The Daily Detour

Faith in action

What would you do if confronted by an intruder? Probably not what an elderly Virginia couple did when William Spencer broke into their home brandishing a loaded gun. Ultimately, Robert and Frances Belote escaped unharmed, but not before being tied up in the bathroom and having their lives threatened. But it was their actions, and specifically their hard-to-imagine interactions with the intruder, which have caught the attention of the country.

The Belotes are committed Christians. And it was their Christian faith which sustained them through the ordeal. As they described it later, despite their circumstances, "...God was here. We felt his presence, and it gave us peace, and we were able to be calm." More than that, because of their faith, they began to talk to Spencer about religious issues while he was barricaded in their home with the police closing in outside. At one point during the standoff, Frances Belote even served him some food and drink. And it was their compassion toward Spencer which facilitated his willingness to eventually surrender to the police. Even before being arrested, he gave the couple $140 from his pocket (which they turned over to the police).

There are those, many of whom do not actually understand the true nature of Christian faith, who see it as nothing more than a crutch for the naive and rejectors of reason. But the truth is, real faith, as demonstrated by the Belotes, is not hastily manufactured when life's crises are thrust upon us. On the contrary, it is built over a lifetime of reasoned decisions to trust God no matter what, and the continued confirmations from God as He works directly in the lives of the Christian faithful. As such, merely manifests itself when the moments of crisis come as a natural expression of that sustained development.

I saw this yesterday while attending the funeral ceremony of 22-year old Jerrod Taylor. He was the son of Jim and Sharon Taylor, the pastor at Grace Church in Mooresville where I grew up (and have spoken more recently). Tragically, Jerrod struggled with addiction issues, and it was his struggle with those demons to which he eventually succumbed last Saturday. As Pastor Jeff Faull pointed out during the funeral service, as much as Christians may wish it otherwise, tragedy strikes us all at one time or another, no matter the fervency of our faith. The key is how we respond to tragedy when it comes.

As I sat through the service, offered my condolences, and quietly watched the graveside ceremony, I kept thinking about my own children. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to bury a child. It is especially tragic because a child dying before his/her parents seems to go against the natural cycle of the human experience.

The faith of Jim and Sharon was evident throughout the morning. During the visitation and the funeral service, they greeted the over 1,000 mourners with grace and poise and a steadiness buoyed up by their strong faith in a sovereign God. Even as I assurred Jim that we have been, and will continue to be, praying for them during this difficult time, he said without hesitation, "We can feel everyone's prayers. Thank you." Based on the difficult times in my own life when I too have experienced God's undeniable presence, I know that God is indeed ministering to them during this excruciating experience. Even in the midst of unanswered questions and processing their grief, He is surrounding them with that peace which transcends understanding which He promises to give. And which the Belotes came to experience in a very tangible way when facing almost-certain death.

The tangible outworking of the Christian faith continues to confound many (which is partially why the reactions by the Belotes toward their intruder have so many people scratching their heads). And in those moments when all other hope has failed, I too am confounded at just exactly how God seems to step in and resolve the issues. He doesn't necessarily alleviate pain and suffering from the life of Christian. He never promised such immunity. But He does promise, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" even when we walk through "the valley of the shadow of death" (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 23:4). No matter how bad life gets sometimes, He is always there (even if we can't always see it).

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Taylor family. And we are reminded (as I was reminded the last time I had to be with a family through a drug overdose situation) how brief life is, and how important it is for us to savor the moments we share together. More than that, we are also reminded of the sustaining power of faith in God. And for those who question the validity of Christianity, that faith lived out will continue to confound. But it also provides a door of opportunity for those willing to explore it further.

Reflecting on the significance of the Tiananmen Square massacre

"One man with courage makes a majority," said former president Andrew Jackson. That idea was clearly illustrated in the Tiananmen Square demonstrations of 20 years ago this past week. And the man in question, "Tank Man", was forever immortalized for facing down a line of government tanks who had been sent to the square to quash the uprising of democratic dissidents. That iconic image became the defining moment of that day, symbolizing the clash between Democracy and Communism--freedom vs. tyranny.

As Chuck Colson points out in a recent Breakpoint commentary, Tiananmen Square illuminated the bankruptcy of communism. He quotes a Chinese pastor, Hong Yuijan, who brought a very interesting, first-hand persective to an audience at the National Presbyterian Church last Thursday evening. Yuijan said in his speech, "The massacre of ordinary people by the government fully exposed the barbarity of a totalitarian government under the rule of man.”

Pastor Yuijan went on to explain how the circumstances surrounding Tiananmen Square created the context through which the Chinese people began questioning the source of their oppression, solutions to that oppression, and the pursuit of truth. And that journey opened doors for the underground church to ministry to literally millions of people disaffected by Tiananmen Square. The Chinese people were ultimately provided the means through which to be exposed to the Truth of Jesus Christ.

There are a great many lessons to be learned from Tiananmen Square. First of all, we must not forget the importance of being willing to stand up in the face of tyrannical oppression as the "Tank Man" did. We never know when we may be called to face down impending evil.

Secondly, we must never take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy. As difficult as it is to comprehend in this perpetually digital age, a great many Chinese people have never even seen the famous picture of "Tank Man", because the communist government has attempted to crack down on any expressions of dissent against the standard party line. It is nearly unbelievable, but that is the reality that many people in the world face, as a whole array of despotic leaders have their way in the world.

Finally, it is imperative that we pay attention to the lessons of history--like the Tiananmen Square massacre--in order to keep from repeating them. Though we are theoretically aware of that caution against repitition, we seem to forget our history faster than we forget yesterday's news.

And on a more practical note, those of us who are inclined to pray can commit to praying for the persecuted people in places like China. Organizations like ChinaAid are working diligently to expose, encourage, and equip others in the fight on behalf of the persecuted in China. What are we doing to help? Are we "one man (or woman) with courage"? 

A thoughtful word for the next generation

I was made aware of this short video by one of our TDD readers which provides a very intriguing outlook at the future through the eyes of a young person. The accompanying description that was sent to me included the following:

This is very good - as you listen follow along with the words forward and backward...... Make sure you read as well as listen. This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20 year old. The contest was titled "u @ 50", by the AARP. This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause.  So simple and yet so brilliant. Take a minute and watch it.

There are some compelling issues raised in this video that are worth our consideration. Is the future predetermined? Or, do we have a say in what our future will look like? I'd like to believe the latter, but it's only possible if enough of us believe it too. 

Lost keys and lost pride

Why do I struggle with personal pride so much? No, not the kind of personal pride that comes from watching your oldest son graduate from kindergarten (as we did last Tuesday night). I'm talking about that pride that breeds from the fierce independent, "I can conquer life's problems on my own, thank you very much" stubborn mentality. The very kind of pride that reared its ugly head last Thursday.

Let me set the stage for you a little bit...

Tuesdays and Thursdays are my days to watch our four little Indians, so last Thursday Yours Truly was holding down the fort (and doing a fairly good job all things considered, I might add :). That was until we started prepping for the evening's hectic activities. I had a number of responsibilities that were pressing that night, including a leaders meeting for our upcoming Appalachian Trail trip in two weeks, my brother Ethan's birthday dinner (Happy Birthday again, Big E! Sorry I couldn't stay for the cake.), and the final night of taking our new Iraqi refugee friend to work (more on that very interesting experience in another post). With Jean being at work all day, I was planning to pick up Kara the babysitter at 5:00p.m., get her back to the house and settled in, and be off. But life, as is so often the case, got in the way once again.

The boys were sleeping, and Emma was sitting quite contently in her carseat baby carrier nursing 8 oz of milky elixer. She eventually drifted off to the Land of Nod. Then, as I looked over at her, I heard some "thunder from down under". But, given her state of peaceful bliss, I opted not to wake her in order to change her diaper. Big Mistake! :(

A little bit later as I was getting ready to go, I went to move her carseat and found a very unpleasant, thick brown puddle residing on the blue carpet. Somehow or another, her fecal rumblings had seeped out of her diaper and down through the surprisingly porous structure of her baby carrier. "Dude, this is not cool!", I thought. (If you'll remember, I'm not big on this kind of thing. For an entertaining refresher, feel free to go back and read about the infamous restaurant incident--which is worth reading the comment board alone, the Sunday morning sneak attack, and our most recent "Chicago fire" incident. Maybe God's trying to teach me something? I don't know... But I do know I'm about to give Mike Rowe a run for his money. :) I quickly got her out of the baby carrier to assess the damage. It was worse than I thought. So, after getting her cleaned up, I attempted as best I could to get the carpet cleaned up. The baby carrier was another matter. I was so revulsed by it all that I simply dragged it out to the garbage to rid myself of the whole mess (Fortunately, cooler heads have since prevailed, and after multiple rounds of soap, bleach, etc., the carrier is back in action--and cleaner than ever!)

In the midst of that fiasco, I climbed up to the attic to retrieve the other car seat that has lain dormat for quite some time. I was in the process of changing out the car seats in the van. Meanwhile, the clock is still ticking. And it was at that moment that the true reality of the situation sprung to my attention. My set of keys to our minivan were nowhere to be found.

After an initial frantic search, I quickly rushed into the boys rooms and unceremoniously roused them from their slumber, yelling, "Guys, you've gotta wake up and help Daddy find the keys!" They struggled out of their catatonic state, and to their credit, did their best to help me scour the premises. They had the sheer pleasure of dumping all of the toys out of the toy boxes in an attempt to sift for the lost keys. Then it was on to the couch, in which we found everything but the keys. After round 1, we went back over previously scoured territory (in that actually quite-ridiculous-waste-of-time based on the subconciously ill-reasoned assumption that "Maybe if I look under here again I'll be surprised to discover that the keys did indeed sprout legs and crawl under the sofa cushion in an attempt to hide from me." :) We looked everywhere, to no avail.

It didn't look like I was going to be able to make my meeting, my brother Ethan's birthday party, and maybe even picking up Wesam later that night. So, I got on the phone to call Kara, and ended up talking to her dad, John Tracey (husband of Caleb's phenomenal kindergarten teacher this past year, Mrs. Melissa Tracey). I quickly explained the situation, and before I could even catch my breath, he said, "Don't worry about it, I'll just bring Kara over. And you can borrow our car and get to all of the things you need to do tonight. We'll figure out how to make connections at the end of the evening. We'll be there in 25 minutes." Despite my feeble protests to the contrary, he insisted. And given the fact that I had actually run out of options, I relented (which is when God began working on my pride).

The Tracey family came over, and introduced me to "The Beretta". They seemed a bit self-conscious about the car, even though I tried to explain that they had never actually driven any of the Crane vehicles that we were subjected to growing up (Those of you who have known us forever know what I'm talking about, right? :) Driving the Beretta was like slipping into a Cadillace Escalade by comparison.

By evening's end, I had met every obligation, and Jean and I managed to get Kara (and The Beretta) home to the Traceys at the designated time. And despite our profound appreciation and repeated thanks to them for what they had done, they accepted it with a "Hey, no big deal!" acknowledgement.

As I drove home that night (and since then) I have reflected on the experience. On the one hand, my personal pride was standing in the way of allowing someone to do something nice for us in a time of relative crisis. Though I had run out of options, I still was more inclined to call and cancel my participation in the evening's events rather than accept help from someone else. And God used the Traceys (as he had repeatedly used many of you as well during this extended period in which I have been without full-time employment) to help blunt my pride. He has helped me recognize the value of interdependence among us human beings.

The other reminder that last Thursday's chaotic evening provided was the value of Christian community in particular. For you see, while we have gotten to know Mrs. Tracey quite well over the course of the year, I had only met her husband, John, once before. But though we both did not really know eachother, it was the kindred spirit of our Christian faith which fostered the kind of self-sacrificing friendship where previously none existed. If any of you Christians have ever been in a similar situation, you presumably know what I'm talking about. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have run into Christians here at home and abroad who, when it was discovered that we shared the Christian faith, instantly shared an inexplainable bond with me, and I with them.

And that is one of the valuable benefits of true Christian community--to be able to serve one another as if serving the Lord. This is the very picture we see of Christian community in Acts 2 where it says the believers "gave to anyone as he had need." It was a challenge again to me to work on receiving help from others, as well as, continuing to be intentional about providing such help for others whenever the opportunity arises. I'm a better person for Thursday night, despite the obstacles that needed to be overcome in the process.

UPDATE: We did eventually find the keys (right where I thought they might be--fallen out of my pocket in our other car). Thanks again to the Traceys for your last-minute, much-needed help. We really appreciated it! :)

A record-making marriage

A British couple recently celebrated their 81st wedding anniversay. That's right, Frank Milford (age 101) and his wife, Anita (age 100), were married May 26, 1928 (only 74 years before Yours Truly and my beloved :)!

What is particularly striking about the Milfords' accomplishment, beyond simply their respective ages, is just how rare such a feat actually is. Not simply because there is the rare couple who can say they've been married for 81 years, but more significantly, because in today's world a marriage of any real longevity is a rare occurrence itself. Certainly, there is a generational component to understanding the sustained commitments of yesteryear. Beyond that, however, our evolving culture has created a fast-food, microwavable expectation for people which has effected everything from communication efforts (i.e. anyone want to go back to dial-up?), governmental/political decision-making, buying a house, and even marriages. And lost in that evolution is the willingness (or even, the ability) to commit to something for the long-haul.

Yes, there are so many things that are faster. And the argument has always been that more efficiency and higher speed is intended to give up more time for focusing on those things of real substance in life. Ironically, real life never seems to translate into the more time we've been promised for so long. In all of this the question arises, "Are we better off because of this evolution away from long-term commitments to anything?" Maybe in some ways, but the argument can certainly be made that we have lost something of irrecoverable significance along the way.

Frank and Anita Milford have figured it out. As Frank said, "We're always here for each other. It is all about give and take on both sides. You need a happy outlook and to just get on with it. I don't know where the years have gone to. It's marvelous really." Indeed it is. So, what's their secret? The couple also credited "a little argument every day" for their long union. (Something we've figured out here at TDD long ago. :)  

Amazing Grace in troubled times

One of our readers sent along this video clip of IL DIVO singing an incredible rendition of "Amazing Grace" at the Colisseum in Rome, Italy. It is powerful and incredibly moving!

In these difficult days especially, it is good to remember that God is sufficient. His grace will carry us through whatever crises or challenges come our way. Watching this video again serves to encourage me anew toward that profound truth. I hope you find beauty, hope, and encouragement in this song today. God bless you all.

Keep on walking

This brief video documentary is inspiring! It follows the life and goal of D.J. Gregory, an avid golf enthusiast who was born with cerebral palsy. His love for sports (and for golf) propelled him beyond the limits of his own body. And in 2008, he began the journey to accomplish what no other golfer has done--walking every hole of every round during the entire 2008 PGA tour. For any able-bodied person, that task is daunting. But for someone who has difficulty walking period, the over 900 miles necessary to accomplish that goal seems virtually impossible.

D.J. Gregory's circumstances remind me of the previous post on Nick Vujicic. Both men have been dealt a life that would cause any lesser person to sink into the throes of despair. And yet, they have used their physical circumstances to not only challenge themselves to greater heights, but to inspire the rest of us in the process.

Take a few minutes to be inspired! And while you're at it, reflect on some goals you have in your own life. As D.J. reminds us, anything is possible is if you're willing to do it. Keep on walking!

UPDATE: Also, take a moment to read the comments associated with the video. This young man's life has help reshape the perspectives of so many. I hope his courage will do the same for you. It has for me.

Are you going to finish strong?

Each time I sit down to the computer to think about what might be of benefit to you all, sometimes the topics are difficult, sometimes they are easier to develop. And then there are times when I sit down with one intention until something else is thrust my way.

Today is one of those days. I had intended to go a different direction until my friend, Janie Goode, sent along this short video clip. It shows a few minutes of an inspirational talk given by Nick Vujicic, a man born without either arms or legs. This short clip within a longer talk is especially compelling as he challenges a group of students to never give up when they get knocked down. And his message translates far beyond his own physical limitations. In fact, for those of us who are currently walking a difficult path in life's journey these days, his challenge is a good reminder of the importance of perseverance. And beyond that, as bad as life can seem to get sometimes, his experience is a valuable reminder that there is so much with which we have been blessed, no matter our circumstances. So many things that we too often take for granted.

I'm reminded of the conclusion that the apostle Paul eventually comes to in his own, often very difficult, life. In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul writes,

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything though him who gives me strength.

Paul understood that true contentment is found in a dependence not on human effort or ambition, but rather, on God who has promised to provide for our needs. And it is this same unchanging truth that defines the life and ministry of Nick Vujicic. (I didn't know Nick's background until I did some exploring, but it turns out that he is a Christian who uses his disability to help people face life and come to grips with God's sovereignty. I would encourage you to check out his videos on YouTube. Also, his ministry, Life Without Limbs, provides a much more detailed picture into this remarkable man's life. His personal story is compelling as he describes not only the bullying he suffered growing up, but even his parents initial reaction to his birth. They shared an understandable lament that many people in similar circumstances have: "If God is a God of love, then why would He let something like this happen, and especially to committed Christians?")

I hope you are as inspired by Nick's unique perspective on life as I have been. (Thanks, Janie, for sending this along to me.) Absolutely incredible! It challenges me to come to grips with that fundamental question, "Are you going to finish strong?"

UPDATE: Gasmonso over at ReligousFreaks.com provides a very interesting perspective on Nick Vujicic. Though I would disagree with his presumptive explanation about what motivates Nick's life and mission, I appreciate his balanced assessment of Nick's circumstance. It is always interesting for me to hear from those who do not share my religious beliefs. The reactions by atheists and skeptics to someone like Nick is bound to create some very intriguing questions (many of the questions I also share). And for those of us who may wrestle with where God is in the midst of difficult circumstances, the questions raised by Nick's life are worth our earnest exploration.

Best birthday present ever!

No, this birthday present did not come in celebration of The Daily Detour's 2nd birthday. It was a birthday present for 6-year old Gabriel Hurles. While celebrating his birthday at school last Wednesday, he didn't noticed the large gift-wrapped box sitting there for him until someone brought it to his attention. He began opening the present and discovered an unbelievable surprise. "It's my dad," he exclaimed! (His father, U.S. Army Specialist Casey Hurles, just returned from Iraq last Tuesday and decided to surprise his son at school.)

That heart-warming story is a good reminder of how often we here at home take for granted the privilege we have to share birthdays and other holidays with our loved ones. And it is thanks to the sacrifices of so many who don't enjoy that same privilege. May we who sit safely within the confines of the security that our military provides us never forget those who provide it. It could be any one of us coming home from the battlefront to surprise our child on their birthday.

Hero on the Hudson

I'm sure by now you've heard the many reports about Thursday's crash landing of US Airways flight 1549 into the Hudson River in New York. There were 155 people on board when the plane plunged into the frigid waters and all of them were saved in what is being called "Miracle on the Hudson".

In a culture that is increasing resistant to the supernatural idea of "miracles" one cannot help but take notice when these kinds of phenomenal events occur. It's nice to see that they haven't gone completely out of vogue. :) But among other things, it is the man behind this averted tragedy that deserves special attention and genuine praise for his quick thinking and courageous actions in the midst of what was a potentially catastrophic event. By all acounts, the pilot, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III, is a genuine hero.

Those who know Mr. Sullenberger are not surprised by the demeanor and actions of this former Air Force fighter pilot. They've known all along what the rest of the country has just come to learn. In fact, the only communications from the cockpit as the plane went down was a calm command to the passengers to "Brace for impact". And even after all the passengers had been safely evacuated from the plane, he walked the aisle twice to ensure that every person had gotten out. These are the actions of a true hero.

In this age of celebrity and sports idolatry, we often attribute hero status to a multi-millionaire athlete who can put a small rubber ball into an iron hoop, or a Hollywood icon who is famous as much for being famous as for any personal courage and prowess.

On occasion, however, we witness true heroism as did on Thursday. Who can forget the courageous firemen who were laboring up the flights of stairs into the maw of the World Trade Center while everyone else was scurrying down to safety? Or the Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell, and his Navy Seal colleagues who sacrificed and survived (or in the case of his comrades, paid the ultimate price) against overwhelming odds? And certainly one cannot forget each of the men and women in our military who stand watch against the forces of evil in our world so that the rest of us can sit safely at our computers and blog about such stalwarts? As much as we enjoy sports or movies, it is these people, Sully Sullenberger among them, who are the real heroes. And particularly in today's climate with seemingly wave after wave of bad news, this one man's role in the "miracle on the Hudson" brings a glimmer of hope in the midst of the storm clouds on the horizon.

The world needs more people like Sulley Sullenberger, and yet, in so many ways, the world is full of such heroes. Not that we're all called to crash land a jetliner onto the Hudson River. But with the many challenges we're confronted with constantly, we are surrounded by everyday heroes. And what's more, we are called to be such heroes--to persevere against seemingly-insurmountable odds and to make the kind of self-sacrifices necessary to better the world around us. Are you a hero today?

UPDATE: Here is an interview with some of the survivors. More survivor stories. Also, here's some security video footage of the plane actually hitting the water and the aftermath.