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Yesterday I attended the funeral of my friend John Weber. If you have read the last two posts you will not be surprised to learn that it was amazing. All five of the Weber children shared remembrances about their Dad. One particular saying that John favored made its way into several of their recollections.

“Don’t strive for spectacular. Strive for faithfulness.”

Today’s post will be mercifully short. Meditate on that simple thought. God isn’t impressed with spectacular skills and talents.

Paul wrote some words to the Philippian church that seem like they could have come from John Weber as final thoughts before his homecoming.

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. (Philippians 2, NLT)

None of us will run the race in vain if we remember to strive for faithfulness every day.

I used to seriously resent the actual students at my high school who studied and messed up the curve for our slacker contingent. A similar phenomenon happens in my Christian walk. Occasionally a follower of Jesus will “mess up the curve” for the rest of us by actually demonstrating what it looks like to live for Christ. My friend Bob showed me what it looked like to love your wife like Christ loves the church. I must clarify that I didn’t resent Bob for living his life like that but it did leave me without excuse in my own marriage. And by simply living his life authentically he made me a better husband and follower of Jesus. He never said a word of rebuke nor offered any suggestions on how I should be a better husband. He showed me.

Now my friend John Weber has showed me through his death what it looks like when a man or woman simply lives their life modeling the greatest commandments. I am again without excuse. John showed me that being an effective representative of Jesus is really very simple. Why do I want to make it so maddeningly complex? Jesus said that these two things are the most important.

One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?” 
Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”

Today I sit here and wonder why I ever tried to make it anything else? The scholar who heard the words of Jesus “got it”.

The religion scholar said, “A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that’s better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!” (Mark 12, The Message)

I wonder if I get it? Or do I still get sidetracked by the offerings and sacrifices of the modern church? It is really very simple. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart. Read the Word daily. Love others as you love yourself. That is what Jesus told me to do. Nothing about programs or positions or curriculum or strategies. Love God. Love others. Simple.

Does that actually work? Last night I witnessed the most incredible validation of that simple strategy that I have seen in my life. Hundreds upon hundreds of people lined up at First Baptist Church in Euless, Texas to show their respect and love for John and his family. The line snaked down a very long hallway and twisted around into the sanctuary. Waiting in line were rich people. Poor people. Famous people. Average people. Young people. Old people. All of them touched by the life of this unassuming man.

I know John would not mind me saying this because it puts the credit where he would want it to go. There was nothing at first glance about John Weber that would suggest his passing would draw thousands to pay respect. He was an average guy who understood that Jesus is always looking for willing workers. Perhaps growing up in South Dakota made John particularly aware of the principles of harvest that Jesus described.

When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”  (Matthew 9, NLT)

Pray for more workers like John and Carol Weber. I have read or heard a comment something like this from nearly everyone who knew John.

“He made me feel like the most important person in the world.”

For Carol and her family this is a bittersweet fall. John will be terribly missed. But they have been blessed to see the incredible harvest that Christ can bring in through one worker wholly committed to Him.

Paul wrote to the church at Galatia…

…Those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6, NLT)

John has inspired me to finish strong with whatever number of days I have left. The fruit of his life humbles me. I wonder if I am being effective for Jesus. John Weber showed me how to do it. Love God. Love others. Hit the fields.

Simple. And so powerful.

 

 

Yesterday I posted an article about Homecoming at Baylor University. I wrote about an eternal homecoming someday with family and friends. Just hours after I posted that piece one of our long time and dear friends died after finishing a workout at the YMCA. Now I can add the name of my friend John Weber to those I look forward to seeing at my heavenly homecoming.

The media will report that John Weber was the chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys. That is what impressed a lot of people who knew John. That is not what impressed me. What impressed me about John Weber was how consistently he represented Jesus over the years. I have known John since we were young and starving staff members of Athletes in Action back in the late ‘70’s. I have watched his ministry from up close and from afar. I have never heard a single negative word spoken about John Weber. Here are the words from veteran sportswriter Mickey Spagnola in his blog at dallascowboys.com.

“Not a good day today after learning Cowboys longtime team chaplain John Weber, maybe the nicest man I’ve ever known, died of a heart attack. Not many details are known at this time. John would travel with the team to away games to hold pregame chapels and also held bible studies for the guys. He’d also hold great conversations with people like me, and when he talked to you, you were the most important person in his universe. John will be greatly missed by the Cowboys – and by me.”

That is how you represent Jesus effectively to this world. Not by your knowledge (although that is important) but by your life and love. And that is where John excelled. 

Billy Joel sang that only the good die young. I know that is not true but it sure seems that way at times. I have to admit that “young” is a moving target for me but it sure seems like John had a lot more to give. But I suspect that I will learn at my heavenly homecoming that someone came to know the Lord because of John’s death. And that someone else decided to get serious about their walk with Jesus and they made a big difference to others. Someday I believe all of this will make sense. But right now it just hurts to lose a friend.

Andrew Peterson is one of my “go-to guys” in difficult situations. His music is moving, comforting and real. I thought of two of his songs when I heard about John Weber’s death yesterday. The first song I thought of was “Family Man”. Here are some of the lyrics.

I am a family man
I traded in my mustang for a minivan
This is not what I was headed for when I began
This was not my plan
I am a family man

John was first and foremost a family man. He was fiercely devoted to his wonderful family. John and Carol had been an inspiration for us as Carol battled breast cancer and survived. If family is a man’s legacy then John has left a legacy that is truly amazing. His son and daughters are all kind, honest and authentic followers of Christ. I know that nothing made John more proud than seeing that ever increasing tribe gather together.

The second song from Andrew Peterson sums up what John Weber modeled and believed for the thirty plus years that I knew him.

So when you lay me down to die
I’ll miss my boys, I’ll miss my girls
Lay me down and let me say goodbye to this world
You can lay me anywhere
But just remember this
When you lay me down to die
You lay me down to live

That is the message that John Weber wants all of us to remember as we grieve his temporary departure from our presence. We lay him down to live. You can experience the peace and assurance that John dedicated his entire adult life to proclaiming. Jesus is alive. And now John is fully alive in Him. You can click here to read the message that John shared with thousands of men and women over his lifetime.

I will always remember a couple of things about John Weber. He was a collegiate wrestler and he also wrestled with the acclaimed Athletes in Action traveling team. I remember good naturedly trying to wrestle with John. I was almost a foot taller than him but John would twist me into a pretzel in about 3 seconds. The memory that I will cherish most as I remember John Weber is what happened every single time I saw him. John would smile that warm smile. Then he would take your hand with both of his hands, move right into your space, furrow his brow, look deeply into your eyes and ask, “how are you doing?”. The difference with John Weber was that he really meant that question. If you needed three hours to tell him what was going on he would never glance at his watch. That is why he believed God placed him on this earth. To tell people about Jesus and disciple those who knew Him. I will miss John Weber. I know his family will miss him desperately. But I hope they draw the same comfort from Andrew Peterson’s lyrics that I did today as I pictured John in these words.

I’ll open up my eyes on the skies I’ve never known
In the place where I belong
And I’ll realize His love is just another word for Home.

 The Psalmist recorded this message.

Precious in the sight of the LORD
       is the death of his saints.  (Psalm 116, NIV)

If John were here he would twist me into a pretzel for saying this about him but yesterday a saint came marching home. This week was homecoming for John Weber. He was ready. May God give us the grace and strength to follow his example.

I have established a couple of traditions in the short history of the humble ramblings. One of them is revisiting this post (with a couple of updates) every homecoming weekend at Baylor University. It is that time again.

It is Homecoming this weekend at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Thousands of alumni will make their way to Central Texas for the event. It seems odd to me that I am looking forward so much to this homecoming. The celebration is at a college that I did not attend. I’m not even Baptist, dadgummit (that is Baptist cursing). But my heart has become a part of the Baylor tradition. Why? I am the very proud father of two Baylor grads and the youngest is a senior-light at the school. He will graduate in December of 2008. I have invested time and more treasure than I care to think about in Baylor University.

It is a very special place for me. Each son has made relationships that have become my relationships. One found a wife there. All three have grown in wisdom and stature while attending the school. They have developed wonderful friendships and many of those friends have made our house their house on multiple occasions.

Why is this homecoming special for me despite my lack of a Baylor degree?

It is about relationships.

And memories. 

I look forward to Homecoming this weekend in Waco but as I get older I look forward to another Homecoming. A spate of sad events in the newspaper today reminded me again that I am merely a renter on this planet. I don’t really own a single thing that matters. When I  am driving a rental car and hit a pothole my first reaction is always, “Oh well, it’s just a rent car.” That describes the attitude I am developing as I hit the potholes of life. I have lots of stuff here but that is all it is. Stuff. What really matters is my faith, my family and those relationships that make the drive on the dangerous and poorly maintained roads of life worthwhile.

Jesus talked about homecoming and He was not talking about Baylor. He talked about the big one. I am scheduled to attend that Homecoming someday and I am happy about that. Why? Looks like a good program is being planned.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”  (John 14)

You can’t find a room in Waco this week but I already have one for this Homecoming! How cool is that? I am not anxious to leave this earth but I do look forward to that homecoming someday. Why?

It is about relationships.

And memories.

I have a daughter there. My saintly grandmother is there. My wonderful earthly father is there. My Mom recently went home to heaven. Joni and I have many dear friends who recently made the journey home. The list goes on and on. And I have a personal relationship with Jesus that makes me excited about the event.

I have a few investments here but I have unspeakable wealth and eternal investments there. We don’t think much about that in our culture do we? There is so much of the good life here that heaven seems obscure and maybe not even an upgrade. But we are not permanent residents here. Enjoy the journey. Invest in relationships. Realize we were created with a desire to know our Creator.

And get ready for Homecoming.  It should be a blast!

A trip to the store around Halloween guarantees a couple of things. The Thanksgiving displays are already getting dusty and the Christmas items are being placed or are already on the shelves. We are only four weeks away from the ridiculous excess that we call Thanksgiving.  I will probably complain that I ate too much as if that is anyone’s fault other than my own. I will be genuinely thankful for having my family together. That will be extra special again this year because Joni’s cancer is a reminder that such gatherings are not guaranteed. I will thank God for the bounty of food that will be before us. But I don’t think I will really comprehend how blessed I am to live in this country.

A story that I read in the Miami Herald last year gave me a big helping of perspective.

Streaks of grime cover the boys’ bodies and insects crawl on their heads as they scour through heaps of trash alongside buzzards that seem large enough to carry the kids away. Brothers Carlos, 11, and Noel, 9, are dragging a pair of plastic bags filled with fast-food refuse while Ruben, 14, chases after a dump truck spilling fresh rubbish. This is life for the children at the main municipal dump in the capital of Honduras — a life of far-too-early desperation in a country where nearly two-thirds of the population lives in poverty.

Many Latin American nations have pepenadores, Spanish slang for people who scour garbage dumps for recyclable goods they can then sell. But Honduras has the highest rate of children working at dumps — an estimated 2,000, according to UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

”Every barrio has a dump,” said Rick Beck, a Christian missionary who visits the Tegucigalpa city dump each week to deliver food and prayer. “It’s a way of living. The problem has to be attacked spiritually, physically and emotionally.” Soledad Ramírez, director of social programs for Tegucigalpa, said the effort to get the kids out of the dump will require a long-term commitment.

”It’s not just to rescue the kids. It’s to educate them and insert them into society,” she told The Miami Herald. “Many of these children grew up in the dumps. There were even children in cribs there.”

I don’t want my ministry to be a travel agency for guilt trips. But I do want to be tender enough to the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit to realize the need in this fallen world. And then to gladly offer back a portion of the abundance I have been given. It breaks my heart to think of these precious children digging through the refuse of the other poor to survive. What a disturbing image to picture a crib in the middle of a garbage dump. Youngest son Brett witnessed this garbage scavaging firsthand on a mission trip to Guatemala. It profoundly affected him. As it should.

We are so blessed…and we are so oblivious.

Picture this scenario.

Here comes 6-year-old Giovanny, yanking at the brothers’ trash bags to pick through crumpled boxes of fried chicken. He’s known as El Pollo — The Chicken — for his love of the morsels he scrapes off the tossed-out bones.

We laugh about the five second rule when food falls on the floor. But for most of us it would mean nothing to toss that food away and get something else. Imagine gnawing on the remains of someone else’s scraps to get a morsel of nourishment. It is a disgusting thought. But it is a heartbreaking reality for children like Giovanny.

And I realize that I am so blessed…but I am so oblivious.

When the dump trucks roll in, it’s a mad dash to get to the refuse. Men and boys tend to push the women off the mounds, and no one seems bothered by the smell, which at times is so foul it burns the nostrils and makes the eyes tear. The pepenadores are too busy collecting anything they can use — some shoes they can wear, a semi-broken toy they can still play with, a piece of cake they can eat, a bit of metal, plastic bottles or paper they can sell.

”The problem is that they make more money in that dump than they do with an education,” said Kim Beck, who helps her missionary husband deliver food.

By all means enjoy the blessings that God has provided as you approach this Thanksgiving. But take a moment to reflect on how truly blessed we are in this country. Maybe a little perspective will help you realize that the position or title you were denied is not that big a deal. The recognition you felt you deserved and did not receive is trivial. Maybe a little perspective will help you understand that person who irritates you at work or church is created in the image of God and in a fallen state…just like you and me. About 98% of what we get all exorcized over is meaningless from an eternal perspective. In what does the Lord delight? It is definitely not our wealth or power or position.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)  

Count your blessings. Be grateful. Don’t feel guilty that you are blessed. But don’t forget the responsibility of that blessing. And maybe we should pray that we could begin to model at least a little of what was happening in the early church.

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”  (Act 4:32–35)

Maybe that is not possible in this culture. I suppose I am naive. But I am sure we can do a lot better by being a little less oblivious to the suffering around us. If you want to help the children of Honduras or anywhere in the world or this nation you can go to World Vision , Feed the Children or a local ministry to share a part of your blessings. Jesus promised in the Sermon on the Mount that such giving will be rewarded.

God blesses those who are merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.

If we all do a little it will mean a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

First of all, apologies to my tens of loyal readers who have been disappointed by the lack of current posts. I have been busy serving as the “pit crew” for my beloved’s weekend sixty mile walk for breast cancer. That is not a typo. About 2400 women and a few valiant men walked twenty miles each day in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3–Day. It was an emotional weekend for both Joni and me.

Joni first started talking about signing up for the 3–Day walk before she had even finished treatment. I supported her but thought perhaps there was a little leftover “chemo-brain” involved in that idea. Then her sister Gayla (who did not have the chemo-brain excuse) said she would walk with Joni. So Gayla began training in Florida and Joni in Texas. This weekend they walked side by side for three grueling days. And they did it.

I could not help but remember where we had come from in this long journey. There were some really tough times. A song on the iPod today summed up Joni’s spirit throughout this fight. The tune is by the group Rascal Flatts and the song title is Stand.

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless, like you’ve lost your fight.

I flashed back to diagnosis day, putting in the port for chemotherapy and walking into the “slow drip spa” scared to death as Joni faced the first treatment. I remembered the effects of the aptly nicknamed “red devil” chemo treatment. I thought of setbacks that tested our faith and our resolve. I recalled that it was eighteen months ago that Joni was hospitalized with her white blood count at zero. That is also not a typo.

I know Joni will love me using this flattering photo but there is a point. We could not have been lower than we were that day. But we trusted God and just kept battling. The lyrics of Stand nicely summarized her attitude.

‘Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what your made of
You might bend ’til you break
‘Cause it’s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe you hands, shake it off
Then you stand, then you stand

Joni would be the first to tell you that the most important step in that process is being on your knees in prayer and looking up to your source of strength in the Lord. I have written often about her amazing faith, strength and grace throughout this journey. We could not have imagined that just over a year after that photo was taken that Joni would be training for a sixty mile walk. Joni decided to be strong, trust God and then she stood. Fast forward eighteen months and Joni joined her sister on an amazing journey.

Here is a little photo journal of this awesome weekend…

  

We dropped off “The Sunshine Sisters” before the sun was even shining. Joni was a bit emotional that the day was finally here.

   

Joni and Gayla in front of their lavish accommodations.

 

 

Gayla by one of the hundreds of porta-pottys. What was the sound many women were most looking forward to when they got home? The sound of flushing!

 

 

Hannah wore a smokin’ hot pink Spandex body suit to honor her “mom” in the walk. The sign says “Waggin’ for a Cure”. If intensity of wagging helps a cure is very near.   

 

There were supporters from many different species.

 

Dignity was optional.

 

Nights got a little chilly. Gayla demonstrates the “wrap”.

 

The family and shy Hannah met our walkers at a cheering station on Day 2.

The 3–Day is grueling. But so was the journey that my bride has finally finished. The 3–Day became a metaphor for how we should deal with the trials and storms of our life. The lyrics of Stand are again appropriate.

Every time you get up and get back in the race
One more small piece of you starts to fall into place – and you stand.

Joni wept as she crossed the finish line on Sunday. Not from exhaustion although that could have been an option. She wept because this symbolized that this difficult journey is behind her. Other trials will surely come along in our lives. But we know one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt. God is faithful. Peter’s words to the early church fit well here.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you…Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. (1 Peter 5, NLT)

Sunday afternoon we met up with our brides after they finished the course.

  

Gayla and Joni look better after walking 60 miles than Sal and I do after just watching them.

The closing ceremonies were amazing. Thousands of walkers, family and friends gathered at SMU in Dallas. This is just one section of the crowd.

Joni marched in the “Survivors Circle” to the cheers of the crowd. It was an incredibly moving moment.

  

 Later we had some photo ops with friends.

 

…and our wonderful sons and daughter-in-laws (Holly, Matt, Scott, Caroline, Brett)

  

Joni with the men in her life…Brett, Scott, Matt and Old Guy

Those who have followed Joni’s journey know that she was honored to throw out the first pitch on Mother’s Day for the Texas Rangers. On Sunday night our family celebrated the weekend and presented her with the actual home plate from that game signed by the Texas Ranger’s players and coaches.

Joni has stayed the course and crossed the plate on this tough journey. She was released from her oncologist two days before the walk.

If you are facing adversity may I encourage you and let you know that you can do it too. Allow me to change the pronoun to the plural form as I quote Paul’s message to the Philippians.

(We) have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (We) can do everything through Him who gives (us) strength. Yet it was good of you to share in (our) troubles.

Thank you for sharing in our journey and our troubles. Thank you for your love, support, encouragement, saltine crackers and especially your prayers. We are blessed beyond measure.

 

 

 

 

 

Three summers ago Joni and I did not have to turn on the morning news shows for visual entertainment. Every morning as we got ready for the day we would hear a familiar THUMP! That was the sound of “the crazy bird” returning for his morning concussion. Our bathroom has a large half-moon shaped window near the ceiling. Every morning this bird would fly to the window sill, sit there for awhile, look at his Day-Planner, fly back a few feet and then hit the window full on. THUMP! He would do this over and over. Day after day.

    

(This is a stunt double bird…not the actual bird. Photo Courtesy– Janesville Gazette)

Because I like to think I am smarter than that bird I would laugh and make fun of him mindlessly hitting the same window day after day after day. Stupid bird.

Then I would go out and do a pretty good imitation of this poor creature with my daily Christian walk.

Day after day I would go out and slam up against the same spiritual windows. Einstein was once quoted as saying that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” I am not quite willing to concede that I am insane. But the truth is that I too often approach my spiritual life the same way everyday while somehow expecting different results. If I am hitting the same window over and over maybe it is time to change my approach. Scripture tells me that I should be producing fruit in my walk with Jesus.

If I am truly grafted to the true vine I will be producing fruit. But I too often decide to THUMP against the window of my own desires and selfishness. Jesus said this in the Gospel of John.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.  (John 15, NIV)

Sometimes I make this so hard. I am asked to trust in Jesus daily. When I do that Jesus says I will produce fruit. Then the Father will give me whatever I ask in His name. Then He commanded me to love one another. That is not a “helpful suggestion“. That is a command. But that doesn’t fit my plan.

My strategy is to ask for the Father to give me whatever I ask first and then I will get around to producing fruit out of my happiness. THUMP.

Then I decide that there are some people I simply cannot love. God understands. THUMP.

I rationalize that I just can’t produce fruit right now because of  (insert today’s difficult life circumstance here). THUMP.

Yep. I am a lot smarter than that bird. It has only taken me a little over fifty years to figure out I need to change my approach. Stupid bird.