We Got da Funk, Gotta have da Funk!
December 15, 2006

G wrote several weeks back a spot called “No Griping or Complaining.” Now don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for all that God has done for us, but I gotta confess, I got the funk (did you get the George Clinton reference?) Honestly, we knew that we had not posted in a while and G suggested that it was time to do so. I’m in a state of mind where I want to fast forward – have you seen the movie “Click”? Now that is what I’m talking about! If you have seen the movie, you remember the underlying theme of “enjoy the little pleasures of today” or “the joy is in the journey.” If you haven’t seen it, it is a modern version of the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” with some off-color humor thrown in. Ironically, I saw the movie on the airplane from Zurich to Washington on the way back from UA in October. But see here is the deal, my heart hurts for someone far away – someone that I can’t fully communicate with because it is against the rules – someone who is destitute – becoming despondent – looking for assurance that it is all going to be ok – wondering when. And at the same time I have a house full of folks that I care about here. They need stability and nurturing and love. They need to enjoy this holiday season. I know that life as we know it is coming to an end and a new life awaits us. I realize that now is the time to live – now is a time to savor and enjoy. It’s a paradox really - sort of like longing for heaven, but living here on earth. Pray for us. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel (some would say that it’s a train!).

Here is the situation: God is continuing to poor Himself out on and around us. We are faced with some incredible opportunities for which we have hungered. We are so blessed to have Godly friends and to witness God at work in their lives and in our community. I suppose I’m just a little impatient. I’m looking for that add a minute button or maybe it’s the popcorn button or maybe hot water. Man, I’m not sure what fits the bill. To complete the analogy – are you guys familiar with Alton Brown? You know, the guy from Good Eats. I love to watch this guy. So he’s cooking a rib roast the other night in a flower pot inside an old oven. Have you seen this one? The point is – he had to cook that thing for hours. He was looking for a certain temperature. So he poked his handy dandy thermometer in it and closed up the oven and forgot about it. Why the flower pot? Long story, but it served as a Dutch oven. So here the relation: I’ve got to put this whole thing in the oven and forget about it. RonCo had a commercial about his rotisserie thing. I think his slogan was “set and forget it.” - remember that one? OK so I’m loosing some of you with the food/cooking references – a function of the funk.

So pray for peace – not patience! I forbid you to pray for patience! We all need a little peace here. We all need to be able to sit here and know that God is sovereign and all this will happen in His perfect timing. The roast will cook quicker if I’ll quit opening the oven to take a peak. Gotta live life in the now. Gotta celebrate each day and be grateful that God has blessed us with the provisions and the promises. This is such a humbling time. Free me from the Funk!

papa