It is no secret to my readers that I am a Christian.  I did not come to my worldview cheaply or quickly.  I have faced misunderstanding, mockery, and malice because of my beliefs.  I am okay with this.  Jesus told me this was part of the price to follow Him.  I have however, sought to provide my detractors with a defense of my faith.  This is known as an apologetic.  An apologetic is not an apology (I am sorry I am a Christian), but rather an answer or defense for what one believes to be true.  I feel strongly that I need to be able to defend my faith against the onslaught against it.  I have made it my business to study the major religions of the world and understand their teachings.  I have researched the writings of some of the most prominent atheists of our day to know their claims and how to answer them with reason, logic, and poise.  This defense is one of the most critical needs of the Western Church.  Many or our young people are being told that Christianity is evil, foolish, and akin to believing in fairy tales.  Many have struggled with serious doubts and even cast off faith as a result.  I think this is tragic.

The purpose of this post is not to give such a defense.  Some of you have privately asked me about my faith and we have discussed it rationally and with mutual respect.  This is how I would prefer to handle such questions, rather than in a Facebook/Twitter dust up that produces more heat than light.  If you would like to talk about Jesus and what He means to me, I enjoy talking about nothing more than this.

The purpose of this is to tell you about the greatest apologist that I know.  This person continuously serves, loves and thinks of others.  This person thinks nothing of preparing a huge meal for a family in need in the space of an hour.  This person weeps earnestly when told of the suffering of others.  This person rarely complains, and seeks to make others as comfortable as possible.  These are all the makings of a great apologist.  These actions speak far more powerfully and eloquently than any philosophical argument that could be posited.  The most compelling argument for Christianity is the Love that Christians show to others.  If this love is present, belief in Christ is not only logical, but compellingly so.  When Christianity is so adorned with good works, even the most skeptical admit that the case for Christ is persuasive and beautiful  If love is absent, the whole affair is dismissed as a sham meant to fool the simple rubes who are too lazy to do their own mental homework.  As Micky Dolenz of the Monkees observed: Love is the ultimate trip.  Ahem.

The apologist I describe is none other than my beautiful wife, Julie.  I have seen her take the initiative to serve others time and time again.  She does this in secret.  Nobody is aware that she had done it.  She doesn’t seek praise for her actions.  Where I may be good at refuting the assertions of Frederick Nietzsche and Sam Harris,  she simply loves people and convinces them that God loves them through her actions.  I will share one short vignette to illustrate.  My wife’s sister Linda and her husband Bill were hoping to have a baby.  They had been married for a few years and were looking forward to starting a family.  We rejoiced when we heard that they were pregnant, and dreamed along with them about being parents.  a few months later, Julie got a phone call.  Linda had lost the baby.  The pain in Linda’s voice was heart wrenching.  The loss was devastating, and her world was coming down all around her. I am glad Julie was on the phone with Linda.  I would have comforted her with scripture and explained that they would get pregnant again. Such statements are true.  They are correct.  They are accurate.  But they would be completely inadequate for the enormity of emotion that Linda and Bill were going through.  I remember watching Julie as she heard the news.  She said nothing.  She simply sat there and began to weep with her sister.   Words could not convey what needed to be communicated.  Julie didn’t think about what to say.  She just felt her sister’s pain.   I will never in a million years be able to match such an apologetic as long as I live.  Love was displayed in all of its beauty, sensitivity and humility.  I am humbled and undone when I realize how far short I fall of real love.  But I have seen it in action, and I am a believer in the love of God.

Linda would later say that many called to comfort her, and their words were beautiful, gracious, and well-intentioned.  In that moment however, there was only one thing that could have possibly brought comfort, and that was the awareness that another person shared her pain, loss, disillusionment, and doubt.  Linda saw, but more importantly felt the Love of God in that hour.  Julie was such a person.  We are all called to show such love to not just our kin, but everyone around us.  God knows, there is no shortage of heartfelt need around us.

And by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

 - Jesus Christ

I recently accomplished something that I should have done 28 years ago.  I finally completed my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  Now, in some ways, this is a moot point.  I co-founded a company with a friend back in 1999, and I have been the sole owner for the last seven years.  The business has survived several recessions and the meltdown of 2008.  This survival in the midst of a very challenging environment is significant.  I have had to do everything in this business; financial projections, hiring and firing, establish benefits and insurance, update CAFM databases to Microsoft SQL Server, teach AutoCAD, measure massive (over one million square feet) buildings in dangerous neighborhoods (Bedford Stuyvesant), take out lines of credit, conform to all of New York’s labyrinth of regulations, remove ice from the gutters with a hammer and screwdriver and take out the garbage.  This is not an exhaustive list, but you get the idea.

Since I already know so much about running a small business, why would I seek a degree in what I already know?  A legitimate question.  There are several reasons:

First, I love to learn.  Going back to school has been a joy for me.   I love the interaction, the accountability of  a class schedule, and a set time frame for finishing a book or an essay.  I learn more this way.  I believe that I am a much more informed person by finishing this degree.

Second, many opportunities open up with the acquisition of a Bachelor’s degree.  I love to teach, and yet I have found many doors closed to me because of  my lack of  that elusive Little Bo Peep diploma (sheepskin, get it? Never mind).  It is great to say that a degree doesn’t matter, but when you know that you are completely qualified to do something, and yet people tell you that you can’t do it due to the lack of a degree, it is a bit  hollow to say that it doesn’t matter.  I will now have greater opportunities for consulting, teaching and employment due to my new degree.  That is a fact.

Third, it validates and legitimizes my experiences.  I can say that I know X, Y and Z, and I may be far more competent than my colleagues that have a degree, but without it, there is a sense that I am coming in through the back door.  That I am second best. The degree eliminates doubts in my own mind and others about my capabilities. Indeed, when I sought to teach AutoCAD at BOCES here in New York state, I had to get special permission to teach, and even that was conditional at best.  I wound up losing that position due to my lack of a degree in spite of  outstanding success with my students and fellow teachers.  I had three students finish first in the State Automated Manufacturing Technology competition, and they went to the national VICA/Skills USA conference in Kansas City.  Yet, I was not qualified to teach without a degree according to Albany.  As frustrating as that was to me, the rules are what they are.  If I had finished my degree when I was younger, I would have had my card punched and I would have been able to control my future better.

Fourth, a person with a Bachelor’s degree makes on average about 75% more than their non-lettered counterparts.  I like those numbers, and I like those odds.  This is a no-brainer.

Fifth, I felt that I had a responsibility from God to improve my situation in whatever way that I could.  This was an unfinished goal from years before, and I needed to complete it.  Those who are given much are expected to accomplish much.  I have been given much.

So, what is the takeaway?  Kids, stay in school if you are inclined to get a college education.  Find a way to complete your degree with no debt (or very little debt) and do it while you have fewer responsibilities.  I can guarantee you that it will get much harder once you are married and have kids and a house payment.  The other takeaway is never give up.  Never Give Up!  It is always easier to quit.  To say that I am too old, to say that it doesn’t matter, to say that there is no reason to push myself academically.   Those are all lies. When you stop learning and dreaming, you start to age.  I don’t mean physically, I mean in your spirit and soul.  Don’t embrace the naysayers’ doubts.  Push yourself to the next level of your career, relationships, or self discipline.  It is a new year, and you can do it!   You should do it!  There is grace for this kind of step, but there isn’t grace to do nothing.

In this case I can say emphatically:  Do as I say, and do as I do!

Hear the words of one of our greatest warriors:

I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.   There is no glory in battle worth the blood it costs.   War settles nothing.  When people speak to you about a preventive war, you tell them to go and fight it. After my experience, I have come to hate war.

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

God have mercy.

These immortal, piercing words are from the lips of George Bailey in Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”.  As we enter into this holiday season, there are many who walk among us who are suffering greatly.  They wear a mask, of course.  They have to look like they have it all together.  I know few people who are willing to display their abject brokenness on their sleeve for all to see:  “I am an addict”.  “My husband is having an affair”.  “I broke my marriage vows”.  “I bankrupted my company”.  “I destroyed a friendship”.  “I was molested”.  “I am considering suicide”.  Nobody wants to hear about it.  Keep up the happy face until….

Until what?  Until the pain, torment and confusion take their awful toll on a once innocent life.  Pushed and stuffed into a corner, we finally have had enough, and we must react.  We are past responding, and are now simply reacting.  We crack.  We lose it.  We break down.  We break others.  We ultimately become self loathing and self destructive.  Until….

Until what?  Until the primal scream of a pent up prayer breaks forth from the innermost part of our being: “Please God, Let me live again!”  We love the story of Scrooge, because he was this man as well.  Forced to see himself as he really was, he repented and pleaded with the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come to allow him to “sponge away the writing on this stone” – his own epitaph.  Please God.  Let me live again.

This Christmas season carries a holiness and a fearfulness like the Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come.  Confronted by yet another year with no change in ourselves, we stop looking in, stop looking out, and start looking up.  Where can I go, but to the Lord?  This season also carries the wonderful joy of the Spirit of Christmas Present.  Bounty, Friends, Hope, New Beginning.  The sheer and absolute and stunningly naked power of the simplicity of an answered prayer.  To know, not guess, that the High and Lofty One Who Inhabits Eternity has heard you.  Has heard YOU!  And has bowed down to the earth in Holy, unspeakable, unasked-for condescension.   Why?  Because He loves you.   Isn’t this what Linus told Charlie Brown?  That’s what Christmas is all about?

So, this Christmas, don’t be afraid or ashamed to let this prayer be your heart’s cry.

Please God.  Let me live again.

He is waiting for someone to ask Him.

Merry Christmas!

Anyway, I love the romance of the little shop that has the best food, but it may look like a train ran through it.  I love Rory Gallagher’s guitar, that is weathered to the point of bare wood and corroded pickups.  I love the idea of the not-so-attractive singer who wins the competition by her sheer vocal talent, and not her cleavage.  These are all very legitimate loves, and the underdog in me thrives on them.

On the other hand, when I am travelling, I know where my wife likes to stop.  If there is a McDonald’s available, we will always go there.  Why?  I know the bathrooms will be clean.  I know what the menu has.  I know what the fries will taste like.  I know how many McNuggets I can get.  There is order.  There is predictability.   There is a school of thought that criticizes consistency as being the hobgoblin of a tiny mind.  I see something else though.  My business must look good if people are going to feel comfortable entering my doors.  They pay me a huge compliment by venturing to my establishment, and I want them to feel comfortable.

So, the Christmas Lights are up.  I have made sure that my grounds stay neat, and I now need to do some interior work.  Painting, new fixtures, and some flooring.   The goal is to put the customer at his ease.  It is a marketing technique that costs you little, but offers very significant benefits.

The next church that I was in was a less traditional church in New York.  I led worship then as well.  It was a songleader-behind-the pulpit arrangement like the last church in Royal Oak.  The church began to update its music, and began to experience a great freedom and intensity in worship.  I began to play bass in the worship services when I wasn’t leading worship.  This gave the music a new dynamic, and definitely made it more contemporary.  We were doing a lot of Robin Mark, some Hillsongs, Integrity, Tomlin, Townend and hymns.   There was a definite freshness in the music, and worship retained its strength.

This is a pretty common story in churches today.  I am wisely going to avoid the whole New vs. Old argument that is raging in some quarters.  I do want to stand objectively outside of the whole situation, and attempt to make a few observations.  If the reader will kindly allow my self-indulgence for a moment, I will offer some thoughts.

1.  The hymns are quickly disappearing from church services.  They seem to be regarded with very little respect in many places.  I think this is an absolute tragedy.  The hymns are absolutely treasures.  They contain a vast wealth of God-inspired wisdom, comfort and encouragement.  They are some of the best writing that has ever emerged from the English language.  They contain huge portions of scripture, they teach doctrine, they give the listener hope from saints of old, and they provide a solid foundation for faith.  From a strictly aesthetic angle, they contain some of the most sublime language, phrases and metaphors that have ever been penned in the Christian faith.  Most of the melodies are remarkably strong, and have a timelessness about them.  They are healthy food for the congregation.  So, I think churches shouldn’t shy away from the hymns, but rather showcase them.  Perhaps some will benefit from a more modern arrangement.  Go ahead and do it then.  But don’t feel like you have to make them contemporary or relevant.   They already are.  Simply let their message flow through your 21st century Levites.   The hymns carry their own anointing.

2.  Much of the music presently offered for worship is no longer congregational.  In other words, a large portion of the congregation doesn’t sing or won’t sing along with the worship musicians.  There are two main reasons for this.   First, many of the songs are simply hard to sing.  They have been written more as a testimony song rather than a congregational song.  This means that it is great if it’s meant to be a concert, but not so great in a congregational setting.  I am a purist in this sense.  The whole purpose of gathering together on a Sunday morning in one place is to lift up the name of Jesus, in prayer and song.  The purpose is not to come and listen to the professionals do it for you.  If a song is difficult to sing, people will just listen, and they become passive observers instead of dynamic participants.  I have seen and heard people try to sing a song, miss a few notes, and just drop out.  This is sad.  There are many songs that are very easy to sing, and the congregation will belt them out.  Give them a chance to sing, and they  will surprise you.  A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you can sing a song by yourself without any instruments.  Can you sing it in the car by yourself.  Can the average person sing it by themselves.  If they can’t sing it easily by themselves, you have a song that can only be sung once a week in a very controlled environment.  Compare that to the old spirituals that can be sung while working in a field.  Perhaps this makes the point more clearly.  Secondly, many churches treat worship more like a concert than a corporate experience.  The goal in a worship setting is not to be tricky.   Or to display the musicians’ and vocalists’ talent.  Or to see how cool we can play the latest top 40 Christian hit.  It is to bring the focus on Jesus Christ.   He alone is worthy.   In my humble opinion, the musicians should be invisible because the congregation has their eyes closed and is focusing on Jesus.  As a musician, I should be seeking to direct the attention to Jesus, and deflect the attention to the only One who is worthy.  I am not accusing here, I am making a studied observation.  We are human, and the tendency is to enjoy the attention that comes with playing in front of people.  There is a time and a place for performance.  Sunday morning congregational worship is not that time.  This goes for traditional churches as well as contemporary churches.  Let us ask the Holy Spirit to search us, and know our hearts, and find if there is any wrong motive in us.

Anyway, this is my two cents worth after leading worship for 25 years in a number of different contexts.  If this is helpful, use it.  If it isn’t, feel free to disregard it.   It may not be for you.   Don’t get condemned over this.  But if the Lord is saying something through these short observations, “whatsoever he saith unto you, do it”.

In 1977-78 I had been playing bass for hours every day, I got contact lenses, and I grew my hair long.  Suddenly, I was Tom Brennan – The Bass Player.  The metamorphosis was no less dramatic than a chrysalis becoming a butterfly.  And fly I did.  It was the non-popular people who just accepted me that made all the difference.  Music was my solace, hobby, obsession and love.  I started playing to gain acceptance (with girls – it really did work) but it turned into something much more serious.  I simply fell in love with playing the bass.  It became an extension of who I was.  I poured out the pain, longing, loss, fear, anxiety and sheer unabashed joy through the thunder and chirp of those four beautiful, beautiful, thick silver strings.  I was set free from one world, and entered into a new one.

When I open the package of bacon (and we buy seasoning bacon, which is ends and pieces, not strips) there is no wonderful aroma.  There is no enticement.  There is only dead, cold, pink and white meat.  Nothing to recommend it.  It is not fit to be eaten, and there is no desire to eat it.  Interesting.  It is the same material, but it lacks something.  That something is heat.  Heat is applied to the frying pan, which in turn is transferred to the bacon.  The heat starts something of a transformation.  The bacon goes from being essentially good for nothing, to becoming extremely desirable, attractive, and edible.  I won’t say healthy.  (Apologies to Dr. Harlan Beauregard of the Pork Council.)

There is something of a message there of how the real value of something doesn’t emerge until heat is applied.

Heat.  Friction.  Difficulty.  Trials.  Suffering.  Agony.  Disillusionment.  Abandonment.  Betrayal.  Loneliness.   Bankruptcy.   Divorce.  Death.  Imprisonment.   The fire tries all things, and brings things to the surface that are not apparent.  In good ways, and not so good ways.  So, the fire brings the wonderful qualities of bacon to the surface.  The same is true of friction in our lives.  If we handle it correctly.  If not, we simply burn and become useless again.  So there is a secret here.

The secret is that bacon has a flash point.   It must remain on the heat for a certain, very exact time frame.  To pull it off the heat too soon leaves the bacon in a limp, chewy, sinewy pink tangle.  It is not appealing.  It doesn’t taste good, and I avoid it when I see it.  If the bacon stays in the pan for even 5 seconds too long, it is burned, and becomes too charred to enjoy.  So there is a very precise timing to frying bacon.  It must be watched, or it will burn, but it cannot be rushed.  The heat must be steady, and the bacon must be watched.  The watchful chef will bring bacon to the point of its maximum taste, crispness and smell, and then deftly pluck it from the pool of bacon fat it is frying in.  The result is incredible.  The bacon has a blend of sweet pork meat taste, along with a crust of crispy fat that is uniquely satisfying to taste.  The texture is as wonderful as the flavor and the smell.  But it didn’t get there by mistake.  It got that way by exposure to heat for the exact amount of time.  Not a moment too soon.  Not a moment too late.  Any stutter step here gives undesirable results.  So what is the point?

The point is that your life is like that bacon.  Heat (trials) are applied, and we are withered by it.  It takes us from our fresh, untested raw state to something else.  A metamorphosis that changes the material  from one thing into a new, and better thing.  There is the possibility of being on the heat too long, and  becoming burned by it.  When God brings release from the heat, we must let it go, or we become all about the heat, and not about the meat.  God is after the meat of our lives, and His heat produces wonderful, beautiful results.  To continue to focus on the heat after the trans formative work has been done is to become bitter, and hardened.

So, let the heat have its perfect work.  Let the aroma of your suffering fill the place that you live in.  And when it is over, let it go.   Trials are unavoidable, but we must handle them correctly or they can make us bitter, angry, resentful and no fun.

And if there is any take away lesson I pick up from bacon, it is this:

Bacon is fun.

It’s not the heat.  It’s the meat.

Now, as a backdrop to all this sports futility, you have a city that has a 30% unemployment rate, and a state unemployment rate of 14.1 %.  This is an area that can use some distraction, and good news is very welcome.  Sports are huge toDetroitfans, andDetroitis one of the best sports cities in the country.  Detroit Fans are what I call extreme.  They get too high when their teams win, and too low when their teams lose.  There is a great opportunity to study transference of feelings with Detroit fans.  So, when our teams lose, we feel it deeper than other cities.  It is a bullet through the heart.  I have had to counsel a lot of young men that “Hey, its just a game” when my own gut was churning over a heartbreaking game 7 loss.  When our teams win, it is such a ray of uplifting sunshine; we walk with a joy and a swagger that is perhaps a little too vicarious for our own good.  But, no matter.  Our Tigers won, we are happy, and that is what these games are all about.

Now if we could just get Willow Run to open back up……