I Have No Faith In Dan McQuiddy

This is an article written for our bulletin by my good friend and brother in Christ, Mike Garza.

Yep, you read that right. I have ZERO faith in Dan McQuiddy. Nothing personal, I just think the word “faith” gets tossed around a little too freely these days. One of the definitions given for the word faith is “Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.” In a world filled with broken promises, broken marriage vows and decaying values I wonder how many people really understand what the word entails.

For me, faith is something deeper than trust in my fellow man. Faith is something that I reserve for my trust in God. I have faith that God loves me. I have faith that God believes in me and strengthens me every day. I have faith that Christ died for my sins and has cleansed my soul. I don’t have faith in anything else.

Now before I dig myself any deeper than I already have allow me to say this: I have the utmost CONFIDENCE in Dan McQuiddy. When he gets up in front of the congregation every week I know that I am about to witness a man become a conduit for the Lord. I know I am about to hear something that I haven’t heard before. I know I’m probably going to hear a joke or two and there is a good chance that those jokes might even be funny! Dan is an amazing guy and someday in the not-so-distant future when he and Pam drive off into the Oregon sunset to a well earned retirement there is going to be a big set of shoes to fill. As far as ministers, people and friends go I have total confidence in Dan McQuiddy.

My reason for not placing my faith in humanity is based on the fact that it’s a poor investment. Man is flawed. Man is greedy. Man is deceptive. These are three things you can never accuse God of being. When taking all of these factors into account it doesn’t make sense to place my faith on anything less than a sure bet. Faith placed in Christ will repay itself with eternal life. Faith placed in man will only result in disappointment. How will you invest your faith? -Mike Garza

Starting With Tomorrow

Lt. Col. Greg Gadson on May 7, 2007 was returning from a memorial service for two soldiers from his brigade when he lost both his legs to a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Before he was a soldier on the battlefield, he was a soldier on the gridiron wearing number 98 for Army. When one of his former teammates, Mike Sullivan, heard his tragic story he immediately contacted him along with other West Point teammates to support Greg and his family. Sullivan who now was an assistant coach for the New York Giants asked Greg to come give a locker room speech to the team. Many have attributed the stirring words of Greg that day to the run of victories that have led the Giants to the Super Bowl XLII. His words that the team have rallied around ended with the solemn reminder, “…nothing is promised to anybody in this life, starting with tomorrow.”

Little Orphan Annie may belt out, “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow,” but reality is as Jesus proclaimed, “…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).” Each day, each endeavor, each moment should be met with assurance this is what I have and I must make the best of it. Whether it’s leaving every thing you’ve got on the football field or making sure you don’t forget to tell your loved ones how much you love them… staying in the moment and doing the best you can is the road to victory. Yes, one can look to the future but not by overlooking the present.

I vividly remember when my father was in Doctor’s hospital in Modesto apparently rebounding from a massive heart attack. It had been quite a stormy affair and with what seemed like a break in the storm my Dad sent us off to get something to eat. I remained. After awhile Dad convinced me to join the others… and as I was walking out of his room something deep within me literally stopped me in my tracks and I turned around and looked into in father’s eyes like never before and said, “Dad, I love you!” He responded in kind and sent me on my way… that was the last time we got to speak without tubes, and noisy life support machinery clouding the sky with the return of stormy times. I’m thankful God stopped me in my tracks!

…make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace… (Colossians 4:5,6). -DAN

I'll Have Those Scrambled

My favorite serving of humble pie is the one that comes with the big scoop of, “Duh!” Recently, Pam and I decided to take advantage of the International House of Pancake’s generous offer to eat all the pancakes we could. Now, I know that neither of us is about to teenage up and attempt some stomach-stuffing marathon to eat our way to fame and cardiac arrest. However, we would enjoy the option to flap a few Jacks. Now, to order this carbgantuous (aka pancaker) feast you must add it to an order of eggs or eggs and assorted breakfast meats. Fully aware of counteracting the carb factor I asked if they had an egg substitute. Cheerfully I was assured they had eggbeaters to which I responded still in egg mode, “I’ll have those scrambled.” The waiter somewhere between rolling his eyes and stifling a giggle was distracted by my lovely wife who was beaming with her usual I love it when he makes a mistake grin. Feeling their Duh! …That’s the only way you can cook them gaze, I quickly responded with, “Yes, I know that’s the only way you can cook them… and yes, I’ll have that large piece of humble pie, with a scoop of Duh!” I’m just glad I could entertain them.

Here’s the rub… I now find this quite humorous. In the moment, I found it embarrassing and frustrating to which I became quite defensive and momentarily upset. Humility is difficult but important ballast for our lives. In fact, it is consistently equated in Scripture with having the mind of Christ (cf. Philippians 2:5-8). Both James and Peter (James 4:5-10; 1 Peter 5:5-7) quote Proverbs 3:34, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” These inspired writers knew personally that God continues His good work in each of us by humbling us again and again. It may be as benign as miss speaking or as invasive as chronic sins but the end result is that what God is looking for is not the perfection of our actions but rather the perfection of our attitude. I believe that is what Paul means when he challenges us with, “…offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God –which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… (Romans 12:1,2).” An willing and humble spirit will be led by the Spirit of God to renew daily a mind that longs for God’s will to be proved and seen in transformation.

So humble yourself in the sight of the Lord… and He will lift you up scrambled eggbeaters and all! -DAN

BEST and BIGGEST

In my office on the shelves of my personal library is an old cigar box… a John Ruskin Perfecto Extra’s box touting itself as the best and biggest. This box was one of many that my uncle Hershey owned, emptied and stored sundry items in. He occasionally would give his nephews and nieces one of these treasure chests to safely keep our adolescent cache of collectibles. I’ve long lost my original box that stashed such valuables as a rock shaped like a tiny foot, an eraser shaped like Goofy’s head, football and baseball cards, a Boy Scout knife and a buffalo nickel. My new box has new memorabilia but still has residing over its care, John Ruskin with his long white beard and knowing smile. I don’t think I’ve ever thought to myself: Who is John Ruskin? That is, until this week when the box caught my eye. So, who is this Santa-like character grinning over my treasures that have replaced his seven-cent cigars?

My research revealed that both Mohandas Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. credited a collection of essays, Unto The Last, by John Ruskin for dramatically shaping the way they viewed both politics and the economy. The title, Unto this Last, refers to Christ's parable of the vineyard laborers from Chapter 20 of Matthew's Gospel. Ruskin who was born into wealth and raised by a religiously fanatic mother and an overbearing father became an idealist. He first distinguished himself as a poet, then as an art critic. His socialist views and eccentric lifestyle took its toll on him and his last years were plagued with mental illness. However, he never waned from his passion for the ideal and hope that every man could be the best and biggest!

Now, when I look at my uncle Hershey’s cigar box I’ll be reminded of two things: 1) Life has great meaning only in what God accomplishes through us… that is, my uncle Hershey never for a moment thought about John Ruskin except that it was a good cheap cigar. But what a hardworking share-cropper from central Texas shares with a English nobleman who influenced great thinkers is that everyone can be the best and the biggest through God’s help and grace; 2) Often we are surrounded by things that go unnoticed by us or are taken for granted. However, in God’s eyes they remain laborers worthy of their hire regardless of the circumstances of their employment… in His eyes we all are the best and the biggest! Hum, all that from an old cigar box. -DAN

Transformers?

Wednesday evening services begin with singing, prayer requests and announcements. Sylvia Garza has a co-worker who’s home was set on fire during these past storms when a transformer fell on the house where his bedroom is located. Sylvia gave us an update and then recapped the events leading up to this unfortunate event. When she said that a transformer had fallen on his bedroom seven-year-old Micah perked up with eyes extended wide and searching for more information. Was this transformer Optimus Prime the leader of the autobots or was this the dastardly work of Megatron the mastermind of the decepticons? Micah’s imagination was running wild until Ghavinn noticed his frenetic hopeful gaze and said, “Not that kind of transformer!” I know it didn’t happen but I thought for sure at that very moment I heard the sound that the Pac Man game makes when your man is defeated. English is not a kind language… it often leaves it users suspended between meaning and context dangling on the precipice of grammatical ambiguity. Yes, I have no idea what I just said –because I speak English! And yes, what I need is transformation!

In view of God’s mercy we not only live sacrificial lives in order to be pleasing to God but we take seriously the challenge to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but (are) …transformed by the renewing of …(our) mind (Romans 12:1,2).” And yes, Micah, this is somewhat like the transformers who transform from one shape to another. The difference is that this transformation is not external but internal. It is as radical as the reshaping of characters like Optimus Prime but this transformation is not about changing shape for strategic value but rather seeing our surroundings with an eye for glory! Not our own glory but how can we through lives of service bring glory to God in all things.

What kind of transformations have you seen in your life? In what ways has your mind been renewed to prove God’s will in your life? Simply put, …are you a transformer? Knowing it’s counter part may put our spiritual feet to the fire when we ask ourselves the poignant question, “How often do I conform to the things of this world?” I’m confident that our mutual prayer aligns with St. Francis of Assisi, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace… it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” Yes, may His transformation fall upon us!

Thank God It's Venerdi

In June of last year Italian courts in Genoa ruled that Mara and Roberto Germano could not name their son Venerdi. It was deemed that said name would fall under the statute that forbids naming children “ridiculous or shameful” names. The court subsequently ordered that the child be named Gregorio after the saint on whose day he was born. You would think that the Germano family had named their child, “Corn Nose” or “Zit Catcher,” however; Venerdi is simply Italian for “Friday.” The couple liked the name and wanted to name their son something original. The courts insisted that the connection to Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe,” savage servant, Friday, would bring shame and ridicule upon the child.

I wonder what the Italian courts think of some of our celebrities’ names for their children? Here’s a short list: Apple, Pilot Inspektor, Moxie CrimeFighter, Audio Science, Banjo, Fifi Trixibell, Jermajesty, Kyd, Lark Song, Sage Moonblood… and let us not forget Frank Zappa’s children: Moon Unit and Dweezil. Now those are some names that if I may be so bold to say, are ridiculous! Yes, yes… I know that the intent was to give them something unique in hopes that they would put their unique stamp on the world and hey, I was raised by Pearl Pauline and Claude Cephas. However, there seems to be a point of sanity between Venerdi and Fifi Trixibell. A name not only identifies it holds power, passion and promise.

The apostle Peter insists that, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).” However, Jesus, though a common name, is now forever blessed and full of power, passion and promise. Yet our hearts also echo the words of the prophets… Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace… the Christ! And maybe… just maybe, Venerdi –for he gave His life for us on a cross that day. Thank God for that Venerdi that secured our salvation as His precious blood flowed from his side to wash over all who would believe in that night of ebon pinion and redemption. -DAN

What's That?

When in Oregon we more often than not worship with the Lincoln City church of Christ. They are a small but vibrant congregation that sometimes has as many visitors/tourist as they have members. The auditorium is small and more living room size than it is worship hall size. But that makes for great singing and an intimacy that promotes informal bliss and a conversational connection with God and man. You might say it is an upper room kind of atmosphere where someone just might fall asleep cradled in a windowsill. But don’t worry they wouldn’t fall far. This past Lord’s Day when we were visiting a small child in the back blurted out during the communion bread being passed, “What’s that?”

I heard some giggles and a faint “ssshhh” from the back but I had this overwhelming urge to want to answer this great question but suppressed it. But wouldn’t it have been great if we would have broken out of our structured formalities and pew sitting decorum to turn and say, “That’s a very good question for all of us to answer!” I mean… isn’t that why we gather around the table? Isn’t the meaning of the emblems and the mystery of communion with the divine and one another what sets the tone for worship and hails the standard for our gathering? What could be more to the point… more historically connected… more Christ spirited… than for a child to ask a question about why we do what we do (Eat unleavened bread…tell your son, ’I do this because of what the Lord did for me…’ Exodus 13:7,8).

Yes, I’m a fan of “decently and in order” but not to the exclusion of meaningful and reflective or forbidding the little child in us all to come to Jesus side. We need more “What’s that?” in our worship and lot less same old sameness bereft of feeling and child honest scrutiny. We need to truly commune and answer not only in worship but also in ministry, “What’s that?” Now, there’s a New Year’s resolution… let’s never lose the child-like/kingdom nature ability to ask “What’s that?” -DAN