Gus Sideris

Where do you begin to describe someone like “Gus” Sideris? He recently was called home by his Lord and Savior on August 4th and leaves a big gap in our community. Gus was a fixture at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church and spent time listening, helping and praying with those who are hurting. He led many Bible studies and pointed people to Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life. He always greeted someone with a story, a smile and brought joy into any situation. There were times when I was down and I would have some reason to go to WEPC just to see him. There was something infectious about him. I would kiddingly say it was because he was Greek and he would just laugh. The reality is that he had the comfort of the Holy Spirit that came from deep within. In reading his obituary he had many accomplishments. He served his nation in the U.S. Navy when called. He volunteered on many occasions and was a successful businessman. But his most important accomplishment is that he loved. There is a great celebration in Heaven right now! Thanks, Gus, for being a great example of a follower of Jesus. “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Marshalltown Strong

The last column that I wrote appeared in the Times Union on July 19th. It’s ironic because on that day an EF3 tornado went through the center of my hometown, Marshalltown, Iowa causing massive destruction. I had just been in Marshalltown for a reunion at the church I grew up in. The storm took the roof off of that structure and it will have to be demolished. We moved my mother out of the home I grew up in three years ago but that neighborhood looked like a war zone. Thankfully no one was killed as the storm tore trees, houses, buildings and the cupola off the Courthouse. I left as soon as possible to join the relief efforts of The Salvation Army in the area. Recently it was reported that 40% of downtown will have to be demolished and almost 100 homes were lost, mostly in the poorest part of town where I grew up on 4th and Bromley. I was working 10 to 12 hour days and then visiting my Mother at the Iowa Veteran’s Home which was not damaged by the storm. The Lord decided in the middle of this mess to call her home. One day when I got a break to see her I apologized for not being there more. She looked me straight in the eye and said, “Go to work!” She was the last of the Greatest Generation in my family growing up during the Great Depression and then working at Marshalltown Manufacturing during World War II - a “Rosie the Riveter” She didn’t get to see how people came together to help their neighbors in a time of crisis but it would not have been a surprise. That’s what you do when you are Hawkeyes and Americans. People volunteered with chain saws, gloves and helping hands. It will take a long time for recovery in "M’Town" but their spirit is strong, many of those values instilled in us by people like my parents. John 3:8 says “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.” We spent time hearing stories, wiping tears and praying with people who were affected by the storm. It was an opportunity to share that even in the storms of life there is a God who cares. I stood at the cemetery with my family as we said farewell to our progenitor being committed to the rich soil of Iowa. I looked over the landscape seeing the damaged Courthouse in the distance. We don’t know which way the wind blows, so how can we plan tomorrow? But the wind of the Spirit of God can see us through any storm of life during our temporary stay on this sphere. More importantly, if we ask for forgiveness and place our trust in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection that spirit will carry us in peace to eternity.
Thanks to everyone for their financial support. words of encouragement and prayers!

Foundation

This past weekend I headed out to Marshalltown, Iowa for a reunion with folks who attended the church I grew up in. Five years ago we were saddened when it was closed, something happening to many congregations across the land. I tell people that I had a drug problem when I was growing up. My parents drug me to church every time the doors were open. Bethany United Methodist Church (an EUB congregation before that) was never large in number but great in heart. It was a community that was an extended family showing me four important components of a foundation for life. First was always that the Bible can be trusted as the Word of God. It was preached and taught with passion by pastors and lay people alike. Secondly that group was our “community center” as we learned to love one another striving to serve others. Third was the challenge to live holy lives and “don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.” And finally that Jesus is the Way, The Truth and the Life. I had a Sunday School Teacher and Youth Leader, Barb Elliott, who had a great impact on me. She could play the guitar and had a beautiful voice that sang from a love deep in her heart. One time she “made” me sing “I’d Rather Have Jesus” with her. I did my best making a joyful noise against her talent. But when we got to the end the silence was pierced with a question, “Do you mean it?” I reluctantly said “yes” but as a teenager there were many things competing for Lordship in my life. That question haunted and reminded me of poor choices I was making in High School. I would live one way on Sunday and another the rest of the week. I was invited to a meeting at The Salvation Army where the Major said, “someone needs to get serious about Jesus.” Barb’s words came back once again. I went forward to the altar and answered her question. “Yes, I’d rather have Jesus.” Those foundations I learned in my youth have carried me through life. On the corner of Bethany, now a Hispanic congregation, is a stone engraved with these words, “Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20) In this crazy mixed up world we all need the foundation of the Word, Community, Holiness and yes, Jesus. More than anything this World affords today.

Obey Jesus

While driving through town there is a sign that catches my attention. In the middle of a red heart on a white background are the words “Obey Jesus”. It almost seems strange in this day and age when everything is focused on love. God does love us. We can’t earn our way to Heaven because the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross paid our debt in full for our sins. (It took me awhile to figure this out.) But God is more than love, He is Holy. The Christian walk is a process of repentance and sanctification, moving away from our disobedient nature to become like Him. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” We are called to be yielding to Jesus out of love for that which He has done for us. Our challenge is to not live as the world with all of its crazy ideas but conform to the law that our Savior said He came to fulfill, to live Holy lives. It is not following a list of do’s and don’t. It is obedient faith, not ruled by our feelings but the truth of God’s Word. We used to have this lady when I was young during prayer meetings who would say, “Oh that people may see, the marks of Jesus in me.” I’ve learned it comes from that simple message on that sign, “Obey Jesus.” Thanks to the neighbor for the reminder!

Scars Into Stars

STAR 88.3 is a Christian Radio Station in Fort Wayne that serves Kosciusko County on the dial at 90.9. Melissa Montana is the CEO/President/GM of this company that strives “To use media to offer hope that helps to change lives through the love of Jesus.” She recently shared at Warsaw Rotary about her life and the path she has taken in media. A successful business woman, she garnered support in the Fort Wayne area to purchase STAR 88.3/WLAB when it came up for sale a few years ago. It is an incredible success story sharing the Good News of Jesus through radio. When you first meet her you would think that she has it all together. I learned quickly into the presentation that she has had many rough patches along the way. At eight years old she was almost killed by a truck that hit her while crossing a street. Once a well known personality at a major radio station in Atlanta her husband’s work took them to “the Fort”. She struggled with the transition and fitting into a midwestern community and a smaller market. She then faced giving up on a “perfect marriage” and the reality of divorce when her husband walked away. One day the owners of 88.3 announced they were going to sell. Facing looking for new employment she sought God for wisdom and felt led to bring a team together to purchase STAR forming a new company. Melissa was quick to tell us that we should never be defined by our pain and failure. “See pain and setbacks as learning experiences. Pick yourself up, even if you are at the bottom and move ahead,” she shared. In 2 Corinthians 4 it says, “We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.” (The Message) A person may be down but they are never out of God’s grace and mercy. Don’t let your failures and mistakes define you. God can turn your Scars into STARS...a promise from Him through Jesus for all of us!

Vietnam - Honor & Remember

On April 29th, 1975 my life changed. I was a Senior in High School at Marshalltown, Iowa and we anxiously listened to the news coming from Vietnam. My boyhood friend and fellow Eagle Scout from Troop 310, L/CPL Darwin L. Judge, was a Marine Security Guard who was killed during an attack on Tan Sun Nhut Air Base outside of Saigon early that morning. Next to him was CPL Charles McMahon from Woburn, Massachusetts. They were the last two killed in action in that long war. As I was preparing to graduate and take on the world I was taught that liberty comes with a price. When I heard the news I was working at Randall’s Grocery and went to the back of the store and cried like I never had before. We had a Memorial Service at the High School Gym that May but their bodies were not returned to their families until early in 1976. I was unable to attend the service and burial because I had enlisted in the U.S. Army but over the years I spent time with his parents, Henry and Ida. They lost their other son, Loren, to complications from serving in Southeast Asia after the war. They never wavered in their love for this nation and we shed tears together to the day they were laid to rest next to Darwin overlooking the rolling land of the Hawkeye State.

As the Vietnam Wall visits Kosciusko County May 31st to June 3rd we remember the 58,220 Americans who paid for freedom with their lives. 1,606 are still Missing in Action. Their fathers, mothers, siblings, spouses, family, friends and comrades will come to spend time, shed tears and remember.

We also take time to honor our Vietnam Era Veterans. They served when citizens were mainly drafted, some bearing the scars of war. There were no parades. There was no PTSD. Some died from wounds of war, suicide and exposure to Agent Orange. Though their names are not engraved on the stark blackness we remember them and their loved ones as well and honor those who are still living.

Some Vietnam Veterans were treated with contempt like no other in our history. My friend Mike served in the Army 1st Infantry and came home, wearing civilian clothing. He was told not to mention his service to anyone. Thinking he was “safe” after landing in Des Moines, Iowa he took a cab to get to the bus station. The cab driver asked him where he had been and Mike told him Vietnam. Next thing he knew he was standing in the rain with his bags as the cab drove away. This was not an isolated situation as others were spat on or treated poorly by protesters whose right they had defended.

I get up each day and see an aging face looking back at me in the mirror and at times say, “You got many more days than Darwin.” Ronald Reagan noted in a speech on Veteran’s Day in 1985, “Most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives — the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.”

History will long cuss and discuss the Vietnam War. Our Government is accountable for its decisions to send our young men and women into battle. But our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines should never be held in contempt for their service when our nation calls. Vietnam Veterans are the best America has to offer, a national treasure of duty, honor and country along with all Veterans in our history.

We need to Honor and Remember by challenging ourselves to live our lives mindful of their sacrifice and service. We should not squander their payment of blood, sweat and tears as we continue to strive to be what Lincoln called the last best hope of the earth. Daily we should thank God, the Author of Liberty, for the blessings we take for granted that others around the World dream of. But it comes with a price. The blackness of this monument reminds us of this cost.

When the children of Israel crossed the Jordan, Joshua had them place a marker of twelve stones to remind them of God’s power and leading into the promised land. He shared that one day someone would ask, “What do these stones mean?” The Bible then notes why the stones were placed, “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

There are those who will visit this Wall who were born after the Vietnam War. They see aging Americans who wear hats noting their service. The Wall is a reminder that there was a time when Americans served in a costly, controversial war as their nation called. There are Americans responding to that call today. May all be reminded that we should always fear God in this Nation and that His powerful Hand sustained us in those difficult days and will do so today if we trust Him.

Lastly, when you view the Wall, see loved ones mourning or take an etching from a name never forget, “Freedom Isn’t Free”.

To our Vietnam Era Veterans, both living and now in eternity, “thank you”.

Heart Control

I have been watching with interest the “walking out” and protests recently due to school shootings. No one disagrees that one killing is one too many. But gun ownership is also a right guaranteed Americans in the Constitution. The problem is that the protesting is one faceted when there are many layers. When experts profile the people who are murdering others they tend to come from broken families, fatherlessness, bullying, isolation, playing violent video games and watching homicidal television and movies. There are many who are dealing with mental illness. All these areas need to be addressed and there are people who should be kept from guns. But in the protests there is an ongoing theme that shows up on the signs people are holding, “Thoughts and prayers are not enough.” Really? Our actions should begin with our thoughts and prayers looking to Heaven for answers. Murder is not in the weapon, killing comes from the heart. Jesus reminds us, “ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” Matthew 15:19. After the fall the first sin noted in the Bible was brother killing brother. Cain didn’t need a gun to kill his sibling, Abel. A lonely heart full of bitterness will find a way to murder. Our society seeks “freedom from religion” as a spirit of hopelessness arises and life is devalued. Systems of men including government can’t fill that void or control hearts. John Adams wrote in 1789, “We have no Government armed with Power capable of contending with human Passions unbridled by morality and Religion. Avarice, Ambition, Revenge or Galantry, would break the strongest Cords of our Constitution as a Whale goes through a Net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” I hope this is a time where our nation doesn’t just “walk out” May we “look up” as we seek God’s truth and pray for His direction in this land of liberty, especially on today, which is National Day of Prayer.