'I believe in God'

*This was my writing published this summer in The Lutheran online magazine.  I have had requests to read it--so here goes!**

Our oldest son Cody has attended Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp in Story City, Iowa, since he was in the second grade. It was always the highlight of his summer. Our family is very active in our congregation, Emanuel Lutheran in Dayton, Iowa, and Cody was confirmed right on schedule. Cody received his driver's permit in October of his freshman year. He attends school about 8 miles from our home. Three days after he finally (after several attempts) received his permit, tragedy occurred. Breaking about 100 household rules, Cody decided to drive friends home after school, traveling on gravel roads. In less than 10 minutes after school was dismissed, Cody had flipped the van, injuring five friends and killing one.
Needless to say, the effects of this were far-reaching, including Cody's hospitalization for severe depression the following March. After this, Cody decided he no longer believed in God and would no longer attend church services with the family.
I told Cody that I wanted him to attend Riverside with "an open heart and an open mind." If he still didn't believe in God after that, I wouldn't make him attend church in the fall. Then I started praying. I also warned his camp counselors about his mind-set, and they all started praying as well. I activated my church's prayer chain and even posted a call for prayers on my Facebook page.
All week while he was at camp, I expected a phone call telling me to come pick up my very angry and disruptive son. The call never came. When I arrived at the cabin to pick him up, I was greeted with a huge smile, hug and an enthusiastic "I believe in God."
Cody told me that the last night there, they had an "open mic" time at chapel. He volunteered to tell his story. At that moment, he clearly felt the love of God and the burden of the accidental death of his friend lifted from him. He told me how the staff and his cabinmates spent the night with him, praying and talking.
Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp is truly a place of miracles, and I vow to send all three of my children there every summer, no matter what sacrifice we must make financially.
The Lord is present at Riverside in a mighty way, and I am eternally grateful for the role the camp played in giving me back my oldest child.

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WEIGHING IN ON THE GROUND ZERO MOSQUE

 

Before you all whip out your poison pens (or poison keyboards for that matter), let me make this perfectly clear:  building a mosque at Ground Zero is a really, REALLY bad idea.  Not only is it insensitive to millions of Americans, it will causes even more division in our already deeply divided nation.

            That being said:  building a mosque at ground zero is 1) perfectly legal and 2) much in keeping with the principles on which this country was founded.  Just as freedom of speech gives people the right for repugnant speech (think KKK rally), freedom of religion give people the right to build places of worship pretty much anywhere they want. 

            Newt Gingrich recently stated on his blog: “There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia.”

            The logic behind this statement is not only flawed, but also somewhat nonsensical.  It is not logical to compare the USA with Saudi Arabia.  In my opinion, we are BETTER than they are precisely because we do offer freedom of religion (and all sorts of other freedoms as well—for example, our women can drive cars).  Saudi Arabia is a sovereign nation; they can make whatever rules they want for their own country—even offensive rules.  We are also a sovereign nation—one that prides itself on fairness and freedoms and leading the way in Democracy.  We make BETTER rules—that’s why people will risk their lives for a chance at living here.

            To be precise:  the proposed Islamic center is not to be located exactly at ground zero.  Even liberal commentator George Stephanolous agrees that this is “sacred ground” when discussing the issue with conservative pundit Laura Ingraham.  The center is to be located about two blocks from ground zero.  As a matter of fact, a person outside the center would not even be able to see ground zero.

            Still, majorly bad idea.  It’s just . . . tacky and in poor taste.  However, unless the US government declares the entire area a national park, there is nothing legal to stop it from being built.  And—if the entire are is declared a park—then NO ONE can build on it, Muslim or otherwise. 

            With New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg behind the mosque, it looks like it’ll be built—and Bloomberg will probably never get elected again.  Even the Anti-Defamation League says building a mosque so close to the site of the 9-11 tragedy is a bad idea.

            But there are LOTS of bad ideas out there.    A church in Gainesville, Florida sponsored a “International Burn a Koran” day September 11.   The pastor of Dove World Outreach Center (not exactly a major denomination) said he would go through with the event, even after General David Petraeus said it was a really bad idea and would probably cause even more Americans to be killed. "Once in awhile, you see that in the Bible, there are instances where enough is enough and you stand up," Terry Jones said. 

Just as I want to shake the Iman who wants to build the Cordoba Center at Ground Zero, I want to shout to this pastor:  “Hey—Terry—do you understand that doves are the symbol of peace and your idea for a “rally” is exactly the opposite of that?  Maybe change the name of your church to Moron World or Intolerance World or Bubba World.”  The “Burn a Koran” day even has a Facebook presence—seriously.  Their profile photo is a blood-red sign that reads: “Islam is of the Devil.”  However, because of that silly Freedom of Speech, they have the right to this page—and the right to host their offensive rally.  That’s the way it works, folks. The knife cuts both ways.

Idol Nation

            2010 will go down as the Summer of American Idol for me.     As the season of sunshine was winding down, I experienced not one, not two, but THREE concerts given by Idol Alumni.

            The first concert was a birthday gift from my neighbors Brad and Kim Anderson.   Thanks to a contest hosted by radio station 102.5, I was treated to a prime rib sandwich lunch and a mini-concert by Kris Allen at Fleming’s Steak House in Des Moines.   Kris was the winner of Idol’s 8^th season, defeating my personal favorite Adam Lambert. Kris was much shorter in person than he looked on TV.

            Only about 40 people were invited to this nifty event, so it felt very exclusive.  We dined and then Kris took the stage and sang about 5 songs, chatting with the audience in between.  He told a very funny story about how he was in the men’s room and heard his own song on the radio.  He said he didn’t sing along because that would have been “just weird.”    We then had our photos taken with the singer and were given an autographed photo.

            I was probably most impressed that Season 9 finalist and West Des Moines native Katelyn Epperly was sitting at the very next table.   I couldn’t keep myself from pointing and staring.  My lack of coolness concerning anything Idol continues to amaze even me.

            Just a week later, I sat in 8^th row seats at the Season 9 Idol concert at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines with my fine arts friend Lindey and my daughter Josie.  Coincidently, I won two additional tickets to this concert from the same radio station, 102.5.  Because of this we were able to take neighbors Kim and Cameron with us as well.  This was a full concert, lasting over two hours, and very high energy.

            My favorite Idol from that season was Casey James, who is GORGEOUS.  He might have sang as well, I don’t know—I couldn’t hear a thing over the thumping of my heart!  Probably the best performer of the group of ten Idols was 2^nd place winner Crystal Bowersocks, who was amazing.    It seems to me like the second place winner is always a little bit better and more successful than the actual Idol.  Clay Aiken, for instance, is experiencing more success than the winner of Season 2 Ruben Studdard. 

            Katleyn Epperly didn’t perform at the concert because she didn’t finish in the top ten. At first I thought this had to be hard on the Iowa native, but then I read some of her interview.  Methinks this little girl has a major attitude.

            Lindey and I spent the concert on our feet; we were unable to drag Kim away from her new Blackberry, and Josie and Cameron fluctuated between rocking out and sitting there sulking, like typical pre-teens.  All-in-all, a fantastic evening was had by all.

            My final Idol concert was 8 days later when Lindey and I once again ventured out to see Adam Lambert (the guy that finished 2^nd to Kris Allen) give an outdoor concert in Des Moines. It was supposed to be at the Simon Estes Amphitheatre, but was moved to a downtown bridge due to flooding.  Adam remarked that it was the first time he had ever performed on a bridge.  4^th place finisher Alison Iraheta was the opening act for glam rocker Lambert.  Man, that girl can wail!

            The crowd was almost more fun to watch than the concert.  It reminded me of my concert heyday in the 80’s when I’d whip out the zebra mini-skirt and the red high heels to go see the Kinks.   Much of the crowd was all dressed up in leather, velvet, platform boots, even feathers.  I felt like a middle-aged nerd wearing my jeans and tennies.  Actually, there were basically two kinds of people in the audience: super flamboyant young, obviously gay people and middle-aged women.   Adam draws an odd crowd.  I seriously didn't think there were that many openly homosexual people in Iowa.  I said this to Lindey and she pointed out that I basically live in the middle of a corn field and naturally wouldn't see that many drag queens.

           Speaking of drag queens, Lindey and I were checking out a gorgeous person with Pink-esque blonde hair and dramatic makeup, wearing a leather bra and mini  skirt, fishnet hose, and thigh-high boots.  We both remarked that we were jealous of this girl's "out-there" good looks--then the girl turned around it--and, yeah--you guessed it--it was a guy.  It just doesn't seem fair when a man is prettier than you are!

            Once again, Katelyn Epperly was at the concert and once again, I pointed and stared.  I’m nothing, if not consistent.  Towards the end of the music, the Iowa Cubs set off fireworks.  Adam laughed and said, “Of course the fireworks go off during my quietest song!”  The rest of the concert was high energy, with back-up dancers and lots of costume changes.   This concert was VERY different than the other Idol events—but, then again, Adam Lambert is not your typical, All-American Idol.   If you have no idea what I am talking about, Google him and you’ll see right away.

            Fall has officially arrived and I am eagerly awaiting Season 10 of Idol this winter.  In the meantime, Bristol Palin and Kurt Warner are both on Dancing with the Stars.    That should be good for a laugh or two until Idol starts up again and I pick a new singer to be my favorite.  I’m hoping American Idol stays popular for a long, long time.  If not for Idol, my concert-going would be limited to junior high band gigs, and although they are very fun, no one wears a purple top hat decorated with an ostrich feather and, geesh, what’s a concert without a little glam??