A shimmer of light

Have you all seen the CBS video of the woman from Moore,Oklahoma who survived the absolute leveling of her house, but whose dog was somewhere in the rubble? If you haven't check it out:

What an amazing thing! I know that so many people were lost in the storm and, well, it's just a dog. But still... As a dog owner it brought tears to my eyes to see someone who thought she had lost her only companion and discovered, live on camera, that her dog was okay. This dog has a purpose in God's creation, and I believe it is to bring comfort to this woman who had just lost everything.

This is a just a glimpse, a shimmer, of the surprises that await us who choose to follow Jesus. Just when everything is at its worst, the Father comes along beside us. He doesn't take away the pain (yet), but he does  give us what we need to endure it. And then one day, when things are at their darkest, when we face the ultimate enemy death, a wonderful treat is in store. Eternity in his presence, in our restored creation where the rubble of this decaying world is made new.

Finding her dog brought this woman a glimmer of light in the darkness of destruction. How much more grand it will be when we see the true Light.

April 27: Life, Death, and Eternity

Just time for a few words before I head to the service. I am in South Carolina to remember and honor a wonderful woman, my aunt Gladys Owensby, whom we called Aunt Odell for my entire life. She lived to be 86 years old, and all those years were filled with love. She will be missed by so many people, but she is now in such joy that we cannot even imagine it.

I think it's fitting to honor and remember her on April 27. Because this is a date that will always represent the fine line between life and death, joy and tragedy, building and destruction. For one year ago today, an unprecedented number of tornados ripped through the South - and one hit very close to home. Thankfully, it basely missed the house and dorm where my nieces lived while attending the University of Alabama. But for hundreds of others, it didn't miss. and that community will never be the same. Yes, out of our scars come growth, so I think that it will be a better place than it was before. But the healing continues.

Part of that healing is a huge memorial service today in Coleman Coliseum. So on the same day, I will be in SC remembering my aunt. And I also remember the victims of April 27, 2011. In both cases, we can see the awesome hand of God as he moves to heal, restore, and love those who are hurting.

Another semester begins...

...but not just another semester. When we last left the academic calendar at the University of Alabama, the school and its surroundings were in chaos. The city of Tuscaloosa had just been ravaged by a monster tornado and any idea of rebuilding was almost inconceivable. The day after the tornado, the school announced an early end to spring semester. And the process of picking up the pieces began.

From what I can tell, amazing progress has been made over the summer. There is a long way to go, but we have learned that our state and the city are both filled with resilient people. And more importantly, there is a big, big God watching over us and leading the healing process.

So tomorrow, classes begin again. And another step in the healing process commences. No doubt it will be a hard day for many students and faculty. I pray for them that God would fill them with grace and a sense of his comfort as they try to build a "new normal".

And I also pray for my three nieces who are students there. I am so proud of them. From the moment the tornado struck, I started hearing from them nothing but compassion for their neighbors and fellow students. Their heart is in their chosen city, and it shows.

So tomorrow they begin classes. For two of them, it is the 4th year of college and so they enter the home stretch of their chosen fields of study. They are beginning to think about the implications for their careers - classes are not just classes anymore. For the youngest, she enters her second year and begins to move from freshman requirements into classes that are more relevant to her field. I pray for God to give them a sense of calm and the fact that he is in control of their futures.

For all of them, they continue to navigate the the dangerous waters of living for Christ in the midst of college hedonism. We all know that college is a place where so many young people exercise their new found freedom to live for themselves and, more specifically, their pleasure. Yes, it's a dangerous place for students who are not connected to the Vine, drawing their life daily from their relationship with Christ. But for those who are connected.... What. An. Opportunity. They can be the light of the world in the darkest of rooms, and make such a difference for friends who desperately need light.

And so I pray for Tuscaloosa. And I pray for the student body of the University. And mostly I pray for these three students whom I love so much. May you stay connected to your life source. May you stay close to friends are also connected. And may you do so in a way that spreads God's grace among your other friends, not bringing harsh judgment to them but the love of God.

Just like your aunt/mother did 30 years ago. I am so proud of you. May God grant you an amazing year.

And roll tide.

Whatever it takes

Charlie Sheen visited Tuscaloosa last week. That was about the last thing I expected as the city was trying to recover from the tornado's devastation. But there he was, announcing that he wanted to do what he could for the city. For those who haven't seen it, here's a video clip from the visit:



Well, apparently Mr. Sheen fell in love with our awesome campus town, because a few days later he was spotted at a charity gala for a diabetes research group wearing a Bama cap:

And he even took a picture with someone my fellow Bama fans might recognize:

Now, Charlie Sheen's recent problems are well documented. He has been the picture of crazy, and far from a model citizen. He is not exactly the person most of us would have thought of as a 2011 spokesperson for a worthy cause.

Furthermore, one can't help but wonder about his motives. Did his agent encourage him to jump on the next worthy cause to rehabilitate his image? Or did the reports grab his heart to the point that he really wants to help?

Here is my two cents worth on that question: IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER! That's right - I don't care what his motives are. The important thing is that he is calling attention nationally to a crisis that desperately needs to be shared. And the work he is planning to do to raise money and awareness will help keep it on the national radar in our age of incredibly short attention spans.

Paul expressed a similar view about the spread of the Good News in his letter to the Philippians:

 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18)

Paul didn't care why people were preaching the gospel of Jesus, he was just excited that the word was getting out. I think he would feel the same way about Mr. Sheen. Whatever the motives, if it gets more help for the people who desperately need it, bring it on!

So, Charlie, if by some chance you happen to read this, I hope your motives are pure. For your sake, though, not because it matters to the good people of our state. We're just thankful for anything you can do to help.

And, oh...love the cap. Hope to see you this fall in T-town. Roll Tide!