Emil the Terrible

Even though I read The Loneliness of a Long-Distance Runner when I was a teenager and even ran on the high school cross-country team one year, I had never heard about "Emil the Terrible" until this week. 

Emil Zátopek was a Czech runner who won a total of five medals in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. He was nicknamed the "Czech Locomotive" due to his audible wheezing and panting during a race. He was also known as "Emil the Terrible" because of his tortured facial expressions and the way his head rolled from side to side as he ran. 

In the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Emil won gold in his normal races (5 and 10 kilometers) and, then, literally at the last minute, decided to represent his country in the marathon. A natural extrovert, he sought out the favorite to win the race, Jim Peters (Great Britain), to ask him for a bit of advice. 

At the starting line Zátopek reportedly told Peters that because he knew nothing of marathon pacing, he would probably hang on Peters' shoulder until he could get the hang of it. With that in mind, Peters purposely started the race fast with the hopes of forcing Emil to make a mistake by over-extending himself. After a punishing fifteen kilometers Zátopek, who spoke six languages, asked the Englishman what he thought of the race so far. The surprised Peters told the Czech that the pace was "too slow," in an attempt to discourage Emil. Taking Peters seriously, Zátopek chose to accelerate. Peters developed a cramp in the last few miles and never finished. Zátopek ran for an Olympic record. 

Naturally, after winning his medals and setting his records, Emil the Terrible was a hero in Czechoslovakia. Unfortunately, in the Prague Spring of 1968 he got himself crossways with the communist government. As a result, he was removed from all of his important positions in national sporting organizations and forced to work as a garbage collector, a well digger and, even, in a uranium mine. In March 1990 he was finally rehabilitated by Václav Havel, the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first of the Czech Republic. 

As I read about Zátopek's rise from being a worker in the Bata shoe factory to becoming a world-class athlete (and, later, persistently holding on to his ideals even while he was demeaned by his government) I was naturally reminded of Hebrews 12:1,2. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." 

If I remember correctly, in The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner, Colin, the antihero of the book, purposely refuses to finish a race so he can frustrate the warden of the reformatory where he is incarcerated. I suppose we could also refuse to keep going. Most people would understand. In fact, some people might applaud the decision. 

Still, I keep thinking of Emil the Terrible. When asked about the noises he made and his terrible facial expressions, he said, "It isn't gymnastics or figure skating, you know." He was right. It is a race and if we are going to be in it we have to keep on running, keep on looking for that prize - no matter how we look, how much we stumble and how many groans escape our parched lips.

Strange Thoughts For Palm Sunday

It should come as no surprise that I would have some strange thoughts for a Palm Sunday meditation. I am told that many of my thoughts are "a bit different." If that is really the case, I can only hope that you have enough patience to forge on through to the end and find the relationship between my three questions on suffering and the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

During the past eighteen months since Su's latest health crisis began (Yup! This has been going on for about a year and a half now), I seem to have ideas come to me in triplets - key verses to help me maintain my spiritual equilibrium; theological principals to help me keep a good foundation; and, today, three questions to help maintain a grip on reality. You would think I were a preacher, or something!

 Going through a health crisis brings out some natural questions. What have we done wrong? What could we do better? What is the right course of treatment at this point in time? It also makes you wonder a bit about the place suffering has in the life of a disciple.

Today, a message that Su and I listened to provided three basic questions that I want to keep in front of me as we continue on this rather interesting journey. Since we are all going to suffer at one time or another, you might want to keep them in mind yourself.

First: Will our suffering reveal Jesus' suffering through us? It is a grammatically difficult question to write down. What I guess I mean is when I suffer will others be reminded of how Jesus suffered and why He suffered? Or, will they observe me full of resentment and carrying a general sense of having been mistreated in life? Jesus knew He was going to suffer. He talked about it. He tried to prepare His disciples. Then, He actually suffered - with a real purpose and endgame.

It seems to me that Paul understood this question. When the apostle wrote the Philippians he was a prisoner - chained or handcuffed to a soldier. Sorry, but even if he was privileged enough to live in a rented house, that had to have been hard. There are times when everyone needs to have some "alone time." Still, Paul was able to say under those circumstances, "Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!" (Philippians 3:1) He wanted people to see Jesus, not just his circumstances, in his current situation.

[For the record, I have always disliked it when preachers say, "Finally..." and then go on for another ten or fifteen minutes. Paul is only half way through the letter and he gives the Philippians hope that he was about to end! Still, if he hadn't made this critical homiletical or epistolarian error, we wouldn't have great verses like Phil 3:8 or 3:14 or 4:6. So, I guess, in this case, I will have to forgive him.]

Second: Will the Christians who observe our suffering be encouraged to live for Jesus? When I was a new believer I read about missionaries like David Brainerd, Adoniram Judson, Hudson Taylor and Jim Elliot. All of them suffered. Two of them died as a direct result of their ministry involvement. Judson went through a psychotic episode after the death of his second wife. Taylor died in a deep depression, believing himself to be a failure. I admired the conviction and commitment of each one of them. I saw Jesus in the way they faced their trials. I hoped I could be like them - with all the victory and impact and faithfulness, but with none of the hard times.

Unfortunately, it doesn't turn out that way. Suffering is one pathway to ministry impact. It doesn't appear in many of the current leadership books, but it is true none-the-less. So, the question remains, will other Christians be encouraged to live for Christ in some way because of the way we live out our calling?

Third: Will non-Christians who see us suffer come to know Christ? It was E. Stanley Jones who said, "Don't bear trouble, use it... Turn it into a testimony." Mark Driscoll - yes, THAT Mark Driscoll - says that when Christians are hammered by suffering they need to be like nails that are driven deep. And, as we go deep others need to find Jesus in us.

I hope that is the case. However, truth be told, it is a lot more fun to be a missionary when everything is going okay and when you get to have some fun adventures. Which, as advertised, brings me to Palm Sunday.

You and I are pretty changeable creatures. I think that sounds a whole lot better than hypocritical, but it probably is pretty close to the same thing. One moment our trust is strong, our faith is firm. A few minutes pass and we can find ourselves being overcome by the waves of doubt and fear. We determine to move in one direction and find ourselves being pushed by the currents in the opposite. Discipleship becomes drift.

John Killinger wrote in Day by Day with Jesus, "Reflecting on Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, John realized that many of those who cried 'Hosanna!' were also in the crowd that shouted 'Crucify him!'... John saw the irony of this. Jesus' real hour of glory would be when he was lifted high up on a cross and the crowds had fallen away - not now, when they were running to greet him."

So, and this is where I get to say "finally"and really mean it, I hope that as I go through this Passion Week, I will think of Jesus and His words, actions and, yes, His suffering. I hope that I can be like the women who stayed close to the cross as they were forced to watch the horror before them. As I meditate on these things, I hope that I can experience this passing struggle in such a way that I will be driven deep into Jesus.

What Has Kept Me In The Church (and ministry)

This past week, Rachel Held Evans, a popular blogger, caused a stir with an entry entitled "15 Reasons I Left the Church." I believe that to date she has had almost 800 comments on that posting. In the "blogosphere," that is officially a whole bunch. I think I once had five people respond to one of my blog entries. Rachel followed up her article the next day with another entitled "15 Reasons I Returned to the Church." For some reason that hasn't had the same type of response from her readers.

Ms. Held Evans' posting was inspired by the popular statistic indicating 8 million Evangelical, twenty-something youth have walked away from the church. According to some, the religious category entitled "none" (such as in "none of the above") is the fastest growing group in the States. Add the nones to the "New Atheists" (which have always seemed like the old atheists to me - just with better book contracts) and Agnostics and you begin to see a changing religious demographic in the States.

Ever willing to wade into religious controversy, I have decided to share with you eight reasons I have stayed in the church and ministry. I would have written 15, but I always have to be mindful of Su's editing pen on these postings. Besides, in my simple-mindedness, I guess I didn't need 15 reasons to stick around.

So, without further introduction:

1. Jesus. Plain and simple. My faith walk started by being confronted with the person and the work of Jesus. Now, more then ever, I find that I desire to reflect His character and His priorities in my life.

2. Good honest preaching. I know. This probably proves I do not watch or listen to enough religious programming. However, that is not my fault. I have especially appreciated relatively "unknown" preachers like John Faulkner and his son, Jack. I would never tell him this, but C. John Steer's messages usually speak to me. I wouldn't tell John this because he is a Brit and Brits do not do well with compliments. Mark Kieft gives a good, honest word. You can find John Steer and Mark on-line. Jack is technologically impaired, but he smokes a better brisket than the others. In my opinion, we would probably have less people leave the church if there were more preachers and pastors who could smoke a good brisket.

3. Caring, imperfect people. Time and space do not allow me to begin to communicate the outpouring of care Su and I have experienced from Christians during our lives. However, the fact that a woman had a vision to knit a shawl for Su and pray for her while it was being made, brought tears to my eyes this week. Su has had a rough week. Each time she puts on that shawl, she somehow feels specially covered. I don't think "nones," agnostics or atheists get many "prayer shawls" in the mail.

4. Fellow pilgrims. I have been blessed to be accompanied by some honest companions in my faith walk. Guys like Gary, Joe and Mark (and probably all the preachers mentioned above) have never seemed reticent to encourage, strengthen and, occasionally, place a proverbial shoe or boot on a strategic part of my anatomy. It is hard to "opt out" when things get tough if you are surrounded by these type of celestial hitchhikers.

5. The Bible. I must have something wrong with me, but I do not sense a disconnect between the Word and the experience of facing challenging realities in life. In fact, the Bible has been a lifeline to me. It serves the same basic purpose as the fellow pilgrims mentioned above, but is much harder to argue with.

6. A milkshake. That's right. At a real low point for me in ministry, Bob McFatter took me out for a malt and we had "one of those talks." I am not really sure what we discussed. I know the malt didn't cost much (or, Bob wouldn't have paid for it). However, I went into the conversation about ready to give up on ministry and check out the career opportunities at the fast food establishment where we talked. By the time we finished the conversation I had decided to at least keep "trying to try." That was about 19 years ago...

7. Music. Singing has always been part of my faith experience. I grew up listening (the words "obligated" and "forced" come to mind) to my Father's Gospel quartet. When I became a believer I listened to Randy Stonehill, Larry Norman, and Mustard Seed Faith. Gary and I sang together. Tom, Ray, Jerry and I sang in a band. Su and I always sang.. even when we washed and dried the dishes. My father once took me with him on a summer day when the quartet was going to try and comfort a woman who was dying of cancer by singing outside of her bedroom window. Because of that experience when I was ten years old, I knew that Christians had something special that others couldn't counterfeit. It is true... atheists have no songs.

8. My daughters, son-in-laws and, now, grand kids. Sorry, I do not mean to tug on the emotional heartstrings here. However, having raised my daughters to become women of God; after making sure that each of the men who married my daughters were serious about their own faith; and, after seeing my oldest granddaughter baptized, I couldn't turn back now. Last week I think 49 people were shot where our middle daughter, Krista, and her young family live. 7 died. One was a six year old girl. Chris, my son-in-law, constantly tells me about what the church is doing to reach out in that troubled community. So far, I haven't noticed either new or old agnostics offering comfort at the funerals of these young people... maybe the GPS in their fuel efficient cars does not show southwest Chicago.

So, it is not perfect and mistakes are made. However, thinking about church, belief and ministry, I think I will stick around for a while. That is until “nones” begin to reach out in effective ways in tough places like La Villita. I think I will stay here until agnostics fall in love with a historical Jesus. And, I really want to hang around until atheists sing something besides those old camp songs.

Moral Certainty and Rock 'n Roll

As I grew up, there was more moral certainty in life. Jocks got all the girls; girls were all, well, girls; and, we all really did like Ike… that is, unless you secretly appreciated Adlai Stevenson’s intellectual capabilities. One decade into the 21st Century, it seems like there are more existential gradients of gray and little of the certainty from the Fifties remains in our daily lives.

A familiar example is Rock ‘n Roll – when I was a kid it was a sin and everyone with a real family knew it.  Wherever I was dragged in Christian circles, well-meaning believers pointed out the sinfulness  of every rock entertainer  from Little Anthony to Little Eva.  Well, everyone except my grandmother – she continued to patiently fight her battle against jazz and “big band” music.

The only way I had to listen to real rock - not the watered down version on WDGY -  was getting up at 2:00am to catch a “skip” coming in from Chicago. The female DJ’s “smoker voice” agitated my teenage imagination. Everyone knew that girls who smoked would do anything – maybe even vote for Adlai Stevenson!

My father tried to save me. I remember one night when he was driving me to an evening activity at my junior high school. He pulled the car over to the shoulder of the road and said he wanted to “talk.” The only other time I remember him doing this was when I had asked him for a definition of a “sob” after reading a speech by former President Truman (he had identified  several Russian leaders using almost that exact term). I seem to recall that my father’s definition of a sob was about as confusing as his criticism of music.

To give Dad credit, when attempting to convince me of the evil of Rock ‘n Roll he did not take the traditional tack. Instead, he tried to champion the benefits of Country Western and its general superiority over my low-brow music. When I pointed out that much of Country focused on drinking (alcoholic beverages) and falling in love with someone (who wasn’t exactly your wife), he ceded the point. However, he continued his defense based on the fact that Country Western music “told a story.”

Of course, depending on the type of Rock ‘n Roll, it also told a story.

Now for those readers who are a bit younger, you have to understand this was before there were at least 200 sub-genres of rock music. I am not making this up! OVER 200 types  are listed on Wikipedia. This was when you could divide Top 40 music into six basic categories: 

Songs about unrequited love: “Save the Last Dance for Me” (The Drifters); “Take Good Care of My Baby” (Bobby Vee); “I Will Follow Him” (Little Peggy March); “My Guy” (Mary Wells) and many, many more. 

Songs about the hope of future love: “The Shoop, Shoop Song” (Betty Everett); “Wishin’ and Hopin’” (Dusty Springfield); “Oh Pretty Woman” (Roy Orbinson); and, “Our Day Will Come” (Ruby and the Romantics). 

Songs about love gone bad: “My Boyfriend’s Back” (The Angels); “Runaway” (Del Shannon); “Mean Woman Blues” (Roy Orbinson); and, “The End of the World” (Skeeter Davis). 

Songs about loving to dance: “The Locomotion” (Little Eva); “The Twist” (Hank Ballard AND Chubby Checker); “Mashed Potato Time” (Dee Dee Sharp). 

Songs about being in love with surfing: Most recordings by the early Beach Boys; “Wipe Out” (The Surfaris) and “Surf City” (Jan and Dean). 

Songs about being in love with your car: “GTO” (Ronny and the Daytonas); “Maybellene” (Chuck Berry); and “Little Deuce Coupe” (The Beach Boys).

Admittedly, there was a brief fad of being in love with dead teenagers (occasionally referred to as “Splatter Platters”) like “Tell Laura I Love Her” (Ray Peterson) and “Leader of the Pack” (The Shangri-Las). And, admittedly, a few of them like “Laurie (Strange Things Happen)” referenced what seemed like paranormal activity. However, to their credit they all told a story making them the moral equivalent of any Country and Western song!

One song that seems to stand alone in this early Rock ‘n Roll, is “Chain Gang” by Sam Cooke. I doubt Sam was in love with the chain gang he reportedly saw while traveling in a car with his brother, however he was definitely impressed by them.

Believe it or not, there were a number of academic papers written about early Rock. My guess is this had something to do with the complexity of the Cuban missile crisis… perhaps, a bit too challenging for the same academics to write about.  I quote from one of them:  “Rock 'n' roll was for and about adolescents. Its lyrics articulated teenage problems: school, cars, summer vacation, parents, and, most important, young love. All aspects of the music—its heavy beat, loudness, self-absorbed lyrics, and (emotional) delivery—indicated a teenage defiance of adult values and authority.”

I am not convinced. As shown above, most of that early rock talked about love. It seems like that is hard to be against – whether you are an adolescent, parent or, even, political candidate. Although, admittedly, I have heard little love being expressed between the current Republican candidates for the presidency.

By the way, thinking of love, I should probably confess to Su that one of these songs has brought up a some feelings I still have for a former love. I really, really  loved that 1968 Pontiac Lemans. I still miss it.

Probably always will.

Ambiguous Loss

As many of you know, Su continues to slog through her recovery from surgery last September. Truthfully, it hasn't been easy and doesn't seem to get much easier as the months drag on. To their credit, the surgeon and his staff in Kansas City never promised us that Su would make a "full recovery." In fact, to the contrary, they said we could hope for something in the 50% range. Admittedly, that would be an excellent batting average. However, it is a rather uncertain measurement when applied to my wife's quality of life.

This week, I have been reading a book entitled Ambiguous Loss by Pauline Boss and recommended to me by our friends, Gary and Joy Hanson. The basic message of this secular book is that with ambiguous loss in life there is no clear end to the problem and there is no certainty that a loved one will come back and be the way they used to be. Ouch! That sounds a little too close to our own situation. Maybe that is the reason the Hansons had recommended the book!

 

Now, I am your "basic guy." I tend to look for solutions to problems. After  several years of marriage, Su learned to say to me, "I am going to share a feeling with you. There is no need for you to fix it." When she doesn't provide this verbal clue, I tend to go into strategic planning mode to resolve whatever issue Su is presenting to me. Like I say, I am, in fact, a guy. 

Unfortunately, not every situation we encounter in life has a clear solution. In fact, the older I get the more suspicious I am of "quick fixes and magic bullets." Sometimes there is no clear path to resolve our current situation. Sometimes you just have to keep on living, walking in faith and doing the next thing - whatever the next thing is.

I am encouraged that God understands ambiguous loss in life. In Isaiah 42:3 we read, "A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish." That seems to describe ambiguous loss - no quite whole, not really broken; not in full flame, but not yet extinguished.

Later on in the same chapter, after describing Himself as the Creator and All-powerful, He says, "... I take hold of your hand."  In the context of the passage, he is talking about taking the Messiah's hand. However, today I like to think of Him taking mine... ours. 

When I was a boy I used to walk hand-in-hand with my father. His hands were thick, strong and calloused. My own hand seemed to get lost in his palm. He walked too fast for me, but that was okay - his strong grip provided a "power-assist,"enabling me to keep up with him. Right now, I am counting on our heavenly Father extending His hand, much like my earthly father once did. We trust he'll give that gentle tug that helps us to imitate the Johnny Walker adverts and "keep on walking."

Soldiers, Cowboys and Old Rock 'n Roll Musicians

Did you ever see the movie Saving Private Ryan? I went to it with my friend Kiernan Mack. I think the juxtaposition of having a decadent, large malt at Oberweiser's Dairy and seeing something as horrendous as the realities of D-Day - all within three hours - made it a little "too much" for me. At least that is the excuse I continue to stick to when I think about crying in the theater... next to another man.

Come on guys. You know the scene I am talking about. Captain Miller, who has led the effort to save James Ryan, lays dying after the final battle, shot through a lung. Private Ryan kneels next to the captain, watching him struggle through his last breaths. Through his pain, Miller manages to grunt out, "James. Earn this... earn it."

Of course, that is NOT the scene I am talking about.

Right after Captain Miller dies, the film cuts to a now much older version of James Ryan visiting the French cemetery where the mortal remains of Miller rest. The movie shows a grey-haired Ryan kneeling in front of the cross of the grave, engaging in a conversation with his deceased companion. He tells Captain Miller that his family is with him. He let's the captain know he has thought about Miller's final words every day of his life. Ryan explains that he has tried to live a good life and hopes the captain is in agreement with how it turned out.

Finally, "old man" Ryan stands up... he is still unsure if anything could be worthy of the sacrifice of his "Band of Brothers." The question remains. So, he turns to his wife and basically pleads, "Tell me I've led a good life." Of course, she is shocked and responds with a confused, "What?" Ryan tries it again, "Tell me I'm a good man." She is obviously distressed, but his desperation makes her think better of shushing him. So, instead, she looks him in the eyes and says, "You are."

I haven't seen that movie since it came out. I can't remember all the realistic war scenes that were the hot topic of conversation when it was in the theaters. However, this scene - the scene - still haunts me. 

This week a friend from my college years, Jerry Cassel, sent me some photos of a band in which both us once played. Did they bring back some memories, or what? I spent most of the rest of the day whistling or humming some of our old songs. The picture below offers ample evidence of just how l-o-o-o-n-g ago this was.

After processing some of the fun memories and wondering about some "what-could-have-beens," I started looking at the guy in the top/center of the photo above. 

I have to admit that I have spent more than a few minutes thinking about some of the potential that young man had (in addition to great hair!) and if he had really lived up to it. I have honestly wondered about the investment made with a life and whether the investment has paid off ten times, two times or, not at all. (Matthew 25:14-30)

I am glad that Mr. Ryan's wife responded in the present tense with, "You are." It gives me some hope there is still a possibility of investing well, of making all this count for something. I can never "earn" the life I have been given, as Captain Miller suggested. However, as someone who spent a few too many years in Texas,  I do hope, pray and long for the privilege of looking into the eyes of the one who did earn the right to give me life and hear Him say, "Good ride, cowboy. Good ride."

Not So Trivial

Many of you "up North" probably missed the fact that January 4th was "National Trivia Day" in the United States. I can assure you, with my tendency to amass piles of absolutely useless information (The only number whose letters are in alphabetical order is 40: f-o-r-t-y), I did not. In fact, I celebrated by reading at least two articles whose only purpose was to allow me to interject trivia into future conversations.

Su can hardly wait.

Actually, we could be excused for missing National Trivia Day here in Costa Rica because we still find ourselves in a rather extended celebration of Christmas. Now this will not be surprising for those of you who possess the bit of trivia that in several Latin America countries January 6th is "El Dia de los Reyes" or, Three Kings Day. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant Jesus. In particular, the children of Mexico look forward to this holiday because it means they will get at least one more gift.

It's hard to not like a holiday that provides you more gifts.

Our own celebration as been extended because the Christmas cards that many of you sent to us continue to arrive at our local post office. I really believe there may be a rule in Costa Rica stating we are not allowed to receive our Christmas cards until the New Year. Seriously. Some of you sent cards to us at the end of November which we finally read this week!

The extension of the Christmas season does serve one purpose. During the days leading up to Christmas we all tend to be a bit sentimental regarding the holiday... perhaps, it really is possible to see It's A Wonderful Life one too many times! Extending the season allows us to meditate on some of the other aspects of our Lord's birth - some of the things that we do not normally think about.

This week I have been thinking about the people and interest groups which probably did not believe the Messiah's birth was good news. In fact, His birth probably provoked the kind of threatening change that understandably led to resistance.

Herod created an empire that focused on a massive building program meant to immortalize him. He was cruel and unjust. Certainly, it wasn't good news for Herod to hear about the birth of a new king.

The birth of Jesus was not good news for the Romans. The accusation that Christianity accelerated the end of the Roman empire probably holds some water. Introducing a radical, new cosmology into daily life certainly did not promote unity.

Obviously, the Good News was bad news for the religious folk like the scribes and the Pharisees. Their whole life-style pre-supposed being able to control people through religious tradition and rules. People who like rules do not take to rule-breakers.

Trust me. I know.

In Matthew 10:35 Jesus stated that He did not come into His creation to bring peace. He did not become incarnate to create warm, fuzzy feelings or, even, holiday films. Instead,  He came to divide and sever. In fact, this loss of peace and increase in loneliness is probably the natural cost of discipleship. (10:37.38) 

It was none other than Shakespeare who, in part, popularized the use of "trivia" to describe something as trite, commonplace or unimportant. Before his time it was primarily used to describe a liberal arts education. Of course, some people are of the opinion that the latter and former are one in the same. 

There was nothing commonplace or unimportant about our Lord's birth. It did divide creation's history in two. It did separate families, one from another. It still demands that we would be willing to respond to it and Him by picking up our cross and following Him.