People have been saying it to me for years, “Are you mad? You look mad or upset about something.” Almost always I say, “No, I’m not mad, I just look this way.” But the truth is those who bear the burdens of care for others are often weighed down by that care. We don’t hate the burden. It is the price of love. You can not love your family and be blasé about circumstances that threaten it. You can not love your country and sit passively while it’s leaders enact policies that will harm it. You can not love the church and ignore the actions of ‘christians’ who betray the Lord who gave his life for it. You can not love God and wink at the things that are an offense to him.

My therapist friend would say this is my ‘black and white’ thinking. It creates problems for me. But the truth is that some things are black and white. Some things are wrong. Some things are bad. Strong feelings about negative things lead to an attitude and countenance that is stern or fierce. We do not look fierce out of deep anger, although anger sometimes is on the surface. The intense look and fierce demeanor are an expression of concern based on love.

I love with great passion; my family, the church, the Word, God the Father, Jesus the Son, God’s Spirit the Comforter, America, the Constitution, sports, classic Rock, Missouri, Mexican food and Mom’s banana pudding (and alliteration sometimes.)

When any of these things is maligned, compromised, betrayed, wrongly criticized, endangered or needlessly harmed, I am concerned and sometimes angry. Not because I hate, but because I love. It’s no fun to be frustrated. In the words of many moms I’ve heard, “Why do I care so much?” It’s because we love. Are there people who love just as passionately as the fierce people and yet have a joyful countenance and happy demeanor? Yes there are. So how do we become ‘happily concerned’ without looking fierce?

I don’t know.

It should be noted; not all fierce people are that way because they love. It’s not alright to beat your kids or your wife (or husband) and claim love is the motivation. We should not seek to justify bad behavior by saying that love is the motivation. I want to be known as a happy and loving person. I’m trying to do better. I fail at it a lot. But I wont accept the tag of being a hater or a horses a** because of stands I take or even fierce comments. I may say the wrong thing, but my motivation and concerns are noble at the core. Those of us who are sometimes misunderstood appreciate the people who believe in us even when we are fierce or not living in one of our better moments with the face of a cherub.

telemicus out

People say it so often it’s become cliché—“I’m blessed.” I’ve heard it from athletes, movies stars, casual acquaintances and friends. It’s good to say it and to recognize that God is the source of all good things. However, for myself, I don’t use the phrase often. So as I consider the remarks I’m about to share I don’t say these words without a good deal of thought. I have really great parents. But as I grew up in Kirksville, Missouri I became friends with Keith and Rick Louder. They shared their parents with me and as they grew, their younger brothers, Scott and Corey also became very good friends. I have a second family and my other mom and dad celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary last weekend. I am blessed.

Everything I know about Janet and Larry Louder I know in the context of family and church. They have both served since the time that we met with selfless devotion. I remember mom as the cook at summer camp. She prepared great food and though I was a kid, I noted that this was no typical camp grub we were consuming . . . it was pure greatness. Larry was the camp ‘gofer’ back in those days. (I think he even had a shirt that said “GOFER” on the back.) He served in every area that you can imagine. One summer my car broke down and he and Glen Browning worked on it for many hours over several days while I enjoyed being at camp. Larry is one of the sweetest, gentlest men I’ve ever known.

A few years back they purchased an old house in Greentop, Mo. and remodeled it. The finished product was beautiful. It was very much a dream house, yet they sold it and moved back to town in order to be able to serve the kids at church more effectively. Dad was an auto body repairman when we met. Mom had the guys still at home of course. Later on, Dad moved to remodeling of houses and building things. Every time I’m home he takes me out to shop and shows me what he’s working on. He just finished a project building new bunk beds for the youth camp. Mom eventually went to work for the medical college. She is now semi-retired I guess we would say. She has skills in many areas; cooking, sewing, serving big groups, saving money. She knows more tricks for fixing things than a handy man. She seems never to get frazzled.

Dad is serving the church as an elder. They are still helping in all the ways they can. I watched them mature as Christians too. They’ve learned new ideas and embraced new concepts of spiritual life that impress me as a hunger for God. They have over the years that I’ve known them, served in more ways than I can ever explain. Their example has been one of frugality, generosity, service, kindness and love. They have reproved, re-directed and nudged me in positive ways. They shared their lives and they treat my family as their own. Even my kids call mom, Grandma Janet. Caleb said she was the “coolest old person he ever met.”

The Old Books says, “Give everyone what you owe him: … if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (Romans 13:7). I certainly owe the Louders respect, and I wish to honor them for their service to God prompted by love and for the love and kindness to a teenage boy of whom I was one of many drawn into their lives by the exceptional people they are. I call them, my other mom and dad—and I am blessed.

telemicus out

Why must we protect people from the truth? We are taught that truth can be hurtful and I suppose that is so. But you know what; sometimes those jeans do make them look fat. My son played flag football for several years but they didn’t keep score cause they didn’t want someone to lose. Everyday, people lose. It’s part of life. Our kids need to learn to be gracious in victory and defeat. Sometimes the food tastes bad—don’t eat it. Sometimes behavior is not simply

I’m not calling for people to be rude. We need to stop being so courteous that we protect peoples little feelings from the truth that should be faced. If you want the truth to be different, change it! Yes, you can change certain elements of truth. It might be true that you’re out of gas… so stop at Wal-Mart and buy some gas. You just changed your truth on that subject. If your out of shape, start working out. Get it back and change your truth on that issue. If you’re a jerk, get some help to be a better person and change that truth about you.

Franklin Graham is a good and honorable man. He serves in ministry and blesses people all over the world. After being invited by the Pentagon to speak on the National Day of Prayer, someone protested remarks he made about Islam and that invitation was pulled. His remarks were not complimentary, but they were true. He spoke about the abusive treatment of women that this religion practices. It is true. He spoke about the violence it propagates. It is true. He spoke about their need for Christ. It is true.

But in the name of political correctness (or cowardice) the Pentagon bows to the whiners and refuses the ministry of this good man. It’s an outrage. This was the problem when the Muslim soldier, Hasan shot up Fort Hood last year. They knew what he was, but for the sake of not upsetting the Muslims, they refused to deal with it. Thirteen people are dead as a result of their cowardice.

What needs to happen is that people who are Muslim need to stand up and speak out about what is wrong in the practice of this religion. But their leaders don’t do this. They don’t lead the way, they hide. Why, because if you go against these so-called leaders, they might come after you. Right now most of the Christian world is standing against a group of people from the Westboro Baptist Church. Their actions are despicable. And all of Christendom stands against them. When will the Muslims start changing their tone. When will they change their ways.

It’s time that we started calling it like it is. Franklin Graham is right. The Pentagon is wrong.

telemicus out

Last night, watching T.V. there was a scene in which an older man pleads the case of a group of people to allow them to hold on to life and dignity. His impassioned plea persuades the authorities. Later on the man’s son says, “You did a good thing back there. You didn’t have to, and a lot of people wouldn’t have done it. I am proud of you.” At this, a mist forms in the old man’s eyes and in trembling voice he says, “I appreciate that you see me that way.”

We sometimes discount the good we do and the good that we affect because we know ‘the real’ person that we are. We know the struggles, sins, failures and even dark emotions that, though very real, never draw a breath beyond the basement of our souls. But when we choose what is good, when we stand up for the oppressed, when we speak for those who have no voice—it is good. And when we do what is good, it pleases our Master.

The Old Book tells us “… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38). When we do good in the world we are, in some small way, being like Him. And don’t tell me that doing good ‘in some small way’ isn’t enough. The story of Telemicus is about changing the world by doing good in a seemingly small way. Jesus said giving a cup of water in His name isn’t overlooked.

The point Id like to make here is this. The old man appreciated that someone saw his good act and said so. If you see someone do good, tell them. Tell your dad that you’re proud of him for being a stand up guy. Tell your mom that her patience is impressive. Tell your kids that you love their integrity. Let your friend know that you value their faithfulness. They will appreciate that you see them that way.

telemicus out

On Friday, January 1^st, a good friend passed from death to life. Andrea Canady battled leukemia for 23 months. During that time, she prevailed for several months. However, as if summoning reinforcements from hell, the cancer returned with a vengeance. I wish I would have known Andrea better. I’ve worked for her husband Mack twice in my career—when I was very new to the industry and for the last almost seven years. He really taught me the business and still teaches me today. The lessons of late are more about life than about drafting.

I’ve known the Canady family since 1983. Their kids, Andy and Heather, I knew when they were little. Now they have children of their own. Throughout the years, Andrea always supported and loved Mack, tempered him when he was fierce about something, gave wise godly counsel and seemed always to have a sweet sweet spirit. When she was going through treatments and would stop by the office, she always stopped and expressed her trust in God. My wife had a recurrence of a blood disease the same week that Andrea received her diagnosis of leukemia. Even while sick, Andrea always asked how Rhonda was doing.

Mack has been a good friend and mentor to me for many years. When his son Andy and I were both working for him and involved in ministry efforts at our churches, he always allowed us the flexibility to do both – even when it was not convenient or profitable to him. Going through this time dealing with Andrea’s illness, Mack never complained. When he talked, he has been open about his fear and his anger but without bitterness. I’ve seen in him a steadiness and faithfulness that is noble. That spirit doesn’t come from our nature it comes from God.

These articles that I post are primarily to point out that a person of noble character can make a difference in the world. In many ways, Mack and Andrea are one person and their character is noble. They certainly have made a difference in my life. I’m not sure how it happens on the other side of this life. But when she walked through the gates of heaven and met those who were waiting for her, I expect that somewhere in the background the angels were singing and the sweet sweet spirit of Andrea Kidd Canady was home.

telemicus out

Note: There will be a memorial service for Andrea at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday January 9^th at First Baptist Church in Rockwall.

One of my mentors is a fellow named Jim McGuiggan. He is a minister who knows suffering and yet he says often, “Think noble things of God.” His web site is on my Blog Roll, you should visit there – he’s far deeper than I am.

It’s easy to blame God.

When things don’t work out in our favor, when the diagnosis is bad, when our kids don’t get well, when we don’t get the job, when our cause doesn’t triumph, when our team doesn’t win, it’s easy to blame Him. It’s not that it’s his fault… it’s that He could have done ‘something’ and He just didn’t want to. We sometimes temper our anger by the fear that He could choose to make our lives worse. We suffer the injustice and like a child who sticks her tongue out once the bedroom door is closed, our frustration bubbles beneath the surface. We think bad of God.

One of the things that Jim taught me is from Job 4:17. Job is suffering and believes it to be unjust. His friend Eliphaz shows up and says this, “Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?” You see it’s easy to blame God or to question His goodness, but when we do this, we make ourselves out to be more righteous and more pure than He is. And we know that can’t be right. So our frustration and anger continue to percolate under the surface of our hearts.

Children can not know the hurt of a parent who makes choices that will bring pain into their lives. They don’t have the perspective of time or experience. Yet we say ‘no’ sometimes; we discipline and sometimes punish. We delay and, on occasion even allow misery because even though we are flawed humans, we know what is best for our children. We do love them. God has a perspective that is eternal while ours is temporal. He perfect in love, we are flawed in love. He is full of wisdom, while ours is spotty at best. He is altogether Holy and we are holy only in Him. We can’t know, see or imagine the love that drives Him.

The Old Book says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9). If ever a man was good, God is better. If we were ever patient, He is more so. If we can forgive an offense, He forgives more of them and more often. We get frustrated by His answers, or lack of answers, in about three questions. Yet he answers, forgives, disciplines, praises and blesses us countless times always in perfect love… even when it hurts us. Please watch this video and remember… Think noble things of God.

telemicus out

Do you remember the children’s nursery rhyme that starts with, “Sticks and stones may break my bones…?” What you soon learn about that rhyme is that it isn’t true. Words can hurt and they often do.

They are the wicked lashes of whips that rip the flesh from our emotional backs and leave us scarred for life. They form chains that bind us down and hold us captive to accusations and lies. Because of them, we construct prison walls to keep us safely out of reach from people for our protection. We gather them up and build our own arsenal of verbal weaponry to use on any who we feel threaten us. Words most certainly can hurt you.

This is why James wrote, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” (2:12). The law that gives freedom is the law of love. Love demands that our words be gentle and kind. Love desires that our words and actions be compassionate and merciful. Of course, those who know me are screaming, “How can you say such things? You spout unkind, fierce, rude, judgmental political comments all the time.” I have to say this is sometimes true.

However, when I rail politically, it is generally not personal, but rather ideologically. For example, when I hate on the New York Yankees, it’s not personal, I don’t know any of them. But I hate what they represent in my world, from my own point of view. I am not trying to win converts to my side on these things, I’m cheering my own team. A cheerleader at a ballgame is not there to convince the opponents fans to change allegiance. Cheering our side inspires. I want people who agree with me to make some noise!

I have a couple of friends who are strongly in the camp of the political opposition from my own. Though they disagree with me, argue and challenge me, we do not attack each other personally. Mike and Bruce are good people who think different than I at times, that doesn’t make them Philistines. I don’t treat them, nor do they treat me, with disrespect.

Love calls us to realize that our words and actions will be judged by our own hearts and by the hearts of those who hear our words and receive our actions. Remember that love judges both our words and our actions. I hope I do better this week than last.

telemicus out

Last week the family sat down together and watched The Tale of Despereaux. It’s a great story. I love this mouse. He has so many traits that I lack and hope to develop in my warped little soul. He is gentle, kind, chivalric, brave, smart, selfless and noble. I’m not saying that I’m none of those things, but I guess I’m not enough of those things.

Despereaux is born with a different heart than other mice. He lives life on the edge. He enjoys stealing cheese from mouse traps. He is un-self conscious. When he meets Princess Pea, she asks,

“Are you a rat?”

“No!” he replied.

“Well are you a mouse?”

He blinks and declares, “I’m a gentleman.”

When his parents sent him off to school, the teacher flashed a picture of a carving knife and the entire class cowered, but not Despereaux. The teacher said,

“You didn’t cower.”

“It looks like a sword.”

“It’s a carving knife.”

“It’s beautiful!”

The Principal called Despereaux’s parents in for a conference. He told them, “He wouldn’t cower. Wouldn’t cower, wouldn’t scurry . . . He drew pictures of cats in his notebook.” Eventually, because Despereaux will not conform, he is banished to the dungeon. There’s an interesting line in the written version of this tale, “Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.”

You see this is truly the nature of life. If you will not conform, you will be an outcast. If you don’t think what others want you to think, fear what others think you should fear, if you live in freedom when others embrace bondage, because it is the safe way to live; if you wont accept the “cats” that are in the world and go along with their tyranny—you my friend are in for a very interesting fate indeed; sometimes involving rats!

I wont tell you the story or how it ends, I encourage you to watch the movie (or better yet, read the book.) Become in your own little soul, like Despereaux. Be a gentle person, brave and noble, don’t ever cower and watch out for the rats!

telemicus out

The boldness of righteousness intrigues me. I don’t mean the morally faultless; I mean the pure of heart. I’m amazed at the way God treats boldness in his servants. Abraham recognized it was a bold move to bargain with the Lord for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The prophet Jonah, when asked by the Lord, “Do you have a right to be angry?” shot back, “I do! I am angry enough to die!” Very bold. David, spoke boldly of his own righteousness and called on God to do all manner of harm to his enemies. Beyond that, he boldly declares his trust in the Lord to support him against his enemies. Fascinating.

Let’s consider two aspects of this, the boldness of righteousness and boldness in approaching God. In recent weeks, Miss California captured more than her fifteen minutes of fame because she answered a loaded question from an agenda driven miscreant judge concerning gay marriage. Without prejudice, she said boldly that she believed in the traditional view of marriage. For her boldness, she is both honored and vilified.

Being bold is not being willing to argue with everyone we meet about our view of righteousness. Boldness is being without fear when we face an enemy. It’s also standing firm when we are afraid. It is speaking the truth regardless of the consequence. It is walking with integrity of the soul that will not compromise our faith. It is standing with and defending the cause of the oppressed when we have no power to wield. It is confidence in cause over capability and it is risk with no certainty of reward.

In the Old Book David says, “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted” (Psalm 138:3). In the movie, Return of the King, as they made plans for a diversion to give Frodo a chance to complete his mission, Gimli said, “Certainty of death, small chance of success… What are we waiting for?”

The Lord makes us bold and stouthearted. To be honest, I’ve been more stout-headed than stouthearted in my life. I want to be bolder for the Lord—not in my convictions, but in my actions. I think we need more boldness for the cause of righteousness. I suppose we will need a greater hunger for it in our lives. Boldness is not arrogance or confidence in ourselves, boldness is a reckless confidence in the Lord and His Presence in our lives—“you made me bold and stouthearted” well then, what are we waiting for?

telemicus out

In a preview clip from the new Daniel Craig film DEFIANCE, there is a line that has sort of hung on to me since I saw it. The movie is the true story of four brothers who defied the Nazi army during World War II. The Bielski family live in the area called Belarus. When their parents and other family members are killed, Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) and his brothers hid in the forest.

In time, a small group of Jewish refugees joins them in hiding. This little band of resistors survives as best they can and the group continues to grow. The Bielski Partisans become a significant pain for the Nazi’s. The regime offered 100,000 Riechmarks for assistance in capturing Tuvia. The Bielski group lived in the forest for more than 2 years and at the end, the little group numbered more than 1200.

I want to take my son to see this film. He needs to hear the stories of those who stand against tyranny, oppression and hate. We live in a time when some people think that you can talk and reason with irrational hate filled people who have no agenda beyond the destruction of their enemies. The Bielski Partisans were lovers of freedom. They didn’t want to fight, but fight they did.

Caleb mentioned a few days ago, that he had a friend that was “anti-war”. I took the opportunity to explain that everyone should be anti-war. But there are times when wars must be fought. Evil exists and it doesn’t listen to reason and compromise. When a thing is evil, (racism, violence against innocence, lawlessness, etc.) then we must face it and defeat it. We cannot make deals with it.

So what was the great line that so grabbed me? Tuvia is addressing the people in the forest and he says to them. “Everyday that we live in freedom is an act of faith.” This is true in the political sense of course. But it is also true spiritually. The message of Christ and the gospel is a message of freedom.

The Old Book says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). He set us free from sin, death, self-justification, law and the judgment of others. Does sin still attack us, does death still claim our loved ones, do we still get caught up in “doing enough” to be worthy, do we still become rule focused, do others still try to convince us that we don’t measure up? Of course, but we are free from it all in Christ and he wants us to live free… Every day that we live in freedom is an act of faith.

telemicus out