A Mother's Day Tribute For All Of Us

Mother’s Day, I have to admit, is a day that as a child growing up I never really celebrated or thought much of. I never knew my father and had conflict with my mother. Thankfully, my mother and I were able to resolve prior to her death and for that I am grateful. Some have been critical of me sharing my story but my story is the story of God and ultimately His love and healing power. He is a loving God and the greatest thing He gave me was the ability to feel loved and to love others, not just in a spiritual way but in a real, honest to goodness family way. That doesn’t take away from the reality that I never appreciated Mother’s Day until I became aware of some mothers I want to honor.

There are 4 mothers here; the first is my Grandmother or Mamaw Furches, Blanche Tester Furches. I can’t help but think of how she showed me unconditional love while I was growing up, especially with the difficulties I went through. I wrote a song some time ago called Grandma’s Prayer. I was going through a tough time and was reminded after hearing Gospel singer Yolanda Adams story on the radio of the love expressed to her by her grandmother; her story reminded me of my own grandmother. The lyrics to the song follow:

I used to hear you praying but now I know you’re gone I know I miss you grandma; you’ve been gone oh so long You spent your life; you prayed for me, you spent it praying on your knees

Jesus came and died for us and the vail was torn We can now talk to God if we’ve been reborn

My life has not been perfect; many times I’ve fallen down But others, they prayed for me, God listens when you’re on your knees

Jesus came and died for us and the vail was torn We can now talk to God if we’ve been reborn

I used to hear you praying but now I know you’re gone I know I miss you grandma; you’ve been gone oh so long You spent your life; you prayed for me, you spent it praying on your knees

I am convinced God used my grandmothers’ prayers to reach me. I recall waking up from sleeping on the floor or the couch of her home, early in the morning, watching her read her bible and praying for me and others in the family. Years later she told me of her prayers, I will never forget her sacrificial love not just for me, but others.

Another mother to point out that has given me reason to celebrate is the one who showed me a Godly, perfect physical love, my wife, Mary Jane Furches. Many questioned our relationship as she is older than me. Some even questioned our relationship and whether or not we should get married, some of those refusing to come to our wedding. Yet, despite our age difference, despite the critics, we have been together for over 34 years and married for 33 years now. We have had one very difficult time where we almost didn’t make it, but we stuck it out. It was during that time I was reminded of the love from my grandmother, her prayers, (when I wrote the song.) I decided I wasn’t going to throw my grandmother’s prayers away. My wife and I stuck it out and she has been my biggest supporter. People have expressed to me how much they appreciate the ministry work I do, I have to say, I couldn’t have done it without my wife. She has kept me balanced, on the straight and narrow and been there over the years to encourage me when I needed it the most. I know how imperfect I am, I also know how perfect my wife’s love is for me. She has been an incredible mother to our two children who are both grown now. As I saw her love and care for our children, I was reminded of what a perfect example of a mother is. She had a wonderful mother and I know her mother would be proud of her for what she became if she were still alive. I can’t help but believe though, that God has allowed her mother to see what a wonderful mother Mary Jane is. She has been so perfect that it must be a part of a heavenly gift God would allow and give. I love my wife, she has been the best wife, mother, friend, lover that I could ask for, in her, God gave me everything I need. I feel sorry for many of the critics, I feel sorry in knowing that in their criticism, they have failed to see a perfect, Godly love, one that can exist between a man and a wife, but also, a mother and her children.

Another mother I want to honor is the newest mother in my family, my daughter, Marathana Prothro. We raised our daughter to be an advocate for the weak, the poor, and to stand up for all people. We wanted an independent thinking daughter, intelligent and loving, we got it! She has accomplished all we could have ever wanted. She has excelled in the class room earning her masters, in the selection of a good man for a husband and partner and now as a new mother. I watch her both in person and from afar at places like Facebook and I see much of how her mother and I raised her coming out in the way she treats our grandson, her child, Atticus Ross Prothro. Even his name stands for one who would seek justice. Atticus is a little guy, well not really that little, he is a big boy for 10 months of age. We watch our daughter working at being the best mother she can be. She has also been a good wife. I am convinced that she is raising our grandson with the attitude and actions of a loving mother. She and her husband Brett are good providers and make wise decisions. I don’t know how a parent could be prouder of a daughter, she has given us a grandson we will enjoy seeing grow. He looks like our daughter and seeing him grow up will remind us of our daughter. As I think of Mother’s Day, I am reminded of a child who listened to her mother and has implemented much of what their mother taught her; in return becoming a mother a Papa can be proud of.

The last mother to point out and honor is the mother of our granddaughter, Aaliyah Monroe Elise Furches. Emily Grigg is a mother that I have learned to appreciate, love and respect for her willingness to keep my wife and I in the life of our granddaughter. To say the least, we realize that over the last 2 years there have been some tough times for Emily and the rest of the Furches family. With the trouble though, Emily has never one single time waivered in Mary Jane and my opportunity to be with our Aaliyah. We have her virtually every weekend and Emily has made many sacrifices to allow us the opportunity to be with Aaliyah. I realize, there are so many young women, who with the circumstances we have had to go through, would not have allowed us those opportunities. Emily has a family that obviously loves her; she has exhibited and shown so much love, making so many sacrifices for Aaliyah. There is no way we could be more grateful for that. There is something about this young ladies heart that is right, it is pure and while she may have a hard time believing we are going to say this, it is clear there is something about Emily’s heart that is Godly. She is a wonderful mother God must appreciate. She is teaching her child little things like manners. We couldn’t ask for a better daughter in law that has loved the way she has. I have no doubt, our granddaughter, who is a baby genius after all, got some of her smarts, if not most all of them, from her mother. I also have no doubt, that my wife and I are blessed, because Emily is a wonderful mother who wants the best for Aaliyah. For me, after seeing the things in my life that I have, I can’t tell you how much the sacrificial love of Emily has touched me. She is another reminder of what Mother’s Day is all about.

I learned some time ago, not all of us have had the best experiences with mothers. Some have had experiences that aren’t positive at all. I am grateful that I have been able to look around me and in my life, find special women who has reminded me of what a Godly mother is, whether a grandmother who would pray for me, a wife who stuck by me, a daughter who has excelled and learned from her mother, and a daughter in law who has sacrificed and shared of her daughter. There are mothers all around who can inspire if we open our eyes and look. I would ask, this Mother’s Day, honor mothers, especially those who continue to inspire us and love their children. Mothers can still inspire us, I know, because these four and more have inspired me.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:

While Judy wasn’t my mother, she is a mother I watched from afar. I put this together for her funeral and it symbolizes I think in a positive way, the love of a mother.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmBOgwloGs8

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net.  I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church.  I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is  much more going on than most realize.  I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the material is provided. 

Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid

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Click here for booking information to have Pastor Mike come speak or perform, from speaking to music or magic, something for all groups.

Click to visit with Pastor Mike regarding any of your needs. He will respond to each request personally, and if need be refer you to one of our other pastors.

Click to subscribe to my blog

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Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
6441 N. Hydraulic
Park City Kansas, 67219

Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

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Hold Fast To Dreams

As I sit here right now I have to admit, today has been a rollercoaster kind of day with good, bad, and confusing moments. I suspect I am not the only one who goes through days like this. Today has been difficult because someone I love a great deal is in the middle of making what appears to be another series of bad decisions in life. What is so bad is it feels like the one I have loved and sacrificed so much for hates not only me but also my wife. Feelings like this, simply put, hurt.

One of the things that some may not know about me is that I consider myself a musician. I love to play music, whether it is my bass guitar, harmonica, and/or mandolin. I even have a cello; I played some as a child, and always loved the melodic components of the instrument. I just need to have the one I have serviced and set up. Of course that will take a little money, but I can still dream of the day that may yet come. I love music, it touches my soul, playing it expresses my heart.

I love to play music because as crazy as it may sound to some, it is one of the things that bring me closer to God. I feel his presence when I play, I know that and I also know I need to play more. Over the years I have also felt moments where God gives me a song and I write it down. It isn’t always a ‘Christian’ or ‘Worship’ song; sometimes they are songs about life and sometimes fun songs. I have songs for example that deal with the epidemic of violence among school age children; I have a song that deals with the tragedy and prejudice towards the Original Americans or Indians referencing the Trail of Tears, yet I also have a song that deal in a fun way and respect of Texas Musicians called Texas Squeal, and another that deals with untugging the crotch of ones pants called Crotch De Crotch, another considering the bad mistakes one makes titled, Working for the D.O.C.. Like I said, there are all kinds of things I love to write about and know I don’t write enough.

Today as I have gone through my day I came home having to deal with an emergency and the events of the day. I needed wisdom but I also needed a moment of prayer and reflection. As I go to the mail box I get a package from a friend in Oklahoma Amy Sebran. I was surprised to get it and opened it when I got in the door. Amy is a friend from the clubhouse I was the director at in Tulsa Oklahoma and helped start, Crossroads. Just the fact that I was hearing from a clubhouse friend was in some ways a reminder from God.

Another thing some may or may not know about me was my work in what is known as the International Clubhouse Movement. I started working in Clubhouse in 1989 and was blessed to have a part in this rehabilitation model based on Fountain House in New York City that focused on the strengths and abilities of the Mentally Ill in their rehabilitation. The model is now used around the world and my work in the model was blessed. When I resigned from the clubhouse in Tulsa to go into ministry I had been on the International Faculty for Clubhouse Development for a number of years and I was also on the International Standards Review Committee. I wrote the preamble to the Clubhouse Standards, a guideline used to certify clubhouses around the world and was on a committee of people from Gateway House in Greenville South Carolina which wrote the original draft of the Standards. When I left the model in 2001 I was leaving something I had loved and served in for a large portion of my life. I would be less than dishonest if I didn’t say I still miss the clubhouse model and the life it provided me. I have so much appreciation for it that I have taken clubhouse concepts and used them in my life and ministry until this day.

One of the ironies about my love for the clubhouse movement and life is that over the last week, I have had contact with several former friends in the clubhouse movement. I hadn’t planned things this way, but it is just the way it has been. Then coming home, getting the package from Amy, I realized, God still finds ways to acknowledge those he loves and lets them know, they are of value. Today, God used Amy to let me know, I am of value.

As I opened up my package it had a few things in it, a card and a new CD which Amy had recorded. She had recorded one of my songs Hold Fast to Dreams and not only recorded it but titled her CD by the same title. She also included a card that God has used to help me today. Now before I share this, realize, Amy’s father was a Jewish Cantor in Tulsa. She is still active in the Jewish temple and I have spoken at various Jewish temples in the past. While we don’t totally come to the same place as to theology in many ways, I think God has used me to touch her, and I know he has used her, certainly today, to touch me. I wanted to share the message Amy shared with me. It will hopefully inspire you to think about some things as you think about that which has transpired with me today.

Dear Mike,


Thank you for this beautiful song that you wrote for me. It has brought me so many hours of pleasure, writing harmonies and melodies to your beautiful lyrics and melodies.


People ask, “Who wrote that beautiful song?” I say to them, “Mr. Michael Furches wrote it.”


The Cantor and the Rabbi ask for it. The people at Bartlett Square ask for it. You were born to compose music and lyrics and books Michael and to continue helping people.


I will remember always in my heart, the joy and hope you planted within my soul.


Your Friend,


Amy


Thank you Michael 
Hold Fast!

Now for those who know me, you know I really don’t want this to be a, ‘pat Mike on the back’ kind of moment. I do want it to inspire folks to know something I have learned. Truth is, sometimes, life really does suck, it stinks, it is hard, it has moments that maybe we don’t want to live anymore. I have had more than a few of those moments in the past, I know that many of my friends, many of those who subscribe to The Virtual Pew in one way or another have also gone through those moments. I think it is important to do as God, I think, inspired Langston Hughes who wrote the original poem, Hold Fast, and me as I wrote the verses to the song to do. That is to realize, we need to also hold fast to the dreams we have. There may be moments we want to give up, there will certainly be those moments that those we love will try to bring us down, but God can, and will, find ways to reach through and let us know we need to hold on and realize, we are loved.

I know in my heart what kind of person I am, I am glad God sees so much more in me than I see in myself, because frankly I don’t know if I would have stood fast beside me as God has. I don’t know if I deserve the love of God, yet, I know through events like today, he loves me. I am reminded of the great spiritual truth shared by Francis Schaeffer as he was asked about the greatest spiritual truth. As he wiped a tear from his eye, he stated, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, the bible tells me so.” Understand, God is no respecter of persons. As tough as life may be, Jesus loves you, and I hope that you know, that in my own imperfections, in knowing of Jesus love for me, I will do my best to love you. I am also reminded of the words of Andy Griffith this week regarding the death of his friend George ‘Goober’ Lindsey; “I am happy to say that as we found ourselves in our eighties, we were not afraid to say, 'I love you.” To those of you reading this, know I have learned a valuable lesson now in my mid life years, I am not afraid to tell you, I love you and while my love is not perfect, I know God’s love is. So, Hold Fast and know, You Are Loved!

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G58ekJj0F2A




The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net.  I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church.  I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is  much more going on than most realize.  I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the material is provided. 

Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor

The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards

Click here for booking information to have Pastor Mike come speak or perform, from speaking to music or magic, something for all groups.

Click to visit with Pastor Mike regarding any of your needs. He will respond to each request personally, and if need be refer you to one of our other pastors.

Click to subscribe to my blog

Click to visit and join our sister group at MySpace Hollywood Jesus.

Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
6441 N. Hydraulic
Park City Kansas, 67219

Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Personal Furches Web Site

Mary Jane Furches MySpace Page

Mike Furches MySpace Page

Mike Furches MySpace Blog

Hollywood Jesus

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News

MySpace Hollywood Jesus Group

MySpace The Virtual Pew Group

The Virtual Pew Live Radio Web Page

To Subscribe to The Virtual Pew Live Feed