You ARE The Pronoun

One of my responsibilities as a deputy chief is to work with members of the United States Army Garrison - Presidio of Monterey. I am part of a team that develops multi-jurisdictional exercises to prepare military and civilian personnel to react, respond and recover during disaster events. This past year, I helped plan a regional, full scale earthquake drill for the Monterey Peninsula. The event happened last month on a day when I was returning from a conference in Maryland. That is probably why the drill went so well.

It turns out that the planning group I worked with got nominated to receive an award for our efforts. My Army buddy told me to show up for the award ceremony and said it was, “No big deal.” Turns out it was a bigger deal than he let on. I was the only non-military civilian receiving recognition. I was dressed in Friday casual and, looking around the room, Friday casual was a little too casual. Good thing I had a suit coat in my car to put on for the presentation.

A Colonel presented the awards and before he handed them out, he shared a few words with the group. He said that we ARE the pronoun when people talk about the great work that THEY do at the Presidio. It does not matter the role you have in the organization, we are all part of the THEY. I had never thought about it that way before.

I find it entertaining when people complain about THEY. You know: THEY made the decision to cut overtime. THEY don’t give us credit for all the work we do. Why aren’t THEY doing anything about it?

I suppose the good thing is the people I work with are willing to tell me what THEY do. I point out that THEY is me because I am a member of the command staff. What follows is a quick back pedal to assure me that THEY does not include me. Confused yet?

This got me thinking about who THEY are in the church. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul says, “You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” In Ephesians 2:19-22,  he writes, “…you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

My take away is that we are the THEY in the church. It does not matter what branch: Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Calvary Chapel or Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California. It does not matter where you serve: pastor, priest, Sunday school teacher, worship leader, choir member, parking lot guide, hospitality coordinator or janitor. It matters that when people reach out to you, you represent THEY in the body of Christ.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Jesus – Matthew 5:14-16

You Can Ask For The World - People Might Just Say YES!

A big part of law enforcement training focuses on the rights of individuals. The right of unreasonable search and seizure, the right to remain silent, when we can detain, when we can arrest and so on. There are always new laws and court decisions that redefine what probable cause means, what constitutes a waiver of rights or when a search warrant is necessary. It can be a challenge for a street cop to keep all of this in mind when standing on a street corner at two in the morning, trying to figure out the legal basis to search a suspected drug dealer in a high crime area. For every law or court decision there are always exceptions. The big exception is to get permission. I tell new officers all the time: "You can ask for the world, people can say 'no'."

I have made more arrests than I can count asking (and getting) permission to search a jacket or a car or a motel room. In fact, I am still amazed that a suspect with a pocket full of dope would give me permission to search. I always ask the question, "Why did you let me search you when you knew you had drugs?" The response: "I didn't think you would do it."

As Christians, we have a training manual for living out our faith. In the Book of Matthew, Chapter 7: 7-8, Jesus says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; and to him who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." This is the reverse of a crime fighting strategy. Ask, seek and knock for the Glory of God - Not to search and arrest!

This past summer, my family and I traveled to Big Bear, California to visit a niece and her husband. We arrived on a Saturday for a four day visit. The couple live in a beautiful home (10,000 square feet!). The property is enormous. It was our first visit and I was amazed that when we drove into Big Bear, I could see the house from across the valley! They have five dogs, three horses, two chickens, a cat and who knows how many rabbits. They also rent a room to man named Kenny. 

Kenny is one cool dude. He is tall, skinny, soft spoken and sports a long, white beard. Not Santa Claus style but rock star style. Kenny was a long haul truck driver and got sidelined by a stroke that took part of his vision. He was from the south, but somehow ended up in Big Bear, living on a couch in a trailer. He responded to an ad for a roommate from my niece and now gets room and board in exchange for working on the property and helping out around the house. I enjoyed meeting Kenny. We talked about his life and his adventures on the road.

After dinner we made plans for our visit. My niece told us that they started attending a neighborhood church and invited us to go along. Margie and I thought it would be great and I turned to Kenny and asked, "You want to go to church with us to?"

"Sure." Kenny replied back.

My niece jumped into the conversation saying, "You never went with us before!"

Kenny looked back and said, "You never asked me."

Turns out that Kenny had not been to church in decades. He was concerned that lighting would strike as soon as he walked in the door. I told him not to worry, with his long, white beard, I would introduce him as Moses and tell the congregation that he would part Big Bear Lake after services. We shared a good laugh.

I sat next to Kenny at church the next day. Watching from the corner of my eye, I was blessed to see him pray and sing. When church was over, I asked him what he thought. He said it was great and continues to attend today. 

I did not have to ask for the world, I asked if he wanted to go to church. Kenny said yes. 

I Do

Last Saturday, I had the honor of performing my first wedding ceremony. The cop story is that it was for a police sergeant (Marty) and his wife (Maribel). The journey to the altar began when Marty told me a few months ago that the person they wanted to officiate their ceremony was not available. I told Marty that I would be happy to perform the wedding. Marty and Maribel thought it would be a great idea. A few weeks ago, I took the oath to be a Deputy Commissioner for one day and one purpose. What follows are the words I shared with the couple. It was a blessing to be part of such a wonderful event. It is also amazing to me how God brings us to moments when we can testify of His love for us and how it is reflected in our lives. All the best to Marty and Maribel!!!

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The Song of Songs is an Old Testament book that is a poem about the love between a man and a woman: He says, “How beautiful you are my darling! Oh how beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.” She says, “How handsome you are my beloved! Oh how charming!” and later it reads, “My beloved spoke and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past and the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth and the season of singing has come.’”

In the Book of John, Jesus performed his first miracle when he was at a wedding where he turned water to wine. It is significant that Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding. The Bible says that the marriage of a man and a woman is a reflection of the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church. Jesus died on the cross to reconcile God and man. Likewise, the vows you have taken signify that you are dying to yourselves to join together as one. Together, you are complete as a husband and wife. Your marriage is a testimony to the world of a love that surpasses all understanding.

Your foundation is love. It is not a feeling, it is a commitment. The miracle that Jesus performed at the wedding 2,000 years ago signified a new beginning. The same is true for you. Life as you know it, is changed. You are both called to serve one another selflessly. The definition of love is found in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13:1-8

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails."

My charge to you is to love one another unconditionally. It does not matter how right or wrong, rational or irrational, if it makes sense or not. As husband and wife, you are called to stand by each other forever. 

Love is forgiveness. How many times do you have to forgive? Jesus was asked that question. Peter guessed seven times. Jesus told him 70 times 7. Forgiveness is exponential, forgiveness is infinite.

Love is faith. Have faith in God to lead you and have faith in each other. Your call is to walk together as husband and wife, to hold each other up in times of adversity and to celebrate together in times of triumph.

You will face storms during your marriage. If you have faith, you will stand firm through the tough times. Jesus and the disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee when a terrible storm began. The disciples panicked thinking they were going to drown. They turned to Jesus who, with a word, calmed the storm. Remember that the Holy Spirit dwells with you and even in times that you feel alone, God is with you. Your faith in Him and your faith in each other will see you through.

God gave to Adam the gift of Eve because it was not good for man to be alone. It is in the second chapter of Genesis that God calls the Man to leave his mother and father, unite with his wife and they became one flesh. In a moment, you will exchange rings. You will be joined together as one. Celebrate your new life. Have fun. Laugh. And grow old together. 

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The funny part of this story is that the word got around at the police department that I performed the wedding. On Monday, I was returning from lunch and a police officer said to me "Good Afternoon, Reverend! I was waiting all day to say that to you!"