Surly's Soap Box

I'm working on my sermon for tomorrow: New Years Resolutions!

Let us see: 7:00PM Saturday night...that means I have 15 hours to prepare!

Actually, I know where I want to go with my message. It's rapped around Mark 2: 1-12, where Jesus heals the paralytic.

The thing that struck me the most about this is that this guy was brought to Jesus by four of his friends. I assume that they were his friends because saw their faith. If these guys had just been hired men, I doubt they would have had faith.

So how does this tie into New Years Resolutions? Well...There are many 'standard' resolutions people make every year: Loose weight, pay bills, save money, quit smoking and/or drinking, clean up your life. That sort of stuff.

Now Christians tend to add other things to their New Years resolutions" list: Pray an hour a day, fast more, read the Bible through in a year, give more, volunteer more...Pretty standard stuff.

But I think that people also have their 'special request' resolutions. These are the things that they bring before God in their quite time, things that they may fear or have shame over. These are those secret things that they fear others finding out about: Porn, eating disorders, secret drug use, affairs, feeling that they don't love their spouse any more, pride, anger...Things they don't want people to know about because they fear if people really knew how they thought, acted, or felt, they wouldn't like them, or respect them any more.

And then there are the things that cripple us, leaving us paralyzed. Maybe the things that God has been pinging on us, the sins unrepented, the call unheeded. Maybe life circumstances has you in a corner. Maybe it's physical, maybe it's spiritual, but what ever it is, it's got you pinned down to the point where you can't move.

Do you have four friends? Do you have people around you that, even when you are down on your mat, will lift you up and bring you before the Highest God?

If you don't, the best way to get those types of friends is to be one of those types of friends.

We made the Christmas Pilgrimage to Lincoln, Nebraska (Birth place of Sweeter Half, residence of her parents) this last week. Got a chance to see a 10 month old niece, sister and brother-in-law, a bunch of other relatives, grandmas and greats and on and on. It was a good time, though I think my hyper-intelligent, future Noble prize winning beauty queen daughter grew bored with adult company and spent much of her time changing her doll's clothing. She's gathered up enough doll clothes now that she now has a summer and winter wardrobe.

But now we are back, and tomorrow enter back into the regular grind of things. I wish I could talk about how inspired I was by the season, and how the gathering of family was so much sweeter than usual, or the celebration of Christ's Birth meant so much more to me than usual, but...it didn't really have any profound effect on me this year. At least, not yet.

Round the table for Christmas dinner sat some very fine, wonderful oldsters that I've grown fond of since Sweeter Half and I were married. Ranging from late 70's to 90, they represent a generation who talk about their dads and grandparents who came over from Sweden and settled in the plains, men with names like Calmar, Bjorne, Rolfe and Torkel, and women like Mia, Ingrid, Kjersten, and Violet. Some who never moved more than a few miles from the houses they were born in, some who went to California and then came back. A real connection to the past, these folks saw little rural communities grow and expand, then wither and collapse. And they all mourn for a simpler time, as well as mourn for loved ones who have passed on.

Around that same table, with their memories, also sat strokes, cancer survivors, a couple of bionic knees, and numerous medications for ailments I don't even pretend to understand. Some speak of the oldest like, "If she makes it through the winter..." and others speak of themselves, wondering the same.

But they didn't speak in bitterness, just in resignation that this was life: They've lived it long and fruitful, and now the younger folks have to make their way. And they all seem to agree that those of us who are younger and take up the torch have a harder time ahead of them than they had.

It was a unique table we sat at, and it is doubtful my wife and I will have the opportunity to have another Christmas like this, soaking in history. Next year we will all be scattered to the different parts of the country, the plans already being made. It may only be family history to some, but it is part of the history of the Great Plains, effecting numerous families, spreading like the ripples in a pond, across the world.

What will make this Christmas memorable is the time when we are gathered together in the future, over a bittersweet cup of coffee, discussing the last Christmas we spent with one of these great pillars of their communities and churches. How they have passed on, severing a link to some distant cousin in Sweden or Ohio, and how we realize that we should have taken notes and gotten addresses.

What will make this Christmas memorable is when, in some distant future, over a cup of coffee after the lutefisk and ousta kakka, my wife and I pass on the lore of our family to our kids and grand-kids, the circle completed, the torch passed on.

I was at an hospital hanging up some new directory signs in a place that should have been brimming with hope and joy: The Maternity Ward. Well, they're called "Labor and Delivery" now, but you get the point.

Around the corner, I overheard an argument between a gal who was the sister of someone in delivery, and her mother. The daughter was railing into the mother for being drunk again, especially at a time when the the family needed her to be a mom. It came to a sad conclusion with someone getting slapped and the mother walking away saying, "Just pretend I'm dead."

I've been around plenty of practicing and recovering alcoholics to see the damage done by the disease of alcoholism. Some families are ripped apart, but too some families it's the sick glue that holds them together. Everyone knows their place and how to play their part, whether they like it or not. Until someone decides to make a change in their life, then it all falls apart.

But back to this family; these two sisters, a newborn, and who ever else is involved, now have yet another wedge between them, or perhaps a widened crevasse, as we enter into a season that should be marked by restoration, joy and goodwill, new birth and fresh beginnings. For those of us who are enjoying Christmas with relatively stable and loving families, please take time to pray for those who aren't as
fortunate.

Jesus, I pray that you would visit this family and pour out your awesome grace and mercy, that you have poured out so freely, upon them. I pray that as they hold the newborn in their arms, as they pour out their unconditional love on that little one, that you would pour out on them, and that they would come to know you Lord and your deep, unconditional, love. I pray that they would come under the conviction of their need for you, Jesus, and see that the only real hope they have to be restored to each other lays in being restored to you. Draw them Lord. Amen

I have an issue with most of the Christian books written for men. You know the type: "Recapture your Manliness in Six Easy Steps Will Still Being Sensitive to your Wife's Every Need", or "How to be a Caveman for God". Actually, I like that last one. I think I'll use it when I get around to writing a Christian self-help book.

Anyway, most of these books are not the types of books men buy for themselves, but are books that are bought for them. By women. Women who want to see the men in the lives become a deeper, stronger, men of God. So in order to sell the books, the books must appeal to women. Thus, Christian men's books are written for women. That is why they are full of all the flowery prose, majestic mountains scenes, and scruffily bearded guys who are deeply sensitive and treat their women like princesses.

The authors also tend to have lucrative book deals and speaking engagements that help them along. It's tough to have to choose between the Land Rover or the H3, or the A6 versus A8.

I think there is something to be said for reclaiming biblical manhood, particularly in a society where all men are Larry the Cable Guy. We have been emasculated in entertainment, stereotyped in print, and effeminated by our schools who believe that boys will be boys, therefore they must be stopped.

But what does it mean to be a man? Or even a godly man? Strong and Silent? Beer Gutted NASCAR Fan? Street Corner Bible Thumper? Hunter Gatherer?

I think the real key to being a 'Mighty Man of God' is confidently walking in the call that God has placed on your life. God's call takes into account the different personalities and characters traits men have. He knows our innermost secrets and fears, but he sees the end of the race, and knows how the race is going to form us and shape us. He knows that we will have times when we can't see over the hill, or our spirits are flagging, or we doubt our ability to run any farther. But He does not lead us to despair: He will equip, enable, and empower us to do the work that He has called us to do.

Of course, we can, and often, get in the way. But I'll talk about that later.

I led worship at church this morning. Now, when people hear that you are leading worship at church, they assume you have some sort of musical ability such as vocal skills or instrumentation.

Not necessarily the case with me.

I can strum the guitar, but I'm rhythmically challenged.
I can sing, but with limited range.

As I demonstrated today. In front of the whole church, I struggled to get into key, then I was so focused on the vocal end, my strumming struggled.

Why do I do it? Because I feel that God wants me to, and I desire to be obedient.

But you know: If you can't screw up in front of your church, if you can't make a mistake or struggle in front of your christian brothers and sisters, where can you?

Sad to say, I have been involved in churches where this was not the case. If you were to sing off key, hit the wrong chord, miss a strum, people would talk about it at Sunday brunch or their next home group meeting. And as the person singing off key, hitting the wrong chords, and missing a strum, you wouldn't have to wait to hear those conversations: You'd be able to see peoples rejection and embarrassment from right where you stand. And if you've done it before, you see people who will out right reject you, and shame you with their eyes and gestures.

To them I say: Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Get over yourselves. Repent.

Fortunately, our church is not like that. We encourage each other to step out, and once your walking, grab some one else's hand and help them step out. People laugh with you, and not at you.

To those who struggle with fear of rejection, particularly those who feel called to be in front of people but live in shame because you didn't quite perform they way others expected, or how you would have liked, God is faithful to complete the good work he has started. God will not put something on your heart and not give you the resources to accomplish it.

I didn't always believe that. I would strive, fail, and then give up. Later on, I would feel God's prompting to step out, to try again, only to complete the cycle again, feeling like God had set me up.

But musical skill or preaching style wasn't what God was trying to build in my life. I would practice (which is good), I took lessons (still okay), but I was striving to do it myself. He was (and is) after deeper things than my ability to play a song. He wanted my heart. He wanted me not to depend on my own abilities, but on Him. See, if I were secure in Him, I wouldn't be insecure about my struggles as a musician or my falterings with preaching. The awkward glances, the shameful looks, the reject means nothing to someone who knows they are walking in God's will.

So even though I have a long history of making a fool of myself in public, both behind the microphone with a guitar, and from the pulpit, I keep plugging along because I know that God has called me to do what I'm doing, and my 'job' isn't to please men, but to please Him.

After blotching the first two songs this morning, I just closed my eyes and started to play and sing like I was in my living room, just me and God, and everyone else joined in. The presence of the Holy Spirit was tangible. I'm still learning, and He's still after my heart.

Ya know, David, if ya wanted to engage in legitimate dialog and enjoy the spirit and fun of discourse that is prevalent in blogging, we could have fun taking jabs at each other and all that. We don't even have to agree on anything. But the fact that you are harping on one issue (taken out of context none the less) and pretty much choosing to ignore everything else that's going on here (especially recent events and the changing tone of this blog) shows that you are just being a jerk.

Emailing the contents of a post to someone to share it is one thing, but to do it to intentional cause trouble? Well, you have earned "Troll" designation. This is why I am banning your I.P. When you want to play nice, email me and I'll lift the ban. But for now, you bore me. I see people like you all the time: Basking in the glow of your computer feeling all smug, self-righteous, and oh so much smarter than everyone else. Yup, you sure pulled one over on Surly!

As far as my anonymous blogging, it's because my wife asked me to do it that way. Her job occasionally puts her out there in the public and she doesn't need to be getting any flack, particularly from somebody like you who would email a post to her or her boss just for fun.

Hey Garrison! If you stop by, I want you to know that I think you're a loon. I admire your showmanship, enjoy your radio program, but can't stand your politics. And yes, I did write a post about beating you with a golf club while both picking apart one of your asinine political commentaries and mocking a pacifist friend of mine! But surely you understand satire.

I'm beginning to think there is a conspiracy to keep me from Keagan's. It seems that if I even think about going, something comes up: Work late, sick spouse or child, the wife works late. Tonight, it was a combination of all the above.

I like my job, but I am getting tired of the overtime. These 10-12 hour days are starting to take a toll.

Then to come home to a sick wife, who had to work late.

But I am blessed with a decent job, a loving wife, and a wonderful daughter, so I shouldn't complain about trival (get it? Trival?) that I can't down to Keagan's for trivia as often as I'd like.

...sometimes they wear tinfoil hats.

I'm sorry to hear that Leo is hanging it up because some leftie thug, whose probably unemployed, sits in a dark room all day, and uses the internet as his only source social interaction and Daily Kos as his only source for information, was threatening him and his family. What a loser.

Yeah...making threats behind the veil of anonymity shows what a big man he is. I hope you get a good lawyer Leo.

By the way: Galabiyya.

Well, I was going to start a live blog of the game, but before I could finish my hot wings (wing sauce can play heck with a keyboard), Nebraska was down 14.

More updates as warranted.

Update:Neb just crossed the 50 yard line! Could this be the start of a drive?

Update:Taylor is trying hard to give it to the Sooners with all that lousy passing.

Update:Score! Nebraska is on the board!

Update:Sooners are dropping like flys out there. Can Nebraska even it up? Where is Bogus Doug?

Update:I guess the answer is no.

Update:Half Time: Taylor sacked again.

Update:Wow. The Huskers come back with a vengence. But can they score?

Update: They are trying hard to give this game away! I'll give them 5 more minutes to get it going or this live blog is over. Also, I am tired of the Dr. Pepper 'Turning Japanese' parody song.

Update:This is why
I don't get into sports: I get into sports. If I start watching them at the beginning at the season, I get sucked in and every Saturday for the next 3 months is ruined. Anyway, the Sooners are dominating right now, and once the score is 21/7, I'm done.

Update:This live blog is over.

Well, the 2008 elections are upon us. Candidates are already vying for endorsements, throwing their hats in the ring, kissing babies and forming PAC's.

On the Republican side of things, it is starting to look like a three way race between Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani.

Everyone knows McCain: Perpetual would-be candidate that has managed to alienate every part of the Republican base over his career. Unreliable, back room dealing, self promoting, solid as a willow tree in a tornado. I don't trust him to stand for any issue he runs on.

Rudy Giuliani: America's Mayor. Strong on national defense, good leader under pressure, but to the left on social and family issues. Supports abortions and gay marriage, stands for gun control. To far left for me.

Then there is Mitt Romney. The first concern I hear from many of the Christian conservatives I know is that he is Mormon. As a Conservative Christian who is part of that coveted evangelical voter block, I hear-by state that his Mormonism does not bother me politically.

In response to Mitt being Mormon, I think that he's part of a mislead and misguided group of people who have a wrong view of Jesus. Ignorance is not an excuse, but I do believe that within the Mormon Church there are true believers who are that way because they have placed their trust in Jesus by faith. They are ignorant of what their religion teaches and really stands for, so they place their hope in Jesus. I think that when we get to heaven, we will be surprised by some of the people standing next us.

Now, I am not an inclusionist or a universalist. Everyone repeat after me: "Surly Dave clearly states that he is not a universalist. He states clearly that he believes the only path to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God, believing in His death and His Resurrection, by grace, not by works." I could go on, but this post is not about my beliefs, or about Mitt Romney's status in the eternal. It's about why, as a Christian, I'm throwing my support behind him.

Yes, I am supporting Mitt Romney for President. I'm putting the immense power and prestige of Surly's Soap Box, influencing dozens of readers daily, behind him. In fact, violating my "No Google Policy", I have started "Minnesotans for Romney". If you are interested in getting involved, let me know. I know there are better writers than I out there.

So why am I supporting him? I believe that he will accurately reflect the values of social conservatives. I think he will stand with the family, recognizing that it is the core of the social fabric of the United States.

There's more, but that's why I started "Minnesotans for Romney". I just wanted to address the religion issue right off.