Presented here for your reading pleasure is a collection of Ken's current and past articles,
reflecting on his travels, experiences, and observations "from the road."
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. . .
Three Big Radicals
On a flight from South Carolina to Chicago, our home away from home, seated in the last row of an overcrowded regional jet, three hours later than scheduled, I was reading a wonderful Annie Lamont book,
Grace, Eventually.
With all her irreverent, self deprecating, funny and honest insights, I submerged myself into her world. Suddenly and surprisingly, I felt a huge pang of sadness that seemed to come from nowhere. I stunningly realized, before I could even think,
"I miss Mike."
It was that quick. Tears began to spill down my cheeks as I tried to pretend something nasty had gotten into my eye.
I miss Mike Yaconelli, the robust, lusty, say it like it is, sing-song, musicless bard of a speech maker who could take a crowd from a mountaintop hurray to a breath stopping silence in a matter of seconds. Mike, the male role model of holding a mirror up to his human foibles and exposing our own without public humiliation. Mike could smoke a cigar, tell a poignant story and weep with joy- all at the same time. And I miss him.
I miss his presence at conferences, at gatherings and at intimate dinner tables. I realized as I was reading the book, that Annie Lamont is kind of a female version of Mike and reading her made me miss him all the more.
Rarely is there someone who comes along with the radical ness that Mike and Annie have, however there is one that speaks truth as they do. Shane Claiborne is also honest and sincere; a gentler, soft spoken, idealist. He lives in the inner city of Philadelphia and practices what he preaches. He works for justice and makes friends with the poor. He dresses simply and has dreadlocks and a bandana and somehow reminds me of the very person of Jesus in our time. He radiates a peace that passes understanding.
I never mistook Mike for the person of Jesus, but there was never a doubt they were best friends. Mike was always saying, whether in word or deed,"Come
'ere, you gotta' meet my best pal." He lived out an invitation that was totally irresistible to anyone who came in contact with him. I miss Mike.
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