Set In Bronze?

Hanging On - Recently, I attended a wedding in Chicago. It was genuinely an amazing day! Memories were definitely made. One memory will live forever for the group of us who shared this particular moment. While standing outside the church building, where the wedding took place, our group couldn't help but notice the statue of St. Paul that hung out over the entrance forty or fifty feet over head. What was he up to?

Waving Them In - Our group jumped to immediate conclusions as to what he was doing... Of course we were in a very spirited mood. It is hard to tell what the arm is doing since it is frozen in time. Was he waving his community in? Okay, we'll go with that. "All are welcome here." Didn't Jesus say, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses"... oh, wait "Come to me you who are weary and burdened..." What did St. Paul say? "By meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you - I, Paul, who am timid when face to face with you, but bold when away."

Study Your Bible - If Paul was perched outside our building he would be reminding us all to study our Bible. We know that each finger represents one Bible discipline, the middle finger reminds us to study it. Maybe that is what Paul is doing.

At A Crossroad - He is overlooking an intersection of two busy streets. Perhaps he is just mimicking what he has seen going on there. As someone pointed out once, Christians need more hand signals at their disposal when driving. "One way to Jesus" doesn't really work.

Frustration, Disillusionment, Rejection, Desertion - I suppose most of us would give St. Paul some latitude in this area. He did have his share of disappointments in ministry. He didn't always respond with the meekness and gentleness of Christ, though I am sure that was the goal he "pressed on toward". He didn't always do what he should do, but he always ended up with his do do. I am so glad what we do isn't set in bronze when we do it!

A Fitting Tribute

The Wizard of Westwood - Integrity & influence do not hide behind a curtain, smoke or intimidating voices. My earliest recollections of sports includes the domination of UCLA basketball of the early 1970's. My father made sure my brother and I were paying attention to the history being made, but also the integrity being shown. John Wooden passed away this week at age 99. I have enjoyed reading the tributes those that have best known have written over the last few days. When I was ten years old, 35 years ago, Coach Wooden retired from coaching basketball. He was an old man then! He was a Christian for many years and his beliefs were more important to him than basketball, "I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior." "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."

The Bride of Troy - Sounds like a movie title. What a special day it was attending Troy and Janice's wedding. It was magical! For me the best part was Ron's tribute to his son and daughter in law. The best I have ever heard. How proud I am of this family and happy for them on this special day. Weddings make clear that Christian love is a decision. Love isn't based on feelings or circumstances, "This is my decision, and nothing will change my mind". God's tribute to mankind in John 3:16 is the same. The Bride of Christ are those of us who have confessed the same love to Him.

The Sousa of Comstock - Voted the best by your teachers. Voted the best by your classmates. Vicki and I are very proud of daughter #1 who graduated this past week. Once you accomplish something no one will ever be able to take it away. If you complete a 50 mile bike ride, it is yours forever. Earn a diploma, an award, or a championship (or ten in twelve years) no one can remove them. The hardware lasts awhile, but the tributes last forever. How will you be remembered?

The Forgiveness of Detroit - A miracle happened last week in the "angriest sports town in America". Less than 24 hours after umpire Jim Joyce stole the first perfect game from the people of Detroit he was cheered in the same venue. How does it happen? There is only one possible way. I have heard my friends for years talk of how unforgiving (and fickle) Detroit fans are, even to their own teams & players. How could the fans at Comerica Park have such a radical transformation? Only one way...brokenness. The umpire became broken and poured himself out before the angry mob. The player...the coach...the team...and then the city followed suit. Forgiveness. How profound that a city so broken themselves by politics, economics & crime could find the grace to forgive. Now can they find the brokenness to be lifted up? That would be a fitting tribute.