Simon Wiesenthal’s The Sunflower recounts his experience as a Jewish prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. In the book, readers walk with Wiesenthal as he recalls those people and events that stand out most to him. Obviously, having the opportunity to share these memories separates Wiesenthal from so many of those close to him whose livelihoods and very lives were taken away during this time. Any familiarity with the events of the Holocaust will bring light to many of the descriptions of life in the concentration camps presented by Wiesenthal. People will have heard of the gruesome and inhumane descriptions of daily activity in these camps, but most likely have never considered an account specific to The Sunflower.

   Among other things, enduring starvation, hatred, injustice and the very real, very near threat of death are common elements to Holocaust survival stories. What is unique about Wiesenthal’s story is his encounter with a dying Nazi soldier. The young soldier has participated in the work and mission of the SS. Now, lying on what is to be his deathbed, he awaits the fulfillment of his personal request: to confess what he has done and seek forgiveness from a Jewish person. Wiesenthal becomes that person who hears this most private confession. The reader knows where this unlikely conversation is moving towards, but shares with Wiesenthal as he struggles to understand why he is with this man and why the soldier is disclosing this information, and what should he be thinking all the while.

   Finally, the dying man offers his intent. Wiesenthal responds with silence. The remainder of the story centers on his reflection of that experience. Some in his company refuse to affirm any of his second thoughts on the matter while still others sympathize with his inner struggle. Long after the hours spent with the dying Nazi, Wiesenthal is left with the implications of his decision, or non-decision. Freedom from his time spent as a Nazi prisoner did not eliminate his questioning. An important image for Wiesenthal continued to be the sunflower; he remembered them placed on the graves of Nazi soldiers. Seeing a sunflower in freedom reminded him of many things—his dying soldier being one of them.

   Now, his struggle with the experience finds him at the doorstep of the mother of the young SS member. Karl, as Wiesenthal is introduced to him, was a good son and most loved by his mother. Wiesenthal is presented with another question. This question is his to ask: should he share with Karl’s mother the conversation that has so impacted him? Silence is once again his answer. An intriguing life story ends in this manner. However, the questions remain and are only brought to new heights by the conclusion of The Sunflower. Readers are not left wondering what Wiesenthal might have done; we know his actions and some of the notions behind them. What readers are left to wonder is the question Wiesenthal leaves with them. Exchanging places with Wiesenthal, the reader must ask, “What would I have done?”

   The book itself is a short account—only ninety-eight pages. The next almost two hundred pages are answers others have provided to that personal question. That speaks, in part, to the great importance of forgiveness presented in The Sunflower. At first my initial response is more of a defense. How could Wiesenthal be willing to ask me that question? He knows suffering, innocent suffering far beyond anything I could ever understand. My worst experiences do not belong in the same category of affliction or anguish in his best experiences during the Holocaust. It is unfair to ask that question to me. After my ranting, however, I discover another call quite similar—the call of our Lord. His call to “Follow me” seems to bare the same qualities of Wiesenthal’s question. Again my worst day doesn’t compare at all to the best of Jesus’ worst day as he suffered. Yet, I find myself committed, and seeking to recommit daily, to “take up” my own cross. While I may never understand the suffering of Jesus, I am not persuaded to deny his call. So, I should only see Wiesenthal’s question as one God might offer to us as well.

   Sure, no one wants to endure such hardships like those presented in The Sunflower, and most of us will not have to. That doesn’t exclude us from considering our own limits of forgiveness. We will suffer our own, and our limits will appear, or not. My surface answer: I would hope I would offer a notion of forgiveness to the soldier, but, not having such an extreme experience, I do not know. The deeper response requires me to acknowledge where I see my faith strong and where I know my faith has holes. I can’t keep from letting my spouse upset me from time to time, or relinquish my tendency to procrastinate. These are simple things my faith would have me improve. Would I be able to recognize then an opportunity like Wiesenthal’s to stand for a profound tenet like forgiveness? “Father, forgive them” would seem just a tad easier thing to do considering Jesus knew a few things about his world.

   I know a few things as well. Forgiveness is a part of my faith, our faith. It is a part of humanity. Neglecting forgiveness furthers our brokenness. I know, in my experience, no bad has stemmed from someone’s ability to forgive me, or me someone else. Forgiveness does not depend on my mood, who is seeking (or not seeking) forgiveness or what circumstances surround the offer of forgiveness. My forgiveness and yours brings peace. Peace is not always visible, not always immediate and does not come without pain. What in life isn’t or doesn’t? I know I am given many opportunities to make and accept peace. I know I have accepted many of those and floundered many others. My desire, however, is God’s Peace. To that end, my faith would have me respond with compassion to the dying man’s wishes, recognizing humanity in him. As hurtful as his confession would have been to hear, so was his own contemplation of his actions. I can relate. The world screams for peace in many ways. Karl joined that chorus. I know I am learning to sing, too.

   Once you get to traveling down any highway you’ll be quick to spot one, and they’ll show up quite often.   Billboards, banners or giant waving gorillas all offer the same invitation: Rent Me! Most likely you’ll accept the invite on the occasional time you need that particular piece of equipment or extra storage space. The concept is great.  Pay a little for something you will only need for a short time. It wouldn’t be cost effective to invest so much of yourself into something you will only use for a short time. Makes sense—we might consider
that good economics.
    Unfortunately, many of us employ that same strategy to our faith. True discipleship isn’t always good economics. At times following God’s call requires much more than we may be used to giving. Understand,
though, that faith cannot fully strengthen if we use it on an “as needed” basis.  That would imply there are
only certain times or situations it is important. Your faith should influence your entire life. It may require an investment of time spent in prayer, reading or other activities, but it is certainly worth every effort you give. This Christmas don’t rent faith; fully invest in it.

Stay blessed...john

P.S. Click here for the latest edition of Under the Oak is now available for download

     Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony offers a transparent, often disturbing analysis of the condition of the ministry and purpose of the Church in the twentieth century. Ironically, perhaps sadly enough, few of the descriptions put forward by Stanly Hauerwas and William Willimon seem out of date or remotely antiquated by the twenty years passed since the book was first published. Together Hauerwas and Willimon contribute an all encompassing challenge to the Church to stand as the church it was meant to be. As the Church realizes its failed attempt to transform the world while coming to terms with the culture’s disinterest in all things church, this challenge comes at a most opportune time. Now, the authors assert, is the time to stand apart, aliens to a pagan world.
     For too long the Church has tried to maintain a relationship with society that has proven detrimental to the vitality and integrity of the way presented by Jesus. While preaching peace, love and mercy the Church has condoned, justified and supported war, injustice and oppression. These latter precepts do not reflect the communal practices of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, but have been employed by many who would call themselves followers of Christ. As an extension then of culture, and not of a redeemed remnant, and by a shallow inclusion of spiritual matters the work of the Church has withered to an odd, but not set apart, form of social practice. We have traded our participation in the ongoing story of God’s redemptive actions in history for a chance to be included in a temporal form of living.
     So then, how do we regain the life-giving purpose of the Church? The true answer has remained intact as recorded in Jesus sermon. Now, noting our insufficiencies, serious consideration must be given to every aspect of ministry. “We must get our vision right before we can get our actions right” (p102). Everything from the outcomes of youth confirmation, to the work of our committees and the purpose of the clergy must be reevaluated to determine the extent they add to the building of the Christian colony. No more can we allow individual interests, with all their far stretching implications, to overshadow the vision of ministry of the Church. In the constant renewal of this ministry approach we can be guided by the question posed throughout the reading: What sort of community would we have to be?
     How long does the ocean liner need to change its course? How long before these considerations and challenges penetrate the hearts of the faithful? While there is certainly a call to all Christians to recognize the true promises found in the Church, there seems to be a direct appeal to those in leadership, namely clergy, to stand in the forefront of this restoration. What has to happen before more clergy are convinced of the necessity to exemplify the characteristics of a community crafted and delivered by Jesus? Hauerwas and Willimon suggest this can be a lonely road to travel. On the surface it would appear to be exchanging lonely for lonely. However, the loneliness of unfulfilled purpose and unfaithfulness differs greatly from the decision to stand alone as God’s friend. As someone encouraged, convicted and inspired to be an alien I stand alone with those who stand alone.

But today is the first day of Advent.


+link

I’m sure some of you have opinions about the search for the historical Jesus. The morning after ABC aired a documentary about this topic several years ago, I remember DJs on the local Christian radio station in our area being very critical. I was, too; most of the network’s research relied on the Jesus Seminar. I’m not entirely comfortable with their work.

More recently, a lecture touched on this issue and, in passing, mentioned The Infancy Gospel of Thomas. I had never read it; so, I took a moment or two. I’ve had many young people ask about what Jesus was like when he was a kid. It’d be funny, at least for me, to see what their responses would be to some of the stories in the document.

Here are couple of them:

Chapter IV:
And when Jesus was five years old, there fell a great rain upon the earth, and the boy Jesus walked up and down through it. And there was a terrible rain, and He collected it into a fish-pond, and ordered it by His word to become clear. And immediately it became so. Again He took of the clay which was of that fish-pond, and made of it to the number of twelve sparrows. And it was the Sabbath when Jesus did this among the boys of the Jews. And the boys of the Jews went away, and said to Joseph His father: Behold, thy son was playing along with us, and he took clay and made sparrows, which it was not lawful to do on the Sabbath; and he has broken it. And Joseph went away to the boy Jesus, and said to Him: Why hast thou done this, which it was not lawful to do on the Sabbath? And Jesus opened His hands, and ordered the sparrows, saying: Go up into the air, and fly; nobody shall kill you. And they flew, and began to cry out, and praise God Almighty. And the Jews seeing what had happened, wondered, and went away and told the miracles which Jesus had done. But a Pharisee who was with Jesus took an olive branch, and began to let the water out of the fountain which Jesus had made. And when Jesus saw this, He said to him in a rage: Thou impious and ignorant Sodomite, what harm have my works the fountains of water done thee? Behold, thou shalt become like a dry tree, having neither roots, nor leaves, nor fruit. And immediately he dried up, and fell to the ground, and died. And his parents took him away dead, and reproached Joseph, saying: See what thy son has done; teach him to pray, and not to blaspheme.

Chapter XII
And Joseph, seeing that He had such favour, and that He was increasing in stature, thought it right to take Him to learn His letters. And he handed Him over to another teacher to be taught. And that teacher said to Joseph: What letters dost thou wish me to teach that boy? Joseph answered and said: First teach him the Gentile letters, and then the Hebrew. For the teacher knew that He was very intelligent, and willingly took Him in hand. And writing for Him the first line, which is A and B, he taught Him for some hours. But Jesus was silent, and made him no answer. Jesus said to the master: If thou art indeed a master, and if thou indeed knowest the letters, tell me the power of the A, and I shall tell thee the power of the B. Then His master was filled with fury, and struck Him on the head. And Jesus was angry, and cursed him; and he suddenly fell down, and died.
And Jesus returned home. And Joseph gave orders to Mary His mother, not to let Him go out of the court of his house.

So, what about you? What do you think Jesus was like when he was child? Do you see a bratty Savior? What about a hormone-raged King of Kings? How often was Jesus grounded? Let me know what you think. It might be worth thinking about now that we’re heading into the Advent season (sermon material maybe?) Stay blessed…john

It's Friday Fun and Stuff. This what you've been waiting for all week. Well done good and faithful reader. Let's get right to it.

+view the rest here


Have you read about the rare act of sportsmanship in Illinois last February?  A great story of community and and friendship. 

I have fallen to peer pressure.  Well, there hasn't been any pressure, but everyone's talking about Sesame Street's anniversary and posting their favorite moments from the show.  I'll do the same.  As I think about the lessons I've learned about my colors, math and reading, I wonder what we as the church might be able to learn from the Street: community, teaching, learning, sharing, all those people they welcomed over the years, etc.

There are three favorite clips that stick out in my mind.  I can't believe Grover, Bert & Ernie or Oscar the Grouch are not one of the videos (those guys are my favorite).  Oscar was a good guy; I always wondered what it really looked like in that trash can.

So, here are my top three most memorable scenes from Sesame Street.  Two of them are probably well remembered.  The last one...I really have no clue why I was never able to get the song out of my head.  What are your favorites? Stay blessed...john

Pinball Number 12


Goodbye Mr. Hooper



Ba Ba Bamba




P.S. Since we're asking what Sesame Street can teach the church (okay, I was asking), I think this video helps what we're trying to do at Oak Haven: People in Your Neighborhood

+matteroffact

We're getting close to another end of a semester. I'm sure all you who have students in school, or have led them through already can get a chuckle out of this scenario:

Dear Dad,

$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very
hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you
would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.

Love,
Your $on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep
even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is
a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.

Love,
Dad

Happy studying; and enjoy your kids' visits. Here are some other Friday fun and stuff:

+30 Amazing and Funny Animal Pictures
+Growing up in the '50s
+Stick Man Humor

+Create a Fun Video Starring You






Stay blessed...john

a site I came across that helps us in Surviving the World.  That'll come in handy.  Stay blessed...john

Bishop Bledsoe's blog is up and running; I had been waiting for a while for it to launch.  It had been advertised on the North Texas Conference website for a while.  We'll see what kind of blogging schedule he'll maintain.  I appreciate his efforts to begin this project. 

Visit his blog and check back often: The Bishop's Blog

Stay blessed...john

I've told you before Oak Haven is full of smokers and drinkers.  Well, it's almost time for the smokers to get smoking.  If you are going to be in the Irving area the week before Thanksgiving please make plans to join us.  You won't be sorry. 

You could be like many of the people who show up.  A lot of people come from out of town to see old friends and get their fill of ham and beans.  It would be worth your trip!  We'd love to have you.  Stay blessed...john

Are you looking for some new threads? Sorry, I only found these t-shirts. Actually, there are a lot more.  These were a few of my favorites.  Read along and find the truth each one has.  Funny!  You can see the entire list here.   Stay blessed...john

i just found this out!  CMR Mourns the Passing of Juan James aka Enock

Oh, my loving members who care nothing for rap music.   The Cross Movement wasn't the first Christian rap group.  But, in my opinion, they were the first quality Christian rap group. This is still my favorite song from them: Hold It Down




stay blessed...john

You've always wanted to know who they.  Well, you're gonna still be in the dark on that one.  But now you can catch a glimpse of what they do on their days off: What Storm Troopers Do on Their Day Off
A day off sounds good.  Stay blessed...john

This week was Red Ribbon Week in Irving. You remember. It’s when kids wear attire corresponding to themes promoting anti-drug messages: Jersey Day; everyone team up against drugs, and some others I can’t recall. Has anyone ever offered new ideas for these days? So, with all the no-drug talk on my mind, earlier this week I got that Martika song stuck in my head. You remember Toy Soldiers? It’s not a crazy-jingle-I-wish-I-could-forget song. I like it; I think I recall really liking it when it came out. If I also remember correctly it was written to, dedicated to, or in response to a friend being overcome by drug use. On her way to school, Brittani scolded me for getting the song in her head (I had her look it up on youtube; what a dad!). Now, I figured I would let you in on the singing. Here’s the video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76xdi4nnwPM




It also got me thinking about our Lay Speaker’s sermon the week before last. What does the church need to do more that faithfully offers an expression of God’s love and doesn’t fall into a common use of force (bland term) to bring people away from the grips of drug abuse?

Stay blessed...john
now I want to watch some KIDS Incorporated videos.

I had to pass this on. It hurts. Our world hurts.

I hadn't wanted to comment on the whole balloon boy ordeal--everyone knows how disturbing it is.  But it sure provided a vivid illustration for us.  Please pass this on.  This is more real than any played out email forward.

Let's get real church!
+simplykurt
Stay blessed...john

I was trying to figure out if there were any patterns to my blogging—specifically looking at when I blog the most. As a quick reference point I looked at the number of posts each month for the last three years. I thought maybe there would be one or two months that consistently had the most. Wrong. By the way, all I did was look at the numbers included in the “Older Posts” heading.

In 2007, May had the highest total with June close behind. The following year, October must have been eventful; it had the highest with two more posts than May 2007. So far this year September is the highest with February and March one behind. The flip side to that is the lowest number of posts in a month for 2009, 2008 and 2007 were July, August and September respectively (Summer slump?).

What’s the point? It shows me how erratic I am. This is the first year (actually within the last few months) I’ve sought to maintain somewhat of a schedule. The overwhelming amount of research I put into this post is just to help me get better and provide you a better read while you’re here. We’ll see if it helps.

Stay blessed…john

Growing up, I always wondered why I had to have such a boring name. My last name also has a story behind it. I always wanted to have my last name changed. When I began my candidacy process I learned about this John Fletcher (good article). It, first learning about him, served as a sort of confirmation for me in a number of ways. Stay blessed...john


Click Here to check your own name

Two exciting sermons from this past Sunday to share with you. Of course, neither of them are from me. Our church observed Laity Sunday by having our Lay Speaker lead our service (it's been a while since I've sat in a pew).

He did a great job and offered, what I think, is a very important challenge. He hit it right on! The second sermon was just as challenging, I think. No, I'm not biased...well, okay I am, but that does not take away from the truth. Brittani gave her first children's sermon this Sunday. I think she did a wonderful job---but what do I know? You can hear each of them below.

Bob Ramsey:If the Only Tool Was Love


Brittani Fletcher: God Talks; We Listen


Stay blessed...john

It is no secret my favorite hymn is the Spirit Song.  The first time I heard it Rev Kay Alewine (you can listen to her podcasts here) sang it as part of her sermon one Sunday morning (heart strangely warmed).  If you've never heard it, here are the lyrics:

O let the Son of God enfold You
With His Spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have those things that hold You
And His Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life
And make you whole

(chorus)
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your Lambs
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your Lambs

O come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy
Lift your hands in sweet surrender
To His name
O give Him all your tears and sadness
Give Him all your years of pain
And you'll enter into life
In Jesus' name

Here is a video I found. It's from Kids Time Praise; never heard of 'em, but appreciate the video. I hope you do, too:



Stay blessed...john

Laughs (as always: if you know where these originate from let me know)


What a ride that would have been!

Always together


Head-phones


Yess!

and Stuff

Wi-Fi signals used to see through walls
Bobby McFerrin Psalm 23
top-25-places-to-watch-free-movies-