Alamore … April 24, 2013

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Travis, Bowie and Crockett–three men who found themselves arriving at an old mission in San Antonio in late February, 1836. They had one thing in common. Each one of them had experienced illustrious careers which had now ebbed, leaving them in a bit of disarray and even some disgrace.

All three had gone off looking for adventure, to reestablish some sense of purpose in their lives. Simultaneously, a large army from Mexico, led by Santa Ana, was invading Texas to conquer the state once again for the empire. The three men, along with about two hundred other individuals, made a decision to take a stand at the Alamo, to ward off the attackers.

No one can question their bravery. No one would ever cast aspersions on their decisions and motives. But truthfully, it was not necessary.

Sam Houston had a plan to lure Santa Ana deeper and deeper into Texas while he continued to train an army and avoid conflict by strategically retreating. The Alamo was a symbol of courage–but in a strange sense, also a surrender by three men who yearned for one last patch of glory.

It’s a lesson for all of us.

As I head off tonight to Alamo United Methodist Church, I arrive as one human being who wants to see things improve but am in no hurry to terminate my own existence to achieve those results. I am not so sure that we do a great work for God when we try to make our lives seem meaningless, as if we’re only here to prepare for heaven. I am not positive that teaching people to be vulnerable to despair and leery of conflict with the intent of surviving, is the best profile to share a gospel that was birthed to bring newness of life.

Even though I greatly admire the courage and bravery of Travis, Bowie and Crockett, I would prefer to stay alive to fight yet another day, when circumstances are favorable to victory. Here’s what I’ll tell them tonight at the Alamo:

1. Don’t die if you can live.
2. Don’t give up if you know you still have more.
3. Don’t believe it’s over just because you can’t envision tomorrow.

I have coined a new word today–Alamore: reaching the point when you think it’s time to go to heaven, but instead, you bring your life back down to earth.

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