Unless you were born under a rock or just born yesterday, you know of the supposed overdose death of actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman. I confess I can remember only seeing him in two movies- Mission Impossible:3 and Hunger Games. People praise him for his acting talent. Some have even called him the most gifted actor of this generation. It is sad when I read of anyone’s death, especially of one so young, talented and tragic. In an interview he said he had been sober for 22 years. You gotta wonder what happened. What drove him to seek solace or a “high” in heroin?
People of the Second Chance is one blog I enjoy reading. Their most recent one had an article by a man named Blaine Hogan. Rather than say any more about the article or Blaine, I’ll let his words do the talking.
Blaine is an actor now involved in Willow Creek’s media ministry. At the end of his article he asks some serious questions of the actors, unions, etc which I think can be and should be addressed by the church as well. Please allow me to rephrase them:
Why is it we continue to let our people suffer for the sake of larger and larger churches and larger and larger buildings and greater accolades which fuel our desires for (good) notoriety or fuel our ego (bad)?
When will churches start considering the whole person-body, mind and soul-when reaching out? I (and our youth pastor) met with a local health organization Monday and I told them we want to partner with them, not be adversaries. Sometimes rehab, counseling, etc is necessary. Hurting people hurt people. While I believe Jesus is the ultimate Healer, sometimes He uses people to accomplish His purposes.
When will we start caring for people because they are people and not for what they can bring to the table? Jesus never looked at someone and said, “Man! if I heal this person or give sight to this one it will spread my influence and name.” Maybe we ought to stop wondering about the spread of our influence and just start caring about people because they are people.
The death of PSH was tragic. So is every individual who leaves this earth alone or without Jesus. That very fact should be convicting enough.
What say you?
You really got me thinking here Bill. I’ll respond in the morning.
Look forward to hearing from you Jeff
Our churches should be reaching every area of our lives. We should be the leaders in our peoples lives in exercise, health, the arts, you name it.
My point exactly Larry. Glad you also see it.
Your question, “When will we start caring for people because they are people and not for what they can bring to the table?”, is something that my pastor asks regularly.
Sounds like Rob has his head on straight. 🙂
I say AMEN. Yes, Jesus is the ultimate Healer but we have to introduce people to Him so they can get healing. We have to love them and help them. Sometimes that includes other things than just church. God works through a myriad of ways to reach people. We should do whatever it takes, as long as it honors God, to love and help people.
Excellent post!
So right Lyn. God works through a myriad of ways. Couldn’t have said it any better. Thanks for coming by.
I only remember him in “The Big Labowski” but I watch very few movies. Yes it is tragic because it was preventable. But then again he wasn’t looking for help this time and so maybe it wasn’t preventable.
I think our whole society has gotten away from the local helping one another mentality of the past and are firmly entrenched in a me and mine mentality. Whether in a big fancy church, a small church or no church at all this is what we have become. You might suggest that people that “know Jesus” are not that way but I think that is a wish and a delusion. “Me and Mine” is as alive and well in Churches as it is in Boardrooms, Bars, and no doubt Brothels.
I commend you for wanting to engage with the community health people. I might suggest they will be turned off by any suggestion that “Faith Healing”, “Faith Healers”, and any suggestion of other than science is relevant to their patients. And can be a dangerous methodology.
A lot of (Most) people would not consider dying without Jesus as tragic. It is certainly not a fact. I hope that trying to sell that idea doesn’t get in the way of helping those that need real science from trained professionals.
I’m glad you got back to me Jeff. I cannot argue at all with your premise of “me and mine” in society, and tragically, in the church as well. Wish it weren’t so but no sense in hiding the truth. We will do all we can to work with the local health organization. They came to us so maybe that is a step in the right direction. I realize the possible stumbling blocks that may come, but will see what develops. We won’t back down from our beliefs but won’t force them either. one last thing: sadly you may be right about PSH not wanting help this time. Sad.
Great thoughts, Bill. I agree that we are building things up too big. People get famous too fast. We need more recovery programs. But I also have to ask. How do we know if someone leaves this world without Jesus? And how do we know that Jesus does not still meet them even if they did leave the world without him?
I’m currently writing what I think will be a controversial song. It’s called “I Will Fly You Home.” It’s written in the first person voice of Jesus for a gay man who’s just committed suicide.
I think God’s mercy goes way beyond what any of us mere mortals can imagine.
Thanks Dan. In answer to your question: i reckon the only real answer is known by God. However, if a person rejects Christ that is a pretty good indication. i believe the Bible teaches it is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment. A failure to cross the line from unbelief to faith in Christ is the tell-tale line for salvation. I was not saying PSH was in hell. Please don’t take that because I simply don’t know. However, I do believe once a person dies there is no more chance for salvation.
i’m with you, Bill. When Christ spoke about the church, I doubt it was the opulent buildings He spoke of. He foretold of the temple being torn down because HE is the temple!
You got it down in a nutshell Floyd.
Went to both links, well worth the time to read and listen. What a great ministry for all because we are all made up of broken pieces, all addicted to pleasing self in some way. Just watching God worked in our own son life to bring Jared back to Him has been an incredible journey. Just believer the promises of God gave us courage to step back into Jared life in a real way, I mean we have been sharing a condo for two years. All three of us have grown in our understanding of salvation by grace, God’s mercy, His long suffering with us…oh my…how long it is. There is some opposition against Jared and his ex wife getting back together because some members of her family think he is not saved. (Not her parents). Continue to pray for him and Grace. They are both meeting with mentors and looking to marriage counseling here soon. I bought Jared the book, Even If You Were Perfect (someone would crucify you) by Rob Shepherd. It’s been a huge help to Jared. Thanks to you in my blogging family for speaking highly of this book. This is a very good post Bill, thanks for taking the time to seek out this kind of mentoring links.
I’m glad you went to both links Betty. I sometimes wonder if people do. That is incredible what God is doing in Jared’s life and hopefully, marriage.I’m glad to hear that you and Ace have been able to get back into his life and be vital in helping his faith develop. Thanks for the kind words about the post also Betty. I’m glad God was able to use me to encourage you.
Good questions and considerations. I do find that it is much easier to talk about meeting the needs of the whole person without actually doing it. It’s not an easy fix or solution and takes a lot of hard work and dedication (whether you do it or have resources available through someone else). Needs to happen though–definitely with you, Bill. Thanks so much.