References:References:
• Song “Take Me to Church” w/ lyrics by Hozier
• Exodus 20:1-6 NAS
• Idol – definition, especially 4 (object of extreme devotion)
What comes to your mind when you think of the word ‘idol?’ For a lot of people, what usually comes to their mind is people kneeling and/or bowing before some sort of statue. This is a mental picture that often comes to my mind as well. However, as I am grown in my faith, I have come to realize that such a mental picture is not the only thing that an idol can be.
When I first heard the song, “Take Me to Church” by Hozier, the line that I really focused on was “I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife.” I remember thinking, “What the heck?! That sounds like a very sick congregation!” It reminded me of several congregations that I had been to where God was worshiped in name only. In reality, the people met to worship other things. No, they did not have statues that they bowed down to, nor did they read from other holy books. The pastor read Scripture and preached on it (though, at times, it was very loosely based on Scripture and based more on things that pleased people). Though the Word of God was read and (though sometimes loosely) proclaimed, the hearts of the people where elsewhere.
Instead of wanting to be devoted to God, their devotion was to many other things. Just some of the more common examples would be social status, their jobs, how much money they had, the ‘toys’ that they had, their influence in the community, they clothes that they wore, etc. Along with these idols, I have encountered many churches with the idol of “thank god we are not like those (fill in the blank)!!
“Why are these idols?” you may ask. Although many people would picture people bowing down in front of a statue ‘idol worship,’ that is not the most complete definition. An idol, in reality, is anything that a person has as more important than their relationship with God. Whether it be a relationship, a job, a favorite hobby, etc., anything that hinders our relationship with God (and in turn, with others), is an idol.
Do these attitudes sound familiar? If we are honest with ourselves, we find such attitudes in ourselves every day, to some extent. Some days more so than others. But, each and every one of us has such attitudes. To what extent will depend on the person and the day. But, if we are honest with ourselves, we hold things more important than our devotion to God each and every day.
Many years ago, I heard a saying of, “If you want to know what is important to a person, look at their checkbook.” That is, what they spend the most money on is an indicator as to what is more important. In my opinion, though this idea has its merits, it is not totally accurate. This is because important things like housing and food cost a lot of money. So do essentials like clothing, gas for a car, vehicle and house maintenance, etc. I believe that a much better indicator would be taking a daily planner and plotting out how much time you spend on things each day. Be it work, cooking, cleaning, watching tv, reading, etc. I am sure that a lot of people would be surprised with what they would discover.
The ideal that I have often heard concerning priorities is: God first, then family, then everything else. And, it is definitely a real struggle to maintain one’s priorities in that order. Favorite hobbies, one’s work, basic chores around the house (or apartment or even barracks), quiet time of reflection or reading to recharge, time with friends, etc., all strive for our attention. Have you ever thought about how different things in your life strive for your attention, your time, and your energy?
Eventually, I was able to read all of the lyrics and watch a video that had the lyrics posted while I listened to the music. While the lyrics are fairly dark, I am glad that I read them. Many times, things in our lives become such idols that they truly take over our lives. Think for a moment about a parent who becomes so devoted to their work and ‘climbing the cooperate ladder’ that they sacrifice their family, their friends, and probably even their health. That ‘idol’ becomes so ‘all consuming’ that everything else are ‘sacrificed’ to it. Sacrificed to satisfy that ‘intense need,’ what ever that may be.
I believe that, while God calls us to be fully devoted to Him, it is not to be at the sacrifice of everything else, especially friends and family. Let’s take the Apostle Paul as an example. Throughout the New Testament, we see in his letters to various communities and people the importance of being singularly devoted to God. However, we are also called to be devoted to each other, to the work that we do to earn a living, and to gathering together to worship God. Each of these things are part of a whole, a whole life lived in dedication to serving God and others. We are to live out the ideal as “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself,” (Luke 10:27), then we must consciously and purposely use our time wisely. How that will work will vary from person to person, and on the season of their lives.
And balance in how we serve God can be very difficult! For me, being very introverted and high sensing, being around people can be very draining. Even people that I love! To maintain my emotional health, I have to have quiet time to recharge, process my experiences, etc. However, there are times where I have to set aside my immediate felt needs in order to take care of my family, things are work, etc. Because of the riot in May of 2015 and being short with staffing at the prison where I work, we work 12 hour shifts. And, since I work the day shift, I am constantly around people, being bombarded with various job requirements and addressing the needs of others. Needless to say, I often come home extremely drained. Taking care of my wife and two young children is sometimes extremely difficult for me because I already feel emotionally and physically drained. There are times where I can do things by myself for a while and then come back and take care of my family. However, that is not always the case.
God’s call in our lives to be fully devoted to Him and to love others as we want to be loved is, quite honestly, impossible. We are sinful beings who want to focus on our immediate felt needs. And, God wants us to genuinely worship Him (in spirit and in truth, John 4:23, 24). Not empty phrases and actions, devoid of genuine desire to love and serve Him. Apart from God’s help and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for us. But, the good news is, God wants to enable us to faithfully serve Him and worship Him. Though it may take a long time to prune those things that hinder your love and passion for God (and, in turn, to love and serve others), God wants to help you to do so. Are you courageous enough to ask God to help you?
Showing posts with label help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label help. Show all posts
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Dangers and Protection
References:
• Matthew 10:16-23 NAS
• Psalm 91 NAS
• Psalm 23 NAS
• שּׂבּﬨ (shay'-bet)
• משענה (mish-ay-naw')
• Our Daily Bread: Refuge
This past week has seen two assaults upon staff by inmates in two different state prisons. This is not the first time that such an assault has taken place within one of the several Nebraska Department of Corrections prisons. In fact, almost a year ago, there was a major riot on Mother’s Day in 2015. Our work is an inherently dangerous one because of the people that we work with. Every day, we go to work with a cautious and alert attitude, knowing that anything can happen.
Over my 40+ years, I have worked many different jobs. Ranging from camp counselor at a Church Camp, to being a student pastor at a church, to doing ministry to children at an inpatient treatment center (while in seminary), to being an Airborne paratrooper, to being a MP with the Nebraska national Guard. With each of these different jobs, I faced rewards and challenges unique to each environment. Between my almost 15 years with the US Army, between Active Duty and time with the Nebraska National Guard, I have been deployed four times. Three times to Iraq and once to Qatar. Of course, there were significant dangers with each of these deployments. Facing danger definitely isn’t new with me.
To be honest, each of us face dangers of one sort or another. Whenever we wake up each day and go to school or work, walk around town, go to church, go shopping, etc., there are always risks involved. There is always the chance that a we could get into an accident, slip one something, large branch could fall from a tree upon our head, be bitten by some dangerous insect or animal, have a severe allergic reaction to something, etc. We live in a fallen world, plagued with decay and death. But, some jobs seem to have more risks and dangers than others.
When I joined the military or joined NDCS, I went through training to prepare my physically and mentally for the challenges and dangers that I might face. Though all of the training is helpful and absolutely necessary, things always seem different when you are faced with a dangerous situation in real life.
While I drive to work each morning, I prayerfully put on God’s spiritual armor (Ephesians 6) and ask God watch over and protect myself and all of my co-workers. Along with that, I ask God to help us to be aware of things around us. Being alert is paramount!
I know that everyone prays to a god of whatever religious persuasion they follow for help, guidance, protection, etc. Whenever I do, I always remind myself that God always answers prayers, but not always the way that I expect.
Many Soldiers over the decades have found Psalm 91 to be exceedingly comforting. It is sometimes referred to as “The Soldier’s Psalm.” I have found comfort and encouragement in this particular Psalm on several occasions. But, Psalm 23 comes to my mind more often.
Almost 20 years ago, I was in seminary and took a Hebrew reading class. It was one of the few classes that I did extremely well in. Throughout the short semester, we would take various passages from the Old Testament and carefully research the Hebrew text. Afterwards, we would then translate the passage. As long as we could justify the word choice, the professor would accept it. While I was working on Psalm 23, something very interesting stood out to me. The words that are typically translated as ‘rod’ and ‘staff’ very interesting meanings. The first word, שּׂבּﬨ (shay'-bet), can mean ‘staff’ or ‘club.’ The other word, משענה (mish-ay-naw'), does mean ‘staff.’
Since I have a very vivid imagination (one of the strengths of being an INFJ), I pictured in my mind how this might look. In my mind, I saw a flock of sheep with a shepherd or two mingling amongst them. The shepherds watched the sheep, guiding them from place to place. They showed them where to graze on healthy grass and drink from clean water. Then I pictured a wild animal, let’s say a wolf, approach the flock. At first the shepherd would ‘reach out’ to the wolf with the sling and stone if they could. If they missed or there wasn’t time to get a stone ready, they would attack the wolf with the long staff. If that missed, or if the wolf was too close, the shepherd still had the rod (or club) to defend themselves and the sheep with.
That got me thinking just how God might protect me and others, from dangers that may be far away or those that may be right next to us. Just like any protective armor or weapon used for self-defense, they do not always work. Some people, though very highly protected, still get injured or killed. Though a person goes through years of training and become very skilled in protecting themselves and others, it doesn’t always work that way.
In both Psalm 23 and Psalm 91, we see that God is there to protect us, strengthen us, guide us. But, in real life, we also experience pain and death in spite of all the draining and safety precautions that we take. Sometimes we are in awe with how God miraculously saved us or someone else from harm when they should have been hurt or killed. But yet, not always.
It is a struggle when we so earnestly plead with God for safety for ourselves and others, but they are injured or killed. It is painful to see someone train hard for years, do everything right, purposely are careful, and still get hurt or die. We often wonder, “Why?”
What is comforting to me is, that no matter what the outcome will be, God will be there with me. I have been in several situations where I could have been seriously hurt or killed, but yet God miraculously protected me. But though God has done incredible things for me, He has also allowed pain and suffering to happen to myself or those around me. In 2006, a very good friend of mine died in Afghanistan from a IED (improvised explosive device). Several friends of mine within the Nebraska Department of Corrections have been injured while at work.
We all face danger each and every day. We all have a responsibility to think carefully, get the education and training that we need to be safer, to be aware of what is happening around us, etc. But in spite of all we do right, there is no guarantee that the outcome will be what we want. God never promised that. He only promised that He would be there with us, guiding us as we let Him. Just knowing that God will be with me, no matter what I go through, is great encouragement. I do not know what God will allow me to experience in the future. But, I know that God will be there with me, no matter what.
With whatever you are experiencing today, I encourage you to seek God’s help, His blessings, and His protection. Trust that He will answer your prayer. Just understand that His answer may not be what we are hoping or wanting. Let us remember that God loves us more than we can understand. He sees the ‘big picture.’ And, no matter what happens in our lives, let us radically trust God to use our obedience to accomplish His will. Though we may never fully understand the ‘why,’ let us walk in faith that He does. And may God give us the knowledge we need to make decisions we need to make, may He give us wisdom with how to do them, and the strength and courage to do them. And, if necessary, the strength and courage to do it alone, or to lay down our lives.
• Matthew 10:16-23 NAS
• Psalm 91 NAS
• Psalm 23 NAS
• שּׂבּﬨ (shay'-bet)
• משענה (mish-ay-naw')
• Our Daily Bread: Refuge
This past week has seen two assaults upon staff by inmates in two different state prisons. This is not the first time that such an assault has taken place within one of the several Nebraska Department of Corrections prisons. In fact, almost a year ago, there was a major riot on Mother’s Day in 2015. Our work is an inherently dangerous one because of the people that we work with. Every day, we go to work with a cautious and alert attitude, knowing that anything can happen.
Over my 40+ years, I have worked many different jobs. Ranging from camp counselor at a Church Camp, to being a student pastor at a church, to doing ministry to children at an inpatient treatment center (while in seminary), to being an Airborne paratrooper, to being a MP with the Nebraska national Guard. With each of these different jobs, I faced rewards and challenges unique to each environment. Between my almost 15 years with the US Army, between Active Duty and time with the Nebraska National Guard, I have been deployed four times. Three times to Iraq and once to Qatar. Of course, there were significant dangers with each of these deployments. Facing danger definitely isn’t new with me.
To be honest, each of us face dangers of one sort or another. Whenever we wake up each day and go to school or work, walk around town, go to church, go shopping, etc., there are always risks involved. There is always the chance that a we could get into an accident, slip one something, large branch could fall from a tree upon our head, be bitten by some dangerous insect or animal, have a severe allergic reaction to something, etc. We live in a fallen world, plagued with decay and death. But, some jobs seem to have more risks and dangers than others.
When I joined the military or joined NDCS, I went through training to prepare my physically and mentally for the challenges and dangers that I might face. Though all of the training is helpful and absolutely necessary, things always seem different when you are faced with a dangerous situation in real life.
While I drive to work each morning, I prayerfully put on God’s spiritual armor (Ephesians 6) and ask God watch over and protect myself and all of my co-workers. Along with that, I ask God to help us to be aware of things around us. Being alert is paramount!
I know that everyone prays to a god of whatever religious persuasion they follow for help, guidance, protection, etc. Whenever I do, I always remind myself that God always answers prayers, but not always the way that I expect.
Many Soldiers over the decades have found Psalm 91 to be exceedingly comforting. It is sometimes referred to as “The Soldier’s Psalm.” I have found comfort and encouragement in this particular Psalm on several occasions. But, Psalm 23 comes to my mind more often.
Almost 20 years ago, I was in seminary and took a Hebrew reading class. It was one of the few classes that I did extremely well in. Throughout the short semester, we would take various passages from the Old Testament and carefully research the Hebrew text. Afterwards, we would then translate the passage. As long as we could justify the word choice, the professor would accept it. While I was working on Psalm 23, something very interesting stood out to me. The words that are typically translated as ‘rod’ and ‘staff’ very interesting meanings. The first word, שּׂבּﬨ (shay'-bet), can mean ‘staff’ or ‘club.’ The other word, משענה (mish-ay-naw'), does mean ‘staff.’
Since I have a very vivid imagination (one of the strengths of being an INFJ), I pictured in my mind how this might look. In my mind, I saw a flock of sheep with a shepherd or two mingling amongst them. The shepherds watched the sheep, guiding them from place to place. They showed them where to graze on healthy grass and drink from clean water. Then I pictured a wild animal, let’s say a wolf, approach the flock. At first the shepherd would ‘reach out’ to the wolf with the sling and stone if they could. If they missed or there wasn’t time to get a stone ready, they would attack the wolf with the long staff. If that missed, or if the wolf was too close, the shepherd still had the rod (or club) to defend themselves and the sheep with.
That got me thinking just how God might protect me and others, from dangers that may be far away or those that may be right next to us. Just like any protective armor or weapon used for self-defense, they do not always work. Some people, though very highly protected, still get injured or killed. Though a person goes through years of training and become very skilled in protecting themselves and others, it doesn’t always work that way.
In both Psalm 23 and Psalm 91, we see that God is there to protect us, strengthen us, guide us. But, in real life, we also experience pain and death in spite of all the draining and safety precautions that we take. Sometimes we are in awe with how God miraculously saved us or someone else from harm when they should have been hurt or killed. But yet, not always.
It is a struggle when we so earnestly plead with God for safety for ourselves and others, but they are injured or killed. It is painful to see someone train hard for years, do everything right, purposely are careful, and still get hurt or die. We often wonder, “Why?”
What is comforting to me is, that no matter what the outcome will be, God will be there with me. I have been in several situations where I could have been seriously hurt or killed, but yet God miraculously protected me. But though God has done incredible things for me, He has also allowed pain and suffering to happen to myself or those around me. In 2006, a very good friend of mine died in Afghanistan from a IED (improvised explosive device). Several friends of mine within the Nebraska Department of Corrections have been injured while at work.
We all face danger each and every day. We all have a responsibility to think carefully, get the education and training that we need to be safer, to be aware of what is happening around us, etc. But in spite of all we do right, there is no guarantee that the outcome will be what we want. God never promised that. He only promised that He would be there with us, guiding us as we let Him. Just knowing that God will be with me, no matter what I go through, is great encouragement. I do not know what God will allow me to experience in the future. But, I know that God will be there with me, no matter what.
With whatever you are experiencing today, I encourage you to seek God’s help, His blessings, and His protection. Trust that He will answer your prayer. Just understand that His answer may not be what we are hoping or wanting. Let us remember that God loves us more than we can understand. He sees the ‘big picture.’ And, no matter what happens in our lives, let us radically trust God to use our obedience to accomplish His will. Though we may never fully understand the ‘why,’ let us walk in faith that He does. And may God give us the knowledge we need to make decisions we need to make, may He give us wisdom with how to do them, and the strength and courage to do them. And, if necessary, the strength and courage to do it alone, or to lay down our lives.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Thoughts and Feelings, So Thorough
Thoughts flowing freely, unhindered, carefree;
going this way, that way,
unhindered and free.
Anger and frustration, mine or soaked up?
Now they ease, fade to the distance,
thoughts and feelings are now more clear…
Time passes, not paying attention…
Stresses and frustration, mine or others,
are finally fading away.
Sometimes I go for a long walk.
Sometimes I read, sometimes watch tv.
Sometimes, only in quiet stillness they leave.
Although through the day, talking and interacting,
things build up, they're soaked up.
Now, processed, examined, set free.
Many times I spend long hours
trying to sort through all that I feelings
examining this way and that.
At times I will rehearse conversations,
trying different approaches,
hearing their voices, feeling their mannerisms…
Trying out different ideas, mental role-playing,
knowing their patters, their tendencies…
How to address? Is it worth it?
Seconding guessing all these thoughts,
present plans, future plans…
What will work? Will it all fail?
While walking, while resting, while sleeping or eating,
my thoughts will often wonder
this way, that way, where ever.
From past conversations to future expectations
they are examined, processed
no mental stone left unturned.
Good possibilities, bad possibilities,
all are considered, analyzed.
Which one more? God only knows!
Approached by someone, asked if I have a little time.
A heart hurts, mind is confused,
or a burdened needs to be shared.
Sometimes this is totally expected.
Other times a great surprise.
But helping is my calling, so listen I will.
I listen to their words, spoken or not.
Sense their emotions, even draw them in.
I filter all they share, through heart and mind.
As time goes by, conversation wanes.
They feel calmer, heart is lighter.
Do I have anything wise to say?
Their problems, experiences, sorted and sifted,
and analyzed within my mind.
Thoughts and feelings, mesh with mine.
A thought, an idea, or even my own deeds,
sifted through, maybe shared,
or just gentle quiet of a burden shared.
We part and I continue sifting and sorting,
their thoughts, feelings I felt, even absorbed.
Gradually the mess is made into sense.
Though I rejoice that a life was touched,
God has blessed through me,
I am tired, or even exhausted.
My day is still young, much yet to do.
A silent prayer for guidance, energy, focus;
till I can finally, fully rest.
RC Underwood
20SEP2015
going this way, that way,
unhindered and free.
Anger and frustration, mine or soaked up?
Now they ease, fade to the distance,
thoughts and feelings are now more clear…
Time passes, not paying attention…
Stresses and frustration, mine or others,
are finally fading away.
Sometimes I go for a long walk.
Sometimes I read, sometimes watch tv.
Sometimes, only in quiet stillness they leave.
Although through the day, talking and interacting,
things build up, they're soaked up.
Now, processed, examined, set free.
Many times I spend long hours
trying to sort through all that I feelings
examining this way and that.
At times I will rehearse conversations,
trying different approaches,
hearing their voices, feeling their mannerisms…
Trying out different ideas, mental role-playing,
knowing their patters, their tendencies…
How to address? Is it worth it?
Seconding guessing all these thoughts,
present plans, future plans…
What will work? Will it all fail?
While walking, while resting, while sleeping or eating,
my thoughts will often wonder
this way, that way, where ever.
From past conversations to future expectations
they are examined, processed
no mental stone left unturned.
Good possibilities, bad possibilities,
all are considered, analyzed.
Which one more? God only knows!
Approached by someone, asked if I have a little time.
A heart hurts, mind is confused,
or a burdened needs to be shared.
Sometimes this is totally expected.
Other times a great surprise.
But helping is my calling, so listen I will.
I listen to their words, spoken or not.
Sense their emotions, even draw them in.
I filter all they share, through heart and mind.
As time goes by, conversation wanes.
They feel calmer, heart is lighter.
Do I have anything wise to say?
Their problems, experiences, sorted and sifted,
and analyzed within my mind.
Thoughts and feelings, mesh with mine.
A thought, an idea, or even my own deeds,
sifted through, maybe shared,
or just gentle quiet of a burden shared.
We part and I continue sifting and sorting,
their thoughts, feelings I felt, even absorbed.
Gradually the mess is made into sense.
Though I rejoice that a life was touched,
God has blessed through me,
I am tired, or even exhausted.
My day is still young, much yet to do.
A silent prayer for guidance, energy, focus;
till I can finally, fully rest.
RC Underwood
20SEP2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
A Disturbing Trend
References:
- Rambo: First Blood (movie currently on Netflix)
- Romans 8:28-39 NAS
- Hebrews 12:1-3 NAS
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NAS
I bet you are wondering why I would use a movie such as “Rambo: First Blood” as a reference for one of my posts. That is a good question. It is, after all, a violent war movie. Although it came out when I was in grade school, I have not watched it until now. Hard to believe, huh? But, I am glad that I did. And, by the time you finish reading this blog entry, I hope you understand why I would use it as a reference.
Tomorrow, on August 10th, there will be a Suicide Awareness 5K Fun Run/Walk. It's to help bring awareness of suicide amongst military veterans. You see, we have a very, very challenging job to do. Just like law enforcement, fire fighting, working in corrections, being a soldier can have a very high physical, emotional and spiritual toll. I took a couple of minutes and Googled suicide amongst veterans. It's almost heartbreaking…
The statistics are pretty varied. According to "The Truth About 22 Veteran Suicides A Day,” by Stacy Bare on June 2, 2015, it is believed that the statistics are only one veteran committing suicide each day. However, another article, “Why suicide rate among veterans may be more than 22 a day,” by Moni Basu, CNN, last edited on 1708 GMT (0108 HKT) November 14, 2013, estimates the statistics to actually be higher. It all depends on where you collect your data, during what time periods, what demographics you use, etc. But one thing we can agree on in general, suicide rates amongst veterans is very high.
I have three deployments to Iraq under my belt. That is more than quite a few people, but a lot less than many others. While I have been near several gunfights and car bombs, I have not actually been in one. The thing is, though, even if you are 200 meters from a car bomb and behind concrete walls, the sound is deafening, you still feel the blast wave, you still wonder “What the hell was that?!” In fact, not only was there a car bomb near where I was at, but several grenades and a lot of automatic fire. It was an attack on a gate not far from where I was at. The terrorist attack upon the Iraqi soldiers was repelled, thankfully. But it was still an attack near where I was.
I have worked with the Nebraska Department of Corrections for over 7 years. I have been a first responder on many occasions to fights, medical emergencies, and attempted suicides. On some occasions I played a support role. On other occasions I was involved with dealing with the situation. There have been times where I have been the team leader for the situation. Each of the situations have left a significant impression on me, and the others who had to respond. Most of the situations were resolved in a good way. But, there were other situations where things did not turn out well.
In my time studying for ministry, being the military, and working in corrections, I have learned many things. One of the things I have learned is that a significant event (like being in an accident, attacked by someone, being attacked by an animal, etc.) affects different people in different ways. For one person, an event may be disturbing, but he or she has no lasting problems. But, someone else can experience years of problems from the exact same situation. Everyone deals with stress differently.
While I was pastoring two United Methodist churches in Nebraska, one individual that I spoke with on several occasions was a former Vietnam Vet. He had felt disconnected from many churches for a variety reason, but his experiences in Vietnam was one. While others had ministered to him in the past, they were not able to connect with him. This was because they could not understand the framework that he had. Although I had not been in combat myself, I still had similar experiences from my deployments. This helped me to connect with him in a positive way.
In the movie, “Rambo: First Blood,” John Rambo is a former Captain and Green Beret. At the beginning of the movie, we see John Rambo trying to reconnect with a former member of his team. Although the widow has to tell him several times, Rambo finally realizes that his friend was dead. We find out later on that he was the last one on his team. Now, John Rambo is the last of this elite team. And, because Sheriff Teasle treats him shamefully, John chooses to be confrontational. Of course, things will not end well because of this.
At one point, about 66 minutes into the movie, we see Colonel (COL) Trautman sitting in a bar. He was John Rambo's former Commander while in Vietnam. Sheriff Teasle sees him, accepts Trautman's invitation to sit with him, and they talk. During this conversation when it is believed that Rambo has been killed, Teasle admits that he had really wanted to kill Rambo himself. Teasle statistically asks COL Trautman, “What would you have done with him if he came in? Would you wrap your arms around him, give him a big sloppy kiss? Or would you have blown his brains out?” Trautman pauses several seconds, then finally says, “I couldn't answer that until I met him face to face.”
Ironically, at the end of the movie, COL Trautman is able to confront Rambo when he is about ready to shoot Sheriff Teasle. Although it isn't immediate, Rambo finally starts listening to COL Trautman. Then something surprising happens. Here is this highly trained warrior suddenly breaking down. Rambo starts talking about his experiences, including one of his team members being killed by an explosion. Except this person wasn't killed immediately. Rambo tries to save him, but his soldier literately dies in his arms. A loved one being mortally injured and dying in your arms, that is really going to affect you. And from the flashbacks you see Rambo having, we know that he had many traumatic events during his service.
When a person is deeply affected by a traumatic event and they develop PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), it can seriously disrupt how a person is able to deal with life. You can read more about PTSD at the VA website and the Mayo Clinic. Not every soldier who deploys develops PTSD. Not every soldier who has PTSD has deployed. Many people in Law Enforcement, are First Responders/EMTs, and every day citizens develop PTSD because of events that they directly experience or witness. Although such events affect each person differently, the effects are felt none-the-less.
Although the events in “Rambo: First Blood” are fictitious, they do reflect what some people go through. COL Trautman was able to reach out to and connect with John Rambo at the end of the movie. But, not until after one man was killed and many others were injured. And then there's the great cost of property damage. The actions of two people at the beginning of the movie, John Rambo and Sheriff Teasle, have devastating consequences. In real life, there are just as much physical and emotional damage. There are many people who have served in the military and experienced traumatic events. When they come home, they not only have to deal with the trauma that they experienced, they have to also deal with the stigma of mental illness, the sigma of seeking help, and the negative perceptions that some people still have towards those who serve.
Being more introverted, I internalize a lot. I have to be very mindful of this and purposefully unwind and decompress. And there have been times where I had to talk with a close friend or a Chaplain to 'take that step back' so that I can better see things for what they really are. When one is under stress, it is very, very easy to develop blinders to all that is going on around you. You can very easily got focused on the thing or situation that is causing stress. When one has problems like PTSD, dealing with such situations become even more difficult.
Life can be extremely challenging at times. There are times where events can seem very overwhelming. At times we have to be like a marathon runner, enduring the difficulties. But, we should not try to deal with extreme situations on our own. I cannot understand everything someone else has gone through because I am not that person. I did not experience what they did the way they did. However, that doesn't mean I cannot listen and share the burden. The Ecclesiastes passage makes clear how important it is to have someone be there and help you. Being more introverted, I recharge best during my alone time. Whether it's through reading, writing, drawing, or just listening to music, I recharge best alone. For those who are more extroverted, they recharge as they interact with others. Neither is better, just different. The thing is, I still am a social person and need to interact with others. There are time where I need to talk with others about things that are bothering me. There are times where I need to use someone else as a sounding board to better 'take a step back' from a situation.
- Rambo: First Blood (movie currently on Netflix)
- Romans 8:28-39 NAS
- Hebrews 12:1-3 NAS
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NAS
I bet you are wondering why I would use a movie such as “Rambo: First Blood” as a reference for one of my posts. That is a good question. It is, after all, a violent war movie. Although it came out when I was in grade school, I have not watched it until now. Hard to believe, huh? But, I am glad that I did. And, by the time you finish reading this blog entry, I hope you understand why I would use it as a reference.
Tomorrow, on August 10th, there will be a Suicide Awareness 5K Fun Run/Walk. It's to help bring awareness of suicide amongst military veterans. You see, we have a very, very challenging job to do. Just like law enforcement, fire fighting, working in corrections, being a soldier can have a very high physical, emotional and spiritual toll. I took a couple of minutes and Googled suicide amongst veterans. It's almost heartbreaking…
The statistics are pretty varied. According to "The Truth About 22 Veteran Suicides A Day,” by Stacy Bare on June 2, 2015, it is believed that the statistics are only one veteran committing suicide each day. However, another article, “Why suicide rate among veterans may be more than 22 a day,” by Moni Basu, CNN, last edited on 1708 GMT (0108 HKT) November 14, 2013, estimates the statistics to actually be higher. It all depends on where you collect your data, during what time periods, what demographics you use, etc. But one thing we can agree on in general, suicide rates amongst veterans is very high.
I have three deployments to Iraq under my belt. That is more than quite a few people, but a lot less than many others. While I have been near several gunfights and car bombs, I have not actually been in one. The thing is, though, even if you are 200 meters from a car bomb and behind concrete walls, the sound is deafening, you still feel the blast wave, you still wonder “What the hell was that?!” In fact, not only was there a car bomb near where I was at, but several grenades and a lot of automatic fire. It was an attack on a gate not far from where I was at. The terrorist attack upon the Iraqi soldiers was repelled, thankfully. But it was still an attack near where I was.
I have worked with the Nebraska Department of Corrections for over 7 years. I have been a first responder on many occasions to fights, medical emergencies, and attempted suicides. On some occasions I played a support role. On other occasions I was involved with dealing with the situation. There have been times where I have been the team leader for the situation. Each of the situations have left a significant impression on me, and the others who had to respond. Most of the situations were resolved in a good way. But, there were other situations where things did not turn out well.
In my time studying for ministry, being the military, and working in corrections, I have learned many things. One of the things I have learned is that a significant event (like being in an accident, attacked by someone, being attacked by an animal, etc.) affects different people in different ways. For one person, an event may be disturbing, but he or she has no lasting problems. But, someone else can experience years of problems from the exact same situation. Everyone deals with stress differently.
While I was pastoring two United Methodist churches in Nebraska, one individual that I spoke with on several occasions was a former Vietnam Vet. He had felt disconnected from many churches for a variety reason, but his experiences in Vietnam was one. While others had ministered to him in the past, they were not able to connect with him. This was because they could not understand the framework that he had. Although I had not been in combat myself, I still had similar experiences from my deployments. This helped me to connect with him in a positive way.
In the movie, “Rambo: First Blood,” John Rambo is a former Captain and Green Beret. At the beginning of the movie, we see John Rambo trying to reconnect with a former member of his team. Although the widow has to tell him several times, Rambo finally realizes that his friend was dead. We find out later on that he was the last one on his team. Now, John Rambo is the last of this elite team. And, because Sheriff Teasle treats him shamefully, John chooses to be confrontational. Of course, things will not end well because of this.
At one point, about 66 minutes into the movie, we see Colonel (COL) Trautman sitting in a bar. He was John Rambo's former Commander while in Vietnam. Sheriff Teasle sees him, accepts Trautman's invitation to sit with him, and they talk. During this conversation when it is believed that Rambo has been killed, Teasle admits that he had really wanted to kill Rambo himself. Teasle statistically asks COL Trautman, “What would you have done with him if he came in? Would you wrap your arms around him, give him a big sloppy kiss? Or would you have blown his brains out?” Trautman pauses several seconds, then finally says, “I couldn't answer that until I met him face to face.”
Ironically, at the end of the movie, COL Trautman is able to confront Rambo when he is about ready to shoot Sheriff Teasle. Although it isn't immediate, Rambo finally starts listening to COL Trautman. Then something surprising happens. Here is this highly trained warrior suddenly breaking down. Rambo starts talking about his experiences, including one of his team members being killed by an explosion. Except this person wasn't killed immediately. Rambo tries to save him, but his soldier literately dies in his arms. A loved one being mortally injured and dying in your arms, that is really going to affect you. And from the flashbacks you see Rambo having, we know that he had many traumatic events during his service.
When a person is deeply affected by a traumatic event and they develop PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), it can seriously disrupt how a person is able to deal with life. You can read more about PTSD at the VA website and the Mayo Clinic. Not every soldier who deploys develops PTSD. Not every soldier who has PTSD has deployed. Many people in Law Enforcement, are First Responders/EMTs, and every day citizens develop PTSD because of events that they directly experience or witness. Although such events affect each person differently, the effects are felt none-the-less.
Although the events in “Rambo: First Blood” are fictitious, they do reflect what some people go through. COL Trautman was able to reach out to and connect with John Rambo at the end of the movie. But, not until after one man was killed and many others were injured. And then there's the great cost of property damage. The actions of two people at the beginning of the movie, John Rambo and Sheriff Teasle, have devastating consequences. In real life, there are just as much physical and emotional damage. There are many people who have served in the military and experienced traumatic events. When they come home, they not only have to deal with the trauma that they experienced, they have to also deal with the stigma of mental illness, the sigma of seeking help, and the negative perceptions that some people still have towards those who serve.
Being more introverted, I internalize a lot. I have to be very mindful of this and purposefully unwind and decompress. And there have been times where I had to talk with a close friend or a Chaplain to 'take that step back' so that I can better see things for what they really are. When one is under stress, it is very, very easy to develop blinders to all that is going on around you. You can very easily got focused on the thing or situation that is causing stress. When one has problems like PTSD, dealing with such situations become even more difficult.
Life can be extremely challenging at times. There are times where events can seem very overwhelming. At times we have to be like a marathon runner, enduring the difficulties. But, we should not try to deal with extreme situations on our own. I cannot understand everything someone else has gone through because I am not that person. I did not experience what they did the way they did. However, that doesn't mean I cannot listen and share the burden. The Ecclesiastes passage makes clear how important it is to have someone be there and help you. Being more introverted, I recharge best during my alone time. Whether it's through reading, writing, drawing, or just listening to music, I recharge best alone. For those who are more extroverted, they recharge as they interact with others. Neither is better, just different. The thing is, I still am a social person and need to interact with others. There are time where I need to talk with others about things that are bothering me. There are times where I need to use someone else as a sounding board to better 'take a step back' from a situation.
Monday, September 7, 2015
God is Not Dead
References:
- “God's Not Dead” on imdb
- “God's Not Dead” official site
- Matthew 16:24-28 NAS
- John 3:22-35 NAS
This evening I watched a movie with my roommate called “God's Not Dead.” I have seen a number of Christian/Faith based movies over the years. Some I have enjoyed, but quite a few I have not. I enjoy a movie that has a good, though out plot, good acting, and has meaning. A pet peeve of mine is a movie that is shallow or is just cliché-ish. There are several Christian movies that I have seen over the years that are very good, “Faith Like Potatoes” (which used to be on Netflix) and “Rumors of Wars” (currently on Netflix) are two that I have enjoyed. “The Prince of Egypt,” “The Passion of the Christ” and several of the Veggie Tales are other movies that I have enjoyed.
Unfortunately, I have also seen quite a few faith based movies that I quickly lost interest in. Either because they seemed to be shallow or unrealistic. It has been very frustrating to me trying to find a good, wholesome faith-based movie. I have been walking with Christ since January of 1994 and have faced many, many difficulties. I have experienced many things that have challenged my faith and forced me to grow as a person and as a Christian. Although I have not understood all that I have endured, I have trusted God to guide me through them. Not just that, but I trust God to use my experiences for His glory.
The standard plot of any movie is that a person faces a problem and how he or she overcomes this difficulty. They have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Any good story needs to have this. For a faith-based film, the central theme is how God helps a person get from point A to point B. A well made faith-based movie can show just that if the plot is developed well. However, at least to me, many of these films seem very shallow in how they address problems. To some extent every movie is going to have its problems. In reality, you can only do so much within 80 to 200 minutes (one hour 20 minutes to 2 hours and twenty minutes, the typical length of a movie). However, many faith-based movies seem way too cliché-ish and shallow with how they address the issues in the movie.
From my experiences in ministry (both paid and volunteer), I have learned that there are often no easy answers. When someone is going through a difficult time, it is sometimes more important to walk through that difficulty with them instead of trying to 'help them find answers.' There have been times when I have sought to share a burden with someone. Instead of sharing it with me by listening, they have sought to 'answer my questions' outright. That is, to try and solve the problem instead of letting me verbalize what I was feeling and just being there for me. And, unfortunately, I know I have done that to others. We are all guilty of that. Although we knew that trying to answer people who are sharing a burden is a good way to shut them down, why do some people feel it needs to be done in a movie?
From my experiences in ministry, in the Army, and in corrections, I have realized that there are often no 'easy answers.' There are things that I have struggled to understand for many years. One that I continue it wrestle with is why did God call me to get a Master's of Divinity, but then not open the door for full-time ministry? The longest that I have worked a paid ministry position, outside of seminary, is 8 months. That was while I was seeking ordination with the United Methodist Church in Nebraska. I was thoroughly enjoying ministering to others and I could see God using me to touch lives. Because of my personality and military and corrections backgrounds, God used me to connect with several people in the communities that I was serving. These were people that other minister would have a hard time relating to. One was a Vietnam Vet who felt that others just did not understand him. However, we connected during our first conversation and had several very enjoyable conversations after that.
But yet, that door of ministry was closed less than a year after it had initially opened. While job hunting for almost a year, I earnestly prayed that God would only open the door for employment that He wanted me to enter. Eventually God did open the door for employment, once again with the Nebraska Department of Corrections. Although I did not want to return to this kind of work, I choose to be obedient and accepted the position when it was offered. God has opened some very interesting doors to me for ministering to others, both staff and inmates. But, it is not the kind of work that I would have chosen.
As a child, I had known that I was adopted. The only specifics, though, were that I had been born in South Dakota and that my biological mother had been 16 and my biological father had been 21 when I had been born. I had no idea if I had any siblings, if my biological parents were still alive, specifically why they had given me up for adoption, etc. When I turned 18, my adopted Father followed through upon his promise that, when I turned 18, he would help me try and contact my biological parents. This is, assuming that they wanted to be contacted. And it turned out that they did. In the spring of 1991, I started talking with members of my biological family and reconnecting with them. This was a dream come true to me!
In January of 1993, my biological Mother, Cindy (Zeeb) Packard, died because of health problems. I was astounded and heartbroken that this happened. Not even two years after I had first started talking with her, I felt that she had been stolen from me. I wasn't as angry with God about it as some other members of my (biological) family were, but I was still grieved that I would not be able to get to know here more. Because I had grow up a pastor's kid, though I was not walking with God at this time, I have a vague notion that God has a reason for allowing it to happen. My (half-)sister grew up with Cindy, had known her well (not to mention Cindy's mother and sisters) and they were very upset about loosing Cindy before she had turned 36. For me, having known her for less than 2 years….
Although I sometimes feel some sadness for her loss, I focus on the short time that I did have with her. I also rejoice that I am in contact with other members of her family. Considering how bad her health was at the time I had first made contact with her, I now realize that God was showing us both His Grace to have some time together. But, it has taken a number of years to really recognize and accept that.
Too often, people seek to give out 'pet answers' to others when they are dealing with heartache and loss. Sometimes it's to fill that 'awkward silence.' Sometimes they say things that they feel sound good, or assume that the person is looking for answers. And it could be that he or she is looking for answers. However, especially while they are initially experiencing the pain of loss or because of other difficulties, most people are just seeking someone to walk with them. Unless a person specifically asks what someone else things about a situation, it is better to just be there with them. And when they do ask, one has to be very careful with responding. And many times, it needs to be a dialogue over a period of times, honestly wrestling with the issue, than a 'one size fits all quote.' And I know how easy it is to try and offer such a thing.
There are many things that defy understanding. The loss of a young child to cancer, an accident, or because someone purposely took their life is just one of many things. Callously telling a grieving mother that had a stillborn, “Oh, if you had had enough faith and prayed hard enough, this would have not happened,” is gross kind of irresponsibility and it thoroughly disgusts me. I do believe that God always answers prayers, but not always the way we expect. On this side of Heaven, there are few things we will understand. It is our human nature to want to understand and to control. But yet, many times God calls us to walk in faith, in spite of not understanding. It is just gross spiritual arrogance to think such a thing. And, doing so can cause deep emotional and spiritual wounds.
An example comes to my mind that I have experienced. When I first joined the Army, I was married to a young woman. Because of her emotional and mental health issues, I was experiencing great difficulties. For over a year, I had been trying to work with her to face them. Unfortunately though, she refused to do so. On top of that, she and her parents were trying to manipulate me into believing that all of her problems were my fault. After lots of wrestling in prayer and talking with godly people that I trusted, I realized that divorce might be the only good option for me. Please understand, I knew that God does not like divorce and I was not thinking about it haphazardly. At one point, I talked with a Chaplain's Assistant at the base where I was training. I explained the situation (without names) and asked for prayers that God would help me do the right thing. The next thing I knew, the Chaplain Assistant started telling me how much God hates divorce and how I had to be reconciled to my wife. Instead of showing me Christ's love and helping me, he did the exact opposite. I admit, I had a very hard time not saying anything in response and just walking away.
For me, quite a few of the faith-based movies that I have seen come across like the above example. To be able to get all that they want within the 90ish minutes of the movie, and 'to provide good answers' to very hard theological questions, they make the unfortunate mistake of 'providing a pat answer' with plenty of Scripture quotes. This could be done well, if it is wrestled with through out the movie. But, it has to be done intelligently and with the understanding that not everything will be understood. Unfortunately though, this often not the case. Instead, at a 'critical juncture' late in the movie, a pastor or other person pulls out a Bible, quotes a Scripture or two, and then the 'problem is solved.' That is not real life. That is a very good way to turn people off from God's Grace and healing.
The only thing that I think the writers of “God's Not Dead” could have done to make things a little less 'cheesy' was to cut out one or two sub-plots. During the movie, they looked at the lives and struggles of at least 7 different people. In real life on a large college campus, there are literately thousands of people interacting on any given day. Each with their own joys and struggles. However, to make a 90ish minute movie good, I think they should have focused more on 4 or 5 main characters. One relationship I wish they would have explored in more depth was the young Muslim woman, Ayisha (played by Hadeel Sittu). She had been a 'closet Christian' within her Muslim family. Developing more her story, especially with the Missionary from Africa, Rev. Jude (see below), I think would have really helped the movie. That's just my opinion.
There were two things that I thought the writers did well. One was how they portrayed the atheist professor and developed why he was an atheist. They showed how he was very proud of his 'anti-god' ideas, how he almost always had a very good comeback (pat answer), and how they allowed him to be developed throughout the movie. The other thing I really liked was the 'challenges' that the minister and his missionary friend had with taking a trip. Instead of just spouting out 'pat answers' about how 'it has to be God wanting us to do something,' they focused instead of 'let's just trust God.' They then just 'rolled with the punches.' Through out the movie, it became clear that part of the plot was that God wanted to use them to touch the lives of others. Because they allowed themselves to be available, even though they were not where they had planned, God used them to touch several lives. Then, God allowed them to take their trip.
It has been my experience that we rarely appreciate or understand why we are going through something at that particular time. It is almost always later on that we see how God used our experience, or just our availability, to touch the life of another. Sometimes we don't get that glimpse on this side of Heaven. It depends on what God wants us to know. In the movie, one can tell that the missionary from Africa (Rev. Jude, played by Benjamin A. Onyango) had a better understanding of walking with God 'in the moment' and just being available. It wasn't that the pastor, Rev. Dave (played by David A.R. White). But, though he challenged the minister with this, he did not come across as patronizing him. To me at least he didn't. Instead, it was a more mentoring “follow my lead” kind of response to Rev. Dave being frustrated with the whole situation. I really liked how they did that.
All in all, I think that the move, “God's Not Dead” was very good. It didn't just through out 'pet answers' to solve all of the problems. And, to their credit, they did not try to wrap up every problem within the movie. For example, the woman who finds out she has cancer, the last thing the show is several Christian people taking the time to listen to her and then pray for her. There were other things that they allowed to 'just leave you hanging.' That's real life, and I am glad that the movie reflected that. There are suggestions for how to understand things, but I didn't get the sense that 'you can only understand them from this perspective.' I also liked how they played out the philosophical debate. But, I will make you watch the movie to learn more.
- “God's Not Dead” on imdb
- “God's Not Dead” official site
- Matthew 16:24-28 NAS
- John 3:22-35 NAS
This evening I watched a movie with my roommate called “God's Not Dead.” I have seen a number of Christian/Faith based movies over the years. Some I have enjoyed, but quite a few I have not. I enjoy a movie that has a good, though out plot, good acting, and has meaning. A pet peeve of mine is a movie that is shallow or is just cliché-ish. There are several Christian movies that I have seen over the years that are very good, “Faith Like Potatoes” (which used to be on Netflix) and “Rumors of Wars” (currently on Netflix) are two that I have enjoyed. “The Prince of Egypt,” “The Passion of the Christ” and several of the Veggie Tales are other movies that I have enjoyed.
Unfortunately, I have also seen quite a few faith based movies that I quickly lost interest in. Either because they seemed to be shallow or unrealistic. It has been very frustrating to me trying to find a good, wholesome faith-based movie. I have been walking with Christ since January of 1994 and have faced many, many difficulties. I have experienced many things that have challenged my faith and forced me to grow as a person and as a Christian. Although I have not understood all that I have endured, I have trusted God to guide me through them. Not just that, but I trust God to use my experiences for His glory.
The standard plot of any movie is that a person faces a problem and how he or she overcomes this difficulty. They have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Any good story needs to have this. For a faith-based film, the central theme is how God helps a person get from point A to point B. A well made faith-based movie can show just that if the plot is developed well. However, at least to me, many of these films seem very shallow in how they address problems. To some extent every movie is going to have its problems. In reality, you can only do so much within 80 to 200 minutes (one hour 20 minutes to 2 hours and twenty minutes, the typical length of a movie). However, many faith-based movies seem way too cliché-ish and shallow with how they address the issues in the movie.
From my experiences in ministry (both paid and volunteer), I have learned that there are often no easy answers. When someone is going through a difficult time, it is sometimes more important to walk through that difficulty with them instead of trying to 'help them find answers.' There have been times when I have sought to share a burden with someone. Instead of sharing it with me by listening, they have sought to 'answer my questions' outright. That is, to try and solve the problem instead of letting me verbalize what I was feeling and just being there for me. And, unfortunately, I know I have done that to others. We are all guilty of that. Although we knew that trying to answer people who are sharing a burden is a good way to shut them down, why do some people feel it needs to be done in a movie?
From my experiences in ministry, in the Army, and in corrections, I have realized that there are often no 'easy answers.' There are things that I have struggled to understand for many years. One that I continue it wrestle with is why did God call me to get a Master's of Divinity, but then not open the door for full-time ministry? The longest that I have worked a paid ministry position, outside of seminary, is 8 months. That was while I was seeking ordination with the United Methodist Church in Nebraska. I was thoroughly enjoying ministering to others and I could see God using me to touch lives. Because of my personality and military and corrections backgrounds, God used me to connect with several people in the communities that I was serving. These were people that other minister would have a hard time relating to. One was a Vietnam Vet who felt that others just did not understand him. However, we connected during our first conversation and had several very enjoyable conversations after that.
But yet, that door of ministry was closed less than a year after it had initially opened. While job hunting for almost a year, I earnestly prayed that God would only open the door for employment that He wanted me to enter. Eventually God did open the door for employment, once again with the Nebraska Department of Corrections. Although I did not want to return to this kind of work, I choose to be obedient and accepted the position when it was offered. God has opened some very interesting doors to me for ministering to others, both staff and inmates. But, it is not the kind of work that I would have chosen.
As a child, I had known that I was adopted. The only specifics, though, were that I had been born in South Dakota and that my biological mother had been 16 and my biological father had been 21 when I had been born. I had no idea if I had any siblings, if my biological parents were still alive, specifically why they had given me up for adoption, etc. When I turned 18, my adopted Father followed through upon his promise that, when I turned 18, he would help me try and contact my biological parents. This is, assuming that they wanted to be contacted. And it turned out that they did. In the spring of 1991, I started talking with members of my biological family and reconnecting with them. This was a dream come true to me!
In January of 1993, my biological Mother, Cindy (Zeeb) Packard, died because of health problems. I was astounded and heartbroken that this happened. Not even two years after I had first started talking with her, I felt that she had been stolen from me. I wasn't as angry with God about it as some other members of my (biological) family were, but I was still grieved that I would not be able to get to know here more. Because I had grow up a pastor's kid, though I was not walking with God at this time, I have a vague notion that God has a reason for allowing it to happen. My (half-)sister grew up with Cindy, had known her well (not to mention Cindy's mother and sisters) and they were very upset about loosing Cindy before she had turned 36. For me, having known her for less than 2 years….
Although I sometimes feel some sadness for her loss, I focus on the short time that I did have with her. I also rejoice that I am in contact with other members of her family. Considering how bad her health was at the time I had first made contact with her, I now realize that God was showing us both His Grace to have some time together. But, it has taken a number of years to really recognize and accept that.
Too often, people seek to give out 'pet answers' to others when they are dealing with heartache and loss. Sometimes it's to fill that 'awkward silence.' Sometimes they say things that they feel sound good, or assume that the person is looking for answers. And it could be that he or she is looking for answers. However, especially while they are initially experiencing the pain of loss or because of other difficulties, most people are just seeking someone to walk with them. Unless a person specifically asks what someone else things about a situation, it is better to just be there with them. And when they do ask, one has to be very careful with responding. And many times, it needs to be a dialogue over a period of times, honestly wrestling with the issue, than a 'one size fits all quote.' And I know how easy it is to try and offer such a thing.
There are many things that defy understanding. The loss of a young child to cancer, an accident, or because someone purposely took their life is just one of many things. Callously telling a grieving mother that had a stillborn, “Oh, if you had had enough faith and prayed hard enough, this would have not happened,” is gross kind of irresponsibility and it thoroughly disgusts me. I do believe that God always answers prayers, but not always the way we expect. On this side of Heaven, there are few things we will understand. It is our human nature to want to understand and to control. But yet, many times God calls us to walk in faith, in spite of not understanding. It is just gross spiritual arrogance to think such a thing. And, doing so can cause deep emotional and spiritual wounds.
An example comes to my mind that I have experienced. When I first joined the Army, I was married to a young woman. Because of her emotional and mental health issues, I was experiencing great difficulties. For over a year, I had been trying to work with her to face them. Unfortunately though, she refused to do so. On top of that, she and her parents were trying to manipulate me into believing that all of her problems were my fault. After lots of wrestling in prayer and talking with godly people that I trusted, I realized that divorce might be the only good option for me. Please understand, I knew that God does not like divorce and I was not thinking about it haphazardly. At one point, I talked with a Chaplain's Assistant at the base where I was training. I explained the situation (without names) and asked for prayers that God would help me do the right thing. The next thing I knew, the Chaplain Assistant started telling me how much God hates divorce and how I had to be reconciled to my wife. Instead of showing me Christ's love and helping me, he did the exact opposite. I admit, I had a very hard time not saying anything in response and just walking away.
For me, quite a few of the faith-based movies that I have seen come across like the above example. To be able to get all that they want within the 90ish minutes of the movie, and 'to provide good answers' to very hard theological questions, they make the unfortunate mistake of 'providing a pat answer' with plenty of Scripture quotes. This could be done well, if it is wrestled with through out the movie. But, it has to be done intelligently and with the understanding that not everything will be understood. Unfortunately though, this often not the case. Instead, at a 'critical juncture' late in the movie, a pastor or other person pulls out a Bible, quotes a Scripture or two, and then the 'problem is solved.' That is not real life. That is a very good way to turn people off from God's Grace and healing.
The only thing that I think the writers of “God's Not Dead” could have done to make things a little less 'cheesy' was to cut out one or two sub-plots. During the movie, they looked at the lives and struggles of at least 7 different people. In real life on a large college campus, there are literately thousands of people interacting on any given day. Each with their own joys and struggles. However, to make a 90ish minute movie good, I think they should have focused more on 4 or 5 main characters. One relationship I wish they would have explored in more depth was the young Muslim woman, Ayisha (played by Hadeel Sittu). She had been a 'closet Christian' within her Muslim family. Developing more her story, especially with the Missionary from Africa, Rev. Jude (see below), I think would have really helped the movie. That's just my opinion.
There were two things that I thought the writers did well. One was how they portrayed the atheist professor and developed why he was an atheist. They showed how he was very proud of his 'anti-god' ideas, how he almost always had a very good comeback (pat answer), and how they allowed him to be developed throughout the movie. The other thing I really liked was the 'challenges' that the minister and his missionary friend had with taking a trip. Instead of just spouting out 'pat answers' about how 'it has to be God wanting us to do something,' they focused instead of 'let's just trust God.' They then just 'rolled with the punches.' Through out the movie, it became clear that part of the plot was that God wanted to use them to touch the lives of others. Because they allowed themselves to be available, even though they were not where they had planned, God used them to touch several lives. Then, God allowed them to take their trip.
It has been my experience that we rarely appreciate or understand why we are going through something at that particular time. It is almost always later on that we see how God used our experience, or just our availability, to touch the life of another. Sometimes we don't get that glimpse on this side of Heaven. It depends on what God wants us to know. In the movie, one can tell that the missionary from Africa (Rev. Jude, played by Benjamin A. Onyango) had a better understanding of walking with God 'in the moment' and just being available. It wasn't that the pastor, Rev. Dave (played by David A.R. White). But, though he challenged the minister with this, he did not come across as patronizing him. To me at least he didn't. Instead, it was a more mentoring “follow my lead” kind of response to Rev. Dave being frustrated with the whole situation. I really liked how they did that.
All in all, I think that the move, “God's Not Dead” was very good. It didn't just through out 'pet answers' to solve all of the problems. And, to their credit, they did not try to wrap up every problem within the movie. For example, the woman who finds out she has cancer, the last thing the show is several Christian people taking the time to listen to her and then pray for her. There were other things that they allowed to 'just leave you hanging.' That's real life, and I am glad that the movie reflected that. There are suggestions for how to understand things, but I didn't get the sense that 'you can only understand them from this perspective.' I also liked how they played out the philosophical debate. But, I will make you watch the movie to learn more.
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