Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey are hosts of the nationally syndicated radio show Rick and Bubba, based out of Birmingham, Alabama. They also happen to be best-selling Thomas Nelson authors. Melinda and I used to listen to their program a lot until they went off the air in Nashville. They got back on an AM station a while ago, but we never picked it up again. I can remember Melinda singing their annoying theme song and I swore I would never listen. I started and was instantly hooked. Not only were they really funny, but they were unabashed about their faith on secular radio. I respect them as artists, as authors, and as Christian men. A lot of their stories center around their families, so you could instantly relate. As a matter of fact Melinda and I remember a few years ago when Rick's wife became pregnant with their fifth child, Bronner. Unfortunately Bronner died tragically this past weekend, drowning in the family swimming pool. No parent should ever have to experience what they have experienced and it's hard not to feel a tremendous amount of sorrow even when you don't know the people personally.
Rick did an amazing thing yesterday and spoke at the memorial service for his son. It was not a typical memorial service message. I would ask that you take some time to listen to the message before reading on, as it will help put my comments in context.
Assuming you listened, what you just heard is a call to action. Don't miss it. I was incredibly convicted as I listened to Rick. Melinda and I have heard many times that receiving an autism diagnosis for a child is similar to the process of losing a child. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to take anything away from the grief of this family, but there is a parallel - lost dreams, dashed hopes, and missed experiences. What I was convicted of was that I have had many opportunities over the years to talk with many people, a lot of them strangers, about autism. About how it affects our life, about how it affects mine and Melinda's relationship, about how difficult it is in general. You know what I don't talk about? The other person's soul. Sure, God will inevitably come up in the conversation, but I can't remember one time that I took to time to fulfill the Great Commission with the opportunity I had to talk about autism.
For Rick Burgess to stand up in that service, just days after losing his baby boy, and not talk about Bronner, but show genuine concern over the souls of men astounded me. It is not what I expected. Because of what I know of Rick and Bubba, I expected the gospel, but I didn't expect to hear Rick ask that people use his son's death as an opportunity to preach Christ.
At our church we are wrapping up a long study in the book of Acts. As our pastor has taught us, the theme of Acts is to preach Christ. At all times, in all circumstances. I must admit that I have a lot of head knowledge from this series, but nothing motivated me more to preach Christ than Rick's heart-felt message from yesterday. Why? Because I know as a Christian I am supposed to preach Christ, but what I have been missing is that I have been given a unique opportunity to have discussions with people that I wouldn't normally have the opportunity to talk to because God put Anna in our life - opportunities I have missed. No longer. I covenant from this day forward that no person I talk to about autism will walk away and not know that Jesus died for them.
Another thing that convicted me was Rick's passionate plea on behalf of his other kids. His observation that the only concern that we need to have for our kids is to raise them up to be warriors of Christ, and let God take care of the rest floored me. How many times have I chided Jessica for missed opportunities in school, but haven't sat down and prayed for and over her? How many times have I told Jessica to learn her Bible verses so that she can get a good grade, but not so that she be hiding God's Word in her heart? How many times have I shown her the wrong path, not by what I say, but by what I do, or don't do? My job with Jessica is to raise a Godly woman, not a straight A student. To raise a warrior for the kingdom, not an artist, or doctor, or teacher, or whatever else she might do as a job. God will take care of that. I need to be about the business of instilling Godly principles in Jessica, not teaching her to crave more things in this sinful world.
Rick Burgess never imagined that he only had two years with his son. I bet if he did, the last two years would have been different. But that is what the Bible means when it says to be ready (Matthew 25-1-13). We don't know when the hour will come, so we need to always be diligent, to always preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2). So, let's live from this day forward like it was our last, taking as many people with us as we can into heaven.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Call to Action
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Just Finish
Melinda and I have a goal. The goal is simple - just finish. That's it. Just finish. The more I say it, the more I believe we can do it. Just finish.
What am I talking about? Mike Hyatt (the president of Thomas Nelson) issued a challenge to the company for a second year in a row. That challenge was to participate in the Country Music Half Marathon. While there will be some internal competition to be the fastest, the challenge was simple - participate and finish. Do so, and the company will reimburse your entry fee, give you a t-shirt, and a $100 gift card. Mike even extended the invitation to spouses (we have to share the gift card) as well as Nelson's current authors, and agents.
As anyone who has seen us recently knows, Melinda and I aren't in the best shape. Choosing to participate in an event as big a as a half marathon this late in the game, plus being out of shape, means there is really no way we could compete in the event. So, Melinda and I decided to walk to half marathon and set a goal to just finish. 13.1 miles in under four hours. We don't need to be first, we don't care if we are last. We just want to finish.
Official training starts on January 21st. We have already begun some initial steps, like drinking only water, walking, and other forms of exercise. Once the 21st gets here, we will have to keep a strict schedule of training in order to be even close to ready.
The Marathon is on April 26th, here in Nashville. We'll keep you posted on training and progress. In the meantime, please pray for us! We are excited to have a goal to work toward, rather then an abstract "let's get into shape". It's also great to have a team of people to work with to help with encouragement and accountability.