tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63168889640147578022024-03-24T16:32:11.469-07:00The Blog of Bob BarilBob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.comBlogger1221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-87143729018832017722024-03-18T12:16:00.000-07:002024-03-18T17:24:38.860-07:00Ashland's Awesome Academy's Afterglow<p>Have you ever experienced a powerful wave of nostalgia as you drove past a certain place which was once a very special part of your life? That's exactly what I experienced this past Saturday, March 16, 2024 as I drove past the Federated Church in downtown Ashland, Massachusetts. That place, the Federated Church in Ashland, was the home for many years of New Covenant Christian School. And <i>what </i>you may ask was New Covenant Christian School? Well, New Covenant Christian School, which most of us simply called <i>"NCCS" </i>was a very special and wonderful school. And it was more than a school. It was a wonderful place and a wonderful family of mostly idealistic evangelical Christians who in many respects were doing the impossible and having a blast doing it! My kids are all grown and over thirty, but all of them went to New Covenant during their elementary school years, and my wife Mary Ann taught there for at least five years.</p><p>Perhaps the word "Academy" in the title was a stretch. I guess most academies are secondary schools, or colleges, or graduate schools, or trade schools. But I'm a preacher, and preachers like alliteration. Yes, <i>"Ashland's Awesome Academy's Afterglow" </i>would probably be a tough phrase to rattle off five times fast, but I <i>did </i>manage to give New Covenant Christian School <i>All As. </i>That was my motive!</p><p>Ashland is almost smack in the middle of the geographic territory in Massachusetts known as <i>MetroWest.</i> <i>MetroWest </i>is usually defined as the thirty or so cities and towns which surround Framingham. They're west of the immediate Boston area and they're east of the immediate Worcester area. Ashland is a pleasant middle-class town just southwest of Framingham. </p><p>Ashland, Massachusetts is known for a number of things. In 1918, according to Wikipedia, Henry Ellis Warren invented the first synchronous electric clock in Ashland, Massachusetts. During the next several decades thousands of electric clocks were manufactured at an Ashland factory. Ashland is also known for a company named Nyanza Chemical which manufactured textile dyes between 1917 and 1978. It <i>really </i>should also be known as the town in which New Covenant Christian School began during the mid-1980s and where the school operated for something like twenty years. It's my opinion that New Covenant Christian School was one of the finest endeavors to ever grace the town of Ashland.</p><p>Last Saturday, so much instantly flashed through my mind as I carefully drove through Ashland's town center! There were special memories of each of my children as well as a number of the children who were from the Framingham church I'd pastored in those days. There were so many memories of my wife and her teaching years there. I thought of wonderful special events, Christmas presentations, talent shows, even the chapel services in which sometimes I was the guest speaker. There was the parking lot which was the play area during recess. (Believe it or not, that play area in the parking lot <i>did </i>work out pretty well!) Several hope-filled people started meeting and planning the formation of a Christian School for the <i>MetroWest</i> area way back around 1983. At <i>that </i>time I was an assistant pastor at a church in Walpole. There was a woman from that church named Alice Lund who lived in Medway and was one of the people working to start the school. I remember talking to her about it at the time. </p><p>New Covenant was envisioned as a very unique Christian elementary school. It would <i>not </i>be owned or operated by any specific church or denomination. It would be its own corporation and entity. Shortly after I moved to Framingham in early 1987, the philosophy of New Covenant Christian School was explained to me. I honestly forget who explained it. The school actually opened, I believe, in 1986. It was a collective effort of evangelical Christian people and churches. There was a governing board. On the board was one minister who headed up a pastoral advisory committee. The pastoral advisory committee was made up of several pastors from whose churches the families who formed the school had been drawn. One item that was stressed to me, and I heard this illustration used by <i>NCCS </i>school board members several times over a number of years, was the "Three Legged Stool" illustration. The "Three Legged Stool" represented 1. The families who made up the school 2. The staff of the school and 3. The churches from which the families came. It was always stressed that all three needed to carefully work together to support the whole. Believe it or not, one of the strongest beliefs of <i>NCCS </i>over its first ten years of operation was <i>"No Uniforms!"</i>. I know <i>that's </i>not at all typical of private schools, Christian or otherwise. But the <i>NCCS </i>philosophy was that children should be taught the proper way to dress by their parents and their teachers, and that uniforms actually undermined that instruction.</p><p>I have so many memories of the various principals who served at <i>NCCS </i>over the years. There was T.J. Sartori, who would never tell you his real name. He always said it stood for <i>"Through Jesus!"</i>. There was Pamela Jo Brady who was a dynamic speaker and leader. There was Sue Smith who was and is a committed educator who became a pretty close Baril family friend. There was Michael Marrapodi who had a strong education background and served the school in its later years. </p><p>Among my most powerful memories of the school are the way it operated in faith during those early days of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Several times the school reached a financial crisis in those days. The parents would be notified that unless there was a miracle the school would have to close. I remember attending several emergency prayer meetings there at the Federated Church sanctuary. As my good friend Chuck Pierce (who pastored a Framingham church <i>and </i>served as the chairman of the pastoral advisor committee) used to say <i>"charismatics and non-charismatics all came together as one". </i>We prayed as we were led by the Holy Spirit. This was not the "vain repetitions" you'll sometimes hear in certain churches. <i>This </i>was talking to God! And, no kidding, miracles happened! Someone would unexpectedly show up at the school with a large check a couple of days after the prayer meeting, or a large check would arrive by mail, and the school would once again be off and running! I got to know <i>many </i>fine Christian people from other churches and denominations. Some of them didn't agree with my pentecostal theology, and I didn't agree with some of their theology. But it really didn't matter. They were my brothers and sisters in Christ, and as far as this school thing went, we were all in it together!</p><p>I'm a typical New Englander which means I don't like change. But change comes, nonetheless, doesn't it? In the late 1990s two major changes came to <i>NCCS. </i>One change was the dissolution of the pastoral advisory committee. The leadership felt it was unnecessary for the most part - that if there was really some serious pastoral issue to deal with, the pastor of whatever student or family was having an issue should deal with it but a committee was unnecessary. Honestly, I didn't agree with that decision, but that's life! A bigger surprise was that the school's leadership went to a policy of <i>requiring uniforms! </i>Several parents objected to this, including me. But honestly, I was wrong to object, and I don't mind admitting that publicly. Uniforms turned out to be a great idea! It made matters <i>so </i>much easier for every family. And there just <i>was </i>something nice about seeing all the students in uniforms. <i>NCCS </i>established a middle school somewhere around 1997 which met at a fairly large church in Framingham. Somewhere in the mid-2000s <i>NCCS </i>moved out of Ashland. By that time my wife no longer worked at <i>NCCS </i>and my kids were either in high school or college. Yes, I'm very sentimental about the Ashland days of the school, but I think they made the right decision. <i>NCCS </i>had the opportunity to lease an actual school building which included a play area on the school grounds. This was in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Initially that location worked out very well. A happy memory I have of <i>that </i>location is that one year the school put on a talent show. All of the performers were students. I was honored to be asked to be the M.C. of the talent show! I loved it, and I had a wonderful time!</p><p>I'm struggling to write this paragraph. I wish I could say the school went on to grow by leaps and bounds and is now building a spectacular multi-million dollar facility. Instead I need to report that New Covenant Christian School closed several years ago. I don't know all of the reasons. I imagine much of it was financial. I'm not sure why those emergency prayer meetings with miraculous results never continued on beyond the mid-1990s but they did not. A lot of the idealism and intense commitment of the parents diminished over time. I suppose that's not unusual. I don't know realistically if a church or a Christian school <i>can </i>keep up that level of idealism, commitment, and faith over the long haul. People grow older. People get tired. Things change.</p><p>I don't want this to end on a downer! Rather I want to express the happy, nostalgic memories I have of New Covenant Christian School in Ashland during the late 1980s and early 1990s. They're precious memories! I'm way past the age of having school-aged children and being involved up to my eyeballs in a Christian elementary school. But I hope sometime before I depart this life I'll be able to be involved in a powerful faith-filled endeavor with such a wonderful group of people as was that school in those days.</p><p>And, you <i>MetroWest </i>locals: Every time you drive by the Federated Church in downtown Ashland, think of New Covanant Christian School, <i>be inspired, and thank God!</i></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-36048126999560255152023-10-30T12:12:00.002-07:002023-10-30T12:36:02.998-07:00Is there EVER a CORRECT way to leave a church?<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the two hundred or so members of a private Facebook page for Ministers shared an interesting article a few days ago. The article is, "7 Ways to Not Respond When People Leave Your Church" by Barnabas Piper, an assistant pastor at Immanuel Church in Nashville. I read the article with interest. <i>Ouch! </i>I was guilty of five of the seven bad responses, and I'd say I was "on thin ice" regarding the other two! I gave that article a lot of thought over the next day or so. It brought back a lot of mostly bad and painful memories. During my twenty-three year pastorate in Framingham, MA I <i>did often </i>handle the matter of people leaving the church quite badly. I went back to the Facebook page post and was surprised there were no comments and only a handful of "Likes". (That's <i>not </i>typical for the pastors involved with this private Facebook page.) I posted a comment which said I was surprised the article generated so little response. I was frank about my own failures, writing that I wish I'd have read an article such as this, or <i>even</i> attended a workshop on the topic of people leaving churches during my pastoring years. As of this writing, my comment there is still the only one.</span></p><p>Yesterday a gentleman asked me if I miss pastoring. I told him I mostly <i>do, </i>although there are <i>some </i>things I don't miss. He snickered, although I was quite serious. I will say that were I currently pastoring a church I would <i>not </i>write this piece. I think <i>not </i>currently pastoring, and yet having a lot of pastoral experience gives me an important platform to express what I'm stating here. The title asks "Is there EVER a CORRECT way to leave a church?" I think the obvious answer is <i>yes. </i>And in the words of my opening Scripture, it <i>can </i>be done to the glory of God!</p><p>There will always be reasons to leave churches. <i>Moving out of the area </i>is certainly one reason. Another is discomfort with the doctrines and practices of the church you're attending. And, sometimes a person, however nice or well meaning, is just not a good fit in a certain church. I know of a situation where there were <i>two </i>middle-aged women in the church who were both outstanding cooks. <i>Each </i>wanted to be <i>the </i>preeminent and supreme cook in the congregation. There just could not be two. One left. And, I suppose if I continue to list all of the reasons people could and do leave churches, I could go on for many, many paragraphs! But there <i>is </i>a good and reasonable way to leave, and there are certainly <i>bad </i>ways to leave.</p><p>My <i>worst </i>memories of people leaving the church I pastored are these three:</p><p>1. The thirty-something single mom of three boys telephoned me on a Saturday evening around eight to inform me they were definitely, immediately, and permanently leaving the church. This was a total shock. I told her the method and timing she used to communicate this to me was "tacky". Several days later, I received an angry call from her. She'd had to look up the word "tacky" in the dictionary. One definition was "low class". She berated me, saying, "I may be <i>low income, </i>but I am not <i>low class." </i>Was my use of the word "tacky" wise? Probably not. But let's face it, it <i>was </i>"tacky"!</p><p>2. A Deacon who had one more year of a three year term to serve at our church turned in a letter for me to read at the church's Annual Business Meeting (which was held the next day) saying he and his family were immediately leaving the church. I <i>did </i>read the letter at the Annual Business Meeting. I also stated some negative personal opinions about it. His wife immediately walked out. Honestly, it was not my finest hour. Several months later when they were established in a good church, I did humbly apologize to them, and have ended up having a pretty good relationship with them. No, what I did was not right, but I will say that during the nine months prior to that Annual Business Meeting I had buried each of my elderly parents, and a prominent member of the church had been arrested and convicted of a very serious crime. <i>That </i>was a difficult period for the entire church to walk through. As wrong as it was, <i>this </i>family was sort of our church's <i>"poster family". </i> I felt we couldn't afford to lose them, and that after all I'd been through during the previous nine months, I just couldn't deal with it. </p><p>3. One Saturday morning I walked into my office and there was a letter laying on my desk from a woman saying she and her husband were leaving the church immediately. She held an office in the church. As I recall, she left her key to the church on my desk, too. <i>That </i>was what I call a <i>"hit and run". </i>It hurt a lot!</p><p>Now, with all that out of the way, I want to recommend several things to seriously contemplate when you're considering leaving a church:</p><p>The First is TIMING. There's that famous passage in the Book of Ecclesiastes about a time for this and a time for that. Radio talk show host Jesse Kelly often says, <i>"Timing is everything!" </i>He is so right! A phone call to the pastor on a Saturday night telling him you're immediately leaving the church is <i>terrible timing. </i>Departing a church abruptly when you and your wife are respected lay leaders, at the Annual Business Meeting and following the pastor's recent loss of his parents and even more recent navigation of a devastating crisis in the church is also <i>terrible timing.</i> You may ask, "When <i>is </i>a good time to leave a church?" And my answer may sound like a typical evangelical cop-out, but <i>pray about it!</i></p><p>The Second is TECHNIQUE. A man and his wife were key lay leaders at our church. They'd been active in the church for about ten years. <i>She </i>began visiting a close friend's church; first once a month, then every other week, and finally every week. She told her husband she really wanted them to switch over to <i>that </i>church. He decided to do so. But then he asked for a meeting with me. This guy could not have been more gracious. He was a very vital part of our church, and he knew so. That's why he gave me <i>many weeks notice. </i>I hated to have he and his wife leave, but that notice of many weeks helped with the transition a lot! Their departure was much more pleasant and much less stressful than it otherwise might have been! Another key family who'd been at our church "forever" decided they really wanted to look at other church options. They told me they were taking the entire summer off and would let me know after Labor Day whether or not they'd be back. At first it <i>was </i>painful not having them around. But by Labor Day, I was used to it! I called the wife and asked if they'd come back just for one final service. They did. I prayed over them, and we gave them a loving and emotional send off. <i>Technique </i>is very important.</p><p>The Third is TERRITORY. Sometimes a meeting in the pastor's office or in a disgruntled family's home is greatly uncomfortable. Meeting at a restaurant and breaking bread together can be a great way to increase healthy communication and reduce tension. One couple dropped hints they wanted to leave the church. They invited me and two deacons out to lunch with them on a Saturday at a family restaurant. (I forget who paid!) They <i>did </i>inform us they were leaving the church, but said they did not want it to be a nasty thing, and they really wanted us to pray over them and give their decision our blessing. <i>We did! </i>That was and still is one of my most positive memories of my pastoring days. </p><p>The Fourth is TRUTH. Even though we all read that verse in Ephesians about speaking the truth in love, we (sadly) often dismiss it. One woman wrote me a letter saying that after many years at our church she and her school-aged girls wanted to leave. Her husband had dropped out of the church several years earlier. She'd found a church which had excellent programs for her kids and where she thought her husband just <i>might </i>want to attend. A deaconess at our church commented, "She has a <i>very </i>good point." She did. That was the truth. It was hard to say good-bye, but we <i>did. </i>Another memory of Truth is a phone call I received from a very elderly minister who was still pastoring full-time. His church was about twenty miles from mine. A couple who'd left our church (under not the best terms) was attending his church and had applied for membership there. I kind of stammered, not knowing what to say to him. I did not think he should take them into membership, but I did not want to give them a nasty reference, either. "Look Bob," he said, "I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I have already decided I'm <i>not </i>going to take them into membership. It's obvious there's something wrong with them. I just wanted to see if you had any helpful information to confirm my decision." We then had a nice and <i>truthful </i>conversation!</p><p>The Fifth is THOUGHT. In some situations, not enough thought has gone into the decision of whether to remain at a church or move to another one. An older couple bought a nice new home and was moving over forty miles away. The wife <i>assured </i>me they would continue to come to our church. I told her I'd love to have them stay at our church but that I thought it was unwise. It seemed to me that attending a church which was much closer to their new residence would make more sense. They <i>did </i>find a church in the community they'd moved to. It was a rather middle-of-the-road Methodist church where they made friends and felt right at home. <i>That </i>was the right thing <i>for them.</i> Sometimes, God just wants us to <i>think!</i></p><p>I really hope this article was helpful. I would love to hear any feedback you have about it. When it comes to the issue of leaving or not leaving a church: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31)</p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-1195899203318717012023-09-13T09:26:00.003-07:002023-09-13T13:30:59.270-07:00STUFF I WANT TO SAY<span style="font-size: medium;">"So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)</span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The quote from Psalm 90 verse 12 I'm opening with is from the King James Version. In the more up-to-date New Living Translation, it's translated as, "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is <i>not </i>a hint for presents or cards or anything like that. I <i>do </i>have a birthday coming up in a few days. Honestly, although I'm glad to be feeling better <i>now, </i>I was very depressed this year from about June 15 to about August 15. I came very close to telling my wife and my sister, "Look, I'll just remember my age changes to sixty-nine this September, but I don't want anything special done this year. I don't want to celebrate, so let's just leave it at that!"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">My wife Mary Ann and my daughter Rachel also have September birthdays. <i>And, </i>my sister Dianne is probably the biggest "birthday person" I've ever known. So, I <i>didn't </i>make that ominous birthday announcement, and I guess at this point I'm glad I didn't. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, I <i>did </i>decide to use the birthday thing as an excuse to pester family and friends to read a blog post, and <i>this </i>is the blog post. I <i>almost </i>gave it a title like, <i>My Favorite Things, </i>but I realized that sounds like some stupid, sappy title Oprah would use! I think <i>Stuff I Want to Say</i> works better!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I recently read the <i>weirdest </i>memorial service invitation/announcement I've <i>ever</i> encountered. A terminally ill woman is having a "Celebration of Life" event. Now, I think we've probably all attended "Celebration of Life" memorial services. But <i>this </i>one is unique! It's planned to happen <i>while she is still alive! </i>There will be balloons and lots of celebratory aspects to the event. I guess she wants to attend her own funeral, and to have fun, at that!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I gotta tell ya, I'm <i>very </i>conservative, but I love the idea! I like it so much, I wouldn't mind doing it myself some day - although I don't know if my wife or my sister would go along with that! Anyway some of the <i>Stuff I Want to Say </i>may not surprise you a bit - but some of it <i>just might! </i>Maybe someday when I do pass somebody will want to read this at the memorial service - and that might be a good idea!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm going to say a number of things that are very important to me, and I'm going to categorize them with using the famous questions: <i>WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? </i>and <i>HOW?</i> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here we go:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">1. WHO? It might surprise you but there are <i>many </i>people in my life that mean a lot to me and who have had a profound influence on my life. Of course this includes my wife and kids, but it also includes many others. But, for <i>this </i>piece I want to name the two people I've known in my life that I consider the greatest Christians: Opal Reddin and Norman Milley, Sr. Opal Reddin was a professor at Central Bible College. I believe she died in 2005. Many students considered her lightweight, super-spiritual, not academically deep, and very unrealistic. I never agreed with those students. She was <i>not </i>perfect. She <i>did </i>think Pentecostals were better than anybody else and she didn't particularly care for Billy Graham and his family. (I did <i>not </i>agree with her about the Graham family.) But Opal Reddin was just a really godly woman. She taught a course on "Acts of the Apostles" at C.B.C. Wow! What a class. From time to time she'd say something like, "Now class the Holy Spirit is wanting to move, let's start worshiping and be open to the Spirit." I know that may sound foolish or extreme. But in fact the Holy Spirit would move on those occasions. I remember some of the sweetest times in the presence of the Lord were in her classroom. Many years later I corresponded with her a few times. She was happy that my daughter Amy was a student at Evangel and was hoping to meet her. She passed away before that could happen. As far as Norman Milley, Sr., he worked construction most of his life. He was the Superintendent on the Mystic River Bridge job. Milley worked for Perini Construction. In his <i>spare time</i> he went out and <i>started churches! </i>No kidding. He became a Licensed Assemblies of God minister in 1936. I can still see him. He was tall with a head of white hair. He had a strong Newfoudland accent. When he just walked by you, <i>you could feel the presence of God! </i>He was very humble, but people were in awe of him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2. WHAT? I want to tell you WHAT was my greatest desire in life? That was to serve and honor the Lord... to be a good pastor, to be a good husband, to be a good father, to be a good Christian, to be a godly man who regularly prayed and read the Bible and <i>lived </i>for God.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Next, WHAT was my greatest fear in life? That was to fall far short of the goals of my greatest desire... to live a compromised, worldly life, to be thought of as a bad husband, a bad father, a bad pastor, and a superficial and inadequate Christian. Specifically, if I would ever be dishonored as a pastor, disgraced, rebuked, and told what a poor pastor and family man I was, that would be my greatest fear. Then, WHAT is my greatest regret in life? It's that in 2010 my greatest fear HAPPENED! I wrote about that recently on Facebook. I am not exaggerating when I say I would easily have preferred a terminal cancer diagnosis or an early onset Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis. I don't say that lightly. My mother died of cancer. My father had advanced Alzheimer's Disease. As horrible as cancer and dementia are I'd have welcomed either of them instead of what happened in 2010.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3. WHEN? WHEN were the happiest years of my life so far? Easily those were 2002 and 1982. 2002 was one of the few years in my life in which I was financially comfortable and in which I visited a couple of cool places. And 1982 was the year Mary Ann and I got married.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">4. WHERE? You're probably wondering WHERE those cool places are that I visited in 2002? They are Alaska, specifically Alaska's Inside Passage, and Prince Edward Island. In July of 2002 Mary Ann and I flew to Vancouver, and took a cruise from there throughout Alaska's Inside Passage. Both British Columbia and Alaska are breathtakingly beautiful. I wouldn't mind going there again! And in October of 2002 we drove to Prince Edward Island. My maternal grandmother was born near Souris, PEI in 1888. If you like greenery and you like the ocean, you'd like Prince Edward Island. The people seem as if they came right out of <i>Little House on the Prairie. </i>It's such a peaceful and beautiful and cool place, it was difficult to leave! Now I will give an honorable mention to two other place I love to visit: Vermont, particularly the Stowe area and the Burlington area, and Cape Cod. They're two of my favorite places in the States.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5. WHY? I want to tell you WHY there are two films I really love. My favorite film is <i>Field of Dreams </i>and a very close second is <i>The Apostle. </i>I know some of my Christian friends will argue that <i>Field of Dreams </i>is sort of a New Age film. It is. And I'm no fan of New Age. But it's a <i>fantasy. </i>No, a bunch of professional baseball players are not going to show up in your back yard playing catch. You have to use your imagination and also look for the symbolism when you watch this film. I've seen it many times and I never get tired of it. I relate <i>so much </i>to the character Ray Kinsella. He's idealistic to a fault. So am I. When I became a born-again Christian and later went to Bible College, these were <i>not </i>plans my sensible, practical middle-class parents had for me. I always wanted my parents to see me as successful. I don't think they ever did. My favorite scene in that movie is where it's December and Ray is looking out the back door window watching the baseball field he built filling up with snow. His wife is telling him they're in real financial trouble and they'd be fine if he hadn't built that baseball field. In 1992, I "pulled a Ray Kinsella" in my own life and ministry. I brought a totally bizarre, foolish, and unrealistic proposal to the church I was pastoring. Actually, most people were willing to go along with it, but a minority reported it to my ecclesiastical superiors. I was called in, and I had to agree to stop what I was planning to do. I did. I'm not mad at those guys. They <i>had </i>to be practical and realistic. I suppose if some guy brought a similar proposal to me today, I'd probably react the way those men did. I thought about that recently. And I wondered: Just what if we <i>had </i>been allowed to do what I was proposing? Would the church still have eventually declined and failed? Or would great things have happened, and we'd have been on the cover of national magazines? Only God knows. As far as <i>The Apostle, </i>if you can, watch it. I know Christians don't like this film, either. The Rev. E.F. Dewey (Robert Duvall's character) is a drinker, womanizer, and murderer. He's <i>also </i>a very idealistic and powerful man of God. I know that may sound crazy, but he was "all that"! And also that character is someone I relate to very much. There's a scene in the middle of night in which Rev. Dewey is up "yelling at God". He talks to God and prays to God like he's a little kid begging his Dad to increase his allowance. I've prayed a lot like that, too! Yes, I'm a lot like Ray Kinsella and I'm a lot like E.F. "Sonny" Dewey. If you really get a hold of who those guys are, you'll have a good understanding of who Bob Baril is. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">6. HOW? HOW would I most like to be remembered when it really <i>is </i>time for my funeral? I'd like to be remembered as <i>genuine </i>and <i>vulnerable. </i>And that's what I think I have been as I've written this piece.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I'd love to know what you thought of this piece! Thanks for reading it!</span></div>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-90398078335458310752023-05-20T09:06:00.002-07:002023-05-23T05:19:20.383-07:00JOSEPH in the Conference Room<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">[Please understand that this is a post of fiction and fantasy. None of what I say happened to me in this piece <i>really </i>happened. But, boy I sure <i>wish </i>it did! If you're open to fantasy, symbolism, and sanctified imagination, <i>this </i>piece can be at the very least <b>enjoyable</b> and at the very most <b>absolutely life transforming</b>!]</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him." (Psalm 105:17-19)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I can't possibly provide you with <i>all</i> of the details of how this meeting was planned and arranged. It involved <i>a lot </i>of praying and hearing from God. Do you remember the story from the Passion Week when Jesus told his disciples to go into a certain village and find and loose a certain donkey's colt? And that the disciples who were sent on that mission were told to just say, <i>"The Lord has need of it". </i>Well, it was kind of <i>like that!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I had been directed by the "still small voice" of the Lord to drive to a certain large church in a certain New England community. I had never been there before, nor had I ever met the church's pastor. I'm going to keep the specifics secret. I <i>did </i>drive there and I arrived at the date and time which had been arranged by the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I walked into the very large and very impressive church facility. I easily found a sign directing me to the church office. I was greeted by a secretary who picked up a phone and informed the pastor I had arrived. The pastor was a guy about forty of medium height and build with brown hair and a well trimmed beard. He walked in and greeted me with a big smile. He told me I was to go to the Conference Room (he gave me the directions to that room) and that after about five minutes I could expect my "guest" to arrive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I found the meeting place easily. The room was a<i> little bit </i>smaller than I'd expected. Inside the room was a long table (actually two tables pushed together) and around fifteen or sixteen <i>really nice </i>black leather chairs. I sat and waited nervously. In about five minutes, the door opened and a man wearing an impressive looking black suit, white shirt, and red necktie entered the room. I started to rise but he immediately and confidently told me to remain seated. He took a seat directly across from me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With a huge smile he announced, "I am Joseph!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">His voice was masculine and a tad loud. The really <i>weird </i>thing is that he sounded a lot like Rush Limbaugh!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I told him, "You sound like Rush Limbaugh. Do you know who that is?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"I know who Rush Limbaugh is," he confidently replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Well, since you're Joseph of the Old Testament, I wouldn't have expected that." I countered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"This is the accent the Lord has given me for this meeting. It's the accent of southeast Missouri," was his answer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"How do I know you're not just some actor?" I asked, "Why don't you say a few sentences in your native ancient Hebrew language?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Immediately he rattled off several sentences in what sounded like Hebrew. Then he added in English, "And I'll give you some sentences from the language I spoke when I was in Egypt!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He did that! And the Egyptian language <i>did </i>sound pretty different from the Hebrew.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Where is your coat of many colors?" I questioned. And I added, "Surely you didn't wear that black suit in the ancient world?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"You know what happened to my <i>special</i> coat." he said, "My brothers took it, killed a goat, and covered it with that goat's blood. I'm wearing the black suit because that's what the Lord wanted worn. And I look as I did as a 38-year-old."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I launched into what became a very long and powerful conversation. I asked how he possibly remained faithful to the Lord during his terrible ordeal. He told me the one thing he thought about and thought about over and over again during that thirteen year period was, "The guy I ran into in Shechem who told me to go to Dothan. My brothers were <i>supposed </i>to be at Shechem. But this guy there told me they went to Dothan. I went to Dothan, and all the rest of me being sold into slavery took place. If I <i>hadn't </i>run into that guy, <i>none </i>of those horrible things would have happened. I would have just gone back to my father and told him my brothers were not at Shechem and I couldn't find them."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It kind of haunted him that the strange man directing him to Dothan set everything in place for what happened. He told me he'd wondered if that "guy" was an angel or some kind of a prophet, <i>or </i>if he was literally just some guy who was there at that time and place. The main thing he told me was the events of our lives are no accident <i>if </i>we're truly following God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I poured out my heart to Joseph. I told him how difficult the past thirteen years have been for me. I added that I was a <i>very </i>simple and <i>naive </i>young man when I was Licensed and later Ordained as an Assemblies of God minister. I had hopes and plans and dreams for my life. I did not expect to do this, but I broke down crying; sobbing really. I'm glad there was a box of tissues in that room because I needed them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"I felt so <i>discredited </i>when the church closed and I was asked to step out of ministry. I was <i>humiliated. </i>I <i>lost </i>so much. I was <i>so ashamed.</i>"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"How'd you like to be a <i>slave?</i>" Joseph asked me. "How'd you like to be accused of trying to rape your master's wife? How'd you like to have done time in the joint?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"You called it <i>the joint?</i>" I asked.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"No, but Rush Limbaugh would have!" he replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We both laughed. Joseph then told me some people are called to experience great detours, great changes, great disappointments, and great setbacks in their lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Don't expect other people to understand this," he firmly cautioned me, "but it doesn't matter what other people think! It doesn't matter what other ministers think! It doesn't matter what your family thinks! It only matters what <i>God </i>decrees!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He told me Potiphar's wife was a "cougar". Yes, he understood what that meant! He told me that in an instance where a foreign slave tried to rape an Egyptian government official's wife, that slave would typically be <i>executed. </i>He specified that Potiphar knew he didn't try to rape his wife. But Potiphar had to save face with his wife. Thus, Potiphar threw Joseph in prison. I asked if there had been any sentence of <i>time </i>to spend<i> </i>in prison decreed for him, but Joseph said it was just left open ended. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I asked if he ever got really discouraged in prison. He told me, he <i>did! </i>He fully expected the Chief Butler to talk to Pharaoh and that arrangements would be made for him to be released. But after two years, Joseph said he felt he had no hope to get out of prison. I asked if he <i>then </i>gave up on God. To my amazement Joseph told me despite his discouragement and even despite his hopelessness he never gave up on God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"It's hard to explain," he said, "but I always knew God was with me and I always knew God loved me."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We talked about his surprise release. We talked about his wife and kids. We talked about his brothers and father and family members coming to live in Egypt and the amazingly powerful and important position he was given in Egypt. We even talked about Joseph's confusion when his father Jacob gave his younger son Ephraim the blessing that goes to the <i>firstborn. </i>He described being kind of perturbed about it and trying to correct his father, but Jacob insisted it stay that way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then the subject came back to <i>me. </i>I was shocked that Joseph talked to me about Nelson Mandela. Would <i>you </i>expect Joseph to talk to you about Nelson Mandela? He told me Nelson Mandela spent many years in prison under dire conditions. Yet, Nelson Mandela eventually had his life completely turned around and spent several years as President of South Africa prior to his death.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I wanted desperately for Joseph to tell me <i>exactly </i>what my future will be and <i>if </i>things in my life will turn around for me as they did for Joseph and for Mandela. So, I asked him. I was shocked when Joseph bluntly told me, "I don't know."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He said God was absolutely <i>not </i>revealing that to him. Joseph also told me my life may <i>not </i>substantially change from what it is now. I admit, I felt a little angry. Then he said, "Bob, the most important thing is your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and that God loves you so much!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I began to protest, "But I don't even have much money or assets, and I don't even have <i>any </i>definite hope for the future."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now it was Joseph who sounded angry. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"God went to all the trouble to have me meet with you and talk to you. God went to all the trouble to have me encourage you. And are <i>you </i>going to be like the Israelites, <i>complaining </i>in the wilderness?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was very silent in that room. I <i>did </i>feel very ashamed. I told him I was very sorry for my attitude. I thanked him for coming. I told him I'll always cherish his visit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I actually said to him, "You're right. I don't care. If the rest of my earthly life stinks, I don't care. I have the Lord. I'm going to Heaven. I will be with the Lord in peace and serenity for all eternity. You're right. It's all good!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then - Joseph <i>disappeared!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I wondered why he walked into the room like a natural person in the beginning, but then <i>disappeared </i>in the end. I don't have an answer for that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I stopped by the church office when I was leaving. The secretary said "Good-bye" and the pastor suddenly walked into the office saying, "Glad you could meet here!" and wished me well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I departed from the building, started up my Toyota, turned on K-LOVE radio, and drove out of the parking lot.</span></p><p><br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-14919034930387354292023-05-10T07:56:00.006-07:002023-05-10T15:00:13.321-07:00Mother's Day/Father's Day - IS THERE A BETTER WAY?<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)</span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I posted a piece very similar to this on my Facebook Timeline a few days ago. It received some positive comments. I decided I'd write a similar piece to post here on my blog. I hope this isn't "Shameless Self Promotion", but I hope a lot of people read it. I think it's something pastors and church leaders should think about. And, I hope that "thinking" could lead to some changes being made...if not this year, then in the future.</div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the Protestant church world, Mother's Day and Father's Day (<i>especially</i> Mother's Day) can be <i>very</i> rough and traumatic for some people. The pastor is expected to celebrate these Special days and in most <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>cases to celebrate and affirm the mothers in May and to celebrate and affirm the fathers in June. Is that a nice and appropriate thing to do? Sure it is. Often those with the most children and the most grandchildren are recognized. Cards and gifts are often distributed. What could go wrong??</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, there's another side to Mother's Day (and to Father's Day). This past Sunday morning at the church I attend, the female guest speaker told of running out of a church building in tears one Mother's Day. You see, she's unable to biologically have children. A couple of days ago, I read an online post from a young woman who wrote about - you guessed it - running out of a church building in tears one Mother's Day. My sister who never had kids has often told me of the heartache Mother's Day has been for her. One year all of the mothers at the church service were recognized and given gifts. She said, "There were three adult women still sitting in our seats and it was uncomfortable and embarrassing."</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just a thought: When I was pastoring, our church had a special gift for every adult woman on Mother's Day, and a special gift for every adult man on Father's Day. On Mother's Day I might read a semi-humorous piece entitled "The World's Meanest Mother" and on Father's Day I might read Paul Harvey's essay entitled "What Are Fathers Made Of?". But <i>all</i> women were honored and appreciated on Mother's Day and <i>all</i> men were honored and appreciated on Father's Day.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm unaware of anyone ever running out of any such services at the old First Assembly of God of Framingham. I admit the church was small and I admit that I may not have been much of a success as a pastor. But I think this is one matter we handled well, and I just wanted to share it as Mother's Day is on the horizon this week, so to speak.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Facebook, my daughter Amy Baril Julian (a medical missionary to Papua New Guinea), commented that at the church she and her family attended for a number of years in Springfield, Missouri, "... all women 18+ are given a gift on Mother's Day and the same with men 18+ on Father's Day and they stress that these people are the mothers and fathers to the generation below them in the church no matter if they are biologically related or not". <i>That </i>church is Oak Grove Assembly of God. I'd say Lead Pastor and Mrs. Morein at Oak Grove have a great and positive philosophy about the whole Mother's Day/Father's Day thing! </span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not trying to lay guilt trips on any pastors or church leaders. They've already got plenty of people doing that! I'm just trying to point something out that I think needs to be pointed out!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Mother's Day, May 14, 2023! </span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Father's Day, June 18, 2023!</span></div>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-27016316762289366362023-04-16T11:36:00.003-07:002023-04-16T12:19:11.433-07:00"I GOTS MY JOY" thoughts about Rev. Billy Meek Jr.<p><span style="font-size: small;">"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psalm 116:15) </span></p><p>My dear friend the Rev. Billy Meek, Jr. passed from this world into Heaven on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 6:20 p.m. Central time. I am having very mixed emotions about that! Of course I rejoice that he has "crossed over Jordan" as his son wrote online. But I truly loved Billy and for me this is a big loss. I wish I could attend his funeral. Since <i>that </i>will be many hundreds of miles away from me (in Tennessee) I think the next best thing I can do is write this eulogy online. </p><p>I have given this a lot of thought. Billy would <i>not </i>want me writing a piece about what a wonderful person he was <i>unless </i>I would tell about what the Lord Jesus Christ meant to him. Many years ago, Billy received Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior and Lord. He read the Bible regularly and practiced what he read. He was sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit and walked in the Spirit. God was <i>everything </i>to Billy. <i>That </i>is what made Billy Meek, Jr. a great person!</p><p>I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Rev. Billy Meek, Jr. <i>and </i>to The Assembly at Hohenwald where he pastored for many years until just a few months ago.</p><p>I never met Billy in person, nor did I ever speak to him over the telephone. Thus it may seem very strange that I'm describing him as a friend who was pretty close to me. I got to know Billy somewhere around eighteen years ago on the old AOL Assemblies of God Message Board. I not only would leave messages there but would also correspond by email with Billy and another pastor, Wade Martin Hughes from Kentucky. In more recent years we all communicated a lot on Facebook. A few years ago Billy posted that he<i> loved </i>Good 'n Plenty candy. <i>That </i>didn't bring him too many positive comments, but I posted that I also love Good 'n Plenty! I promised him that if I ever visited him in Tennessee, we'd share a box of Good 'n Plenty! This morning I remembered that several years ago as he attended District Council in Clarksville, TN I posted a video of The Monkees' <i>Last Train to Clarksville </i>on Facebook in his honor. He got a big kick out of that!</p><p>I went through some very difficult times over the past thirteen years or so. During that time, Billy was always encouraging to me. If I were to actually eulogize him at his funeral in person, I think I would stress that Billy was always a <i>Faithful Friend to others </i>and a <i>Faithful Servant of God.</i></p><p>One day during the Autumn of 2020, a family member had posted online that Billy had become <i>very seriously ill </i>and that he might pass away. I was at work at a call center job when I read that post on my phone. I quickly signed off the computer, walked into the men's room, <i>and broke down weeping. </i>In less than five minutes I asked God to work a miracle and please spare Billy's life. At that time, God did exactly that! I then began praying for Billy and his wife Pam every single day!</p><p>Billy was a great pastor and he led a great church there in Hohenwald. I know the people of that church were very supportive and helpful to Billy during his time of ill health. May God continue to richly bless that church!</p><p>There is <i>so </i>much more I could write about Billy. I entitled this post, <i>"I Gots My Joy". </i>Billy was <i>constantly </i>posting those words on Facebook. In my <i>own </i>life I've often struggled with negativity. So, Billy was a tremendous inspiration to me! I want to be an <i>"I Gots My Joy" </i>kind of a guy!</p><p>His son Billy Meek III posted that he would carry on his father's Legacy. God bless Billy III! <i>ALL </i>of us who knew Billy Meek, Jr. in <i>any </i>way, let us <i>ALL </i>carry on his Legacy! And even any reader who <i>did not </i>know Billy Meek, Jr. - well, now in a sense <i>you do know him! YOU carry on his Legacy, too!</i><br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-31728587966075449392023-04-03T11:56:00.003-07:002023-04-03T12:02:46.955-07:00A REAL CHRISTIAN<p> "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42)</p><p>I heard from a truly wonderful person last night - A Real Christian - and I want to tell you about it.</p><p>The typical format of Assemblies of God churches has greatly changed over the past forty years or so. It used to be that almost every AG church had Sunday School for all ages every Sunday morning, immediately followed by a Morning Worship Service which lasted about an hour. The big service of the week was Sunday night. In most churches, the Sunday evening event started at 7:00 p.m. and could last till 9:00 p.m. or in some cases even later. These evening services were well attended, and where you'd be most likely to experience the Gifts of the Spirit such as Tongues and Interpretation or Prophecy and where it was not uncommon for people to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit or for just about any other wonderful spiritual experience to take place.</p><p>During the 1990s, attendance at Sunday night services began to drop, as did the supernatural events which took place during those services. In some parts of the country AG churches still hold Sunday evening services, but in most of New England they disappeared entirely around 2005. </p><p>At Bread of Life Church where Mary Ann and I actively attend, we have a once a month Sunday night time of fellowship. It starts around 5:30 and ends around 7:00. Last night was the April fellowship night. There's a class for parents of kids who are mostly age 12 and under. There's a Bible Study for other adults and teens. And, there's a special evening children's church during which Mary Ann really does a magnificent job ministering to what my Aunt Estelle would have called "the kiddos".</p><p>At last night's Bible Study, Pastor Gary focused on the Story of the Good Samaritan from Luke chapter 10. We spent time talking about "Wounders, Wounded, and Healers". He did a great job teaching and facilitating the discussion. <i>Now, </i>I opened talking about a truly wonderful person - A Real Christian; and that is what I want to share with you in this post. I don't know she or her husband well. I'd say they're about my age (I'm 68) and maybe just a tad older. I don't want to use the woman's name. I don't have her permission to do that, and she might not be comfortable with me using her name. In the course of discussing being a "healer" to the "wounded", she humbly told us her story. It was the story of ministering in a church on the west coast a number of years ago. She's not a pastor or an evangelist or anything like that. She's what most people would call, <i>an ordinary Christian. </i>In fact, after what she shared, I'd say she's more of an <i>extraordinary </i>Christian. She and her husband attended a small Assemblies of God church located near an Indian reservation. (I guess today it might be called "A Native American Reservation".) She led a Missionettes group in those days. (Up until about fifteen years ago, Missionettes was the program for Girls sponsored by the Assemblies of God and available at most AG churches. Today it's called "Girls Ministries".) She said her Missionettes group was small. I got the impression the girls were maybe around 12, 13 or 14. She said most of them were Native Americans. And, most of them came from homes where there was a lot of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and in some cases teenage premarital sex. The woman said she tried her very best to minister to and help these girls. You could tell she truly loved them. She remembered that one night she went to the Missionettes meeting and one girl told her she'd tried to phone her a couple nights earlier. The girl added, <i>"I overdosed..." </i>As this dear woman told the story, she was fighting back tears. She told of how the girls told her there were boys who wanted to attend Missionettes. She informed them the boys really <i>couldn't </i>attend Missionettes because it was for girls only. But she got a great idea. She started a youth group in that church for both boys and girls! "I'm not a youth pastor," she said, "I didn't know what I was doing, but I did what I could."</p><p>I'm almost getting choked up as I'm typing this! The woman added that a number of years have now gone by. Sometimes she does hear from some of those people she'd ministered to. Sadly, a number have gone on to repeat the same cycle of alcohol and drug abuse and illicit sex, although some have not. </p><p>So many times in evangelical churches we make heroes out of great singers and musicians (and please don't get me wrong, I love to hear great Christian singers and musicians) <i>and </i>we make a lot of pastors and teachers who can speak very well. I can speak very well. But I've <i>never </i>done anything as great as what I believe that dear woman did at that little church near the Native American Reservation! She really made me stop and think. In fact, she made <i>such </i>a big impact on me last night that I felt compelled to write this piece.</p><p>Many times we don't think we matter - we don't think we're very important - we don't think we make a bit of difference for the Kingdom of God. When God calls us, often it's to something that's not glamorous or easy. We may feel so inadequate. But He just asks us to say <i>"Yes, Lord" </i>and to trust Him.</p><p>That's all.</p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-57983226956381096722022-11-12T08:23:00.005-08:002022-11-12T16:35:35.400-08:00A MISUNDERSTANDING<p> "For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand." (Acts 7:25)</p><p>"A Misunderstanding". I'm sure we've all experienced that. In fact, I'm sure we've all experienced many misunderstandings in the course of our lives. Just a few days ago, a good friend misinterpreted something I'd said to him. He texted something to me and I texted something to him. Things became just a bit tense in our relationship. As I thought about it, I realized the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Within twenty-four hours he got in touch with me. We had a really good talk. In the end, all was resolved. "It was a misunderstanding," he concluded, and I affirmed this: "Yes, it was a misunderstanding".</p><p>I wish it was always that simple! About eight years ago I experienced what I still consider to be a very painful and traumatic misunderstanding. I learned some things from it, but it's still upsetting to think about.</p><p>I had a friend that I will call "Gilbert" who was over ten years older than me. Gilbert died after experiencing a number of health issues. I had visited him just a few weeks prior to his death. At that time, we had a great visit. He urged me to come back and see him again soon. I did call him once or twice after that and asked if I could visit but he told me he was much too sick and just not up to having visitors. It was not long after that when I heard the news of his passing.</p><p>Gilbert was one of the most complicated people I've ever known. He had a brash and intense personality. Very few people were neutral or indifferent about Gilbert. People either absolutely loved him or just couldn't stand him. Gilbert had been a public figure, but on a small scale. (The kind of guy that just about everyone in a certain Boston suburb was very familiar with, but who was pretty much an unknown more than a couple hundred miles from home.) I'd known and had dealings with Gilbert in many different circles and situations. He did some great things in his life. He raised money for the needy. He inspired a number of people to do things they never thought they could do. Some of these folks went on to do truly great things.</p><p>In the early 1990s, Gilbert's life completely fell apart. He and his wife divorced and he married a younger woman. He moved far away from New England. He got involved with some business he never should have gotten involved with. He committed a serious crime and ultimately was incarcerated. In time, he was released from prison. He divorced his second wife. He found work. After a number of years he moved back to New England. I mentioned that people either loved him or couldn't stand him. Now, after his return to New England there were a number of individuals who had deeply loved Gilbert at one time and who now couldn't stand him.</p><p>It's not easy to talk about the period in my own life in which everything fell apart and during which I was suicidal. During that time, Gilbert truly became one of my closest friends. Gilbert was a passionate kind of guy and he passionately wanted to help me. He passionately wanted to see me become mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy again and to ultimately become a successful person in life. That's why I took his decline in health and his death so hard. </p><p>I wrote what I consider one of the most powerful posts I ever put on my blog. It was about Gilbert, just hours after I'd learned he died. I knew there were a number of people who could see nothing good about Gilbert. In my post I wrote very frankly about his failures and his imprisonment. But I also wrote about how he had saved my life. (I truly believe he saved my life during that suicidal time.) I wanted folks to know he should not be defined by the failures in his past but by the wonderful person he became during his final years.</p><p>That post brought a tremendously positive response! People emailed me saying my post completely changed their feelings about Gilbert. People thanked me, saying my words had helped them to see Gilbert very differently; to forgive him, to truly love and esteem him again. I felt so good about this! I felt this tribute to Gilbert was one of the finest things I'd ever done in my life! I began to ponder it all. I mused that Gilbert's family would probably contact me, thanking me for what I'd written. I figured they'd probably ask me to speak at Gilbert's funeral - perhaps to read my blog post during the funeral service.</p><p>A few hours later I was driving along and a call came in on my cell phone. It was from Gilbert's son. I was ecstatic!</p><p>"I understand you wrote and posted a frank piece on your blog about my father." he said.</p><p>Enthusiastically I affirmed I'd written it.</p><p>"I want you to take that piece down!" he said bluntly. "We're getting all kinds of questions and comments about my father's past. It's very upsetting. Take it down!"</p><p>I could barely get a few feeble words out of my mouth. "Well ... yes ... I will ... I will remove it".</p><p>I did.</p><p>I have no words for how distraught that call made me. I did remove the post. I seriously considered keeping a copy just for me, but I did not. Ironically, that weekend I was scheduled to be the "M.C." at a special public prayer gathering for the MetroWest area. I should have backed out of that commitment. I did a terrible job running that prayer service. I was fumbling, distracted, incoherent, not helpful, and I made a total fool of myself. In forty years of ministry that's by far the poorest job I ever did in a public speaking situation. I was so upset about what happened, I just couldn't function.</p><p>I almost did not attend Gilbert's funeral. I thought maybe his family would hate me and maybe I would not be welcome. But I did attend. I actually had mourners at the funeral home coming up to me and asking, "Did the family ask you to take that blog post down?!" I said they did, but I downplayed it.</p><p>I thought about that this week for some reason. </p><p>A misunderstanding.</p><p>Wow. That was the greatest situation of a "Misunderstanding" I've ever experienced!</p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-62346978728419813442022-09-21T18:34:00.000-07:002022-09-21T18:34:15.292-07:00WHAT I WISH I'D DONE WHEN I PASTORED<p> "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:58)</p><p>It was over twelve years ago that the little church I'd pastored for over twenty years was closed and I stepped out of full-time ministry and into what some people call "the real world". During my first two years in "the real world" I struggled with anger, defensiveness, and self-pity. </p><p>That was then, and this is now. I've hated much about my life during these years, but I must admit I've changed. I also must admit that much about my exile from full-time ministry has been very healthy and enriching for me. I got to thinking recently about things I wish I'd done differently when I was a pastor. I don't know if I will ever pastor again. It seems unlikely. But if I ever do pastor again, it's likely I'd be very different from what I was in the past. Here are some examples:</p><p>1. I'd be more of a "People Person". My dental hygienist complimented me a few weeks ago, telling me as I sat in the dental chair that I'm a People Person. I'm really not! And I guess you can't force yourself to be a People Person. I'm not saying I'd become this extroverted, warm, super engaging guy. But, I would make an effort at it. I think people need to know they're valued by their pastor.</p><p>2. I very much "Played Favorites" as a pastor. I'm not sure I could totally eliminate that, but I would focus much more on "The Least of These". I didn't focus on "The Least of These" when I was pastoring. What a terrible mistake! In fact, disabled and special needs people are very close to the heart of God. A pastor ought to be one who genuinely loves, affirms, encourages, and ministers to all people. I guarantee that were I pastoring now - that would be me!</p><p>3. A pastor should be vulnerable and compassionate. Honestly, as a pastor I think I did pretty well in the vulnerability area. Many ministers will never admit their weaknesses and struggles. I did. I would continue to be willing to be vulnerable. Now, when it came to being compassionate, I wasn't always the best. My experience of exile and humiliation has greatly helped in this area. I was the kind of pastor who acted compassionate because "that's what pastors are supposed to do". Today, I've surprised myself about how compassionate I am. If anybody from Bread of Life Church where I attend now has experienced me praying over you, listening to you, and exhorting and encouraging you, please know I did not do that "because I was supposed to". Several months ago I brought a word of prayer and encouragement to a couple going through a difficult trial. I broke down crying as I ministered to them. I was embarrassed. But that was genuine. I think and pray about others often. It's much deeper and more heartfelt than it was in the past.</p><p>4. I'd have more friendships and relationships with other ministers. When I pastored I did have a number of liberal clergy friends. I also had a number of minister friends from other evangelical organizations. I had very few close relationships with other Assemblies of God ministers. I tended to feel uncomfortable around them and that I was in competition with them. I don't feel that way now at all. Honestly, I have more Assemblies of God minister friends today than I've ever had. When things go well for them I rejoice. When they are having difficulties I stand with them and support them.</p><p>5. I was very poor regarding the "Business End" of pastoring. And over half of the work you do in ministry involves the "Business End". I guess I was embarrassed that I was so weak in this area. Were I pastoring again, I'd seek help from those who are gifted in this area.</p><p>6. It's tragic that so many Assemblies of God people are embarrassed about our Pentecostal heritage and about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. I did preach on the Holy Spirit Baptism every Pentecost Sunday. And I do pray in tongues in private pretty much every day. But I was one of those pastors who "soft peddled" the Holy Spirit Baptism. My missionary daughter Amy received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit two weeks into her years as an Evangel University student. Why didn't she get the Baptism years earlier? Did I genuinely encourage the people of our church about the importance of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit? Well, somewhat. But not like I should have! Were I pastoring today, I'd be one of those "Old Fashioned Holy Ghost Preachers"! And I'd never "soft peddle" my Pentecostalism.</p><p>Well, that's it. I will never be asked to speak in a chapel service in one of our Assemblies of God colleges or universities. But if I ever did receive such an invitation, this is what I'd tell them.</p><p><br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-21227780386490167002022-07-13T18:04:00.000-07:002022-07-13T18:04:27.787-07:00"NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED!"<p>"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah 6:8)</p><p>The title of this piece, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" is something that's frequently proclaimed by radio talk show host Howie Carr. I'm not sure if Howie originated that saying. but when I was trying to think of a title this seemed like the perfect fit.</p><p>Some days at my customer service call center job I receive a few memorable calls. Today there were a couple of them. One woman called late in the morning. She matter-of-factly told me of some items she'd found that had obviously been lost by one of our customers. Whoever had lost the items could be quite anxious to get them back. But the office she'd reached was not the correct place to handle this matter. I knew of an office which would be much more appropriate. I was certain that office could help her. I launched into a twenty second blurb, announcing exactly that to the caller. The end of my blurb would be me saying something such as,</p><p>"I can transfer you right over to that department if you'd like!"</p><p>I never got that far! I never got beyond ten seconds before the caller began angrily demanding: "MOVE IT ALONG, BOB; MOVE IT ALONG!"</p><p>I was stunned. </p><p>I admit I started trying to talk over her. I was trying to finish my twenty second presentation. Again, and sounding even angrier, she demanded, "MOVE IT ALONG!"</p><p>Next she protested, "I'm trying to do a good deed! I don't need to be needlessly delayed by you!"</p><p>Nervously, I asked if she would like me to transfer the call. </p><p>"WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK I WANT?!"</p><p>I could just feel her disgust and hatred toward me. I struggled to sound pleasant and nice. I'm not supposed to say something like this on my job, but I told her,</p><p>"I will transfer the call but you don't need to speak to me as if I were a piece of furniture."</p><p>In a split second, she was gone. </p><p>If I could have done so, I would have signed myself off the telephone and computer and just gone for a ride for an hour - or more.</p><p>There's SO much I'd love to say to that caller. In Luke 14:28, Jesus gives a teaching about Counting the Cost. The late Billy Graham preached quite a bit about Counting the Cost. And listen - that doesn't only apply to the whole message about committing your life to Christ. It applies to EVERYTHING. That woman wanted to do a good deed ON HER TERMS. She did not want to be inconvenienced! If I were pastoring or counseling someone like that, I'd take them to the tenth chapter of Luke. There we find the story of The Good Samaritan. If you take a close look at that story, The Good Samaritan didn't just sacrifice a half hour of his day. Rather, in many respects he "killed the whole day" as it were. He voluntarily Counted the Cost. He was inconvenienced and he sacrificed much. But as you read the story it doesn't seem as though this bothered him at all! Quite a far cry from, "MOVE IT ALONG, BOB!" - isn't it?</p><p>I can't do this piece justice without mentioning a call that came in about an hour before the one I just wrote about. That call was from a woman who suffers somewhat frequent Grand Mal seizures. One time recently while she was seizing, a person robbed her of her identification cards, credit cards, and so forth. She was trying to replace the missing items. She was dumbfounded about how a person could take advantage of her while she was experiencing a seizure. She explained that she was raised in Judaism.</p><p>"I was raised in the Jewish way." she said. "I was taught to be kind, and to do good."</p><p>"It sounds to me like you were raised to practice Micah 6:8," I told her.</p><p>Micah 6:8 says, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."</p><p>Yes, that's what I opened with and I'll close with it. Of course, if I were Howie Carr I'd probably add, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"!</p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-8311719623646823202022-06-04T14:25:00.002-07:002022-06-04T14:56:25.220-07:00THE DREAM<p> "... your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" (from Acts 2:17)</p><p>Some people testify that they dream all the time; they pretty much dream every night. Others say they almost never dream. Scientists tell us that most people in fact do dream every night, although many of the dreams are not remembered. Most nights I experience dreaming. The overwhelming majority of my dreams are completely bizarre and don't seem to have any rhyme or reason to them. Last night I dreamed the right front tire on my car was not only flat but completely shredded. I awoke feeling anxious; then I felt immediate relief that the flat tire was not real. There is one dream that I had in 1993 which I have never forgotten. Specifically it was in September or October of 1993. I awoke from it on a Tuesday morning a little after 4 a.m. Tuesday was my day off in those days. I was glad I had the day off because the dream was so real and so upsetting that I needed a day just to try to process what I'd dreamed. The man who pastored the church where I was serving prior to me was named Tom Gurney. He lived far from Massachusetts but that very Tuesday he called me saying he was in the local area and wanted to come and see me. We had lunch that day and I told him all about the dream. He thought my dream was indeed very significant. </p><p>I used to think a lot about that dream. I don't think about it too often anymore, but during the past two weeks it's been on my mind a lot. I decided to put it out there online. Long ago the Lord revealed to me most of what the dream means. Perhaps I will share about that at some future time, but now I feel I'm strictly supposed to tell the dream but not say anything about what it means.</p><p>My father sometimes talked about a weird experience he had with a medical examiner he knew. The guy wanted my dad to watch him perform an autopsy. My father was generally not squeamish, but he wanted no part of watching an autopsy. He said he made crazy excuses and got out of there! My dream opens inside some kind of medical facility. There was a hallway and a sliding wooden door, behind which was a medical examination room. A doctor was talking to me. He looked quite a bit like actor Michael Landon, and he talked exactly like Mr. Landon. He had dark hair and a well trimmed beard. He wore a white lab coat. He asked me to come in and view an autopsy. I thought of my father's experience! Like him, I began to make crazy excuses. The doctor did not accept any of my excuses. He calmly urged me to come in and view the autopsy. A light colored wooden door slid to the left and we walked into the examining room.</p><p>On a metal table was the body of a naked blonde boy perhaps in his early teens. Sitting in a chair was a middle aged woman. She looked and acted very much like Joanne Lincoln who was a woman that was active in the church I pastored. I wasn't sure if it was Joanne or someone who looked lot like her. She was pouring over a photo album. I just knew she was the boy's mother. The photos were all of him. She told me he had been a wonderful son but that at age thirteen he'd become addicted to drugs. She said he'd blown his brains out. That was not consistent with the body on the table. The head was fully in tact. The doctor had me feel the body just to become comfortable with the situation. </p><p>I briefly looked away.</p><p>Suddenly the doctor and the woman were gone. Just as instantly, a wiry young man about age thirty appeared. His black hair was very messy. He wore a blue flannel shirt and black jeans. He held a large sharp looking knife in his right hand. He was yelling at me, but I couldn't understand what he was saying. He was thrusting the knife at me and motioning for me to start walking. We walked through metal double doors and began walking down a long corridor. The floor was dark brown linoleum with white specks. The walls were made of large gold colored bricks with dark mortar. At the end of the hallway was another set of double metal doors.</p><p>We burst through the doors, into what looked like a 1950s business office. There must have been twelve middle-aged woman sitting at wooden desks in this room. At each desk was a large manual typewriter and a black rotary dial desk telephone. The man spoke to me and was now clearly expressing himself. He said he wanted me to get my car and drive him to a certain location. I lied to him and told him I did not have my car available. I told him my wife had borrowed the auto to go buy school clothes for our kids. He began berating me for being a weak husband. Then the guy quickly walked to the opposite end of the room and began harassing a couple of the women. As this was happening, I noticed a confident looking woman at a desk who was probably around age sixty. I slipped over to her and told her the man was an escaped mental patient and that she should call Security. She was perfectly calm and confidently declared,</p><p>"They've been called."</p><p>Just then, two armed men in blue uniforms entered the room. I don't know how they did it, but in what seemed like no time they confiscated the knife and had the man in handcuffs. They walked him out of the room.</p><p>The dream ended with one of the women walking up to me. She was weeping and trembling. She said he had badly frightened her. I calmly told her everything was fine. The man was apprehended. No one was hurt. There was no reason to be afraid.</p><p>Instantly I was awake in my bed!</p><p>Like the woman, I was terrified. I asked the Lord what all this stuff meant. It's been twenty-eight years. That dream is still on record as the scariest and most vivid dream I've ever had.</p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-82118524942780112502022-03-26T08:12:00.002-07:002022-03-26T08:19:43.704-07:00SO GLAD!<p> "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)</p><p>I've been on sort of an emotional and spiritual rollercoaster over the past few weeks! Many of you know I've experienced serious car trouble, and some unexpected consequences and setbacks because of that. But right now, it's all good.</p><p>My present car is a silver 2001 Toyota Corolla sedan. Ironically, the car I owned just prior to this one was <i>also </i>a silver 2001 Toyota Corolla sedan. Yeah, sometimes that gets confusing even for me! The <i>first </i>2001 Toyota Corolla was purchased used in late May of 2015. It ran and functioned great for thirteen months, then I began having many problems with it - all engine related. <i>That </i>car died in April of 2018. I am going to change the names of people in this piece as I don't have their permission to use their names. So I will say that "Terry" a mechanic friend of my sister's helped me in finding and purchasing my present Toyota Corolla a couple weeks after the original '01 Corolla died. His friend "Neil" has a used car business in the Brockton, Massachusetts area. Neil told Terry he had an old Toyota Corolla which was for sale. Neil said it was "nothing to look at" but was actually good mechanically. When Terry and I went to look at it, I <i>was </i>disappointed. Somebody had done some amateur body work to it at one point. Several areas of the body, to use an expression of the late Don Imus, <i>"look awful"! </i>They really do. When my wife Mary Ann was looking for a car a couple of years ago she told people, "I don't want a car that looks like Bob's!" I can't blame her for telling them that. Yet from the beginning Terry told me the engine sounded excellent- much better than the engine on the other Toyota ever did. His verdict was the car was a good car. I paid $800 for it. Neil said he would have charged anyone else $1500 for it.</p><p>The second Toyota Corolla ran well for over three years. But lately, it just hasn't sounded right. Unlike my late father and brother, I'm not mechanically inclined at all. When there are weird sounds and weird behavior, I'm no better than a "valley girl" in telling what's wrong with a car. "There's like really weird sounds and like a really weird feeling and like a really weird like vibe when you like drive the car." <i>That's about the level I'm on! </i>(I'm ashamed to admit that!) And <i>that </i>was essentially the case with my present Toyota since we began the calendar year 2022.</p><p>Three weeks ago today, my car sounded <i>terrible! </i>It was making all kinds of scraping noises, some banging noises, and <i>even </i>a woo-woo-woo sound like Curly of The Three Stooges! There is a small shop I've been going to for oil changes and minor repairs for several years. I'll call it <i>"Mel's"</i>. I drove the car to Mel's on Saturday, March 5 and left it there. My sister Dianne picked me up there. Incidentally, Mary Ann has been in Missouri helping my daughter Amy after surgery, for a month. I had committed to be at Bread of Life Church in Westminster (over fifty miles from where I live) to oversee the security/attendance procedure for checking in and checking out children from Children's Church (more complicated than you'd ever imagine) for five Sundays in a row. Thus far, I have missed two of them, which makes me feel, again to sound like Don Imus, <i>awful. </i>The car was in the shop at Mel's for over five days. <i>They </i>determined the problem was struts and sway bars. Almost $700 and over five days later, I got the car back. During the next few days it was <i>better. </i>But in my heart I just knew it wasn't perfectly right. Again, to sound like the valley girl, there were like really weird sounds and like a really weird feeling and like a really weird vibe when I drove the car. I <i>did </i>make it to Bread of Life Church on Sunday, March 13. Now, let's fast-forward to Saturday, March 19. The car sounded and felt terrible. Terrible. It sounded like someone was scraping a piece of heavy metal across a driveway when I drove it. And it just didn't <i>feel </i>right, either. As we New Englanders say, "I was wicked depressed". I had a bunch of errands to do last Saturday and I'm glad my daughter Rachel came and chauffeured me all over the place. I contacted Dianne's mechanic friend Terry. On Sunday, March 20, Terry came and checked out the car. He discovered the rear brakes were <i>terrible. </i>They truly were not functioning at all and <i>that's </i>where the metal dragging sounds were coming from.</p><p>On Monday, March 21, Terry took the car to his good friend and outstanding mechanic friend "Zach's" small shop just outside Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Zach replaced the rear brakes. He checked the front brakes and found out they really were not good, although <i>not </i>as bad as the rear brakes. He replaced the front brake pads, and feels the front brakes will be good for quite a few months. But the <i>big thing </i>was the front axles. Zach and Terry cannot understand <i>how </i>I drove that car without being killed. They said the front driver's axle was <i>so bad </i>that when when they began checking it, it just <i>totally fell apart! </i>Zach replaced the front axles. Zach told Terry that if he did this repair job for anyone else the cost would be a minimum of $1000. He charged Terry $300 and I reimbursed Terry the $300. Terry feels the car should be very good for many months from this point.</p><p>And <i>that </i>leads me to why I chose Romans 8:28 for my opening Scripture verse and why I call this piece <i>SO GLAD! </i>A week ago, I was very mad at Mel's Auto Shop. I felt they ripped me off, and that they were so incompetent that they did not find the brake and axle problems. <i>But </i>let's think about that for a moment. <i>If </i>they had found all that stuff, they probably would have given me an estimate of over $2500. to repair it all (including the struts). I would have said NO. I would have junked the car. And, I probably would have been <i>without a car </i>for awhile. Instead, I paid a total of around $1000. for all of that work, and the car should be good for many months. <i>And, </i>the axle did not fail on Interstate 95 leaving me dead!</p><p>Amy Grant recorded a great song about forty years ago. The title is <i>So Glad. </i>In that song, she talks about all the plans <i>she </i>had made and how God intervened and messed them all up. We all get pretty perturbed when God steps in and messes up our plans. I sure do! For a couple of weeks there, I was in a <i>rotten </i>mood about the car and about not being able to get to Bread of Life Church - and about a lot of other things, too. <i>Now, </i>it's all in perspective. Incidentally, it's worth doing an online search for Amy Grant's song <i>So Glad </i>and listening to it. In some respects, I feel ashamed and I feel rather stupid. But beyond that, really I'm <i>SO GLAD!</i></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-13411487935491548922022-02-25T09:30:00.000-08:002022-02-25T09:30:43.260-08:00WAS FRAMINGHAM BETTER IN 1987?<p> "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee..." (from Deuteronomy 8:2)</p><p>Recently "out of the blue" I found myself thinking about what Framingham was like when my family and I were new residents in 1987. (I moved out of Framingham in 2011 but I still miss the community.) In many respects Framingham was a lot different in 1987. If you're young, or if you did not live or work in Framingham prior to the twenty-first century, you just might find this interesting. </p><p>Framingham was and is probably the most diverse community in Massachusetts. Not only is it ethnically and racially diverse, but it's diverse in other ways, too. There are some very rural parts of Framingham, especially in the area known as the "northwest corner". Parts of the "northwest corner" look like some of New England's most rural areas. Yet, parts of the Southside look and feel like Boston's blue-collar Hyde Park neighborhood. They're pretty urban, congested and (sort of) "affordable". There are really wealthy areas and poor areas. That hasn't changed in thirty-five years.</p><p>Framingham was still a "Town" in 1987. There were several votes taken through the years about whether Framingham should be a City. I always voted for "City" but the change didn't happen till just a few years ago. </p><p>There were a couple large employers in 1987 which are long gone: General Motors and Dennison. GM's plant was on Western Ave. near the Sherborn line. I once owned an Oldsmobile which was built there. After over forty years, GM left in 1989. Dennison was located in several buildings on Howard Street and Bishop St. What was their biggest building was converted to luxury apartments around fifteen years ago.</p><p>If you're familiar with the layout of Concord Street/Route 126 between downtown Framingham and Route 9, you'll be surprised that it was once very different. Believe it or not it was two-lane in each direction! The lanes were really narrow. People drove it in a fast and furious manner! During the fall of 1987, it was reconfigured to the way it is currently. At the time everybody hated the change. After awhile, drivers reluctantly adjusted to it.</p><p>I came as pastor of the small First Assembly of God church which was located at Hartford and C Streets. We sold that building in 1990. I met some very interesting clergy men and women during my early days in Framingham. Mason Wilson was the rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal. He had been in Town for twenty-five years and had vivid memories of pastoring in Framingham during the days of the Kennedy assassination. John Ambler was pastor at First Methodist. He had spent a lot of time following Martin Luther King Jr. during the fifties and sixties. Andrew Finger was pastor at Lutheran Church of Framingham, and Protestant chaplain at Framingham Union Hospital. He'd been in Framingham since I was a toddler!</p><p>Duca's nightclub on Route 9 (where Walgreens is today) was a hopping place in 1987. Among the most popular supermarkets were Big D on Waverly Street and another one on Franklin Street. I also sometimes shopped at Purity Supreme in Saxonville. A popular restaurant was Finally Michael's at Route 9 and Temple Street.</p><p>There was still a Framingham South High School and a Framingham North High School in 1987. And of course there was Marian (Catholic) High School. They merged North and South in the early nineties. </p><p>The "old" Shoppers World was very much alive in that era, as was the original Natick Mall. Shoppers World was a state-of-the-art 1951 shopping center. It was one of the first of its kind in America.</p><p>I didn't use a computer until 1993 nor a cell phone until 1999. The internet barely existed at all in 1987. You should have seen the first cable box that Framingham Cable TV provided us with in 1987. There was no remote! There was an analog channel tuner on the box which you had to manually turn. It offered a total of twenty-three channels.</p><p>Was Framingham better in 1987? I'm not sure. But I have great memories of that Framingham. It was a very cool place!</p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-36659122638536729942022-02-05T15:07:00.000-08:002022-02-05T15:07:37.306-08:00MIKE PENCE'S PROBLEMATIC PUZZLING PREDICAMENT<p> "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)</p><p>Former Vice-President Mike Pence made headlines a few days ago when he made a blistering statement rebuking former President Donald Trump for saying things like, "Mike Pence didn't have to certify the election, making Joe Biden and Kamala Harris the winners. He could have refused to do that! The power to change the results was in his hands. If only Mike Pence had done the right thing; but alas he didn't!"</p><p>Trump has said something like that maybe a thousand times since January 6, 2021. Has Trump "overdone it" with all that complaining about Mike Pence? In my opinion, yeah he has. I will admit Pence's statement kind of made me cringe. But I suppose after listening to a year of Trump essentially calling him a useless, disloyal, unreliable disappointment, Pence had "had it" and needed to vent his own frustration and disappointment with Donald Trump.</p><p>I really feel sorry for Mike Pence. He was put in a terrible position back on the first week of January of 2021. Honestly, I believe the election was stolen and Biden is an illegitimate president. It's what I believe and that's my right. But I don't know what I would have done were I Mike Pence. It's very possible I would have done exactly what Mike Pence did and certified the election with Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice-President. As far as I can tell, the Vice-President's role in that whole thing is largely (if not totally) ceremonial. Back on that first week of January I really felt for Mike Pence. Again, I thought he was placed in a terrible position. It was the classic "No Win Situation"! I didn't know what Pence would do but I knew it was very possible he'd just certify the election. I also knew it was very possible he'd be hated and rejected by essentially "everybody" and "forever". And that scenario sure played out!</p><p>I voted for Trump both times. If Trump is the nominee in 2024 I will vote for him again. (Incidentally, I seriously doubt Trump will be the nominee in 2024.) I've been accused in social media of "worshipping Donald Trump" and of "making an idol of Donald Trump". I'm guilty of neither accusation! Yes I have written some posts online which were very supportive of Trump. I've also written some posts which were quite critical of Trump. He did a number of great things as president. He also sometimes said and did what could be called "some really stupid things".</p><p>In my opinion, Trump's disparaging remarks about what Mike Pence did on January 6 are really out of line and inappropriate. Mike Pence has often described himself as, "A Christian first, a conservative second, and a Republican third." I've often described myself exactly the same way. In my lifetime, no vice-president has been as loyal and supportive of the POTUS as was Mike Pence. I frankly hated when liberals described Pence as "a stooge... a sycophant... a lackey... a guy who can't think for himself" and so forth. Pence acted exactly the way I'd expect a devout evangelical Christian who served as vice-president to act. I'm not saying I'm presidential material, but I would have handled being Donald Trump's vice-president almost exactly as Mike Pence did.</p><p>Recently a listener asked radio talk show host Jesse Kelly if he thought Mike Pence has any political future. Jesse Kelly responded that Pence has no political future. Jesse Kelly is right about that. It's sad. Mike Pence is still very much loved and praised by Billy Graham's son Franklin Graham. But when it comes to Mike Pence, I'd say Franklin Graham is probably one in million.</p><p>Now, I said earlier that Mike Pence's recent statement made me cringe. And it did. I feared it would only stir up a lot of "bad stuff" that probably doesn't need to be stirred up.</p><p>This will certainly never happen, but if I could sit down in a room with Donald Trump and Mike Pence, here's what I'd say to them:</p><p>I would tell Donald Trump, "Stop it! Just stop it! You've more than said your peace about Mike Pence and certifying that election. Maybe he was right and maybe he was wrong, but please forgive him. No one would have been more loyal to you than Mike Pence was. Appreciate him. Pray for him. Don't say another bad word about him."</p><p>I would tell Mike Pence, "You were put in a terrible position. I wouldn't have traded places with you for a million dollars. There are a lot of people who will always see you as a traitor and a weasel. But God doesn't see you that way. I don't know if you were right or wrong to say what you said this week. But I know Donald Trump badly hurt you and you vented out your feelings. Now leave it at the altar. Pray for Donald Trump. And seek the Lord's direction for the rest of your life."</p><p>Mike Pence is human. He's a fallible and sincere guy who tried to do the right thing as he best understood the right thing to be. People may never stop arguing about whether Mike Pence was right or wrong, but Mike Pence deserves fair consideration and not firm condemnation! </p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-12769977907356985482022-01-07T07:37:00.003-08:002022-01-07T08:12:01.461-08:00JESSE KELLY: THANK YOU<p> "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another just as you also are doing." (I Thessalonians 5:11 New King James Version)</p><p>One year ago this week I listened to the Jesse Kelly Show (locally in Boston on WRKO 680 A.M.) for the very first time. I had no idea who Jesse Kelly was, and for the first few days I didn't know what to make of him! The first week of January in 2021 was a difficult week for me. I had several people completely reject me due to my political views. On that painful and soul-searching week, I needed something to cheer me up and help me refocus my thoughts and feelings. The Jesse Kelly Show became exactly that for me! It wasn't long before I couldn't wait to tune in to hear Jesse Kelly. And, honestly, in many respects Jesse Kelly (a guy who's twenty-seven years younger than I am) helped me with my thinking, and my confidence, and my whole approach to life.</p><p>There are 10 Things about Jesse Kelly that I deeply appreciate:</p><p>1. VERY ENTERTAINING. Jesse's not boring! His show goes by very quickly because he's so interesting. </p><p>2. GREAT STORYTELLER. I honestly don't have many talents, but I am a very good storyteller. Some of you know I've told a story on Public Radio's The Moth Story Hour. Jesse Kelly is a great storyteller! He and Public Radio are exact opposites when it comes to politics (same with me) but he's as good or better as anyone I've ever heard on The Moth.</p><p>3. A PATRIOT. Jesse served in the U.S. Marines from 2000 to 2004 and has been in combat. </p><p>4. FOCUS ON VETERANS. Every Monday is "Medal of Honor Monday" in which Jesse focuses on at least one Medal of Honor citation. He believes the brave actions of our veterans should never be forgotten.</p><p>5. FOCUS ON GRATITUDE. One theme you'll constantly hear on the Jesse Kelly Show is "Gratitude". Jesse Kelly believes lack of appreciation is the root of much really bad behavior in individuals and in societies.</p><p>6. PRAYING REGULARLY WITH HIS SONS. This one goes right along with Number 5. Yes, Jesse Kelly could be described as very macho. But he's not too macho to pray with his sons (ages 11 and 13) every night and to encourage each of them to "name something you're grateful for" when they pray. Jesse is also not afraid to ask people to pray for him about various matters. That's something I greatly respect about him.</p><p>7. IMPRESSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF HISTORY. Jesse Kelly often says he had only three years of community college as far as higher education, but he's done a lot of reading. His history stories are always riveting and very informative. </p><p>8. VERSATILE. Jesse Kelly has lived in Ohio, Montana, Arizona, suburban Washington D.C., and Texas. He's been a construction worker, salesman, fundraiser, congressional candidate, and now a radio talk show host and podcaster.</p><p>9. OFFERS GOOD COUNSEL. Friday's show is always "Ask Doctor Jesse Friday". People do write in with some silly questions, but many are about job problems or relationship problems or extended family issues or finances or decision making. I've found much of his advice to be very helpful. </p><p>10. NOT A TERRIBLE PERSON! One thing you've got to get used to when you listen to Jesse Kelly is all the "tongue-in-cheek" humor! He constantly says "I'm a really bad person!" or "I'm a terrible person!" He isn't!</p><p>The Jesse Kelly Show can be found online as a podcast and is also broadcast on over two hundred stations all around America- mostly during early evening hours. </p><p>Jesse Kelly: Thank you. </p><p><br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-58505940511175409092021-12-25T04:58:00.004-08:002021-12-29T10:51:57.943-08:00MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE<p> "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7)<br /></p><p>Last year I wrote a blog post on Christmas Day. I'm not sure if this will become a tradition or not, but I decided to once again write a piece on Christmas Day - specifically Christmas morning. I admit through the years I've had a big ego when it comes to my writing. I <i>still</i> want to write that piece which is read by tens of thousands of people. Alas, many of my writings never get read by more than thirty! I suppose a piece about <i>personal </i>Christmas memories could be like watching a slide presentation of somebody's trip to Disney World or a slide presentation featuring their little kids learning to swim on Cape Cod. Those who show that stuff are bursting with excitement and glee, while the viewers would honestly rather watch paint dry as long as they could do so while eating a delicious pizza! But if you're one of the thirty (or will it be twenty?) who reads this, I <i>hope </i>it will somehow be meaningful!</p><p>Through the decades, I've been emotionally and spiritually "all over the place" when it comes to Christmas. Some years, I've <i>loved</i> it. Some years, I've <i>hated </i>it. This year, as with many, I'm just kind of "in the middle" about it. I did open this piece with a verse from the beautiful account of Jesus' birth found in Luke's gospel. But the Bible actually never tells us to celebrate Christmas. As far as I can tell, Christians in the first century did not celebrate Christmas. Much of our celebration comes from pagan roots. And it's the financial stress and pressure over the years that caused me to hate the holiday at times. However, lest I bring you down, there <i>are </i>aspects of Christmas I truly enjoy. I love Christmas Carols. And I love the Dickens story, <i>A Christmas Carol. </i>I do like Christmas trees - real trees whenever possible. Along with so many others, I appreciate a good Christmas dinner - not only the food, but the fellowship with family and friends, too. I know the title is about memories. Here I want to share some Christmas memories of mine:</p><p>Christmas 1962: That year was a very difficult one financially for my parents. <i>That's</i> a very long story, but we got a lot fewer gifts from Santa than usual in 1962 Don't get me wrong, I think my brother, sister and I received at least three gifts apiece from Mr. Claus, but it was definitely a scaled down holiday. Nevertheless, we started Christmas morning going to mass at St. John's Church in Canton as we always did, and as he usually did, my father took home movies of us opening our presents. Yes, it was a difficult year for my folks, but they focused as much as possible on their kids being happy and having a great Christmas morning.</p><p>Christmas 1968: 1968 was the year of the Hong Kong flu. The only member of the Baril household who did <i>not</i> get it was my mother. I guess my father wasn't feeling well, but he never said anything. During the mass at St. John's, <i>he fainted! </i>I remember an usher assisting us. My mother started driving cars when she was almost forty, and it's a good thing she did have her license because she was able to drive us home!</p><p>Christmas 1981: I had only been dating Mary Ann for a couple months at the time. She lived in an apartment with a woman who had a couple of kids. They had me over for breakfast. I remember that one kid (I think his name was Jay) had gotten a Rubik's Cube as a present. He feverishly worked that Rubik's Cube - his hands <i>covered</i> in bacon grease! My mother wasn't real happy I wanted to spend Christmas early morning with my new girlfriend, but <i>the times they were a changing </i>for me at that point.</p><p>Christmas 1983: My mother was a mess that year; well, each of my parents were a mess. My brother Eddie had died that summer and our first child Jonathan was born that summer. It was little baby Jon who kept Christmas 1983 from being a total disaster. My mother couldn't remain in despair as she held this new little baby!</p><p>Christmas 1986: My father had suffered a stroke a week earlier and was hospitalized. Mary Ann and I were in the process of moving from Walpole to Framingham over the holidays so we didn't have a tree or any decorations at our Walpole apartment. That was definitely a scaled down holiday, but a good memory is Mary Ann and me and our three very little kids spending Christmas Eve at my father-in-law's boat docked at Boston's Seaport District.</p><p>Christmas 1998: We had very little financially that year, and my elderly parents were in poor health. Yet '98 is remembered by me as one of the best Christmasses! On Christmas Eve a stranger driving an old Chevrolet sedan and wearing a Santa Claus outfit showed up at our Framingham home with a bag of gifts for us! As President Biden would say, <i>"No joke!"</i></p><p>In the words of the author of the Book of Hebrews (in chapter 11 verse 32) "the time would fail me" if I presented <i>all </i>the memories that I have about past Christmasses, but I'll share one more;</p><p>Christmas 2020: Mary Ann and my daughter Rachel were out in Missouri visiting my other daughter Amy and her family. I spent Christmas with my son Jon at his apartment in Framingham. He gave me a very special Christmas present: An online video message from actor Terry O'Quinn <i>to me personally </i>in which he encouraged me that although I can be a lot like John Locke, the character he played in ABC's drama <i>Lost, </i>I will succeed as I move ahead because I have a son and others who love me. I'm almost getting choked up as I write this. Later in the day, Jon and I went to the movies and saw the Tom Hanks film, <i>News of the World. </i>I had a great time!</p><p>I'm hoping you're all still alive - that I haven't bored you to death! <i>"And so I'm offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two, although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you!"</i><br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-89638008859354737132021-11-06T07:53:00.003-07:002021-11-06T08:39:22.475-07:00A WORD IN SEASON<p>"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word in season, how good is it!" (Proverbs 15:23) </p><p>This piece will be very short- possibly the shortest post I've ever written on this blog. I saw someone yesterday that I haven't seen in months. This guy mentioned that I have not posted anything on the blog in quite awhile, so if he sees this he will probably chuckle. But then this man paid me quite a compliment about my writing. I did not expect that and frankly it really blessed me. Ironically, a short time later, my boss had a brief conversation with me commending me about many positive things about my job performance. Frankly I was stunned and shocked by <i>that</i> one, but it did make me feel good. </p><p>It's amazing what a difference we can make in the lives of others just by what we say. </p><p>A man I know recently lost his brother to Covid 19. My friend is in his late sixties and his brother was in his early seventies. His brother was energetic with a charismatic personality. He was a guy who looked and acted as though he were in his fifties. The surviving brother has been <i>really</i> sad and greieving. The gentleman who died was not vaccinated and neither is his surviving brother. I happen to be vaccinated; I've had the first two shots if that still counts as vaccinated! But some terrible things have been said to the surviving brother. People have cruelly and harshly told him, <i>"Your brother died because he was not vaccinated."</i> Then, they've added, <i>"You better get vaccinated or the same thing could happen to you!"</i> I would never say something like that. I think the whole vaccination thing should be a very private affair. I absolutely do not believe in vaccine mandates. We should respect one another's choices. But back to the point of this - the last thing that grieving man needs right now is judgment and condemnation. </p><p>Yes, it matters what we say! </p><p>I remember the closing of the church I pastored. I was in early 2010 but I remember it like it was yesterday. One guy (who no longer was part of the church but had attended it previously) actually said to me, <i>"You must be so relieved the church is closing!"</i> I cannot tell you how devastating that comment was to me at the time. I have been out of full-time ministry now for over a decade. Back in 2010 and 2011 a number of people looked at me like I was some sort of pariah, serious sinner, or catastrophic failure. I was under a psychiatrist's care. Thank God, <i>that</i> is passed! This is turning out to be a longer piece than I'd initially predicted. But I hope you'll take it to heart. We all need to remember to think before we speak; and to speak words that heal, and not words that kill.</p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-55102795339221779552021-08-21T09:39:00.001-07:002022-08-01T19:02:40.508-07:00THE GUY IN THE OLD PICKUP TRUCK<p>"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Psalm 32:8 New King James Version)</p><p>This year, 2021, on the first week of August, I attended General Council (in Orlando, Florida) for only the second time in my life. (General Council is the biennial meeting of the Assemblies of God USA.) I've been an Assemblies of God minister since 1981 and I pastored for over twenty years, but I never attended General Council until 2019, nine years after I left full-time pastoring. The biggest reason I attended the past two is I went with my daughter Amy and son-in law David who are Assemblies of God Missionaries. (They've served as Missionaries in various capacities over the past few years. They're about to go as first-time Missionaries to Papua New Guinea.) Two years ago, my wife and my other daughter as well as many of David's family members all got together in Orlando. This year, my wife Mary Ann stayed home with the grandsons and it was just Amy and David and me at General Council.</p><p>On Tuesday evening, August 3, we had supper at a burger and shakes place with several folks including a couple Amy and David will be serving with in Papua New Guinea. We rode in that couple's SUV to the restaurant. (<i>We </i>did not have a rental car for the week. We stayed at a Best Western hotel and walked back and forth to the activities at Orange County Convention Center.) After the meal we drove back to the Convention Center. Amy and David wanted to spend some time with their friends. At the beginning of a road which leads from the Convention Center down to where the hotel is they pointed to the direction I'd need to walk in to arrive at the Best Western. In fact one of them pointed to the roof of a building of several stories and said, "I think that's the Best Western!"</p><p>It was a warm, humid August evening in Orlando. It was a little before eight o'clock. The three quarters of a mile walk was pleasant. I liked that there was a literal sidewalk area on this roadway. I say "literal" because there was a concrete barrier between the walkway and the roadway so no cars could veer into pedestrians! At the end of this roadway, I saw that the building whose rooftop had been pointed out to me was a short distance to the <i>right. </i>I turned right and began walking along. The street I'd turned onto was more like a simple highway or maybe a parkway. There was a good-sized median strip in the middle of this highway. I noticed there was a bulldozer in the median strip which had dug up a huge portion of it. I was surprised I didn't remember seeing that earlier in the day.</p><p>The building I was approaching was <i>not </i>the Best Western. There were a couple of large signs attached to the building which read "TRU". I had no idea what "TRU" was. It was O.K. I <i>had </i>to be very close to the Best Western and the Cheddar's restaurant which was very near it. I would just keep walking and there they would be! I walked, and I walked, and I walked, and I walked. Nothing looked familiar. In fact the surroundings were beginning to look more "woodsy". Part of me felt nervous and apprehensive and like I was <i>lost. </i>This may sound very strange, but part of me also felt peaceful and that everything would be fine. In front of me I saw a small, simple directional sign which read "WESTWOOD CENTER" and included an arrow pointing to the right.</p><p><i>"There!" </i>I thought. "I know I saw a small shopping center called WESTWOOD CENTER this morning. I remember it included a restaurant and shops. I'm <i>close </i>to that! I'm <i>not </i>lost! I'll be fine!"</p><p>I followed the direction of the sign and found myself walking through the exterior of a large office park. It didn't look like WESTWOOD CENTER at all, but I reasoned I must be going in the right direction. Asking the Lord in my heart, "Should I head in this direction?" I felt that I <i>should </i>do so. It was now probably 8:15 and it was starting to get darker. This office park seemed pretty empty, but in front of me I could see a ground-level office suite with lights on and several cars parked in front of it. I reasoned it would not do any harm to see if anyone was inside and if they could direct me to the Best Western. As I walked to the door I could see maybe four or five people inside seated and talking. I <i>did </i>suddenly have a thought: <i>"The door's gotta be locked." </i>To my shock, I grabbed the door handle and it opened! I walked right in.</p><p>In true Lt. Columbo style I announced, <i>"Sorry to bother you, but I wonder if anyone could direct me to the Best Western hotel?"</i></p><p>Immediately one man stood up. He was obviously annoyed. <i>"We're closed!" </i>he angrily announced. He repeated, <i>"We're closed!" </i></p><p>The man walked toward me and proceeded to walk me out the door. I asked again about the Best Western. He said he did not know of any Best Western in the area. I asked if he knew where Cheddar's restaurant is. He said he <i>did </i>know where Cheddar's restaurant is. He pointed to a far away STOP sign located at the opposite end of where I'd entered the office park. He told me "Go to <i>that </i>STOP sign. Turn left. Walk about a mile, and you'll come to Cheddar's restaurant." He quickly dashed back into the office suite.</p><p>I admit that I was <i>stunned. </i>I didn't see <i>how </i>that road at the opposite end of the office park could possibly be where I should go. I didn't know what to do. I know many of you will be wondering if I have a smart phone with GPS. I do. But frankly I've only used it once or twice in my life. I never thought of the GPS! I admit I was starting to feel very fearful and very embarrassed. Yet I also experienced the Peace of the Lord. This is all paradoxical and very difficult to describe! I did walk to the STOP sign and I did turn left.</p><p>Once again, I walked, and I walked, and I walked, and I walked. I was walking on the <i>left </i>side of the roadway, facing oncoming traffic as I walked; although there really wasn't <i>much </i>oncoming traffic. I suddenly noticed an old pickup truck heading in my direction. It seemed to be slowing down. Then it seemed to be moving to the side of the road. The old pickup truck stopped right aside of where I was walking.</p><p><i>This </i>was scary.</p><p>Was I about to be robbed? Was I about to be shot? Or, was some weird person about to ask me for directions. Would such a person be angry if I told him I was lost, too?</p><p>The truck's passenger window rolled down. </p><p>"I will take you to Cheddar's restaurant," the driver proclaimed.</p><p>I was dumbfounded. All I could manage was a, <i>"Huh?"</i></p><p>"I will take you to Cheddar's restaurant," the driver repeated.</p><p>It was the annoyed guy from the office suite! He added, "I thought about it. I wouldn't want <i>my </i>grandfather out wandering around not knowing where he's going, so I decided to take you there. Get in."</p><p>I did.</p><p>He told me bluntly the door to their business is <i>never </i>open after hours. He said a woman was supposed to lock the door and she obviously <i>didn't. </i>(I wouldn't have wanted to be that woman when he confronted her at some point!) He explained he initially thought I was some homeless person who'd gone in there to start trouble. But after I'd left he realized I was wearing a lanyard to which a convention name tag was clipped. He'd felt guilty and come to rescue me. He made a U-turn and we headed in the direction in which I'd been walking. In a short distance he pointed to a roadway and walkway on the left.</p><p>"You walked down there from the Convention Center, didn't you?" he asked.</p><p>I <i>did! That </i>was indeed the roadway I'd walked down earlier!</p><p>He explained that if I'd have turned left it would have been only a short distance to the Best Western. (I could have said, "I thought you didn't know of any Best Western in this area!" But I didn't!)</p><p>He said, "You see that building just ahead on the left? <i>That's </i>the Best Western!"</p><p>We pulled into the parking lot, and he let me out at the door. "Thank you! God bless you!" I said, rather emotionally.</p><p>I've given that Tuesday night's events a lot of thought since then. It was a great General Council! There were wonderful meetings, events, exhibits, and services. I had a great time. But my most important takeaway from the 2021 General Council was my experience of being "lost and found" that evening. I don't preach often these days, but on the Sunday before General Council I preached at Bread of Life Church in Westminster, Massachusetts (where my wife and I attend) about hearing the Lord's voice and doing what He says to do. I vividly <i>lived</i> that on the next Tuesday night! How did I know to enter the office park? Why was the door that's always locked after hours <i>open? </i>Why did the guy who initially greeted me in a negative manner end up rescuing me? Is there a lot of symbolism in what happened to me on the night of August 3, 2021 in Orlando? </p><p>I'll answer that: Yes. Although it really happened, it's also a <i>parable. </i>It's something the Lord was wanting to <i>teach </i>me. And I wanted to share it with you!<br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-12402317659746939672021-03-31T08:00:00.002-07:002021-03-31T12:15:52.372-07:00TRUTH<p>"Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?..." (from John 18:38)</p><p>Here I am on Holy Week 2021. I remember that a year ago we were immersed in the whole COVID-19 thing, and today it's maybe just a <i>little </i>bit better but it feels about the same. I'm on a rare day off. I just came from a dental appointment. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment today because I've got a numb mouth and I'm writing a piece which I suppose could generate hostile responses that will at least <i>feel </i>like a punch in the mouth! Everything is so supercharged right now. There is so much hate and division. There is so much judgment. I feel extraordinarily sad about it, and I feel more than ever like I don't belong in <i>this </i>world! </p><p>I hate the whole "woke" thing. I hate the whole thing that I am supposed to feel ashamed and guilty that I am a white male and especially that I am a white evangelical Christian male. And, as far as politics, I am uncomfortable with the extremes of <i>both </i>the right and the left, although don't get me wrong, I'm much more "right" than "left" in my own political views. What's frustrating is the far right thinks America is all good, all perfect, and all wonderful. There's <i>nothing </i>to feel bad about. It's <i>all </i>good. Columbus was a <i>wonderful </i>guy. General Custer was a <i>wonderful </i>guy. Let's get American flags and wrap ourselves in them and worship them. <i>That's </i>the American far right. And, it's equally frustrating that the far left thinks America is all evil, all despicable, and all terrible. There's <i>nothing </i>to feel good about It's <i>all </i>bad. The Native Americans had their lands stolen and were treated like garbage- and still are. The Blacks were dragged over from Africa, treated even worse than the Native Americans, made slaves, and then suffering horribly under Jim Crow. Let's all give the flag the finger and unleash a tirade of F-Bombs against the military and all American law enforcement officers.<br /></p><p>The fact is the history of the human race for thousands of years has been of great good actions and great evil actions. Just about any country I can think of has done much good and much bad. Just about any ethnic group I can think of has done much good and much bad. Throughout the centuries, one people has conquered and subjugated another. What ultimately came out of that as decades and decades have gone on is a whole lot of really good stuff and a whole lot of not so good stuff. </p><p>Do you remember Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem about the little girl? Here goes:</p><p><i>There was a little girl, Who had a little curl, Right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, She was very, very good, But when she was bad she was horrid.</i></p><p>So much in life is like that little girl. So much! If I had to tell you <i>everything </i>about my life, I could tell you true stories of what a wonderful, giving, caring, self-sacrificing guy I've been, and what a total jerk I have been. Do you think I want to tell you about the time I pulled a false alarm using one of those old fashioned street fire boxes when I was a ten-year-old? I don't want to, and I did get caught. And, I've got lots of stories I'm ashamed of. I imagine you do, too.</p><p>We are being told, no people are trying to <i>force </i>us right now to see America as racist and evil. As radio talk show host Jesse Kelly says, <i>"We are told America sucks!"</i>. And we are. Just my humble opinion here. I have told you the extreme right's position on America and the extreme left's position on America. Both are wrong - obviously. But, I think for the sake of and the good of our culture and our country it's better to see America as a wonderful country, built on wonderful ideals, which is still a land of opportunity, <i>but </i>a country which at times has done some serious wrongs and made some terrible mistakes. <i>That's</i> how I choose to see America, and how I will continue to choose to see America, even if I'm forced to sit in classes which try to make me see or think otherwise. Listen, if I were depressed and suicidal and hating myself because I pulled a false fire alarm and did some horrible things in my life, especially when I was around middle school age, would you encourage me to focus on <i>that </i>stuff or on the <i>good </i>things about who Bob Baril is?</p><p>Now, notice the title of this piece. It's <i>TRUTH, </i>I'm saying let's present and discuss America's faults and failures, absolutely. But let's make the main focus that we are getting <i>better </i>and that America is a good and decent country. One missionary to Africa once told me that, <i>"Half of sub-Saharan Africa between the ages of twenty and forty want to come to America"</i>. If America "sucks" as Jesse Kelly warns the left constantly stresses, <i>why </i>do so many people want to come here?</p><p>Speaking of truth, one of the reasons I <i>know </i>the Bible is true is that it tells the truth about all the "great men and women of God". It tells us sometime <i>after </i>the flood, Noah got drunk and was naked, and one of his son's disrespected him and acted like a jerk. It tells us Abraham lied and was out to protect himself and his wife by any means necessary, good or bad. It tells us David committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then had Bathsheba's husband murdered. It tells us the great and holy missionaries Paul and Barnabas in the New Testament had a big hostile argument and went their separate ways. It tells us the Apostle Peter denied knowing Jesus, cursing as he did so. The Bible tells the truth. These people <i>were </i>great servants of God. They also had great flaws and God doesn't hide that; but God also <i>doesn't </i>make that the "be all and end all" of who these people were! </p><p>Back to American politics, about thirty years ago I heard a caller to Rush Limbaugh's radio show ask Rush, <i>"Don't you wish all the liberals would go away; don't you wish we were rid of all the liberals?" </i>You may be surprised at Rush's answer. He said he did <i>not</i> wish for that! Rush said a truly free society has a place at the table for <i>many</i> various political and philosophical ideas. Certainly, conservatives should be there at the table, but so should the liberals. Rush said we are all to <i>listen </i>to one another and to <i>consider </i>what each person says, and ultimately to carefully come to a consensus. And he's correct. And I'm concerned that America seems to be rapidly moving away from that sacred ideal.</p><p>On Holy Week Jesus Christ talked about loving one another. On Holy Week Jesus washed His disciples' feet, including Judas Iscariot's feet. If you're on the right, can you pray for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris this week? Would you humble yourself and wash <i>their </i>feet? If you're on the left, can you pray for Donald Trump and Mike Pence this week? Would you humble yourself and wash <i>their </i>feet?</p><p>On this Holy Week at this very serious time in our history, this is my "two cents".<br /></p><p> </p><p><i> </i><br /></p><p><br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-3783556826887840232021-01-23T08:21:00.000-08:002021-01-23T08:21:50.433-08:00A TALE OF THREE BILLS<p> "... a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" (from Proverbs 15:23 New King James Version)</p><p>I'm writing this in January of 2021. It's only January. And yet, in some respects it has been such a harsh year. Last year the hateful posts on the internet and the horrible condescending and patronizing messages from "friends" seemed like they couldn't get any worse. But they have. I've cut back on my Facebook posting and commenting. I took a verbal beating from "friends" a couple of weeks ago due to something I'd posted; and so in the words of G.P.S., I'm "recalibrating" my whole approach to the world. </p><p>I've found myself thinking about three guys named Bill who have been in my life and "stuff" I've learned from their examples. I didn't get permission from any of them to name them on the internet so I will use the the first initial of their last names. First, there's Bill L. Bill L. was a prominent person at the church I pastored in Framingham, Massachusetts for many years. Bill L. is a blue-collar worker who has amazing mechanical ability. He also has a lot of what is often called "street smarts". Bill L. served as a board member of the Framingham church during at least half of the years I ministered there. What stands out about Bill L. is that he doesn't say very much, but when he does say something it is usually something quite important and quite helpful. He doesn't waste a lot of time just rambling on about nonsense the way so many people do. Honestly, it could be said of me that I have a "big mouth". On the one hand, with strangers, I'm typically a very shy person. However, with people I know I can talk and talk and talk, often saying things that are at best not helpful and at worst hurtful. Years ago when the Framingham church was being closed and my ministry was on the rocks my wife Mary Ann told me that through the years I had hurt a lot of people by things I'd said. At the time I was defensive and rejected that observation. But during the past few years I've thought about that and I've painfully realized she was right. I was not careful about what I said or how I came across to people. I often took people for granted and I did not go out of my way to show appreciation to them. In life I've paid for that flaw. My friend Ron Sebastian says, "You can't get in trouble for things you don't say". More and more I'm learning that, and trying to learn to listen more and speak less. It might not surprise you that Bill L. isn't even on the internet. Pouring out his opinions and observations in post after post on Facebook would never interest him. </p><p>There's also Bill S. Bill S. was a board member and adult class teacher at Bread of Life Church in Westminster, Massachusetts where Mary Ann and I currently attend. Bill S. and his wife moved a couple of years ago, but he had a great impact on me in many ways. Bill S. taught what is usually known as the "New Converts Class" at Bread of Life Church. I'm sure right now somebody is thinking, "Wait a minute, you're a Bible College graduate, an Ordained minister, and you pastored for many years. Why would you possibly attend a New Converts Class?!" In my opinion, every Christian ought to attend a New Converts Class from time to time. As much as you know and as much as you've experienced, you'll be surprised how much you'll pick up in a New Converts Class and how much it will affect you. For instance, do you know what to do when you start having thoughts you just don't want to have but can't seem to stop them? Well, Bill S. taught on that in one powerful class. It had a radical positive affect on me, and helped me so much in that area! (I'm not going to write the answer about how to overcome that problem. If you really want to know it, you'll have to contact me!) Another time, and this is much more pertinent to this article, Bill S. said something that really convicted me. He said that "self promotion" has no place in a Christian's walk. He not only said that, he really underscored it. Why was I convicted? The reason is, I've been very guilty of self promotion, especially over the past twenty years. We all have "issues" that are hard to face and hard to talk about, and this is one for me. You may be surprised by this, but I've had low self-esteem for most of my life. In the ministry, I pastored a very small and "unsuccessful" church. Socially (with strangers) I can be very awkward. The word I often used about myself in the 1990s was "marginalized". I felt very marginalized as a minister and as a person. The way I tried to compensate for that was self promotion. I wrote guest columns for the local newspaper in Framingham, and I was proud of my columns. I began writing this blog in 2006. Many of the posts from the pre-2015 days are frankly very prideful and self promoting in one way or another. And even some of my Youtube videos, especially the earlier ones, were egotistical and self promoting. When Bill S. spoke about self promotion, it stung! That was probably seven years ago. I wish I could say that right after that my self promotion stopped, but it didn't. I'd do really well in that area for a few months, and I'd do not so well in that area for a few months. Right now, as far as self-promotion, I'd say I'm in "recovery" and it's "One Day at a Time"! Back to what I said at the beginning about all the hateful things people write on the internet- a lot of that is really their self promotion. They want to let everyone know how brilliant they are and how stupid others are. We could all learn a lot from Bill S.!</p><p>Finally there is Bill D. Bill D. is a lay leader at Bread of Life Church. Bill D. has walked through some deep valleys in life. He writes and posts inspirational pieces online mostly for our church people. (I wish more of them were "Shareable".) Bill never went to seminary or Bible college. Rather, he went through God's School of Hard Knocks. I have been so blessed and humbled by his writings. In my life I've written so many things that were silly and pointless. And, even many of my inspirational writings have really been self promoting. Bill D. probably has no idea how much of an affect he's had on me and what an example he is for me. I want my writing and my public speaking to be more and more of glorifying God and truly ministering to others. That's what Bill D's "stuff" does. I hope someday he'll put his inspirational writings into a book. I'd love to write the "Forward" to that book, if he'd let me. </p><p>What's the bottom line about the Three Bills? 1. Talk a lot less, and post a lot less on the internet. And realize you can say and write things that really hurt people, and God will hold you accountable for that. 2. It's not about you! We're not to be self promoting. We're to be God glorifying and truly encouraging to others. 3. Post things that are positive, inspirational, helpful, and encouraging. Nobody needs another post about what a stupid idiot Donald Trump is, or what a stupid idiot Joe Biden is. We need even less of posts like that which are peppered with the "F bomb"!</p><p>A number of years ago, we were bombarded with the message, "What Would Jesus Do?" Here, I'm suggesting that you start asking yourself, "What Would the Three Bills Say and Do?". <br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-64091257344217411012020-12-25T06:56:00.002-08:002020-12-25T07:06:14.750-08:00AND SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS<p> "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7)<br /></p><p>My friend Bill Deery posted something beautiful about John Lennon's song, "So This is Christmas" online this morning. I added a comment about how much I love that song. It's been a weird year and it's a weird Christmas. In eastern Massachusetts we're getting heavy rain and some high winds, and the temperature is 61 outside! I know some people wonder why I have posted very few blog posts this year and why when people comment on my posts I seldom respond. Well, I almost never have access to a desktop computer or even a laptop or tablet - long story. I used to write my blog posts at the public library, and when Covid-19 hit, that was the end of that!</p><p>I'm writing at my son's small apartment in Framingham. My daughter Rachel and my wife Mary Ann are visiting our other daughter Amy and family in Springfield, Missouri. Yes, before they return, they will have to be tested for Covid-19. I'm just relaxing right now. Jon arranged for me to get a very cool present. It's a personalized video from actor Terry O'Quinn (who played "John Locke" on "Lost" on ABC back in the early part of this century). I posted the link on my Facebook page and I hope many of you will be able to see it. </p><p>There's so much I want to say here, but I also want to be very brief. I always say about my father and about my first boss in ministry (Dave Milley) that each of those guys were "complicated". They were! At sixty-six I'm realizing that's a word I need to apply to myself as well: <i> complicated. </i>Many people think they know and understand Bob Baril very well. I'd say in reality, there are probably no more than ten people, if that, who really know and understand Bob Baril. To use a word that Bill Shaw from my past used to say about himself, I am an <i>"enigma"</i>! I'm so glad the Lord loves me and understands me!</p><p>All the hate and division this year has really saddened me. I know some of you will think that because I can be very public about my opinions, such as that I voted for Donald Trump and I'm a conservative Republican, that I'm part of the problem. I try to be a "bridge builder" but one person told me this year I'm really not a 'bridge builder" because of my disdain for people on the far left. That stung. And I thought about that. I have friends who "Unfriend" people and stop talking to friends and relatives constantly! I don't do that! I want to have relationships with people and not always be talking about politics and philosophy. I want to affirm what is positive in family and friends even if there are areas in which we disagree strongly. I fear some will never understand that, or me, but at least from my point of view, I'm trying.</p><p>At sixty-six I am aware that I could always die of a sudden heart attack or other medical issue. My parents did not make it out of their seventies. I realize I <i>may </i>only be around for a few more years. If I should pass away, I want to be seen as a guy who tried to affirm and appreciate others, and who tried to make a positive difference in life. A guy who was an unapologetic born-again Christian and Pentecostal. A guy who had strong convictions mostly on the political right. But a guy who could also share encouraging words to those who agree with him and to those who disagree with him; a guy who was mostly a pleasure to know and not mostly a jerk.</p><p>And with that I will stop and say, "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year"! <br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-79776823048986135542020-11-14T09:12:00.004-08:002020-12-08T09:25:09.698-08:00ENOUGH!<p>"... Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?" (from Isaiah 7:13 New International Version)</p><p>At the outset, I want to tell you how <i>difficult </i>it is for me to write and post this piece! In fact, it's <i>so </i>stressful and difficult that I can't find the right words. But it's something I <i>just have to do! </i>The prophet Jeremiah essentially said at one point he wanted to just shut up and not do any more prophesying, but he said the word of the Lord was <i>"like fire shut up in my bones" </i>(see Jeremiah 20:9) and he just couldn't stop speaking. I'm not saying this is "the word of the Lord" but this is something I feel <i>so</i> passionately that I'm almost weeping as I write. I posted one word on my Facebook Timeline last Sunday: "ENOUGH". On Monday I posted: "STILL: ENOUGH". I don't think too many people "got" it! On Tuesday I came across something as I was searching through the computer. It affected me <i>so </i>much I had to post it. Here it is: " 'If you judge people, you have no time to love them.' (Mother Teresa of Calcutta)".</p><p>To try to cut to the chase, this is a post supportive of President Donald Trump at this time. I will say up front I fully buy the statement that there was major voter fraud in this election, and also that Joe Biden is <i>not </i>the President-Elect. Maybe, just maybe Joe Biden <i>will </i>be the President-Elect in three or four weeks, and maybe just maybe he will be Inaugurated in January. I don't know. God knows. But there needs to be a thorough investigation, recounts, legal challenges, court decisions, etc. </p><p>Now, here's why I loved the Mother Teresa quote. It's ironic that liberals (or is it "progressives"?) are supposedly all for "inclusion" and "diversity" and "questioning authority" and all that sort of thing, but when it comes to Donald Trump <i>and</i> when it comes to white evangelicals, especially white evangelical males, and especially white evangelical ordained ministers (like me!) there isn't any "inclusion" or "diversity" or "tolerance" or <i>anything! </i>There is truly <i>so </i>much on my heart! I scribbled down a bunch of notes this week. Now, I'm trying to put them all together, and I think it's going to be just about impossible. I seriously think if I had the time I could write at least a one hundred page book with all the notes and thoughts I have! But, <i>sorry,</i> it's going to have to be on this post and if it's disjointed and confusing and doesn't flow well; as my friend Bill Lincoln would say, <i>"Oh well!"</i></p><p>I feel like the Apostle Paul when he wrote the book of Second Corinthians. He was also "all over the place" and he was on the one hand rather harsh, yet on the other hand worried about how he'd be received, and obviously emotionally and spiritually torn about what he was writing. Many, many of my evangelical clergy colleagues never and I mean <i>never </i>talk about politics. Neither I nor their church folks have any idea who they vote for, or where they stand politically. They feel it's best that way. And, maybe it <i>is. </i>I have other evangelical clergy friends who are<i> </i>liberals (or is it "progressives"?). That probably surprises you, because there's a whole stereotype about evangelical ministers being fanatical right-wing zealots. Now, I <i>do </i>have many evangelical clergy colleagues who are conservative Republicans. My openly liberal minister friends and my openly conservative minister friends are not shy to boldly proclaim their political beliefs, in or out of the pulpit. At one time, circa thirty plus years ago, I was what could be called "a right-wing nut"! I did have a "Pat Robertson For President" sign by the front door at my residence in 1988. It doesn't get much more "right wing" than that! But over the past fifteen years particularly, I've not written or spoken much about politics. I don't pastor a church anymore, but I <i>do </i>teach adult classes and preach publicly from time to time at the church where my wife and I are members. There, I really don't say much about politics to anyone. I don't want to be "a stumbling block" to others. On the internet over the past few years I have only written five or six political pieces. Some were critical of Donald Trump and some were positive about Donald Trump. I think the best one of all is a blog post entitled, <i>"DONALD TRUMP - GP/AJ"</i> in which I tried to explain why people like Donald Trump and how his personality can best be understood. That was the last blog piece I posted, on May 30, 2020. <br /></p><p>Like many conservatives I listen to Rush Limbaugh, and I love the guy. But I also devour National Public Radio every weekend. I love <i>"The Moth Radio Hour" </i>(and I've actually been a speaker on <i>"The Moth Radio Hour".</i>) I love <i>"This American Life". </i>I love <i>"Snap Judgment"</i>. I love <i>"Selected Shorts"</i>. I listen to <i>"The New Yorker Radio Hour". </i>It has a very progressive bias. And one of my all time <i>favorite </i>National Public Radio shows is <i>"On Being" </i>with Krista Tippett. I spend Sunday <i>early </i>mornings with Krista Tippett and her guests every week! I also have theologically liberal and politically liberal clergy friends. Don't have a heart attack, but some of them are gay. Do I agree with them on "everything"? <i>OF COURSE NOT! </i>But I still consider them friends.</p><p> I am <i>so </i>sick of the stereotyping of conservative white males. I am <i>so </i>sick of the stereotyping of evangelical white male pastors! Read Mother Teresa's quote again. Do you see why I liked it?</p><p> Yes, I could write a one hundred page book but I won't. I am devastated by the <i>hate </i>and <i>insensitivity </i>and <i>intolerance </i>by the left wing folks on social media right now. People like me do not deserve to be talked to like we're stupid and unwanted.</p><p>Ironically, I really didn't like Donald Trump when he entered the race four years ago. I wrote a blog piece (which I later took down) in which I urged evangelicals to <i>not </i>vote for him. I was grieved by the nasty things he said about John McCain and by his making fun of a disabled reporter. I'm still grieved by those things. BUT, when it came down to voting in November of 2016 there was absolutely no way I could vote for Hillary Clinton! I voted for Trump in '16 and '20. He hasn't been perfect, but overall, <i>I think he's done a good job. </i>As far as how he's handled COVID-19, although the media portrays him as some sort of sinister murderer from Transylvania, <i>I think he's done a good job. </i>I may lose a lot of friends over this, but I would have handled COVID-19 about the same way were I the President, and I'm serious.</p><p>If I'm unfriended and reviled and hated by many because of this, so be it! I really don't hate anybody, but this is what I think and how I feel. In 2000, we didn't know who won the election for weeks. In a way it was easy for me that year because I voted for a Third Party candidate, so I really didn't care! But as I recall the national attitude about who would be the ultimate winner, Gore or Bush, was kind of like <i>"Whatever!" </i>Am I saying 2000 was "the good old days"? Yes! Nobody was off the wall with hate the way people are today! <br /></p><p>Joe Biden is <i>not </i>the President-Elect. There <i>has </i>been serious fraud in this election. Things need to be investigated and if necessary, a final legal decision will have to be rendered. At that point, the country will "go with" whoever the winner is. But for now, <i>PLEASE... </i>Can we be patient, quiet, and reasonable for a few weeks (and I'm <i>mostly </i>talking to liberals and Democrats)? Can we just let the process be worked out? And on both sides, can we stop acting like jerks?</p><p>Suggestion: If you want to "fire" at me, at least give it twenty-four hours so it will be thoughtful and not merely reactive. <br /></p>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-5876115857433206172020-05-30T08:55:00.000-07:002020-06-01T04:29:09.134-07:00DONALD TRUMP - GP/AJ"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)<br />
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First of all: Believe it or not this is <i>not </i>primarily intended to be a political piece. In fact, it is <i>not </i>intended to be a political piece at all; but as soon as you mention Donald Trump, I guess you have to assume it will be at least <i>somewhat </i>political. And secondly, maybe the <i>timing </i>of this is not the best. I am posting it during the period of great controversy and anger about the killing of Mr. George Floyd by a police officer who was behaving in a very violent, cruel, and insane manner. The timing is coincidental; it has nothing to do with that terrible event.<br />
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I voted for Donald Trump. <br />
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Since the day after Trump won in November of 2016, I've been asked directly or indirectly <i>many </i>times how a committed Christian like myself could <i>possibly </i>vote for Donald Trump? I have a relative who has many times posted lines such as, "I have friends and family who voted for Donald Trump? Can you PLEASE tell me HOW you can support this sick and evil and demented and vile man???!!!" She's the most dramatic, but in fact <i>many</i> of my Facebook friends over the past few years have asked that question or pretty much <i>dared </i>those of us to explain how we can be such dupes, fools, and hypocrites as to support this person? I've thought about those questions, challenges, and dares many times and I have mentally thought about what I might write as a response. I will spare you my tales of woe, but I have not had access to a desktop computer at home for over nine years. When I do a blog post, I normally do it on a public library desktop computer. Well, even when there <i>wasn't </i>a COVID-19 crisis, on Saturdays I was usually on the library computers writing handout materials for my Adult Sunday School class or doing lesson plans for my Adult Sunday School class. Once in awhile I <i>would </i>try to make time to write a blog piece at the library. The last one in early March was about my skepticism about all the COVID-19 news and warnings we were starting to hear. You know how <i>that </i>all turned out! Yeah, for the most part I was dead wrong on that one! But this may well end up being the most controversial and alienating piece I've ever written on the blog! (Incidentally, I'm writing on the desktop computer at my son and daughter's apartment.) I thought a lot about this as I drove over here. <i>"People are absolutely going to think I'm crazy when they read this," </i>I thought, <i>"They'll say, 'He really HAS gone over the edge. There's no logic in what he says. He's CRAZY!'" </i>And they might. <i>You </i>might! Nevertheless, I've been "sitting on this" for two or three years and today I'm "letting 'er rip!"<br />
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In order to understand how I view Donald Trump and specifically the Donald Trump PERSONALITY, you have to indulge me and hear all about Quinn Swarthmore. Now, Quinn Swarthmore is <i>not </i>his real name. I wish I <i>could </i>use his real name, but six years ago at the time Quinn Swarthmore died, I wrote a lengthy piece which was mostly a tribute to Quinn Swarthmore. I <i>did </i>mention in the piece that at one point in his later life, Quinn Swarthmore was sentenced to a couple years in federal prison. Within twenty-four hours, I heard from a very angry family member. He insisted I take my piece down. Frankly, I was shocked and hurt, and I could write a whole other piece about <i>that </i>sometime, but I <i>did </i>take it down. But, this is why I have to give him a fake name. And for people who<i> know </i>the real name of Quinn Swarthmore, if you want to comment about this post, please do <i>not </i>use his real name or real initials. Quinn Swarthmore, or to be more accurate, The Rev. Quinn Swarthmore, was an admired Assemblies of God minister who had a very strong and charismatic manner and personality. At first, I was just an ordinary person (who had graduated from Bible College) attending the church he pastored in Massachusetts. After a couple of years, he brought me onto the pastoral staff of the church; I became Licensed and Ordained in the Assemblies of God, and married my wife Mary Ann. Quinn Swarthmore was <i>complicated. </i>He was both <i>paradoxical </i>and <i>complicated. </i>In early 2016 I was attending a funeral service where I ran into the first wife of Quinn Swarthmore. I will call her <i>Melissa. </i>He was married to Melissa during the entire time I served as an assistant pastor under Swarthmore which was mid-1981 through the end of 1986. (He divorced her five years later, remarried, and eventually divorced the second wife.) I know it's not customary to laugh and kid around at a funeral service, but I spoke to Melissa prior to the actual service. <i>"You know who Donald Trump reminds me of?" </i>I asked, chuckling in a silly manner, <i>"Quinn Swarthmore!" </i>Melissa immediately burst out laughing and with a big smile said, <i>"Yes, Quinn and Donald Trump are very much alike!" </i><br />
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That's why I kind of think I understand Donald Trump; because Quinn Swarthmore and Donald Trump are very much alike! There is so much I could write about this! I could write thousands and thousands of words. I could <i>literally </i>write a book about it. (Maybe someday, I <i>will </i>write a book about it!) Many people say that Donald Trump is a narcissist. Maybe. But I think it's actually <i>much </i>more complicated than that. He and Quinn Swarthmore had the <i>exact </i>same personalities and behavior, and I do mean <i>exact! </i>The first time I met Quinn Swarthmore, before I was attending the church he pastored, he struck me as a confident young lawyer who'd knock on your door and with a very forward, confident, and almost arrogant approach say, <i>"I'm Quinn Swarthmore and I'm running for the Massachusetts State Senate!" </i>A politician. That's how he struck me. He also could have been imagined to be some sort of young executive in a growing high-tech company. He did <i>not </i>strike me as acting like a minister or a pastor at all. He was a captivating speaker in the pulpit, and a very motivational speaker. Bluntly, his sermons were mostly very simplistic. They weren't very deep. I could frankly put together a much more scholarly and informative sermon. But he <i>was </i>very entertaining and <i>so </i>upbeat and confident that his sermons made you feel good. One time privately Quinn Swarthmore told me about the first time he sat down with his church board at the place he'd previously pastored in New Jersey. A board member tried to be slightly intimidating to him. Swarthmore said he got out of his chair, went right up to the board member, grabbed the board member's tie, and tightened the knot so hard against his adam's apple that he became very uncomfortable. Swarthmore told the board member <i>he </i>was the pastor and how things were going to be from then on. The board member backed off! I saw <i>that </i>side of Quinn Swarthmore many times. If someone became confrontational toward him, it was all over! He'd think nothing of dressing that person down and insulting them to the point they'd slink out of the church facility and never come back. Yes, that was one side of Quinn Swarthmore. There was another side. I've seen him care about and help <i>so </i>many hurting people. If you were a single mother of several little kids on a limited income and you attended Quinn Swarthmore's church, you had it made. If you needed the electric bill paid, it was paid. If you needed a month's rent paid, it was paid. If your kids needed new clothes and new shoes, money was no object, and it happened. And, if you were being harassed by a cruel ex-husband, the ex could probably expect a visit from Quinn Swarthmore. Five minutes after that little visit started, the ex would be humbly apologizing and promising to never cause a problem again; and pretty much that's how it would be. Quinn Swarthmore cared deeply about suffering people in the Third World. He made many missions trips to destitute countries. He didn't just stay in nice hotels. Usually he was out in remote areas living in very rough conditions and doing all he could to not only "tell them about Jesus" but offer practical help, much the way Franklin Graham does, albeit on a <i>much </i>smaller scale.<br />
<i> </i><br />
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I owe a couple of things to Quinn Swarthmore. First, I owe him my life. In 2009, "the bottom fell out" in my life. I was suicidal. I was very unhealthy mentally and spiritually. I put out an email message saying I was taking myself completely off the internet and pretty much just going to become a recluse who confided in and trusted no one. Less than an hour later, I received a phone call from Quinn Swarthmore. By that time he was in his late sixties. He had served time in prison and in a halfway house. He had worked a secular job for awhile but was in such poor health he had to retire. He lived in an apartment complex for the elderly. The guy on the phone that day was not the bully choking a board member by the tie! He was very tender. He asked me what happened and what was wrong. I poured out my heart to him that day. He listened and spoke words of counsel to me that were better than you'd get from Dr. Phil or anyone else. Yes, I consider that he saved my life. And in a sense he saved my life way back in 1981, too. I was out of Bible College, but I was mostly not working. I'd get some crummy job that would last a week or two, then be unemployed for many weeks, then get another crummy job that would last a week or two. I was teaching Adult Sunday School at Quinn Swarthmore's church. But I was <i>very much lacking in confidence. </i>I was around twenty-six years old. I looked thirty, but inside, I felt like a scared sixteen-year-old. I did <i>terribly </i>on job interviews. Listen, I <i>still </i>do terribly on job interviews! Unlike most people, I'm <i>not </i>afraid of public speaking. But I'm <i>terrified </i>of one-on-one stuff. Why do I tell you all this? Well, let me tell you about a phone interview I had with a pastor in those days. I bombed the,<i>"Tell me a little about yourself" </i>thing. He actually said to me, as he totally rejected me, <i>"I have to prove all things and hold fast that which is good!" </i>(For you Bible illiterates, that's a line from the Apostle Paul.) In other words, he said, <i>"You're a loser, pal! Good bye!" </i>Quinn Swarthmore did something for me that no one else would have. He hired me. He did tell me some of the lay leadership <i>did </i>have some reservations about me. He said he told them, <i>"I don't think anybody's ever really given him a chance. I think with a little coaching and direction he will do a good job." </i>It wasn't always easy! I was called into his office and chewed out many times. But less than six years after I started there I became the pastor of my own church. I've given hundreds and hundreds of sermons, performed weddings and funerals, all kinds of "stuff". It never would have happened if he hadn't believed in me.<br />
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Now, I <i>did </i>already tell you, Quinn <i>did </i>commit a federal crime. He did divorce his wife. He did go to prison. He did get his Ordination <i>yanked. </i>The funny thing is, today I could bring twenty people who knew Quinn Swarthmore into a room and ask them to tell us what they thought of him. Each of them would tell you graphically that he was a liar, a manipulator, in love with himself, egotistical, cruel, a poor excuse for a pastor, and a guy who did such damage to them they'll never fully recover. Then, I could bring another twenty people into the same room. They would tell you, the man who made the greatest difference in their lives was Quinn Swarthmore. Some would say it's because of him they're on the mission field today. Some would say it's because of him they're in the ministry today. Some would say he helped them to find Jesus, to get off drugs and alcohol; some would say because of him they came back to church after being away for many years, that he saved their marriage, that his counsel brought healing from depression and suicide- does <i>that one </i>sound familiar? In other words, that Quinn Swarthmore was either the poorest excuse of a man you could ever imagine or the finest most caring man you could ever imagine. Or was he <i>both?</i><br />
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My title for this is <i>DONALD TRUMP - GP/AJ. </i>I could just as easily have called it <i>QUINN SWARTHMORE - GP/AJ. </i>What does <i>GP/AJ </i>stand for? <i>GP </i>stands for <i>Great Person. AJ </i>stands for <i>Annoying Jerk. </i><br />
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Was Quinn Swarthmore an annoying jerk? Much of the time, absolutely yes! Was Quinn Swarthmore a Great Person? Much of the time, absolutely yes! I don't know what a professional psychologist would say is the clinical name for this personality- so I'm calling it <i>Great Person/Annoying Jerk!</i><br />
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Did you ever read the story of Samson in the Bible? It's found in the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. People are always asking, <i>"How can evangelical Christians be so stupid as to think God would call a profane, selfish, lustful, manipulative jerk to be the political and spiritual leader?" </i>Well, you will have to ask God that one, because in the Book of Judges, God called Samson who was profane, selfish, lustful, manipulative, and a jerk to be both the political and spiritual leader of the Israelites! And I <i>do </i>think God called the profane and selfish and lustful and manipulative and jerky Donald Trump to be the President! Remember the twenty and twenty I talked about for Quinn Swarthmore? I guarantee it's the same. You could find twenty who really know Donald Trump who could not be any more negative about him, and you could find twenty who really know Donald Trump who could not be any more positive about him.<br />
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Yes, I've been thinking about this post for two or three years and today I have finally spit it out! Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-27941522878702455392020-03-08T11:31:00.002-07:002020-03-08T11:48:46.323-07:00JANIS C. AND JENNIE M. AND THE VIRUS SCARE"...I am the Lord that healeth thee." (from Exodus 15:16)<br />
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I spent several days this past week being quite depressed- well, to be more accurate, I was a mixture of exasperated, stunned, discouraged, surprised, and deeply saddened. I guess it's understandable that if you mix all five of those "ingredients" together, you'll get one outcome: depressed! My depression was about the coronavirus. (I am not even sure if I spelled the name of the virus correctly!) Please don't misunderstand me. It's <i>not </i>that I was so fearful I would become sick from this virus that I became depressed. Rather, it's that so many people around the world are so<i> obsessed </i>over the news of this virus. There's talk of closing the schools, closing businesses and offices, and just having everybody sealed up in their residences in a state of panic while they listen for instructions from Big Brother! Yes, it seems a lot more like the fictional <i>1984 </i>of Orwell's book than like the United States of America in the early twenty-first century!<br />
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It all got "ramped up" really <i>fast!</i><br />
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Even the "Super Tuesday" primary election day seems like it was maybe three months ago. The media overall has not handled this well. Sensible talk-show host Dan Rea on <i>Nightside </i>on Boston's WBZ radio a few days ago said he's disturbed to hear announcers on C.N.N. gleefully announcing, <i>"We have three more cases of the coronavirus in America!" </i>On the matter of this virus, Rea truly lived up to his reputation as "The Voice of Reason".<br />
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Online, clergy are being asked, "What changes do you plan to make at your church because of the coronavirus?" Some people are recommending cancelling church services, or at least enacting strong restrictions such as no Communion services, no coffee hours, no "greet one another" opportunities during the service, and of course cleaning the church facility as if it's a typhoid ward! It's gotten me thinking that as much as I miss pastoring, I'm <i>glad </i>I'm not a pastor right now- because, other than perhaps being a bit more careful about cleaning, I'd probably make <i>no </i>changes to how I'd normally conduct church services and activities!<br />
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I was so happy that I almost started crying when Associate Pastor Janis Collette at Bread of Life Church in Westminster this morning opened the service by saying, <i>"I know this probably isn't politically correct but why don't you hug someone or shake someone's hand this morning!"</i> The funny part is, I've never been very much for hugging or even much of a hand-shaker, and I've been teased for years about being reserved, standoffish, and even unfriendly; but after all the gloom and doom talk in the media this week, <i>I've actually been wanting to be hugged at church!</i><br />
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I'm hesitant to write this next part, because I could easily be misunderstood and severely criticized, but here goes: Sometime around fifteen years ago, I visited an older woman in the hospital twice who was <i>very </i>sick. I don't know exactly what her diagnosis was, but she had some <i>very </i>serious and contagious virus. She was in an isolation room. There was a sign literally listing warnings about being in the room, being exposed to her, touching her, etc. I won't use her last name, but just about anybody who lived in the Framingham, Massachusetts area twenty or thirty years ago will know who I mean when I state that it was Jennie M. who was a <i>very </i>prominent social conservative. She wrote regular columns in the local newspaper. She was featured from time to time on Boston area radio talk shows. She was a particularly active and vocal opponent of abortion. She was controversial. In the late 1980s and early 1990s she'd actively attended First Assembly of God of Framingham where I'd pastored. She later left our church and joined her husband at a large Roman Catholic church in Framingham. Jennie's husband was in recovery and was active in the Knights of Columbus. She felt she should honor her husband and "go back to the Catholic church" of her youth. By the time I was visiting her in the hospital, her husband had passed away. She told me she became very disappointed in the Catholic church and left it. She lamented that she felt she really had no church to go to, although she loved God. Jennie M. was viewed by the MetroWest community as this politically and socially fierce and scary person! In reality she had a public image and a private life. In her private life she was a quiet, humble, and reserved woman. Despite those warnings in the hospital room, I twice went in to see her, talked to her, and laid hands on her and prayed for her. She cautioned me that I should not do that. But I saw a frightened, fragile, sick, hurting, and needy person, and I was only too glad to visit her and pray for her. I never told anybody about those visits until now. I never told my wife or my kids. I did not want them to worry. I never got sick, and they never got sick. I know why I did not get sick. The answer is: God. Obviously He wanted me to minister to Jennie M. and pray for her. (She passed away several years after that.)<br />
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Now, please don't get me wrong. I'm <i>not </i>saying I'm invincible! In 1991, our whole family got terribly sick with the flu! That was the worst flu I've ever had in my life and I hope to never be that sick again! Recently, in December 2019 and January 2020, I became very sick with a terrible cold. My daughter Rachel got the same bad cold at the same time. During that illness Rachel proclaimed, <i>"This ain't no cold!" </i>and I heartily agreed. I was convinced we each had the flu. I did not miss any days of work at my secular job. (I know, I know, you can all scream at me!) I <i>did </i>skip church one Sunday as I was just <i>so </i>sick! About three weeks ago, I had my annual physical examination with my primary care physician. I talked to him about this recent sickness and told him I was convinced it was the flu. He told me it was <i>not </i>the flu but that <i>this </i>winter a severe cold was going around that typically lasted three to five weeks and was very debilitating. <i>That's </i>what Rachel and I had. So, no I'm not invincible!<br />
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I can see being a bit more diligent about cleaning and disinfecting. And, the advice about staying home if you're sick is wise; and again, it's true I wrongly went to work sick. But I <i>can't </i>see shutting the country down and proclaiming a George Orwell style <i>1984. </i>I'm going to be a little cautious and that's it. A <i>little </i>cautious. Those who get the coronavirus have at least a ninety-five percent chance of making a full recovery from it. <i>If</i> I get sick from it, I expect to make a full recovery. But frankly, if I <i>don't</i>, I'm not all that worried about it. I'm sixty-five-years old. I've struggled financially for most of my life, including now, but I've known the Lord Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior and Lord for almost fifty years, and have been <i>privileged </i>to serve as a Minister of the Gospel! My friend Pastor John S. went home to be with the Lord a week ago. <i>If </i>I get that virus and die, then I'm going to be with the Lord in Heaven and I'll be more than fine.<br />
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To anyone who will listen I say: Sure, use the disinfectants, and be a <i>little </i>more cautious than you'd normally be, but <i>please don't go crazy over this coronavirus, </i>and for Heaven's sake, don't stop having church services!Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6316888964014757802.post-72321314499775860132020-02-22T11:36:00.000-08:002020-02-23T12:17:07.017-08:00RAUL RODRIGUEZ'S REVOLTING REALITY"Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9 New King James Version)<br />
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Exactly one week ago today, I heard a true story on a radio broadcast that upset me to the core of my being. I have no words to express the sadness and bewilderment I felt after hearing of Raul Rodriguez's plight. His "revolting reality" (my words) has been going on for almost two years. I am very surprised I knew nothing of it until February 15, 2020.<br />
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I will write the details below, but for better or for worse, I felt I needed to begin with what could be called a "Disclaimer". Frankly, in this hostile and supercharged political environment, I'm writing this piece with fear and trembling. I have many friends on the political left- some of them <i>way </i>over on the left. And I have many friends on the political right- some of them <i>way </i>over on the right. Many of you know I'm a registered Republican and generally I tend to flow much more right than left; <i>but </i>I refuse to live my life in isolation from those with whom I disagree with most of the time. On the one hand, I voted for Donald Trump, and I expect to do so again in November. On the other hand, I sometimes disagree with President Trump, and I listen to a lot of broadcasts on Public Radio. Yes, most of what you'll hear on Public Radio has a definite liberal/progressive bias. However, there are some really <i>good </i>programs on Public Radio, especially the storytelling programs. And, some of you may know I've been a featured speaker on Public Radio's <i>The Moth Radio Hour. </i>I don't consider Mr. Raul Rodriguez's story and problem a conservative issue or a liberal/progressive issue or a pro-Trump issue or an anti-Trump issue. So, bluntly, I ask those of you who may become very upset at me for what I write here, please don't bother with hostile or condescending comments or emails because I won't pay any attention to them.<br />
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Public Radio's <i>This American Life </i>on the weekend of February 15-16 featured as its "Act 2" presentation the story of Raul Rodriguez which they entitled, "Nowhere Man".<br />
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Raul Rodriguez is of Mexican heritage. He lives in south Texas, not far from the border. He was raised by an Aunt in south Texas. His parents live in Mexico. As a child, he'd always hated living away from his parents, but it was explained to him that his mother had slipped into America to give birth to Raul so he could grow up as an American citizen and have a better life than she and her husband had. He's in his early fifties. He's a U.S. Navy veteran. Mr. Rodriguez worked for many years as an Officer with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. He had an exemplary record, both in the Navy and with Customs and Border Patrol. Rodriguez actually was sent to Washington, DC at one point to be specially honored for exemplary service. He was known as "strictly by the book" regarding those crossing the border and residing in the States illegally. He even turned in a friend at one point. I don't use profanity, so I won't write words most of his friends and coworkers would use to describe him, but he was <i>very </i>tough and didn't let anybody get away with anything.<br />
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One day in the Spring of 2018, a couple of V.I.P.s from Customs and Border Patrol showed up at the local office where he worked. He was asked to come in and meet with them. To his shock, he was asked to surrender his gun and badge and was walked out the door. He could not understand what he could possibly have done to cause this to happen! A couple of weeks later, he was called in to a special meeting with some men from the Customs and Border Patrol hierarchy. They produced a Mexican birth certificate and stated it was Raul's birth certificate! The date and year of birth was different from the date Raul had always known as his birthday. But the paper contained his name and his parents' names. Mr. Rodriguez <i>had </i>a proper U.S. birth certificate which said he was born in Brownsville, Texas. He'd had that birth certificate for probably forty years or more. There had to be some mistake. Arrangements were made for Raul's father to be brought in from Mexico to explain what was going on. Tearfully, his father said the Mexican birth certificate was valid. His Dad explained the whole story of Raul being born in America was false; that he and his wife had cooked the whole thing up to give Raul a better life. Raul Rodriguez was shocked, devastated, confused, and deeply hurt.<br />
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His wife Anita <i>is </i>an American citizen. Raul felt he could at least apply for a green card to become a legal alien. That process took <i>over a year </i>for him, and <i>he was turned down. </i>He has an attorney and his situation is going through the appeals process, but it's very possible this U.S. Navy veteran; this exemplary U.S. Border Patrol agent, will eventually be deported to Mexico. Of course, Mexican drug cartel folks would just <i>love </i>to have the opportunity to kill a former U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer- so deporting him could actually be very dangerous and even fatal.<br />
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Raul Rodriguez is literally a man without a country.<br />
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I've asked myself <i>why </i>I identify so much with Raul Rodriguez. Why my heart aches for him? Ten years ago this month, I was informed by my superiors that the little struggling church I was pastoring was closing and that I needed to step out of the ministry because I was emotionally and spiritually unhealthy. (They <i>weren't </i>wrong. I was emotionally and spiritually unhealthy. The church had declined to the point that by early 2010 only about fifteen were showing up on Sunday mornings and some weeks it wasn't even <i>that </i>many.) I <i>was </i>pretty well-known and pretty well thought of by a lot of people in Framingham, Massachusetts where I pastored. I wrote guest columns for the local newspaper. Twenty years ago, I was prominently featured on the local Christian radio station. Suddenly, everything fell apart. It's all <i>way </i>too personal to write about. There are family members and friends who'd be upset if I wrote any more than that- so I won't. I haven't pastored since them. I've worked frustrating low paying jobs. In the early days of my own "revolting reality" I was suicidal and under a psychiatrist's care. Thank God, today I'm much happier and much healthier than I was in 2010. I teach an Adult class at Bread of Life Church where Mary Ann and I worship. I have a lot of good friends, and I feel in my own way, I contribute much to the cause of the Kingdom of God. But that <i>pain and loss </i>experience never really goes away. It's made me hyper-sensitive to a guy like Raul Rodriguez. Twenty years ago, his story might have made no impact on me at all. For the past week, I've thought about it constantly.<br />
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I don't know what can be done to help Raul Rodriguez. But I will say bluntly that what he's going through is <i>not </i>right and something's got to be done!<br />
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I'm asking you to post the link to this blog post on your own social media and perhaps to even email the link to some close friends. I believe that if a lot of us do that, eventually <i>someone </i>who can genuinely help Raul Rodriguez will step up and become involved.<br />
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To read about Raul Rodriguez's situation in <i>The Atlantic Monthly </i>magazine, go to the link below:<br />
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/02/a-former-border-agent-at-risk-of-deportation/606418">https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/02/a-former-border-agent-at-risk-of-deportation/606418</a><br />
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To hear the podcast on <i>This American Life, </i>go to the link below:<br />
<a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/694/get-back-to-where-you-once-belonged/act-two-3">https://www.thisamericanlife.org/694/get-back-to-where-you-once-belonged/act-two-3</a>Bob Barilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09982054633892005919noreply@blogger.com2