Memorial Day

Memorial Day

During the terrible days of the Vietnam War, I was in the seminary and exempt from the draft. I was shielded from the harsh reality of war except for the evening news that graphically displayed the horrors of war. Those years of political and social unrest created scars in our country that can never be erased.

Today is our national holiday that calls us to remember the price those men and women have paid with their lives. We often hear that freedom is not free because it comes at a heavy cost of human life. Since the founding of our nation over one million lives have been sacrificed in war for our freedom.

In 1868 on the bloody battlefield at Gettysburg, the first Decoration Day was held honoring the Civil War dead. At that dedication it was said, “For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.” The Civil War claimed a half million lives, more lives lost than that of either World War I or World War II.

Memorial Day was designated a national holiday in 1968. It is a tradition in our national cemeteries that on this day an American flag be placed on every grave to honor those who have served their country in the cause of freedom. In our fast paced world it is easy to forget that this holiday is a time to pause and reflect of the price paid in human life for our freedom.

I am reminded of the words Jesus spoke facing the reality of his own death which would release humankind from the chains of enslavement. “No one has greater love nor stronger commitment than to lay down his own life for his friends.”

Funerals

Funerals

As a pastor, I meet people in a lot of different circumstances. Many of those are good times: weddings, anniversaries, baptisms, and graduations. Some are difficult occasions: divorces, marriage counseling and family disputes. The most difficult are serious illness and death. Only the experience of walking through these situations equips you to say and do that which brings comfort.

Over the years I have officiated at a lot of funerals, almost to many to count. The closer you are to the deceased, the harder it is. The most difficult funerals I did were for my mom and dad. It was only by the grace of God that I made it through.

Three other funerals I do remember. Each was unique. All three were graveside services. The first was a burial at a National Cemetery. The family gathered around as the casket was lowered into the ground. All of a sudden, the wife jumped into the grave! I was at a loss for words as several of us pulled her out.

 The second was a large family graveside service. As I was saying the closing prayer, the frame that held the casket over the grave collapsed and the casket went headfirst into the grave. We all stood there not believing what just happened. Then the family started laughing and one of them said, “Dad would have really enjoyed that.” What a time we had getting that set right.

The third was a graveside in Boot Hill, Virginia City, Montana. We were burying a friend. The family had made the casket. Those standing there were wearing cowboy hats and slickers. The sky was dark grey with thunder in the distance. After I said the prayers, ropes lowered the casket. It was like a chapter our of a Louis L’Amour book.

Over the years, I have come to see that the most important part of pastoring is being there. Just my presence and what I represent can bring peace and stability into a very difficult situation. I have learned that a few words along with a willingness to embrace and be present are all that is required.

The Bible says: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Amen!

Oxygen Tank

Oxygen Tank

I spent eight years in seminary preparing for public ministry. That training included Latin, philosophy, theology, hermeneutics, scripture, rubrics, canon law and some subjects I can't remember anymore. I received a classical education that was long on academics but short on practical pastoral training.

In my last year, I did have one quarter of clinical pastoral education. This was a “hands on” hospital chaplain-training program. Our instructor, a certified chaplain instructed our class in hospital ministry. Little did I know that this training was to be a big part of my early years as a pastor?

One of my first parish assignments included chaplain at two major hospital and a dozen nursing homes. I shared these responsibilities with two others. It was not uncommon to be woken up in the middle of the night to answer an emergency call. It was challenging work with lots of on the job training.

One such emergency call I remember well to this day. I was to report to report to the surgery unit to anoint a patient who was having serious surgery. Never having been in an operating room, I was told to suit up in surgical garb and follow the nurse into the operating theatre. Standing next to the anesthesiologist, I was asked to anoint the patient with oil and pray.

With all that was going on, I wasn't paying close attention to what I was doing. I quickly anointed the sick person, said a prayer and started to leave. I was just about out of the room when a nurse said, “Father, I think you made a mistake.” Bewildered, I turned around and saw a large greasy cross on the oxygen tank. I had anointed the tank not the patient. Totally embarrassed I wiped off the oxygen tank and anointed and prayed for the patient.

Even though I got it wrong that time, it was a learning experience. That story flashes through my mind every time someone asks me to anoint with oil and pray. The words of the Bible are true: “Is anyone sick? He should call for the elders of the church and they should pray over him and pour a little oil upon him, calling on the Lord to heal him.”

Dangerous Calling

Dangerous Calling

Why would anyone think that being a pastor is a dangerous calling? Yes, there have been an increased number of assaults and murders on church property. But that's not the danger that I am writing about. Some time ago I watched a DVD series by Paul David Tripp titled “Dangerous Calling.” He maintains that the pastoral ministry becomes dangerous when one looses their awe of God!

We don't here the word “awe” much anymore. Maybe it's because our culture is not surprised or astonished about life. With the constant saturation of information and misdeeds, a numbness of the soul has settled in. The dictionary defines “awe” as reverential fear or respect of someone or something. I wonder how much awe of God is left even in the Church.

Years ago, preparing to start a storefront church in Montana, a seasoned pastor had some practical advice for me. He said that there are two key things for survival in ministry: keep your hands out of the offering plate and keep your pants zipped up. Years later while ministering in Africa, another seasoned pastor told me that in training young men for the ministry he stresses this wisdom: you loose your pants, you lose your Bible. This is down to earth advice that they don't teach you in Bible school.

A pastor has to master the gift of caring for people without losing the awe of God. The ongoing struggles of people's lives have a way of overpowering a pastor's own walk with the Lord. Again, I am thankful for those who have encouraged me to hang onto the awe of God.

Here’s what the Bible says to us leaders: “…take care of God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly sowing them the way.”

Job's Friends

Job’s Friends

One of the best-known stories of the Bible is the chronicled misfortune of the man Job. Satan asks God for permission to test Job’s loyalty. When all is stripped away through death and disaster, does Job’s faithfulness to God stand up? This Old Testament book addresses the nagging questions evil, human suffering, and the unfairness of life.

I have read the book of Job many times. I come away with more questions than answers, not an unusual consequence of Bible reading. I will say this: Job’s struggle with the unfairness of life continues to challenge me to stand steady in the midst of adversity.

While Job struggles with all that is happening, one by one his friends approach him speaking first words of comfort. When Job refuses to be comforted, their words turn to criticism. These long monologues only add to Job’s suffering. Life becomes unbearable when the circumstances and the counsel of friends turn against you.

I identify with Job. When life sends trouble my way the last thing I need are the discomforting words of criticism and accusation. It isn't difficult to point out another’s problem when they are not your own. It takes a whole different attitude to come alongside and encourage. Funny that word encourage. It literally means to “fill with courage.”

In the middle of the story, Job cries out, “But I know there is someone in heaven who will come to my defense.” There are times when the only one left to cry out to is the one we blame for our troubles. Job knew the character of God. Even though he did not understand why all this was happening, he stood his ground and cried out for the only help he could count on.

Life has a way of teaching these lessons. Some are more painful than others. How blessed are we when the Lord sends a true friend to encourage us in the time of our trials. The Bible says: “Wounds of a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.”