Reflections by Maxie Dunnam

Natalie Sleeth has given us one of the most popular hymns written during the past fifty years, “Hymn of Promise.” The last two lines of the hymn gives the core message: 

In our death, a resurrection; 
at the last, a victory, 
Unrevealed until its season, 
something God alone can see. 

She wrote the hymn for her husband, who was professor of preaching at the Iliff School of Theology. She claimed one of the central truths of the Christian faith – the promise that death is not the end. The resurrection of Christ gives credence to his claim, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). The heartbeat of the gospel is the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Easter is coming, April 20, let’s not wait to celebrate. I urge you! Don’t let a day pass between now and then that you don’t give some thought to Easter’s real meaning and whether you have claimed it for yourself. You probably have a family member or a friend you will want to share this with. 

HYMN OF PROMISE 

In the bulb, there is a flower 
In the seed, an apple tree 
In cocoons, a hidden promise 
Butterflies will soon be free 

In the cold and snow of winter 
There’s a spring that waits to be 
Unrevealed until its season 
Something God alone can see 

There’s a song in every silence 
Seeking word and melody 
There’s a dawn in every darkness 
Bringing hope to you and me 

From the past will come the future 
What it holds, a mystery 
Unrevealed until its season 
Something God alone can see 

In our end is our beginning 
In our time, infinity 
In our doubt, there is believing 
In our life, eternity 
In our death, a resurrection 
At the last, a victory 

Unrevealed until its season 
Something God alone can see

Maxie Dunnam is just another old man, turning 90, seeking to make a redemptive difference in a needy world. 

As I write that, it is difficult not to suspect that some people might sometimes be saying it. 

These are tough, trying days. I believe we have a reached a crucial moment in human civilization. The institutions upon which we have become dependent, around which our lives have been ordered—education, business, medical services, the penal system, organized religion, government — have each in some ways been revealed as inadequate, a few of them perhaps beyond renewal and repair. In any case, they have not been equal to their promise.

We are dissatisfied with things as they are. And while dissatisfaction is as old as the human race, I believe we have reached a crucial moment in human civilization. Atomic bombs are not just more powerful weaponry. Electronic computers are not just more complex adding machines. Neil Armstrong was more than a latter-day Columbus setting foot on the moon. 

At the deepest level of our beings there is a gnawing yearning. The institutions upon which we have become dependent, around which our lives have been ordered – have each in some way been gradually revealed as inadequate. They have not been equal to their promise; they cannot fill the need and longing in us. We are dissatisfied with things as they are, we have reached a crucial moment in human civilization. 

Dare I even think it? Maxie Dunnam is not just another old man turning 90, seeking to make a redemptive difference in a needy world. What can I do? What must I do? What will I do? 

With many of you here at Kirby I’ve had fear that someday people, talking behind my back, would accuse me of being childish. The dictionary defines childish as having “immaturity and lack of poise.“ As an 90 year old, I certainly didn’t want to appear “immature.” And goodness knows, I have privately considered myself as having poise. 

Being a “person of the Book,” I remember that, when he became an ardent follower of Jesus, Paul said, I put away childish ways. 

However, I was forced into putting that in sharper perspective when I remembered Jesus’ word: “Let the little children come to me, for to such belongs the Kingdom of heaven.” 

I’ve had to conclude that there is a difference between childish and childlike… Rather than having “immaturity and lack of poise” as the dictionary defines childish ,“ childlike is “marked by innocence, trust, and simplicity.” 

No wonder I like Eric Marshall and Stuart Hamphill’s Children’s Letters to God. One little boy prayed, “Dear God, I’m sorry I was late for Sunday School, I couldn’t find my underwear.” And another little boy prayed, “Dear God, please tell me where everybody came from, and I hope you explain it better than my daddy did.” Children are open and alive. They have a perception that we adults seem to have lost. Best of all they have the capacity of what I call living lightly. They’re not burdened down by preconception. Their lives are not predetermined by force of habit. They’re not closed to others because of sour experiences. They don’t keep grudges. 

So for God’s sake, and for our community’s sake, let’s not be childish. Let’s pray and work hard at being childlike. 

THANK YOU, LEON & MARILYN! 

At 90 years young, Leon Sanderson is needing to adjust activities and slow down a bit. One activity in particular is going on his hospital visits, which requires a great deal of walking. 

The last few years, as soon as Leon has been made aware of a Kirby Pines resident in the hospital, he’s there (often accompanied by his wife, Marilyn) with words of encouragement and prayer. There is no telling how many people he has visited since Berry Terry asked him to take over that part of the Chaplain’s responsibilities. 

Once back at Kirby, Leon would write a brief report with copies to Sydney Wagner, Chris Palmer and myself – Cheryl Johnson. This has enabled us to share with other residents through Sydney’s timely emails and weekly on our Prayer List what is happeneing, which has greatly reduced mis-information & speculation. 

But that is only a part of what Leon does. He also regularly visits our Medical Units reading to them from the Bible. He and Marilyn are Wing Leaders and are active in the 8 o’clock Church of Christ Worship Service. They both attend the Thursday morning Bible Study Class and often Leon leads the singing. They are also members of Joan Dodson’s Chorus, not to mention Leon’s once a month Sing-A-Long in the Chapel. So a big Thank You to both Leon and Marilyn for going above and beyond for Kirby Pines! 

DON’T MISS THE MIRACLES FEBRUARY 27TH

The Miracles are a select group of singers chosen from the most musically-gifted members who live at The Baddour Center. They travel across the United States to express their faith through music, bridge attitudinal barriers that may exist towards adults with intellectual disabilities, and share the mission and ministry of The Baddour Center. 

It poured rain the day I left. But I was filled with excitement, a strange exuberant sense of taking wing. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew what I needed. I needed a new land, a new race, a new language; and although I couldn’t have put it into words then, I needed a new mystery. 

These are the words of a young man named Nicholas in The Magus, a novel by John Fowles. Nicholas is starting out on what is to be a totally new life, and this is the expression of his feeling. 

His words have become a kind of theme song for my spiritual pilgrimage. It burrowed its way into my soul not long ago when I had to make a vocational decision. 

It happens. As Christians, we are not permanent residents. We are pilgrims. Paul made that clear to the Galations. They were arguing about doctrine and Christian practice. Paul spared no word: “Circumcision is nothing; uncircumcision is nothing; the only thing that counts is a new creation” (Ga.6:15 NEB). 

Let’s claim it and live it more intentionally this new year. 

This Sunday, December 1, is the first Sunday of Advent, a four week season the Christian community has set aside, climaxing with Christmas Day. Christ Followers are called to reflect and pray, centering our attention on the coming of Christ. I can’t think of any question that will serve our reflections more richly than Jesus…what’s in a name? 

What a story, “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20—23 RSV) 

No reservation about his name. It had been declared by the prophet, Isaiah, centuries before. The angel had announced it to Mary at the time of her Annunciation: “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-32, 33 RSV) So, the question, what’s in a name? 

Get the story clearly in mind. Who is this Christmas person? Why did he come? Have I claimed what he offers me? 

William B. Fitzgerald summarized Wesley’s theology of salvation with this fourfold dictum: All people need to be saved from sin, all people can be saved from sin, all people can know they are saved from sin, and all people can be saved to the uttermost. (The Roots of Methodism, London: Epworth, 1903, p. 191-217) 

We are in the midst of the Advent season. It’s Christmas time. Let’s stay with the story…at least reflect seriously a bit. 

A central figure is Joseph. He is perplexed, deeply perplexed. The woman to whom he is engaged is pregnant and he knows the baby is not his. He is wrestling with what to do. Will he expose her, making her a public example? He can’t do that; he loves her too much. He takes the only course acceptable to his conscience. He decides to divorce her quietly, privately, hoping to cause as little a ripple in the community as possible. 

That decision, though it came out of the love and justice of his heart, didn’t set well. He continued to wrestle with it. In the deep midnight watches and wakefulness of his wrenching heart, an angel appeared with the astounding news: 

“Do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20—23 RSV) 

Jesus will be his name. It had been declared by the prophet, Isaiah, centuries before. The angel had announced it to Mary at the time of her Annunciation: “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High…and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-32, 33 RSV) So, the question, what’s in a name? 

“You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” That’s it and that is Good News…good news only when we are willing to admit the bad news about ourselves. The bad news is that we are sinners. 

So let’s be very specific, name our common bondage and claim our deliverance. 

Do you feel burdened down by guilt? Have you started to realize that the guilt may be from unconfessed sins? 

Do you feel pain in your heart because there is a severed relationship that needs reconciliation? 

Do you feel helpless because you are held in the tenacious grip of a debilitating habit? Alcohol? Drugs? Gambling? 

Is your energy being drained because you live too close to the line of moral compromise —cheating in business? Preoccupied with lusts? 

Does your pride often put you in the position of thinking more highly of yourself than you ought to think, of looking down your nose at others? 

We could go on and on, but you’ll have to do that personally. 

Painful though the process of confession and repentance may be, the joy that comes as a result is “unspeakable and full of glory.” For the one whose birthday we are celebrating these days is JESUS. He will save us from our sins.

CELEBRATE JESUS
SAVIOR TO ALL PEOPLE

Simone Weil is one of my favorite and challenging “spiritual” writers.. She diagnosed the human predicament in this way: “The danger is not that there is no bread, but that we have convinced ourselves that we are not hungry.”

Read that again, slowly and then sit quietly and reflect.

Is Weil right? How many people do you know who are operating out of a conviction that if they have an abundance of things, take good care of their bodies and satisfy their physical drives, then life is OK. That sort of mind-set easily adopts the motto: “He who dies with the most toys wins.”

But then you come across a person who has a peace and joy that you don’t understand. There is nothing frantic about her, and as you know her, you realize she believes that life is not a matter of quantity, but quality. It’s not a matter of getting, it’s a matter of giving. It’s not a matter of the material, it’s a matter of the spiritual.

Then we realize Simone Weil was right: Are you hungry? 

“The danger is not that there is no bread, but that we have convinced ourselves that we are not hungry.” 

A Thanksgiving

~John Kendrick Bangs

For summer rains, and winter’s sun,
For autumn breezes crisp and sweet;
For labors doing, to be done,
And labors all complete;
or April, May, and lovely June,
For bud, and bird, and berried vine;
For joys of morning, night, and noon,
My thanks, dear Lord, are Thine!

For loving friends on every side;
For children full of joyous glee;
For all the blessed Heavens wide,
And for the sounding sea;
For mountains, valleys, forests deep;
For maple, oak, and lofty pine;
For rivers on their seaward sweep,
My thanks, dear Lord, are Thine!

For light and air, for sun and shade,
For merry laughter and for cheer;
For music and the glad parade
Of blessings through the year;
For all the fruitful earth’s increase,
For home and life, and love divine,
For hope, and faith, and perfect peace,
My thanks, dear Lord, are Thine!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

One of our favorite pastimes is to spend time thinking about how well off other people are and how bad off we are. We have so many sorrows. We think so many bad things have happened to us. Why is it that we suffer? When John and Jane go untouched, why do we deserve to be punished in this fashion? 

The Hasidic Jews have a story about the sorrow tree. According to them, on Judgment Day we will be invited to hang all of our own miseries from the tree of sorrows. When we have done that we will be given permission to walk around the tree and survey everyone else’s miseries in order to select a set we like better. According to Hasidic legend, in the end we freely choose our own personal set of sorrows once more. That’s a charming way of saying that when we see the suffering and sorrow of others, more often than not, we are quite happy to keep our own. 

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

-Corrie Ten Boom

O.J. Simpson, the Juice, died on April 10, at age 76. One news columnist opened his story with these words, “It marked the end of a long and turbulent life marked by poverty. survival, riches, violence, and stardom.” 

The centerpiece of the t.v. reporting was a line of limousine-type vans…the second one in the line, white; the others black. O.J. was in white van, being brought to “the law” in Los Angeles, accused of killing his second wife. In the decades before, he was known as the Juice…a Heisman Trophy winner, Hall of Fame running back for USC and the Buffalo Bills. He was the father of five children. 

Perhaps the most surprising and jarring dimension of his life was his refusal to become involved in the Civil Rights Struggle. Those who critiqued him have pretty much agreed that his desire for money, status, and white acceptance was a moral failure that “overrode the call for first class citizenship for Black Americans.” 

A well-researched and documented article on his death closed with this scathing word: “O.J. Simpson could have been on a pedestal as a man who stood for something bigger than himself. In the end he died much as he had lived: arrogant, self-obsessed, without regard for those around him.” (Daryl A. Carter, Commercial Appeal. April 21`, 20224) 

The lead story in the newspaper that carried this Simpson death story was headlined A TRUE PIONEER. It was a story celebrating Jackie Robinson Day, April 15. After sharing a number of fantastic career statistics, the writer noted that while the stats were rattled off “in rushed asides, like footnotes” they were critical because “they explain why Jackie was the perfect choice to integrate Major League Baseball and, pioneering barriar-breaking achievements aside, how he became one of the greatest baseball players to ever lace up a pair of cleats.” (Andrea Williams) 

The story concluded with these words: “Jackie became a player by accident, by nature of racism and segregation and all the ills he would spend his whole life fighting against, even after he hung up his cleats. But none of those whys matter anymore. All that matters is that he did, and that baseball—and our world—are better for it.” 

I invite you to read again the way the life story the Pioneer and the Juice conclude. I urge you to ponder with me….how will my life story conclude? As long as we are alive, we can think and act in ways that may close the way our life will be described. 

A group of sociologists conducted a survey among a group of 50 elderly people at a life care retirement home. Each was asked to complete an open-ended sentence. “If I had it to do over again, I would ______. Three answers emerged. One, I would reflect more. Two, I would risk more. Three, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead. 

You know immediately I would say, Good lessons for our Kirby Family. The title of this monthly column is REFLECTIONS. 

How reflective are you? Do you move through life at such a hectic pace that you never stop to ask what does all this mean? Is God trying to say something to me in these circumstances? 

What about risk taking? In my preaching and teaching I often ask the question, Do you prefer the hell of a predictable situation rather than risk the joy of an unpredictable one? In reflection, as I look back on my life, the richest, most rewarding periods have come when I have taken the greatest risks. 

The third question may be the most important and challenging: What are you doing, or have done, that will be remembered after you are dead? Will the memories bring joy or sadness? Appreciation or concern? How many folks will be able to say, “I’m so glad my path crossed his”? 

I urge you to spend some deliberate time reflecting on these concerns. I close with this word, there are many who will read this column, whom I have had the privilege of meeting and knowing here at Kirby, to whom I can joyfully say, “I’m so glad my path crossed yours.” 

As I reflect, I am confronted with this challenging fact: It isn’t too late for me to do something about any one of these issues. 

IN my growing up years in rural Mississippi, we sang a lot in our worship. Many of our songs focused on salvation; especially judgement, and life after death. I can still remember, and often when I’m alone, I sing some of those songs. 

When We All Get to Heaven 
I’ll Meet You in the Morning 
This World is Not My Home 

There was a season in my theological journey when I snickered at some of those songs…the imagery was so literal and the emphasis on heaven, so “sentimental.” I’m grateful that portion of my journey didn’t last too long. Today, I sing joyfully. 

This world is not my home 
I’m just a-passing through 
My treasures are laid up 
Somewhere beyond the blue 
The angels beckon me 
`From heaven’s open door 
And I can’t feel at home anymore. 

Since Eden, we have never known a world without sin, suffering and death. For Christians, “new persons in Christ,” our faith is certain: this world, is not our home. It is not all there is. Jesus didn’t fumble with his words. He talked about a place “with many rooms’ to which he was going to prepare place for his friends, “that you may be where I am.” (John 14:13) 

Pilgrims is a good label for Christians. This earth, as it is, will never be our home. But think of it…a new heaven, and a new earth. Though our eternal home is not presently on earth, God’s promise is that, “in heaven,” we will share in creating a new earth. 

Why don’t you sing it with me, 

Just over in Glory-land 
We’ll live eternally 
The saints on every hand 
Are shouting victory 
Their songs of sweetest praise 
Drift back from heaven’s shore 
And I can’t feel at home 
In this world anymore.