Among the Addictions

We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him (Step 3).[i]

On any given day, if it be a warm afternoon, and I have a lull in activity, I may check in the refrigerator or basement cool-room for a beer. If there is one available I'll pop the can and enjoy the cool one – or I may open the fridge, find some ice cubes and then enjoy a glass of ice water with even greater relish. I am blessed with freedom of choice on all occasions like this.

I have lived my whole lifetime alongside persons for whom this is not a choice. The inclination leans toward having adequate groceries (brewskis) on hand. My dad’s younger brother was an alcoholic. He told fascinating stories to my brothers and I, and it was easy to see our dad knew the source of those stories were mere fabrication, self-indulgent dreams or whatever uncle would impose on others, his wife and children, his parents (my grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc). They had seen it all.

Perhaps as per tradition in large families, also several alcoholics among my siblings, stories not quite as colorful as my uncle but addictive personalities for sure. Given this background, it was not unexpected to me when alcoholics showed up in my years of pastoral ministry. Some were active church members, others looking in from the fringe, some in company of others in denial of a problem. Alcoholism has been forever, obviously exacerbated in this western hemisphere by historic events like colonialists ‘pioneering’ new lands occupied by indigenous resident owners, firewater often utilized as a currency of trade.

Recent social media posts are getting my thinker going on this topic. Says one young man on FB, not on topic of addiction, but on latest societal trends, artificial intelligence and its influence on information. In today’s yen for packaged quick answers to everything, he says, we are forgetting how to think. We interrupt conversations with quick Google searches of whatever topic is at hand. Addictions not only of alcohol are a lifestyle crisis. He is accurately critiquing not only his generation (chatGPT), but us baby boomers, the good lifers, perhaps his mother and all of us retirees. Seems like we, young, old, or in between, are losing the joy of looking each other in the eye.

The point here, based on some research,[ii] is that as we begin to think differently relying more on AI, it results in a massive decline in brain function. He is right about a different way of thinking; not sure about his assertion that our brains are getting smaller. 😅 At any rate, I would add my perspective, that among the changing brain signals there is an even greater need to pay attention to the Higher Power of the Alcoholics Anonymous. I’ve never thought of it that way, but my thinker apparently needs the exercise, so I'm on it now! Just a few thoughts on this.

Ever since Donald Trump got elected as U.S. President and the inauguration January 20 last, I have been deluged with opinions – much of it by friends and cronies. I get irritated by those who sit in coffee circles, even occasional spats with relatives who think Trump is God’s choice. [This is a confession, not a poke] That is the local scene. round and round every table! 

Then there is that other player, online chat groups in my case ranging from top notch theologians to truckers groups. Theologians have a natural mystique for me going way back to my college years. And truckers? They have been my lifesavers at several points of my journey. Thoughts and relationships have a way of deferring to the sky - or the cloud?.😏 Among the theologians I encountered a disappointment recently. A certain Professor eulogizes a well-known world renowned Professor Walter Brueggemann who died this month, June 5 at the age of 92. In reference to the deceased’s genuine faith even within a world of doctorates, scholars and students, an incident is mentioned, “Walter often told me that he regretted his habitat has been among liberals, because they don’t believe the Bible nor that Someone is truly on the end of the line when they pray.” Well, I had an inner objection here, how important is liberal or conservative terminology on this occasion? ...and so did others! In short order we had the liberals and conservative professors and atheists and other learned ones debating one another, allegations of empty piety versus realism, defensiveness and probably some quick breathing at the laptops everywhere. Quite disappointing this is to me. Brueggemann’s living faith was evident in all his writing. Nice to know he actually believed it! Why must professionals belittle one another in a chatbox? It reminds me of politicians

And it's important to this addiction topic … along with the observation about AI facilitated small brains. This actually touches on us humans in our human-divine sitz im leben (life situation). The Apostle Paul rails on a list of misbehaviors, nothing omitted seemingly - sexual immorality to debauchery to drunkenness to greediness to empty words, “It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light” (Ephesians 5:12-13). And then I think a little more about this packaged info and small brain-ness, how it communicates and how we communicate with one another. Recently on stage at a weekend festival I heard the song "Preacher Man", immediately brought to mind my CB handle when I was a trucker for a few too many years. The image and the music has almost nothing to do with preaching, but I remember clear as yesterday, when I was thus dubbed by fellow truckers it became my story without even talking about it - fit right in there somewhere. “Preacher Man” became my small package identity available for I know not what. It led to things, e.g. once asked to send in a eulogy for funeral of a trucker friend who had died on-the-job in the sleeper of his truck, or several times grieving with friends who had 'woman troubles', and now among us oldies on-line trucker exchanges, preacher references expected - a packaged unofficial identity. 

Something about the 12 step program shines a continuing light onto the conversations of all. Whether intellectuals or truckers, adolescents or middle aged, addiction is no respecter of persons. The one conditional is honesty, and must be placed in presence of the Higher Power, no matter the societal status or image. That is why talking circles at meetings are for everyone - including possibly the theologians, the professionals, the church members, villains, truck drivers, young adults, parents, grandparents - needing to be freed of the devil of addiction. 

There is no 12-step systematic theology to provide the good all-purpose solutions for all things. There is also no wise and all-purpose sensitive AI edited document to accomplish that task. This is after all God’s world. God is. God appears (read John 1). God cares often in surprising ways - small brain, large brain - not only at the other end of the line, and not only in holy communion or from the pulpit, but also sitting in the circle.

[i] Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, 3^rd Edition (New York: A.A. World Services, 1976).

[ii] Brad Stulberg, @BradStulberg. https://www.instagram.com/. 

A Great Country

Liberal 169, Conservative 144, BQ 22, NDP 7, Green 1

This afternoon provided a sudden experience of fellowship and camaraderie in the men’s change room of our local swimming pool. Naked and half-dressed men seemed in a particular jovial mood, topic of yesterday’s election came up. Raised by an old guy who hails from Austria and cheerfully endorsed by a heavily accented white Spanish guy from Columbia and quickly chimed in by a mobility challenged MS guy who needs an hour to get dressed, the main point? So now we got a Canada almost same as yesterday morning! We laughed and laughed. Says the Spanish guy, “All South America, countries full of corruption, big business, and the governments can’t do anything about it.” “Like the U.S?” I asked.  “Oh yeah for sure,” was his reply. “The best place by far is Canada because here is something else.” Almost there was a cheer as the enthusiasms continued.

Never before in that change room! I’ve dressed and undressed in front of those lockers for at least five years – always a somewhat cautious meting out of comments about this or that and then the silence. Yes this is Calgary, I would tell myself, quite similar to church men’s breakfasts I have attended over the years. In today’s metamorphosed atmosphere I ventured a little more opinion, “The Liberals needed a new leader for this time; the Conservatives’ wannabe savior lost his seat; and the NDP got sacrificed so the liberals could win.” I said it and there was no uncomfortable silence! There was agreement (did not take a vote 😉), a celebrative atmosphere, amazing the fellowship of unhinged kindred. Only in Canada!

Thinking back now, I can say it was sort of a theme already a couple days before the election; several conversations with friends were non-committal regarding whom to vote for, also acknowledging that the ballot box would not be a conditional of continuing friendship. There were the confessed or closet conservatives, some liberals with a reason, and me the Saskatchewan boy still NDP just because of basic long-held values and something earthy about voting as my dad would have. Among my peers there is also agreement that we live by a commitment higher than a political party.

So I shall close it down here. Even those of my friends who don’t read much and those who avoid reading my blogs because they fear a sermon, can read till the end. Political parties wax and wane. Democracy is a great thing, but not the only thing. Government of the people by the people for the people  –  if only politicians would not try to convince an electorate that ‘the other party’ is a shameful mess, and when it’s all done, like last night’s speeches, even the losers tried to sound like winners (except for Jagmeet Singh). Seems to me that our change-room atmosphere was a hint of some new possibilities.

One further query for my thinker. What might the atmosphere be in U.S. change rooms these days? 

Shock and Awe

This morning I had a shocker. Front page headline, I read it second click on my cell phone just before I stepped out the door for my early walk, first click to tell the temperature so I know which jacket to put on, and then New York Times, “Pope Francis is Dead at 88.” Quickly I read a multitude of subheadlines, trying hard to capture some detail, but too soon reminded that I had reached limit of free articles. When I returned an hour later my wife already knew more detail because of “The Current” on CBC radio by our bedside. It became focus for our morning prayers.

It is the day after Easter, still inspired by resurrection worship yesterday in church, the pope's passing is kind of surreal. Our pastor described so clearly Jesus’ appearance to Mary in the tomb (the well-known Easter account) and then an extra “recognition connect” after the supposed gardener (John 20) asks her to turn to him, and as she turns she recognizes, she delights from the depth of her heart, “Rabboni” (Teacher :16). Resurrected Jesus is not a theological preference; it is not “a resurrection story.” Not a story, it is an experience availed to her, availed to us, availed to anyone who will turn to face him, especially as per invitation of that risen One. In yesterday’s worship we were an assembly of Mennonites, Evangelicals, Progressives, and of course some ambivalent. We were of quite a few stripes. This service was so "Resurrection" seemingly for each person there, a telling invitation to face Jesus beyond our preferences and our explanations. To see the risen savior was the connector which sent the familiar Mary Magdalene out of there, quickly to tell the others, “I have seen the Lord” (:18).

This proclamation by our pastor, who has come among us fairly recently, also included his testimony of a once-upon-a-time surprise (Surprise! Personalized sermons also bit of a rarity these days). A preacher and a teacher with a considerable ‘curriculum vitae’, pastoral ministry had not been in the cross hairs of his educational pursuit. Included also was some childhood pain, grad studies in philosophy, and then call to pastoral work both in congregations and university student chaplaincy. Surprises all along the way, good intentioned academia got sidelined into pastoral ministry and seems not yet to be stopping. “The best laid plans of mice and men …?”

Pope Francis at Lac St Anne, AB. July 26, 2022

Now back to Pope Francis, pontiff of an imperfect Church. Catholicism has been the big player in the colonialism and residential school horrors of Canada's history. By now, after many years of foot dragging and due process within ranks of the Holy See, this Pope offered apology in 2022 – albeit inadequate. How does a contemporary atone for the sins of an institution? He showed up! He has been courageously everywhere. An Argentinian, grown up among the people, very concerned about environment, Amazon forests and impact of commercial developments within those 'lungs of the world'.[i] He cared deeply for migrants, the displaced victims of war, recently chiding a member of his church, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, for his role in the Trump administration on that very topic.[ii] A man of surprising ways with a faith and a presence with people, his also was not a career path, but an obvious 'Call of God’ as us low-church believers will say, along with high church authority. Awesome things still happening and perhaps about to happen, especially when humble passionate broken persons are able to take a look at the One who is already looking at them.

Another surprise! [And this now another day later - best laid plans of bloggers?] There is so much "thinking material" everywhere - almost as though his death went viral. There are touching tributes on social media (Some positivity for a change), editorials and op-eds in local papers especially of conservative ilk, like Calgary Sun,[iii] labeled by many of us critics as the red neck rag. Hear hear, all you aspiring perfectionist theologians, activists and politicians, each one of us never fully represents the voice of God! God is present right in among the surprises and in between the points of view.

I did not idolize Pope Francis, certainly don’t expect him to rise again, but I know that he knew the One who did rise again! He will be buried in a basilica just outside the walls of Vatican City, and remembered in Christendom way beyond the Roman church, in a world that recognized a pontiff who lived his days face to face with our resurrected Savior.

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[i] Pope Francis, Beloved Amazonia (Holy See: Orbis Books, February 2020).

[ii] Jason Horowitz, “For a Times Reporter Who Covered Him, Francis Was Always a Surprise,” New York Times (NY: April 21, 2025).

[iii] “The People’s Pope”, Calgary Sun, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Who Walked

It’s Good Friday. The irony of that caption has baffled me almost forever. What is good about a demented crowd and religious and political power brokers humiliating one who has been among them teaching and healing? The term used in my mother tongue seems more appropriate, Stelle Friedach (Quiet Friday). While this is only a linguistic or translation observation, it warrants a little closer look.

I must begin with a little rant. These last several days have presented more than ever the argumentiveness of seemingly everybody on social media. I have only to open Facebook, click notifications and there it is. A friend is 'sharing' her latest creative thoughts, which are a cut and paste of another's creative thoughts, fully explaining significance of Jesus’ death on the cross to save me from my sins, including an obligatory request to forward to at least five others if I care at all! Another posting, obviously from a different theological angle, is in pain about Jesus having had to deal with followers – early disciples leaving their day jobs to learn, ask questions, advocate for him, see miracle healings performed, and yet one of them betrays and all scatter when mob action wins. This all in the occupied territory we read and watch on present day news media! I’m not sure whether to go on with this societal critique or get down to the heart of the matter. And if I do that, there will be a number of my good friends, yes relatives, fellow Christians or neighbor across the street who suspect I may be voting Liberal in next election.

My heart yearns Quiet Friday, and mercifully it is available still. This morning my wife and I were blessed to participate with fellow Mennonites in an inter-church service in our city. Attendance was better than it has been last couple of years, clear evidence of a growing spiritual hunger among us wealthy urbanites. I was not one of the planners, but probably the prior instruction to leave the sanctuary quietly after the last word was well advised and even welcomed by us hyper-types to just let it sink in. Perhaps our favorite theories of atonement or sanctification or Jesus as Savior and/or Lord can be laid aside and just … quietly leave. For  the rest of the day we enjoyed considerable quiet, not even a couple of NHL games scheduled. I love it!

So, Quiet was the tone for today. The other option, Good Friday, however, has some sentimental resonance also in my soul.  Good Friday became an important way of staking my faith claims during a stretch of my life when I was a long distance trucker. At mid-career point as identified by the life-cycle experts, fifty years old and my mental and spiritual being simply had nothing left especially after some recent work-related over commitments. I suffered what they label as nervous breakdown. The brief reprieve in the truck was going to quickly get me back preaching and teaching and relating and administering. I recovered, praise the Lord! Only it didn’t happen in the planned two-year reprieve; it took 21 years! South, north, east, west, all over Canada and the U.S. - seasons coming and going during those 2 million miles. AND it was the church year – yes church year (cf. Revised Common Lectionary Advent thru All Souls Day) that became my go-to. Within North America's supply chain service industry (in amazing cooperation with dispatchers and planners), I was able to stake my liturgical claims as priorities for my trips (eg Christmas more important than New Years, Good Friday and Easter very important, and try to stay out of the U.S. May long weekend and 4th of July 😅). There were times when my preferred schedule could not be accommodated. During those trips there was always somebody or something else – another trucker who wished he was home, or a chapel service in a truck stop somewhere, or just the right music, wide open highways, or conversation at a fuel island or wherever relationships might happen. 

Given this bit of drivel with its sentimental twists and turns, from my current retirement vantage, now participating in a lively Interfaith organization in this city, I testify to the wonderful inspiration available in none other than Jesus, the One who walked this lonesome valley. I am ever so grateful for friends, Sikh, Muzlim, Hindu, Jewish, and Mormons and Christians of Aboriginal, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, CRC, UCC and even some Evangelical Anabaptists! I am most engaged when I communicate my gratitude for Jesus my savior! He’s walked with me and trucked with me, and on this day – Good Friday or Quiet Friday - gave His life even while setting a best example for each of us.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16).

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Conviction and Instructions

I heard a one-hour sermon last Sunday morning – sermon, not service. The service was one and a half hours. I cannot recall any previous hour-longs, although half hour sleepers do come to mind, myself the preacher on a few of those occasions I’m sure. Mostly in my preaching years I tried to adhere to the so-called limit of 20 minutes, and then felt badly if it lasted 25. This sermon was already well preached at 25, excellent opening image of cookies that will disappear if we take those bites to suit our own tastes, first one bite, then another, and another, and soon only a few crumbs! Point very clear, complete with biblical references from the OT book of Daniel, where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to worship any other than God and they survive the fiery furnace (Ch 3), and the very convincing NT gospel of John, the promise of Jesus that His absence (death and resurrection) is for our good because he will send the Advocate, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth (16:13 NKJV). He is with us still to guide us in all things.

After a pause to kneel at our seats for personal prayers (I still enjoy memories of that ritual from my childhood years), then another 35 minutes pointing out specific temptations, those habits which so easily get in the way of life lived with conviction. The implications thereof were listed in a kindly manner – seemingly with a love and specificity I cannot remember ever hearing before. The evils of alcohol, of marijuana, foul language complete with local anecdotes, and then into a wider scope - the importance of head coverings for women, more important than jewelry and tattoos we are tempted to adorn ourselves with. Then there are the subtle dangers of modernism which can cloud up our souls, including LGBTQ male-female confusion even in some of our Mennonite churches. Imagine the worldliness creeping in!

The church was full, two services each Sunday morning, brand new building with spacious foyers, modern spotless bathrooms, comfortable seating, and a plain front – no theme verse, no cross, no idols or images before our eyes. And yet one image I came away with and shall never forget. Everyone not only listening but seemingly absorbed in every word of this duo-lingo Plautdietsch – English sermon; young people, middle-aged and elders fully attentive even while young mothers or older brother or sister would take out a squirmy little one (and then return to their seat to continue listening). No exasperated looks and no sleepy heads. I cannot forget.

As per my preacher-trucker style (most readers of these tomes know all about it), the thinker often kicks in after some incident, and then I “says it as I sees it.” My thinker has mixed feelings about hour-long sermons. On this occasion, however, I would say the second half hour was not wasted time; it met the requirements of holy assembly. The examples were obviously clear to a congregation who knew where he was coming from, no boring explanations or theologizing with quotes from smart authors somewhere. I could not but notice some of the muscular young men, some already married to pretty young ladies complete with head coverings – some not. These are hard-working Mennonites. They are welcome immigrants to a province [i] which welcomes entrepreneurs (Could not but notice the parking lot full of late model Yukons, Rams,  F150’s and many SUV’s, even an Escalade. No horse and buggies here). This was a pastoral sermon directed to these high-energy recent immigrants, many of them quite youthful. Needless to say the preacher knows about local concerns even in this province of opportunity (local police know about it too - Mennonite kids also know how to get into trouble like others in nearby towns and villages). Understandably, in order to really cover all bases, instructions from one of their Ohms would include a caution regarding the worldly resident Mennonites who have compromised to societal trends. Misbehaviors and worldly values: all must be included in those bites we might be taking out of the sacred cookie.

So, my thinker has not yet fully integrated this into the further thinking, sometimes referred to as philosophizing. One initial thought has to do with evangelism. I am disappointed with the impression of these ‘returning Mennonites’ that we 'resident Mennonites' have compromised with the world. Their hesitation about us is legitimate and their caution is in order. Us urbanized educated woke Mennonites preach more about inclusiveness and love, working hard at diplomacy, while admitting that there is not much for our young people in our gathered assemblies. We are just like all the mainline churches. Are we inviting our young people to church, inviting them to the rigors of faith or are we excusing them? 

A second thought, and this is a challenge to these immigrant brothers and sisters. Even as we all need the Advocate, the presence of God’s Holy Spirit to help us live with conviction, are they also willing to discern with all of us, rather than stand off? The worldwide Anabaptist community of faith is facing deep challenges especially in these days of very confusing politics. How might we as a peace church be a peaceable witness even as we await the imminent return of Jesus? I say this in defense of us who have lived our whole lives here. Many of us are now ‘educated’ and at risk of losing some simple gospel truths. As Anabaptist Christians, we need to become reacquainted and speak with one another in this God-given land, including those of us in the cities. [ii] My family and I, having lived in Alberta for 45 years, now in Calgary with immigrants flooding in, we have daily opportunities to learn neighborliness with ALL of our neighbors! [iii] 

The Mennonite sojourn from Europe to the West and then the auswanderungs within North and South America is colonialism (including liberal and conservative organizational readjustments - splits).😏 And now we have run out of places to move to in pursuit of special privileges (privilegium). We dare not merely vote Conservative (or Republican) just because conservative politicians like immigrants who give them no hassle. That is not the calling of a people committed to a peace ministry. 

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV).

Perhaps in a future blogpost, and I will appreciate responses from anybody reading this. For now I express my appreciation. I was deeply blessed to hear the word of God fitly spoken to a people gathered to hear exactly that.

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[i] In 2000 then Premier Ed Stelmach facilitated the building of a public school named Two Hills Mennonite School. Started with 36 students and now has over 400, with teaching staff of 55. https://www.twohillsmennoniteschool.ca/

[ii] See Palmer Becker, Anabaptist Essentials: Ten Signs of a Unique Christian Faith (Harrisonberg, VA: Herald Press, 2017).

[iii] Calgary Interfaith Council theme for 2024 – 25 is “Courage to Connect.”

 

History and Media

This is a bland title. History is a study of the passing of time. Historians are those who interpret this passing of time and present their findings either in journals written or spoken word. This requires research, hours and hours in archives among the documents or perhaps some travel to the places of interest if a study proposal yields the grant money.

Media is media. They are the ones on hand while history is being made. For most of them travel is a way of life, usually with large expense accounts, to report about the action wherever it is and telling the story as it happens. Media offerings, whether with headlines, regular features or editorials, develop a personality, an attitude or a theme which subscribers will turn to (CNN or Fox News? Not everybody has the same preference). “As it Happens,” a CBC program, is good example of unique stories mixed with entertainment, which is why it is surviving the test of time.[i] Indeed, media are the ones telling us about world conditions, of politicians and countries, creating a theme which may or may not be accurate, but they are 'the news.' So the title may be bland, but stay tuned, the content is newsy.

In contrast to the historians' scholarly contribution, the media are our contemporaries; people doing their jobs with skills required to do it in a smooth, interesting and convincing manner. Inner convictions may be optional but do show up in their performance - their account of what’s going on. Excellent presenters will do better because their words will match the persona. Inner consistency communicates. The ones who can do this best, whether newscasters, writers, editors, etc. are the ones who become successful in their careers. It may be possible to fool the public – for a while. Forest fires or political headlines or sports broadcasts (along with advertising) can be provided by either entertainers or experts. Time will tell; careers are developed, demographics change, seasons come, seasons go.

True also for those who either choose or are called into Christian ministry. I say ‘call’ because this is a deeper reach into that inner consistency (conviction) that makes for good communication. A recent magazine article by one of our local pastors makes a related point. It is his article which got my thinker going on similarities of preachers and media! Caleb Kowalko [ii] writes about inspiration, citing a contemporary appetite for inspiring sermons. This may be a hubris for preachers, he says. “Words of a sermon should carry a greater responsibility than to fill up the inspirational tank.” I agree with him. Important as inspiration is, preachers have a responsibility to convey an inner message, even if not inspirational. Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction (2 Timothy 4:2). “After all”, says Kowalko, “they are words intended to mingle with eternity, to witness to the truth, to expound upon the word of God.”

Even as I affirm the perspective of this young pastor, I must also acknowledge that my linking of pastors with media is a bit of a stretch. The stretch is in the reality that pastors (faith leaders if you will) are living and doing their work from a vantage that is indeed beyond the career (Some pastors need to be reminded of this). “Call” is more than a career. In my faith community, the Mennonites, this understanding of Call has its beginning among the Anabaptists of the sixteenth century Reformation, Christians who  claimed their ultimate authority is within the gathered group. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). Modern day Anabaptist leaders are still ordained by virtue of that discerned call from among the people, rather than appointment from an outside authority. By their message and by their leadership giftedness they may gather listeners and followers, but this dare not be mere lectures or Ted Talks or political or social education, no matter how interesting they may be. Good sermons may or may not enhance the career.

Now a concluding thought - kind of an afterthought!😏 I just said the linking of pastors and media is a stretch. Perhaps I need to modify a bit - at least from the vantage of my faith community where the preacher's position and message comes from within - never a position of authority but a position of service. From our vantage therefore, media and preachers are in a similar state these days! Reports or speeches by members of the media and sermons or lessons by preachers have fairly equal risks or possibilities, especially in today's instantaneous digitalized world. Reporters who run afoul of a desired party line may risk their careers or livelihood, similar to preachers' longtime experience. Not only do populations and preferences change, but also the political environment. Us post World War II baby boomers, whether secular or religious, have grown up living the good life, full freedom of political or religious opinion. My above comments about careers obviously from that vantage. Times do change, however, as one of our fellow good-lifers Bob Dylan crooned once upon a time. Some of the most recent world political events might suggest we're back into the time when Jesus walked among Romans and Samaritans and Jews, democracy an unknown entity in those days. The good life was not a guarantee for Jesus followers. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

Today's preachers have a responsibility to be 'in there' as participants in all topics and events. Media people face similar career (or life) risks. To all my preacher and media friends, pay much attention to the inner voice. Your understanding and experience of God must be the message, whether inspiring or not. It may or may not be well received by the authorities or the fan base or in the historical documents. Regardless of historical record, inner consistency is essential whatever the risk, for the preacher and the media and the gathered community.

Teach me, O Lord Thy way of truth.[iii]

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[i] As it Happens is a Canadian Interview show that airs on CBC Radio One in Canada and various public radio stations in the United States through Public Radio Exchange. It’s fiftieth Anniversary was celebrated on-air on November 16, 2018. Source: Wikipedia.

[ii] Caleb Kowalko, “Beyond Inspiration,” Canadian Mennonite, Vol 29, Issue 2, February, 2025, p.7.

[iii] Based on Psalm 119:33, Hymnal: A Worship Book (Scottdale, PA: Mennonite Publishing House, 1992), #487.

And Then Comes the End

The title of this post may appear kind of abrupt - apocalyptic even - and a few readers may quickly skip onto something else to read, perhaps skeptical of what this old preacher might want to say about end times. Well, it is indeed about things coming to an end, but rest assured, the topic is more down to earth than bye bye into the sky. It is about a conversation in drivers’ room in one of our local truck stops.

Yes, I still make the occasional stop at old stomping grounds, not to hang out, but perhaps to catch a wifi signal for an email that needs reply, or a meal in the restaurant, or even to shop for an occasional truck stop flavored birthday (Christmas?) gift for my daughters who enjoy the sentiment of those many years when dad would bring home ‘gadgety presents’ from truck stops all over the U.S. So there I was in the drivers’ lounge in a comfy chair with my laptop; eventually could not ignore an old guy half asleep in the chair beside me – and seemed to be going nowhere.

“Are you waiting for a load?” a fairly appropriate open ended question in this place. “My truck got stolen” was the grumbly reply. Well, that was beginning of long lament about absolutely everything. He’s been sitting here several days. The stolen truck is actually his pickup which got removed from the four-wheeler parking lot by “two sneaky sobs.” The missing truck contains thousands of dollars worth of equipment (not sure equipment for what) very important to make short trips. I'm guessing he may also be a part-time cowboy. To add insult to injury, the cops have not even bothered to come and talk with him. They’re doing some kind of legal checklist first. This is not an emergency – he’s in a safe place! I rant and rave on this point! Seems like police or tow trucks or ambulances all in similar priority scale these days, take lots of time if not an emergency.

It gets more complicated. Actually this is about two trucks, the one that got stolen and the real one in the big lot out there. His big truck has a FOR SALE on it. “Price of fuel too goddamn high. Can’t afford this anymore.” This is a 2018 Pete; my truck knowledge albeit outdated, still recognizes a high-end asset here. I hazard a guess about $250,000? “Nope, was asking $320, now come down to $290 and that’s it. I’ll just let it rot if I can’t get that!” In spite of this woebegone story, I notice by now that his eyes have a bit of sparkle. I sympathize with this new friend. Although still confused about details, I’m glad I asked the question. There is little I can do about the circumstances, and I do need to run along - retired trucker you know, busy. 😏 I bid him a fond adieu, wishing him success in at least finding his little truck. He lifts his cold coffee and says thank you.

It is on the way home after this little exchange that my thinker kicks in again. To date I have never had this type of conversation. In my previous post retirement stop-ins at this truck stop it has always been truckers, swap a few tales with a little embellishment (bs) and occasionally a job offer – just in case I’d like to get behind the wheel a bit more! None of that today. This was conversation between two old guys! Back there those -- sessions were full of the vim and vinegar of the truckers’ world! Suddenly it dawns on me that all those years of truckers stories have been mostly in the English language. Today's visit was in presence of other truckers who do not speak English in drivers’ rooms. It was a trend already beginning near end of my years. Truck stop conversations are in other lingos. English only at bare minimum to try to communicate with dispatchers or shippers and receivers, reminding me of occasional meet-up with Mexican Mennonite truckers anywhere between Texas and Manitoba; the visit would immediately revert to Low German. Today’s English visit is good illustration of something coming to an end.

Now in addition to this language issue, a little more from the thinker (as many know, after a little ‘thinking’ I get going with the philosophizing – in college we would call this the long-haired stuff). I’m guessing my senior citizen trucker friend may not have the options I have had, even though his financial assets probably higher than mine. I cannot but give thanks. Thinking of my life journey which has included some good educational pursuits and many good books, two Roman Catholic priests come to mind. They have been lifesavers for my journey [i], and I recognize that my options have been good. I too sold a truck a number of years ago, not at the magic age 65 but at age 71, when it seemed right. With gratitude for a few million accident-free miles, there was sentimental sadness, but not desperation about what to do next. Life would go on. Since that retirement I have been enabled to practice what I still believe and able to participate in very meaningful activity quite in keeping with my training and profession which at one point needed the life support of open highways. Open highways contained space, relationships, and of course the satisfaction of being an owner operator, a sole proprietor with my wife the financial manager, plus the joy of continuing and improving relationship with my Savior as well as new discovery of God everywhere!

Work is only work. Employment is only employment. Professions can be very satisfying and also meaningless if all they do is provide an income, a title or a career. And looking around me these days, I know that even for us in this good land, our lives could come to an end either before or after retirement. That's good to know, quite reassuring actually.

Two quotations have come to my attention; first a non-negotiable from the Bible, and a second from one of those favorite authors.

"People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

“Pay attention to the people God puts in your path if you want to discern what God is up to in your life.” [ii]

Now after this bit of thinking and philosophizing, perhaps I should check back with my friend and see how he’s coming along.

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[i] Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass, 2011) and Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Wounded Healer (New York: Image Books, 1979).

[ii] Nouwen, Discernment: Reading the signs of Daily Life (San Francisco, CA: Harper One, 2013).