The Virtual Pew Daily

Monday, May 17, 2021

Redemption in Life and Music

I started writing for Hollywood Jesus back in the beginning because I strongly believed in the vision and concept of building bridges as opposed to putting up walls. I have tried to live that in all aspects of my life, sometimes, I succeed. It was through this effort and the help of David Bruce, HJ's founder and others that I started The Virtual Pew, an online community of faith helping build bridges, a concept that has extended into all areas of my life.

When I first started doing reviews all those years ago at Tabor College it was for music not movies. I always loved movies but music has always been my first love. Over the last 30 years I've been playing music. Prior to that starting in 1978 I did band management and concert promotion. Through all of those efforts I was inducted in 2018 into the International Blues Hall of Fame and with the death of my wife, she encouraged me to do my own project, so I did. It was the self titled project Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, released in 2021.

It was back at the start of Covid that we scheduled our CD release party. To be short, it was a nightmare, literally. You see, we aren't a "Christian" band. We are a blues band. Although I am a Christiana and much of what I write is from a Christian world-view not everyone in the band is a Christian and I don't pretend that we are. Just like in real life, as a follower of Jesus, I work with people of varying faiths. For this show though, it was the Perfect Storm of all that could go wrong. First a keyboard player who was living with me, robbed me and moved out of the house, he was critical in getting the songs started. We as a band showed up but were not in the place to perform. Then there was the rush to fill band spots resulting in only one practice for the performing band. Then I was in an incredible amount of pain where I had taken 5 Oxys for pain. I later found out I had had a heart attack on stage. Two weeks later I had quadruple bypass surgery for 4 arteries blocked 100%. After being on a ventilator for a couple of days and in ICU for several days, I begin the long road to recovery. That was around 5 months ago, and that horrible night musically needed the opportunity for redemption.

Redemption is a strange concept. It not only applies to issues related to faith but also life. With redemption sometimes comes the concept of one doing their part, be it a confession regarding mistakes, for example having the band play when I should have canceled, then that I was making mistakes in the decisions and leadership I was providing. I realized though, I needed to do something to correct the mistakes and failures in regards to the band.

So it was, about 3 weeks after my heart surgery I and the guys in the band made some hard decisions We decided to seek redemption. We begin practicing 3 - 4 times each week for as long as I could practice My lung capacity was not up to par and it will take upwards of a year to get to where it should be. It took work, effort and a willingness of others to give us a chance. I am sure word got out, without explanation as to why we were so bad in that first go around as a band. Sure we had had good outings but people would remember the one bad one.

After serious practice and effort we found people willing to give us a chance, first at a music festival where we did 3, 1 and 1/2 hour sets, and then this last week at the place where the heart attack happened and we had had such a miserable outing. The Elbow Room in Wichita Kansas.

After so much effort not quitting, sticking it out, working through differences, the 4 of us sought redemption. We had learned to come together, me a Christian deeply devoted to my faith, yet, not judgmental and realizing I live in a world of brokenness, working alongside an agnostic who has serious issues with Christianity, and another who has also had issues with Christians. One of us a political conservative, one a moderate and another extremely to the left politically, together through music, realizing that the message of music, the concept of coming together as a band was far more important than the differences many choose to focus on. So these four ragamuffins, (yes I use that term with intent) came together to play for redemption It first begin with each other, then as an outward symbol to those who would witness our example.

The first one to give us a chance was the one who had first given the opportunity of where we failed so miserably. Thankfully, he, like God will give a second chance, it is only with second chances that any of us can correct the past, that's one reason it's so important to give others that second chance when we need to offer, an opportunity for redemption.

Sure, there were mistakes when we played. There was the occasional off key vocal, a missed chord or a dropped drum stick, but those mistakes were corrected. In the end, after the hard work where we appreciated the opportunity to correct our previous fiasco, we worked for redemption. In the end, we were appreciative that the crowd stuck around. Every song was applauded, something we hadn't heard before. Then there was the compliments. Things like, we were the best band in our area they had heard, or being amazed at our musicianship, being so tight as a band and much more. Compliments that went far and beyond what we expected, yet, were good to hear.

Did we obtain redemption? Yes, I think so, but it came with effort. Does God require effort on our part? I don't know the answer to that, I do know the Bible uses words like repentance which requires a change, it talks about loving people, it talks about realizing the benefits and gifts of others. It speaks of the body and importance of people using their individual gifts and coming together. I love that about bands in particular, it isn't really about one person, it is about a group of people, with different talents and abilities coming together to make something beautiful. It is as we do that, be it in music or in life, that we build bridges. We can show the world the beauty of working through mistakes and yes, maybe, just maybe, that in life, redemption is possible.

The following is the video for Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band first video release of On My Knees, so far on all formats, receiving over one million views.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9g74sirsHQ

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There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. 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/.

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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

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1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

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Saturday, April 10, 2021

Urgent Call for Support

Every now and then I send out a request for support. It's been awhile but the need now is actually greater than it's ever been. Let me be clear, I don't like doing it, there is always one like William who recently talked about how I needed to get a real job, needed to quit being an underachiever and "quit playing music for drunks" among numerous other attacks. This despite the ministry that takes place among some of those "drunks" aka as regular folks who need to know Jesus and that Jesus loves.

A few things about the last year. Regular donations over the last few years have gone from at one time $600 a month to now, $0. Covid was a huge part of this. As you know, if you have followed my work, the people I have been blessed to provide ministry to often times don't have money. So it involves me doing things like the following, just within the last three months:

providing online counseling services to persons contemplating suicide which involves being online with them, or on the phone while at the same time in immediate need cases online with local authorities. My knowledge in this area gets immediate attention from Law Enforcement. As a result in the last 3 months, numerous individuals talked down, 3 individuals where the authorities went and stopped a "serious" attempt and one case unfortunately, where the authorities did not get there in time and the person committed suicide. Believe me, it pains me to this day knowing the efforts I made to save and help this person, even offering to drive to Wyoming to be with them.
Since December I have housed 3 homeless people, although I said I wouldn't do it again. It costs approximately $300 a month to house a homeless person here. None of the 3 paid anything and in one instance I had one steal a bunch of stuff some of them that belonged to Mary Jane. In all of these cases I supplemented and paid out of pocket the cost of keeping them here. That will be changing as I am not so certain if I can do this again. I certainly can't afford it without major financial help.
There are homeless persons on the street I have helped and assisted, be it with musical counseling and assistance or just being a friend and thanks to FEMA giving advice and masks related to COVID, so far some 1,200 masks.
There are things like hospital visits to individuals who have followed me online and consider me their "pastor" even though I still have a hard time considering myself a pastor.
Then as of late the writing and reviews have started again. I know some will not see this as a ministry, but if you ever take the time to read those reviews you will see points of discussion that points to Christ, yet isn't preachy. Some would be amazed at the doors of conversation this has brought about. To the point of praying in a smoking area at a local bar with people on several occasions and even those in the arts community who call me Pastor Mike and tells me how much they appreciate me because I am not like other "preachers" I am "real."
There is much more that goes on, on a daily basis, sharing my faith in a real, but honestly broken way, (believe me, I am the first to admit my shortcomings and failures.
I am also so grateful that the continued work with my band Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band continues. While I am receiving some royalties for world wide air-play it amounts to less than $20 a month. As musicians will tell you, for playing purposes, this is really good but not enough to live on.
The video On My Knees has now been seen close to 1 Million times world wide on various formats, the gospel message on that video is abundantly clear.
My music has been played in approximately 48 States and now in over 115 countries. While there are no "hits" and work to be done for live performances, rest assured, as my band will tell you or anyone who has seen us. In the bars and clubs we have played, the love of God is always mentioned, displayed and clearly presented. Yet because I am seen as "Real", it is received.
There is much more from individual spiritual counseling, videos and more that is taking place on a daily basis.

Now here is the reality. Currently I have monthly expenses at around $2,200 a month. That is with no medical benefits or salary or anything of the sort. I currently get $1,800 a month from Spousal Death Benefits, a bit of retirement, and a little outside earnings. As you can tell, the math don't add up. Currently, for the first time in 3 years, the bank account has less than $1,000 in it.

Last month, there was approximately $500 in support that came in from individuals. One specifically requested that their $300 gift go to me, which I appreciated and as hard as it was, respected, the other individuals $200 went right into the bank for the ministry.

On top of all of this, also please consider that none of this includes the now close to $500,000 of medical bills I have due to the quadruple bypass heart surgery where the doctors assured me that with those arteries being blocked 100% I had very little time to live. I am paying about 6 medical facilities between $10 and $25 a month for a total of $150 a month that I didn't expect to be paying. This is above and beyond the operational expenses for The Virtual Pew / Mosaic including living expenses. Neither is included though that my lawnmower and weed eater among other things was stolen and I had to purchase new ones this last month.

I don't like asking for help it makes me feel like a moocher and is something not in my nature. I have had many people tell me that there are many ministries who does much less but brings in thousands a month because they are good at it. Well, I'm not good at it and I am not worried about having things for myself. I do have a few subscriptions like my $20 a month which allows me to do up to 3 movie reviews a week, my streaming subscriptions at about $30 a month and my car wash subscription at $19 a month. Outside of that, there really isn't anything else for my self other than getting with my band mates and playing music, but, I recognize, without help, I am in trouble.

Here is what I am asking you to consider: Would you consider supporting this ministry on a monthly basis? Any monthly donation would be huge and of great benefit. I am also asking that you make that donation not to me but to either The Virtual Pew or Mosaic, preferably, to Mosaic. That gift is tax-deductable and goes to the immediate needs and operational expenses of ministry.

If not able to do a monthly gift in any amount, can you consider a one time gift in any amount? Again, we praise and thank God for any donations that come in. They are so much appreciated as it allows me to do the ministry God has called me to do.

You can make contributions in several ways. I would ask first and foremost to make sure that if making a gift online that you specify that it is for The Virtual Pew / Mosaic. That way it is easier to manage funds.

If mailing a gift the address is: Mosaic / The Virtual Pew, 1249 North Saint Francis, Wichita Kansas 67214

You can also give online via pay pal to - The Virtual Pew - mike@furches.org or Mosaic - mikefurches@yahoo.com

You can also give via cash app at $MichaelFurches

As a side bar, my health outside of allergies right now is doing great, my blood sugars over the last 2 years have gone from averaging 300 to now averaging 100 and I've lost some 50+ pounds and still losing weight. I feel good and look forward to hopefully at the end of May seeing my daughter and grandson in Ohio for the first time since Mary Jane went to be with the Lord. My son Nathan has come through and I see him on a regular basis but have not seen my granddaughter now in over a year because the mother refuses to let me or my son see her even though he has joint custody and has been paying child support. That will be going to court in the near future as my son has already contacted an attorney. I am also still waiting on 2 cases before the courts, one the contractors that robbed us and did the poor job on the renovations and the other a Grand Theft Felony case against the person stealing things here from the house. While I can forgive, it does not mean that people aren't held responsible.

The band continues to improve and we are also currently looking for a vehicle to travel and tour in. I continue to be excited about bringing the message of Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band to folks and we are open to playing wherever. The band and radio show I do weekly at KFH are among the highlights of my week as they are some me and enjoyable time while at the same time sharing Good News and happy moments.

Thank you again for your time, I very much do appreciate it and God bless you.

Mike Furches

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Sunday, March 7, 2021

The Loss of a Porn Star I Knew and Loved

A number of years ago I did an article that garnished a lot of national attention called, "Am I Going To Hell Because I love Rob Zombie and Sky Lopez?" Rob Zombie is a popular rock artist and movie maker and at the time Sky Lopez was a porn star who had reportedly just become a Christian. From that article came another article of interviews with the two, one of those, Rob Zombie actually contacted me after hearing about the initial article. But something else happened after that article that I have not written about since, and again, we're talking quite a few years ago.

Right after the publication of that initial article and those interviews I came into contact with and developed a online relationship that had a number of conversations, privately, online, and via on occasion via phone with the creator of Pink Cross Foundation, a ministry Shelley Lubben where she stated she assisted women coming out of the pornography industry. Shelley herself was a former porn star who had reportedly become a Christian. She would share her testimony across the country at conferences, radio and television programs and many times on nationally viewed programs.

For whatever reason Shelley seemed to take interest in the compassion I had shown for Sky Lopez. I was impressed that she saw enough value in the ministry work I was doing to throw some support and advice my way. It wasn't that I was doing any work specifically in ministry to porn stars. I just thought it was important that as a Christian I exemplified and showed the importance of loving people no matter where they had come from and what life they had, or lived. I was reminded of the Bible passage, Romans 5:8: but God showed how much He loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

I still hold to those values, to the concept that we are to love unconditionally, whosoever. It is a concept that unfortunately many Christians don't seem to live by or follow. Sure, often times lip service is given but actually following through seems to fall short. Even worse at times is the judgment and assumptions others make towards those that try to live by this standard. I will guarantee you for example, there is judgment already being made by some about me and this article because I am talking about former porn stars, forget the jest of what the article is really all about.

I kept in contact with Shelley for a number of years, there was a time I was communicating with one of the porn stars who had made a decision to follow Christ that Shelley was aware of. I told the lady that she needed to make sure to as much as possible stay away from issues related to her former life and to as much as possible to focus mainly on Jesus. Shelley felt the need to rebuke me, telling me I shouldn't be telling people to stay away from their former acquaintances and associates in the porn industry because they needed those contacts and could be used or helped. It was all kind of cryptic to be honest about it and I didn't know what to think about it. I felt she was wrong and while it wasn't a personal thing it was something that caused me to wonder about the advice she was giving and ultimately, yes, doing in her "ministry."

Later on Shelley started going through a number of issues that she was vocal about. There was relationship needs as well as financial needs. On a couple of occasions I donated to some of the financial needs she had expressed. I continued to follow her and had an occasional conversation, but, I was starting to have some concerns.

It was a number of years ago now that I begin to see individuals becoming more critical of Shelley and talking about how her ministry was fake and that she had exaggerated her story over the years as well as what she had done in the industry. There was no doubt she had been involved in porn but the extent of her involvement to obtain "star" status was debatable. The other point of concern was that she had raised money on occasion to assist certain people in the industry, yet they never received the finances. Much of this can still be seen online but there was more. She was having relationship issues with numerous people, a nasty divorce and more was going on.

Now don't get me wrong, Christians are not immune to difficulties, divorce and hard times. They should however be seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus through those difficulties. Truth is, after a period of time and questions, we will never know what was really going on with Shelley because she, after becoming destitute died from a drug overdose in a trailer park she lived in in California on February 9, 2019.

I've struggled over the last 2 years as I continued to find more information and wondered, what could I have done? What could any of us have done? What were the mitigating factors in her decisions? What was real about Shelley? I could keep on asking questions and a large number of them could be about me as much as they are about Shelley.

In life we don't have all of the answers or solutions. The only solution I know is that Jesus is the answer. He broke down the simplicity of how we find purpose, meaning and joy in life. It is as simple as Love Him, (God through Christ) and Love Them, the people we come into contact with. That love for others is unconditional. It isn't without pain or disagreement at times but it is nonetheless, love. In today's world, we see a lot of pain and conflict. There is clearly disagreement but Shelley is an example that life is fragile.

I've seen the fragility of life in so many ways. I now am alone 90% of the time. It is something I never thought I would experience but with of the loss of my dear wife Mary Jane. Then the isolation from the season of covid. Then with social media, people find interacting via text, online, and so forth easier than face to face. Unfortunately, we lose something needed in life, relationship. Even though Adam walked with God, God still saw his need for human companionship. In today's world, we make excuses to not experience meaningful relationship. I think Shelley needed that and whether her own, or the fault of others, she ended her life and I still have questions.

As my own loneliness grows I wonder about things like this and lately a lot about Shelley because she is one of many. Do we care? Will we be there for others? Will we take seriously the concept of Loving Him, and Loving Them? Or, will we just go on in life with the status quo where others just don't matter? I feel most of the times that others will just go on, offering lip service but not really making the sacrifice of taking up their cross and following Jesus on a daily basis. I pray I am wrong.

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Sunday, December 6, 2020

If I Die Before I Wake, I pray

Coronary Heart Disease, one of those things we like to things we like to think we can control and know about, but in reality, we don't until often times, it is too late.

On the surface there are those who would like to throw out blame or suspicions of things, like, I should have eaten better, I am to big, on and on, but here are the facts. In the last 2 years now I've lost close to 50 pounds and am still safely and appropriately loosing weight. My resting heart rate as of last week was 72, my blood pressure was 114/60, my blood sugars are averaging less than or right at 120. All good things, in fact, according to my doctor and cardiologist, "If you weren't in such good shape you would be dead. It's a miracle you're alive." A Miracle? Yes, a miracle.

You see after the cauterization of my heart on Thursday, (this all started on Tuesday) it was discovered that there is a "GREAT" vein on the right side of my heart, however, there are 3 blocked arteries on the left side, not just with some blockage, but blocked 100%. Thus the miracle that I am walking and alive.

So, if things are so great, why me? After all, a couple of weeks ago I was walking around Branson Missouri and Eureka Springs Arkansas, feeling fine except for this lingering issue that has been bothering me now for almost 2 years, heartburn. I had been to the doctors to have it checked out. It was originally diagnosed as an ulcer after Mary Jane's death. I was taking ulcer medicines that seemed to help and was as of the last month or so eating and heartburn medicines like candy. Yet, at Branson and Eureka Springs I started having severe "heartburn." I had in the past gotten in a hot shower which seemed to help but that was once every now and then. Well after multiple episodes of having to do this over several nights, at the encouragement of a friend I have written about, I went to the doctors and there it was discovered. I needed emergency surgery sooner than later.

Here are some of the contributors that help bring about heart disease.

1) the use of tobacco: I don't use tobacco.

2) Diabetes: Yes I am diabetic I am doing so good in that area that there is serious discussion of coming totally off of my medications.

3) High Blood Pressure: well my blood pressure is really good, see above.

4) Cholesterol: here, my cholesterol levels fall within the normal categories and bad cholesterol is down, good cholesterol is up.

5) Diet: again, folks around me are typically surprised at how little I eat and how healthy I eat.

6) Hereditary: BINGO! I come from a family history filled with heart issues but I didn't worry, after all, look at the numbers above.

7) Stress: BINGO! Do you know my story, of fighting and being with my wife for over a year and a half being her only caregiver, begging at times for help, and being able to work or have time to myself? How about a former daughter in law, lying through her teeth, violating a court order and taking one of the only bits of joy from me, not allowing me to see my granddaughter in almost 7 months now because apparently I love my son and have a great relationship with him, btw, I have the texts that show her expressing and lying about this.

Those last 2 things are the likely contributor to my issues right now, the truth is, there is little if anything I could do about either of them. I'm likely not the only one to fall into this category, likely so do some of you.

The purpose of this post: It really is quite simple, I can't change my situation, I don't see outside of a miracle or having my former daughter in law put in jail for a violation of a court order helping me see my granddaughter and there is nothing I can do to change my family history. I can continue on a heart healthy diet, see my doctors, and do what I am told, all will help, but little else will without the elimination of stress issues and this don't even touch things like still having to wait on Sedgwick County to take the criminal action against the contractors that put my family literally through hell in my wife's last days on this earth.

Here is what I want to say, if you have any symptoms, fall into any of the above categories, take your health seriously. Sometimes people don't think I do, it frustrates me, because those who know me know how much I do. I go to doctors every three months or as I need and more. Yes I can be stubborn but I don’t' like insinuations that I am stupid. When a cardiologist says it is a "miracle" I'm alive, I understand doctors use that word with extreme rarity.

If or when I die, one of the things I want people to say about me is that I cared about others because I do. I know what God has done for me and if He would do it for me He will do it for you. I want people to know I love Jesus who has commanded me to love others unconditionally and to love Him with my all. It's simple, I care for you.

I beg, I implore you, keep up with your health, see your doctors, don't take any symptoms lightly, I'll be honest I did, after all, "heartburn," thankfully my friend Pam who I have written about before got on me and made me promise to see a doctor. Sometimes, it takes the actions of others to push us to the place we need to be.

I post this not for sympathy, but as a way to say, stay on top of your own health. I say that, well, I say that because I care for you. The last thing I need is the stress and pain of losing another friend. I've experienced that way too much in 2020. God let 2021 be a better year, if not, let us at least learn to love each other more.

https://thevirtualpew.blogspot.com/2020/11/not-so-happy-holidays.html

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Friday, November 27, 2020

Not So Happy Holidays

Yesterdays Thanksgiving Day for my family was a first, the first time we faced Thanksgiving without my wife Mary Jane also a mother and grandmother. While our family is small, only 2 children and 2 grandchildren, the day was tough. It is a journey we will all face someday minus the tragedy of loosing our own lives and being the first to go.

Mary Jane Erwin Furches was a loving wife and mother. Many know our journey though the journaling I did on Facebook and the public way we lived our lives. We lived it publicly for most of our lives, not to impress but to hopefully inspire. In that capacity, few inspired as much, in their own silent way as did Mary Jane. She was literally the glue that held our family together. She was the epitome of how to love.

Scrolling through FaceBook this morning, I realized there are many families that know what I'm talking about. While the holidays for many are a time of joy and memories, it is also a time of reflection and sadness for those who are no longer around. In these moments many of us have come to realize, Thanksgiving is about more than a big meal and Christmas is about much more than presents under the tree. We understand that with loss, memories play much more of a role in our joy and happiness than the things, be they food or gifts ever were.

This holiday season, I'll be honest, I don't want to decorate the house and you have to know how much our family celebrated the holidays, but I think I have to try and muster the strength to do it. I haven't even taken down the Christmas tree from last year because Mary Jane put a few decorations on the tree and she loved Christmas so much that I just can't bring myself to do it. Not just for me, but for many, the holidays, especially those first ones without a loved one are a struggle.

Next up is Christmas and while Mary Jane went to dance with Jesus on December 22, we had a Christmas celebration with her the day she died. She saw the grandkids open some presents, told them Merry Christmas and that she loved them a few hours before dying. She saw her children before laying down, falling asleep with me next to her and going to be with Jesus. In many ways this December 22 and ultimately Christmas will be the first without her. I already find myself shedding tears thinking about that and I know there are many others who can relate.

I have heard these stories for most of my life, you know, how the holidays are tough, but this is the first time experiencing it this close to home. For those blessed to have all of your family, enjoy, celebrate and cherish the time together. For the others, like us, on your first time, hang in there, let's be there for each other. I made a few phone calls yesterday, will make more today, but let's let each other know we are still loved by our friends and family that remain. For those who have been through the process for many years, I will say I cherish your wisdom and advice on how to endure because God knows, it sure is hard.

To each of you, blessings and the Happiest of Holidays possible.

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Friday, November 20, 2020

Daily Devotion, Matthew 13 Are You Telling Stories

Daily Devotional, Matthew 13
Are You Telling Stories?

I am only doing one chapter for the devotion today. It is a chapter I have studied and taught on for many years as I do movie reviews and write stories.

This chapter is filled with Jesus telling stories, stories that on the surface seem to have little or no spiritual relevance to the disciples, and those around him. Those hearing the stories didn't understand; why was Jesus telling stories? Was He just trying to entertain people or was there something to what He was saying? Jesus later takes His disciples to the side and explains things to them. Much of this applies to us if we get over the often times religious controls we like to place on ourselves and others.

In Biblical terminology, Jesus is using what are called parables/ One of the thing we don't understand in today's religious conversation is that parables, a story with underlying meaning, allegory as an example, can be used in various forms be it movies, books, and even video games among others. The key is not just what is entailed in the story, but how WE interpret the story. Did you get that, how we interpret a story is important.

A number of years ago, I wrote a short story called An Alaskan Affair. The story is available in the archives if people want to check it out, I'll tell you, I'm quite proud of that story and one of the reasons is the response I often get from others after they read it. It is an open ended story left open to interpretation. People ask about the ending. When they do I ask them what do they think the ending was about. They tell me and I tell them they are correct because the ending depends on the reader, the hearer. They often get confused but sometimes the author of a story is just trying to get people to think about certain concepts. That is what a parable is and although there may be an intent in what people think about that isn't always true. That is what Jesus is doing here, over and over.

There are questions I can draw from this reading and study, ones that while can be taken lightly, should also be taken seriously and be challenging for each of us. I'll be brief, but think about each of the following questions.

First, do you understand the people around you, be they Christians, non Christians, weak Christians and so forth? Do you understand their world, experiences or the things that are a part of who they are? I have often said you can tell a real friend because they will know how you drink your coffee, assuming you drink coffee. They know your details, your experiences. When communicating with others and trying to encourage spiritual growth or acceptance, you need to know the person you are speaking to, whether they be individuals or an audience. If I am speaking to a group of fishermen, I better have some understanding of fishing or at the very least make the effort to know something. Then I can speak about something they will understand and relate to.

Second, do you limit where and how your stories can be told. My experience, especially since doing reviews since 1978 is that people like to limit the source of the story, especially if in a way they don't like, say horror. Some people love horror that aren't Christians, even a lot of Christians, yet, some are critical of those genres. I experience this in movies, writings and other ways. Yet, those kind of stories can still get through. Here is a point, if the television series South Park can have some spiritual truths in them, you can use those truths to point to the ultimate truth. We see Jesus doing something similar here and the Apostle Paul later on in another book addresses this concept spot on.

Another question is are you at the place where you can see and recognize spiritual truths in stories to share with others? There are definitely times this is true of all of us because we may not be familiar with the genera or concepts within a story. This is why Jesus takes the disciples aside and tells them the meaning of the stories, He is teaching His followers how to listen and how to use story. Sometimes we are so caught up in ourselves or the things around us that we don't take the time to listen, think about, and apply how we use story to communicate to others. For some, if it isn't loaded with what some call Christianeze, (language only Christians understand) then it isn't appropriate. From the Thee's and Thous to the words we think everyone understands like Lordship, Anointed, Sanctified, and I could go on and on. Jesus does something remarkable here, He is teaching His disciples the concepts on how to speak in the language of the people in a way they will understand. Are we at the place where we can do that?

This passage deals with story, how to tell them, how to hear them what they are for and so much more. Maybe, just maybe we should start learning to be like Jesus. Think about it, this passage goes so far as to say, "He NEVER taught them anything without first telling them stories." Hmmm, wonder how we could apply that in our lives with those we love that need to grow in the faith or for the first time discover faith in Jesus?

To see this post in it's original setting, along with information on how to support The Virtual Pew, click on the link in the comments. of who is his mother and father, and the importance of obeying.

To see the post in it's original form, and to support The Virtual Pew, click on the link in the comments.

To see Matthew 13 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13&version=CEV

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Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Daily Devotional Matthew 11, 12 Jesus Challenges the Norm of Religion and Government

Daily Devotional, Matthew 11, 12
Jesus Challenges the Norm of Religion and Government

Jesus said of John the Baptist (His cousin,) that he was the greatest of all who had come before Him. Yet, we don't really read much about John. There are things we can learn if we read between the lines.

This chapter starts with John in prison, asking questions about Jesus. He asks his disciples, followers, to go ask Jesus if He is the Messiah promised in scripture.

Jesus knows John's situation but does nothing to change the situation although He could have. Sometimes the truth is, not only does it rain on the just and unjust, but sometimes, bad things happen to good people, like John.

Jesus speaks to those gathered around who have just seen the conversations take place between Him and John's followers. He does something rather remarkable, He praises John but in His praise of John He also praises the reality that John was among the least of these. John didn't dress like, act like someone in authority. Jesus tells those around Him that John was the one God chose to prepare the way of the of the Messiah and that none were greater than John among those born on earth.

Praise, recognition, worth, are not always based on material things. John certainly had none of those but the spirit of his heart spoke to the truth to the need of redemption and salvation as well as his willingness to live among the least of these. A concept we read about later on in Matthew. If this chapter does not play havoc with the thoughts of some in the prosperity name it claim it area of "christianity," we clearly see they are not reading and taking to heart the words of Jesus here.

For the remainder of the chapter Jesus does what I call, complicate things, especially in a time and era where we seem today to blend nationalism and faith with some going so far as preaching a gospel that promotes health and wealth. There are those who would deny God's judgment and condemnation for those who refuse to listen to the message. One may not like the message but that doesn't change the message unless we put words and intent into Jesus own words and actions, If we're doing that we are making ourselves the savior as opposed to listening to the Savior.

Jesus gives the warning for not listening to His teachings here. There are consequences to pay that He says will make Sodom and Gomorrah look tame. It doesn't stop there, there is also praise and recognition to those who do listen. There is relief, salvation, and one who will help us carry on the burden's that life throws our way.

In Chapter 12 we see a new direction. The first part of the passage has Jesus and His disciples picking grain and then eating it in the temple. The Pharisees confront Jesus about this and He speaks to the intent of the law as opposed to the letter of the law. He emphasizes the importance of treating others with compassion. This continues through the chapter. Jesus shows mercy and love be it a healing, eating, whatever. The religious leaders try to nail Jesus down for not practicing the faith as they thought it should be practiced. They have more of a focus on the law as opposed to the needs of the people. Even today, we see this in our world, in my country, the USA, where many people find reasons to not show compassion for those suffering from this terrible virus, Covid-19. We see it in their constant attempts, just like we do the Pharisees who look at the concepts of the law, as opposed to the needs and compassion of the people. The Pharisees didn't like being challenged and for the first time we see their plan start to take place; find a way to kill Jesus. It wasn't just Jesus they wanted to kill though, it was the things He taught, mainly, caring for, loving and showing compassion to others over the importance of the law, or their political beliefs. Does our faith model and represent those ideologies?

Jesus left that place aware of the efforts of the Pharisees, yet, He knew He had work to do and went about showing compassion and love. We see here the references to the prophesy of the Messiah in the book Isaiah in the Old Testament that speaks specifically of how the Messiagh will be different, especially in the following verses quoting Isaiah starting with verse 18.

“Here is my chosen servant!
I love him,
    and he pleases me.
I will give him my Spirit,
and he will bring justice
    to the nations.
¹⁹He won’t shout or yell
    or call out in the streets.
²⁰He won’t break off a bent reed
    or put out a dying flame,
but he will make sure
    that justice is done.
²¹All nations will place
    their hope in him.”

Jesus continues the miracles that show He is the Messiah. The Pharisees continue their attack on Jesus going so far as accusing Him of being the Devil. Jesus responds in ways that puts them in their place, using reasoning and logic. He also attacks their intentions.

Jesus goes on to address the ways we can tell those who are and are not of God. You tell it by inspecting their fruit, in other words, what are their results? Who are they reaching? Who are they saying Jesus is? Do they promote the Kingdom of God? These ideas and more are the things Jesus starts to emphasize. He also addresses the attitudes of their hearts. Are their concerns more about the law, rules and so forth? We are supposed to show love and compassion the way John the Baptist did. In their attempts trick Jesus, He tells them the story of Jonah, in reference to how He will be in the grave for 3 days and then return. He also tells them that because they are evil, they won't understand or accept Him.

The next part of this passage is troubling and is often taken out of context. Jesus tells of the need to search for and fill ourselves with truth, not misperceptions. While demons are the analogy He is using, I believe Jesus is speaking about much more than that. We have to be on the search to not just understand and formulate our ideas but to do so with truth as opposed to perceptions. If we fill our minds with falsehoods those falsehoods only create more falsehoods. It won't take long before a false narrative takes over our minds and we will have to do a total cleansing to replace all of falsehoods. I believe Jesus is saying, truth is from God, fill it with the things and ways of God. Remember, Jesus just finished talking about and showing the importance of compassion with the attitudes and ways of John the Baptist.

The chapter concludes with the popular story of Jesus mother, Mary and family wanting to talk to Jesus while He is doing this teaching. I recognize there are many different ways to interpret Jesus words as to who His brothers and sisters are. Yes, Jesus says this, but I think it's because of the importance He wants to place on actually being there for our real brothers and sisters in the faith. This is how we show real compassion. Are we there? Do we show love, or, do we make excuses?

To see this post in it's original setting, along with information on how to support The Virtual Pew, click on the link in the comments. of who is his mother and father, and the importance of obeying. To see Matthew 11, 12 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%2C+12&version=CEV

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