Demons on the Phone

Mar 5:1-2 "They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit."

This describes a day at my office. My guess is that the same thing happens to you from time to time. Perhaps this isn't a literal occurrence but you've met men and women just like this. I know I have.

For the past 6+ years I've spoken to thousands of people who want to sue their doctor, their hospital, their veterinarian, their neighbor, their brother, their girlfriend, boyfriend, aunt, uncle...the list is endless. Some of these people have a real beef. They really do. They were wronged by an action. Their life will never be the same again because of someone's thoughtless deed. Some of these folks will never walk again because of a surgeon's scalpel. Some of these callers will live in pain until the day they die because the other driver ignored the red light. I understand these calls. I get their story.

But every once in a while, actually, on a daily basis, I receive a call from someone who is filled with an unclean spirit. They are filled with venom. They slither to the phone and outline a vile plan of vengeance. They whisper hateful words. They utter threats of violence. They demand justice for nothing more than a flesh wound or a hurt feeling.

These are the people who walk our streets and share our elevators. They are the neighbors who get their mail at the end of the day and wave hello from across the street. They seem normal enough but when you really take a closer look, you see the insanity in their eyes.

If you read the rest of Mark's story, Jesus, who earlier has been ordering the demons to leave this man, finally gives them permission to go their own way. And here's my point: He doesn't accuse the man. He doesn't blame him for his anti-social behavior. Jesus recognizes that the thing that controls this poor being is, in fact, beyond his control. This man is stuck with demons that control him.

Jesus does not condemn the man. He sets him free.
Jesus does not sentence him for his wild behavior. He silences the source of his pain.
The creator of the universe looks this troubled soul in the eye, releases him from his bonds, and puts him back on the road to sanity.

Like the people from the surrounding country-side, I've so often relegated these callers, neighbors or strangers to the caves of their own creating. But occasionally, compassion guides my heart and I stop to listen to their pain. I offer a word of hope. I sooth their sole with balm and in the end, I entrust their lives to God's love and care.

No Questions Asked

Mark 5:24a: "So Jesus went with him."

Jairus shows up. His daughter is dying. He is distraught. He is over-come with grief. He is seeking a favor, a cure, a miracle. And, so, Jesus went with him. No questions asked. He gets up, places his hand on the man's shoulder, looks him in the eye, and says, "Lead the way".

You've had similar requests made to you. Every day people tell their stories of sorrow and fear. Every morning you hear about the struggle of another at the coffee maker. Every afternoon you drive past someone asking for food or money. Every evening you watch the nightly news and see the starvation or war.

Jesus was asked and he moved. We are asked and we provide a trivial response...I'll pray for you...I'll be thinking of you. I would love to come but we have a soccer game, Bible Study, Men's Fellowship, All-Church-Cleaning Day, Fill in the Blank _______________________.

Or perhaps our response is even more obvious: We turn our heads and shut our eyes. We tell the kids, "Don't make eye contact!" We slowly lock the doors. We whisper under our breath, "Come On Green Light!!"

We avoid the hassle. We ignore the plea. We settle into our easy-chair. But Jesus went with him.

Of course, if you read the rest of the story, you realize that Jesus worked a miracle. You and I would never presume to bring someone back from the dead, would we? We don't have that life-giving ability. We don't share that marvelous, miraculous touch.

But we do have a dollar.
We do have a listening ear.
We do have a spare bedroom.
We do have left-overs after every meal.
We do have the ability to write letters, to point out injustice, to demand action.
We do have the ability to give a ride.
We do have the power to speak our voice.
We do have....
Oh, we have so much and yet we stay. We sit. We pretend we do not hear or see.

Jesus went with him. No questions asked.

A Letter to My Friends

Friends,

I was thinking about our meeting together this past Saturday. I am amazed at how so many of us are in places that are uncomfortable: New jobs, shaky jobs, travel, school, illness and death, parting from places and friends we hold dear, waiting, watching, change. It is a difficult time.

I am thankful that we were able to spend the time sharing. We needed to hear one another. We needed to know each other. But after our time together, I thought about the struggles we are all facing and how the study planned for that meeting, at its core, would provide some solace to our spirits. I would like to offer a word or two of the study for your consideration and encouragement.

This passage is from The Book of Matthew study by Max Lucado:

“Do this. Change your definition of prayers. Think of prayers less as an activity for God and more of an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness. Acknowledge his presence everywhere you go. As you stand in line to register your car, think, Thank you, Lord, for being here. In the grocery as you shop. Your presence, my King, I welcome. As you wash the dishes, worship your Maker. Brother Lawrence did. This well-known saint called himself the “lord of pots and pans.” In his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, he wrote: 'The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament'.”

What a challenge. What a wonderful call to living life in a different way. So much different than we live so much of the time. Worried about our jobs, worried about our bills, worried about people around us…when our attention should be on the God of the universe who has all these things in control. We live life as if our actions are the only force for change and miss the power of the Creator who is there with us every step of the way.

I know this is a big week for so many of you. I love you. You are in my prayers.

Blessings,

Curt

Life's About the Journey

I heard from a long-lost friend this past week. We've know one another for more than 20 years and have shared some special times together but because of time and space, we haven't spoken for more than five years. We haven't emailed, called, chatted or written. Our individual lives have continued to move forward. The stories have been written and we took some time to catch up on the narrative.

What I learned about her life in the short time we chatted was painful for her to tell and painful for me to hear. To cut right to the chase, she and her husband have struggled. Their marriage is in trouble. Wounded egos, poor choices, and shattered dreams resulted in broken vows and broken hearts. They are hanging on by a thread and there isn't anything I can do about it: Except Pray.

I imagine you know someone in the same position. They are not evil people. They simply made decisions that hurt themselves and others. They looked for answers and followed paths that took them away from the truth. Getting back to the straight road is difficult, if not impossible.

The story isn't so difficult to understand. In fact, it might be too familiar. You may have been one of those who caused pain to others and you know exactly how this story goes. You caused the turmoil. You made an quick decision that had far reaching consequences and nothing will change until you acknowledge your decision, own your error, and seek a new direction.

Or perhaps you find yourself on the other side of the page. You are the one who was hurt. You are the one who was betrayed. You were faithful. You were truthful. You were living life the best you could, oblivious to the storm that was building just over the horizon. And one day, out of the blue, you were hit with the hurricane that now dominates your life and shreds the very foundations of your soul. You need a life jacket. You need to protect yourself. You need to find a new normal. You need to regain your balance. And as hard as it is to believe, the best thing you can do is to offer grace.

Human nature and the wounded feelings prevent repentance and forgiveness from finding their way into the story. Anger and pain override any repentance and any grace that could bring healing.

Believe me. I know. I've been on both sides of this story. Truth and Grace is the only thing that will save the marriage. They are the two things that are needed more than anything else.

I've been praying a lot for my dear friends, for their hearts, for their individual lives and their married life. God give them wisdom, honesty, and grace. AMEN.

A Prayer For A New Year

Dear God,

The holidays are over and the long, dark winter begins and I need your strength. I need your grace. I need your wisdom. I need your guidance.

You know me. You know that under my own power, I will make choices that take me farther from you. I will make decisions that will move me from your light and into darkness. You know that I will take steps that will remove me from your presence.

I will eat food that weakens my body.
I will see things that darken my mind.
I will say words that hurt others.
I will have thoughts that wound my soul.
I will experience emotions that have no place in my heart.

And so, Dear Lord, as 2009 begins, I pray that I will know you more. I pray that I will be a man after your heart. Despite my failures and struggles, I pray for your grace. I seek your wisdom. I desire your guidance.

Amen.