The Virtual Pew Daily

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Vacation Diary Day 1

It has been a while since my wife and I have had a real vacation. We finally decided to take one this year and the following is day one of our journey diary, not just the actual perspective, but in the tradition of The Virtual Pew, from a spiritual perspective.

We have lived a life of ministry, somewhat to the surprise of some, one that has taken us across many roads, many journeys. We have gained many new friends, and as a result of our journey, lost a few old ones.

Over the years one of the things people in ministry, not just us, but many, sacrifice is things like vacation, finance, wealth and the list could go on. Of course in the age of the MEGAchurch there are those who insist on large salaries and benefit packages. Somewhere along the line, on the backs of small churches seeking to grow, many pastors and people involved in ministry have sacrificed much in human terms, little in the concepts of the Heavenly Father. I can assure you, there are many pastors and people who have dedicated their life to service that will understand the luxury of writing about a vacation. I have on several occasions left jobs that paid better, with better benefits to go to a position that paid less with less benefits, on 2 occasions I even requested the agency or church I worked for pay me less because they couldn’t afford it. I don’t know, call me weird, call me strange, I just have these crazy beliefs that I don’t want to be a burden on the body of Christ, or the work I do which is ultimately for the Kingdom of God. If Jesus freely gave, surely some of us can make the sacrifice required to share the good news.

My wife and I haven’t had a real, legitimate vacation since around 2003 or so. There were the times we went to Fargo ND with our son for national wrestling tournaments, and on one occasion we went to the Badlands and the Black Hills to see Mt. Rushmore. This was the last time we had a legitimate vacation, and that was the first time in a number of years. I have learned how to take advantage of the internet, coupons, things like Priceline and more when having the rare opportunity to do these types of things.

It took us some time to figure out what we could do with the limited funds we have. We decided to go to Amarillo Texas to spend a few days, and then return through Dodge City Kansas. What we discovered was enjoyable, and affordable.

The first thing I did was go online to check out the sites between Wichita Kansas, and Oklahoma City Oklahoma and between Oklahoma City and Amarillo. I also went to Priceline.com to place my bids for motels. I have learned that the name your own price benefit of Priceline pays off most of the time. We decided to leave out on a Friday morning, and drive to Oklahoma City where we would spend the night. The $30 room at the Hampton Inn in Oklahoma City didn’t hurt. We also mapped out and printed online coupons for Amarillo and locations along the way.

It only took 3 hours to drive to Oklahoma City from Wichita. We wanted to enjoy a night of relaxation before the next days drive. While in Oklahoma City we ate at Pearls’ Fish House, one of my favorite places to eat. I had a luncheon portion of Bourbon Chicken and my wife had a luncheon portion of Fried Fish. Both meals were excellent as usual, although a little pricey. We ordered water with lemon, something we normally do because it is healthier and saves us about $4 a meal; we splurged on desert though. Even though I am diabetic, I have learned to treat myself to a small treat on occasion. We ordered the bourbon bread pudding, which we shared and is out of this world. Now for the critics, I had a very small portion which satisfied the craving, and my wife only ate part of hers. Both of us used the large portions for supper that evening, including enough desert for her to have desert. After a tremendous lunch, costing us around $20 we went across the street to the motel we were staying at.

I have to say, over the years I have seen places where Priceline works wonders. Among those are Omaha Nebraska, Kansas City KS or Missouri, Tulsa Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City. The Hampton Inn had a wonderful room, with wonderful friendly staff. We had a full kitchen in the room with a marvelous, comfortable King Sized Bed. After a nap, we enjoyed the evening, watching television, going to the local Wal-Mart for groceries and a few other things. The motel also offered a tremendous hot and full continental breakfast.

Some may ask, what are the spiritual lessons here? For me it was actually quite simple, that sometimes, new beginnings, and fresh starts can be an enjoyable thing. Sometimes, even on a budget, a little planning and a little effort can make for an enjoyable time if we take time to enjoy life. That is why in part we only wanted to drive for a few hours on that first day. We wanted to start things off on the right foot, to enjoy the moment. We didn't want to forget that this vacation was about relaxation and spending quality time with each other.

Are you taking time to enjoy the simple things of life? Are there significant others involved in that process? Sometimes, and I am as guilty as anyone, we get so caught up in life that we forget about the simple things, There seems to be such a rush that before we know it, life has passed us by. There is an old saying, 'we should take the time to stop and smell the roses.' I think that is true, it is a lesson and concept that was rekindled on the first day of our vacation. It is a lesson I think we can all learn from, the question is, will we do it or not.

The following is a video of Oklahoma City, to watch, just click on the video, if the video doesn't appear, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEEi8ylWACs

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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.

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Friday, June 11, 2010

Politics; The Politician and the Voter

We are entering a time in Kansas, and others across the country where some of us are in tune to the mid-term elections. Let me make it clear, I stand for the politics of Jesus; the things that he would have us stand for. I have been registered in both parties, voted for politicians of at least 4 parties, maybe more over my 30+ years of being able to vote. I ran for political office in South Carolina as a Democrat, loosing to a retired postman where I garnished 46%+ of the vote and to my knowledge one of the only, if not the only candidate to ever be endorsed by The Right to Life and NAACP groups in the same election.

I recently, along with approximately 9 others had the opportunity to have breakfast with Mike Pompeo, a Republican Candidate for the Kansas 4th Congressional Seat. His primary opponent in the election is Wink Hartman, a business man in the Wichita area. Also in the Republican race is Jim Anderson, Jean Schodorf and Steven Brunk. The odds on favorites for the Republican ticket however are Hartman, followed by Pompeo. While Hartman seems to have a sizeable lead, with time left in the election, Pompeo is making a run for the seat that has him gaining some momentum. A few recent endorsements of Pompeo including the Kansas Right to Life will have him gaining against Hartman. I also think, after hearing of some of the advertisement plans for later in the election, there will be some positive gain for Pompeo when some of the statements of Hartman are challenged for their truthfulness. I was personally troubled by some who have recently heard Hartman state he will spend whatever is necessary to win the election. Personally, as a common man, who has worked and lived with regular folks most of my life, I have issue with any candidate alluding to their effort to buy an election, currently Hartman is far out spending all other candidates. I don’t care who the candidate is, I want honesty, integrity, and an ear that will hear what I as a voter, I as a supporter of the poor and disenfranchised has to say, and then work to help improve the lives of those individuals. A persons strength to me isn’t always what they will do, but what will they do to help those who are at a point where they are incapable of speaking up for, and standing up for themselves. While some may assume this is a tendency towards Democratic ideals, it simply isn’t true, it is a tendency towards what is right.

Recently, I asked a few tough questions of Mike Pompeo. I knew that in a small gathering of pastors and people whose faith was important, that speaking to a ‘Conservative’ Republican Candidate would put me in the minority. I stated that during the Reagan Administration the deinstitutionalization of Mental Health Facilities hurt the Mentally Ill. As a result of those efforts, many mentally ill persons were placed on the streets which resulted in a substantially high number of suicides. I also stated that through my work with the homeless, while many in the past were homeless due to mental illness or substance abuse problems, (usually hand in hand) many are homeless now due to the economy. We live in a society, where the mentally ill, and the homeless may need the help of others to help them get back on their feet and to get appropriate treatment.

Not to be critical of Mr. Pompeo, but he didn’t give the best answer to the problems. He reverted back to the need of the free-market to fix the problem, and that the more the government got involved, the lack of effectiveness in their approach, often hurt more than helped. I rebutted, right away, that this is not always the case. I brought up the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD) and the importance of the certification process in the development of rehabilitation programs for the mentally ill. I stated that the Transitional Employment approaches used with the mentally ill, when certified, and accredited resulted in an actual larger return on the dollar spent as opposed to a loss on the dollar spent by the federal government. Think about it, while some are critical of governmental programs, research shows, that when appropriate dollars are spent on programs like Transitional Employment, (as certified by the ICCD) the government actually makes money as opposed to looses money. In the past the approximate numbers were that for every dollar spent on Transitional Employment services that the government got in return approximately $1.67 cents. That is a .67 cent profit, more than most every other governmental program. Seems to me, that at a time when the economy is struggling, and there is a need for tax dollars, the economy would be best served by programs like this, that do work. It is a common ground that should bring both Republicans and Democrats together and a program where politicians obviously need to continue to be educated on.

Now on t

he above, let me be clear, I believe it important, and responsible, that as opposed to saying the government messes everything up, we should be honest, they mess a lot of things up. But on the things they get right, we have to support them, and be knowledgeable of them. I believe the certification process for the mentally ill through the Fountain House Model Programs, through the ICCD, such as Transitional Employment has to be fought for and advocated for. To insure the success of the model, the model should specifically be taught, expected, and followed through on as it is the programs that differentiate from the specifics that end up costing money. You see I would personally advocate for Government oversight here. Establish and support programs that work, whether the states keep the money to fund the program or the federal government is not as much of a concern to me as actually doing what is necessary to help those who can’t help their needs. We have to educate our politicians as to these types of programs that do in fact work. We have to also support the process of evaluation and certification that insures these programs get it right. It is one of the reasons I strongly support the ICCD, and discourage funding of programs that tend to experiment, and be more for the professional than they do the consumer of services. When the consumer of services realizes that the program is to their advantage, to help them get to a place of accomplishing their dreams and aspirations, the research is clear, those programs work. The piece meal work plans of groups like Good-Will that provide sub minimum wage work for many is not acceptable, and actually costs the government money it can’t afford to spend. Yet, instead of being educated on what works, we throw everything into the bathwater, including the baby, prior to throwing it out.

In the past, I have had the support for these types of programs from both Republicans, like former Congressman Steve Largent, also a Republican, and Democrats on both a state and national level. These issues should not be a Republican or Democratic issue, the care for the poor, which I also indicated, at the risk of offending some present at the recent meeting with local pastors, and Mike Pompeo is not being done by the church as they are commanded to do. The issue of giving more back to the tax payer, allowing them to have more of the money is not what I believe to be the best solution either. I am confident, more money to churches, or tax payers won’t have as much of an impact on the poor as we may think. In reality larger buildings, and nicer cars or other possessions will be built or purchased but not as much will go to help those we are commanded to help. I as a tax payer, as an American, still have the right, to express my concerns and positions. I have, and will continue to do so, and then educate the populace as to the response I receive. That doesn’t mean I support higher taxes, in fact I don’t. I do support funding and providing financial assistance to programs that work, like Transitional Employment. The truth of it is, there is already a huge problem in the spending of federal dollars in such federally funded programs like Medicaid and Medicare. The problem is, the states have various methods of interpretation. On federal dollars, there has to be government oversight and assurances that those dollars are being spent as required. Again, I am talking specifically about programs, like Transitional Employment, as certified by the ICCD, that clearly work. If it don’t work, as many government programs don’t that is another story. This however is why I specifically mentioned that Mr. Pompeo visit programs like The Breakthrough Club in Wichita where these programs are working, yet state interpretation, and distribution of funds and the requirements for those funds, often makes things far more difficult than many could imagine, not because of the Federal mandates, but the states inability to determine appropriateness of funded programs.

Let me be clear, there was something about Pompeo I liked, you know what it was? It was his honesty. I am aware of many politicians, being dishonest about possessions they report to support or not support. I also liked the fact that he took the time to talk to me some privately after the meeting was over. He volunteered to spend some time with the homeless with me, I appreciate that, and I will appreciate it more when he does it. Heck I would invite every candidate, every pastor to come with me to visit the homeless, tell them their position, explain to them what you will, or won’t do to help them.

Here is the challenge, as I know some will disagree with me on certain aspects, on certain candidates I like and so forth. Here is what I say, get out and meet the candidates. Stand firm to your convictions, and then educate others as to your experience. You see this isn’t a post to debate certain political issues; it is a post to let folks know that I made the effort to get to know a politician running for national office in our area and to educate them about programs I know works, and people I know need service and help. Those same opportunities are available to you. I am grateful for friends like Harold Roesler who let me know about this opportunity, and took the time to invite me. Take advantage of those same opportunities in your area. Check out the candidates, see when they are doing things in your area, and go meet them, talk to them, and ask questions, get them off the typical political diatribe, ask specific issues about specific areas. Let me be honest here, I don’t care about certain religious beliefs of the candidate personally. While I appreciate the fact for example that Mike Pompeo has been a deacon in his church, taught Sunday School and those types of things, I am also reminded of the Epistle of James where I am told that faith without works is dead. You can tell me about your faith, but I would much rather see your faith in action, action that includes doing what you can to help a person in need.

As stated earlier, I would relish the opportunity to take any politician, whether for city, county, state or national office down to meet the homeless I have worked with. Some of us will vote for those we may disagree with on some issues because of their willingness to educate themselves and show concern for others or positions we care about. It is long past due, we as Americans need to remember, we live in a representative government. Our politicians, our government are supposed to work for us.

The following is the candidates for the Congressional 4th District in Kansas. I have listed web sites for each of those I could find.

Mike Pompeo
Jim Anderson
Wink Hartman
Jean Schodorf
Steven Brunk

Democrats

Raj Goyle
Robert Tillman – no web site located
Jim Ward – no web site located

Independent

Susan Ducey

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Click here to visit Mosaic Wichita, the Church in Wichita Kansas where Mike is the pastor.

Click Here to Go to The Virtual Pew Daily Verse and Read The Bible in a Year Passages

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

You can also Help The Virtual Pew by shopping on our web site or at Amazon, click here to shop at Amazon and help The Virtual Pew, it won't cost you anything extra, but we get a small percentage of the purchase.

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 visit and join the new group The Virtual Pew, at MySpace. Become a part of a different kind of Christian group, check out the page for more information,all welcome, including those who are not followers of Jesus.

Click to visit the Virtual Pew Website and become a part of that ministry.

Click to subscribe to my blog

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

Click to visit Mary Jane Furches' new MySpace Page

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

Thursday, May 20, 2010

An Alaskan Affair, A Short Story by Mike Furches

Charles was walking alone across the open tundra. He realized he was on ice. The vastness of the open sea pulled him. All around him he saw the mountains and their peaks covered or tipped with snow. They reached as high and as far as the eye could see, to the endless vastness of the sky and the borders of heaven.

As the sun shined on the peaks Charles saw the reflections of the shadows mixed with the glistening of the snow. The dull gray rocks seemed small, but Charles knew they were really quite large. He was after all, at least three miles from the nearest mountain and there were other mountains as far as the eye could see in all directions.

In the simplicity of the grayness of the rocks, Charles was amazed how much color the color of gray possessed. There were many tints, all of them seeming all the brighter and more brilliant next to the contrast of the white snow. There were blue tints; light and dark tints, as well as shades of brown and green. All of these colors, and more, positioned against a backdrop of deep royal blue sky sprinkled with white silky and fluffy clouds. All in all, it was a beautiful day.

Charles didn't know what it was that was driving him on in this course. He had a family back home that he deeply cared about, especially his three daughters. Charles could only think of enjoyable memories when it came to his children. They were and would always be mystically linked to him. He knew they were a part of him. They came from his roots and lineage, a part of the continuation of his soul and spirit. His children were something he had tried to cultivate in appropriate ways. Ways where they would be successful when they were grown. Success for his daughters would come from places other than wealth. It would come from relationships, family and morality. Charles wanted richness in the pleasures of life. He wanted wealth from the security of being involved in something where his children would leave their mark on those around them for an eternity.

Charles was growing further apart from his wife but he tried to keep their marriage together. As they grew older they were unlike some couples who grew more in love and found out how much they had in common. Charles realized how they were different. While raising the children Charles knew his wife had been a good mother. He was grateful for her.

Charles had not changed much since the wedding. He remained in many ways the kid he was while growing up. There were the simple and small ways his wife had changed. She didn’t take the time to care for herself like she once did. This impacted her physical appearance and her emotional makeup. Charles wasn't mad at her; he just realized how they had grown apart.

After arguments with his wife, Charles often took long walks to reflect on his life and to calm down. He was having an affair with the surroundings he had grown to love, the beautiful terrain of Alaska. He occasionally left home for long walks that lasted the day. His wife and children never understood or accepted him doing this. His family knew he was so caught up in his work through the week that he often times didn’t get home until late. His family just wanted him to spend more time with them.

Several times a week Charles went to the local pub to spend time with friends. He never drank alcoholic beverages, just coke or water. Going to the pub was a way of relaxing and spending time with his friends. It was a way of relaxing he had never experienced with his wife. This was something his wife never understood or accepted.

As Charles continued walking he got lost in the beauty of his surroundings. He accepted that he was enjoying the privacy and beauty of his surroundings more than he did his time at home. Here, there was no arguing, unless he decided to let loose and argue with God. This was a rewarding experience though, it was from the occasional arguments with God that he seemed to understand himself and God better. Charles had friends that knew him well and warned him about the dangers of taking his long walks without letting anyone know of his whereabouts. Alaska was still a wilderness and she possessed attributes that made her so.

The mountains and snows were unpredictable. There was the animals and ice. Animals got hungry and bears, especially if awakening during the spring hibernation, were known to stalk humans. One of the greatest dangers was the enormity of the lakes and seas. They would freeze in the winter and form barren tundra of frozen ground. The ice was so thick in some sections that large semi trucks drove over the ice to deliver items to various locations.

As thick as the ice got, in the spring it would began to thaw and often times took to the grave those on it at the time it broke apart. Charles reasoned with his friends that none of them knew the circumstances he was going through at home nor of the confusion he was constantly going through in his own mind. To him, this was a justification that blinded him to the reasoning presented by others.

Charles never got over being raised in the environment he was. He was raised in the country, the child of a farming family. This was difficult not just on Charles, but on every family and child growing up on a farm. The 1970's were rough and the grain embargo years of President Carter didn't help. Seeing families loose everything they had worked so hard for made it difficult for Charles’ mother and father. Eventually, the hard times hit home. When Charles grandfather and grandmother lost their farm of over 50 years Charles father started drinking and the alcohol shortened an already short temper. It was his observations of this that kept Charles from consuming alcohol throughout his adult life.

The years preceding the loss of the family farm took the greatest toll on Charles family. Charles did his best to lead a advantageous life, but there was the nightmares and flashbacks that shocked the past memories into the present. The nightmares had vivid images of his mothers and fathers last years together. Years of arguing, fighting, and taking the anger out on the children. The children were never physically abused but the spankings came more often and for things not always their fought.

It was not the recollection of these memories that Charles was having nightmares about. It was the time he walked in and found his father dead from a self inflicted gunshot wound. It was after this brutal discovery Charles mother moved to Des Moines. Des Moines wasn't a large city to most but to Charles, after growing up in the country it was as if he was visiting another planet. Charles was never willing to put the blame on anyone else other than himself. "Each person is responsible for their actions." He told his friends while discussing various topics after work at the pub. This opinion not only helped develop bar room friendships but it was a philosophy Charles accepted and believed. It was an idea that was rural America and a part of Charles most essential roots.

For a moment Charles was frightened and realized he was daydreaming again. On occasion he walked for miles just thinking and daydreaming. It was as if he was not aware of his surroundings.

It was the roar of a falling glacier, which awoke him from his stupor. A glacier had shifted and caused a small avalanche some ten miles away. He saw the powder starting to cascade down the mountain, growing in size as it fell down the steep frozen and sterile mountain. The snow was starting to melt now and as it melted the glaciers often shifted, and fell. They sounded like a loud, constant, thunder clasp. Even though Charles was a safe distance from the tons of falling snow, he could still distinguish the thunderous sound heard from miles away The avalanche momentarily took his attention away from the struggles he was going through regarding his relationship with his family, wife, and friends, but mostly with himself.

Charles watched the avalanche in the distance for what seemed like hours but it could not have lasted more than three minuets. It was here that Charles took a break and looked at the beautiful clouds. He could see many reflections and shapes as the sunlight shone through the clouds. It was as if God was using his fingers to point rays of light to the earth, highlighting points of the mountain and ice covered sea around him.

Charles lay down and looked at the large white delicate clouds and the designs. He recalled his childhood were he did the same thing in the fields of Iowa. It was there where Charles was taught by his father to use his imagination to distinguish various shapes and objects in the cloud formations. It was amazing to Charles, even as an adult, how imaginative the mind was and how it could be told something existed that was not in reality there. He knew for example that one of the clouds he was looking at could not be mans' profile, yet, he could convince his mind that what he saw was the profile of an elderly man.

The ice Charles lay on did not feel cold due to the down jacket he was wearing. It was a jacket his grandmother gave him when he had left Iowa to go to college in Wyoming. It was one of the last things his grandmother gave him before she died of a heart attack during his freshman year while on Christmas break. Charles was pleased that he had not grown much since college. He was now 38-years-old and out of college for 15 years. If anything, he was pleased that he was in many ways, in better shape now than he was then. While in high school and later on in college he was not that active. He concentrated mainly on his studies in agriculture. It was later, after realizing he would never make a decent living farming that he changed his area of studies to finance. After college he started taking long walks to get into shape.

While watching the clouds Charles closed his eyes and thought of some of the pleasant times he had had with his grandmother while growing up. He thought of the times when everyone in the family got together after church for dinner. They would watch the Bears of Chiefs play football on television. While Charles was not athletic it was fun having the men of the house enjoying the game and getting into ritualistic arguments about who the best players were in the history of the game. He recalled the fine meals his grandmother always prepared. There was always more food than they could eat during lunch but after snacking through the day there was never any left by the time the second televised game of the day was over.

On occasion He remembered his dreams but on others had no idea what he had dreamed. On this occasion he could not remember his dreams but knew he had a good nap by the way he felt. He felt good and started walking again. He could walk for another hour or so and still have time to get home to his family before dark. He was 15 miles from home and he had almost 5 hours to get to his jeep which was parked at the edge of the park. This was important even though it was early in the spring. The bears were still in the lowlands looking for food and it could get down to 20 below zero.

At times like this Charles realized how much he loved his surroundings. There was the mountains, sky, he even enjoyed in its own strange sort of way, the weather. It was also at these times that he didn't want to hear his wife complaining about taking a full day on the weekend to spend time alone, walking. It wasn't that she didn't want him doing the things he enjoyed. She just didn't understand the need for him to be alone or away from the family during his free time. He did this without letting them know where he was at.

To Charles, the mountains and spring of the year in Alaska was as if he were having an affair with a woman he deeply loved. He loved her aroma and never tired of looking at her. He remembered every little detail. There was her body, the curve of eyelashes, the darkness of her eyes and the small blemishes which were not really blemishes but small details to accent her overall beauty. He could be in her presence for an eternity, never wanting anything more than her companionship and the fullness of a conversation dipped in romance. To touch and caress while in conversation about anything from a movie to the way one felt about the other. Any conversation would be an easy conversation because it was not so much the subject matter of the conversation as much as it was the joy that came from being in her presence. Naturally, if on occasion more were to happen, then that would be something beautiful and enjoyed to the fullness of which God intended. Yet it would not be any one thing which would be the basis of the relationship but instead the magic of everything combined.

Charles felt all of these feelings about Alaska, yet, in the manner that resembled an affair. It was an affair which took from one aspect of Charles’ life in order to give to the other. This affair at times had him questioning, what, and who were right, and what, and who, were wrong. It was an affair were the love of youth had been lost to a new love of vigilance and challenge. Was one right while the other wrong? Charles didn't think so. He knew how he felt about his surroundings; he knew how he felt about his life and family. He didn't fully accept what others thought as right or wrong. He saw and lived life through his own perspective. He needed time to follow his own heart.

The spring was a time of growth and change; one never knew what would happen. For Charles, this lack of understanding was one of the beautiful things about Alaska. There were other things he loved and were drawn into. It was not unusual to see animals come out of hibernation. He could sit at a distance and watch the games of flirtation with the birds, bears, foxes and other animals that played with each other. The games of flirtation were in a good, clean, decent, sincerely pure way, as romantic as anything Charles had experienced for many years. He had the joy of seeing Gods creation at work and the joy and pleasure those things bought him were worth the risks he took. For Charles, to see nature replenish itself and go through the ceremonies and rituals of spring were a spiritually uplifting thing. To realize, that creation renews, forgives and seemingly forgets was a message which Charles needed.

Charles thought that the risk he was taking was something God wanted for him. This involved the risk of taking the long walks in environments where others did not know where he was. To others, it was as if reason had been lost. To Charles, reason was not lost, he knew he had a family and a responsibility to that family, yet, he also knew how much joy and pleasure the walks and time alone brought him. He was convinced; this could not be bad. Observing the beauty of Gods creation was something others should understand. To Charles it was not so much that he had changed over the years; his family had changed.

In the early days, Charles and his wife did things together; they loved the company they kept with each other. They took long walks and were involved in all types of activities. Yet, for a number of reasons, some his fault, he had become bitter towards those around him for not trying to understand him or his past. He blamed everyone but himself for the disintegration of their relationships, and he was tired of the confrontations. He was going to live his life, to the fullest and most satisfying way possible.

Charles had been daydreaming as he walked across the ice. He was now wide awake, it was starting to get cool, but he was within site of his jeep, some mile or so away. He was now whistling away the tune of Mr. Blue Sky by The Electric Light Orchestra. He was thinking about how beautiful it was, and how it was nice that it was starting to warm up. It wasn’t as cold as he had expected and he was looking forward to the spring and warm weather. As he walked across the frozen lake he began to feel and hear the ice beneath him began to crack, and break.

To see the video specifically created for this story, click on it below, if the video don't appear, click on the following link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2V6m34w9nc

You Can Move Mountains

Matthew 17:19-21 (Contemporary English Version)

(19) Later the disciples went to Jesus in private and asked him, "Why couldn't we force out the demon?"

(20-21) Jesus replied:

It is because you don't have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.

A friend of mine from Tulsa, Chuk Cooley recently did a song called Moving Mountains. I have listened to that song, over, and over, and over and over again. Chuk is a little different in his musical style. I would best describe it as Southern Acoustic Rock. We have lived a similar life and my hope is that he will be involved in much of the music for the movie on my life. Let me digress though regarding the concept of the Bible passage listed above.

First, there is an effort regarding smashing or hammering Demons used here and the followers of Jesus, the disciples, have this question as to why they can’t get rid of the demons in the lives of people. Jesus responds with a popular passage about having the faith the size of a mustard seed, if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, (very small), we can move mountains. There are some powerful implications here if we think about it, it is why the passage, and song from Chuk speaks to me.

First, when Jesus shared this there was a mountain the people could see and knew about that was virtually built by slaves of Roman leaders in the background. In other words, they knew that while faith was involved, so was action. It is kind of like the movie The Man That Went up a Hill and Came down a Mountain. It is a story of a town that hauled dirt up to the top of a large hill until that hill met the recognized height requirements to be a mountain.

That is what it is like for many of us, we have to take action to move the mountains that exist in our lives, whether drugs, alcohol, relationships, anger, pride, jobs, whatever the mountain is, we have to take action. While God does his part, we have to do our part. The act of us making change, believing in change, is the act of faith, the faith that if it is the size of a mustard seed, can move mountains.

I learned a long time ago, the challenge isn’t in getting something miraculous done in my life; it is in taking the first step to make change happen because I believe it is going to happen. Faith is getting up when you have been knocked down, not taking no for an answer when you know the answer is yes. Faith is walking alongside your maker as he works with you to move mountains.

Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t mean life and making change is easy, it’s not. There are times the detractors around us bring us down, make things harder, but we have to have faith, we have to walk alongside and realize our creator is beside us to help. Our faith, our confidence, our actions have to be based in what God can do through us, not on what we can do on our own, or on the obstacles around us.

Are there mountains in your life? Are there times the detractors influence you? Are you willing to walk alongside God to move the mountains in your life? Here is what I know, from personal experience, not from reading it in some book or on some web page, but again, experience. I can get up when I have been knocked down, God can and will prevail in my life despite the difficulties. I can overcome that which was meant for wrong or evil, and God can turn it around to where it can be used for good. I know the answers to these things; I have experienced these things enough to tell you it is why I do my best to walk with God from day to day. I fail at times, I get discouraged, but I have seen a little mustard seed of faith grow into a mighty plant that God has blessed and seen value in. I also know this, God don’t love any of us any more than the other, he wants as much for you as he does for me, or any other person on the planet. Personally, I can’t imagine going through life without going through it while walking next to Jesus. I also know some of us need to realize that if we are to move mountains, while we have faith, sometimes we have to believe in our own abilities because of the ability God has given us. That don’t mean it is us…as God is the giver of life, but we can’t forget our own need to be involved in the process. So, get up, walk with God, move mountains.

The following is the video Chuk recently did of Moving Mountains. To watch it, just click on the video, if the video don’t appear, click on the following link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DZMSSor9PY

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Foggy Dreams?

Are your dreams and aspirations like the morning fog, evaporating and fading away before your very eyes? Sometimes you only have one chance to go for them, but it is your choice, there is no one to blame for the regrets except yourself.

The above is something I felt inspired to write this morning as the sound of thunder awoke me. Recent foggy mornings and events in my life have also caused me to think a lot lately. Am I satisfied with following after my own dreams of a unique and different ministry?

I have to tell you, I am, despite the difficulties, the uncertainties, the anxieties that sometimes exist, I know I and in essence, many of you have been a part of a work making a difference. I am excited about that; I am honored to know people have been touched by some of the things we have done.

I used to get the big head; I think a part of that came from my need of recognition. My book, The Keystone Kid talks some about that, but my Father in Law, Ed Erwin, (EW) reminded me once about the heavenly jewels and crowns we obtain from our work here on earth. He reminded me, that while our honors, recognition, lives, and people we touch and are a part of the blessings; they will result in stars in our heavenly crown, a crown we will lay at the feet of Jesus. Over the years, the more I have thought of this, the more I know the truth of that. It isn’t for us, it is for Jesus!

It’s all about Jesus. He loves each and every one of us. He loves enough to give us dreams, and aspirations. My dreams and aspirations involved making a difference in the lives of people who had a similar background as me. I am excited to see that take place, but it isn’t about me, it is about Jesus, because he loves the downtrodden, the hurting, the sick, the lonely, the abused, the person who needs a job, or a car, or the person we many may consider unlovable, God loves them, and through the sacrifice of his son, showed his love. It is for him because he gave all of those things to me; I want to give them back to him. I want to honor not just him, but the life he gave me. To have the opportunity to do that for the one who gave us life, then pass the opportunity off is something I just don’t understand, yet people do it all of the time. I think it is where we have to make the decision, who are we living for, and how far are we willing to go to share that love. It isn’t a requirement, it isn’t per say a mandate, but it is the place we find the reason of our being, the reason of why we were created. Life without knowing that for me wouldn’t be life, it would be existence, and at least for me, that wouldn’t be a place I want to be.

What are your dreams? What are your aspirations? Do you realize God wants you to experience those things? Despite the crazy attitudes people may have towards your dreams, why not go for them? Do you realize that place, that purpose, may be the very place God wants you to experience the totality of life? Talking about my Father in Law, EW who is in heaven with Jesus now, I write about his brash attitude in my book. He would tell you what he thought and have no hesitation about it, often times at the embarrassment of those around him. I remember one time in particular at Myrtle Beach South Carolina, he ordered a steak at a seafood restaurant, he went on to complain to the waitress and hostess how it was the worst steak he had ever eaten. I laugh now, but it was embarrassing then, after all it was a steak at a seafood house. He let me have it a few times, once in a pretty harsh way when Mary Jane, my wife, told him we were going to get married. Yet despite all of that, despite his demeanor, he was also the first and strongest supporter of me when I felt God calling me back to college in Hillsboro Kansas, and at a time that made no sense at all. ‘Boy, if you feel this is what God is calling you to do, you better do it!’ I appreciated those words of wisdom, especially when hearing Bill, his son once talk about his regrets of not going into the ministry like he felt God had called him to do.

Today, I guess I would challenge you, pray about, seek out appropriate wisdom, but by all means, don’t give up on your dreams. God has put a passion there; he has given you the ability and gifts to be the best at what he has called you to do. Maybe not in a comparative way with some other large ministry, but for someone out there, someone God loves with a passion, you may be the instrument that makes a huge difference. So after seeking out wisdom, praying about it, speaking to friends, and that type of thing, well then, remember the words of Ed Erwin, ‘Boy/Girl, if you feel this is what God is calling you to do, you better do it!’

There are many versions of this on YouTube, but I liked this one. To listen to the song Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown, just click on the following video. If the video don’t appear, just click on the following link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHW9FN6NOd4

Monday, May 17, 2010

What If?

What if you opened up a letter in the mail, and found a legitimate check for $11,000 that you weren’t expecting, what would you do?

I know that for some $11,000 isn’t much money, for others it is. There was a time I had money, for most of my life, being involved in the work I do, I haven’t. For me, $11,000 is a lot of money. A little over a year ago, while I didn’t open up an envelope, I did suddenly get $11,000. I knew immediately what I would use the money for.

In 2001 I made a decision that changed my life and the life of my family. It was a decision where I was fortunate to have my wife support me. While that was a life changing decision, I had been though those types of things before.

Shortly after graduation from college in 1985 I started working in Christian Music on a full-time basis. I had actually worked in some capacity of Christian music since around 1978. I loved this experience and truly valued the bands I worked with, both Christian and non Christian, many of them bands you have likely heard of. While there was some things about this experience I loved, and some impact I had, some say I was for example the first person to successfully put Christian Bands into non Christian venues, (In 1988, Rob Cassels Band according to Performance Magazine, was the top grossing band in North America in theaters 2,500 and under, The Judd’s and Blue Oyster Cult was also in the top 3, and we had 3 of the top 10 Shows in North America in clubs 800 and under.) Then in early 1989 I left that work and decided to use my education, so I started working in mental health rehabilitation through a program called Fountain House Clubhouses.

While working in clubhouse, I did pretty well, but here, as opposed to with the bands; I actually did well financially. I assisted in writing the International Standards for Clubhouses, helped train programs in Australia, Japan, and in states from Mississippi to New Mexico. I also presented at International Conferences, and had articles published on mental health rehabilitation in various psychiatric publications. I started in a program I love with a passion to this day, Gateway House in Greenville South Carolina, became the director of a program in Hendersonville North Carolina, and eventually the Executive Director of a new program in Tulsa Oklahoma. I also became a member of the International Faculty for Clubhouses, appointed and recommended by one of the greats and legends in the field, Rudyard Propst, and did consultations and certifications of various programs across North America.

For those that know me, I have always been careful about giving respect in sharing my faith, that doesn’t mean my faith isn’t important to me. But in 2001 I begin to contemplate something that hit home. I was involved in a vocation helping others obtain their goals, obtain their dreams. I learned that most people at the time near death state there was something they always wanted to do and not doing it or trying it was by and far their number one regret. I had always wanted to work in full-time ministry. Early in my life I made the commitment to work in a ministry where I could share Jesus with people. I begin to explore this as a possibility. I knew I had done ministry, but due to the respect for the laws, I was cautious about sharing my faith. As I contemplated this, my former staff, and many in the field I worked would tell you, I was reluctant to proselytize on the job in any way, and in fact didn’t do it. If others started a conversation related to faith, and on private time, then yes I would talk about my faith, but always in a respectful way towards the other person. For those that have known me over the years I will let my reputation here stand on it’s on, characteristics like this don’t change easily, neither has my approach. Yet, I got a job evaluation that stated, and I quote: “In that faith is a personal issue, under no conditions shall Mike ever share his faith with members and staff of Crossroads, nor shall he invite them to his church.” For me, that was not only an illegal comment, it was a sign it was time to leave.

After receiving this evaluation, (the only negative comment I had ever received in an evaluation) I knew it was time to leave and pursue my dreams. I had spoken to my staff earlier than this about the reality that I was looking at the possibility of leaving, and this was the preverbal straw that broke the camels back. It was difficult as over the years I loved this organization, I still do, but there were some individuals who shared untruthful comments regarding what had happened and why I was leaving the organization. Every other single staff person at that organization was eventually either fired, or left employment after I left. I have maintained a good relationship with most of those former staff, and many of the individuals who were a part of the organization, but despite the difficulties, sometimes we must make the decision to move on. Seeing as I had made the decision, was exploring with my church and friends the option of moving on, I decided to give a 3 month notice to help the organization work through the change and eventually left employment to pursue my dream of going into ministry.

My church at the time, Westport Mennonite Brethren Church near Tulsa Oklahoma, now Discovery One, was wonderful in helping me make the transition. I actually worked as a full-time volunteer as a pastor of Reach-Out and Evangelism for a period of months. A lot transpired, a lot of experience was gained, and God begin to open up doors. Eventually, the pastor of the church left, which was hard, but doors opened up for me in the area of ministry in Merced California, Benkelman Nebraska, at Willow Creek near Chicago Illinois, and at the smallest church in the bunch, a little inner city Mennonite Brethren Church started by World Impact and the Mennonite Brethren in Wichita Kansas. After a great deal of prayer, my wife and I decided to accept the position at United at the Cross in Wichita Kansas.

It was amazing how God worked all of that out. I had put back enough money, and had enough retirement income in stocks, bonds and mutual funds that I figured I could live for about a year and a half. Then September 11, 2001 hit and as most will recall, the market took a huge dive. If I could have left the money in the accounts things would have been fine, but, I was living on that money, I suddenly only had enough income to provide for six months as opposed to a year and a half. The money was quickly gone, but God opened up new doors.

I could share a lot of beautiful things about the church in Wichita. I could share heartbreak from a variety of perspectives, but I loved this church which eventually had to close its doors. They initially offered me a salary of $20,000 a year and I quickly realized they didn’t have that much money so had them cut my salary to $15,000 per year. A lot happened over the years and despite some warnings, and a prophesy from one of the individuals in the church, I believe the enemy had his way and the church had to close down. I claim the victories of that church through Christ. There were some things that were said, but over the years, I have remained faithful, the story has never changed, and those that were involved know about the tragedy and beauty of that little church. I learned through this experience, I could say what I learned, but I will leave that for now.

It was shortly before this time I begin taking the steps necessary to start up The Virtual Pew, again, God was on time. I don’t know why at times in my life God opens up the doors during the times he does, but his time always seems to be perfect. The original plan was for me to continue working at United at the Cross and develop a team approach to ministry. It would allow me to be more of a bi-vocational pastor and to assist and train others in the church to take on leadership roles. I had one individual I truly believed in then, and still do, but things happened, some my fault, others not, that had an impact; as a result, the church had to close. I went from the $15,000 in income to almost nothing. I knew I needed to move on with The Virtual Pew. Then again, God was on time. The week I left the church, I unexpectedly got a check for $10,000 which assisted in getting The Virtual Pew going and through that ministry a ton of ministry has happened, much of it with people who were a part of that church.

As many may or may not know my personal story, especially while growing up is filled with tragedy, yet I haven’t let that stop me. I firmly believe, although at times it is hard, that greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do. I have found these simple truths of scripture and the songs of children to be reaffirming.

Almost 2 years ago now, my mother came down with cancer. I realized my own need to make things right with her, to forgive her and to tell her I loved her. For those that know my story, this could only be done with the power of God and the leading of his Spirit. Despite what people know, or think, a friend of mine a number of years ago, Glen Kaiser told me that I was only able to love to the measure of which God gave me the ability. Over the years God increased the ability, but it wasn’t a quick or fast process. Somehow I found the ability to love and forgive though and made a point to do that. It was truly one of the most liberating moments of my life.

My mother, almost a year ago now died. I was at home in time to be with her prior to her death, and was with my sister for a few weeks during the process. It wasn’t easy, but people again, came through to find a way to financially allow my wife and me to be there, I don’t think I will ever forget the kindness of people. You see while I am still working with The Virtual Pew, I took on the position almost 2 years ago now of Mosaic Wichita. While I didn’t think I would ever take a pastor position again, this was one I considered because I believed so strongly in the vision and mission of this church.

I could go on, but some time ago I started writing my story in a book called The Keystone Kid. I explored some possibility of publishing it but was just either too busy, or unwilling to change the language in it that made the story real, and the way it was. When my mother died I realized the need to tell my story. Shortly after her death I received almost $11,000 from her insurance policy. It was then, I made the decision, especially after finding out more of her story, and she would make it possible for me to tell my story. With the $11,000 from my mother, and an additional $4,000 from savings, I decided to make sure my book was done right, along with some money for promotions, and enough to get the script for a movie and a short done to eventually be turned into a feature. The book, The Keystone Kid will be in hand in the next month to 2 months, and the short for the movie is to be complete by the end of July. We will shop the short and book to raise approximately $50,000 to raise funds for the full-length movie. My hope, my prayer, is this will be multiplied like fishes and loaves in regards to financial needs, but more importantly, in regards to souls, hearts and emotions of people. My hope is the story inspires and provides hope to the hopeless that have been through similar situations.

So the question that I started with, what would you do if you opened up an envelope with $11,000 in it, or enough money to do something you have always wanted to do? For me, it is clear, I used it and all of my savings an additional $4,000 to get a book published and work towards having a movie made. While I am currently $50,000 for the complete purchase and making of the film, I know, God is always on time. God’s timing has been perfect, I am praying, and believing, it is perfect again. If as in the past, God uses this experience to touch someone, even if only one person that is fine as each and every single person is loved by God. Many of us say that, many of us allude to that, I am not so sure many of us believe that, but know this, I do, you are important, and if God uses this story, my story to touch you, I am eternally blessed.

What would you do though? How would you make a difference? What kind of sacrifice would you make? One of the blessings I have had regarding the book is the advance reviews that have come in, my hopes, my prayers, and my desire to see tragedy turned to beauty is coming true. Thankfully others have been a part of that, and others will be, but that is my story, what’s yours?

The following is a video we through together to help raise awareness to the story. Just click on the video to watch, and if the video don't appear, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7jX4gAFsiE

Just For You

You are important and I want you to know that you can feel free to contact me at any time. I always try to respond to comments posted here, when appropriate, and have learned from my work as a counselor and pastor that people need to know that they are important. My contact information is available and I encourage you to contact me when need be. The fact that you are a real person is not lost on me. While you are at it, if needing a place to plug in, you can also join and become a part of The Virtual Pew. Message boards and interaction are available there as well. Thanks for visiting and know that God loves you and so do I.