Month: January 2009

It’s Fun to Stay at the YMCA…Sometimes

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

Over the past several weeks, I have been noticing some things that bother me about the YMCA. It has nothing to do with the facilities. It has nothing to do with the programing. In fact, I greatly enjoy the offerings of our local YMCA. I mainly go to the downtown “Y” because I like having the option to hop in the pool and do a few laps.

But, today, I was once again reminded of one thing that always strikes me as odd. That “one thing” centers on the language used in the men’s locker room. I’ve been around locker room humor and language for a long time. When you’re in high school and college, you kind of expect a certain amount of inappropriate topics of conversation and crude language. And, let’s be honest, I’m known to let a number of profanities slip out of my mouth. But, when I’m at the Y, I feel like things should be a little different.

The YMCA website says its mission is: “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”

When I am at the Y, I believe that the healthy body part can be attained. However, I’ve been struggling with whether or not a healthy spirit and mind is being developed during my visits…

For example, today, the language in the men’s locker room contained enough profanities that even I began to blush. The topic of the conversation was extremely degrading towards women. I did not participate in the conversation. All of these guys know what I do for a living. Generally, when they see me, they tend to clean things up a bit. But, still, it’s going on and it makes me sad. The locker room should really be more than a gathering place for a bunch of perverted old men. I just continually wonder why people join the Y, a Christian organization, if they simply want to use the place like it’s the local gentlemen’s club.

Not only that, when I went down to work out, the Jerry Springer show was on one television, some trashy soap opera on another, and Fox News (this may be the most offensive of the three) on the other.

Building a healthy body? Check! I had a great workout today. Building a healthy mind and spirit? Well, yes. But, not at the Y.

In the end, what I realized today is that I simply need to take a stand. If I come into the workout room and there is trash on the televisions, I should speak to the staff and ask them to consider changing the channel. After all, there is a sign next to the television sets that says the staff reserves the rights to change the channel from any program that does not reflect the mission of the YMCA.

And, when they guys are going beyond friendly banter and getting into inappropriate and vulgar conversations, I simply need to step up and say, “Hey guys, this is a Christian gym. I didn’t sign up for a membership here to be surrounded by the kind of conversation that isn’t even suitable for the Howard Stern show.”

But, today, I simply responded by putting my headphones in, cranking up the volume, and ignoring my surroundings. I missed an opportunity to take a stand. But, something tells me there will be other opportunities in the near future.

Closer to a Resolution

/ Jason Morris / 2 Comments

After a long meeting, we are closer to resolving the issue that has placed a heavy burden on our lives.

With the help of local governmental officials, we have uncovered a vast amount of corporate incompetence that has led to a decent amount of injustice.

The sad part is, while we are one step closer to having this put behind us, the local officials indicated that there are many others who have barely even started the fight.

There are laws that probably need to be addressed in order to make sure that citizens are being protected. Though we have found a great deal of help, I still firmly believe that there are major flaws in the system. There are often too many hoops to jump through in order to bring about justice.

Now, we need to address the corporate incompetence that led to this whole issue. While it all began with an error on a form submitted by the local government, they took all the necessary steps to remedy the situation. That’s where things fell back on the big business we are dealing with. It all boils down to someone in a very large company not bother to enter 6 to 12 numbers into a computer system.

Today, we finally got to the bottom of the situation. The large corporation continually tried to push the blame back on the local government. As we worked through all of the issues and questions, it was clear that this corporation failed to hold up to their end of the deal…entering correct numbers into their computers.

Now, we simply have to patiently wait while all of the appropriate paperwork is submitted, approved, and processed. At that point, most of this will be behind us…Unless we decide to get in touch with the Attorney General (along with other citizens facing similar issues with this big business).

I know I have not shared many details. If you’re truly interested in the full story, shoot me an e-mail (you can leave a comment with your e-mail…I won’t publish it, but will send you the story).

Standing in the Gap

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

No, I’m not going to be writing about my latest trip to a fashionable clothing store. Rather, I’ll be writing about my dealings with some of our local politicians.

Later this afternoon, Emily and I will be meeting with some state and local government officials. The reason for our meeting is to bring about justice for all citizens of Delaware County and the state of Indiana who have been financially oppressed by the local government.

It appears that the Delaware County government is not a government of the people, by the people, or for the people. It appears that the Delaware County government is simply for the Delaware County government.

Rather than owning up to their own mistakes, elected and appointed government officials are simply trying to pass the blame to others. The have blamed everyone from major corporations to Governor Mitch Daniels. I’m sure “My Man Mitch” (he’s not really my man, but that is his campaign slogan) would love to know that local officials are blaming him for their own errors.

In the midst of our battle, we realized that the local officials were not going to be helpful in resolving this issue. We also realized that we may not be the only ones impacted by the issues we are facing. I do not desire for another resident of our county to face the injustices we have been met with over the last several months. So, we elected to contact some of our local officials.

We have been in contact with  Senator Richard Lugar and State Representative Dennis Tyler. Both have made contacts with our local officials to make sure that they are resolving the issue in a timely and effective manner. Being contacted by state and US officials definitely caught the attention of the local officials. Today, Representative Tyler will be with us as we meet with our local officials. I contacted another state level representative from our area. She was of no help (in fact, she did not respond to any of my correspondence).

As citizens, we felt that our representative needed to know what the people the represent are facing. I have voted for both of these men (Grandpa Burris would be proud to know that I have, indeed, voted for a Republican). I will continue to vote for both of these men. They have stepped up to look into matters effecting a normal citizen. I am not a fan of career politicians. However, I believe the both have displayed that they are interested in the matters their constituents are facing…and not simply consumed with status and party issues. These elected officials have chosen to stand in the gap and work on the behalf of the people!

Hopefully we will walk away from this meeting with the issue resolve. Hopefully no other citizens of Delaware County or the state of Indiana will have to face these same issues.

Grief

/ Jason Morris / 2 Comments

This afternoon, I performed the funeral services for a seven-week-old boy. Yes, you read that correctly, seven-weeks-old. There is never a time when a loved one passes that we say, “Oh, they lived long enough.” But, seven weeks is difficult to process.

While I would never claim to understand the pain, grief, sorrow, and loss the parents and family of this young boy were experiencing, I did find myself wrestling with feelings of grief. This one just doesn’t sit well with me. I just found myself asking the question, “Why?”

Now, we professionals in the ministry are supposed to have all the Christian cliche answers. You know, I was supposed to say, “Well, God has some kind of plan in all of this” or “the Lord works all things out for good for those who love him.” But, while I do believe that ultimately God will do something with this, those just doesn’t seem appropriate in a moment like this.

My heart absolutely broke when both parents decided to share some beautiful words about the love they had for their son during the service. The mother also read a letter written by the baby’s older brother. It was incredible. I was overwhelmed by their ability to share as they were saying goodbye.

The most difficult moment to watch was when the family had their last moments before the casket was sealed. Viewing the grandparents and parents touching and kissing this tiny baby boy for the last time was gut-wrenching.

I really struggled through this one. I encouraged the family to remember the love they felt for this little boy. I encouraged them to remember the joy that he brought into their lives. I encouraged them to lean on one another…to love, support, and encourage one another in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

I believe God is in contol of all things. I shared with the family that the God I believe in and serve is big enough and strong enough for their pain, anger, frustration, doubt, and questions. I shared that I believe it’s often our pain, anger, frustration, doubt, and questions that lead us closer to God. When we stop asking questions, it’s tempting to stop seeking, to stop learning, to stop growing.

This was a difficult day. But, it reminded me of how blessed I have been. I have not faced this kind of loss. I’m not sure I’m strong enough for it.

I will be keeping this little baby boys family in my heart and prayers for a long time.

What I Didn’t Get Around To…

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

Believe it or not, I actually cut my message short this morning. At both morning services, I was a little long-winded and had to trim some things while I spoke. Even though I probably could have continued sharing at the 10am service and held us only an additional 3-5 minutes, I felt like I should just skip around this story. One of my favorite authors is Donald Miller. His book, Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligous Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, is one I highly recommend to anyone asking me for a list of good reads.

In his chapter on belief, Miller shares the following on pages 109-112:

What people believe is important. What people believe is more important than how they look, what their skills are, or their degree of passion. Passion about nothing is like pouring gasoline in a car without wheels. It isn’t going to lead anybody anywhere.

My friend Andrew the Protester believes things. Andrew goes to protests where he gets pepper-sprayed, and he does it because he believes in being a voice of change. My Republican friends get frustrated when I paint Andrew as a hero, but I like Andrew because he actually believes things that cost him something. Even if I disagree with Andrew, I love that he is willing to sacrifice for what he believes. And I love that his beliefs are about social causes.

Andrew says it is not enough to be politically active. He says legislation will never save the world. On Saturday mornings Andrew feeds the homeless. He sets us a makeshift kitchen on a sidewalk and makes breakfast for people who live on the street. He serves coffee and sits with his homeless friends and talks and laughs, and if they want to pray he will pray with them. He’s a flaming liberal, really. The thing about it is, though, Andrew believes this is what Jesus wants him to do. Andrew does not believe in empty passion.

All great Christian leaders are simple thinkers. Andrew doesn’t cloak his altruism within a trickle-down economic theory that allows him to spend fifty dollars on a round of golf to feed the economy and provide jobs for the poor. He actually believes that when Jesus says feed the poor, He means you should do this directly.

Andrew is the one who taught me that what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do.

I used to say that I believe it was important to tell people about Jesus, but I never did. Andrew very kindly explained that if I do not introduce people to Jesus, then I don’t believe Jesus is an important person. It doesn’t matter what I say. Andrew said I should not live like a politician, but like a Christian. Like I said, Andrew is a simple thinker…

…If Andrew the Protester is right, if I live what I believe, then I don’t believe very many noble things. My life testifies that the first thing I believe is that I am the most important person in the world. My life testifies to this because I care more about my food and shelter and happiness than about anybody else.

I am learning to believe better things. I am learning to believe that other people exist, that fashion is not truth; rather, Jesus is the most important figure in history, and the gospel is the most powerful force in the universe. I am learning not to be passionate about empty things, but to cultivate passion for justice, grace, truth, and communicate the idea that Jesus likes people and even loves them.

When I read all of this, I was reminded about the call on our lives to “do good, every opportunity we have, to all people.” I was reminded of how easy it is to buy into what the world tells us is important and to forget the things that Jesus tells us. I am reminded that, when we let Jesus take the lead, we will be more inclined to remember the things Jesus calls us to (caring for those in need, sharing His love with the world around us, etc). When we remember these things, we will be more inclined to put them into practice.

It’s all about learning and putting what we learn into practice. If we aren’t doing the things Jesus talks about, have we really learned any thing at all?