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.

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!

Thoughts from Tuscaloosa

Right across the street from Bryant-Denny Stadium there is a church where I like to worship when I am in Tuscaloosa for the weekend. Of course, that happens alot in the fall. But today I drove to T-town specifically to worship with that community - to worship in prayer, song, and then service. During the prayer and worship time we sang three songs. Here are two of them, and what they meant to me as I stood in the midst of the tornado's devastation:

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

"Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me."

This great hymn is one that I probably should wake up and sing every morning. This morning it took on new meaning. I don't believe I've ever been in a service where the people sang it with the energy and enthusiasm that I heard this morning. It was SO evident that it was coming from the heart. In the midst of seeing lives and property being destroyed all around them, they sensed that God was there, taking care of them.

This song made me think of what is happening in the short term, the hours and days following the storm. God has provided hundreds, probably thousands of people who are wanting to help. Donating money, clothes, water, food, possessions, and their time. After the service, Calvary sent people out to work in the community. I was in a group that cleared debris in a neighborhood that was unrecognizable as such. God is providing morning by morning. It was amazing to watch:

Those are some heavy tree trunks

Chainsaws and haulers

After the chainsaw did its work, Joe did his.

But the people of Tuscaloosa could well ask the rest of us, in the words of Carole King, "Will you still love me tomorrow?"

GOD OF THIS CITY

"For greater things have yet to come
 And greater things are still to be done in this city."

9/11. Katrina. Haiti. Japan. All tragedies of unbelievable scope. And all evidence that we as humans have an incredibly short attention span. It's so easy to jump on the "cause du jour" and then move on to the next one. That's why the lyrics quoted above are so important. And why the words of Calvary's pastor Tim Lovett this morning were so important. He said his church is in it for the long run, and laid out a plan to restore 25 families in the Rosedale community. That's the real work - restoring this city and bringing it greater heights than ever, as it sees the love of Christ in action.

What can I do?

After spending the day with this great community of faith, I know that a day in the trenches is not enough.  For those of you who can't make it right now - great! You can be a part of letting these people know they are not forgotten when late May, June, July, and even next May come along. Please do not forget them as time passes! When the music has faded, volunteer then.

And finally, I can give. I think this church (which is not my home church, just one I love to visit when I'm there) is a great vehicle. Why? First, they are totally debt free so they can commit that every penny designated "Tornado Relief" will go into the community. Second, because they are committed to long-term solutions. If you agree, go to http://calvarytuscaloosa.org and click on the "Give:Tornado Relief" link.

Greater things are still do be done in this city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I want to be part of it.