We're all "made out of the same old dirt."
On Sunday mornings, I usually don't read in the newspapers about the hymns we're going to sing. This Sunday was an exception.
Tammy Faye Messner, better known by her first married name as Tammy Faye Bakker, died Friday. And The New York Times recalled this little detail from her life:
Mr. Bakker’s wife vowed to stand by her man. When he was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy, she appeared at a news conference and, in tears, sang, “On Christ the solid rock I stand/All other ground is sinking sand.”
Who knows what Tammy Faye meant in that moment, but the "Man" she sang about standing on was Jesus, not Jim. I had selected that hymn for Sunday's worship service because the Gospel lesson included Jesus' admonition to Martha of Bethany that there was "only one thing that was necessary." Edward Mote's 1834 hymn seemed like a good way to underscore that truth.
Mote wrote: "In every high and stormy gale / my anchor holds within the veil." Tammy Faye knew from stormy gales--from coping with an adulterous and fraudulent husband to her final struggles with cancer of the colon and lung. That hymn was full of Good News for her.
Tammy Faye wore a persona, a public mask. She was, after all, a performer and an entertainer. She insisted on wearing her hideously flamboyant make-up even when undergoing surgery. Entertainers, like all public figures, can easily lose track of themselves behind the mask.
But Tammy Faye had great moments of humility and authenticity--most famously, her refusal to condemn homosexuals. The Times, again:
“I refuse to label people,” Ms. Messner said in a 2000 documentary, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” when asked about her attitudes toward gay rights. “We’re all just people made out of the same old dirt, and God didn’t make any junk.”
Most standard-issue evangelicals were not paying much attention to her by 2000, but a few told-you-so tongues began wagging when that movie came out. But I think her statement shouldn't be taken as a blessing on homosexuality so much as a fundamental affirmation of God's love for all sinners. Her experience with "high and stormy gales" to recognize we're all made of "the same old dirt," and that our only hope is to be "dressed in his righteousness alone."
Posted by David Neff on July 22, 2007 2:44PM
Comments
I have listened to Jim and Tammy for years. she always has been an inspiration to me. He interview on Larry King on Thursday was so strong. I am so sorry she is gone. But she is with Jesus where she will be so happy.
Love you Tammy
Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Storbo at July 22, 2007
There is one thing I learned from Tammy Faye........to "run to the roar"......don't run from your problems, turn around and face them.......you usually find they're only harmless, toothless old lions not worth the worry and stress you've expended on them......
Posted by: Donna at July 22, 2007
I love you Tammy Faye....RIP
Posted by: James at July 23, 2007
I will not judge. I also believe we are all made out of the same old dirt.
What we alleged christians fail to realize is that we will be judged in the same fashion that we judge others. We are to measure the length of another christian, but never a non-christian.
Beware, church. Judgment is on its way to us.
Posted by: Dr. T at July 23, 2007
wonderful, gracious thoughts, David. And true.
Posted by: cas at July 23, 2007
Ms.Baker will be a hard act to follow. She was perculiar in many ways, but then again so are all of us. To her credit, she during the midst of her ordeal and illness, showed a sense of grace which gave us all a glimpse of what grace can do under pressure. Tammy taught us how a saint does not fear the concept of death. To the end she gave a sense of hope to the hopeless and glory to our God. She loved the Lord and she had a genuine love for His people and that love transcended the boundries of race and cultural differences. Tammy could have become embittered by the insensitive actions of those who orchastrated the demise of her formal ministy. Instead of becoming bitter she showed us how to become better members of the faith. I thank God for allowing me to be born in an era which allowed me to witness the life and to be impacted by the legacy of one of our current giants in the faith. She and Jim Baker, regardless of their flaws, were spiritual trailblazers. Many of those who talked ill of her are today enjoying ministy perks and are riding on her coat tail. Like the lyrics of the song which the late Bob Hope used to sing - Tammy THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES! I am blessed becasue you lived.
Posted by: Overseer Joseph Jackson at July 23, 2007
Tammy Faye is a woman of valour. She stayed herself and served the Lord. She will be very much missed. 'On Christ the solid rock I stand....'
Posted by: christina archer at July 23, 2007
I only ever saw Tammy on TV one time. A friend invited me over to his house to watch "Pass The Loot!" as he called it. The Bakkers had just finished raising money for their christian theme park and Tammy exclaimed,
"We did it, Jim, we did it! I mean the Lord did it".
I came away pondering three things;
who it was that had done something,
what had been done,
and why Tammy dressed like a whore.
Posted by: Edward Crim at July 23, 2007
Amen to your true & gracious words: Indeed we are all made out of the same old dirt. But for the love, grace & forgiveness of Christ our Saviour we are all bound for a Christless eternity. "clothed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne". Which one of you without sin, first cast a stone. Tammy knew in whom she believed, and was persuaded that He was able to keep that which she had committed unto Him against that day. Rest In Peace, Tammy Faye.
Its a blessing to see that her children are now serving the Lord and that Christ has kept them until now. My prayers are with the family.
Posted by: Joyce at July 24, 2007
Tammy Faye's last interview on Larry King was indeed a great blessing and testimony to God's grace. And Tammy Faye is certainly to be commended for reaching out to homosexuals with God's love. However, true love calls a spade a spade, so I do hope that Tammy Faye from time to time reminded the homosexuals to whom she ministered that the practice of homosexuality is sinful in God's sight, as God's Word makes so abundantly clear. The ultimate act of love is to lead another to Christ in saving faith. But no one can come to Christ in saving faith until he/she acknowledges his/her sins before the Lord. It was for our sins, after all, that Christ died.
Posted by: Dr. Tim Deibler at July 26, 2007
I saw the interview on Larry King, and I was so pleased to see and hear the gospel being proclaimed on television. The fact that it was being proclaimed by an almost-unrecognizable Tammy Faye Messner made it something special. Despite her terminal illness, she was still doing the work of the Lord, the Saviour whom she loved and with whom she would soon be spending eternity! Her love and acceptance of all persons, regardless of circumstances, appearance, or sexual orientation is Christianity at its finest. What would Jesus do? Tammy Faye did it, and we Christians need to do it also. Thank you, Tammy Faye, for showing Jesus to a world that so needs to know Him, and for so emphatically telling the world, via the Larry King Show, that He is the one on whom we all need to place our trust. Well done, good and faithful servant!
Posted by: Pastor Ed at July 27, 2007
Thanks CT web site master for making it easy to put a comment up.
Tammy Bakker did love the Lord. I am a sinner and I am sure have
manipulated, too, at times, and misused the name of Christ.
She died valiently. Bob Durham, Philadelphia PA July 30, 2007
Posted by: Bob Durham at July 30, 2007
I was traveling with a singing group called "Bridge" in 1979 when we were asked to sing on the PTL Club. After the taping, Tammy Faye asked us into the dining room, and said that they were going to serve dinner to us. When I met Tammy Faye, I was so impressed with the kindness and warmth that was shown to me, and to all of us that day. I believe that she loved the Lord with all of her heart. It must have taken great courage to come on national television just a little less than two weeks ago. But...it wasn't about her. She wanted to share Christ's love with the world and to encourage people to live lives free from fear...lives filled with joy and hope! "When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay."
Posted by: Vikki Ehret at July 31, 2007
You should have written about obedience to G-d above all things. You are spreading lies about Tammy Faye Messner. The truth has to come out and it WILL be accepted. Repent and turn back to G-d. It is the only way.
Posted by: Sheila McGarrigle at August 1, 2007
She inspires me to love everybody & not judge. I pray that I will stand true to the end like she did. That I may die & Christ lives in me and sing like her “On Christ the solid rock I stand/All other ground is sinking sand.”
Love you Tammy forever, I Genuinely love you I genuinely care & I also genuinely hope to see you in heaven some day too.
Posted by: nunu at August 1, 2007
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