ONE FOGGY DAY

Twelve years ago today I woke in a fog. Only three days earlier Jan and I were dreaming of the remainder of life as empty-nesters as our youngest was preparing to transfer to an out of state school. That evening she departed this life unexpectedly and suddenly and this day I woke to attend this life's final goodbye. 

Recently someone who lost their spouse 10 years ago, when I asked how they were holding up, mentioned doing really well "in most ways." I understood. "Most ways" simple means not every way and that's okay. I scoff at the often ill-fated application of the 5 or 7 steps of grief..not that they don't exist but at the belief so many have that there's a two year window at the end of which the window is closed and you're "over it."

Here's what I know...it takes as long as it takes and I'm not so sure you ever get over death...you simply decide to get on with life.

But, those "not every way" seasons or moments will persist. They hopefully diminish and become less frequent...but they are still present. At least they have been for 12 years.

This past year, as I was preparing for an annual memorial service for the hospice, I thought about that always present-ness that no one told me about and was led to write something to try to explain what it's like.

So...in an admittedly cathartic effort...I offer this for those who are on the same river and to those who love them.

Blessings
MM
Reply to: ChaplainMNM@aol.com

SILENT COMPANION

Like a subterranean river there is in some hearts a constant underlying ache. 

Silently present, it is the ache of absence...

of too soon goodbyes and too long separations...

unsolvable in this life. 

An unwelcome travel companion present for so long, 

at times, one remembers only with difficulty how life was before this fellow traveler arrived. 

Few, if any, understand this...

unless, of course, they have been accompanied by this silent companion. 

Others are usually uncomfortable at its mention, 

awkward in its presence or 

frustrated by the futility of trying to fix it...

because most have no idea what "it" is. 

So, in silence, those who know this companion muddle along.

Most days its anger is placated by the bandage of busy-ness...

Its pain soothed by the salve of activity...

Its cry muffled by the layers of life's noise.  

But in that bandage there is no joy...

In that salve no healing...

In that silence no peace. 

Joy, healing and peace are found only in Your living Presence...

in the healing touch of Heaven on earth...

in the sound of worship and angels...

and it is that which those on this river seek -  even if they are unaware. 

When they find it 

this river of ache is somehow transformed and 

in a mystery this ache becomes a stream of life. 

Silent Companion (c)
Michael Mann

14 February 2013

FIGHTING GOD - Thoughts on "Hyper-Grace"

Fighting God

(Thoughts on "HYPER-GRACE")

I've been thinking about grace lately. What got me thinking about it is a number of articles I've read regarding the grace issue, which has become a controversy in certain quarters. The last article I read was so absent the spirit of Christ...so absent, "others will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn 13:35)..I stopped reading in mid-sentence.

I normally don't weigh in on such in-fighting but as I read two disturbing thoughts gnawed at me.

The first is the use of the term "hyper-grace" in a demeaning, belittling, marginalizing tone. It brought to mind 35+ years ago when another movement was berated with the term "hyper-faith"...as if too much faith in God was somehow evil. (Full disclosure here...part of my mentoring occurred then.)

Eventually, in my view, the constant demeaning wore down many...if not most...so that today that movement's impact is all but dead in the larger church and community. In many churches birthed or with leaders prepared then there is a feel of embarrassment as they distance themselves from that move and from certain truths of God it taught.

Were there excesses, errors and mistakes? Absolutely...but a cursory reading of the New Testament shows such has occurred since the birth of the church. (Hello Corinthians.)

Today? In churches once part of that move there is a striking ignorance regarding the truths it offered and the next generation is fortunate if it finds a slightly worn path left by the previous generation because the trail they should have blazed reverted back to overgrown, unexplored jungle. (May Father forgive us...if that's not too much grace to ask.)

The second, comes from a statement a friend made years ago. "The biggest opponents of and hindrances to the next move of God are usually those who led the last move of God."

That thought disturbs me deeply as I am reminded of the words of Gamaliel when the religious guard of his day opposed the next move of God. "...I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, (we) will not be able to overthrow them; or else (WE) MAY EVEN BE FOUND FIGHTING AGAINST GOD." (Ac 5:38-39)

Ruth and Billy Graham were said to be friends of the man then in charge of counterfeit enforcement for Scotland Yard.

While visiting him Ruth commented, "You must spend hours studying counterfeit currency."

"No Ruth," he replied, "I never study counterfeits."

A surprised Ruth asked, "Then how do you detect counterfeit currency?"

"I study the real thing and I always know the counterfeit."

The Lord once whispered something to me that I personalized and try to live by..."If, after spending time with me, someone is better able to recite the things I am against than the truth I believe I have failed Him Who called me and Whose I am, and betrayed His Gospel (good news) message."

Instead of wasting precious time on things thought counterfeit the church and the world would be better served, I think, if we invest our lives studying, teaching and writing "the real thing" lest we find ourselves "fighting God."

A MannMuse.

Blessings,

Michael M

Reply to: MannMuses@aol.com

PS...another Father-whisper...while reading Revelation 12 in which the enemy is referred to as the "accuser of God's people" I heard, "Michael, the moment you  begin accusing My people you have ceased My work and begun My enemy's."