Called or Crazy

Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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Labor Day.

I'm not sure what it means anymore.

I think it's a holiday from labor even as it's celebrated; or something like that.

Sounds kinda ironic/paradoxical/hypocritical; like a country that says you don't have to wear a helmet but gotta wear a seat belt or it's O.K. to slaughter the unborn but don't mess with the carp in Lake Erie or we can't afford to help American families make ends meet because we're spending sooooooo much money dropping bombs on countries that hate us no matter who's in charge of 'em or...

Though nobody really cares, except for Brian and Chuck who keep bugging me about sabbat and my family for reasons that nobody else really cares about, I don't take days off unless I'm a coupla hundred miles from the church; and, even then, there's the cellular, cyberspace, and...

Nobody cares; and trying to explain that to anyone who can't empathize is like trying to explain why you won't find a biker's mule in front of a shrink's office.

I'm not complaining.

It is what it is and I was told how it is by my first mentor The Rev. Harold F. Mante when he whispered moments before ordination on 5/7/77, "You're called or crazy."

Both.

And trying to explain that to anyone who can't...

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I'm about to complete seven years - interesting # - of what I trust will be my last gig; even as I anticipate 15 or 20 more with our family of faith (invitation) at First Presbyterian Church (name) unless I'm, uh, you know, assassinated for exposing posers or inherited cancer from my grandfather Jacob.

It's been everything that He revealed it would be when my ecclesiastical superiors asked if I was called or crazy when surrendering to the invitation to, uh, whatever it is that I do.

Both.

And trying to explain that to anyone who can't...

No one nor nothing in the past seven has/have (individually or collectively) surprised me; for it was all discerned/revealed before my first day as undershepherd on the corner of Lincoln and Main in Belvidere, Illinois.

I knew who would come, leave, banter, moan, and deepen by name for their number was always...

Has it been a blessing or burden to, uh, know?

Both.

And trying to explain that to anyone who can't...

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Some see and hear.

Both.

Jesus said that is what it is.

And trying to explain that to anyone who can't...

I've decided to stop pretending disappointment/depression about the bad and ugly; along with pretending surprise by the good and beautiful.

We're all growing; and He told me to stop pretending during extensive prayer in our chapel last night with three folks who are really tight with Him.

I did that - pretended disappointment/depression/surprise - because, well, uh, I don't know...

It/I was wrong; and that's all that's important to admit right now.

Truth is I'm never disappointed because I understand original sin.

I'm really never that depressed for that long because it's hard to stay that way when you're hanging out with Jesus.

We only bear good fruit when deeply rooted in Jesus (check out Galatians 5 for, uh, proof).

People who get it/Him and act like they get it/Him - the good and beautiful people of the Kingdom - don't surprise me either. I expect that from folks who are tight with Him. They show the signs of that relationship. Yeah, read the previous paragraph again.

And trying to explain that to anyone who can't...

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All of that came to mind while visiting an octogenarian-plus-14 in the hospital much earlier today.

She left our church before I came, unlike those who left/came after I came, because she didn't like drums or something.

Unlike posers, she's always been honest about it.

She didn't pretend to leave because of my predecessors or anything less honest.

She just doesn't like anything but organ hymns and stuff like that.

O.K.

Because she has never posed/lied about it, we've become good friends over the years.

She still ain't re-joining; but she is my friend and I'll always be here/there/anywhere for her whenever/wherever/whyever she needs me.

Anyway, she said her church is under a lot of financial pressure these days; so much so that they don't send out newsletters anymore but put 'em in the narthex for those who come to worship to pick up.

That got me to wondering why we send newsletters to folks who...

That got me to wondering why we send birthday/anniversary greetings to folks who...

That got me to wondering why we spend so much time trying to persuade folks who...

That got me to wondering why we don't invest our time/energies/emotions/resources on folks who, as Jesus said, want to be well.

And trying to explain that to anyone who can't...

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I think I've wasted a lot of time over the years trying to explain that and other kinda stuff to people who can't/won't...

On the other hand, the parable of the sower comes to mind.

That kinda judgment ain't mine or yours to make.

We just keep pluggin' away 'cause we're called or crazy.

Walton wrote, "I believe we're in the last days. People are falling away from all churches even when they need them the most. 8 churches in America are closing their doors every day. People keep falling away from the church when it has the only answer. I know you work hard, pastor, to keep our church in order. We just have to keep praying. We have to pray more."

Yep.

We just keep pluggin' away 'cause we're called or crazy.

Both.

And trying to explain that to anyone who can't...

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Blessings and Love!