Yesterday Nancy and I drove to Akron, Ohio for my nephews wedding. Scott and Carols oldest son, Joel Boerckel married Monica Amaretti. It was a really neat wedding. Scott did a great job officiating. Joel's brother Mark was the best man. There were many touching moments.
The reception was a blast. I have not laughed so hard in a long time. Monica's family pretty much dominated the dance floor, as our side is not known for busting moves. We don't dance, but we sure can eat.
We had to get up at 4:00 today to get back in time to attend Nick Perri's funeral. I've been counseling Nick off and on for over 5 years. His death by drug overdose came as a shock. He was only 21 years old. He and Jimmy used to play on the same little league team. Nancy even babysat him a few times. Nick went to our church.
I was asked to give part of the eulogy. Here is a little of what I said.
"I had the privilege of knowing Nick Perri. We prayed together. We laughed and cried together. He trusted me enough to open his heart and share his pain. And Nick had a lot of pain. But Nick was so much more than his problems. We are here to celebrate his life and to help each other heal. But we are not here to say goodbye. We are here to say, " We'll see ya later Nick." You see, Nick is more alive right now than he's ever been. The Bible says, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Nick is with Jesus right now. He is experiencing a new life of joy and freedom. I don't feel sorry for Nick. I feel a little envious of him."
Joel and Monica began a new life. It was a celebration of each finding their true love and becoming one. It brought an end to their previous lives of searching. Monica, the bride, walked forward to be with Joel, the bridegroom, forsaking all others.
Nick began a new life. It was a celebration of him finding his True Love and becoming one with Christ. It brought an end to his previous life of searching. Nick, the bride of Christ, walked forward to be with Jesus, the bridegroom, forsaking all others.
One wedding and a funeral. We shed tears at each.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
God Sighting
Today I took my car in to be fixed. Then I started to walk to the gym. This would have been a really long walk. Mark Waltz was driving by and he stopped to say hello. He was on his way to visit a boy in the hospital. I jumped into his car and ended up going with him.
We visited Jeremy, a 16 year old who is in a coma from a car accident last night. His face was swollen and purple. He has a severe brain injury. We hugged his parents, prayed with them, and cried. The 4 of us stood next to his bed in a tight circle with our arms around each other.
His dad said a one sentence prayer, "Lord, don't let my son die."
I thought about my own kids, and the overwhelming shock and fear these parents are experiencing. There are no words. I felt ... privileged to be there.
I was plucked off the street and brought to this boys bedside. I got to minister with one of my favorite people on the planet. It was a God sighting. Plain and simple. And it felt really right.
I think God wants me to get involved in the prayer ministry, or the hospital visitation team at church. There is no such thing as a coincidence. I've been thinking about it all day. I've been thinking about Jeremy all day.
We visited Jeremy, a 16 year old who is in a coma from a car accident last night. His face was swollen and purple. He has a severe brain injury. We hugged his parents, prayed with them, and cried. The 4 of us stood next to his bed in a tight circle with our arms around each other.
His dad said a one sentence prayer, "Lord, don't let my son die."
I thought about my own kids, and the overwhelming shock and fear these parents are experiencing. There are no words. I felt ... privileged to be there.
I was plucked off the street and brought to this boys bedside. I got to minister with one of my favorite people on the planet. It was a God sighting. Plain and simple. And it felt really right.
I think God wants me to get involved in the prayer ministry, or the hospital visitation team at church. There is no such thing as a coincidence. I've been thinking about it all day. I've been thinking about Jeremy all day.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Crisis!
Yesterday morning I accidentally left the screen door open when I let Boo out. I found this out when later in the day I got a frantic call from Nancy. She said, "There is a bird flying around in our house." Actually she said, "THERE IS A BIRD FLYING AROUND IN OUR HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Immediately, I began to think of someone else to blame. I mean, a solution.
I pictured the bird pooping all over the house, Boo knocking over lamps to get it, and then catching it and leaving bird guts all over the carpet.
Boo was having a nervous breakdown, running wildly after and from the bird. Jimmy said, and I quote, "It scared the shit out of me!" Great. Another mess to clean up.
Caitlin and her friend Lauren saved the day. They got a ladder and Lauren, ninja-like, caught the bird with her bare hands. She let it go with a harrowing story to tell the other birds.
Let's review. I cause the problem. Jimmy gets scared and poops his pants. The women solve the problem. That's how it usually goes.
Immediately, I began to think of someone else to blame. I mean, a solution.
I pictured the bird pooping all over the house, Boo knocking over lamps to get it, and then catching it and leaving bird guts all over the carpet.
Boo was having a nervous breakdown, running wildly after and from the bird. Jimmy said, and I quote, "It scared the shit out of me!" Great. Another mess to clean up.
Caitlin and her friend Lauren saved the day. They got a ladder and Lauren, ninja-like, caught the bird with her bare hands. She let it go with a harrowing story to tell the other birds.
Let's review. I cause the problem. Jimmy gets scared and poops his pants. The women solve the problem. That's how it usually goes.
Dinner with the Mayor
Tuesday night I got to have dinner with the mayor of Mishawaka Jeff Rea. Well, actually Nancy got to have dinner with the mayor and I got to tag along. Nancy is the treasurer for the Commission for Women.
We met at Pasqualli Rulli's for great Italian food. The mayor came in and sat right next to me. I am proud to announce that as far as I know I did not embarrass myself, the mayor, the fine city of Mishawaka, or most importantly Nancy.
Jeff, as those of us who are in the loop call him, is a really nice guy. But more than that he is a real guy. He was just himself, which I found refreshing, and rare in a politician. He suggested I not call him a politician, but rather an elected official. Turns out the word politician is politically incorrect.
On the wall, just above the Mayors head was a large photo of the murderer Al Capone. I suggested to him that I take his picture with the gansta looking proudly upon his protege
the Mayor.
Jeff gave a nervous laugh. I think the reason he asked to be seated somewhere else was so he could talk to other people.
It was a great night. Now that I'm in with His Honor, I'm pretty much the go to guy if you need a ticket fixed, someone to disappear or a kickback. Call me.
We met at Pasqualli Rulli's for great Italian food. The mayor came in and sat right next to me. I am proud to announce that as far as I know I did not embarrass myself, the mayor, the fine city of Mishawaka, or most importantly Nancy.
Jeff, as those of us who are in the loop call him, is a really nice guy. But more than that he is a real guy. He was just himself, which I found refreshing, and rare in a politician. He suggested I not call him a politician, but rather an elected official. Turns out the word politician is politically incorrect.
On the wall, just above the Mayors head was a large photo of the murderer Al Capone. I suggested to him that I take his picture with the gansta looking proudly upon his protege
the Mayor.
Jeff gave a nervous laugh. I think the reason he asked to be seated somewhere else was so he could talk to other people.
It was a great night. Now that I'm in with His Honor, I'm pretty much the go to guy if you need a ticket fixed, someone to disappear or a kickback. Call me.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Mothers Day
Another Mothers Day has come and gone. Kind of a rough day for me. I wasn't depressed, just sad. Mom died six years ago. Hard to believe. I miss her so much. She taught me the two most important things in life, how to love God and how to love people. I am so glad I got to have her for a mom.
It was a tough Mothers Day for Nancy too. Her mom is still living, but not really. If you know some one with Alzheimers you know what I mean.
We have great memories of our moms, and we live on these. We cherish our time with them. They gave us life and then showed us how to live. They loved away a world of pain. They believed in us when no one else did, even when we didn't.
Thanks Mom. I love you.
It was a tough Mothers Day for Nancy too. Her mom is still living, but not really. If you know some one with Alzheimers you know what I mean.
We have great memories of our moms, and we live on these. We cherish our time with them. They gave us life and then showed us how to live. They loved away a world of pain. They believed in us when no one else did, even when we didn't.
Thanks Mom. I love you.
Jerry Falwell
Jerry Falwell has gone home to be with the Lord. He said some things I disagree with. He could be obnoxious. Many times I wished he would keep his mouth shut, because some of his outlandish comments gave his enemies ammunition, and as a Christian leader he didn't always represent Christ. Wait a minute. That last sentence describes me perfectly.
Jerry Falwell did a lot of good. He gave a lot of money to poor people. He paid for the education of many who could not afford it. He started a home for unwed mothers. He unapologetically preached what the Bible says.
So many people are thrilled he is dead. The guy who wrote the book "God is not Great" was on Hannity and Colmes tonight spewing hatred. The people who are accusing Falwell of hate, are being so hateful. Kind of hypocritical, dontcha think?
Jerry Falwell did a lot of good. He gave a lot of money to poor people. He paid for the education of many who could not afford it. He started a home for unwed mothers. He unapologetically preached what the Bible says.
So many people are thrilled he is dead. The guy who wrote the book "God is not Great" was on Hannity and Colmes tonight spewing hatred. The people who are accusing Falwell of hate, are being so hateful. Kind of hypocritical, dontcha think?
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