Groundhog Day Feb 2 Column for 26/27 Jan 2024

EDITORS: Depending on the day you run the column, you may need to change first sentence.

 

Groundhog Day -- Again?

 

In case you didn't know, your digital calendar probably reminded you that today is Groundhog Day – AGAIN.

 

The outdated day gained modern fame from the 1993 movie "Groundhog Day," where Bill Murray wakes up to repeat the same day over and over. 

 

Why in the world do I need a reminder of this useless day? I don't own a groundhog. I don't personally know anyone who does.

 

Still, perhaps I can use this day to recall and repeat a few things that I've occasionally mentioned at the end of my previous columns.

 

So, with a little indulgence from my editors, this column serves as that moment in the small-church service where the pastor asks, "Are there any announcements today?"

 

"Oh, says the pastor," I see the chaplain, has a few things to share.

 

First, Join Chispa Project on its annual volunteer trip to establish a library in Honduran elementary schools. Chispa Project has enjoyed eight years of this repeated fun, creating over 80 libraries.

 

There's a saying in Honduras that "If you drink the water, you'll keep coming back." I can't think of anything more Groundhog's Day than that. 

 

Time after time, I find myself returning to Honduras. Maybe it's the water, but most likely it's the warmth of the people or the thrill of seeing children open their first book. 

 

Join my daughter, Sara, and me this year June 16 - 23 and help install a new children's library. Details at www.chispaproject.org/volunteerproject. 

 

Can't travel this time? Consider donating, and if you really want to stay on theme, keep repeating it. Become a monthly donor like me!

 

Join my email list. I promise I won't share your info with anyone, and you can easily opt out any time.

 

Why get the column by email when you can read it in your local paper? I want you to do both, but I also want you to forward the email column to friends. I also want to stay in touch when I finally retire this column. Join the list by emailing me at comment@thechaplain.net or on the web site at https://thechaplain.net/newsletter/ .

 

I can speak to your group. Many of you have heard me speak in the towns where my column runs. For instance, I've crossed Florida to speak in Melbourne, Lakeland and Fort Myers. I've spoken at colleges in Springfield, Mo., Staunton, Va., Charleston, S.C., and Riverside, Calif.

 

The churches in Binghamton, Elmira and Horseheads remain favorites in upstate New York. It's been a while, but I'd love to return to Mountain Home, Ark. or Mansfield, Ohio. (Or any of the other nine Buckeye towns where my column runs.)

 

And if you're reading from places where I've not yet shared like Lafayette, Ind., Montgomery, Ala. or in the California cities of Vacaville, Elk Grove and Auburn, I would love to make an appearance there too.

 

Buy one of my books. Even though I'm constantly mentioning my books, some readers are still surprised to learn about them. My books are a compilation of two decades+ of column-writing and will provide a way for the new reader to catch up.

 

My titles:

 

"No Small Miracles" (2008) is about my work as a pediatric chaplain.

"Hero's Highway" (2011) relates my service in a Combat Field Hospital.

"Thriving Beyond Surviving" (2015) describes the seven "F" words I live by.

"Tell it To the Chaplain" (2023) shares chaplaincy stories in healthcare, the military and the church.

 

You can purchase the books on my website or simply send your book request and payment of $20 for each title to Norris Burkes at 10556 Combie Rd. Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602.

 

Maybe if my readers buy enough books, I'll have enough money to buy a groundhog.

 

You'll get a complimentary book when you start a monthly donation to Chispa or give a onetime donation of more than $100. Make checks to Chispa Project and send to 10556 Combie Rd. Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602. Comments received at same address or by email comment@thechaplain.net or at (843) 608-9715.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7WbpkJ0TFg&t=3s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Correct copy for Column for 26/27 Jan 2024

Biblical Clarity Can Be Blinding

 

Recently, my wife, Becky, and I were driving to a familiar Southern California city when we got in a bit of a disagreement.

 

In the kindest way, she stated several times that I was driving in the wrong direction.

 

I, in a less-than-kind way, made a clear case for her wrongness.

 

Somewhere in the "discussion" I reinforced my rightness with a colorful word she's not often heard me say.

 

I mean when you're right about something, you're right! Right?

 

I spoke with the certainty Christians often use when citing biblical passages for argument's sake.

 

"The Bible is clear on THIS issue," they say.

 

When I can get a word in edgewise with these folks, I'll remind them that throughout history people evoking biblical clarity sometimes land on the wrong side of history.

 

Take slavery for instance.

 

Many have insisted that the Bible is astoundingly clear about slavery allowing for the enslavement of people. And I'm not talking about a few obscure proof texts. 

 

On his blog, theologian and Mennonite pastor Michael Pahl demonstrates how easy it was for them to find Bible passages that directly endorse slavery. (Exodus 21:2-11; Leviticus 25:44-46). Slave ownership seems to carry God's blessing in Genesis 12:16; 24:35; Isaiah 14:1-2.

 

Pahl suggests that the New Testament spoke with clarity in commanding slaves to obey their masters "in everything" (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossian 3:22-4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:9-10; 1 Peter 2:18-20). 

 

Now some will attempt to discount biblical slavery as being more like indentured servitude. I don't fuss with those distinctions because when it comes to taking one's freedom, slavery is just that – slavery.

 

Gratefully, abolitionists won this argument by establishing a clear biblical heart against slavery.

 

Nowadays, when someone expresses all-fired certitude that the Bible is "clear" on their pet issue, I'll attempt a bit more review with them.

 

For instance, for those who feel sure of God's position on war and raise the Christian flag to the tune of "Onward Christian Soldiers," I ask them to pause and consider the solid biblical arguments on pacifism.

 

When people voice biblical support for the subservient role of women, I ask that they not dismiss the deafening roar of women who find equality throughout the Bible.

 

How about the death penalty? While some see the Bible as supporting capital punishment, I remain in good company with the many denominations who scripturally oppose it.

 

And on the hottest of topics like abortion and sexual identity, I hear honest Christians cite compelling biblical arguments on both sides.  

  

Don't worry. I'm not trying to discredit the Bible. The Bible remains my clear inspiration for faith.

 

I'm only suggesting that we not use our own personal revelation as a way to clobber someone else. Put another way, biblical clarity needn't be blinding.

  

I like the way Pahl concludes his blog on this topic.

 

"The next time we hear someone talk about the 'clear teaching of Scripture' … think about this: the Bible is at least as clear on slavery, yet thank God, we no longer believe that slavery is God's will. We've read the Bible, and we're following Jesus."

 

By the way, regarding the directional clarity Becky and I wrestled with in the car, Becky chose to remain quiet for a few minutes.

 

She was clear on the teaching of James 1:19-20 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."

 

Finally, unlike the biblical pundits who took years to repent, it only took another moment for clarity to emerge for me.

 

"I'm so sorry, honey," I said. "I'm so sorry. You are right. I'm just a dope."

 

"That much is certainly clear," she said.

 

-----------------------------

 

This column found inspiration from https://michaelpahl.com

 

Please email me so I can add you to my weekly column email. My books can be purchased on my website www.thechaplain.net. Comments are received at 10556 Combie Rd Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602 or by email comment@thechaplain.net or at (843) 608-9715.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Correct copy for Column for 19/20 Jan 2024

When Faith Doesn't Meet our Expectations

 

Some of my most rewarding years in chaplain work were those I spent as the Chaplain for Women and Children at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento (2002-2008).

 

It was there my rounds often took me onto the high-risk maternity unit. Rooms in this unit were filled with scared pregnant women whose doctors had confined them to bed rest in hopes of avoiding a miscarriage.

 

One afternoon, our unit secretary, Jeannette, told me about a patient who was expecting twins, but her 23-week pregnancy was being threatened by severe complications.

"Her husband is a youth minister, so she has a lot of church friends in her room now," Jeannette said.

 

Jeannette's unusually quiet demeanor told me she was worried. "Maybe you could go introduce yourself. Might help if things go south."

 

Inside the room, the minister greeted me with the typical chorus of religious platitudes.

"These twins are in God's hands. I'm not worried," he said in a dismissive manner. "We know God will heal these babies."

 

The atmosphere of the room had me nearly convinced. It was adorned with religious books, greeting cards and Bibles. The family played sacred music and wore pious jewelry on their necks and earlobes.

 

So I took the minister's hint and excused myself, figuring my time would be better spent elsewhere.

 

Forty-eight hours later, I returned to the nurses' station where Jeanette whispered, "They're really going to need you now, chaplain. The twins didn't make it."

"They'll need me, but will they want me?" I muttered.

 

Jeanette dared me to "give it a shot."

 

I tapped my watch. "I'm betting they don't give me five minutes."

 

Prayerfully, I entered the room. It's a risk going where you aren't wanted, even when you wear the chaplain's badge.

 

Nevertheless, I entered the room and found it in stark contrast to its previous state of smiling church visitors and religious music.

 

The couple remembered me and invited me to sit.

 

"We've been in church work for years," the pastor said. "Why couldn't God help us?"

 

For a moment, I assumed they didn't want a chaplain so I leaned forward to signal my willingness to leave. Yet, amazingly, they continued to unload.

 

"No, chaplain, stay," insisted the grieving mother.

 

They seemed to want someone to hear the case they'd built against God, so I stayed and listened.

 

They sincerely believed God had shortchanged them. They swore they'd never return to church. God wasn't fair. We deserve better. Is God really love? If God loves us, why does he hurt his children?

I was plenty uncomfortable, but I stayed through the barrage, listening to it all with the tenacity of a soldier in a firefight.

 

I lost my bet with Jeanette. My visit lasted 45 minutes and during the next few days, I was invited for more visits.

 

On the day our patient was discharged, her youth-pastor husband said to me, "You probably wonder why we let you stay after we'd dismissed our congregants."

 

I did.

 

"You were the only one willing to listen to our gripes about God," he said.

 

"I was taken by your honesty," I said. "You voiced your complaints directly to God. Often people aren't that authentic. Instead of telling God exactly what they are feeling, they talk smack about God behind his back.

 

"I think God understands your talk. After all, God saw his son die, too."

 

They nodded, thanking me for not trying to change their minds or judge them.

 

"Just make sure you keep up the conversation with him," I said with a cracked smile.

 

I phoned their home a few times in the weeks that followed and found that they were still having daily conversations with God. And while those conversations didn't sound much like their usual church prayers, I know God heard every word.

 

I'd bet Jeanette that I wouldn't be allowed into the couple's room, much less their lives. But because I listened to them without trying to defend or explain God, the couple allowed me a place in their sacred grief.

 

In the end, that's a gamble I'll take every time.

 

-----------------------------------------

 

Burkes is a retired USAF chaplain and the pastor at Community Church Nevada City CA 

 

Send comments to 10556 Combie Rd. Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602 or by email comment@thechaplain.net or at (843) 608-9715. For more, check out his books on his website at www.thechaplain.net.

 

 

 

 

Column for 19/20 Jan 2024

Grammar Police Issue Citation

 

A regular reader wrote me last month to say, "We ALWAYS enjoy your columns and read them to our Sunday-school class."

 

I could hear the "but" coming in her compliment about the Chispa Project column when she asked, "May we hazard some chutzpah of our own by pointing out a grammar error?"

 

"You wrote, 'The school principal escorted Sara and I….'  It should read '…escorted Sara and me….'"

 

I slapped my forehead as I recognized the mistake that has haunted me in at least a half dozen columns. As my proofreader tells me, "The correct pronoun following any verb is the objective pronoun: me, him, her, us, them. It's never I or myself."

 

Sadly, both my proofreader and my wife schoolteacher wife missed it this time.

 

I can't begrudge people their grammar peeves. My wife gets in a dither anytime she sees a misplaced apostrophe.

 

Recently, she let out a shriek while typing an email.

 

"What's wrong?" I asked, expecting a spider.

 

"I accidently turned a plural into a possessive." She was simply pale.

 

I shrugged. Guess everyone has his or her battles.

 

I save my battles for people who insist on using what I call "comfort grammar." I call it that because it's used to comfort the bereaved. The language consists of at least four common phrases.

 

1. "Everything happens for a purpose."

 

When I hear this one, I want to scream, "Really? Is there a purpose for drunk drivers, tornadoes or incompetent medicine? I haven't found it."

 

I think it's better to tell the grief-stricken person, "God is here. I am here. We will walk through this together."

 

2. "They are in a better place."

 

If you heard that after losing a son or daughter, wouldn't you want to ask, "Why is that better than being with me?" Or maybe you'd be ready to conclude, "Then I want to go there too!"

 

Maybe a better response would be, "Tell me about what you believe happens after this life."

 

3. "I know how you feel."

I actually heard a woman say while commiserating with a new widower, "I know it's not the same thing, but I lost a dog once."

 

It's better to say, "I can't know how you feel, but I'd love to hear what she meant to you."

 

4. "God won't give you more burdens than you can handle."

 

Just one big problem with that comfort grammar –  The Bible doesn't say that!

 

The phrase is a poor paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 10:13 which is more accurately paraphrased as "God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to escape."

 

The verse refers to the temptation to steal, lie or cheat. It has nothing to do with the number of tragedies we experience. This misquote will often burden people with a message that God "gives" them calamities.

 

People who use this comfort grammar aren't really trying to comfort the bereaved. They are trying to wrap the tragedy into a neat box so they can assure themselves that it won't happen to them.

 

The truth is that comforting grieving people has nothing to do with saying the correct thing. It has nothing to do with your thoughts and prayers. Instead, it has everything to do with being present to those who hurt.

 

That's why I'm leaving you with this better alternative.

 

Don't speak. Just do.

 

Avoid the halfhearted offer, "IF there is anything I can do, just ask."

 

Don't make them ask. Just do.

 

At my father's funeral, my sister made a sign-up list for those who said, "If there's anything I can do….

"Yes," she said. "Here's our volunteer sign-up list."

 

Using the list, people agreed to answer phones, drive relatives to the airport or bring meals. One man agreed to mow my mother's lawn for a year. 

 

Not everyone will know what to say to the anguished, so my best advice when you find yourself at a loss for words is this:

 

"Say little. Do much."

 

The doing will say more than you can ever imagine.

 

 

Send Chispa Project denotations, grammar corrections or comments to 10556 Combie Rd. Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602 or by email comment@thechaplain.net or at (843) 608-9715. For more on how to comfort the grieving, check out my books on my website at www.thechaplain.net.

 

 

 

Spirituality column for Jan 12/13 2024

Grammar Police Issue Citation

 

A regular reader wrote me last month to say, "We ALWAYS enjoy your columns and read them to our Sunday-school class."

 

I could hear the "but" coming in her compliment about the Chispa Project column when she asked, "May we hazard some chutzpah of our own by pointing out a grammar error?"

 

"You wrote, 'The school principal escorted Sara and I….'  It should read '…escorted Sara and me….'"

 

I slapped my forehead as I recognized the mistake that has haunted me in at least a half dozen columns. As my proofreader tells me, "The correct pronoun following any verb is the objective pronoun: me, him, her, us, them. It's never I or myself."

 

Sadly, both my proofreader and my wife schoolteacher wife missed it this time.

 

I can't begrudge people their grammar peeves. My wife gets in a dither anytime she sees a misplaced apostrophe.

 

Recently, she let out a shriek while typing an email.

 

"What's wrong?" I asked, expecting a spider.

 

"I accidently turned a plural into a possessive." She was simply pale.

 

I shrugged. Guess everyone has his or her battles.

 

I save my battles for people who insist on using what I call "comfort grammar." I call it that because it's used to comfort the bereaved. The language consists of at least four common phrases.

 

1. "Everything happens for a purpose."

 

When I hear this one, I want to scream, "Really? Is there a purpose for drunk drivers, tornadoes or incompetent medicine? I haven't found it."

 

I think it's better to tell the grief-stricken person, "God is here. I am here. We will walk through this together."

 

2. "They are in a better place."

 

If you heard that after losing a son or daughter, wouldn't you want to ask, "Why is that better than being with me?" Or maybe you'd be ready to conclude, "Then I want to go there too!"

 

Maybe a better response would be, "Tell me about what you believe happens after this life."

 

3. "I know how you feel."

I actually heard a woman say while commiserating with a new widower, "I know it's not the same thing, but I lost a dog once."

 

It's better to say, "I can't know how you feel, but I'd love to hear what she meant to you."

 

4. "God won't give you more burdens than you can handle."

 

Just one big problem with that comfort grammar –  The Bible doesn't say that!

 

The phrase is a poor paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 10:13 which is more accurately paraphrased as "God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to escape."

 

The verse refers to the temptation to steal, lie or cheat. It has nothing to do with the number of tragedies we experience. This misquote will often burden people with a message that God "gives" them calamities.

 

People who use this comfort grammar aren't really trying to comfort the bereaved. They are trying to wrap the tragedy into a neat box so they can assure themselves that it won't happen to them.

 

The truth is that comforting grieving people has nothing to do with saying the correct thing. It has nothing to do with your thoughts and prayers. Instead, it has everything to do with being present to those who hurt.

 

That's why I'm leaving you with this better alternative.

 

Don't speak. Just do.

 

Avoid the halfhearted offer, "IF there is anything I can do, just ask."

 

Don't make them ask. Just do.

 

At my father's funeral, my sister made a sign-up list for those who said, "If there's anything I can do….

"Yes," she said. "Here's our volunteer sign-up list."

 

Using the list, people agreed to answer phones, drive relatives to the airport or bring meals. One man agreed to mow my mother's lawn for a year. 

 

Not everyone will know what to say to the anguished, so my best advice when you find yourself at a loss for words is this:

 

"Say little. Do much."

 

The doing will say more than you can ever imagine.

 

 

Send Chispa Project denotations, grammar corrections or comments to 10556 Combie Rd. Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602 or by email comment@thechaplain.net or at (843) 608-9715. For more on how to comfort the grieving, check out my books on my website at www.thechaplain.net.

 

 

 

Spirituality column for Jan 12/13 2024

Grammar Police Issue Citation

 

A regular reader wrote me last month to say, "We ALWAYS enjoy your columns and read them to our Sunday-school class."

 

I could hear the "but" coming in her compliment about the Chispa Project column when she asked, "May we hazard some chutzpah of our own by pointing out a grammar error?"

 

"You wrote, 'The school principal escorted Sara and I….'  It should read '…escorted Sara and me….'"

 

I slapped my forehead as I recognized the mistake that has haunted me in at least a half dozen columns. As my proofreader tells me, "The correct pronoun following any verb is the objective pronoun: me, him, her, us, them. It's never I or myself."

 

Sadly, both my proofreader and my wife schoolteacher wife missed it this time.

 

I can't begrudge people their grammar peeves. My wife gets in a dither anytime she sees a misplaced apostrophe. 

 

Recently, she let out a shriek while typing an email.

 

"What's wrong?" I asked, expecting a spider.

 

"I accidently turned a plural into a possessive." She was simply pale.

 

I shrugged. Guess everyone has his or her battles.

 

I save my battles for people who insist on using what I call "comfort grammar." I call it that because it's used to comfort the bereaved. The language consists of at least four common phrases.

 

1. "Everything happens for a purpose."

 

When I hear this one, I want to scream, "Really? Is there a purpose for drunk drivers, tornadoes or incompetent medicine? I haven't found it."

 

I think it's better to tell the grief-stricken person, "God is here. I am here. We will walk through this together."

 

2. "They are in a better place."

 

If you heard that after losing a son or daughter, wouldn't you want to ask, "Why is that better than being with me?" Or maybe you'd be ready to conclude, "Then I want to go there too!"

 

Maybe a better response would be, "Tell me about what you believe happens after this life."

 

3. "I know how you feel."

I actually heard a woman say while commiserating with a new widower, "I know it's not the same thing, but I lost a dog once."

 

It's better to say, "I can't know how you feel, but I'd love to hear what she meant to you."

 

4. "God won't give you more burdens than you can handle."

 

Just one big problem with that comfort grammar –  The Bible doesn't say that!

 

The phrase is a poor paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 10:13 which is more accurately paraphrased as "God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to escape."

 

The verse refers to the temptation to steal, lie or cheat. It has nothing to do with the number of tragedies we experience. This misquote will often burden people with a message that God "gives" them calamities.

 

People who use this comfort grammar aren't really trying to comfort the bereaved. They are trying to wrap the tragedy into a neat box so they can assure themselves that it won't happen to them. 

 

The truth is that comforting grieving people has nothing to do with saying the correct thing. It has nothing to do with your thoughts and prayers. Instead, it has everything to do with being present to those who hurt.

 

That's why I'm leaving you with this better alternative.

 

Don't speak. Just do.

 

Avoid the halfhearted offer, "IF there is anything I can do, just ask."

 

Don't make them ask. Just do.

 

At my father's funeral, my sister made a sign-up list for those who said, "If there's anything I can do….

"Yes," she said. "Here's our volunteer sign-up list."

 

Using the list, people agreed to answer phones, drive relatives to the airport or bring meals. One man agreed to mow my mother's lawn for a year. 

 

Not everyone will know what to say to the anguished, so my best advice when you find yourself at a loss for words is this: 

 

"Say little. Do much."

 

The doing will say more than you can ever imagine.

 

 

Send Chispa Project denotations, grammar corrections or comments to 10556 Combie Rd. Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602 or by email comment@thechaplain.net or at (843) 608-9715. For more on how to comfort the grieving, check out my books on my website at www.thechaplain.net.

 

 

 

 

Season Greeting...Patricia Oetting ??

Hi

Let me Know if you got this email?

Happy New Year

Thanks