Skeleton Bones: My View

(My son John Mark asked me to offer some 'theo-commentary' on his song Skeleton Bones, to give it some theological context. What follows is my view. You can find his lyrics at the bottom of the page.) John Mark writes authentic songs, personal expressions reflecting his insight into the heart of God. He communicates his own brand of faith with nonreligious language that makes sense to him and deeply touches his generation and others.

Skeleton Bones is one of those songs. Some have found the term skeleton morbid or negative nevertheless the Lord Himself commanded the prophet Ezekiel to speak to a valley of 'skeleton bones'. It didn't seem to bother the Lord or, hopefully, the prophet. Ezekiel said that when he prophesied to them they literally rattled as they came together (Ezekiel 37:7). That's the sound resurrecting dead people must make, especially those dead for hundreds or thousands of years.

'Peel back our ribs', a heart cry for intimacy, describes accurately the act of God in Genesis when He operated on Adam, peeled back a rib, and made a woman from it (Genesis 2:21-23). How could Adam not love her. She came from him (Adam), and Him (the Lord).

Who would not want the Lord to 'peel back the veil of time' so that we can see Him, the timeless One (see Isaiah 64:1). Those who love Him want to see Him so they can love Him more. Its the desire to love God more that sneaks into John Mark's songs over and over...'we just wanna love you, we just wanna love you'.

The phrase, 'skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity on the lips of the found' speaks of the resurrection of the dead for those upon whose lips are the confession of faith in Him and His salvation. It takes a mouth and a heart. 'For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation' (Romans 10:10).

'Separate those doors and let the sun of resurrection in' is a plea for each of us to open the doors of our hearts to the light of the One who died for us and was raised from the dead for our justification.

'We want your blood inside our bodies' reflects the song writer’s desire for intimacy based on the very intent of Jesus the night before He was betrayed when He instituted the mystery of communion: Eat my body, drink my blood, He said (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).

'We want your wind inside our lungs', expresses the desire to be a 'God-breathed' person; like Adam in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7), like the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:2) when they breathed the rarified air of heaven. In both cases God released a supernatural life that changed Eden and changed the world. God...breathe into your people again. That's John Marks song! That's my prayer for His church too.

Skeleton Bones Peel back our ribs again and stand inside of our chest. We just wanna' love you We just wanna' love you

Peel back the veil of time And let us see You with our naked eyes We just wanna' love you We just wanna' love you

Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity On the lips of the found And gravestones roll To the rhythm of the sound of you Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity On the lips of the found So separate those doors And let the sun of resurrection in.

Oh let us adore the Son of Glory dress ed in love Open up your gates before him Crown Him, stand Him up

We want your blood to flow inside our body We want your wind inside our lungs We just wanna' love you We just wanna' love you

Boys, Still Under Construction

One of the wonders of the Bible is that it rarely sugarcoats the lives of even some of the finest of saints. David's sins are described for all the world to see. Murder and adultery don't commend you very well as a high level servant of God, nevertheless David was one. Rahab the harlot's bold faith saved her entire family and several courageous Hebrew spies. Yet, she is still known down through posterity as, you guessed it -'Rahab the harlot'. These are but two examples of the lives the Bible describes plainly. You have got to love that Book. This being Resurrection season, I have been re-reading the passion sections of the Gospels. After the trying days of Jesus' death and resurrection the disciples, to the man, seemed not to believe in His promise of rising from the dead... even after appearing to some of his closest associates. The women got it. Few others did.

In the midst of this confusion the apostles had been told to look for Jesus in Galilee. By closely reading John's gospel one realizes that Peter had given up hope and returned to his occupation of fishing. His misguided leadership influenced several other 'apostle/former business associates' to join him in it. They fished together all night and caught nothing. I don't blame them. I understand some of what they felt. I became disillusioned myself many years ago. After a season in full time ministry I gave up and returned to my former occupation.

Jesus has a way of helping us through all our illusions and disillusionment. He appeared in Galilee in the midst of Peter's unsuccessful fishing venture.  As they finalized their fruitless night of fishing, He called to them; "Boys, still under construction, you don't have any fish do you?" They hadn't. Then Jesus told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and they would catch some then. They obeyed and they caught a huge number. Peter and his friends had fished that water all their lives as had their fathers before them. They knew the location of every hot spot. They knew the habits of the fish and the lake as well as they knew the backs of their own hands. Jesus knew something that worked on a higher plane; the intuitive realm of the Holy Spirit. Medical science has determined, at least it's arguable, that the right side of the brain is intuitive while the left side is analytical, reason oriented. When Jesus told them to cast on the right side He was asking them to do something intuitive, spiritual. Their 'left side' attempts had proven fruitless.

We are all children, 'still under construction'. The most mature among us still have so much to discover about the ways of God. We will continue to be 'boys still under construction' until we learn to live like Jesus did, in touch with and in harmony with the realm of the Spirit. That's the 'right' way to live. It's much more productive too. Ask Peter!

On Being Southern

(Some people re-tweet. I re-blog... my own blogs. I want to dedicate this re-blog to J.D. Swilley. He reminded me of how great it is to have a Southern heritage, and I like people who's first name is initials!) I remember back in my College days in the late 60's early 70's that being Southern was not popular. Racism marked our history and Southerners were often depicted as ignorant backwoods red necks. Many of my peers rebelled against the norm trying to find inner freedom and meaning in life. Those who did became known as hippies, grew their hair long, did drugs and tried to talk differently. I did some of that myself. It was considered hip. Many of my college friends even began speaking with a Northern affectation, as though that made them more intelligent, more sophisticated. Being Southern was not cool.

Some of my closest college friends were from New Jersey, were great guys, and took me home with them one time. Sorensen's father delighted in calling me 'Little Abner', the stereotypical Southern bumpkin who wore blue jean overalls and had straw sticking out of his mouth. I never had straw sticking out of my mouth. He congratulated himself for making such an astute yet humorous observation. I was not amused. However, over the years I noticed something about my northern college friends. Almost none of them moved back home after graduation. They liked it too much down here. Makes you wonder...don't it!

A number of years ago my mom and dad moved from Charlotte, NC into a retirement golf community on Lake Wylie, across the border in South Carolina. When some of the residents transplanted from places like New York, Chicago, and other parts up north, questioned her very Southern drawl she reminded them of where they were now living. She was born and raised in the great state of South Carolina, and spoke that way all her life.  "I'm not the one with the accent. Y'all are!", she informed her imported friends. That went over well.

Peter and most of the original 12 apostles were Galileans and spoke with an accent. The  metropolitan Pharisee elitists despised them. Interestingly enough, to the Jerusalem crowd the Galileans were Northern redneck fishermen. Even a servant girl could identify Peter as one of Jesus' followers because of his accent: ..."And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it (Mark 14:70)." Every generation faces the same issues. How will you estimate the worth of a person and will you live a genuine life.

I am not a racist, not backwoods, not a supporter of restoring the Confederate flag, not a Christian only because I was born in the Bible belt, never been a member of the KKK, do like grits and biscuits, like to go to the beach in the summer, wear buttoned down collared shirts and Polo shirts but don't play polo, khaki pants, and shoes without socks, but speak with a distinctly Southern accent, and have no thought of changing it. As for me and my house -we are Southern and being Southern is cool, ...if in fact that's what you are.

This brings me to my real point. It is essential for each of us to discover who we are and to live authentic lives. Now, no one should defend poor behavior or boorish activity and claim that it is part of living authentically. Bad manners should be acknowledged for what it is, disrespect and poor breeding. But, affectations adapted for fear of being criticized and changing who we are to please people is a fruitless endeavor. It is living to men. At its core, it is seeking their honor. It is important to give honor, It is foolish to seek it from men. Jesus said He did not receive honor from men and that those who do would not have functional faith (see John 5:41-44). He sought honor from His Father and His Father honored Him, with the ability to help, heal, deliver, and transform people's lives. We need to do the same.

Enjoy who you are, where you come from, and who God has uniquely made you. It is one of the fundamental keys to power.

'Bracketology' ...and Other Pet Peeves

Yessir! It's the 16th and March Madness is in full swing. Sixty-four college teams are fighting through the yearly NCAA basketball tournament to determine who is the best in the land. In my universe most folks are pulling for Carolina or Duke. Some for NC State or Virginia. I actually heard the other day that some folks want Kentucky to win it. Go figure. Can any good thing come out of the blue grass state. Well, I know some folks that are good and hail from there, but you get what I mean if you grew up on Tobacco Road like I did. One editorial writer in the Charlotte Observer was decrying the mis-usage of the non-word 'bracketology'. It has been coined by basketball aficionados as a term describing the science of determining who should play whom, when, and in what 'bracket' of the tournament. And I quote him, "Bracketology" is not a word, so stop saying it. When you hear someone else say it, tell them to knock it off. Other than that, please revel in March Madness."

How's that for one writer's pet peeve. I disagree. That's word discrimination. Every word at some point or another was not a word until someone said it, and others liked it. And kept saying it. Why discriminate against a brand new word, and one that has such a marvelous ring to it! I like it. Bracketology! There. I said it. What are you doing to do about it, call the NAACP? That would be the National Association Against Coining Phrases, not the other one. Those fine folks understand discrimination well and would side with me.

Most people have pet peeves. One of mine must be 'people who have pet peeves that I don't agree with'. I have others, but that's another blog for another day.

My train of thought brought me to this: What are God's pet peeves? If He has some, and I have read that He does, should we adopt them too? Yes. We should. What are they?

I'm not going to get in to all of them but one for sure is un-forgiveness. God apparently does not forgive un-forgiveness (see Mark 11:26). We should take note. Having un-forgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. It works well, only we die, not them.

The writer of the proverbs reveals some more:

"These six things the Lord hates. Yes, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."

Ouch. We should pay attention to the things that the Lord hates, and refuse to participate in them as much as possible. Amazing thing about the Lord Jesus. Both love and hatred drove Him to the cross; love for us, hatred of these things. He died and rose again to deliver us from them all. When you see Him as He is, you've got to love Him. He's Wonderful.

Hole in My Shoe

In any given room I may not be considered the most normal person there, but still, I never cease to be amazed at how awkward some people can be. Over the years I have developed certain relational skills that keep me from being terribly rude but they don't always work that well. At a wake a few days ago I ran into a woman I didn't know who remembered me from teaching in a home group in her city over 20 years ago. This dear woman, in a very awkward way, took great delight in reminding me that I had a hole in my shoe that day. During that season Donna and I had been called back into ministry along with our four children and were barely making ends meet. Replacing half-soles on my shoes weren't on the top of the list -eating was.

I guess as I sat in the room with them sharing my heart, as I crossed my legs the sole of my 'holey' shoe must have stared her in the face. She didn't seem to remember anything I taught on but had been mightily impressed with the condition of my loafer! She told me she recalled saying to the Lord, "Someone ought to buy him some shoes!"

I responded, "The Lord wanted you to buy me some shoes! Who else better to be the answer to that prayer than yourself!" According to CSI and all the other crime shows on TV she fulfilled all the necessary characteristics of a typical perpetrator: motive, means, and opportunity. Motive...'someone should'. Means...all those women were rich in that home group with whom I was sharing. Opportunity...I sat before her with the hole in my shoe.

I have learned over the years that certain folks feel like it is their responsibility to humble you when possible. Why people want to do that is beyond me. Life does it well enough without any additional awkward help from total strangers.

Also. We need to help people when we can. Many times we are the answers to the prayers we pray.

Wearing the Shirt...or Playing?

The family of Wade Taylor asked me to speak on their behalf last week at his memorial service in the Washington, D.C. area. He was a dear friend to me, a devoted follower of Jesus, and an unusual spiritual man. I wanted my remarks to represent him well, so I asked the Lord to help me to that end. I boarded the plane to Dulles International Airport wearing a black polo shirt with a large emblem of a polo player and pony emblazoned on the front left breast and a big number '3' on the sleeve. As folks boarded the plane a man approached me with a big smile on his face, stopped and asked, "Do you play polo?"

"No", I said.  "I just wear the shirt, do you?"

His smile diminished greatly at my response as he replied, "Yes, I play."

I responded, "Oh..." That ended our conversation.

The next morning as I prepared my message for Wade's memorial the Lord reminded me of my conversation on the plane. He made this point: 'Some people play while others just wear the shirt.' Wade Taylor lived an incredible life of faith. Among other things he established a Bible school, founded a retirement home, established a Long Island retreat center, published books, and raised a family of godly children. He lived an incredible life of faith that spanned more than 50 years.

Wade Taylor did not just wear the shirt. He played and his playing inspired me to play as well.

After considering the life he lived, allow me ask you a question. How you answer it may define the rest of your life.

'Do you play, or do you just wear the shirt?" 

Wade Taylor's Passing

Wade Taylor passed away at 1:01 p.m. February 29, 2012. I think it was fitting that he left on the 29th of February, a unique day that only occurs every four years in the leap year. Brother Wade was a unique man who often 'leaped' beyond many of his contemporaries in revelation and vision. Wade established Pinecrest Bible Training Center in Salisbury Center, NY in 1968 and led the school as its President until 1996. His primary desire for the school was for it to be a place for cultivating and enjoying the presence of the Lord. In his own words: "Our constant prayer should be that we might become so available to the Lord that He can, at anytime, speak through us a “present word” – a word that will turn both lives and the nations to the Lord."

I attribute much of my hunger for the presence and power of God to his influence. His experience with the fountain of New Wine at the Green Lane Bible school in the late 1950's fed me for years until I discovered my own fountain. His testimony of being caught up into the heavenly realm fueled my desire and encouraged my faith to encounter the Lord myself, which I have in ways sometimes difficult to describe and yet precious beyond words.

I understand that as recently as his last board meeting he was planning his future and preparing for the next major project he had determined to undertake. That clearly describes Wade, always dreaming always moving toward the next thing he knew God was going to do.

In a way like no other man I ever knew Wade loved the Lord and valued His presence. Did he do it perfectly? Not even close. Did he make his share of mistakes? By the bushel basket full. Everyone I have known who followed the Lord, even those who did so wholeheartedly, still suffered setbacks and at times 'missed the mark'.

What then is the sum of his life? It is probably too soon to determine that. I'm confident I'm not the one who can determine that either. This I know; he encouraged me like few others have. I am much the better for having known him. He left an indelible impression on my life for hunger for God, I loved him and I will certainly miss him.

Wade, thank you for all you brought to the Body of Christ. Your labor was not in vain. I'll see you once again.

Funerals and Jesus

I read recently of a fringe group of church people, (I refuse to call them Christians), who decided to express their first amendment right and their presumed religious imperative to protest at the funeral of a local American Soldier who died in Afghanistan. They base their protests on the belief that; “These soldiers are dying for the homosexual and other sins of America. God is now America’s enemy, and God Himself is fighting against America”. Out of respect for the dead soldier’s family and friends, a second group decided to protest the protesters. Prior to the funeral, one business owner put up posters warning the first protesters, “You Have The Right To Protest A Dead Soldiers Funeral. We Have The Right To Bear Arms And We Will”. (Oh my!) For some reason the original protestors decided to stay home the day of the funeral.

A third viewpoint appeared in ‘The Buzz’, a daily column in the Charlotte Observer described as “Anonymous comments from readers on the issues of the day”. The writer asked; “What funeral would Jesus disrupt?”  They posed the question in the now popular format of WWJD, or ‘What Would Jesus Do?” Embedded in this smug comment is their criticism of the protesters based on their assumption that loving Jesus would never disrupt a funeral. "That's rude and in very bad taste”.

Bad assumption about Jesus! He did disrupt funerals, everyone he ever attended …by raising the dead!

My answer is a little smug too, but based on what we actually find in the text of the New Testament it is not an opinion but fact. Jesus not only disrupted a funeral, He interrupted one He happened to stumble upon. In actual fact there is no record of Jesus not raising from the dead whatever person He found in that condition, at least in His three plus years of earthly ministry prior to His own death.

In the situation of the protest of the dead soldier’s funeral all three attitudes are lacking. To protest the funeral of an American soldier is cruel and dishonorable. To assume that God requires such behavior reflects a dark and troubled presumption about the heart of God.

Too often Christians make assumptions about Jesus based on their own specific doctrinal/denominational/cultural bias. It is easy to do. But in the case of what Jesus would, or wouldn’t do at a funeral, can most accurately be determined by what He did at the only ones we know He attended, specifically the ones recounted in the New Testament record.

He knew what was coming in His own life, a cross but also an empty tomb. He was a terrible deterrent to death in all its forms, whenever and wherever He found it. Jesus Himself is the Resurrection and the Life.

Jury Duty

Last year the powers that be in York County, South Carolina deemed me worthy to be called for jury duty. As I discovered, there is a difference in being found worthy to be called to jury duty and being found worthy to serve on a jury. It was quite an enlightening experience in more ways than one. Here's the drill -a state official spends a significant amount of time explaining to the entire group of 'jury duty call-ees' why they are called, the importance of serving on a jury, what they are called to do if they do serve, and what they need to divulge in their personal short public interviews before the lawyers choosing juries. Then a S.C.Judge comes in and explains the importance of being called in, the legal implications of being on a jury, and what one must divulge to the panel of lawyers who listen to each person's short biographical speech everyone called in must stand and declare. One interesting detail the Judge mentioned to us was that in the state of S.C. if you are living with someone you are considered by the state to be married. Some people in the crowd responded to the judge that they didn't think it was anyone's business if they were living with someone that they were not married to. My sense was that the person who raised that question was living with someone they had not married and did not want to admit it to the room of 100+ total strangers, the judge, and a panel of lawyers who were there to select and reject potential jurors. The judge informed the questioner that it was an important fact that needed to be known by the lawyers who were deciding who should or should not be on a jury who would try one of their clients for one alleged infraction or another. It also sort of honed in the crowd on at least one lady who was living in 'unwedded' bliss with someone else, I would guess.

Then I overheard one man say, "Wow! Showed up for jury duty and found out I was married!" The picture attached to this blog shows you what he looked like about the time he realized he was married.

Then the personal interviews began. After your name was called you stood up, affirmed that they had gotten your name right, identified your marital status, identified your occupation, and revealed any reason you should not serve on a jury. Then the lawyers and the judge had a chance to ask you any questions if they wanted to. When my turn came I had decided I could play my interview one of two ways. I could tell the panel that I was a Pastor (relatively admirable occupation)  or I could tell them I was a Healing Evangelist (absolutely despised by most in the room occupation). I opted for door #2. From that point on I was looked upon as someone who also resembled the photo that I attached to this blog. For the rest of the time I was there the entire group pretty well put me in the human category of life known as "bottom feeder". For three days no one dared speak to me even once. Apparently being a Healing Evangelist was frowned upon in that establishment. No shock.

Why did I do that? For several reasons. Reason #1 -At that particular point I was still in ministry but not specifically a pastor. Reason #2 -I was traveling as a preacher who was evangelizing and seeing people healed. Reason #3 -I wanted to see how people would relate to someone willing to admit in public that they were a Healing Evangelist. Reason #4 -I felt like it was the most honest answer to the question. And finally, Reason #5 -I thought it would keep me off jury duty...and I was right about that.

So, what's the moral of the story? Why did I write this?

I wanted to. I thought it was worth noting that someone could actually say something so bizarre as, "Wow! Showed up for jury duty and found out I was married!" I also think it is important to live in such a way as to never be ashamed of what you do, even if you are a Healing Evangelist.

Gone Fishing?

In John 21 we find the apostle Peter floundering in his faith. No pun intended but he did return to the fishing trade he once gave up to follow Jesus. To set the stage, Jesus had died, been resurrected, but confusion and uncertainty ruled the once confident followers of the Messiah. Peter had been told that Jesus would meet them in Galilee after His resurrection, but while he was there had decided to leave the ministry and return to the boats and the nets: “Simon Peter says to them, I am going off, breaking my former connections, to my former fishing business. They say to him, As for us, we are coming also to join you. They went out and went on board the boat, and during that night they caught not even one thing" (Wuest Trans.).

Not only had Peter returned to his former occupation but he influenced several other experienced former fishermen/apostles to do so also -but caught nothing after toiling all night.

Testing times come. Few dedicated believers having walked with Jesus have avoided this experience. Peter left his calling for what he once knew, the fishing trade, what he thought he could easily succeed in once again. It didn't work out very well for any of them that night. Many have gone back to what they once left,  'gone fishing' like Simon Peter did. Things fell apart, confusion reigned, finances dried up, promises remain unfulfilled, dreams died on the vine, so they left what Jesus asked them to do.

But then a new day dawns:

"But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus" (John 21:4).

I like that phrase, 'but when the morning had now come'. It speaks of the darkness being over. It speaks of new opportunities, new possibilities, another chance. Also we read, 'Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.' There He was, as powerful and victorious as ever -having conquered death, hell and the grave, yet they did not know it was Him. Many are standing in this very place -between having gone back from the purpose of the Lord and finding Him again as all they ever needed. But find Him again they will. He will track you down.

Trust me. Its no time to sell the farm, divorce your purpose, leave what He gave you to do, doubt His promise, and give up on the release of heaven's bounty. We have entered a season where things that have been bound tightly, things that have been held up, are being released! This is a new day and although scarcely recognized, Jesus is among us ready to act.