June 25, 2009
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Reality Bites
Two months since my last blog, but there's been a reason.
The week after my last blog was Easter. My Easter sermon was a disaster. The church was full. There were lots of visitors. But my sermon started with a joke that insulted, apparently, everyone. The sermon lasted five (count 'em, 5) minutes past high noon, and people did not get out to go eat Easter dinner on time; I don't know if anyone's roast burnt, but by that night I got a smoking email blasting me for all of it. I was devastated. I replied with Proverbs 27:6 "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." And I meant it, and still mean it.
The emailer wanted me to go to the head of every family in attendance to apologize for offending them, so I did so; and I informed my emailer of my progress contacting everyone by mail or in person. After I was 90% done, the emailer wrote to say that the original email was an over-reaction, and the writer was sorry.
Except that everyone I talked to said that they were not offended, but were concerned that others might have been. When I was done making apologies, I asked for a months sabbatical from the church, and it was granted.
That week my sister died, and I had to go to Oregon for her funeral; she had fought MS for 25 years. The day I got back I had to go to another funeral, a cowoker's mother had passed away, old age won out. The next week we made a trip to D.C. for a conference, and we wore ourselves out there. Last week a friend we met in Japan died with cancer, it began with breast cancer, but spread throughout her body. Two weeks ago, Bloodtypo faced a life threatening situation with calmness and aplomb. Every week it has been something, not always that bad. Next week SonnetJoy and Pendragon leave for Honduras for a year teaching in a Christian school (see her xanga); and Cornsilk moves back home.
God is faithful, I will endure, and God will bless in spite of me (not because of me). In the mean time, think of my family when you say your prayers.
Comments (2)
I love you dearly, Daddy. It's been a very rough time recently. God is faithful in ways we can't even see - Bloodtypo's lack of injury, for instance, and the fact that absolutely nothing of value was taken from him except his cell phone which he probably needed to replace anyhow.
I love you very much! I found a picture of you, me, and Mom the day I flew out for England (on Mom's birthday, remember?) and you look so proud of me. And all week I've been showing off wedding photos and bragging on you to folks on Long Island, how happy I was that you preformed the ceremony.
I'm so sorry to hear about the easter sermon and recent grief you've been through. I hope your son is doing ok-I had no idea. I will pray for your heart to heal from the wounds the church has inflicted and the loss of dear ones. you are a strong man of God and I pray He is ever present during this current series of trials.
I also just had the thought regarding the sermon joke snafu - no one will remember the joke, I am certain, but everyone will recall your humility and swiftness in apologizing for something that, in reality, was probably not an issue. while the email and the response from people was cruel, it speaks well of you and increases the value of your character in others eyes to see your willingness to take responsibility. that is setting a great example to them as their sheperd.
blessings.
Brooke
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