Archive for November, 2005

Bad News Is Hard to Deliver

Published
by
Mike
on November 30, 2005
in travel
. 18 Comments

We had a perfect view of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade from 48th and Broadway. There were 14 giant balloons, 37 smaller balloons, 27 floats and 10 high school marching bands–plus the Beach Boys, Carrie Underwood, and Johnny Bench. To say nothing of 2.5 million others watching along the route. (When I ran the NYC marathon, there were an estimated 2 million lining the route. That made the race easier — it only seemed about 25.2 miles.)

Four blocks after it passed us, a 515-pound M&M ballon was blown into a light pole, puncturing it. As it went down, it pulled the light fixture off, causing it to drop down and injure two sisters (one of whom has CP and was in a wheelchair). All we knew was that emergency workers came rushing by, but we had no idea why.

The next morning the NY Times scathed NBC because the network decided they didn’t want their sunny broadcast interrupted by bad news. Not only did they not mention the accident and the injuries, but they also substituted footage from the 2004 parade when it came time for the M&M balloon to pass their cameras.

Al Roker pressed on with his script: “Will these classic candymen get out of this delicious dilemma? Hard to say, but when it comes to sweetness, Yellow and Red continue to melt your heart, but not in your hand.”

Bad news is so hard to deliver, especially when people are in a mood to celebrate. The names Amos, Micah, Hosea, and Isaiah (eighth century prophets) come to mind!

Dogs

Published
by
Mike
on November 29, 2005
in General and family
. 32 Comments

In Plan B, Anne Lamott has a moving chapter about the death of her beloved dog, Sadie.

“Having a good dog is the closest some of us will ever come to knowing the direct love of a mother, or God, so it’s no wonder it knocked the stuffing out of Sam and me when Sadie died. I promised Sam we’d get another puppy someday, but privately I resolved to never get another dog. I didn’t want to hurt that much again, if I could possibly avoid it.”

It’s amazing how much the death of a dog can hurt, isn’t it? On one hand, it’s just an animal. It’s not a child. And yet . . . .

This past year our dear friends James and Marla lost their retriever, Lucy. She was an indoor dog that knew her boundaries. (Very few.) She was around while the girls grew up, she oversaw the comings and goings during teenage years, she tolerated the move from Arkansas to New Hampshire to Vermont. And when she died, it wasn’t like losing a pet fish. (Apologies here to those really attached to a pet fish.)

Also last year our friends Charles and Mary Lee lost Digger. It’s still weird going over to their house and not seeing him lying down on the kitchen floor. Digger knew he was allowed anywhere on the tile, so he’d get his body to the very last 1/1000th of an inch next to the carpet of the living room to be as close as possible while we talked.

And several years ago now, Molly died–the blonde cocker spaniel we’d had since Matt was five. She was technically “Matt’s dog,” but she endeared herself to our family by being so gentle around Megan. Especially when Megan was young and healthy, she could be pretty rough. (New readers may not know that our daughter was mentally handicapped.) But Molly would receive that tough love without ever becoming cross. We have lots of memories of the two of them running across the back yard in Arkansas.

After Molly died, I thought we were through with dogs. That’s when I noticed that Diane and Chris had come home from the library with several books about dogs. Not a good sign. But they determined that they were going to find the perfect dog and then we were going to buy one. (I’m still confused as to why I’m not in on decisions like that.)

A few days later I went out to run and when I returned, there was a puppy in our garage. It was obviously one that had been abandoned and had wandered in. I called to Diane to come see–just sort of as a curiosity thing. But when she screamed, “Chris, come here. You won’t believe this!” I knew we were in trouble.

I said, “No, no, no. This isn’t our dog. It just wandered in here.” Diane responded, “Chris has been praying every night for God to bring us another dog. Could you explain your position to him?”

So he’s now our dog. Moses (named by our friend Emily, who said he was “drawn from the garage”) is a big dog. Really strong, good-looking, smart dog. In other words, everything our cocker was not.

But, alas, we also have another cocker. I’m still confused about this one. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law and my three nieces went to get a puppy, and they came home with a black cocker. But for some reason, we had to take the brother of their dog, so they wouldn’t be permanently separated. Of course, I’m still wondering, if this was so important why didn’t they take both? But I digress.

Anyway, we also have Joshua–so named because he came after Moses.

Any other dog people out there? Anyone else who’s had dogs “raise” your kids? Or anyone who remembers thinking, like Anne Lamott, that the loss of a dog was so painful you’d never get another one (only to find yourselves proud owners once again)?

Monday, November 28

Published
by
Mike
on November 28, 2005
in General
. 79 Comments

A day of questions:

You know I love CCR, 3 Dog Night, and the Eagles, but is U2 the all-time best rock band?

Is Coldplay in that league?

What’s the best Christmas song of all-time?

Why does a good white preacher make you want to smile and nod your head and a good black preacher make you want to stand up, dance, and shout “preach it!”?

Why is college basketball ten times more entertaining than the NBA?

Not counting Stan Musial, who’s the best player ever for the Cardinals?

Is it possible that someday broccoli will be considered bad for you and donuts will be considered beneficial?

Who decided at some Christian colleges that they can have secular bands come play secular music but they can’t have Christian bands come play Christian music?

What do women see in Dr. McDreamy (a cultural obsession I read about in USA Today)? What’s that about?

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Sometime today someone will make the counter click 500,000. I know it’s arbitrary–I dropped that counter on 15 months ago–but what would be a fitting gift for that person? If you are the one to make it hit 500,000, leave your name and we’ll together decide on a fitting gift.

Jantsen Barrett Cope

Published
by
Mike
on November 27, 2005
in family, grief and memories
. 11 Comments

Today my nephew, Jantsen Barrett Cope, would have been 22. He was a happy, faith-filled teenager who loved fishing, telling jokes, watching goofy movies, sports, and being with his family. His life ended suddenly of a heart malfunction in 1999 when he was 15.

Our thoughts are, of course, with Randy and Pam today.

How appropriate that this year, JB’s birthday falls on the first Sunday of Advent, a time of hope and anticipation.

Macy’s Day Parade

Published
by
Mike
on November 26, 2005
in travel
. 8 Comments

The three of us have had a wonderful couple days in NYC. On Thanksgiving Day, we got up early to claim a front spot at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I’ve watched it since I was a kid, and it was a blast being there. In the afternoon we went to the Rockette’s Christmas program, which ends with a moving account of the birth of Jesus. In between we managed to squeeze in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Gallager’s. That night we went to the top of the Empire State Building, where the wind chill felt below zero. (My kind of weather!)

Yesterday we wandered in Central Park and then saw “Wicked” and “Hairspray.” Now we’re at the airport heading back home.

When Matt was young the three of us came here (while, I supppose, my mom kept Megan) — a trip he’s never forgotten. I hope Chris has the same kind of memories a decade from now.

Location, Location, Location

Published
by
Mike
on November 23, 2005
in Church, Highland and missional
. 25 Comments

The Highland Church is in a horrible place for traditional Abilene “church growth.” We’re not near ACU, and we aren’t in the growing area of Abilene. There are so many new stores and restaurants: Books-a-Million (hurrah! a legitimate bookstore in Abilene!), Red Robin, Jason’s Deli, and a hundred other places on the South/Southwest side of town. But around Highland, there is nothing new. We are not in the right part of town. Location, location, location.

But I’m so thankful we’re here. I’m so thankful that we didn’t move down to 707 years ago when it was considered. Because God is opening so many doors.

I’m so thankful because of W. She lived across the street from our building and now, a few years after her baptism, is a vital part of this church. Though W. is mentally disabled, she is right at the center of this church. She arrives early on Sunday mornings to get coffee ready for her class. She greets everyone as they enter the building. She laughs (loudly!) at my jokes . . . and at other times. She “amens” loudly at the end of prayers. She is a truly amazing woman who is on fire for Jesus.

I’m so thankful because of the Colonial Apartments. God put this vision in Maria’s heart a few years ago, and now there is this partnership between Highland and the Colonial Apartments that only God could have brought about. If you haven’t ever seen the Colonial Christmas Pageant at Highland (which this year is expanded to the Freedom Fellowship neighborhood), don’t miss it on December 4.

I’m so thankful because of the huge number of neighborhood people who are eating here at the Oasis meals on Wednesday nights. We started these meals as a chance for us to be together before the 7:00 assembly and classes. But apparently God had other plans, because there are as many nonmembers as members eating. It’s a different environment, maybe not quite as relaxed as chatting with friends, but what an opportunity! (I know one reader of this blog who had an amazing opportunity to minister last week . . . if maybe she’ll just share with us . . .)

I’m thankful because some of the people I saw bringing sacks of groceries to the front of their church Sunday morning to share with others in need are people who at times need the church’s assistance in making ends meet.

Location, location, location. Ah, to be located in the middle of something God is doing.

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In case I don’t blog tomorrow, please have a wonderful day. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

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It was so good to see Matt and Sarah Lynn Sunday morning. The church that they planted in Eugene, Oregon, is doing well. Their group wanted to pick one of the most unchurched places in the country and they found it. I wonder if the people going there have any idea that they have one of the most gifted worship leaders (SL) anywhere?

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I guess this will be our first Thanksgiving without Matt since he was born in 1982. Ah, the wonder of sharing your married children! For 27 years we’ve alternated holiday trips between Ohio and Missouri. How has that worked for others of you? Any other holiday sharing going on out there?

Singleness (again)

Published
by
Mike
on November 22, 2005
in Church
. 15 Comments

A few more thoughts after those amazing responses to last Thursday’s blog about being single.

First, this reminds me that we must continue telling people that in baptism the church–others who have signed up for following Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life–is our first family. We have to be careful about all our language about “family values,” “family retreats,” “family devotionals.” For those of us who have responded to the call of the kingdom, our primary family isn’t birth (as important as that family still is).

Second, I was struck by the suggestion that we try to have an odd number of seats at our small groups. What an image! (And it makes me thankful that we do have an odd number at our covenant group.)

Third, I’m reminded of the need to “look to the side” (to reflect my words from Sunday in speaking about Luke 10:25-37)–to see those who are maybe not in our tunnel vision. An invitation to dinner, even if it’s running to McDonald’s after church, can be so important.

Fourth, the good feedback makes me wonder about our tendencies to separate people by “market groups.” I think of one of our classes at Highland that has successfully incorporated couples, university students, grad students, and other singles into one group that seems to be bonding well.

Fifth, we must keep the mission of Christ always before us. If we’re working side-by-side in the work of the reign of God, we will inevitably be drawn closer.

All right, admittedly, I’m saying the obvious here. This may be redundant, but would others like to offer specific suggestions of ways in which some of these barriers have been broken down?

11 Years . . . and counting

Published
by
Mike
on November 21, 2005
in Megan, grief and memories
. 21 Comments

Every school day now, Chris is at 7th grade basketball practice early in the morning at Lincoln Middle School.

Eleven years ago today, that’s exactly where Matt was when I went to pick him up. I found one of the coaches and said, “Matt’s sister is going to die in the next few hours, so I need to take him up to the hospital.” He and I drove to Hendrick together as I explained that this was going to be Megan’s last day.

And at 10:16 that morning, she took her last breath.

Here’s what I wrote on this blog two years ago (changing only the number of years):

Megan Diane Cope died eleven years ago today. Who — in our success-driven world — would want her genetic make-up? She was, after all, mentally retarded.

And yet . . . she changed our worlds. She was a quiet, loving witness to the gospel. She was an incarnation of God’s love. She received whatever gifts of service we offered to her without expecting more. She embodied the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

Her ten years here were too short. So today, again, we grieve her absence, and we look forward to seeing her again to thank her for helping to set our worlds right.

Outdoors!

Published
by
Mike
on November 20, 2005
in General
. 6 Comments

October does come to Abilene. It just waits until about late November.

It’s been an amazing weekend to be outside. Friday, the Highland ministers traveled to a ranch about an hour away where we spent some time apart (hiking, reading, praying, meditating in REAL HILLS) and some time together. Saturday, Charles and I went for an hour bike ride together. And this afternoon, Chris and I rode bikes together at Abilene State Park.

I love being outdoors. When it isn’t hot!

Saturday, November 19

Published
by
Mike
on November 19, 2005
in General
. 13 Comments

I don’t have much personal investment in the Iron Bowl since I’m not a fan of either Alabama or Auburn. But the best seat in college football may be in the home of Buddy and Stephanie Bell in Montgomery during the Iron Bowl (which, for those who aren’t ESPN addicts, is this afternoon).

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We have, of course, already seen “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Very good. Four down . . . three more to go.

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Congrats to AHS for winning last night in OT. There are so many Highland guys on the team (including two who I assume will be the offensive and defensive players of the year in the district — Taylor and Stephen) that it’s been a blast to follow.

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Highland members remember to bring your grocery sacks full tomorrow for the thanksgiving offering.