Today’s
commentary will be short. I have come to the realization in my life that being
loved is a far different experience from feeling loved. I battle Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, (PTSD) daily. One of the primary attributes is the desire to
be loved, yet while I know I am loved, I don’t always feel it. I know, I am not
the only one who experiences this feeling.
One of the last things Jesus said prior to being taken into custody by Roman soldiers
prior to his torture and crucifixion was the following from John 13, verses,
34, 35.
But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have
loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my
disciples.
We
see Christ love for us through His sacrifice for us. There is no doubt that He
loved us to the extent He did. The question today is simple, do others see and
feel love by our actions?That level of
love requires commitment and sacrifice. It is rare and exceptional; when it
does occur, it is a love that others will see and feel the seriousness of.
In
the last week’s I know of several deaths in the music world surrounding Wichita
Kansas. One of those was suicide. We say we love each other, we say, if you
ever need me let me know, we say all kinds of things. There is something to
remember though; the one needing love should never have to be the one
searching, the love from others should be obvious and unfortunately, it’s not
always so.
I challenge, not just for you, but for me, love others in the way Christ loved
us. He didn’t wait for us to express our need, He was there from the git go,
showing His love for us in an unconditional, perfect way. May we love like
Jesus.In that love, may we also
understand there is at times a finality to the lack of love. For those feeling
unloved, they often give up on life. May we never have to question if our
actions could have shown more love towards someone we may love, but haven’t
shown love to in the ways they need it.
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.
If willing to help, it is greatly appreciated. I ask you, do not write checks or make contributions to me. All contributions should be made either to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic. The Virtual Pew is a Religious Organization and Mosaic is a 501-C3 nonprofit.
If willing to help this ministry continue you can donate online at the following.
If making contributions via pay pal, please designate as a gift to family or friends as to prevent us from having to pay additional fees to pay pal.
You can donate at cash app at $MichaelFurches
Donations can be made at FaceBook via messenger to my facebook account Mike Furches
Or you can send a check to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic at the following address. 1249 North Saint Francis Wichita Kansas, 67214
If desiring more information about this ministry or the testimonials from others, please don’t hesitate to ask. I really am dependent on others to support this missional ministry to keep it going. I have nothing left to give as I’ve depleted, and I’m not complaining, my savings and retirement accounts, now, it really is dependent on you to allow yourself to be used by God to help us out.
I am more than willing to share at your church, business and so forth. I have shared across America as to the work God has done and done for me. I love those opportunities.
You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band. Mary Jane's album is available online and by contacting Mike and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album is available on over 150 download formats.
There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.
Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.
You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches
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 1249 N. St. Francis Wichita Kansas, 67214 Email: mike@furches.org
To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:
I have been trying to catch up on one of my favorite
television shows, America’s Got Talent, (AGT).
I saw an episode this morning that got me to thinking. A performer was singing,
and he shared about his last words with his wife, and her last words to him.
She was killed in the same helicopter crash that killed Koby Bryant. The words
shared between the two before she was killed, was, “I love you.”
I have lived a life, as has many that hungers and thirsts
to be loved. Unfortunately, it seems that for many in this world, it seems to
be okay to exhibit hate, to display superiority, to let others know, we are
better than you. The last thing it seems we do is to tell or show others, they
are loved.
I have had reminders of this way too much lately. From
Bible studies, to just scrolling through on Facebook, there are reminders all
around. Is it any wonder that the suicide rate is drastically up in the United
States?We live in a world that seems to
have forgotten the importance of telling and showing others love. God help us.
What will be the last words others will remember you for,
or you will remember others?Truth is,
none of us are guaranteed of tomorrow, another truth is, that this world is so
depressing, that for many, there is no desire to go on and so they end it.
While we like to blame them, say things like, “I told them I loved them,” or
things like, “I never knew,” or any other myriad of things, do we practice the
two things we need to display via words and actions that we love?
Today, I’m heartbroken because of the reminder of the lack
of love in our world. Frankly, it may be a reason I get depressed in a time of
life I should constantly be in joy.I
don’t know, the negativity has an impact, yet I try to survive, focus on the positive,
but it isn’t easy. If it’s that way for me, I know it’s that way for others.
Unfortunately, I don’t know if society cares anymore. I wish that weren’t so,
but it is what it is. The studies, the statistics,
and the reality is proof that this is a problem with epidemic proportions. What can we do to change this problem?We can start with us, and for me, that means,
telling you, I love you.
To Donate via Pay Pal, donate at paypal at mike@furches.org
To Donate via Cash App, donate at $MichaelFurches
You can also always donate to The Virtual Pew at 1249 North Saint Francis, Wichita Kansas 67214
You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band. Mary Jane's album is available online and by contacting Mike and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album is available on over 150 download formats.
There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.
Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.
You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches
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 1249 N. St. Francis Wichita Kansas, 67214 Email: mike@furches.org
To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:
Stan Hamm was one of the best guitar players I ever knew. He was without a doubt the best acoustic slide player I ever knew. After working for a number of years in the music business and hearing some of the great guitar players of my time it takes a lot to impress me. Stan impressed me, and the memory of seeing him play, still has a lasting impression.
Stan was tall, over six feet with dirty blonde hair. He was slim with decent muscle tone due to the years spent on his family’s farm and all of the carpentry work he had done. He had the tendency to wear a beard for a month or so and then change his look in some way, either by shaving, changing his hair style, something. He wasn’t overly handsome but he was far from ugly. He could have had many more girlfriends than he did, but he was complicated with a lot of deep thoughts and concerns he wasn’t afraid of discussing.
I first met Stan while attending Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. Hillsboro is a small town and Tabor is a small Mennonite Brethren college. When I first met him I didn’t know he was a musician. We were involved in some classes together and I found out that he enjoyed some of the same Christian artists I did. The one that brought us together was Larry Norman. I enjoyed how Larry Norman used Rock ‘N’ Roll to address social issues and Stan was of the same opinion. It didn’t take long before Stan showed up at my house one evening with guitar in hand.
At that time I was a frustrated musician who had not taken the time or made the effort to learn to play my bass guitar in an appropriate way. I dabbled with a harmonica and tried to sing but really wasn’t that good. I’ll never forget the first time I heard Stan play. I was amazed at how fast his fingers were and how good his music felt. When he brought out that old glass pop bottle neck and started playing slide guitar I was blown away. I had never heard anything like it. He could play everything from classic blues to gospel renditions which he often did at church. His slide version of Amazing Grace is still one of the best renditions I have ever heard. His fingering with both his left and right hand were so effortless, yet the music was without mistake and nothing short of incredible. On some of the things he would sing, and he wasn’t all that bad vocally either.
One of the things I always appreciated in my friends was their honesty and Stan was one of the most honest people I have ever known. I’ll never forget sitting out in the garage one evening, Stan playing guitar and me trying to play harmonica and sing some of those Larry Norman songs. It wasn’t long before Stan told me, "I don’t really think you should sing. It’s not that you can’t sing but you can’t sing the style we are playing." While those comments hurt a little I appreciated him for his honesty. His honesty also caused me to take my singing and playing more seriously. Through the brutality of his honesty I was challenged to be a better singer and a much better musician. I realized that Stan was good for me and would help me not only become a better musician, but a better person.
Over the years Stan and my family became close. For a year and a half we lived in separate attached apartments. We kept the doors between the apartments open and had a common room together that we called our family room. We lived in a community with other close Christian friends but while those families shared their own apartment space Stan and my family took it a step further. The television and our reading materials were in the family room. Our daughter was only 3 or 4 at the time and Stan would watch her as we went to the store or ran other errands. We looked after his things when he wanted us to. We shared most all possessions because we were like family. We even shared a meal together each evening. What was ours was his, and what was his was ours.
Over the years Stan became involved in the jail ministry I organized in college. He was among the first to care and respond to the people we tried to help and was there each week. There were four of us that were regulars in this ministry and we drew close over the four years we worked together. Stan was also involved at church, with student prayer groups on campus, and Bible studies. As far as I was concerned, he had it all together and we had a love for each other that was hard to describe.
Stan and I shared a number of heartaches together. We both had difficulties with our families and there were times we shared those heartaches with each other. He was having some troubles with his folks and their newfound "Charismatic" faith. I on the other hand had difficulty with my family who were all strict Republicans and very conservative. One Christmas Stan went home with me to Tennessee. That particular Christmas was unusual in Tennessee because the temperature was in the 70’s and the mountains were beautiful. We took a 4 mile hike up into the mountains to one of the beautiful waterfalls in the National Forest surrounding Erwin Tennessee. We found some popular tree leaves to cover ourselves with after we decided to strip down and get into the pools surrounding the waterfalls and take some photos.
Later that day we went home and spent time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It wasn’t unusual that when we got together my family would get into some deep philosophical or political argument, this time was no different. While I was so hurt that I was ready to leave and drive back to Kansas, Stan was among the first to be at my side, telling me that my family was worth more than any political view. It was important to make up and see to it that we didn’t have this type of separation, especially at Christmas. It was times like this that I knew Stan was a dear friend. I was there for him when he needed me and he was there for me when I needed him.
Some years later I ended up graduating from college and Stan and I went our separate ways. He spent time in Hillsboro, Oklahoma and Colorado and I was in South Carolina. It was almost 3 years later before I saw him again. My wife, daughter and I were visiting Hillsboro Kansas during Easter. While there we had decided to spend as much time with Stan as possible. I could see at the time that Stan was having some difficulties. He was focused more on the problems around him and didn’t seem happy. He was disillusioned with the church and the Christians around him. He was tired of seeing them talk about love while never showing love. I had not seen Stan like this before, at least not to this extent. We spent a good deal of time together and before I departed to go back to South Carolina I told him that if he ever needed anything to give me a call.
I had been back in South Carolina for almost a year when I received a phone call late one night. It was Stan on the other end of the line and he had awakened my wife and me. I was surprised to hear from him but was pleased. I quickly sat up in the bed and told my wife who it was on the other end. We had not been talking long when Stan began to ask questions about South Carolina. He wanted to know what the people were like, how hard was it to find a job and things of this nature. He than asked if I would be willing to let him move in with us if he moved there. My wife, Mary Jane and I were surprised because we still maintained a close relationship with him and considered him a part of our family. He would always be welcome, he should know that. He told us of his frustrations of living in a small town and living around “supposed Christians." The conversation lasted for close to an hour and I didn’t get much sleep that night due to the excitement of the conversation and the opportunity to talk to my old friend Stan. To be honest I was hoping that he would be moving in rather soon.
My wife was a little less optimistic after much of the discussion of the opportunity of Stan moving in with us in South Carolina. She had remembered his wonderful habit of eating raw garlic. She used to tell him that she could smell him coming up the stairs of the apartment before she heard him. Stan had also been experiencing some problems we were not to aware of and she felt it would be a good idea to find out what was going on in his life before having him move in. While there were several discussions between my wife and me, they were mute, Stan was welcome and we hoped to hear from him soon. Despite my effort to contact Stan over the next several months I was unable to do so. He was moving from one place to another and not many people knew where he was at or how to reach him.
A few months later I accepted a job in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It was only 35 miles from where we lived in Greenville, South Carolina but we moved none the less. I took the job as the Director of a Rehabilitation program in for mentally ill adults. We decided to go ahead and move despite it still being within commuting distance. Things were going great when I received a letter one day from an old friend back in Kansas.
My college had written a brief paragraph in its alumni newsletter regarding my new job. One of the mutual friends I had with Stan wrote me a letter. It was a surprise when I got the letter and I was excited. It started off in the traditional tone, "Hey Mike, it’s Mark here in Kansas. I recently read about you working in Mental Health and I am doing the same thing type of thing here in Newton, Kansas." There was more small talk, which was exciting to me, but then, the shocker, "By the way don’t know if you know or not, but do you know that Stan is dead?"
To say the least my emotions went from the high of hearing from an old friend to instant shock. I’ll never forget my wife who was with me that day at work. She could tell something was wrong from my silence and expression. "What’s wrong Mike?" she asked.
"Stan’s dead" was all I could say.
That evening I called Mark. I needed to know the details. It is hard to explain, that is to know the details, but I couldn’t control the urge. Mark was convinced that Stan was Bipolar and that he had difficulty with all of the things going on. Stan was in Colorado when he had killed himself and was by all evidence, alone. I couldn’t then and still have a hard time accepting that Stan is dead. I often wonder, dream and think about the possibility that maybe he really isn’t dead. I have had to come to accept over the years that he is dead and a dear friend is no longer around.
I have had many regrets, questions and thoughts over the years, "Is there anything I could have done?" "Why didn’t I see something after we had the phone conversation several months earlier?" Why did others put so much pressure on Stan?" "Dear God what a waste of a wonderful life." I thought these things and more but I finally realized that Stan was responsible for his actions. Did he think about the hurt he would create from his actions? I don’t think so if he would have he wouldn’t have killed himself. I have also thought about what was he thinking and going through.
The more I have thought and prayed about it the more I am convinced that the terrible disease of Mental Illness must be treated and understood. I have come to the conclusion that the church is to blame to a small extent for not fully understanding and addressing the needs of the mentally ill. Much of Stan’s confusion and hurt was the result of religious confusion. Many may say this is why you shouldn’t mix religion with the treatment of mental illness. After working in the field for some years I couldn’t disagree more. I am absolutely confident; this is why you must address religious thoughts, convictions, and delusions in the treatment of this disease. To refuse to do so will only allow the confusion to remain in the life of the person struggling.
It has been a number of years now since Stan left us. I still have the pictures we took on the mountain on that Christmas day when he provided me encouragement. I have the Testament our family gave him one Christmas when we lived together in Kansas. I have the recorded music he wrote and played. I listen to it often, still amazed at the ability of this individual who lost hope. This friend who was the best slide guitar player I ever heard play. I wish I could tell Stan one more time that I loved him. I wish I could be there to cry with him, but I can’t. I can only hope that others that need to hear this message will read it, and ultimately, respond to those they love.
The following video addresses the issue of suicide, just click on the video to view. If the video doesn't appear, click on the following link:
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
Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew
I know it has been a while since the last newsletter but I also know many understand. I hope each person receiving this has signed up for The Virtual Pew updates and the Mosaic Church updates. You can do that by subscribing to various lists on the Newsletter page at our home page, http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ You can tell a lot about what has been going on by making sure you subscribe to all of the blogs and article RSS feeds. There are links to do those things at each of the posted articles. Now on to the newsletter update titled, Reflections.
Today I want to reflect on the ministry I have with The Virtual Pew and Mosaic Church. One has to understand what drives me. I don’t know how better to explain that than to state some things I have been reflecting on lately.
I have been doing a lot of reading, a good thing; it means I am back in the gym. I have finished 4 books so far and am now reading another book by Creston Mapes, titled Nobody. I started reading it sometime ago but things got hectic, so 2 days ago I started it over. I am amazed at how similar things have been that I have been reading lately. It seems as if there is a lot of emphasis on helping the poor, the homeless, the downtrodden and so forth. Those things were illustrated to me today as I sat down and willingly and intentionally gave a homeless guy my absolute last $2. I concluded 3 weeks ago that I was going to do this after a Bible Study I was doing with Mosaic Church here in Wichita. Today, I practiced that concept, giving to the point of sacrifice, unconditionally to someone in need.
It seems as if finance has always been an issue. I grew up without money, have had to work for what I do have. I know in fact, because some have let me know, they take issue with the fact that as a ministry I ask for financial support. Some have been outspoken in public ways, not realizing the work and effort that goes out, or simply not caring, unfortunately this is an attitude that many have, and they simply don’t care about the poor and needy. Growing up poor, pride was a big issue; truth is, in some ways it still is. I actually hate asking for financial help, but it must be done.
I was talking to my wife last night; I don’t know if folks realize how hard I actually work in ministry. Just this week, I have been there to help encourage a girl going through abuse issues at home, a young man who is feeling rejected and left out, another who faces the certainty of becoming homeless, and yet another lady who feels rejected and abandoned, seemingly having no friends or people around her who understand. Believe me, I wish it were not so, but this is only a sampling of the work this week. These types of ministry, encouragement, love and so forth takes time, yet little income comes in. I don’t complain about that, it seems as if God always provides a way. I take some honor and am grateful in knowing some people give because they believe and know what we are doing.
While I haven’t “officially” taken a “vow of poverty,” it seems like that is par for the course. I am reminded; this is God’s work, not mine. Being a college graduate with graduate studies, and former executive experience, having made decent money, I know what I have given up to do this work, that said, when someone tells me, “Thank you, I don’t know what I would have done without you Mike.” Or, “Mike I really believe you have brought me closer to God.” I know that what I do can’t have a value placed on it. I also know, I am not doing this alone, each person who has helped, has helped me do this work.
I also know that sometimes people make promises, then for whatever reason, they realize they can’t follow through. I am okay with that but I do ask folks to prayerfully take seriously the commitments they make. I had numerous people who promised some level of help around Christmas when I went to visit my mother in the hospital. For a larger ministry, these things likely don’t matter, for a ministry like The Virtual Pew, it matters a great deal.
Right now, The Virtual Pew has $8 in our account, I don’t get paid from Mosaic until the last day of this month, and so far this month, The Virtual Pew has had nothing come in. In the next month, there is much ministry that needs to be done, for me to meet my basic financial obligations I need at least $300 a month to come into The Virtual Pew, for additional ministry, we need more than that. There are these needs plus the desire to spend more time with my mom in Tennessee in March, for that to take place, I need an additional $300-$500 to come in.
Many of us are only a few weeks away from being homeless. We live in a time where finances are tough, but if people gave $5 here, or $10 there, a huge difference could be made. I’m not talking specifically about The Virtual Pew, but various local ministries. My challenge is that each recipient of this newsletter would give money to smaller ministries that need it, maybe a local homeless shelter, half way house, maybe a home for battered women, any number of areas that signify you care for The Lost, The Last and The Least.
All of this said I feel great! I don’t make what I used to, but you really can’t pay to see the things I have seen happen. The great thing about it though, is each of you can take part in ministry. You can make a difference in the life of someone who needs it. I remember the words of the late Keith Green, “God wants you!” At Mosaic, we are facing the same crunch other non profit groups and churches are. We really want to partner with local churches in the Wichita area; we need 10 people who can come on board at Mosaic that is spiritually grounded and mature enough to help lead a church to the place where we can make a difference. If living locally I ask you to consider Mosaic, if a pastor of a church, please consider letting me come and speak to your congregation about our needs and the ways you can help. God calls churches to plant other churches, this is a way you can be a part of that calling. While the additional money would be nice, 10 mature adults who can take part in our life, body, church and contribute in service and tithes or offerings would be great.
At Mosaic, we are discussing the vision and mission of Mosaic. Next week we are speaking about the ministry vision for the near future. We want to minister to our area, and in the near future we will be exploring ways to have direct ministry to the community.
The bottom line, I do love and appreciate the opportunity to minister to the folks at The Virtual Pew and I greatly love and am honored to serve Mosaic Church. I love and value each of you and appreciate your prayers and financial support to this ministry. God bless you, and God bless the work of The Virtual Pew and Mosaic.
The following is a video of the type of ministry we try to be involved in. Think it needs support? Double click on the video to watch, if for some reason it don't appear, just click on the following link:
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 P.O. Box 17731 Wichita, KS 67217
Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew
