summers in Sheepshead Bay was less of a family vacation and more of a medical necessity for my grandmother. Suffering most of her life from asthma, my grandmother found that living in New York by the water was far more conducive to her health than Baltimore’s hot and humid summers. While many generations of Marylanders have used Ocean City, Maryland as respite from the summer heat, segregation barred African Americans from the popular summer spot’s hotels and motels until as late as 1963.
One summer day in Sheepshead Bay my grandmother received a message that her oldest daughter who lived in New Jersey had been suddenly hospitalized. Desiring to visit her daughter, my grandmother carried my mother and her younger sisters to the bus station. However, only one bus ticket to New Jersey was purchased; leaving my mother and her sisters to wait in the bus station for their mother’s return. After a number of hours station employees became concerned about the length of time the girls had been left alone. Employees offered to feed them, but my mother, the oldest in the group and the one left in charge, refused to allow her sisters to take any food from the strangers. Insisting that her mother had told them to never take food from strangers; however her protectiveness was not well received. She was told, ‘You don’t have to eat anything, but you should at least allow your little sisters to eat.” Yet, in spite of being called mean and selfish, my mother stuck to her guns. Of course, they were all hunger and her younger sisters were not happy with her decision.
As the evening went on and the last bus from New Jersey had finally arrived without their mother, the bus station employees came to the conclusion that their mother had abandoned them. During the depression it was not uncommon for poor families to abandon one or more of their children in hopes of giving them a better life, or at least food and shelter. One African American employee offered to take them home with him; but again my mother refused his offer. Surrounded by bus station employees and interested travelers the girls were repeatedly told, ‘The last bus has come and your mother isn’t coming back.’ Yet in spite of what the adults were saying and what the evidence was looking like, my mother continued to say, “I know my mother and she would never abandon us. My mother said she was coming back and she will be back.”
Sometime during the middle of the night the girls looked up and there was their mother coming through the bus station doors. She had apparently missed the last bus from New Jersey and had spent hours trying to finding someone to drive her back to the bus station in Brooklyn to pick up her little girls. Today of course, everyone would have had cell phones; including each of the girls. They would have been texting their mother throughout the night. Their mother would have possibly called someone in Brooklyn to pick up her girls. And I would not have had an interesting story to share.
Nevertheless, in the absence of cell phones and everyone saying your mother has abandoned you, what enabled that little girl to stand firm? My mother would always say, “It was my faith in my mother.” She not only had the words of her mother to hold onto, but she had her mother’s character to trust in. She was able to defy the advice and speculation of all the adults in the bus station because they did not know her mother, but she did. She knew her mother would never abandon her children.
When it looks like the Lord has abandoned you, are you able to say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, and I know he would never abandon his child?’ When the opinion of others is contrary to what you’re hoping for, can you say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, but you don’t?’ Are you presently waiting on the Lord for some special need in your life? Is the clock is ticking on you having a financial need met? Is the clock ticking on finding a solution to a legal situation you’re facing? Is the clock ticking on finding a medical cure that you or a family member is in need of? Is the clock ticking on you finding a compatible mate to spend the rest of your life with? If so, can you say with confidence, ‘I know my heavenly Father, and I know he will arrive at just the right time?’ “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.” 1 Corinthians 4:13 (NKJV)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
“One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin becoming the first two men to walk on the moon. The moon landing was witnessed by millions of people across the world on live television broadcasts. Although I was only eleven at the time, I will never forget watching and listening to CBS news anchorman Walter Cronkite's broadcast of the moon landing. Regrettably, Walter Cronkite died this Friday at the age of 92; just two days before Apollo 11’s 40th anniversary.
Although it has been 40 years, I can vividly recall not wanting to turn myself away from the television on that Sunday afternoon. It was at 4:17 p.m. when the Lunar Excursion Module touched down on the surface of the moon, but it wasn’t until 6½ hours later that Neil Armstrong finally emerged from the capsule. Now those of you who grew up in the church should recognize the apparent dilemma that thousands of truly dedicated churchgoers were faced with on that evening. We had to be in church while one of the most important events in world history was happening. Consequently, only heathens and backsliders were able to hear Neil Armstrong muff his famous lines, when he planned to say “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” And for those of you who are too young to have witnessed the event: VCRs and On Demand technology had not been invented and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did not perform Michael Jackson’s famous moonwalk slide on the lunar surface.
However, missing the actual moon walk because of church isn’t one of negative memories I have of the moon landing. I did get to see the event later that evening and like most major news events it was rebroadcasted over and over and over, again. Would you like to know what did spoil the event for me and still annoys me today?
The day of the moon landing I was invited to Sunday dinner at my cousins’ house because we were all going to church that night. Therefore, it was actually in their dining room that we sat in front of a small black and white television watching the moon landing. Unfortunately, their father believed then and until the day he died, that the moon landing was a NASA hoax filmed at a television studio in New York City. I’m certain that many of you also had or still have relatives who enjoyed ruining our greatest scientific advancement at the time with their conspiracy theory.
As late as 1999, a Gallup poll found that 6% of the American public doubted the Moon landing occurred and 5% had no opinion. In 2001, Fox television aired a program called Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on the Moon? Guests on the show argued that NASA technology in the 1960's wasn't up to the task of a real Moon landing. Instead, anxious to win the Space Race any way it could, NASA acted out the Apollo program in movie studios. So, was my uncle actually a prophet or was the “moon hoax” one of those conspiracy theories that refuse to die? I’ve usually found that people who are quick to believe in conspiracy theories are the same ones who refuse to believe that professional wrestling is staged. Need I say more?Conspiracy theories always seem to surface around major events. There’s the JFK conspiracy, the MLK conspiracy, and the Elvis is alive theory. I wonder what the conspiracy theorists have dreamed up regarding Michael Jackson’s death. Two thousand years ago conspiracy theories had even surfaced around the death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew’s gospel records the following event:
Many today--even those who consider themselves Christians--deny it, ignore it, or try to explain away the resurrection of Jesus. However, the bible says,
Oswald Chambers wrote: “The proof that I have been through crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a decided likeness to Him…. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus now, and it will show itself in holiness.” [3] Consequently, the real proof of Christ’s resurrection cannot be found on film footage. Neither is the final piece of evidence found in the testimonies of the more than 500 people who saw him after his resurrection. [4] The final proof of the resurrection of Christ is the change that He has brought to your life. The resurrection was more than a giant historical event for mankind; it is to be a life altering event for each and every person who comes to Christ by faith. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”[5] Is your life proof that Christ was raised from the dead? Or can your life be used by conspiracy theorists as evidence that the resurrection was just another hoax?
[1] Matthew 28:12-15 (NLT)
[2] 1 Cor. 15:12-14, 17 (NKJV)
[3] My Utmost for My Highest, Moral Divinity
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:6
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Although it has been 40 years, I can vividly recall not wanting to turn myself away from the television on that Sunday afternoon. It was at 4:17 p.m. when the Lunar Excursion Module touched down on the surface of the moon, but it wasn’t until 6½ hours later that Neil Armstrong finally emerged from the capsule. Now those of you who grew up in the church should recognize the apparent dilemma that thousands of truly dedicated churchgoers were faced with on that evening. We had to be in church while one of the most important events in world history was happening. Consequently, only heathens and backsliders were able to hear Neil Armstrong muff his famous lines, when he planned to say “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” And for those of you who are too young to have witnessed the event: VCRs and On Demand technology had not been invented and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did not perform Michael Jackson’s famous moonwalk slide on the lunar surface.
However, missing the actual moon walk because of church isn’t one of negative memories I have of the moon landing. I did get to see the event later that evening and like most major news events it was rebroadcasted over and over and over, again. Would you like to know what did spoil the event for me and still annoys me today?
The day of the moon landing I was invited to Sunday dinner at my cousins’ house because we were all going to church that night. Therefore, it was actually in their dining room that we sat in front of a small black and white television watching the moon landing. Unfortunately, their father believed then and until the day he died, that the moon landing was a NASA hoax filmed at a television studio in New York City. I’m certain that many of you also had or still have relatives who enjoyed ruining our greatest scientific advancement at the time with their conspiracy theory.
As late as 1999, a Gallup poll found that 6% of the American public doubted the Moon landing occurred and 5% had no opinion. In 2001, Fox television aired a program called Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on the Moon? Guests on the show argued that NASA technology in the 1960's wasn't up to the task of a real Moon landing. Instead, anxious to win the Space Race any way it could, NASA acted out the Apollo program in movie studios. So, was my uncle actually a prophet or was the “moon hoax” one of those conspiracy theories that refuse to die? I’ve usually found that people who are quick to believe in conspiracy theories are the same ones who refuse to believe that professional wrestling is staged. Need I say more?Conspiracy theories always seem to surface around major events. There’s the JFK conspiracy, the MLK conspiracy, and the Elvis is alive theory. I wonder what the conspiracy theorists have dreamed up regarding Michael Jackson’s death. Two thousand years ago conspiracy theories had even surfaced around the death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew’s gospel records the following event:
A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. [1]
Many today--even those who consider themselves Christians--deny it, ignore it, or try to explain away the resurrection of Jesus. However, the bible says,
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection ofthe dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is emptyand your faith is also empty…. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! [2]
Oswald Chambers wrote: “The proof that I have been through crucifixion with Jesus is that I have a decided likeness to Him…. I can have the resurrection life of Jesus now, and it will show itself in holiness.” [3] Consequently, the real proof of Christ’s resurrection cannot be found on film footage. Neither is the final piece of evidence found in the testimonies of the more than 500 people who saw him after his resurrection. [4] The final proof of the resurrection of Christ is the change that He has brought to your life. The resurrection was more than a giant historical event for mankind; it is to be a life altering event for each and every person who comes to Christ by faith. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”[5] Is your life proof that Christ was raised from the dead? Or can your life be used by conspiracy theorists as evidence that the resurrection was just another hoax?
[1] Matthew 28:12-15 (NLT)
[2] 1 Cor. 15:12-14, 17 (NKJV)
[3] My Utmost for My Highest, Moral Divinity
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:6
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Monday, July 13, 2009
No Pain, No Gain!
Saturday afternoon our Youth and Young Adult Ministry had a cookout. After wondering whether my presence might stifle their fun, I decided I should probably make an appearance. Once arriving at the pinic and waiting for the food to finish cooking, someone brought out an official volleyball kit. Unfortunately, the last person to use the net did not store it in an official manner. The net was twisted and tangled to the point that it took nearly forty-five minutes and four of us to finally figure out how to unravel and set it up. Several times through the process I felt like cutting the thing up and tossing into the woods. To make things worse the owner of the volleyball kit, who obviously put it away last, kept asking what was taking the three of us so long. Once he came to assist us, we paired up in two teams to unravel the net from each pole. That was all the motivation my competitive nature needed to figure out the maze of ropes and netting. And you guessed it; my two person team had our side completed first.
Once we finished eating and individuals became interested in playing volleyball, I set on the deck wanting to play but wondering whether my volleyball days were officially over. After finally convincing myself that volleyball is a spectator sport for fifty year olds, my wife decided that she was going to play--bad knees and all. I’m still not sure what made her think that she was still capable of playing volleyball. It wasn’t the punch, because there was no punch for someone to spike. However, it actually only took about five minutes for whatever it was to wear off and for her to realize--‘girl, your ball playing days are over.’
Well, I’m sure I don’t have to tell who she called to come in as her replacement. And I proudly trotted towards the field, emptied my pockets of keys and a cellphone, ticked off my sandals, and took my position on the second row. Here I am playing with preteens, teens, twenty and thirty year olds, and a couple of forty year olds. But clearly, I was the veteran on the field. At least once I heard someone on my team remind the other team that the pastor had to preach tomorrow. I suspected that they may have been deliberately keeping the ball away from me. Because no matter what position I rotated to the ball rarely came to me. But when it did, I did my best to support my team, because I was determined that if I was going to put my body at this kind of risk my team was going to win. This 51 year old was literally as good as some 15 year olds--at least in my mind I was.
My team did win our first game with 25 points; which is required for an official volleyball game. But when you’re 50 years old, the difference between 21 and 25 points seems like a lifetime. However, my team eventually lost the rematch. But I was smart enough to retire after the first game. And of course, I have convinced myself that my team lost the second game because of my retirement.
The infamous athlete’s motto is: “No pain, no gain.” And of course, I did leave the field with my share of pain: a bruised fingernail and a sore wrist. But surprisingly, I was more than able to preach a lively message the next morning. Yet it has always amazed me how much real athletes are willing to push themselves harder and longer and farther than the average person. While most of people protect themselves from any form of discomfort, athletes push themselves to the limits of their endurance. While most people remain satisfied with mediocre performance, athletes pay any price for excellence.
If an athlete can be motivated to make incredible sacrifices for an earthly reward, how much more ought Christians to strive for an eternal one? If an athlete will labor day after day and suffer excruciating pain in order to receive glory from others, how much harder ought we to work to hear our Lord say, “well done?” This week I encourage you to consider the following questions: Are you striving to bring your body into subjection for the glory of God? Are you training your mind to think godly thoughts rather than worldly thoughts? Are you disciplining your life in prayer and fasting? Are you studying God’s word diligently so that you are prepared to find answers to the challenges you face? Are you ready for the Spiritual Olympics or are you still playing Spiritual T-Ball; where no score is being officially kept?
Once we finished eating and individuals became interested in playing volleyball, I set on the deck wanting to play but wondering whether my volleyball days were officially over. After finally convincing myself that volleyball is a spectator sport for fifty year olds, my wife decided that she was going to play--bad knees and all. I’m still not sure what made her think that she was still capable of playing volleyball. It wasn’t the punch, because there was no punch for someone to spike. However, it actually only took about five minutes for whatever it was to wear off and for her to realize--‘girl, your ball playing days are over.’
Well, I’m sure I don’t have to tell who she called to come in as her replacement. And I proudly trotted towards the field, emptied my pockets of keys and a cellphone, ticked off my sandals, and took my position on the second row. Here I am playing with preteens, teens, twenty and thirty year olds, and a couple of forty year olds. But clearly, I was the veteran on the field. At least once I heard someone on my team remind the other team that the pastor had to preach tomorrow. I suspected that they may have been deliberately keeping the ball away from me. Because no matter what position I rotated to the ball rarely came to me. But when it did, I did my best to support my team, because I was determined that if I was going to put my body at this kind of risk my team was going to win. This 51 year old was literally as good as some 15 year olds--at least in my mind I was.
My team did win our first game with 25 points; which is required for an official volleyball game. But when you’re 50 years old, the difference between 21 and 25 points seems like a lifetime. However, my team eventually lost the rematch. But I was smart enough to retire after the first game. And of course, I have convinced myself that my team lost the second game because of my retirement.
The infamous athlete’s motto is: “No pain, no gain.” And of course, I did leave the field with my share of pain: a bruised fingernail and a sore wrist. But surprisingly, I was more than able to preach a lively message the next morning. Yet it has always amazed me how much real athletes are willing to push themselves harder and longer and farther than the average person. While most of people protect themselves from any form of discomfort, athletes push themselves to the limits of their endurance. While most people remain satisfied with mediocre performance, athletes pay any price for excellence.
If an athlete can be motivated to make incredible sacrifices for an earthly reward, how much more ought Christians to strive for an eternal one? If an athlete will labor day after day and suffer excruciating pain in order to receive glory from others, how much harder ought we to work to hear our Lord say, “well done?” This week I encourage you to consider the following questions: Are you striving to bring your body into subjection for the glory of God? Are you training your mind to think godly thoughts rather than worldly thoughts? Are you disciplining your life in prayer and fasting? Are you studying God’s word diligently so that you are prepared to find answers to the challenges you face? Are you ready for the Spiritual Olympics or are you still playing Spiritual T-Ball; where no score is being officially kept?
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. --1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Steve McNair: Never Got the Message!
This Fourth of July, my youngest son and I joined an old friend at the Congressional Country Club for the AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods. What a perfect day to spend on a beautiful golf course watching the pros play golf; especially the golfer of all times Tiger Woods.
By the way, the friend who invited us to see Tiger Woods is the one who worked so hard preparing to beat me at golf last month. However, I am truly grateful that he chose to share with me his prized club house tickets given to him by his daughter. I’m also grateful to have spent the day with someone who was a role model and spiritual mentor to me when I was a young husband, father, and minister. As well it was an honor to spend the day with my youngest son. Believe me; I never want to take for granted or miss opportunities like this one to spend time sharing words of life and wisdom with my sons.
Like many others, my son and I were shocked and sadden Saturday when we finally learned of the death of former Ravens’ player Steve McNair. The four-time Pro Bowler, who shared his NFL’s MVP award with Peyton Manning, was known on the football field, simply as “Air McNair.” Publicly, McNair was portrayed as a happily married man and a proud father of four sons. However, Saturday McNair was presumably shot to death by his 20 year old girlfriend, who was found dead with a single bullet wound to her head.
All of us are aware of the easy drugs, alcohol and women that athletes and entertainers are tempted with. However, a simple father-to-son talk or a man-to-man conversation by some wise male in McNair's life might have prevented his death.
The truth is that many men either never got the message that might have saved Steve McNair’s life, or simply deleted it from their mental rolodex. We can assume former president Bill Clinton, former mayor Kwame Kirkpatrick, soon to be former governor Mark Sanford, and the Laker's Kobe Bryant also never got the message. Therefore, let me share with you the message I have shared with my own sons, as well as the sons under my spiritual care.
The message is not new. It is actually one of many ancient lessons taught my King Solomon to his son.
By the way, the friend who invited us to see Tiger Woods is the one who worked so hard preparing to beat me at golf last month. However, I am truly grateful that he chose to share with me his prized club house tickets given to him by his daughter. I’m also grateful to have spent the day with someone who was a role model and spiritual mentor to me when I was a young husband, father, and minister. As well it was an honor to spend the day with my youngest son. Believe me; I never want to take for granted or miss opportunities like this one to spend time sharing words of life and wisdom with my sons.
Like many others, my son and I were shocked and sadden Saturday when we finally learned of the death of former Ravens’ player Steve McNair. The four-time Pro Bowler, who shared his NFL’s MVP award with Peyton Manning, was known on the football field, simply as “Air McNair.” Publicly, McNair was portrayed as a happily married man and a proud father of four sons. However, Saturday McNair was presumably shot to death by his 20 year old girlfriend, who was found dead with a single bullet wound to her head.
All of us are aware of the easy drugs, alcohol and women that athletes and entertainers are tempted with. However, a simple father-to-son talk or a man-to-man conversation by some wise male in McNair's life might have prevented his death.
The truth is that many men either never got the message that might have saved Steve McNair’s life, or simply deleted it from their mental rolodex. We can assume former president Bill Clinton, former mayor Kwame Kirkpatrick, soon to be former governor Mark Sanford, and the Laker's Kobe Bryant also never got the message. Therefore, let me share with you the message I have shared with my own sons, as well as the sons under my spiritual care.
The message is not new. It is actually one of many ancient lessons taught my King Solomon to his son.
For sound advice is a beacon,
good teaching is a light,
moral discipline is a life path.
They'll protect you from wanton women,
from the seductive talk of some temptress.
Don't lustfully fantasize on her beauty,
nor be taken in by her bedroom eyes.
You can buy an hour with a whore for a loaf of bread,
but a wanton woman may well eat you alive.
Adultery is a brainless act,
soul-destroying, self-destructive;
Expect a bloody nose, a black eye,
and a reputation ruined for good.*
This week, help spare the life and reputation of the males that you know by sharing with them this important message. I would also encourage fathers and spiritual fathers to find some time to walk your sons through the goldmine of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. A chapter a day will only take one month. A chapter a month will be completed in about seven months. The life you save might just be your own.
*Proverbs 6:23-34 (The Message)
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