Thursday, September 18, 2003
Band of Brothers
The following is a portion of a note sent to my volunteers....
_________________________________
Sam and I have spent the better part of a week engaged in a "Band of Brothers" marathon.
An impressively rigorous, unsentimental, and harrowing look at combat during World War II, Band of Brothers follows a company of airborne infantry--Easy Company--from boot camp through the end of the war.
Though the program extends beyond 10 hours in its entirety, I was hooked from the get-go. True stories of bravery, fear, extreme stress, cynicism, cruelty, and compassion kept me glued to the screen for days.
But in the end, I was most impressed with their solidarity. I cannot remove their motto, 'Currahee: We stand alone together', from my mind.
With greatest respect to those who gave their all in the fight for freedom, I posit the idea that we too are a sort of band of brothers. Together we sacrifice and give our best to do the business of ministry, volunteer and staff alike.
We stand alone together.
This is an exciting and scary time in the growth of our ministry. After much research and prayer we are in the process of making small changes in hopes of greater ministry impact and outreach. In the coming days you will be hearing about these.
I ask that you join us in prayer as we walk this road together, and I ask that you be honest and communicative about your feelings and fears. We are in this together and I give you my word that no one will be left behind. You are all invaluable members of this ministry and friends to me personally.
We stand alone together.
Band of Brothers closes with this quote: "In thinking back... I'm treasuring my remark to a Grandson who asked, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' "'No,' I answered, 'but I served in a company of heroes.'"
I say this with no trace of flattery nor flummery... Every day I thank God that I have been allowed to serve alongside you, my personal company of heroes.
posted by Kevin at 9/18/2003 02:01:58 AM
Comments []
Friday, September 12, 2003
I am a little older today
Johnny Cash and John Ritter passed away, and I am speechless.
Both of these men are inexorably tied to my childhood. They remind me of better times and better days... a time when we were all a little younger and a lot more naive.
I grew up watching them from the end of my grandparent's couch. The large console television to the left of the couch, grandma in her chair directly across from the couch next to the wood stove, and grandpa sprawled out across the couch with his feet in my lap. Grandpa was a big fan of Three's Company so by default I was also. "Come on knock on my door..." I can still hear the music and laughter in the recesses of my mind.
Another big hit was Hee-Haw. Lord knows why we liked it, but we did. Most people pigeon-hole me as an illiterate country boy when I bring it up... but I don't care. Papa and Mama liked Hee-Haw, and so did I. Johnny Cash was an occasional guest. I quickly learned that he was an important part of my grandparent's history, so he became an important part of my own. I can still remember "Nurse Goodbody" and "Lulu's Truckstop". There was the schtick comedy and the cornfield-joke gags.
These shows would never play in today's social climate, but they did then... and thrived. I inwardly long for those days not because they were better but because we were better.
I need to call my dad today. He loved John Ritter.
"8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter" had become a new favorite of mine. I quickly learned why my dad was a fan. Until that point I had thought he was nuts, and so did everyone else. I should learn to never second guess him. Johnny Cash had also regained a foothold in my love for the arts with his cover of "Hurt". I never could watch or hear it without tears forming in the corners of my eyes. I was recently re-introduced to songs like "Boy Named Sue," "One Piece at a Time," "Ring of Fire," and others. But more important than his music was the story of his faith.
Johnny Cash met the Lord today. I am not sure I can say the same about Mr. Ritter.
Until recently I never realized that moving into adulthood requires the death of your childhood. You don't just stop being a child; your childhood slowly dies around you.
Growing up does not scare me. But slowly losing everything that meant anything to my childhood does scare me.
I am a little older today.
posted by Kevin at 9/12/2003 12:35:29 PM
Comments []
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Two years ago
Two years ago today, everything changed.
Early that morning the entire media department huddled in my boss's office for prayer. At that time we didn't know why the planes had hit the buildings... we weren't even sure that more buildings weren't soon to follow. Could Dallas be next?
There were SO many unanswered questions, yet there was one thing we knew for certain: God was in control.
The ensuing hours and days were long and arduous. We experienced great highs as thousands of unchurched seekers came through our doors. There were also tremendous lows as we cried alongside the hundreds of hurting people who stopped by the church hoping to find healing for emotional wounds.
In crisis we cry out for a connection with our Creator.
This September 11th, I hope that you will take a moment to remember that dark day. Many of those who filled our pews two years ago are still unchurched and destined for an eternity in hell.
For Christians, 9/11 should not be an occasion for political maneuvering or "God and Country rallies", it should instead push us toward inner spiritual revival and action.
posted by Kevin at 9/11/2003 06:58:24 PM
Comments []
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Reminded
I am reminded today of my own shortcomings....
I am reminded of how little I deserve grace and how little of it I give.
I am reminded that the tongue is a powerful weapon and should be kept in check.
I am reminded that no matter the circumstance or station in life, God is in complete control.
I am reminded that it is God who lifts up and, in turn, He who subverts.
posted by Kevin at 9/10/2003 12:56:46 AM
Comments []
Thursday, September 04, 2003
The End of the Beginning
I received a Master's degree today.
I walked across the stage and accepted an empty diploma cover four months ago. That was the day I graduated, May 10.
If you read my diploma though, it tells a different story. August 22 is listed as the date of my conferral.
So I walked on May 10, had my degree conferred last week, and was presented my diploma today.
Are you totally confused? Never you mind, so am I.
It is weird to be sitting here looking at it in its $90 frame (which is cheap as frames go, but this one is worth well over $200, and it has a 23k medallion to boot!). This piece of paper represents 3 long hard years of my life. It also represents over $20,000 dollars spent on a Master's Education.
Blood - Sweat - Tears - and more.
I do not feel eloquent nor verbose tonight. I do not feel the need to wax long about my education or accomplishments. Enough has been said and written about it on this blog and elsewhere. For now, it is time that I move on - put this part of my life behind me. I am a better man for it... and I know that God will use for His glory in my present and future ministry.
As of today I can safely move on. This diploma will hang on my wall(s) for decades to come, gathering dust and gently reminding of days long past.
I couldn't be happier.
posted by Kevin at 9/04/2003 10:33:51 PM
Comments []
