JohnYouell.com

A Well Run Journey Now Completed

I have not posted since writing the last post as I wanted to save this space to remember someone who has been very dear to me for over 20 years.  My dear friend, Sherri Danley completed her race today at 1:30 p.m.  She is probably the best living definition of a worshiper that I know of.  When I think of Sherri, worship is not too far behind.

I remember as a teenager finding parts of Sherri's tambourine on the floor after service. She use to beat that thing so hard the cymbals would fall out onto the floor.  I think there was a time when all the kids had tambourines in the church because Sherri had one so we needed one. 

Sherri was the first person who ever got me to put on a parka.  She got tickets from the bank to an OU vs OSU game at Norman.  It was cold and rainy.  This was during the not so good years for the Sooners so the stands were not real full.  We stood the whole game in blue parkas while it rained.  We did not leave until the last second went off the clock.  We laughed.  We shivered.  We shared one of the rare moments of life and made a memory that will last forever in my heart.

Another great memory I have was a musical that we did together.  It was one about heaven and it featured angels.  We made angel costumes out of sheets - it was cool.  We used lights and smoke for the first time at The Crown Center.  It was great.  It was awesome actually.  It was so much fun staying late, late, late working on sets and lighting schemes.  Again, we laughed.

It didn't take much to make her laugh. She was just that joyful.  But it did take a whole lot for her to react any differently.  She was just a happy person.  Her life wasn't easy by any means.  But what she lacked in somethings she made up for in the friendships that were so dear to her.

I love you Sherri.  I will miss you.  YET....I rejoice for you.  I celebrate the fact that you have made it home - where you always told me you wanted to go.  You made the trip.  Save me a seat in that stadium up there, I'll be there soon.

p.s.  Have a parka ready ... just in case it rains.

Unshakable Faith

Today is a tough day in the Youell household.  A very dear and long beloved friend is fighting for her life today.  All medical options have been explored and no physical help is left to save her life.  Her spirit is so strong.  Her faith is so solid.  Her hope is so secure.  It's simply inspiring.

This forces a question to the surface that comes every time we face this type of situation.  What is death?

In a very basic sense it is the transition between the life we have know to the life that is yet to be known.  It is the goal of all who serve the way of the Master - to experience the union of our spirits with the one who gave us life.  This truth underscores the "hope of our faith."  And yet, when faced with circumstances like the dying of a friend and believer, one must come to grips again with the faith that we profess.

The other week I shared the story of the 3 Hebrew children who were thrown in the fire.  I was captivated and briefly hit on the fact that their response to King Nebi was that their God was able to save them.  That is where I am.  I know God can do what ever He wants to do.  The strain is when I realize it's not really His will I am asking for - but for mine to be realized.

The Hebrew kids were somewhere else though.  They were on another level of trust that I long to reach.  They said in Daniel 3:18, "But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."  Did you catch that?  If God did not respond in a way that preserved their lives; if His desire was for them to come home, then they were content with his decision - their faith would not be shaken.

WOW!  I need to get there.  I need an unshakable faith - regardless of the circumstances.  I guess this brings me to another way of looking at death that may seem weird to some people.  But it is a view that I find myself leaning towards at times and believe it requires even greater faith, perhaps.  It's the prayer of release.

The idea is if it is God's desire to bring a loved one home and if we desire to partner with God in what He is doing, then we should pray for Him to take home those he desires.  If we truly believe in life after death. If we believe that this life is only to prepare us for the future glory with God we desire...then death becomes the doorway to that place - that existence.  In many ways, I think it might take greater faith to pray this prayer - faith that everything we believe in is so accurate - so secure - that we willingly release our loved ones.

Please stop and hear me here.  I am not saying that I am praying for the death of my friend.  I want more time with her.  We have some great memories but I want more.  I pray daily for God's will to be done in her life.  If He has destined her to be healed, then heal her God.  Restore her strength.  Honor her faith and desire to be a living testimony for you. 

Yet, in her darkest moments lately what has impressed me the most has been her attitude and the faith that she has lived out in front of all who took the time to see.  She has been waking up in the night praising God.  Praying in the spirit.  Some may look on this and not understand what is happening.  For me, it is the proof of her faith.  The proof is not in whether God heals her physically.  It's in the way in which she is walking through this - full of hope, faith, joy and strength - all the things that make her who she is - have been put on display.  What a testament to her faith and her God.

I plan to have her pray for me.  I want her joy.  Her peace. Her unshakable faith. 

I, like the Hebrew children ask, "God, be gracious to my friend. Heal her if it is your desire.  Take her home if that is your desire.  Regardless, my faith is secure in you.  Unshaken in the midst of questions that are beyond my ability to answer.  Just be gracious to her, Oh Father.  No more suffering.  Give her strength.  Make her a testimony of your grace and mercy.  I trust in you, O God."

Happy Freedom Day

On this date, 233 years ago, our fore fathers declared their independence from a dictator who used his power to dominate and enslave - to hinder personal rights for the sake of the crown.  Now, 233 years later, we are face to face with yet another dictator who uses power to dominate, enslave and hinder personal rights and freedoms.  This dictator is much more harmful to liberty than the king we opposed 233 years ago because this dictator is of our own making - our own government.

Through the people that we have elected as our representatives, the laws which they have authored and passed, the direction of this country has drastically changed course from the one set out at our inception.  We have now traded the dictatorship of a king and replaced it with our own government.  A government who knows what's best for us.  A government that operates on the idea that it sees the big picture and we just don't get it.  A government that continues to gain more and more authority in our lives and we happily let it occur.

In Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith, there is a line where Queen Amadala is speaking about the council electing it's emperor and says, "this is how a republic crumbles with shouts and cheers."  In many ways, we are cheering ourselves farther and farther away from the foundations laid by our forefathers.  We have now become so obsessed with freedom that freedom itself is an endagered species.

With every new right given to this group or that group other people lose rights.  Example.  Though I do not smoke, I do not believe that a city government should be dictating wheter someone can smoke in their own home and yet that is currently happening in the USA.  Though I don't believe that government should favor one business over another it is happening in the USA. Though I don't believe that anyone religion should be given preference over another (even though the founders were Christians) it is happening in the USA (Obama did not support the day of prayer by signed a proclomation that June 2009 was gay, lesbian, and transgender pride month.)  He could not give a day to prayer but gave a month to perversion.

With all that is going on in this country today - I still don't want to live any other place on the planet.  it's still the last great beacon of hope to a world in turmoil.  The people of this country are still the best hope for the future of the world. 

That said, on this our 233rd birthday as a nation, let us rise now in opposition to a dictator that we created and put an end to our current course toward socialism.  Let's stand against those who attempt to marginalize us because of our faith and let our faith stretch the margins of our heart towards all people.  As one leader leaves the stage (Gov. Palin left the Governorship of Alaska today) may we all step up into the spotlight.  Young and old a like.  Liberal and conservative.  Male and female.  Let us declare our independence from out of touch politicians who spend our money faster than we can earn it.  Let's be prepared to vote out of office those who do not carry our feelings to Washington.

233 years ago a new revlution was born.  Perhaps - now 233 years later, it's time for history to repeat itself.  Let those who believe in freedom and libery be encouraged today.  The flag still flies.  The song, God Bless America still echoes in the minds of our people.  Be strong and courageous as we stand for truth, justice and freedom.  God bless America!