Life Goes On.

 

 

Her name was Wisława Szymborska. A native of Poland who looked upon the darkest hours of human experience and lived among the most abused people of the twentieth century. In a world gone mad, she survived Nazi tyranny and endured Soviet Occupation. She was also a poet and responded to a living hell with these now famous words, “Reality demands, we also state the following: Life goes on…” Fortunately, for Wisława Szymborska life did go on, but for others it did not.

Six million Pol’s died during that time and in that part of the world.  Not counting the Jewish population who suffered genocide in the Nazi death camps. Like most post war Polish citizens, she was haunted by survivor’s guilt and left wondering why she survived, when millions of others perished.

 As a poet she was not alone and her contemporaries struggled as well. Being disillusioned with ornamental poetry, Czeslaw Milosz wrote somewhat of a treatise on the subject in his poem, Dedication. There he asks, “What is poetry that does not save nations or people?”

You will find an excellent round table on the subject of Post War Polish Poetry at the following link: http://philoctetes.org/calendar/our_life_in_poetry_post_war_polish_poets/ 

His name was Robert Frost and he was born a generation before Szymborska. While both poets managed to reach iconic status in the arena of world literature, there is no evidence of their paths having ever crossed. However, they shared a common thread, philosophically.  It becomes most obvious when considering, life--in light of-- human suffering. 

He was called the poet of the twentieth century and went against the grain carving out his own path toward success and literary legacy. Though he never graduated from a college or university, he was awarded 43 doctorates and won the Pulitzer Prize no less than four times.

He was also, no stranger to suffering and disappointment. After enduring the premature death of two children, the suicide of his son, and loss of his wife, he said, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life, it goes on.”

Robert Frost enjoyed a good and very long life, but for him, it never came easy. And like Szymborska he learned, life has a way of moving forward.

May I get a little personal? How are you doing? Perhaps you’re on the very apex and zenith of a wonderful experience. Or, maybe you’re walking through a dark valley.

History tells us pain and suffering have been courting the human condition for a very long time. Somewhere in the world today, a spouse was lost to terminal illness; a child died in a freak accident, a kid tried crack for the first time, and a drunk crossed the yellow line.

In a courtroom somewhere last week an innocent man was sentenced to prison, while a guilty man was set free. Last week a father walked out on his family, and someone you trusted let you down. At first you were hurt, but now you’re angry about it.

Personally speaking, I’ve recently landed in a place I’ve never been, and the voices in my head are whispering some pretty nasty things. I realize the ambiguity of my confession leaves this a little cloudy, but that’s as far as I can take it for now. I‘ve opened a window to my soul because I feel it’s necessary for integrity’s sake.

And, if I’m going to post a proposition speaking to the dark side of the human condition and support it with testimonies from iconic figures, such as, Szymborska and Frost, then ask, “So, how are you doing?”  I have to be transparent.

There are times, when we all, walk through stuff. If you happen to be walking through some now, you’re not alone. Some of you, I know personally. Others of you, I will never have the opportunity meet, seeing you live in Russia, Germany, England and eleven other countries.

However, tonight, let us come together and agree that, if Szymborska and Frost can walk through the darkness and at the end of the day say, “Life, (it) goes on.” You and I can be encouraged and borrow from their experience and say, “Yes, it does and it will, and as the darkness rolls back, the sun is going to shine again.

Be encouraged.

www.camdockery.com

The Genius of Charlie Brown

                            

I was born in 1962 and grew up watching The Peanuts on television. The fifty two years I’ve spent on this earth becomes more evident every time I look in the mirror. Yet, I’ve noticed Charlie Brown and Lucy have not aged a day. Time continues to treat them well, and it’s not just for the sake of appearance. Something about these characters resonates with every succeeding generation.

My wife and I introduced The Peanuts to our children. Now our kids are grown, but we still celebrate holidays with the gang. We already know Charlie brown is going trick-or-treating for a sack full of rocks, and will spend the night waiting for the great pumpkin. All the while Snoopy is busy patrolling the night skies and fighting off The Red Baron.

I’ll always treasure how Linus reminds Charlie Brown of the true meaning of Christmas and uses his security blanket to put the finishing touch on what turned out to be the perfect Christmas tree.

At its height The Peanut strip became a billion dollar industry with Charles Schulz earning a reported 30 -40 million dollars a year. A Charlie Brown Christmas was first aired during the Christmas season of 1965. It was the very first primetime animated feature film. It was also a raving success and critically acclaimed. It has been aired every year since.

It speaks to the genius of Charles Schulz in that he was able to tell Children’s Stories adults still enjoy, and love to read. He was able to speak to the heart of real life issues through the innocence of a child’s personality.

A new full length movie is slated to be released in the fall of 2015, and though their creator is gone, the Peanuts live on. This world is a better place for it.

I recently posted a similar blog regarding the idea of Children’s Stories adults love to read. In that post I cited C.S. Lewis and Mark Twain as examples. I believe there is something to be learned. It is possible in this day, to write “G” rated material that speaks to the masses and communicates a marketable message.

Schulz, Lewis and Twain represent something that’s much needed, but seriously lacking in today’s world.  At the risk of redundancy allow me to share their genius one more time. “Kid’s stories, adults love to read. “

www.camdockery.com

Where has my friend gone?

This article was provoked by something that’s been trending within the sub-culture of social media for quite sometime. It’s most obvious on Facebook and has to do with the unfriending of people from your network.

Make no mistake, there are times when the unfriending of an individual is appropriate. I would say, in some circumstances, it’s the most healthy and safe thing to do. We live in a day and age where stalkers, gawkers and those addicted to gossip, prowl the web looking for people to harass and humiliate. In such extreme instances, you are left with no other option.

Then there’s the immature adolescent searching to find his/her way in a world that has never been kind, or graceful. We’ve come to expect this type of behavior form kids who live in a society where dysfunction is displayed, celebrated and even capitalized on by television networks each week.

However, it is not the above criteria to which I’m speaking. My reference is pointedly addressing adults who act like children. Adults who look less like leaders and contributors to society and more like a little kid on the playground that does not get his/her way and throws a tantrum, then follows it up with a grand exit by taking his/her ball and going home.

So, to answer the title question, “Where has my friend gone,” and to speak to the issue at hand I suppose we must start with another question, “What is a friend?”

Webster defines friend as:

“1.
a :  one attached to another by affection or esteem.
b :  acquaintance
2.
a :  one that is not hostile 
b :  one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3:  one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4:  a favored companion”

So, according to the Word Master, there is more than one type of friend, or at least varying degrees of friendship.

Therefore it becomes subjective and the onus falls on the individual. So, the next question would be, “What is the nature of true friendship?”

I’m reminded of an interview David Letterman hosted with then Prime Minister of The UK, Tony Blair. It was no surprise when Dave took a pot shot at President Bush and invited the Prime Minister to join the bashing. However, Tony Blair, refused to be drawn in and said of President Bush, “He is a friend, and I am no fair weather friend.” Kudos to Tony Blair for sticking to his guns and avoiding the media hype, and for supporting his friend.

From that interview I understood Prime Minister Blair was unconditionally committed to his friendship with the President. Their relationship was developed over a period of years and tempered on the anvil of an unpopular war. The relationship seems to have been cemented.

So, when we welcome someone into our network as a friend, do we consider them a friend, or just an acquaintance? I understand the difference. I could only imagine if the person was, or is someone we have known for a period of months, or years he/she would be considered much more than an acquaintance.

If it is someone with whom we have shared fellowship, and a portion of our life, indicates this individual is much more than a mere acquaintance. And with that, I am haunted by the question, “Where has my friend gone?”

Realizing I’m no victim and understanding relationships at times grow sour, or drift apart leaves me in a position of not placing blame, but rather with a deep sense of loss and disappointment. It hurts.

Then I’m reminded of how Brutus betrayed Caesar for political gain, and Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. It is questionable as to how much of a friendship Brutus and Caesar truly enjoyed, but Jesus poured his life in to Judas Iscariot.  He shared the Last Supper with someone who sold their friendship out for 50 pieces of silver.

At the end of the day, I suppose human nature has not changed since Caesar crossed the Rubicon, or since Jesus washed the disciple’s feet. Perhaps I’m a little too sensitive in an age where the invitation to participate in social media suggest friendship. And it could be that I expect way too much from people. However, there is a longing in my heart to know, “Where has my friend gone?”

Jesus once said, “Greater love has no man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friend.”  If we, the followers of Christ, practiced this principal, the world would once again see us as genuine. Until then, they are not interested in our shallow hypocrisy.

Knowing my friend, who unfriended me will not see this post, gives the appearance that I’m preaching to the choir. I hope that’s not the case, but if it should be… then to the choir I say, “Has anyone seen, or heard from my friend? If you do, tell her we love her." 

James Taylor put the concept of unconditional friendship to music and it came out pretty good. Follow the link: http://youtu.be/dvvJ7MYaK8o

 

 

Alaskan Nights

 

 

Days are short and night falls early during Alaska’s winter months. However, it’s not all bad, because there are those special moments when The Northern Lights dance through The Big Dipper, and if you’re living in The Great Land, as the Aleut's call it, you’ve just been given a free ticket to the greatest show on earth.

And there are nights when a full moon lights the evening sky to cast long shadows across winter’s fresh blanket. Occasionally, you’ll hear a wolf howling in the distance and feel the cold chills rise on the back of your neck. You’re not frightened by the wolf, or its howl. But, you are suddenly aware of something mysterious, wild and ancient.

Then there’s the silence that comes with winter. I’ve stood in the moonless night, with a cup of coffee in my hand, as the mercury dropped to forty below zero. There was no wind, or breeze as I stood in the darkness observing total and absolute silence. It was both eerie, and beautiful. Reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel’s, The Sound of Silence.

Alaska, I’m still missing you, and though you were not easy, I will always remember you as good.

 

- Cameron Dockery

 

 



Grace & A FREE GIFT!

Traditionally, it has been defined as, Unmerited Favor and is often called, a free gift.  C.S  Lewis said it was the unique contribution of Christianity, and  Phillip Yancey calls it, our last great word. A word that appears 206 times in The Bible. A word  and you know as grace.

Shiploads of books have been written on the subject and entire theologies rest on it's premise. The Apostle Paul said, "By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself. It is the gift of God...."  Today I am writing this blog post as a recipient, rather than an authority.

There is not much to say on the subject that has not already been covered by others much more capable than myself. For me, once I close my bible, the go to book and resource on subject at hand is Phillip Yancey's Classic, What's so amazing about Grace? 

I read it twenty years ago and have never recovered. I've learned we live in a world of un-grace and the question that keeps me up at night is," why?"   Why is it that we who have been redeemed and transformed by the grace of God have such a hard time communicating the message to others.

If you have been following this blog for awhile, or have followed me on Facebook and twitter,  you already know, I've written a short story called, The Note: A graceful reflection. 

It's a true story written about a boy who gets himself into a lot of trouble. He had been traumatized the previous year by a father, who crossed the line while administering discipline and left emotionally handicapped. Therefore, his confession came slow. In the end grace, healed and restored a damaged relationship.

The purpose of writing The Note was to share the message of grace by offering a real life example of what it looks like through the eyes of an eleven year old boy and the ramifications it carried into adulthood.

And with that: I am offering a three day free give away. The Note can be downloaded free for the next 72 hours to your Kindle, computer, tablet, and smart phone. If you do not own a kindle, just down load the free app and WAALAA... you're in business.

I would welcome any and all feedback, or critique on The Note.

Thank you!

Thoreau & The Church: Quiet Desperation

“The masses of men lead lives of quiet desperation…”- Henry David Thoreau       

These words were written by a man who retreated to the woods one hundred and sixty years ago to find himself. Now, the axiomatic assumption of Henry David Thoreau is immortalized and becomes obvious in a postmodern culture down on the aftermath of industrialization. A culture that’s also completely disappointed with the church and as a result has totally forsaken Christian principal.

I was first introduced to Walden while in Middle School, but at the time I was not into reading, or the classroom.  If memory serves correctly, the only impression it left on me, was thinking how cool it would be to hang out in the woods by a pond, and fish all day. 

Now, fast forward thirty-eight years. I picked up a copy of Walden while browsing through a bookstore last week and have been pouring myself into what has become a classic contribution to American Literature. This time around--It’s speaking to me.

Make no mistake thinking I have embraced Emersonian Transcendtalism. Or, the philosophy and belief championed in the early part of the 1800’s as a backlash to New England’s Calvinism and the state of intellectualism being taught at Harvard University. 

Like Emerson, Thoreau made the mistake of confusing creation with The Creator and in the process looked to religion as many streams flowing into the same ocean. You will find a little Eastern Religion, mixed with German Idealism and topped off with a few Biblical principles as foundational to a discipline that’s more pagan than Christian.

So, why is a pastor reading a man who is both philosophically and diametrically opposed to everything the church has been teaching and holding onto for the past 2000 years?

The answer is simple. I’m in to literature and am drawn to the classics. I’ve also learned that God is the author of all truth. Where ever it’s found. Sometimes it shows up in the scientific method, other times it’s hammered out on the anvil of time and history. It’s also echoed from the pulpits across the country and around the world. Ultimately, we know His Word is true and everything proposed as truth must be weighed and measured against Scripture. As Christians we are not threatened by science, history or philosophy. And as believers we have an obligation to bring an answer to arguments presented.

However, it was not Christian Apologetics that brought me to Walden. It is the dilemma in which I currently find myself. For the first time in 30 years I am a pastor without a pulpit and it has been more than a little disarming. It has forced me to step back, slow down and bring some very big questions to the only One who knows the end from the beginning.

It has also given me a chance to observe form another point of view something I have been perusing for the greater part of my adult life. And with that, the words of Thoreau ring very loud. Listen to them again: 

“The masses of men lead lives of quiet desperation…”

It’s true. I believe more so now than then. Today, the 40 hour work week is a thing of the past and in spite of great technological advances people have less time to focus on what matters most. It’s sad to say, but the majority of people are desperately running a race they can never win. The results of a society given over to materialism are evident.

I have watched young people walking in groups through shopping malls simultaneously talking, texting and listening to music as the world passes by. Texting while driving now kills more people a year than drinking while driving and the technological trend and answer to the law is hands free devices.  Google is working on a first generation prototype of their driverless car. If it works perhaps the death toll from texting related accidents will come down.

It’s impossible to get away these days. Cell phones give people instant access to us where ever we are and whenever we’re needed. I am guilty as the next person. I find myself constantly checking my phone for missed calls, emails and messages. When I’m travelling and need a hotel WIFI is an absolute must. It’s even come to the place that when I’m eating lunch, I usually bring along my laptop to catch up.

Social media is another monster. Corporations are in a constant battle with employees who spend company time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Here’s the question, what is it about social media that draws people? I believe it is because we are created for community and it’s not happening at home, or in the real world so the masses seek it out in digital form. Once again and at the risk of being redundant listen to Thoreau: 

“The masses of men lead lives of quiet desperation…” 

Like Thoreau, I am convinced the problem is spiritual. Unlike Thoreau, I believe the church has the answer. The question that keeps me awake at night is, “Why are people no longer drawn to the church?”  It does appear, that as followers of Christ, we have lost influence.

How did it happen? The New Testament tells us that both sinners and pagans were attracted to Christ. So were the hurting. However, it’s simply not the case today.

Do we call it a social trend?  Is it a result of something that began during the enlightenment? Or, do we blame it on the devil?  I’m afraid if we play the blame game we are only avoiding the more painful truth.

I think we should look in the mirror. For if we take an honest inventory we’ll soon discover that we are among the masses leading, “lives of quiet desperation.”  The church in general seems to have lost her most sacred connection. I’m no authority, but I’ve attended church growth conferences all across The North American Continent for the past 30 years and have watched the trends and fads come and go.

While there are glimmers of hope spread out here and there, where some fellowship either has, or is currently experiencing growth, it’s also true that leading social indicators inform us the life style of the church is not much different than the unchurched. And maybe that is where we need to start.

What would happen if the church were to stop and take a breath to seriously connect with The Spirit of God? If we were less competitive and more co-operative would it look more New Testament? If we were less legalistic and more realistic would the desperate masses be more drawn to our fellowship? If we were to actually practice what we preach would the world once again see us as authentic?

Pastors continue to drop out of the ministry at an alarming rate. Many have given up their dream of believing what they do actually makes a difference. Every week churches die and close their doors for the last time.

They once were, A City on a Hill, and a light shining in the darkness. But, something happened. Over a process of time they moved from mission to monument and became a dying testimony to what was. Their end was inevitable.

I’m convinced America is in trouble because the church is in trouble. We, the church, have been on a downward spiral for quite some time. We are going the way of Europe with Cultural Christianity.

Is there hope? Can it be turned around? Can the American Church find new life and revitalization? I think so. In fact I’m convinced. It’s interesting to note that when Thoreau wrote Walden, America was in the midst of something called, The Second Great Awakening. A period of unprecedented church growth and expansion.

When I started reading Walden and committed myself to a blog post I did not intend to write 2000 words, but something happened in the process. My addiction became evident.

You see I am addicted to the church. I used to tell my son that I was an addict and worked to support my habit. I was a bi-vocational pastor and worked 50 hours a week while pastoring a small church on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.

Today, I’m still addicted. Though I do not have a pulpit at the moment, I still find myself preaching to the choir and the readers of this blog, and on You Tube occasionally.

In reading Walden I have been challenged by Thoreau to retreat to The Book. The Book that was written over a period of 1600 years and contributed to by no less than 39 authors. It’s called The Bible. And there I find a verse that speaks to my personal desperation. “Be still and know that I am God.”  (Psalm 46:10)

I know that I am going to receive messages from some Christians who will question why I am preaching Thoreau. Let me go ahead and answer that one.

I’m not preaching Thoreau, I’m simply using a quote from Classic literature to express a point.

I’m also going to hear from some of my newer friends who are also into to literature, but not Scripture, or the church. They will inform me that I lost them when I started preaching. I’m sorry, but like I said, I am addicted to both, The Gospel, and The Bride, of Jesus Christ.
In closing, if I may refer once again to Thoreau. He said:

 “I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Mr. Thoreau, I get it. I understand what you’re saying. I’m only sorry that you stopped short. You retreated to a solemn place and looked inward. The answer you were looking for required one further step. After inward reflection you should have looked upward. He was there, and waiting.

And to the church, we would do well to retreat from the industry of church to reflect and re-connect to The Vine. Have you noticed how over the course of the last several decades the movements have become industries?

For example: In the 60’s bus ministry was popular, then in the 70’s, door to door ministry, such as Evangelism Explosion became the ticket. After that it was expository preaching. Pastors from across the country tuned in and tried to emulate Chuck Swindoll. In the 90’s John Maxwell introduced the priority of leadership to the church. Pastors, myself included, flocked to his seminars. Following that, Contemporary praise and worship became the hot item and the worship wars broke out!

That synopsis spans five decades of church and it does appear that God was in each and every movement. However, there were times when the movements became multi- billion dollar industries.  God was, is and shall forever be committed to His Movement, which is The Gospel. But, he is not committed to the industry.

His Bride and Body are much more than business as usual. Is it possible that we who hold positions of leadership in the church have become much like the masses of men to whom Thoreau referred?

Could it be that we are guilty of buying into the industry of church?  In the process have we lost intimacy with The Spirit? Have we sat back at conference and longed for the accolades of men when the trophies were being waved and celebrated?

In the words of a Church Growth Guru, “Just a thought.”

For the time being, I have come to a place where I have no other option but to listen and wait. I think I read something about that in a letter that was written to the Churches of Asia Minor once. We call it, The Book of Revelation.

Pray for me, as I will be doing the same for you.

 

Blessings