Out Here Hope Remains

Review: Grieve Like A Man

John Dobbs — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:53:43 +0000

A few months ago I picked up GRIEVE LIKE A MAN by Jonathan Fann. I’ve been blogging through the chapters at my Hope Today blog (dedicated to writings and reflections about grief). I highly recommend it as an excellent resource. I think it was a good time for me, personally, to read this book.

Jonathan Fann has done a masterful job of intertwining the story of his experiences with grief and those of others he has known. He has written eleven chapters, each one presenting a distinct way that men, in particular, may grieve.

I think this book is especially helpful for men because there is not a lot of information / writings about grief directed at men. (I’m looking forward to the Grieving Dads book to finally come out soon!) I do believe women could read it and gain a lot, particularly if there is a grieving man in their family.

Grieve Like a Man is a book written from a Christian perspective, and it offers some Scriptural guidance but it is not a Bible study book. There are some discussion questions at the end of each chapter, so it may be useful for a group. You can scan through my Hope Today blog for quotes from each chapter.

I see from Mr. Fann’s website that he and his wife are available for speaking engagements. I wish them well, for I feel the spirit of his presentation and the unique material would be a blessing.

~John

Where Joy and Sorrow Meet

John Dobbs — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:28:08 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

]]>

Greater Things Yet to Come

John Dobbs — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:40:09 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

Today was our National Day of Prayer Community-Wide service. It took place at The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities church building, a beautiful facility. I had no part in planning this program – it was put together by the Community Prayer Partners, an organization of prayer that I admire but have not participated in like I should. I appreciate Keith Roberts’ work in this group. They obviously respect him – and he respects them.

This morning we met at 6:30 am – so I cannot attest to being fully present – but I was there! A team of singers led us in some praise and worship – starting off with the God of this City song. I hope that song continues to grow in popularity, it is an important message. Various ministers from different denominations led us in prayer. There were various topics of prayer including giving of thanks, praying for the families in our parish, our country, governmental leaders local and beyond, the pastors of our city, and for the church. It was a simple program and very powerful.

There were a couple of interactive prayer times. Although I play an extrovert in public, I am in reality an introvert. So when I am in a group of strangers and someone starts talking about ‘interactive‘ … ‘audience participation‘ … I start wondering how to make a graceful exit. Typical of me, I was sitting by myself. So the first ‘grab the hand of the person next to you‘ didn’t apply to me.

The next one I couldn’t escape. They asked all the pastors in the room to stand and go to the aisles. Oh boy…this would be a good time for you to return, Lord! But I was not so blessed. So I stepped out. People were instructed to find a pastor nearby, place hands on him and pray. I turned around and was surprised to note that I was sitting in front of Bob and Shirley Danklefsen. They, and others, placed their hands on my shoulders and as the leader lead, they prayed for me. I was very touched (uncomfortable, but touched!). I’m glad I didn’t run out.

I come from a fairly stoic church experience. Even expressions of joy such as clapping and hand raising have been so overly analyzed that they are like the joke that has to be explained – it’s not funny anymore. I think things are better … churches of Christ are less formal, more casual, warmer, more open minded, less isolationalist. (At least the ones I hang out with!)

So, I was glad to spend some time with my brothers this morning. We are, after all, interested in the same things. We believe the same God answers prayer. We know the Scriptures tell us to agree with one another in prayer. We must always look beyond our walls. There’s a big world out there. And there’s a big God. He is the God of this city. Greater things are yet to come.

Was there a National Day of Prayer service in your city?

~John

Simple.

John Dobbs — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:34:33 +0000

Tonight I (along with wife and friends) went to a “gospel singing” and fish fry at a nearby church. It was simply delightful. We sang for an hour and we ate for an hour. We lifted up the praises of God with enthusiasm (only people who love to sing come to singings – so the singing was very good). Some of the songs I didn’t care for, but sang with vigor because it was someone’s favorite song. We enjoyed great conversation with food prepared by the hosting congregation.

I think people have a lot of expectations of ‘church’. And it seems like every generation has their own specific expectations. I read from a wide variety of sources and each one seems frantic to meet the needs of all the various people that can be reached. We should have an urgency in reaching out. But I’m just wondering if we aren’t so concerned about meeting all these expectations that we lose sight of the simple beauty of sharing life over a plate of mostly unhealthy food.

I really believe that most people want to be seen, loved, accepted, and heard. I love how Jesus just stops the whole production and no matter the noisy objections looks into the eyes of Zacchaeus, the woman caught in adultery, laughing children, the woman with the issue of blood, the man dropped down through the roof, the woman weeping at the cross, the thief beside Him, fisherman Peter repeating his commitment to feed the sheep. Eye to eye. Nothing else in the entire world matters for that moment.

Can we remove some of the complications Churchianity has placed upon us …and get back to some simple basics?

Love.

Family.

Open Bibles.

Prayerful hearts.

Getting the message out.

That’s what I was reminded of tonight as we sang some songs and ate some food. And the presence of God brought peace into that place.

~John

Life Can Be…

John Dobbs — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:10:58 +0000

Complicated. To be honest, my life is not very complicated. I have a routine (of sorts). I pretty much know how to do the things that need to be done and have the resources to do them. And I’m comfortable. Probably too comfortable. I’ve got my share of anxieties, but I have a home and transportation and food to eat.

Today a person asked me for help. I don’t know them, but I did make a call and the need is genuine. I am usually unable to help with the kind of request made, but it just so happens that because of the generosity of someone else I am able to be a conduit of blessing into another life today. Sounds simple. A bill needs to be paid, and I can pay it for them. Happens every day in my life. I need to buy something, so I do.

But life can be complicated. Because I didn’t have all the pertinent information (an account number is not enough to pay a bill people!) I could not pay online. I waited for a live person on the phone. I could not pay the live person on the phone because I didn’t know a lot of personal info for the person I was trying to help. So she gave me the address of a place I could go and pay the bill in person without a lot of info, just the account number. OK. When I got to that place all was well until I wanted to pay with a credit card. They only take cash or check (what century are these people living in?). So I want to pay a bill for someone, but I am not allowed to pay it three different ways.

Life can be…

Frustrating. I have to say that God must be at work in my heart because I really wanted to blow a gasket at a national company not willing to take a credit card. It wasn’t the clerk’s fault…she has rules to follow. Now I’ve spent a lot more time on this project (when I have other projects I need to work on) than I intended. I finally figure out a fourth way to pay. I haven’t tried it yet, mind you … I just hope it works. When I tell the person I wanted to help that I finally have it figured out, she asks me to help with another problem that will require money. You know, that’s frustrating too.

But not nearly as complicated and frustrating as her life. See, when I finally get through with this bill paying thing, I’m going to rest from my labors. She, however, is going to deal with the complications and frustrations of her life for a long time. Of course there’s a lot more to her story than I’m sharing here, but let’s just say that for her…

Life can be…

Complicated. Frustrating. Painful. Maybe my little taste of that will help me be more compassionate. But it’s much more important to me that this person I’m trying to help will get a little relief and maybe her day, for just a day, will be less …

Complicated

Frustrating

Painful.

~John