"The Nick of Time"

“Father, I can’t do this.”  After nearly 47 ½ hours of pushing myself, lacking proper sleep, deprived of much-needed calories due to an unrelenting nausea that didn’t allow me to consume a whole meal; after 329 miles that included climbing the equivalent of 4 miles straight up; after pushing through numerous bouts with cramping hamstrings, quads, calves, & feet - - often simultaneously;  with feet throbbing in pain and arms fatigued near failure; having quietly cried out to God on multiple occasions, “I don’t think I’m gonna make it”; with aching legs, a spinning head, and a queasy stomach - - I rounded the cloverleaf loop where the Towpath Trail would spit me out onto Harvard Avenue in Cleveland only to find that Harvard, which appears benign on a map, was actually more than a 10% incline for 200 – 300 yards.  I knew that to walk now would mean I wouldn’t make it to Lake Erie in 48 hours as I had desired - - and as I had stated as my goal.  With only just over 30 minutes before the 4:00 pm deadline and still more than 5 miles of completely unfamiliar city streets to navigate, once my foot popped out of that clip, the incline would be too steep to maintain momentum.  And only a long, slow walk to the top could be the result.  The time lost would prove too much to overcome.  And I knew that anything short of the goal achieved would be a failure in my mind - - Like Evel Knievel’s infamous motorcycle jump across the Grand Canyon, which was really nothing more than a parachuted plummet to the canyon floor.

But my strength & ability had been exhausted.  This time it wasn’t “I don’t think I’m gonna make it.”  This was the end.  “Father, I can’t do this.”

“How’s it going?”  That’s what he asked.  This young, dark-haired man on his commuter bike as he instantly pedaled up beside me.  He appeared to be about the age of my son Andrew, mid-twenties, and obviously a strong cyclist as he had come upon me, without me even hearing him, as he prepared to push on past - - on to his destination. 

“Well, to tell you the truth, I’m really struggling right now.”  I had to be honest.  Anyway, I’m sure he could already see this fact with his own eyes.

Then he slowed and matched my meager pace.  “How far you going?”

So, in about 20 seconds, I told him of my goal to ride from the Ohio River to Lake Erie in 48 hours.  How I was raising funds for a pro-life women’s center.  That I didn’t think I was going to make it, though.  I said, “I’m trying to get to Edgewater Park.  Do you know where that is?”

“Yeah.  Actually, I’m going right by there.”

“Would you mind pointing me in the right direction?”

“If you’d like, I’ll ride with you.”

And so, for the remainder of that hill - - on thru the numerous turns necessary to navigate western Cleveland, across major thoroughfares, thru little-traveled streets of cozy boroughs, around construction zones, and on avenues that were home to the small businesses that are common to older neighborhoods of our large cities - - he rode with me (sometimes just ahead, sometimes right beside).  We talked some.  He had built the bike he was riding.  His friend was preparing to cycle a 100-mile race.  How he is considering training and riding with him.  Mostly, he responded to my queries about how much further and how much longer before we reached Edgewater Park.

At about 3:40, he told me we had about 40 city blocks to go.  That seemed like a long way to me.  

“We can pick up the pace, if you’d like.” 

“I don’t think I can.” I replied.

Before long, he pointed down a long, broad boulevard.  “Edgewater Park is right down this street.”  Riding a couple minutes longer, I checked my clock .  3:56 – just 4 minutes left.  About 10 blocks ahead was an oncoming car with headlights beaming.  I pointed this out and, doubting we could get there in time, I asked, “Is it about where those headlights are?”

“No”, he said, “You’re here.” And, pointing to his right, he indicated the park entrance no more than 30 feet ahead.  Then, nodding diagonally to our left, he said, “My friend that I’m visiting lives right over there, in that apartment behind the stone wall.”

I thanked him for his help, but he insisted on accompanying me into the park.  We pedaled up the park path and coasted to a stop at 3:57 pm.

“You made it.”  Then, he stuck out his hand and said, “What’s your name?”

“Doug Shope.”

“I’m Nick.”  No last name.  Just Nick.

I took his hand as firmly and as genuinely as I could, shook it, and said, “Nick, Thank you.  I don’t know if you’re a believer, but I want you to know that God sure has used you today to help me.”

“Kinda looks like that, doesn’t it?”  And he pedaled away.

At the risk of sounding silly, I’ll be straight with you:  I don’t know if he was a bona fide angel or merely a man that, whether wittingly or not, was used by God.  But of one thing I am quite certain:  I wouldn’t have made it without him.  He appeared, as if out of nowhere, at exactly the time I was ready to give up.  A flesh & bones answer to prayer, from a Father who loves me.

And so it was with tears of joy threatening to burst from my eyes (just like the ones that have threatened as I sat here and shared this account) that I posted my picture, with Lake Erie over my right shoulder, and typed just two words, “Nuff said.”

Semper Fidelis!

Doug

"Only One Choice"

In Peter Jackson's 2001 cinematic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring", a gold ring resurfaces that had long ago been worn and used by the Lord of Darkness to enslave, control, and dominate the entire free world.  Now it threatens to subdue & shackle all creatures once more.  So it is brought before a council to determine it's fate and the fate of all men.

Watch this clip.  Stick with it.  For what is revealed effects our fate, as well.

The first time in the Bible where God speaks of something not being good is in regard to man's alone-ness (Gen. 2:18).  Of course, in that instance God is referring to Adam's need for a mate and the result is Eve.  For this, all of us men are grateful.  However, in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, God succinctly communicates a reality we men often wish to ignore and avoid:

^"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

Men, as we follow Jesus, we need each other.

I'm not talking about some wierd, touchy-feely, "new-age, sensitive guy" type of thing.  We need brothers.  We need comrades - other men to go to war with.  For we are on a great quest.  It is a quest with many challenges and battles.  Battles for our marriages, our sons, our daughters.  Battles for our homes, our communities, our nation.  Battles for our very souls.

We cannot do it alone.  There is only one choice.  We must enter battle together.  Brothers.  To the end.

It's a Challenge.
This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis,
Doug

Bacon Observations

Jim Gaffigan is a self-proclaimed lazy, pasty-skinned, comedian who hails from northern Indiana, about half-way between Gary and South Bend – home of the Catholic Notre Dame University. He is – by his own admission – a less-than-devoted Catholic. He jokes about how his mind wanders during mass and many of those disclosed wanderings seem to border on blasphemy. I’ve never seen an entire Gaffigan routine, so I don’t necessarily recommend his comedy. However, there is one thing he & I agree on and it’s the topic of this Gaffigan video:

Jesus & his disciples have their own encounter with bacon that stood out so much that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all included it in their gospel accounts. Mark records it in Chapter 5, verses 1 -20.   In this account, I think we can observe four truths that are applicable in our lives today.

After a terrifying trip across about 13 miles of the turbulent Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the twelve come ashore on the souteastern coast in the region known as the Gadarenes. Here, Jesus is confronted by a man possessed by a demon that has driven him mad and away from family & friends to live in the tombs in the hillsides. Even there, the evil spirit still works to ruin the man. Though folks tried to restrain him from doing so, they were unable to keep him from roaming the hills at night, cutting himself with stones, and crying out in anguish. But look what happens when he sees Jesus:

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
     A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
     Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.  (Mark 5:6-17)

Four Observations for Life:
1.  Satan's Ultimate Purpose is Destruction & Death
We really do have an enemy.  While the grace of God restrains Satan's efforts on men & women, his vile objective is vividly revealed when his evil spirit enters the pigs.  Destruction & Death.
2.  We are Mostly Pessimistic of God's Power
Instead of thrilling those who witnessed this miracle, "they were afraid."  Why so?  I think it's because we fear anything that is beyond our perceived control.  God is definitely that.  God is good.  And God is Love.  But you can't box God in - - and that scares us.
3.  Our Focus is Often Faulty
The people who came from all around saw the man - finally, miraculously, healed & in his right mind - and they were told about the destruction of the pigs.  And, apparently, they chose to focus on the pigs (since they ask Jesus to leave).  How often we ignore the many blessings we are given in order to focus on a few problems.  Too often we shut our eyes & hearts to people and spend our emotions & energies on things!
4.  We Often Desire Distance from Jesus
When confronted with a Holy, Compassionate King, our sin & hatred are too apparent for us to tolerate.  Our choices are two:  Either be strong & honest with ourself & with God and repent -OR- Pull away and try to hide our destructive actions & attitudes from ourselves.  These people begged Jesus to leave.  To our detriment, our choice is often the same.

Bacon is good with pancakes, eggs, gravy, and biscuits.  It's great in bed!  But never is Bacon better than when it is used by God to reveal truth to us and draw us to Him.

It's a Challenge.

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis,
Doug

 

"Not Dead. Not Now"

“In times of tyranny & injustice, when law oppresses people, the outlaw takes his place in history.  England, at the turn of the 12^th Century was such a time.”

So begins Ridley Scott’s 2010 theatrical epic “Robin Hood”.  In it, Russell Crowe plays a yeoman archer, Robin Longstride, in King Richard’s army who, as he flees a failed battlefield, happens upon a dying knight, who exacts a vow from Longstride to return his sword to his aging father.

As Robin and his companions journey to Nottingham to fulfill that vow, Robin discovers an inscription on the sword’s hilt that rings vaguely familiar – though he knows not why.  Unknown, is his own past, recalling only the devastating desertion of his father.  But the aging Sir Walter Loxley recognizes & remembers the Longstride name and, after testing Robin’s character & finding it true, the old man decides the time is right to return a noble heritage to this drifting warrior.

Too often forgotten is the noble heritage has been granted to all who believe in the risen Lord Jesus.  But we are again reminded of this heritage in three key phrases contained in this clip from Scott's mythical tale.  Let's briefly focus our sights on these three phrases and the three realities we have been given by the resurrected Christ.

     Phrase #1 - "Rise and Rise, Again."

       In reference to Christ's conquest of death & the grave, Romans 8:1 begins, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation..." 

     Reality #1 - WE HAVE VICTORY 

       This reality is the most commonly recognized inheritance granted by Jesus' resurrection:  That anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ will "rise again" to life and not be subject to condemnation to hell for their sins.  But this is only partially true.  Because Jesus died & rose again to give us more - - So much more!!

     Phrase #2 - "Until Lambs Become Lions"

       Romans 8:2-3a says, "...Through Christ Jesus the low of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin & death.  For what the law was powerless to do...God did..."

     Reality #2 - WE HAVE VIGOR

       Vigor is strength.  Vigor is power.  While lambs are known for their gentleness, lions are renowned for their power.  Jesus was both lamb & lion, depending on what the situation called for.  However, we often do a great disservice to our Lord and our God by over-emphasizing the gentleness & meekness of Christ (His lamb-ness) - - to the neglect &, seemingly, the denial of Jesus' courage & strength (His lion-ness).  In doing so, we discount & deny the power & courage that God desires in us & for us.  Take a look at Chapters 2 - 4 of Luke's gospel - just a small sampling.  Jesus was a man of Courage & Power, hence, by definition, He was a man of Vigor.  His resurrection not only proves His power, but it both delivers & demands this same Vigor from those who would follow Him.

And finally,...

     Phrase #3 - "Not Dead.  Not Now."

       Romans 8:13 says, ..."If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live..."  Jesus expands upon this idea of living with His own description of His purpose in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."

     Reality #3 - WE HAVE VITALITY

       We who trust Jesus can expect life to be full & adventurous.  For an adventure is, by definition, "hazardous action of uncertain outcome."  If this is not part of our lives, I've found that it is usually because we are unwilling to embark on any path, if we do not know exactly what the outcome will be.  Living in such a way, we become overly cautious & we miss the adventures that God has for us.  But for those whowill be led by God's Spirit there will be hazard.  There will be uncertainty.  There will be adventure!  There will be Vitality!

You see, being a follower of Jesus isn't just a list of do's & don'ts to be kept in order to avoid hell.  Jesus Christ died to give you life beyond the curtain of physical death - to be sure!  But eternal life starts now.  And the life God has for you is to be characterized not only by Victory Over Death, but by a Vigorous Strength & Courage, and a Vitality - a Vibrancy - of an Adventurous Life.  That's why Jesus died & rose again.  That's the life He lived & still lives today.  And He is inviting you to join Him!

That's the Challenge!

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis,

Doug

Take Me!

In Michael Mann's 1992 movie adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans", Daniel Day-Lewis gives a memorable portrayal of Hawkeye, a white man taken and raised by Mohican Indians, who now finds himself irretreivably in love with the eldest daughter of British Colonel Edmund Munro.  The film chronicles the events as a twisted Huron, named Magua, seeks to exact revenge on the colonel and his two daughters.

Magua does, indeed, kill Colonel Munro and ultimately captures both of his daughters - - Cora (played by Madeleine Stowe) and Alice.  Along with the two young women, the warrior has also brought Major Duncan Heyward, whose love was spurned by Cora and whose charge it is to protect the colonel's offspring.  As Magua presents his captives to the Huron chief, or sachem, he pleads to be rewarded with both women so that he might torture and kill them.  Hawkeye, having been in pursuit of Magua's party for days, arrives at the Huron village only to find that he is, seemingly, too late.  So, out of his love for Cora, Hawkeye drops his weapons and marches directly into the encampment and into the face of the wrath of the Huron people.

Magua presents his case to the sachem and then awaits the chief's judgment.  What happens next is awesome!  Watch & listen to this scene.  Don't miss the subtitles!



In the same way, Jesus, even though we spurned his love, gave himself as a sacrifice in our place.  Roman's 5:8 says just that:  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

It is this sacrificial love that we remember, once again, this Friday - - Good Friday.  And we remember the One who loved us so much that, even though it would cost him his life, he shouted above the roar of the evil hoard, "Take me!"

It is inferred in the movie, that Cora and Hawkeye not only realize what Major Heyward does but they appreciate and take advantage of it.

Jesus died in your place.  He took on himself the guilt of your sin and carried it to His grave.  Do you appreciate that?  Will you take advantage of this opportunity He has given you?

That's the challenge.

This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis.
Doug

"God Wants You on the Floor"

"Hoosiers", released in 1986 starring Gene Hackman as Coach Norman Dale, is a story of forgiveness.  It is a tale second chances.  It's a reminder to us all not to fall prey to the fallacy that the haves will always get more and the have-nots will perish without.  But it's also a reminder of another vital characteristic of Christian faith.

In the movie, Coach Dale takes the helm of a high school team in little Hickory, Indiana.  Dale, formerly a college coach in New York, had been suspended by that state for striking one of his own players.  After Dale spends ten years in the Navy, an old friend offers him a fresh start in coaching.

The season for the small-town Hickory Huskers is very loosely based on the true account of the 1954 Milan Indians.  In the movie, Coach Dale takes over the team amidst a hail of criticism from the townsfolk.  His military-like discipline wins him no friends and it appears his stay in Hickory may be short - and turbulent.

As the team prepares for their first game, we get a look in the Huskers locker room.  Coach Dale concludes his pre-game reminders, then the town preacher prays.  The team bolts to their feet and heads for the court.  That is, except for one.  Strap - the preacher's kid.  And while most of the team is out the door, Strap still kneels, head bowed, praying.  Coach Dale hollers, "Hold it up. Hold on. Strap?"  No response.  Then, looking at one of Strap's teammates Dale asks, "How long's he gonna go on like this?"  "I dunno. He'll come when he's ready - not before."  So, with Strap still on his knees, teammate and coach head for the door with Coach Dale mumbling, "I hope that'll be sometime before tip-off."

The season rolls on.  As it does, tiny Hickory, though not without their stumbles, gets into a winning rhythm.  Tournament time comes and the winning beat goes on for the Huskers.  Game after game, Strap seems to do most of his work from the bench.  Then, in the District Final, one of his teammates is injured.  Coach Dale's competitive fire burns to win and keep the bleeding youngster in the game.  But things have changed.  Watch this:

God wants you on the floor, too.  Following Jesus Christ takes action.  It's more, so much more, than hymns, prayer, and sitting through a sermon.  Yet, that is what we errantly call a "Church Service".  God forbid that we come to accept such a reduced caricature of a Christian's life!

Church is not a meeting.  It's people.  People who realize they need encouragement and help from others on their common journey following Jesus.  And church is not an organization.  Oh, hopefully there is some organization to it.  But the church is an organism.  A living, breathing, active entity.  And that brings us back to Coach Dale's piercing exhortation to Strap, and to us all:  God wants you on the floor.

God isn't calling you to a boring life on the sidelines.  He wants you in the midst of the game.  Where you can feel His strength.  Where He charges you to participate and contribute to what He is doing in this world.  This isn't a calling for cowards.  It's for those who would answer Jesus' call to follow.  And that answer cannot be sluggishly mouthed with mere words.  It must be eloquently and energetically pronounced in sentences and chapters of active involvement.

God wants you in the game!

There's the challenge.  This is Challenge Pointe.

Semper Fidelis.
Doug

"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