Superstar Dreams

Born to be Wild

Douglas at Bike week in the new used convertible.

The Theology of Homer Formby

Famous theologians from the past and present have had a heavy influence in my spiritual development. I have walked to the well almost grudgingly, but after kneeling and drinking, I walked away refreshed and renewed. Augustine, Calvin, Zwingli, Luther, Knox, Wesley, Barth, and Tillich have molded and shaped my mind, and heart. I recently became influenced by the thinking of Homer Formby. He does not speak of substitutionary atonement, nor does he have five possible ideas of Christology, Sotieriology, or Ecclesiology. In fact, he does not write at all. I am unsure of his own salvation, possible he has no relationship with God. Yet, he has influenced me, and made me reconsider the importance of a certain aspect of ministry.

Homer Formby was a restorer. He had his name attached to a line of wood products a few years back, and craftsmen would buy the products off the shelves of Roses, Otasco, Lowes, K-Mart and Wal-Mart. Afterwards, they would take a beat up, abused, weathered piece of furniture, and with skill and loving care...they would restore it to "like new" condition.

What could we, as the people of God, truly become, if we were restorers? Usually when someone messes up, blows it, misses the mark...we turn our backs on them. We make them hurt more, shun them, and add another scar to skin that already aches with pain.

Early in my Christian life and ministry, I was a shunner, a church discipline advocator, and a Pharisee with a long flowing robe. The bible was a rule book for playing the game of religion, and as pastor, I had the right to referee and scorekeep. However, after several years of ministry, I became involved in a sin that had me firmly in grasp. I no longer ran, I reveled in my new found sin. As a Pastor it is so hard to find the time to renew spiritually and to find someone that you can share your deep darkness. We are so concernied about staying in the "good graces" of our people and being perceived as holy that we cease to be real. So we do what we do in secret and never "get real" with the depth of our own need.

Someone finally earned my trust, and I spilled my soul, halfheartedly wanting to be told that I should leave the ministry and pursue another career and calling. She was an older lady, uneducated by books, but lead by the Spirit of Christ. She was hunched over with arthritis, and shuffled about with the aid of a walker. She had no teeth to speak of, and her hair was white as snow. She said, "Richard, you say that Christ forgives us, but Do you believe it? To be a real preacher you should believe what you say, and if it is not true, then you shouldn't say it." She prayed with me, and encouraged me, and loved me. She, lead by the Spirit of Christ, took a broken minister, and with a lot of skill, love, and care restored me to the treasure that I was created to be.

Two weeks ago, I went back to the place of my sin and struggle and preached her funeral. I had some fear that I would see people that would condemn, or whisper, or ignore me. Standing before her family, I told the story of restoration and redemption. Her concern helped keep me in the business of sharing and caring and I am eternally grateful.

Andrew Peterson, writer/musician says it best.

Now and then these feet just take to wandering
Now and then I prop them up at home
Sometimes I think about the consequences
Sometimes I don't.

Well, I realize that falling down ain't graceful
But I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace
Sometimes I take my eyes off Jesus
And you know that's all it takes

Well I wish that I could say that at the close of every day
I was happy with the way that I'm behaving
'Cause Job, he chased and answer
The wise men chased the Child
Jacob chased her 14 years and he Captured Rachel's smile
Moses chased the Promised Land
Joseph chased a dream
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me

Well, they say a race can only have one winner
And you know you've got to pull out front to win
God knows the only time I'm winning
Is when I'm chasing Him

Well I wish that I could say that at the close of every day
I was happy with the way that I'm behaving
'Cause Samson chased a woman
and he chased the Philistines
I'm not quite sure what Jonah chased
But I know he caught the sea
Cain, he chased the harvest
While Abel chased the beasts
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me

And Jesus chased the moneymen
And he chased his Father's will
He chased my sin to Calvary
And he caught it on that hill
Saul, he chased the Christians
Till his blindness made him see
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me


Are you broken? Have you fallen? Do you need grace and restoration? I have been redeemed and restored, and am available for you. All you have to do is reach out.

Free Flowing

My son peed on me tonight. He is working on potty training, and while in the shower, he let it fly. Gravity and velocity combined and found a landing point, my right foot. It warmed my heart(not really) but it did remind me just how far we have come. Douglas just turned four, and I am so blessed to be his father.

A few hours before his birth, while Sarah was not yet angry at my ability to impregnate, I wrote these few words:

March 23, 2002.

4:39 a.m.

Perhaps a brilliant mind he will have,

or the skills to cure cancer, or dementia, or AIDS.

Maybe the ability to design castles or kingdoms,

or planes or cars.

Could it be that he will speak with a dazzling splendor

and an eloquence that has not yet been experienced.

Perhaps a voice; angelic but strong.

Choirs from London and Carnegie

would vie for this gifted tenor.

But even better, he could have mustard seed sized faith

that is able to move mountains.

Such a faith will give him a blessed hope,

founded upon Christ...the Redeemer.

That is enough to make any father...overjoyed.

4:44 am

Four years later, I remain unsure what Douglas Richard Jenkins will become. Perhaps a sharpshooter...for in the shower, his aim sure is true.