Whirled Views with Dan Burrell

I was saddened last week to hear that one of the young men who had been in my church in Charlotte had been killed on duty in Afghanistan last week.  Noah Pier came from a wonderful family that was just the typical, all-American, kind of people everyone would love to have as their next door neighbors.  Ten children, active in church and ministry, home-schooled, hard-working dad, loving and devoted mother, a rolling dust-storm of laughter, crises, enthusiasm, drama and excitement.  Every interaction I had with them over my years as their pastor, I watched them work to see God’s hand in their life, seek God’s direction in their situation and want God’s best for their family.

Noah was a typical teenage guy in many ways.  Tall and lanky, trying to “find himself”, struggling with the typical adolescent demons, but driven by something deep within him that wanted to make a difference.  At times he could be shy and deferential.  At other times, he’d be in your face and on a mission.  The Marine Corp was a place that could be both a destination and a necessary instructor in his life and I wasn’t surprised to hear that he had joined.

When I heard that Noah had been killed by an IED in the Marjuh offensive, I lost my breath.  Just the Saturday before, the family had called a prayer meeting at 3:00 p.m. and I had stopped to pray for him with many others.  I thought of his mother, an incredible mother with a passion for her kids to turn out right that is exemplary and just grieved for her.  His dad’s face came to my mind — a man of the kind of work ethic that made this country great.  Quiet and strong.  Then I thought of the siblings — Tara — a young mom who would deliver a premature baby just hours later as the stress of her loss hit her — she has always been one of my favorite former teens and I am so proud of the fine wife and mother she has become.  Luke — who struggles with a horrific illness with bravery and the demeanor of his dad.  Shawn — an independent and deeply sensitive sister.  Kate — the older sister with a sweet family.  Mark — the young man who is now the oldest male sibling.  Each kid’s face came to my mind.  And I know I joined a thousand others who cried out to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord — why Noah?  Why THIS family?”  No answers come now of course — we don’t have the privilege of time and perspective and knowledge of God’s master plan and schedule.  And even if we did, would anyone be less heartbroken for this dear family?

The story of Noah’s death and journey home can be found HERE.  Read it and then pray for the thousands of other grieving families who have also paid this price and pray again, for the Piers.  Then hug your sons — regardless of their age.  Thank God for the men and women who are in uniform today so that we can sit in our comfy recliners watching mindless TV while stuffing our faces with junk food and griping about Washington politicians.  When you see a soldier in uniform in the airport or on the street, thank them.  When you hear someone speak of Islam as a religion of “peace” and who think the best way to engage these animals is through sanctions and endless ‘dialogues’ and who thinks that terrorists are people on whom reason will work — think of three letters — I. E. D.

Mark, Vickie and family — you are loved and we are praying for you during these difficult times.

It’s time for a brief update.  As you can tell, I’ve been silent for a while on this blog.  No, I haven’t given up blogging.  There are just seasons in life when it is better to be still and listen quietly for God.

Scripture asks the question, “How can two walk together unless they are in agreement?”  It is that principle that has led to a discontinuation of my ministry at New Testament Baptist Church and Dade Christian School.  As the Executive Pastor and Vice-President, I knew when the Senior Pastor resigned last fall that I would either need to be a candidate for the Senior Pastor’s position or would need to be looking for a new position.  Within a few weeks, it became abundantly clear to me that I would not make an appropriate candidate to be the new Senior Pastor there due to significant differences in philosophy and theology.  I began looking for new opportunities while being willing to stay until a new Senior Pastor was called, but a few weeks later, it became necessary to go ahead and leave the ministry now rather than later.

We do not have a place to go, but we are seeking the Lord’s direction as to our future.  I’m very grateful to have my work with Liberty University to help us financially during this transition and while it does not cover nearly all of our needs, it is more than many have who are in the same position as are we.  In fact, the Lord blessed with a promotion at LU last week and I am now a faculty mentor for their online team.  We are exploring several other options and we look forward with faith and confidence in the Lord.  When men let you down, the Lord never does.  Sometimes we preach about living by faith; other times God asks us to actually do it.

In the meantime, I’ve picked up a few speaking opportunities, will continue my works as an adjunct professor at a couple of schools and am occupying myself with other interests and pursuits.  If your church or school needs a pulpit fill, a marriage or training conference or someone to do some in-service training for your school faculty or education ministry, feel free to contact me at dlburrell@liberty.edu.   I’ve got tons of fun and exciting workshops that I’ve done all over the country and I’d be happy to send you a list of them.

There will be plenty of time to write about what I’ve learned and perspectives on ministry that I’ve personally experienced over the last year or so, but now is not the time for that.  For now, I’m going to recharge my batteries and excitedly look for a place of ministry where I fit and where there is an unflinching commitment to a Biblical worldview, philosophy, and theology.