Wasted Time

 

This morning I’m up early and decide to listen to some John Cougar Mellencamp music and discover that he has a new song out with Bruce Springsteen called Wasted Days. Well, right off the bat, let me admit, I’ve been a fan of Springsteen and Mellencamp for quite some time. There is an aspect to their music I can relate to. Forget the politics and various beliefs they may have, heck if I criticized and measured everything by personal beliefs in life related to politics or another religious believes life would be boring and I would have a lot less joy in life. Instead, I’ve learned to appreciate a variety, so, I really like these two guys music and the new song has me reflecting this morning.

 

Am I the only one that looks back on life as they get older, or I guess even youngsters do this and reflect on the wasted moments in life, whether they be spiritual, in practice, the decisions we’ve made and so forth? I realize that at least for me, I’ve wasted far more than I’ve achieved. It isn’t that I haven’t achieved anything, I know I have, even escaping homelessness to graduate high school was an accomplishment, but like Schindler in the movie Schindler’s List, I see how much more I could have done. As I get older, in likely my last years, that matters.

 

So, what do I/We do with the wasted moments in life?  One thing I’ve learned, is once a moment is wasted, we can’t go back in time and reclaim it, it is gone. If we are lucky, we can be given an opportunity to reclaim that which we lost, but the reality is, we’re not all so lucky.

 

I am reminded of Jesus words from The Sermon on the Mount, this from the Contemporary English Version of the Bible, Matthew 6: 31-34:

³¹ Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” ³² Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. ³³ But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

 

³⁴ Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.

 

Are you like me, having a problem especially with verse 34, worrying about tomorrow?  Heck I worry about yesterday if truth be told, even the premise of this posting, what have I wasted in life?  Yet we do things like procrastinate and put things off, I do, but then there are clear verses, warns us to not procrastinate:

 Ecclesiastes 11:4 - If you worry about the weather and don’t plant seeds, you won’t harvest a crop.

 

Yet, knowing simple things like this, we still waste time and opportunities. Why?  Especially if we are seeking to serve a loving God with our all?

We must be willing to receive discipline, and discipline ourselves, no matter how difficult it is,  from the book of Wisdom. Proverbs 10:17

 

Accept correction, and you will find life; reject correction, and you will miss the road.

 

Yep, like I started off with, I have missed the road, I have wasted far more time than I should have in life. This is a confession as much as it is a lesson or teaching. Hopefully, I don’t waste so much time today and tomorrow, but even more so, hopefully, my expression of my own weaknesses inspires others to take full advantage of the time they have left in life. If you are younger, Praise God if this inspires you because you have life left. If you are older, that’s okay, together we can correct and not fret about yesterday, not be concerned with tomorrow, but make a difference today. After all, today is what matters for many, it matters for us. Let’s not waste anymore time.

The following link is of the video Wasted Days, it will definitely cause one to think about the content of this posting. 

 John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen - Wasted Days (Official Video) - YouTube

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For going on some thirty years now I have done the work of The Virtual Pew, in part planting seeds but another huge part is getting to know people and being called by many Pastor Mike by my involvement in social media. From engaging in life, I have seen the impact of my work on people on the fringes all over the world. I have run homeless programs, housed homeless people worked with drug addicts, prostitutes and much more. All while giving back my salary, and for the last 8+ years not taking a salary. You can help tremendously by supporting the work, not just from the movie reviews but the work that goes along side that in the development of relationships of helping save lives and give purpose to the lives of others. I appreciate your consideration in this calling that I have seen and know God uses. 

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Another Church Shooting and My Meeting with the KKK

A number of years ago we adopted our son. He was born in Charleston South Carolina.  He is a creation of God that came about via a rape of a very young woman. He is half black and half white. We knew at the time of the difficulty in the South, especially in South Carolina of child placement in a state with strong roots and history. We felt the call of God to do what we did and for the first part of his life, he grew up in South Carolina.

During that time I actually ran for political office, a state House Seat which I barely lost to a retired postman. It was unique, while I ran as a Democrat I had garnished the support of the NAACP and the National Right To Life and many Republicans, some would say strange bed fellows but both areas of support I appreciated and cherished. From the NAACP for my willingness to stand up against Dick Riley, (former governor and Secretary of Education under Bill Clinton)  who sought to take away land rights deeded to a slave right after the Civil War and from the NRTL for my strong pro-life, Anti Abortion positions. At the time, I even addressed a strong pro-life position of which I received a standing ovation at the time the largest Democratic Convention in the Country, The South Carolina Democratic Convention. It has always been my desire that we come together as people of faith regarding the need to bring about racial reconciliation. Believe me, I learned early on, we still needed that reconciliation.  That place where we see each other,  "judged not based on the color of our skin but on the content of our character." (Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.) 

I learned early on that would be difficult, seeing posters for the KKK posted around regions of the Upstate where I was campaigning, hearing the opinions of separatism by the many I came into contact with on the streets, the looks towards us and our son while standing in line at a grocery store and I could go on. One particular incident in particular I will mention is when I appeared as a guest on the Mike Gallagher Show (now nationally syndicated) with members of the KKK. Mike knew of my situation in adopting a child of biracial origins when I was trying to make a point to the members of the KKK on the show who didn't know of my situation. I asked a question to show and draw out their hatred, as to what their recommendation would be to someone who had adopted a biracial child but had later recognized the wrongs of their actions and wanted to join the KKK.  Now understand, this is something I would never consider but I wanted to show their hatred and lack of understanding live on air. Their response helped me prove my point, "That person would be better off going to a dog pound and adopting a dog," they said, "They could at least legally put the dog down which is what it would deserve." Their anger was fuming, not over the desire to have others in their organization, but that someone would consider such an act, which I had not only considered, but done.

In that answer, they became vile, hateful, and let their pure hatred shine through. I thought Mike Gallagher would have a heart attack as I think he fully expected me to come across the table after them. But I didn't, I knew they had castrated their own points by the spirit and attitude they had just displayed.

I understand the reality of my situation, while my ancestry is French/Indian, I largely grew up in Black communities, even have a Black son, I appear white and for those that don't know me, that is their first impression. This has me reflecting in many ways regarding the news lately but it also has me reflecting on another church shooting that has 7 people dead in Charleston South Carolina, the birth place of my son. It is unfortunate, that hatred still exists based on little else other than the color of ones skin.

I was a huge fan, still am of the Reverend (I try to never leave that part out of who and what he was) Martin Luther King Jr. I believe in his approach to teaching, living and sharing the gospel, I pray for the time when Red and Yellow, Black and White, and every mixture in between sees each other for the character of the person and not the color of the skin. I understand the power of hate but I also understand the even greater power of love. I understand the difficulty of displaying it, sharing it, giving it, but I also understand the total value of love I am called to display from the one I call King, that being Jesus Christ. I have to question, why do so many of his supposed followers choose to display actions of hate as opposed to actions of love? Why don't we take seriously our actions and beyond that the struggles of those God would have us call brother and sister. This morning I am once again, reminded to pray; to pray for the hurting, the need of our world to experience total, unrestrained, perfect love that only comes from the Son of God via The Holy Spirit.

Today, I pray, I pray for those who suffer at the hands or racism, hate, and a desire to be something other than the intent of God. May all of us who call ourselves Children of God find ways to come together to show the world around us that there is the possibility to love despite differences. In a world where political hatred seems to drive the bus we all travel on, may we seek out a new bus, a new driver, one who would stand for above all things, love and for me, in the conclusion of that, may Christ be glorified and the miracle of love be birthed among those who have never experienced that love.

There will be those who will attempt to justify racism, but I am reminded by the words in

1 John 4:20 ~ But if we say we love God and don’t love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don’t love the people we can see?

A song I wrote regarding holding fast to dreams.  To see the video just click on it, if there are problems, click on the following link:
https://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 materials provided.


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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. 

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