"Hmmmm"

I’m hearing a particular phrase a little too often these days.  I first read it in the book by Richard Stearns that I wrote about a while back. “Perception is reality” he proudly and condescendingly tells us.  It bugged the heck out of me.  I knew that statement couldn’t be further from the truth, and it was coming from a “Christian” author.

Since that time, I have heard it more and more often; and many times coming from within Christian circles.  Ok; so it has happened enough now, that I felt like I wanted to write about it.

I remember several years ago the phrase “everything is relative” was a popular answer or comeback to many situations.  We would hear, “Oh, it’s all relative.”  I never agreed with that statement either, but I caught myself saying it one day while in conversation with my dad.

I will never forget the look on my dad’s face. He held his piece though; never said a word. Maybe he quietly uttered an “hmmm”; but I knew without a doubt that I had said something really stupid and it was contrary to what my dad had always taught me.

Anyway, so now society has taken it one step further, and is determined to have us believe “Perception is reality”.  In other words, my reality is not your reality; my truth is not your truth. There is no black and white, no absolutes. 

That my friend, is not Scriptural; so why do we have Christians so quickly and easily identifying with this philosophy?  And why is no one bothered by such an oft quoted mistruth. The philosophy is “relativism” at its finest –simply brought to us in new packaging. Blending grays in world views. (John 17:17 -  just for starters.)

What we are being told is that there is no reality beyond ones perception or belief.  That’s scary.  We are being told that there are, in fact, two realities.  One is the physical reality, consisting of that which is tangible, our five senses, and scientific facts.  (Hmmm…)

The other is relative and subjective reality; i.e. that which pertains to our experiences and how we perceive things. Our beliefs, intentions, and knowledge would be more of this type of reality - something that can be debated or discerned.  Reality is malleable; ever-changing and conforming as society changes.  Really? Kinda leaves out the truth of the Bible, doesn’t it?

“Our truth”; “our reality” is connected to us like a “fingerprint”, proponents of this belief say. This kind of thinking brings us close to the belief that we must be “true to ourselves.”  Hmmmm – the Bible says we should die to ourselves. (1 Corinthians 15:31; Galatians 2:20; John 12:24)

Now, I am not saying we shouldn’t care how we are perceived by others.  Or that there is no need to worry about what others think of us.  Of course we should.  We are instructed in Scripture to live so that others will want to live like us. To be lights shining in darkness. (Matthew 5:16)  In that regard of course we should care about others’ perception of us. But that is a completely different subject than what we are talking about here, though without understanding one could mistake the two meanings.

I wondered where in the world this statement even had its origins, and how did it come to permeate a section of the Church. On a Google search, it was revealed it was once said by Lee Atwater – political consultant and Republican strategist; Dr. Phil is also credited with saying: “There is no reality – only perception.” And of course Richard Stearns used this theme throughout his book The Hole in the Gospel. I’m sure one could find a multitude of people that have quotes on the subject.  Obviously none of these are original sources. 

This ideology has been around for generations, and the root is probably found in what is known as Skepticism. The founder of this philosophy was Pyrrho of Elis (c. 360-272 B.C.) So yes, it’s been around awhile.  Why is it making its way into the Christian church today? Pyrrho believed there should be no judgment on any worldview, because none was better than the other. No opinion; no good or evil; nothing can be proved, so don’t believe anything you see or hear. All truth is only based on ones perception.  It calls for inaction because there is no clear right or wrong. So how can we comfortably act for or against anything? (Hmmm)  That, I believe, is the most dangerous aspect of this belief if it were to begin to permeate the church.  Even my own research for this blog-post helped me realize why this philosophy is rearing its ugly head at this time in our church history. Promoting inaction and complacency are important tools in grabbing the hearts and minds of those one seeks to dominate.

But come on, Christian.  Let’s think for ourselves.  Let’s do a little critical thinking and ponder what we are being taught before jumping on the latest trend that moves through our churches.  Yes, little, trendy, Christian fads (for lack of a better word) have always filtered through and weaved themselves among the Christian community, actively popular for a while. The Prayer of Jabez would be one such example. Maybe the misquoting of Genesis 31:49 – “The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.” -  would be one more example.  The “prosperity movement” would be an example on a larger scale of societal views creeping into the church.

However, I tend to believe this small, but inaccurate statement has the potential to do more damage to our faith than anything else has in a while.  I believe I have only skimmed the surface of all that this belief system entails and the repercussions from it of which we could endure. I kind of felt the need to do what I can to help expose it – at least as far as I am able.  

"Jesus Christ - the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

Hebrews 13:8

Just a Bit Different

Happy Mother’s Day!!

I have to say, Mother’s Day was a bit different for me this year. My family, including me, all had to work. That’s the first time all of us spent this special day that way. I wasn't very happy about having to work. I wanted to go to church with my mom; but they were short on help, so I agreed to lend a hand. Matt dropped me off at work; then headed on into town to his own job.  My car broke down after my shift on Friday, so I was without a car to get to work.  Fortunately I was near the shop where we have it repaired when it broke down. It really couldn’t have worked out better. The only thing is, it was Friday afternoon, so there was no way it was going to be fixed that day! It left me without a car for the week-end.

Today, Matt’s shift went later than mine, so that meant I would be walking home.  Yeah, yeah, I know; that’s not the end of the world.  The day could not be lovelier. But it took me 30 minutes just to get up the hill…and I never like to complain about the heat, but I was a little warm and winded by the time I got to the top….I ain’t as young as I used to be and I had only gone about a third of the way! Once at the top, though, a friend had spotted me and she and her husband turned their pick-up around to come and get me and take me the rest of the way home.  Ha ha..She's awesome!  But I bet I was sure a sight for sore eyes!  ;-)

If I had my choice that is probably not the way I would spend my Mother’s Day. Being without a car
also meant I wouldn’t be going to the family “get together” at my sister’s. That’s ok, too; I will see my mom tomorrow, or the next day and I had already given her, her gift. 

Bird Feeder/Bath/Planter ...with light!!
I LOVE it!

No; it isn’t so bad. I’m sitting in the sun as I type, listening to my cowboy fountain and the warning call of the killdeer. The meadowlark is also offering a lovely melody and a soft, spring breeze enters my open window. All is peaceful and quiet. I love that. The lawn is mowed and the house is clean…I did that yesterday, and the day before; knowing this moment would come and I wanted to be able to relax and take it all in.  So that’s what I’m doing.  No, my Mother's Day isn’t so bad…just different.

Matt surprised me earlier in the week with two beautiful treasures for Mother’s Day. This guy definitely has a generous spirit. One would have to believe his "love language" is gifts.  He gave both presents to me early, but  he just finished putting together the bird bath this morning before we took off to work. So actually I’ve had Mother’s Day all week long.  I’ve received well-wishes through texts throughout the day and I have the next couple of days off work…so I think I am gonna just sit a while and enjoy this moment that in actuality does not come around very often…Yep, just a bit different.

Western Blue Bird Themometer!
Look at that temp!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms!  Hope you are doing what is just right for you!

I will post another photo when I add the seed and plant...
and maybe even one glowing at night!

Apprehended Hope

This Wednesday marks the 40^th anniversary of the Sunshine Mine Disaster in Kellogg, Idaho. On May 2, 1972, 91 miners lost their lives in one of the worst occupational disasters in our nation’s history.

There was nation wide news coverage at the time, but compared to today’s standards and means, we would now consider what was offered just minimal coverage.

On that spring day, so very long ago, an underground fire silently crept through the mine creating smoke, carbon monoxide and other life endangering gases that infiltrated the tunnels and shafts. One hundred seventy-eight miners arrived at work to begin their jobs in day to day fashion. Before the day was done, 91 would lose their life and only 85 would walk back into the diminished light of the spring day now greatly impacted by grief. Before the disaster was over several excruciating days would pass braced in the apprehended hope to which the families clung - that there would be others found and raised to safety. Only 2 additional miners would eventually be rescued from amidst the danger and damage. The final victim was brought top side on May 13^th; 11 days after the fire began. This hard-rock mining disaster eventually brought much needed change to an extremely dangerous industry, but I imagine that fact is only a slight comfort to the families that were forever changed on this distressing day.  

You can read the incredible story in two books that were finally written and published: The Price of Silver by John Day and The Deep Dark by Gregg Olson.  I’m not sure why it took decades for someone to write an accounting of the disaster, but I’m glad the story was eventually written.  For the more accurate accounting I recommend The Price of Silver; a bit less dramatic, probably not as enticing, but more factual, just the same.

The Sunshine Mine is still to date the largest silver mine in the nation, running more than a mile deep with over 100 miles of tunnels. Knowing that fact, and recognizing that at the time safety measures were minimal, we gain great understanding and appreciation for the rescue efforts that were nothing short of valiant with the limited resources on hand at the time.

But the tight knit mining community vowed they would never forget - and forget they never have. On May 2^nd they will once again honor the lives that died that day in a continually growing ceremony at the monument erected in the miners’ memory. A statue of a working minor was placed at the foot of Big Creek Canyon shortly after the disaster.  The 15 foot miner was purposefully located at this spot with his head lamp shining south in the direction of the Sunshine Mine as a physical reminder of the lives lost there on that dreadful day. At this year’s memorial, once again 91 chairs will hold mining hard-hats with head lamps that are never extinguished in the hearts of those that lost a loved one, 40 years ago.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m not sure I remember the moment I actually received the news of the Sunshine disaster.  The impact on my life was minimal compared to those that lost sons and husbands; brothers and fathers.  I lost a cousin – I will call him DD.  He had a beautiful wife and two precious baby daughters. He was 23 years old.  He also left behind a loving mom, and brothers and sisters who loved him deeply. They had already suffered great loss when their husband and father had been killed in a mining accident about 7 or 8 years previously. 

What I do remember of the time, was the deep hurt I witnessed in the immediate and extended family. On a personal level, I also remember the uncommon kindness of some that showed their concern for me.  I was in high school, soon to graduate.  I will never forget my Government teacher kindly pulling me aside to ask me about the accident.  He had incorrectly heard it was my brother who was lost.  He had taught my brother the year previous, and he had also coached him in sports. I could see the genuine look of concern and sorrow on his face. “No”, I told him, “it wasn’t C. It was our cousin.” And I saw relief cross his face, but it was personal relief tempered with all-reaching compassion for the others. Another classmate had lost a brother.  Every life is as important as another, but of course it hits harder when one knows them personally.

I remember another classmate bringing me a beautiful card of encouragement, though we didn’t know one another well.  It is these types of kindnesses that one remembers for a life time. I don’t believe we should ever underestimate the simple gestures that we often times feel are so inadequate at a time of someone’s great loss. One never knows how it will encourage, or how it will impact one later at the memory.

Of course my cousins, my aunt and grandparents were the ones of most concern to my family at the time.  As I said previously, my cousins had already lost their dad in another tragic mining accident.  I have never forgotten the day we arrived at their home the day of my uncle’s funeral and DD opened the door and warmly greeted us with a smile and light joking that only minimally masked his grief. I was a small child, but I knew he was happy to see us.  It impacted me for a life time. I learned there can be joy in sorrow from my older and wiser cousin. One would never have guessed just 8 years later he would also lose his life.

Certainly I remember the tears the day my uncle died: my dad’s tears, the tears of my cousins, my sisters, the tears of my brother. Each of their reactions is indelibly ingrained in my memory.  And I will never forget the tears that fell at the death of my cousin. One of my uncles was especially impacted due to the fact that he was also in the mine that day. Thankfully, he was one of the ones that made it out; but he lost a nephew who he looked at as a best friend, as well as many other friends and co-workers. I have memories forever ingrained in my memory of my family’s loss.  I also remember my grandma’s words of comfort when she learned DD had probably been alive for a time at the 5600 foot level of that mine. “DD would have called on Jesus”, she reassuringly told us, “and I know He was with him through that time.”

The reassuring comments, the smiles that power through the darkness, the tears that bubble up from the heart to fall down a face in an expression of love and release are the things that are never forgotten at such monumental times of grief.

All these years later, there are certain memories that are as clear as the day it occurred.  Some of my memories are of past Sunshine Memorials where a friend’s face remains in my minds eye as if I were once again looking into his face where his reoccurring pain is one more time revealed.

Naturally the days after were dark and seemingly without life, as this small community that had lost 91 men recovered and rebuilt their lives. The displacement that occurred might be difficult for an outsider to comprehend, but to those most affected by the tragedy, it was the natural process of maturing through grief. Can you imagine how 91 lost lives affected a community with a population of little over 4000? (Kellogg and surrounding towns) Today, Kellogg’s population is still down by 33% of the 1972 count.

On Wednesday, there will once again be tears; there will also be smiles that power through because of the calming salve of time; and there will be words of encouragement and words of pride for each of the lives lost.  There will be connections once again established because of the common bond that most all that attend have always shared.

They will speak of a history, they will speak of a heritage; and there will be a new generation that learns and honors with acquired understanding.  They were noble men of a noble profession which is not only a part of our state history, but is a very integral part of the lives of families that were forever impacted on that day. We live in death.  And hopefully we grow; we learn; we love and we share.  It is as it should be, and I am proud of a community that has vowed to never forget.

Click here for information of this year's memorial.