Funkyjimmer's Blog

Friday, July 29, 2005

THOUGHTS ON A BOOK WE ARE READING

Karon and I have begun to read the book together, “The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience”, by Ronald J. Sider. (Actually, I’m reading the book to Karon.) Karon selected this book from one of her book clubs and thought we should read it together.

The purpose of the book, as stated by its author, is to address the question, “Why are Christians living just like the rest of the world?”

The book seems to be a disturbing but accurate indictment on what the church has NOT done as much as it is an indictment on what it has done.

The first chapter discusses the church’s attitudes and inactivity in the areas of divorce, materialism and the poor, sexual disobedience, racism and physical abuse in marriage.

Quoting the summary given at the end of the first chapter is the best way I can communicate the scope of the book:

“To say there is a crisis of disobedience in the evangelical
world today is to dangerously understate the problem. Born-
again Christians divorce at about the same rate as everyone
else. Self-centered materialism is seducing evangelicals and
rapidly destroying our earlier, slightly more generous giving.
Only 6 percent of born-again Christians tithe. Born-again
Christians justify and engage in sexual promiscuity (both
premarital sex and adultery) at astonishing rates. Racism
and perhaps physical abuse of wives seem to be worse in
evangelical circles than elsewhere. This is scandalous
behavior for people who claim to be born-again by the Holy
Spirit and to enjoy the very presence of the Risen Lord in their
lives.”

The book then discusses this theme under chapter headings of: The Biblical Vision; Cheap Grace vs. the Whole Gospel; Conforming to Culture or being the Church and Rays of Hope.

I think it will be a very interesting, although very disturbing, book. I am looking forward to delving into it. The book gives a lot of findings of Pollster George Barna. I respect Barna’s polling methods and conclusions very much. Though they are most disturbing I think they are an accurate reflection of what is going on in our country religiously at this time.

But I want to also share a comment that a member of our little church made the other day when she was visiting in our home. I am not going to report the conversation verbatim. And the context was different than the book’s theme. But her comment “squares” with what the book has said so far.

She said, “The Christian Church is so weak in teaching Bible knowledge. In my background as a “__________”, we had to learn the Bible whether we wanted to or not. And that Bible knowledge made a difference in the way I live today. It seems like in the church today Bible teaching is almost non-existent.”

I hate what she said but had to admit she is right. And that’s what Sider is saying in his book. Because we haven’t emphasized and insisted on teaching and living by the Biblical principles, we’re in the “fix” we’re in today.

Enough of the rant. Maybe further reading of the book will produce other Posts in this Journal. Hopefully they’ll be more than just rants.

Jim

posted by jim 4:10 PM 1 comments

SIMPLE ISN'T ALWAYS SIMPLE

For those who regularly follow this journal, Karon stayed home from work today! It wasn't that she was necessarily being sensible! It was necessitated by the pain. The surgical procedure she had performed yesterday was supposed to be simple. I guess it was simple for the doctor. But we weren't prepared for the amount of pain associated with the procedure. So she's home, at least for the morning. That's a good thing.

The doctor did tell me that he had difficulty locating the vein in which to place the portacath. That probably accounts for the additional amount of pain beyond what is normally experienced with this type of a surgical procedure.

There you have it.

Karon and I are reading a book together. We're not finished with it but already I want to post an entry about it. The book title is, "The Scandal of the Evangellical Conscience." Look for my Post very soon.

And thanks again to all you faithful readers of this thing called a Blog, or Journal, or whatever it's called, for your love, prayers and continued concern for us.

Jim

posted by jim 9:50 AM 4 comments

Thursday, July 28, 2005

SO YOU'LL KNOW (For those who want to know)

Karon and I are home from the surgery center. All went well. They said I did fine. (hehe). After having eaten a bowl of cereal, she is in her chair sleeping right now. She's very sore but that's to be expected for awhile.

The doctor said she should take it easy today and tomorrow. Karon insists she's going to work tomorrow. I'm agreeing with the doctor. Guess who will win?!?!

We were treated very well at the Surgery Center. No complaints and nothing out of the ordinary to report.

We thank you for standing with us in prayer.

Jim

posted by jim 11:40 AM 3 comments

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW

After Karon's unexpected trip to the hospital last weekend we wondered if the surgery scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, July 28th) would occur. But the blood work done this afternoon at the Oncology Center showed the counts, though low, were near enough to the normal range to allow surgery.

They are going to "install" a "Port" into a major vein so they won't have to keep "poking" Karon to get blood and to give the many infusions her chemotherapy and other intravenous treatments continually require.

It is an outpatient procedure with (hopefully, prayerfully) no complications. We should be home by noon. The plan is to get her settled in at the house and I will go to work. But we'll see.

We know we are prayed for and that is good. It is a comfort.

Someone told me one time that life is like an elevator, one long series of ups and downs. In a previous Journal entry quite a long time ago I wrote about the "Hairballs of Life". They occur frequently! *Sigh*

But then some contact in some form or other from a friend (or from more than one) gives a definite lift and brings great joy.

The writer of Proverbs had it right (25:25): "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news form a distant land."

I have been given several "cups" of cold water lately. "Distant land" can have many interpretations! One of my "cups of cold water" came from a good friend right here in Indy. He has been a good friend for several years. And some of my words of encouragement have come from Canada, from Louisiana, from North Carolina. And so it goes. God is good, all the time. "Thank you, God. Thank you, friends."

Jim

posted by jim 5:10 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

A LOT HAS HAPPENED

It has been a week since I posted. A lot has happened. My problem is that I don't really know how much anyone would be interested in what has happened. But in summary....

I have heard from my good friend, Thames. He's having a real "adventure" in his travels. Not all is going smoothly for him, but all in all, it is good. I still miss him so much. And I am still so very thankful he came my way. This is a real "faith issue" for me because I can't do anything but pray for him and his safety. I can't even know on a regular basis how he is. It is a good faith exercise though. I just have to "hand him over to God" to care for him. I just wish I could do more for him.

My dear wife, Karon, has been in and out of the hospital since my last post, though I did refer to it in the comment section. As was to be expected, her immune system was severely reduced as a side effect of the chemotherapy treatment. She had to go to the dentist to have a broken tooth and filling repaired and her teeth cleaned. I had forgotten that because of the chemo she should have taken an antibiotic before and after going to the dentist. Evidently when you get your teeth worked on, bacteria goes throughout your body. To a normal immune system it is no big deal. But her white blood cell count was almost zero so it was a "big deal". So we went to the emergency room Thursday night and after several hours there, they realized why she had such severe infection. They hospitalized her until Sunday afternoon and "pumped" antibiotic into her 24/7. By Sunday afternoon her counts were near enough to normal that she could be released. She feels really cruddy but is working most of each day.

We had a very successful Vacation Bible School at church last week and a good closing program Friday night. Sunday morning we had new people in service as a result of our VBS. So that is all good.

Things are good at church. We are trying to educate and prepare people to partner with one of our young people who is going to the Ukraine in January as a full time Christian worker in the church in Berdyansk. We hope our church will be able to commit to providing at least half of the young lady's monthly support needs. August 7th we make our commitments. We'll see what happens.

We're trying to add on to our building. Oh what a miserable process that is. It is no one's fault. That's just the way it is. Lots of tough decisions to make. Thankfully our church is united and we patiently struggle together to learn God's Will in the matter.

During August I'm taking my annual Study Leave given by the church. I'll speak at church August 7th because that's our big Sunday--commitment Sunday for the mission work, fellowship dinner and quarterly congregation meeting. Then I'll be out of the pulpit until September 11th. I'll be working on a lot of things--fall and winter teaching and various other things.

Work at my week-day job is great. I am so thankful for it. God is good. Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of that.

More later.

Jim

posted by jim 8:30 AM 5 comments

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

EMPTY, EMPTY

I have returned home from work. The driveway is empty -- no red Ford Escort parked there. Sadness has really gripped me then. I knew the house would also be empty. Not desolate, just empty. Karon is still at work but will be home soon.

But my dear friend is gone. He brought such joy and warmth and love to our house. His room is empty and my heart hurts. But I am so thankful for his visit. And he stayed with me far longer than I thought his difficult trip schedule would allow him.

I am so thankful for his visit. I am so thankful he would allow so much time for me. I miss him terribly and I'm nearer tears now than ever. But I won't cry because I am so thankful for his visit. I am so happy he came. And I remember the happiness he brought to me by being here. I'll hold on to that for a lifetime -- or until we can again visit in person.

We got to talk about a lot of things. But there were so many other things I wanted to talk about with my friend. Spiritual ideas; viewpoints on Scripture; political ideas--Llbertarian philosophy, our two-party system and other governmental forms.

That will have to wait until another time--or for email time.

I have to re-adjust to life as it was before my friend came. But it sure was good having him here.

Thank you, Thames.

Jim

posted by jim 5:15 PM 5 comments

Monday, July 18, 2005

DREAMS DO COME TRUE

I have a friend (well, hopefully I have many)! But one friend in particular lives a long way from me. Way out on the west coast of British Columbia. I consider him a very, very good friend. I put him in the category of one of my best friends.

He has been a trusted and valued friend for several years. Yet we had never visited one another except through the Internet. Our meeting and the development of our friendship is definitely a “God-thing”. How it occurred and developed is another story.

For several years I have had a dream about him visiting me. I thought it would never happen. In fact, I wrote a Journal entry that I never posted entitled, “A Dream That Will Never Come True”. And I didn’t think that it ever would.

But, Praise be to God, it has come true! Yes, my friend is visiting me. And he is able, in his very insane travel schedule, to spend some days with me. I am happier than I have been in years because he is here and we are able to share so many things.

Often, anticipated events do not measure up to our unrealistic expectations of them. Then when the longed-for events finally occur they are a huge disappointment. Not so with the visit of my friend!

I don’t know what it has been like from his perspective—and I’d never put him on the spot by asking. But for me the reality has exceeded the expectation. I am so thankful to my God. My friend and I have shared together in numerous ways. My life has been so blessed by him for these several recent years. And now I have been so blessed by his visit that words cannot come close to communicating my joy and gratitude—to God and to my friend.

I can only say, “Thanks be to God…” and thanks to my friend for this wonderful blessing.

Jim

posted by jim 6:17 PM 0 comments

"THE PAIN"

We have been back from vacation a week and a half. Things have been very busy on several fronts. It seems like it was eons ago since we were on vacation. Finally I think I am over my “Pain” from vacation. I promised to write about how I got it.

I have tried to think of some thrilling story account of how I got my severe back and leg pain that plagued me for about two weeks. Perhaps I could say that I rescued some beautiful girl from imminent danger by throwing myself in front of a speeding car thereby saving her life and resulting in me getting hit by the car. But that would be pure fabrication. I guess I have no alternative but to give you the real story.

Saturday July 2nd, (I think—either Friday or Saturday of that week) I was at my daughter’s apartment in Atlanta. Karon, my oldest daughter, LeDena and Anita were all in Anita’s front room visiting. I had excused myself to go to the bathroom. I took reading material and … well you can imagine the rest!

When I went to get up off the toilet stool, at “half-mast” I had a terrific pain on the lower right side of back. It was severe enough that I hollered and was immobile for a while. I thought at first I was going to be stuck in the “half mast” position indefinitely. Realizing that was not an option, I managed to straighten up enough to become decently clothed again and hobbled out to the front room where the rest of the family awaited an explanation for all the hollering and moaning coming from the bathroom!

Instead of being met with sympathetic “oohs and Ahs” as I would have liked, I was instead rewarded with gales of laughter. (So much for a sympathetic family, ready to obey my every command and do my every bidding!)

That pain continued for a number of days and as it persisted it moved around some from back to hip to leg, etc. I put stuff on the leg and took Ibuprofen and generally was miserable for about a week and a half.

It gradually got better until one day someone asked my how my back was getting along. And I realized I didn’t have it any more.

Good for me.

Jim

posted by jim 5:00 PM 0 comments

Friday, July 08, 2005

BACK FROM VACATION

I'm back and glad to be home and at work. We traveled over 1,600 miles. The rental car was a great idea and it all worked out well. We had a 2005 Pontiac Bonneville. It really fluctuated on mileage. On the road we got 28 MPG but in town one time we got 17 MPG. Our average MPG was 23+ MPG.

The trip was good. No accidents, no terrible delays--well, a few in Atlanta, but that is normal for Atlanta traffic! The weather was great.

Physically, it was hard on Karon. But she enjoyed herself anyway. It was just hard on her hip and leg. Even though we had the wheelchair we weren't able to use it a lot. We actually didn't use it at all at Convention. So she about lost her ability to walk. But with time and rest she should be okay. She's been working every day since we got back.

Me? Well, that's another story. I came back with mega-pain in my right hip and leg. But how I got it I'll save until my next post! I've got to think how to phrase the "incident"!

The North American Christian Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, was one of the best in years and years--at least in our opinion. The worship times and music were wonderful and the speakers kept to the theme and brought wonderful messages from God's Word. And they stuck to the Word with helpful insights--not a lot of "editorializing" or personal opinions.

I'll Post more later.

Jim

posted by jim 9:40 AM 0 comments