McHonza’s Weblog – Michael Honza

I got a generation older this week when my 102-year-old grandmother passed away. For as far back as I can remember, Grandma Martinek was a focal point for our family. She and my grandfather started a family that had grown to five generations and over 100 members, not even counting spouses. As her elderly niece phrased it to my mother and her siblings, “We’re the old people now.”
Faith, family, and friends are three words that could easily be used to describe my grandmother’s priorities, but would not tell the whole story.
Her faith was shown in many ways. She had pictures of Jesus in her home. Palms blessed on Palm Sunday stuck out from behind crosses on the wall. She drove herself to church for as long as she could. The gift of a family bible went to every new couple in our family on their wedding day. She supported those of us that moved into other denominations over the years, telling me, “It’s all the same, it’s all God’s church.”
What underlined her faith even more was the love she showed to family and friends. She vary rarely was without a smile on her face and she made everyone around her feel special. Holidays, weddings, birthdays, and even funerals were a chance to celebrate together. One of her gifts was baking. She didn’t just have a few good recopies that she kept to herself. Grandma made wedding cakes, kolaches, and strudels for generations of us fortunate enough to be connected to her. Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and festivals were better because of her. She instructed and taught others who continue the love and care that she put into her efforts.
I think she loved babies more than anything else in the world. She was always so happy to see and hold new additions to the family. My brother and his wife brought their month-old son and 4-year-old to see her the day before she died. She had not eaten for several days and had been spending most of her time asleep, but they said she got so excited that they thought she was going to hop right out of bed. Our last pictures of her are with bright eyes and big smile as she held this newest member of the family.
One of the phrases that stuck out to me at her funeral was when the priest said, “Forgive Annie for her sins. You know she had the best intentions.” I thought to myself, “If Grandma fell short, I don’t have a chance. We are lucky to have a God of such grace.” I hope to take that love that she showed me with her life. There are so many petty things that we let occupy our attention. Jesus told us that the two most important things are to Love God and to Love each other. Nothing past that really ends up mattering very much.
Thank you Grandma for showing such love and pointing us all toward our Lord. Thank you God for giving me so much love, and especially for putting so much of it in the farm girl and baker that was my grandma. You have both blessed me more than I deserve.

Be Blessed!
Michael

Test, test.

Test, test.

A few weeks ago I simply shared the 5th chapter of Matthew. Chapters 5, 6, & 7 of Matthew contain the Sermon on the Mount. A great deal of Jesus’ teachings are given in what has been called “the greatest sermon ever preached.” These 3 chapters have been the focus of my personal time of scripture that I try to engage in daily. Here is Chapter 6.
Be Blessed!
Michael

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This, then, is how you should pray: ” ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Twelve years ago, I needed a car with good mileage for a 104-mile round trip commute to work. Knowing that I would be putting a lot of miles on this car, I really considered it to be disposable. I’m also pretty cheap anyway, so I was looking for something inexpensive. No bells and whistles, just basic transportation. What I found has become “Blue Thunder.”

After years of high mileage daily trips for me and then Sherri, our daughter Brooke drove it during high school. That’s where the name came from. It is blue and it has quite a few and shakes as well. Then I got Thunder back. Then Alex drove it for a while. Then Sherri again. And then me again. A couple of years ago, the mileage rolled over 200,000. Through all this, we have never had to do any major mechanical repairs. Now there are plenty of things that don’t work, most notably the air conditioner for the last couple of years, but it just keeps rolling. I may sound like I’m joking when I say I’ll drive it until the wheels fall off. But I’m serious. Then I’ll put the wheels back on and see how far it goes after that.

I don’t drive it nearly as much as I used to since I got a motorcycle. But when it is really rainy, really cold, or the dreaded combination of the two, I roll in Thunder. If I need to haul some stuff around or take my bicycle or kayak somewhere, Thunder is ready. Not very pretty, not all that comfortable, but ready to take me and my stuff where I want to go.

In the last few years, Thunder has taken on some ministry work. For a few individuals and a couple of families, Thunder was a way to get around when they were in a bind. She just started a new gig this week. I heard a friend’s car had quit on him. When I offered Thunder, his reaction was, “Are you SERIOUS?” I assured him I was. This little car of mine, which could be accurately called a “pile of junk.” is making someone’s life closer to normal right now.

This has been a response to groups of Christians I know who live in shared community. They share a house and living expenses with each other and their neighborhood, trying to live closer to the ideas that Jesus taught and the early Christians attempted of “holding all things in common, that none would be in need.” One said, “when somebody shows up with a car, we’re like ‘Woo! Hoo! We’ve got a car!”

I’ve had Blue Thunder appraised to see what its worth. It is technically worthless in the automotive market. The few hundred bucks I might be able to get for it is nothing compared to what it means to someone who needs it, including me. I’m not interested in ever having another car payment or a full coverage insurance bill. Many of the things that we consider necessities are simply earthly desires. These desires take a toll on our ability to lead a life as Christ taught. Blue Thunder actually fills many worthwhile roles while also being somewhat of an inspiration in my opinion.

Find your way to serve. You may feel small, weak, or worn out, but you have a purpose that is exactly what someone else needs. Make some choices that make you uncomfortable. Not for the sake of discomfort, but for the sake of others.

Be Blessed!
Michael

Between my phone alarm and Google Calendar (which sends me text reminders) I have a lot of reminders to stay connected to my personal spiritual practices throughout the day, week, month, and year. These include prayer, reading scripture, meditation, devotionals, worship, fellowship, retreat, and fasting. I’m not a stickler for specific times, but I do notice when I’m trying to do too much or not getting enough.

My buddy Steve Heyduck posted a blog in which he shares that watering your lawn is best done with occasional deep watering. This encourages deep roots and the ability to survive times of drought. He then asks how we might use this in regard to our spirituality.

Tying into that: we’ve got an ivy that I gave to Sherri over a decade ago. She has killed many plants over the years and this was the hardiest one I could find. It survived our initial neglect and eventually I started making clippings to spread to other pots. The original plant has now been spread to at least 12 different planters in various states of health. I’ve got them spread all around the house, my office, and the youth room at church. I’ve over-watered several of them, killed several along the way, and have some that just keep thriving in the right combination of light & watering. The occasional watering seems to be the most successful. Whenever I see them wilting, I water, & they bounce back; seemingly even stronger. The vine thickens and the leaves are broader. So apparently a little thirst does them some good.

In whatever ministry we find ourselves connected to, we do need to find a balance between doing too much and doing too little. Neither properly serves those we seek to serve. And if our own spiritual depth is lacking, we must change. Initially for ourselves, but further to have the strength to serve those to whom we are called. Serving is not a substitute for minding our own spiritual health, though it can be part of the process. And personal spiritual strength is not fully realized if we don’t serve.

Be Blessed!
Michael

There are times when I feel I have a great deal to offer.
Sometimes I just need to shut up and get out of the way.
Be Blessed!
Michael
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I think it’s time for a vacation.

Or a short sabbatical.
Or some down time.
Or just no agenda for a bit.

Someone asked me the other day, “When do you rest?”
She had seen my schedule of the last couple of months which included, work at church, college classes, jackhammers in my house digging up a plumbing problem, the senior high mission trip to Louisiana, a house still in disarray for tile installation, training for a triathlon, the junior mission trip, and youth week activities.

Generally when I hit a wall, I grab some coffee and hop over it. Sometimes I take a quick nap and head off in another direction. I recently started keeping up with an online calendar that I try to put everything on, including time to sleep. I usually only get about five hours on a good night, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t forget. The calendar sends reminders to my phone and I’ve got other alarms set on it as well. So it rings quite a bit. I’ve got about thirty various To Do lists because I write down whatever seems to be a good thought or idea. I’ve got an electronic task list that pops up whenever I look at my email or calendar. There are just two items there:
- Be Better.
- Do More.

This does not mean that I never rest. The beauty of what I do is that although it is time intensive, it is very flexible. I do manage to occasionally turn off everything; the phone, the alarms, the computer, the TV, even the lights sometimes and just completely relax. I try to do this at least once or twice a day, several times on a good day. Often this is the first step of some prayer time. It is like hitting a reset button. Prayer and a nap make me very happy.

I am not sure how long it has been since I’ve had a real vacation, but I am feeling the need for one. Not an activity-filled, non-stop agenda of how much I can squeeze into a trip. But some very real time off from everything. A chance to unplug completely. A chance to really relax. A chance to sleep until I can’t. A chance to think slowly and deeply. A chance to watch trees and water.

When my faith became real, I was struck with a sense of purpose. God has a plan for each of us and I got right to work on mine. A big part of making sure we are heading the right direction is making sure that we take time to listen to God and watch for directions. I have learned the hard way that this not possible if we are constantly in motion.

So I’m about to take some time to listen and watch.
I’m excited to consider what I will hear and see.

Be Blessed!
Michael

I’ve never been a particularly athletic person, but I do enjoy many sporty activities. I played baseball in high school and got the Coach’s Spirit Award. That doesn’t say much for my skills in the ballpark, but it does say a lot about my enthusiasm for the game. Backpacking has been a passion of mine for many years and I’ve done some trips of over 30 miles. Several years ago I became quite fond of running, and I recently discovered the joys of kayaking.
Years ago I watched the Ironman Triathlon held in Hawaii. This voluntary torture consists of a 2.4 mile swim in the ocean, a 112 mile bike ride, and THEN a full marathon run of just over 26 miles. This event was created by competitors trained in each of the three sports who were debating which was the best all-around athlete. A race consisting of all three disciplines seemed the logical way to settle things. The commitment of these athletes captured my imagination and I mentally vowed that I would attempt such a feat someday.
Fast forward 20-plus years and 40-plus pounds and I am not exactly the image that comes to mind when you hear the term athlete. This Spring I hit my heaviest weight ever in my life and decided to do something about it. My wife Sherri and my daughter Brooke had been training for a 5K race on Memorial Day weekend. In my previous years of running I had gotten down to a time of about 24 minutes for this 3.11 mile distance. But I had not trained regularly and couldn’t even run the entire way.
As I nursed my sore muscles and aching joints I made plans to get back into better shape. This is when I found the TriWaco triathlon scheduled for July 26. Besides the Olympic distance race of a 1500m swim, 25 mile bike ride, and 10K run, there was the Sprint distances of 400m swim, 12 mile bike, and 5K run. This shorter race looked like something I could work toward. The start and finish lines for each are near the Suspension Bridge downtown and it all takes place in and around the Brazos and Cameron Park.
I started swimming a few laps at the gym, did some spinning on a stationary bike, and worked on bringing my running time back to a respectable level. I gradually increased the distances of each and experimented outside. I did some swimming at Lake Waco, rode my mountain bike around the neighborhood, kept running, and tried hard to shorten my considerable recovery times between each as I went farther and farther. After a few weeks I felt ready to try the entire length of all three sports. It took me about 3 hours and I was dead tired and worn out. But now I knew I could do this.
Swimming and running are both all about technique and my times kept dropping as I learned and trained. But biking is centered around a piece of equipment and 12 miles on a mountain bike that weighs almost 50lbs. with big, knobby tires is pretty tough. I looked around for a faster, lighter road bike and finally found an inexpensive entry-level bike. At close to half the weight, skinny tires, a more aerodynamic position, and much more appropriate better gearing, I was excited to see what my stronger legs could do. It literally cut my riding time in half the first time out.
I’ve learned that you don’t approach these three sports together like any one of them on their own. It’s not about the fastest of any particular part, but rather the whole race. I’ve gone from hoping I could finish to thinking about how well I can do. That is a transformation based on action and effort. I’m not going to get any trophies, but I am going to be a winner that morning.
Oh yeah, the connection to faith! I’m not going to say I’m racing for God or running to the cross, because this will really just be me trying to do better for myself. But here’s some observations: I’m glad I was created as part of this wonderful world to live and play and work in. If you’ve got big things to do in your life, get started now; time is ticking. We don’t have to learn or do everything on our own, but we do have to pull our own weight. It feels really good to see the fruits of your efforts.
Be Blessed!
Michael