"Clueless"

In 1996, Brian Henson directed the plush-figured creature version of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel and titled it "Muppet Treasure Island".  It's a great kid's movie.  My boys nearly wore out our VHS version when they were small.

While watching it, I was surprised to find that Henson had borrowed so generously from my life when modeling one particular member of the crew.  Watch this short video.  You may find a crewman that you identify with, too.  Mine is right after Dead Tom:



Clueless Shope - - That's me! It would be embarrassing - - if I didn't find myself in such good company.

Hebrews 11 reminds us that Abraham up and moved himself, his wife, his nephew, and all his belongings "even though he did not know where he was going." (verse 8).  Try that sometime.  That'll earn you some stares.

Then there's Paul.  This persecutor-of-the-church-turned-apostle who had spent so much of his life and energy traveling the Middle East & Asia Minor spreading the good news and starting churches, stands in front of a group of church leaders on the southwestern shore of what is modern-day Turkey and confesses: “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there." (Acts 20:22).  Verse one of the next chapter tells us that they didn't want him to go.  So much so that he and his party had to "tear" themselves away from them.

And Jeremiah.  God's prophet.  Our introduction to him in the first chapter of his self-titled prophecy sets the tone for his life:

⁴ The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

 ⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew^[a] you,
   before you were born I set you apart;
   I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

 ⁶ “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

 ⁷ But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Four Quick Observations:
1. God knows you better than you know yourself - - and He values you highly. (Verses 4-5)
2. You don't need all the answers to take significant, obedient action. (Verses 6-7)
3. God is always with you when you obey Him. (Verse 8)
4. Obedience often will be scary & perilous. (Verse 8)

As a man (or woman) follows God, there will be times when we must act without knowing what the outcome will be.  Abraham didn't know where the journey would take him and his family.  Paul didn't know how it would turn out in Jerusalem.  (By the way, it turned out to be prison, trials, and execution.  Just thought you should know.)  Jeremiah didn't know what to say, yet he spoke.

I'm no Abraham. Or Paul.  Or, for that fact, a Jeremiah.  And I don't know how it will turn out.  Really.  I'm clueless.  But I fully intend to follow Christ no matter the outcome.  If you aren't already a follower, I invite you to join me on this adventure.

Semper Fidelis,
Doug

"Born That Way"

I wasn't there, but I'm pretty sure that Clay & Addie Nicholson knew right away that their little boy was different.  Ernie was born with, what in contemporary medical terminology is, a severe case of Down Syndrome.  Down Syndrome is not something we can "cure".  As I understand it, it is the result of a chromosomal anomaly.

Ernie Nicholson was my uncle.  My mom's little brother.  Early in his life, his family was told that he probably wouldn't survive beyond his early twenties.  Yet, he was nearer 30 years old in my earliest memories.  And Ernie was definitely memorable.

Did you ever wonder what a Southern Baptish Church Service would sound like if it were crossed with an Elvis Presley Las Vegas stage show?  Not me.  Didn't have to.  I've been there and I've heard it with my own ears.  In that little frame house in Cave City, Arkansas, Ernie's voice would boom from his bedroom as he seamlessly transitioned from preacher to singer and from gospel hymns to "You Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog".

I remember my Uncle Wesley (Ernie's younger brother) lovingly teasing Uncle Ernie by trying to get him to properly pronounce one of Ernie's all-time favorite TV shows, FBI.  It would go something like this:

Wes:  "Ernie, do you like to watch FBI?"
Ernie:  "Yeah.  Ah (Ernie's long "i" sounds always came out sounding like a kid saying "Ah" as the doctor positioned a tongue-depressor to check his throat.) lah-lah-lah-lahk it."
Wes:  "You like what?"
Ernie:  "Ah lah-lah-lahk Bee Ah."
Wes:  "Ernie, it's not BI.  It's FBI."
Ernie:  "Yeah.  Yeah.  Bee Ah."
Wes:  "No.  Listen, Ernie.  F-B-I.  Say it with me.  It's F."
Ernie:  "Yeah.  Got, got, got a eff."
Wes:  "B"
Ernie:  "Yeah.  Got a Bee"
Wes:  "I"
Ernie:  "Yeah. Golly!! Got a eye"
Wes:  "Put all together:  FBI"
To which Ernie would, then, triumphantly echo:  "Bee Ah!!"

I don't recall anyone ever getting Ernie to call that show anything but, "Bee Ah".  He brought a whole different spin to today's completely-too-common slang of "getting the F outta there."

Ernie was different, very different, from almost everyone else that I knew.  The world in which he lived was different.  Physically, it was small - - not much beyond the inside of my grandma's house, spiced up with a daily trek down their short driveway to pick up their copy of the Arkansas Democrat or to carefully and deliberately retrieve letters from the mailbox by the road. 

Imaginatively, though, Ernie's world was wide open.

One of my warmest memories of our annual summer vacations to Arkansas was when I could sit with Ernie, there on the side of his feather mattress bed, and he'd pull out his leather "purse" and "wallet" - - each one crammed full of pictures.  Pictures painstakingly collected and almost reverently stored, extracted, and then re-placed in their proper spots within the stretched & straining confines of those hand-worn, cowhide treasuries.  Every single picture - - some actual snapshots, but most clipped from the newpaper - - was accompanied by it's own story.

Stories of his six brothers and two sisters.  Stories of his mom & dad.  Stories of family friends, old neighbors, childhood acquaintances, and local business owners.  Stories of his nephew, my cousin, Dale.  Fond comments about his oldest brothers' wives - - Dixie and Loretta (it always came out as "Loletta", though).  Commentaries, filled with pride, of my uncles James, Presley, and Wilbur.  Reflections of my other cousins, aunts, and uncles.  Of my dad, Wilbur (always "Bill" to Ernie, so as not to be confused with his brother), my mom ("Mattie Lou"), my sisters, Carol ("Carr-Lynn") and Terri (he always managed to get her name right), and me - - "Duckie" (he wasn't intending to associate me with the web-footed, wide-billed fowl, that's just how "Dougie" came out).

Sometimes when Ernie told me about me, he actually displayed a picture of me.  Most of the time, however, his gentle, pale-white hand grasped a newsprint, gray-scale, boyhood image of some celebrity.  Sometimes it was a young John Wayne.  Other times maybe Mickey Rooney or someone lesser known.  I couldn't tell and it didn't matter.

What mattered was that I always knew that I mattered to Ernie.  Not because of my pictures.  Heck, most of my pictures weren't even of me.  (I wasn't alone - - unless Clark Gable, Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Judy Garland really do look EXACTLY like everyone in our family).  What mattered was:  I had a story.  And my story had a place in Ernie's stories.  In Ernie's heart.  And Ernie took the time with me to share those stories.

Ernie was different.  He could seemingly completely unhinge his bottom jaw in such a manner as to enable himself to cover the entire tip of his nose with his bottom lip.  It is one of the funniest things I have ever seen.  I still almost laugh out loud when I think of it.

Did you know that in the U.K., by using prenatal testing, 92% of children with Down Syndrome are killed while still in their mothers' wombs?  Our country's statistics are probably not greatly different.  May God have mercy on us.

Ernie was definitely different.  Some would say that he was somehow less.  They'd be wrong!  Ernie was everything God intended him to be.  He sure taught me a lot.  He educated me about properly valuing others.  He schooled me on loving people who are very different.  He taught me about compassion.

Ernie stepped out of his physical and mental limitations some years ago at the age of 58.  He is now with his heavenly Father and I'm guessing he can clearly say "FBI" - - if he ever wants to.

In Ephesians 4:32, God says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another...".  In ways I may never fully grasp, Ernie taught me to be compassionate - - something it takes most of us years, decades, or even a lifetime to begin to get a handle on.  Not so with Ernie.  He was born that way.  And I thank God for him.

Life is, as it should be, a challenge.

Ernie & Doug (circa. 1972)

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis.
Duckie

"Not Enough Rocks"

Winston Groom's 1986 novel, Forrest Gump, made it to the big screen under the direction of Robert Zemeckis in 1994. In the movie, Forrest, a slow-witted, yet innocent southerner played by Tom Hanks, finds himself in countless pivotal moments of contemporary American culture.

As a boy in a chance meeting, Forrest's leg braces inspire Elvis' famous hip-gyrations. As a collegian, Forrest becomes an All-American playing football for the Crimson Tide's Paul "Bear" Bryant, and gets to meet the President of the United States to whom he confesses, "I have to pee" after indulging in too many free Dr. Peppers.

Gump, then, heads off to Vietnam where he saves many of his friends and wins the Medal of Honor. Upon his return home, he founds a successful shrimp fishing fleet in honor of his fallen buddy (Bubba), plays ping-pong for peace versus Red China, and single-handedly starts the running craze while simultaneously and mistakenly creating the smiley face t-shirt and an infamous bumper sticker slogan.

It seems as if whatever Forrest touches just works out for him - - except for Jenny, his very best friend - - his only friend.

Having met on the bus on his first day of school, Forrest and Jenny become "like peas and carrots", always together. Jenny listens to Forrest and Forrest listens to Jenny. And while Forrest lives an innocent early life, Jenny has her innocence stolen by her own father.

In a telling scene, Forrest rushes up the dirt drive to Jenny's paint-thin shack of a house to see why she missed school. He finds her out back and when he begins talking, Jenny shushes him, admonishing, "Daddy's sleeping." But Daddy has awakened and comes screaming out the back door as Jenny and Forrest sprint into a cornfield to hide. "Pray with me, Forrest, pray" Jenny begs. And, kneeling between the stalks, we hear the pleadings of a precious child saying, "Dear God, make me a bird. So I can fly far. Far, far away from here."

Jenny doesn't become a bird, but the police do take her from her widowed father and she goes to live with her grandma right down the road from Forrest. However, it is obvious that great damage has been done upon Forrest's Jenny (now played by Robin Wright) as her life becomes marked by shallow & short-lived relationships, abusive men, drugs, and elusive longings.

That evil which was, through no fault of hers, forced upon her, takes root in her in the form of a silent and self-destructive fury of bitterness and hatred. Hatred for the man who did this to her. Hatred of herself, for who knows why.  So she runs.  Throughout the film, Jenny runs from place to place, from one man to another, and from discontent to despair. Always returning to her simple friend, Forrest, who loves her without condition.  And, still, the words uttered most frequently in the story are his words, these words, as he narrates their relationship, "And then ... she was gone."

Life goes on for Forrest, as he continues to find himself in the iconic events of our nation.  But his heart is only for his mama and Jenny.  Then, Mama dies.  And Forrest takes up a silent residence in his childhood home, taking care of life's mundane, yet necessary tasks.  All the while, all alone.  Then, in the midst of this subdued solitude -- well, just watch & listen:

Hanks, in the voice of Gump, pronounces a profound dictum on the effects of crimes and hurts, wounds and wrongs, losses and evils - - inside us. And, in doing so, he walks us to the Word of God where, in Hebrews 12:15, He says:

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

I can't say, for sure, why God linked these two concepts - - missing God's grace and bitterness taking root inside us - - but I think I've learned that when I embrace the unjust wounds inflicted on me from others, I'm unable to grasp the undeserved kindness (that's what grace is) from God.  It's a challenge.

There are never enough rocks to batter down all our wounds, but we do have a God who wants to take them far, far away.

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis.
Doug

"That Most Difficult Task"

Paul Greengrass's 2007 screen adaptation of Robert Ludlum's "The Bourne Ultimatum" stars Matt Damon as Jason Bourne - a former CIA agent who had been re-programmed as an agency "asset", or assassin, resulting in the loss of memory regarding his former identity.  After a catastrophic mission failure, Bourne recovers some of his memory and realizes that his actions as an agent have often targeted U.S citizens whose transgressions were not deserving of death.

Having suffered severely at the hands of his former bosses, Jason embarks on a quest to uncover his true identity and bring these rogue agency officials to justice. However, in doing so, he has become a target himself.

Then, Simon Ross, a British journalist, begins an expose of this black ops program. Bourne reads his article and contacts the newswriter, knowing that Ross - by virtue of his threat to uncover the malefactors - - has centered himself, also, in the assassin's scope.

Fully aware that the agency has it's eyes on Ross, Jason arranges a meeting with the journalist. At busy Waterloo Terminal in London, Bourne slips Ross a new, pre-paid phone to avoid tracing, alerts him to the fact that they are being watched, that their lives are in imminent danger, and then warns the writer, "We've gotta move!"

Phone to his ear, Simon Ross traverses the pedestrian-packed terminal undiscovered, obediently following Bourne's constant & calm directives. Though progressing undetected, fear takes control of Simon's mind. A spray-bottle becomes a hit-man's weapon and panicking feet carry him back into the enemy's sights.  Watch what happens next:

After so dutifully and successfully working his way through an obstacle course of movement and action, Simon Ross receives clear instruction to perform what is often that most difficult task for men: "Wait". But he can't. And so he utters, perhaps, the most common last words of men, "I think I can make it!", and he bursts through the door.

Two steps and it's over.

God has eyeballed this scene before. It was a man named Saul, the first king of Israel, in about 1050 B.C.. God, through his prophet Samuel, gives the new king a blow-by-blow account of what is going to transpire. Next, he is given what amounts to a blank check when the prophet tells him that he can then do whatever his hand finds to do because God is with him. Then, Samuel's final instructions to Saul are these words:

“Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.” (1 Samuel 10:8)

In fact, it all happens just as God said it would. Everything Samuel said was fulfilled. Every enemy Saul engaged was vanquished. You would think the level of trust would be sky-high. So, Saul goes to Gilgal and waits. For six days he waits. Then, the sun dawns on day seven and we read:

He (Saul) waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

“What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, ... I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” (1 Samuel 13:8-12)

As a result, Saul's days as king are numbered and God seeks out a man "after his own heart" to lead his people.

Now comes the tough part. Because I have to tell you that I don't have all the answers when it comes to waiting and not waiting. But I will tell you five things I've learned:

1) Waiting is Hard - It's hard for everyone, but it seems to be especially hard for men. The encouragement is this: You are not alone!

2) If God's Word Speaks to Your Situation, Actively Obey - There is no reason that we should be waiting and praying about whether to pay our debts, pay our employees, love our wives, forgive our enemies, tell the truth, or help our neighbors. God's Word is clear: Do it!

3) If God Clearly Tells You to Wait, Wait - Sometimes God, through His Holy Spirit, will clearly tell his kids to wait. But remember this: Never will His Spirit give you instruction that contradicts His written Word.

4) While Waiting, Don't Go Comatose - Don't zone-out on God or those around you. I call it "Active Waiting". Continue to read His Word, Talk to Him, love your family - - do those things you know to do.

5) Rushing Ahead Without God Can Be Disastrous - Just like the journalist in the movie, or King Saul in God's Word: We won't last long on our own.

The king that took Saul's place - his name was David. And while David was by no means perfect, I think he may have learned something from Saul's error. His advice, recorded in the 37th Psalm, says this:

"Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it." (v.34)

Hang in there. It will be a challenge, but God is strong.

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis!
Doug

"The Crucial Storm"

The darkness outside mirrored the darkness in the hearts of the 105 passengers & crew of Air France Flight 139 as they huddled under the heavy watch of seven armed members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. For seven days now they had struggled to maintain hope as they comforted and encouraged one another. Sleep offered only a momentary respite from the tension which made minutes seem like hours, hours like days, and the days like weeks, months, or years.

In the gloom that followed sundown this day, the distant rolls of thunder accentuated the oppressive deadline that awaited on the morrow. The line had been drawn in the sand. If 53 known terrorists being held by Israel and several other countries were not released, these 105 souls would pay the price with their lives.

Fatigue and fear had performed psychological surgery on the captives, extracting any sense of optimism and implanting a dreamlike fatalism. The cloud of depression that enveloped their minds seemed to descend on the terminal in Entebbe, Uganda like a suffocating fog.

Physically, they were sprawled across the facility’s floor. Emotionally, they were much lower. None entertained the notion that their national leaders would ever yield to the PLO’s demands. By their assessments, surely they would spend the rest of their lives – however brief – in this place.

Approaching midnight, those still awake listened as the storm seemed to draw rapidly nearer. Then, in an instant, it seemed the thunder was pounding on the terminal door. The entryway crashed open and the storm was now upon them.

An abrupt flash!

A rapid staccato crash!

Eyes, blurred by exhaustion, stumbled to embrace the sight of commandos storming through their own airport Alcatraz. What was happening?! In the midst of it all, a lone voice bull-horned above the clash: “Stay down! Stay down! We are Israelis!”

Automatic weapons fire filled the air, spraying plaster and finding flesh. Within minutes - the first few minutes of July 4, 1976 - all seven of their captors were no more.

The Son of God storms into the midst of our gloom and, in Luke’s gospel, chapter four, verse 18, He grabs the bullhorn and proclaims,

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Though the enemy has long held you in oppressive darkness, our Lord & Commander has come to set you free. Though your mind’s voice declares it impossible, it is not. Though, in times past, you have fought to liberate yourself - - only to be imprisoned again - - Jesus will not fail. His is a crucial storm for us all. The day of the Lord’s favor is now, if you will accept it.

It’s really very simple. Just pray a prayer like this one in faith:

“Lord Jesus, I confess my sin & failures to you and accept the forgiveness & freedom that only You can give. I will do my best to follow You, as You teach me to follow. I trust You and thank You. –Amen”

(If you prayed this prayer in faith, I would be honored if you would let me know. You can email me at challengepointe@aol.com.)

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis.
Doug