Randy's Ruminations

VANCOUVER

2008-05-15T12:54:00.001-07:00

It is a beautiful cool spring day at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Trees are blooming and clouds hug the snow-capped mountains.

I am taking a course at Regent College across the street from UBC while staying in a UBC dorm. The course is absolutely great. Regent College is or has been home to J.I. Packer, Gordon Fee and Eugene Peterson among others.

Darrell Johnson is teaching my class. He is a pastor/professor who brings the heart of preaching to a scholarly understanding of the text. I have already changed my mind about a sermon series for fall or spring. Of course, this is only the first week of sabbatical, so we'll see what still happens. It is truly amazing to see topics, themes or passages in a whole new light. That, of course, is one of the things that makes real Bible study so interesting as well as life-impacting. I only hope I can do justice to passing some of this along to the whole congregation.

The eclectic make-up of the class is most interesting - a little bit of everyone from all over the world. Three professors also hosted a round table discussion of the American presidential primaries and issues. Quite interesting.

It was an 18 hour drive to get here, but I haven't been in the car since Sunday night. We'll see if the trip home seems longer. Crossing the border since 9/11 is a real pain. Sunday evening was a one hour wait. But the scenery from Northern California to Vancouver is glorious.

SALT & LIGHT

2008-04-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

In the sermon on the Mount Jesus gives core truth about Christian living in the world. One of his best known principles is that his people are to be as salt and light in the world. The world is to notice how we live, and how we live both draws them to Jesus and validates his mission.

It is such a well-known principle that we can forget how important our salt and light is and how potent it should be. Moreover, when we believe the delusion that we live in a Christian culture, we don't feel the imperative to live differently. It is easy to slide into a belief that if we look pretty much like the rest of the world, nothing is really wrong. We forget the powerful call and impact of being salt and light.

Two recent articles served to remind me of this most important core truth and that it really does make a difference. Both cases are from other cultures where Christianity does not have an easy way.

Chuck Colson reports that many Muslims are turning to Christ. A professor of Islamic studies wanted to find out why. His research determined that the number one reason for conversions was the lifestyle of the Christians in their midst. A couple quotes: "There was no gap between the moral profession and the practice of Christians" they knew. "Christians treat women as equals" and "adopted a simple lifestyle."

The second article reports from China (Christianity Today, May 2008) that in spite of government roadblocks, people are very open to Christianity. When answering the question as to why, an interviewee responded "Many Chinese people think Christians are trustworthy. If they want to hire an employee or they want to have a babysitter at home, they prefer to invite a Christian. Christians have good reputations. During many disasters in China, churches were involved in relief work to poor areas, and even the government was encouraged. Churches are having an influence by being examples of moral behavior." (p.31)

This is still the best way to "do evangelism" and spread the kingdom of God. It is our individual integrity as a Christian that is the biggest opportunity or, conversely, roadblock to drawing people to Christ.

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

SPECIAL/MAKE-UP OFFERINGS

2008-04-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

Nearly every year that I have been at the Campbell church we have only been able to fulfill the annual church budget by means of one or two special offerings in which we had to “make up” for the consistent shortfall. This fact is often a cause of concern and discussion among the elders. It is a sore spot for some members. I can’t imagine that anyone likes it.

I remember a discussion Browning and I had about this and would like to give a sense of that conversation. There are three basic options.

The first is to say that whatever the regular weekly average is, we cut ministries back to that level of funding. This would mean some significant cuts. Such cuts would not only affect the specific areas that are reduced, but begin to undermine our optimistic, creative attitude in ministry and church life. When the response to ideas starts to consistently be “there’s not money to do it,” then a sort of malaise can easily set in.

But the other problem with reducing the ministry resources is that the congregation has proven for years that we really can support the level of ministry that we do. It may not be easy and it may even irritate us to do it the way we do, but the fact is we have supported the budget year after year. And no one has given themselves into a state of poverty. Our track record indicates we have the resources for our budget level in this church body.

I specifically remember Browning saying something along the lines of how could he (the elders) face the Lord having made significant cuts when the church had always supported the higher level of ministry. In other words, God might easily respond “O you of little faith! Did I not always provide?” And the only answer would have to be “Yes.” So simply cutting back to the average of the regular contributions seems faithless in light of the congregation’s proven ability and willingness.

The second option is to encourage a higher regular level of giving so as to make the specials unnecessary. It is the case that some people give nothing. Others give irregularly. (By the way, I have no idea what anyone gives and don’t want to know.) If we all gave regularly and up to our true ability this issue would go away! The elders try to teach and encourage this without wanting to harp on it. Of course, part of the reality is that some people are hypersensitive to any discussion of “giving” at church. So there is always the challenge of knowing what the right amount of exhortation is.

The third option is to continue the level of ministry that we have historically been doing and supporting by continuing to have “make-ups” when needed. No one likes this, but it seems to be our church family’s way of doing things.

One final thought. While none of us likes to have a special offering to make-up a budget shortfall, it can actually be viewed as a positive exercise in spiritual maturity. Why shouldn’t we have to struggle with the question of sacrifice a couple times a year? Why shouldn’t we have to wrestle with the hold materialism has on us and evaluate our “wants?”

It is good for us to have to make the mature decision “This is what I can do.” And it is a matter of spiritual maturity to be at peace with the decision and not feel guilty for not doing more if we have truly wrestled with the decision in prayer. Is this easy? No, it is not. But rather than have the challenge removed, maybe God wants us to struggle with it – and then rest in his peace and grace having been matured by the struggle.

SABBATICAL

2008-04-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

As the most frequent spokesman for the elders, Browning was scheduled last Sunday to announce my sabbatical and the coming of an intern to preach this summer.

The term sabbatical comes from “Sabbath” and refers to a time of stepping outside the normal duties of life for the sake of spiritual (and physical) renewal. Several years ago the elders adopted a sabbatical policy for full time ministers. After each 7 years of service, a two-month sabbatical is given for special opportunities of research, training, reading, seeing how other successful churches operate, etc.

One purpose of a sabbatical is to counter the phenomenon of “burnout” by resourcing staff with renewal opportunities which will allow a minister to return with fresh ideas and a fresh spirit. In the old days, the only way to treat burnout and get a fresh start was to move to a new church. The sabbatical policy is one effort to foster long-term ministries which bring stability and long-term relationships with the church.

This has been immensely successful. Garry has had two sabbaticals and is in his 17^th year at Campbell. This will be my second sabbatical as I am now in my 15^th year. Walter had a sabbatical and is in his 10^th year. Yes, he is now leaving, but not to go to another church. Rather he is going with the blessing of the elders to a new form of ministry.

When I was growing up as a “preacher’s kid” we moved frequently. The average stay was about 3 years – and that was typical. But the cost of such frequent moves – for minister families, for church momentum, in cyncism about ministers always going on to greener pastures, in stability of programs, and financial – was tremendous. Long-term ministries usually bless a church.

Kathy and I will be combining vacation time with the sabbatical in order to allow the absence in the pulpit to be filled by the intern and to fit my course schedule. Among other things I will be taking three separate week-long courses at Regent College in Vancouver. (In addition to the courses, I will be writing a course at the elders’ request, reading and doing work on two upcoming sermon series.)

Bryan Shackman, from southern California, will be the preaching intern. He graduated from Pepperdine University and is completing a Master of Divinity degree from Abilene Christian University where he is a graduate teaching assistant and has been preaching for a west Texas church in a small community.

Bryan’s coming will not only meet a practical need for the congregation, but will give him great experience with a larger, healthy church. I encourage you to encourage and bless him and to have him over for dinner!

The first Sunday of my absence will be May 11. Bryan will begin May 25 immediately after his graduation.

THANK YOU, BROWNING

2008-04-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

A dear friend died. What is amazing is that he was chairman of the elders of the church and I am the preaching minister. Unfortunately such warmth in that relationship is more rare than many might imagine. It wasn't that we were buddies or hung out together, but over the years the relationship had become close.

We communicated personally nearly every week and often multiple times in a week - by phone or email or in person. There was complete honesty and trust. No egg shells to walk on. No shading true feelings or opinions in order to keep things civil.

As a minister for whom an elder is "boss" Browning was a person I knew without reservation cared about my family and our well-being. One daughter said it was like losing a grandfather. Just last week I had picked something up at his house and he talked about his concern for his brother and sister-in-law as his brother was seriously affected by Alzheimer's. And I had talked with him in the past few years about dealing with my parents' care up to their deaths.

I remember when I interviewed 15 years years ago, Browning was my chauffeur to the hotel or airport and our conversations from the beginning were comfortable. He was my liaison elder for all these years and I am bold enough to say that our good relationship was of much value to the well-being of the church.

I will greatly miss him.

It is amazing how potent very small actions can be in their significance. When I deleted his name from my cell phone and from my email contacts, it broke my heart. Such a small act. The push of a button. It felt so wrong and disrespectful. One keystroke and he is off the list. But the hole in my heart and in my life is huge. That will always be there.

THE ECONOMY OF TIME AND RESPECT

2008-03-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

In the March 2008 issue of Wired magazine, editor Chris Anderson explains how "free" is the new economy and the future of business. As digital storage and processing plummet in cost the two "main scarcity functions of traditional economics--the marginal costs of manufacturing and distribution--are rushing headlong to zip." But money is not the only scarcity. The other two chief scarcities in our world today are time and respect or the "attention economy" and the "reputation economy."

In some ways the church has recognized this all along and has provided many open doors and opportunities free of charge in order to get people's attention and respect. Examples would include Vacation Bible School and Marriage/Family seminars. This is the basic "economy" of addressing felt needs in order to connect with people in hopes they will then see the beauty of Christ.

But this task is getting harder and harder as the challenge of winning time and respect gets more difficult. In the market place of ideas, images and advertising in a busy world the challenge of getting anyone to give you the time of day for a word about God is a huge barrier. The increase in telemarketing, mail solicitations and catalogs, sales attempts or charity solicitations at the door all cause one to tune out and turn off. You can't buy a pair of socks at the store without a solicitation to apply for a credit card - even if you already have one from that store! In a world where "everybody wants something from you" it is hard to get a hearing for God. My own experience is that people in our local church often don't even read the church bulletin or open mail from the church.

Then there is reputation. "Church" has a credibility problem stemming both from bad press such as moral hypocrisy in national religious figures to well-intended but poorly received individual efforts. Yesterday my wife was at the grocery store and was helped to the car by an store employee. She asked "How are you doing today?" The reply, "I'm ready for the Judgment!" That may well have been a well-intended "witnessing" but in reality it was a conversation killer.

Both issues, time and respect, are hurdles for a national campaign underway to distribute a book titled The Agony and Glory of the Cross. It is distributed free, so money is not the issue. But to expect people who are not already connected to Christianity to take the time to read and to be drawn to a book about the "agony" of the cross is an unrealistic expectation. You and I might find it interesting and appealing and we have a basis for appreciating the "agony and glory" of the cross, but why would the "unchurched" person on the street take the time to read it?

The path to overcoming the hurdle of time and reputation is personal ministry to individuals. It is for the church to be of obvious and practical value to the community. The open door that our church is exploring in ministering to kids (and by extension, to families) through service in the local schools is a way to not only "do what Jesus would do," in other words, be faithful in Christian living and service, but also to connect with people who are busy, overwhelmed by entities trying to get their attention, and often suspicious of church - or for whom a church is simply irrelevant.

The church has long had the "free" part down. Wisdom is needed in getting through the time and respect barriers.

JESUS FOR PRESIDENT

2008-03-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

I suppose it is nearly impossible not to prioritize threads of teaching that run through the Bible. We may have multiple layers of such threads, but let's imagine an A, B and C layer. The "A" layer consists of those threads of teaching to which we give the most attention, consider the most important, and work on the most. The "B" layer is one that we also consider significant, but not quite up to the "A" level. Our mistakes or failures in the "B" level are a concern, but may not be considered fatal like the "A" level failures. Then there is the "C" level which we know is there, but we are not sure what to do with it or how to apply it or how it dovetails with other material or which we simply find uncomfortable.

Now imagine that you switch the "A" and "C" level material. Everything would have a different perspective. We learn and grow and are challenged when we do this, either by talking to someone whose teaching thread priorities are opposite ours or by reading a book which reverses our poles.

That is the challenge that the book Jesus for President poses for me (written by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw). They move care for the poor, justice, stewardship of creation, love of enemies, peace-making and not being "of" the world to the "A" level call and demand of being a disciple of Jesus.

I knew for some time I wanted to read such a book which challenges the assumptions and the foundations of "middle class" Christianity. Frankly I found the OT, NT and early church history sections better done and more convicting than I expected. I found myself thinking, "yes, that is really what the text says." Example: "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors....But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed." (Luke 14:12-14) How often have you actually obeyed that teaching of Jesus??? Or disobeyed???

Of course, it is the application to real life in our culture where the stress comes and where the debate primarily lies. Many people will bristle and be offended by the authors' convictions. There were places they went that I am not willing to go.

But even so, I came away with a heightened sense of awareness of how I live and think and more critically aware of what I take for granted. It challenged, at least for the moment, some lifestyle and material assumptions or habits. This is minor, but I chose not to watch a certain TV show, not because there was any overt moral issue in the show, but because I had to deal with my stewardship of time and the deeper moral issue of cultural values that underlie the show's premise.

At a much deeper level one is challenged as to what it means to have Jesus as Lord instead of Caesar. To what extent can I reap the rewards and benefits of a middle class American lifestyle and not ask hard questions about economic justice, politics, military power, and "God and America" theology.

Some of you will find the book radical and offensive. Some will find it convicting. Many will find some of both. Try hearing the case from a consistent social justice perspective remembering the judgment parable of Jesus in Matthew 25 which bases our final judgment on how we responded to the hungry, naked, lonely, imprisoned and sick. Let the "C" level become your "A" level for a few days. Maybe "A" and "C" will not remain reversed, but "C" will no longer run a distant third in your theology and life.

ps. I sent this to "publish" and immediately, I mean it hadn't even finished processing, a person came into the office looking for food. What are you trying to teach me, God?

RUMINATIONS ON 57

2008-02-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

I finished reading the novel The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks around midnight just as I turned 57. It is a love story tracing a true love from teen years through Alzheimer's. I read it because a friend said it changed his life as a husband. I think because of the juxtaposition of the reading and the birthday it set me to thinking.

We think of 57 as middle aged and I suppose it is although technically I'm way past the mid-point - not likely to make it to 114. But we mean it more in terms of adulthood so it is probably fair to say this is somewhere in the second half of middle age.

So today I am reflecting on my own true love. Everyone married has a love story, although seldom quite measuring up to a novel. But, without going TMI, mine is pretty good. We knew on our first date that we would be on a marrying track. Not the sort of thing you want to hear from one of your kids, but quite powerful to experience yourself!

Every season of life has its challenges: the finding of yourself in early adulthood, the adjustments of newly married, the birthing and pre-school years, parenting through the school and teen years, launching kids post high school, etc. At 57 there are highlights to anticipate, but one also knows that the nature of the challenges ahead will often be physical as the body begins to rebel against all the use it has had.

Spark's novel is a poignant portrayal of love facing one of the "big"ones toward the end of life. We all need models of the fulfillment of commitment and love in hard times.

So for me 57 is a vantage point from which to be very thankful for many blessings in life and to renew marital love and deepen the spiritual base or footing for the journey ahead. Life is so fascinating because you never "arrive." There is so much more to learn, grow, develop, experience, appreciate, and understand. Keep growing spiritually (relationship with God) and in the relationships closest to you in life. Don't "settle in" and coast downhill from where you are. Go deeper.

A QUICK OBSERVATION

2008-02-14T15:55:00.000-08:00

The headline across the top of local section of yesterday's paper read "Abortion Clips Screened in Class." Before even reading the article I could be sure it had been done by a person who opposes abortion. Why was I so sure? Because you never have pro-abortion people wanting to screen photos or film of abortions. One side wants the reality exposed; the other prefers it ignored. That speaks volumes.

I am not condoning what the first year teacher did. It was ill-considered, against policy, and counter-productive. But you could be sure screening the results of abortion wasn't an attempt to promote abortions!

A POWERFUL BOOK

2008-02-06T07:52:00.000-08:00

You should read The Shack by William P. Young. This short novel may be one of the best and most challenging books of theology you ever read. Echoing Eugene Peterson's recommendation, it may become the Pilgrim's Progress for the post-modern age. I, for one, will confess that I bogged down in the Pilgrim's Progress and never finished reading it. It was powerful in its time, but I am not of its time.

The Shack is a simple tragic story in which a devastated individual encounters God in the midst of his hurt, pain and questions. The course of their encounter ranges over the big issues of life: the true meaning of love, freedom, forgiveness, sacrifice, relationships, justice, judgment, suffering, deception, power, how God can "allow" evil to take place in the world, and even the nature of "trinity."

You will have "aha" moments, touching moments, "wait a minute" moments, and discussions about it with others. There are some powerful statements that will bless a marriage if a couple will chew on them together.

If you have ever thought about how it would be to see the world and life through the eyes of God, this novel will give you a credible shot at it. But, like the protagonist in the novel, you will have to wrestle with how to retain that glimpse at work on Monday morning. Yet, there is a good chance your life will be changed by this book.

The reason this work resonates in our post-modern age is that the messages are embedded in a concrete story. We feel the struggle. This is not a systematic theology textbook with bullet points. I suspect most (I say most because some of us are still "modern" in our thinking) who read it will have a friend or family member whom they think will be challenged and blessed by the book. It has the potential to deepen "average" faith or possibly start a person on a journey of faith. The book touches the heart while challenging the head.

I suppose I should include the disclaimer that, of course, there are places to quibble and gaps in what is said. It is not a complete theology of the biblical principles. But I am confident you will find the protagonist saying things you have thought and said in your journey of faith. And some of the answers will be very satisfying.

AN IMMIGRANT STORY

2008-01-24T15:56:00.000-08:00

I was 14 when the Mustang debuted. My best friend in high school had a red '65 convertible in which we cruised many a Houston street on muggy weekend nights. I especially liked the '67-'68 versions and when the retro 2005 Mustang came out, I was hooked.

Who could have imagined in the mid-60's in the midst of the Vietnam War that the chief engineer on the retro version 40 years later would be a kid living in Saigon when the American military evacuated. Truth is stranger than fiction.

Hau Thai-Tang grew up in Saigon during the war. Dad taught school and mom worked for Chase Manhattan bank in Saigon. When the war was winding down and the US was evacuating, some Chase people offered to help emigrate Hau's family. He was nine years old.

They were told "You're going to America. Listen to this radio and when you hear White Christmas by Bing Crosby, you'll have an hour to get to the airlift destination." They could each take one carry-on bag and kept them lined up at the door in readiness.

One day in April 1975 White Christmas came on the radio. (How surreal is that?) They sped to the airport and got on an American military plane. The next day Saigon fell.

His hope had been some day to maybe own a car. But now this Vietnamese war refugee has engineered the most iconic American car. While in some ways this is a bizarre story, it seems to me to be a most American story. We all came from somewhere else to a land where any kid can grow to be anything.

I MILKED A WATER BUFFALO TODAY!

2008-01-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

This is another post from Grace in India.

Okay, admittedly I was not very good at it, but I did it! I figured the water buffaloes would be totally used to people and I could just waltz up to one and try milking it while laughing and with a gaggle of people around. Wrong! The poor thing was so skittish. While watching the woman feed and prepare the water buffalo, I had the revelation that I would try to be very calm when I was milking it. I turned to Emily to share my very wise and impressive foresight, and she just looked at me like I was a very stupid sort of person and said, "Well, yeah. You always want to be calm when you're down around a cow's legs."

Well, Pardon me.

My moment of genius thus shattered, I proceeded to very clumsily attempt to milk the poor thing. I'd never even seen a cow milked in person, much less actually done it, so I had no idea what I was doing. In fact, the first time I even touched a cow was last fall at the Abilene Fair, and I nearly lost it because I was so nervous and it was so big. They look a lot smaller when you're driving past them on the highway.

Oh, but first. I had decided that this morning I would wear jeans since we were getting up early and I thought it would be very difficult to milk a water buffalo in a punjabi or, heaven forbid, a skirt. However, nobody in that area wears pants -- not even the men -- so the water buffalo was so freaked out at the sight of my jeans that they had to grab some material and wrap it around me. My wrapping in place, I walked around to the back side of the water buffalo and sidled up next to the woman who usually milks it.

I was TERRIBLE. They had been telling me to just kind of squeeze and run my thumb and forefinger down the udder thing and milk would come out, but it totally didn't. I could feel the milk rushing back up past my fingers, and besides creeping me out, I knew that couldn't be comfortable for the water buffalo. The lady tried to show me, but I don't speak Telugu, she doesn't speak English, and I was nervous. In the end I had to pinch, pull and smash the poor, tender-looking little appendage to get any milk out, and all I could think was that it looked very painful, and I wasn't producing much milk. I think the water buffalo was quite annoyed with me because she kept swishing her tail and smacking me in the face, but hey, turnabout is fair play. Some video, some pictures, and an interesting encounter feeding a goat that ended in it trying to head butt me, and we were done. The family, members at Isaac's church, asked us to pray before we left and I noticed that they had written over their doorpost "God is Love." I thought that was very sweet and meaningful, more so than any of the store-bought signs in America.

As we were riding the auto-rickshaw back (Cynthia and I got to ride on the motorcycle with Rajanikanth on the way out there), we stopped at a Hindu temple. Bryce, Cynthia, Rajanikanth, the auto-rickshaw driver, another SH helper and I all got out and walked around inside. It was very interesting, and they had a recording of a chant playing over and over while an older man and two boys played drums and sang. I did my best to be respectful of these people and their beliefs, but the idols were just so dead looking to me. I couldn't understand how someone could actually think this statue could help them. As we were leaving, Rajanikanth said it best: "They are human creations." And that was that!

While I'm here, let me tell you a little bit about yesterday's slum experiences. The morning experience was wonderful, just a line of patient, hungry children waiting for their turn to get their food and have their picture taken. The afternoon, however, was a completely different ball of wax, and I think it's primarily because of the addition of adults to the mix. No one would stay in line, everyone was pushing, several people were hitting each other, and when you tried to give out food you were bombarded by hands on every side. When I was handing out the food I finally had to stick both hands up in the air and yell "HEY!" in my best coach voice. They gave me a little room after that, but not for very long. I think the thing that bothered me the most was that the old people and the children were being hit and pushed out of the way by the grown-ups because they wanted their food first. I got so angry at that! I wasn't angry necessarily at them, but at human nature and at how cruel we can be to each other. If the morning was blissful tranquility, this was an angry mob.

I also just got so angry because we went to two slums right near each other, and tons of people from the first slum followed us over to the second slum and tried to get more. I saw one little boy from the first slum line up again and get food, only to have it snatched from his hands by an adult, who then shoved him back to the front to get more. The people that did get caught trying to get seconds didn't seem sorry or scared that they wouldn't get enough food for their families -- they were laughing!! They thought they were trying to pull a good one over on the people who had come to help. It made me sorry I'd even brought them food. I talked to Emily about it and she encouraged me to realize that I have no idea what their situation is like, and I know she's right, but I just wanted to snatch the food back from every pushing, selfish adult and give it to the kids and old people. I mean, in our home, if you push and hit to get something, that gets things taken away from you. It's just not okay. Oh, and the only help we had from the slum people was from a drunk guy who was physically fighting with a couple women and another guy who had a stick and kept hitting at the people's feet to get them to move back. Isaac, God bless him, yanked the stick out of his hands and clearly promised to hit the man himself if he did that again.

It definitely wasn't my favorite experience of the trip, but I think it was important, too. I guess those people were just extremely hungry, but it sure felt a lot like they were looking out for number 1. I truly hope that I don't sound harsh or uncompassionate, but I think that it is a very difficult thing to understand what it is to not have your basic needs met. I mean, we haven't even had a chance to get hungry before a meal since we've been here because Rajanikanth and the Palaparthis have been feeding us so much and so (!!) well. I'm trying to understand, but I see the ugliness of the mob and it hardens my heart. I think it helps me understand even more how amazing Jesus was that he could pray and forgive and love the mob that crucified him while I became bitter and hard-hearted when I got pushed a little.

I've been having such a fabulous time here, but I'm ready to come home, I think. I could live at SH for the rest of my life, but the rest of India is a little stressful for me. Plus, we're all dying for some pizza.

Peace and love...

GRACE IN INDIA

2008-01-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

Some have asked how Grace's India mission trip is unfolding. She is part of an adult class at her church in Texas that began and sponsors an orphanage in India which now has 71 kids. But the following edited email reports tell of her trip to a local hospital where families must care for the patients (feed, etc.). They went to take food and pray. Her account focuses on the ward of terminal patients and particularly a burn victim where she went in after the team leaders left.

The past couple days have been both wonderful and horrifying. The hospital was unlike anything I'd ever experienced, and I was one of the team members that Amanda talked about as weeping from the very beginning. The first people we saw were final stage patients, just lying on cots, contorted in pain, dried vomit still on their lips. I just couldn't stop myself from sobbing. One man asked me to pray over him, and I did, but I was crying the whole time. Through every room and every ward I just cried and cried. Until we got to the Burn Ward. At first Ellen, Issac and Mary's oldest daughter, said we would not go in there because it was too much to see, but as soon as she told me it was the burn ward something deep inside switched and my game face came on. I knew I could do it and I knew I needed to do it. She protested, reminding me that I'd been crying the whole time, but I said "Yeah, but it'll be okay." After that it was like I was in a protective bubble. I walked up to the room and saw Ray turn back almost immediately after going in. In some deep down part of me I was a little afraid, but more than that I was just aware that whatever was around the corner was completely beyond anything I'd ever experienced or imagined. I turned the corner and came in the room just as Amanda had to turn and leave, hand over her mouth. The smell was intense. The first thought I had was that this poor boy must still be smoldering. It smelled like he was still on fire, and I wanted to put it out. My second though was just one word: Auschwitz. I'd read about the smell of burning flesh and how you never forget it, and that experience will stay with me forever. I didn't cry, though. I was okay with it, somehow.... I don't even want to describe what I saw because it was too graphic. At the same time I felt horrible that this poor, innocent boy should be rendered so revolting that he would have to come with a graphic content advisory. I was completely fine until I laid my hand on his wailing mother and tried to pray for her. I lost it then. I couldn't speak, I couldn't even make words in my head, I just let my heart cry out to God....

When we came back from the hospital the entire team seemed in shock. I was running on auto-pilot and didn't really cry the rest of the time we were in the hospital. It had been hard before the burn victim, but after that I just wanted to leave. I've realized that no one asked the boy's name. We've always just referred to him as "The Burn Victim" or "That Boy." I think it was too much to add a name to the face. Randy is a missionary nurse and took a look at the pictures afterward (he was occupied elsewhere at the time). He told us that he expected that boy to die within hours, hopefully that night. That gave us all some measure of peace.

Once I got back to the house and I knew I was "safe" I immediately broke down. I had a good cry and felt a little better, but I still felt like I was carrying something toxic in my camera. I felt that I had taken the pictures for a reason, but at the same time I could not imagine what on earth that could be or who on earth I could show the pictures to. I don't even think I can show you guys. I just don't want to expose anyone to it. But again, I felt terrible that this boy should be hidden as though he was shameful. I don't know if he was responsible for the fire or not, but he did not deserve that, and he didn't deserve to be turned into a monster. I was afraid to look through my old pictures...but I forced myself to look at them this morning. They were terrible, but actually not as terrible as they had become in my imagination. Just goes to show that the light is always better than the darkness, because God is light and in Him is no darkness. It is always better to expose things to the light of truth and knowledge than to let them fester in the darkness. Once again I was okay looking at the pictures. I have no earthly idea why.

Last night our team came back with hearts shattered, and for the first time we glided past each other without speaking. I was afraid our team had been splintered from the pain, but after a rousing dinner and a team devo last night I'm feeling much more relieved and we seem to be stronger and soothed by one another.... Ray felt that he had failed by leaving the room so quickly, but Ray leaving acted as a warning to me and is part of what enabled me to walk into that room without flinching.

In better news, yesterday we took all the kids to the beach. Although I got car sick there and back, today I feel great and yesterday was so much fun. I got to teach Ellen and Jony (pronounced Joanie) how to swim in the Bay of Bengal. The kids were so much fun and had a fabulous time jumping over the waves, just like we did growing up in California. We played a rousing game of volleyball and some of the kids made sandcastles that were cones with crosses on the front. I asked the kids what they were, and heard both "house" and "church." To them their house is their church, so it makes wonderful sense!

Two quick pictures of Isaac with the kids:

The first was the other morning when the girls did my hair. I stumbled across Isaac sitting on a cot in one of the rooms, a gaggle of girls surrounding him, laughing and looking at him adoringly. He was giving out lotion for the girls to use on their faces, but he would put it on his finger then get the girls to lean in one by one and playfully dab it on their cheeks and nose. The second just happened this afternoon. The kids went to school this morning and Amanda came across Isaac sitting with the kids on the steps, lovingly asking them what they learned in school today. You cannot really imagine that SH is a family until you see it. I mean, what family has 71 children that are all loved and cared for like a true son or daughter? These people, though, are amazing. Mary is a beautiful mother hen (even over us younger team girls), and Isaac is a compassionate, intelligent and much-beloved father. Sometimes it is hard to read Isaac, but he has an amazing heart and once you get to know him and hear about some of the things that he has done for people (and put up with in terms of terribly un-Godly "Christian" missionaries), you know that this man has a heart of absolute gold.

Please pray for Grace, the team, the kids and all those to whom the team ministers while in India. If you want to read more, the orphanage is called Sanctuary Home and the blog is http://www.sanctuaryhome.blogspot.com/

THE LONELINESS OF LEADERSHIP

2007-12-18T13:50:00.000-08:00

It is easy to recognize the loneliness of leadership that comes from being alone out front. Often a leader knows a direction or path that people need to take, but the people cannot see it. Sometimes the leader is all alone and ridiculed for his/her call to follow. Think of Elijah alone on Mt. Carmel facing 850 prophets who have an opposing message. Even after his victory on the mountain Elijah later knew a deep loneliness.

But there is another kind of loneliness that a competent leader experiences -in part due to his/her competence and the willingness of all to follow. When people view a leader with complete trust and faith and are more than willing to follow, there is a loneliness in the burden of responsibility that perhaps only the leader can see.

This latter burden is exemplified in a scene from the Memoirs of W.T. Sherman. In the middle of what ultimately turned into a 2,000 mile march from Memphis to Washington, Sherman begins the most famous part of the march - from Atlanta to the sea.

He was striking out on an unprecedented military maneuver. Up to Atlanta the Union army was able to maintain a single, tenuous supply line from Chattanooga. An army must be supplied or becomes virtually useless. Sherman decided that supply lines could not be maintained indefinitely in enemy territory and that trying to do so required too many men and arms. So he would continue across the South cut loose from all supply lines and communications (in an age before wireless communications). His 62,000 troops and 20,000 horses and mules would live off the land, meaning, of course, off southern farms. It was an audacious, risky undertaking.

But his army seemed not to care. By now, especially after the fall of Atlanta, they completely trusted "Uncle Billy," as they called him. Sherman remembers the beginning of the march:

"The day was extremely beautiful, clear sunlight, with bracing air, and an unusual feeling of something to come, vague and undefined, still full of venture and intense interest. Even the common soldiers caught the inspiration, and many a group called out to me as I worked my way past them, 'Uncle Billy, I guess Grant is waiting for us at Richmond!' Indeed, the general sentiment was that we were marching for Richmond, and that there we should end the war, but how and when they seemed to care not; nor did they measure the distance, or count the cost in life, or bother their brains about the great rivers to be crossed, and the food required for man and beast, that had to be gathered by the way.

"There was a 'devil-may-care' feeling pervading officers and men, that made me feel the full load of responsibility, for success would be accepted as a matter of course, whereas, should we fail, this 'march' would be adjudged the wild adventure of a crazy fool."

The men and even Sherman's officers did not "bother their brains" about the hundreds of details and the thousands of decisions required for success because they completely trusted their leader who, though, certainly had to bother his brain night and day with the great responsibility he had shouldered.

Great and competent leadership in which others place such trust can be a very lonely burden. This has been the experience of competent leaders in war, peace, government, schools, churches, companies and families. It is lonely at a the top. All of which is why a Christian leader finds great comfort, solace, wisdom, and power in the company of his/her God. We will always need great, competent leaders, but partly because the price is high, they are hard to come by.

HOT OR COLD

2007-12-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

In the recent sermon on the letter of Jesus to the church at Laodicea, the focus was on what Jesus said about lukewarmness. In that context he says that it is better to be hot or cold, but to be lukewarm makes him sick.

The statement about hot and cold is often interpreted to mean that Jesus, obviously, wants us to be “hot” for God and his kingdom/mission. But the leap is then made that he would also prefer that we be “cold” rather than lukewarm – that we reject God, ignore his kingdom/mission or even oppose it rather than be lukewarm.

I suppose that has some merit in the sense of “stand for something” even if it is wrong. But it never made much sense to me that Jesus would be urging us to be “cold” toward God. There is another way to understand the statement about “hot and cold.”

We now understand enough of the historical setting and context to see that Jesus uses language and images that relate specifically to each of the seven cities to whom he speaks in the letters of Revelation 2 & 3. Laodicea did not have a local fresh water source, but had to pipe in water from a distance. These stone encased clay pipes have been found by archeologists. One can imagine that such water was stale and not good tasting by the time it reach town.

Laodicea had two sister cities in the Lycus River valley: Heirapolis and Colossae. Colossae had cool fresh water springs. Heirapolis had hot mineral springs. The cool water refreshed. The hot mineral water healed. Both were effective and of value. Both were to be desired. But in between the hot and the cold was the tepid, stale, lukewarm water of Laodicea.

This is the background to Jesus’ imagery. Both hot and cold are good. While “lukewarm” does address the spiritual condition of the Laodicean church, it does not automatically follow that Jesus prefers or condones spiritual coldness. He is calling them (and us) to spiritual effectiveness, to be healing and refreshing (“that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” Acts 3:19).

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT

2007-12-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

Gift-giving can be a challenge. On the one hand we are pushed to consumerism by advertising that purports to tell us what people want. On the other hand it is easy to be influenced by what we ourselves would like - so we think our gift recipient would want it, too.

But the best gift is the one that shows we truly know the person and have focused on them. It is a gift he or she really would enjoy, but even more, it shows that we have been paying attention and took the time to think about them. So rather than another scarf, tie, shirt or blouse we get, arrange or do something that really says "I know you and I care about you." And, ideally, expense is not an issue.

That is what God did and is what we celebrate in the Christmas story. He gave us a gift that is exactly what we needed and wanted (even if we didn't realize it ahead of time) and he spared no effort or expense. When boiled down to the simplest component, what God did was give of himself. And that is what every loved one desires in a gift.

GRANT MEMOIRS - 8

2007-11-29T10:24:00.000-08:00

And finally, three miscellaneous comments:

On human nature: After commenting on the politics of tobacco re: Mexico and Spain, Grant philosophized. "The difficulty of obtaining tobacco is probably the reason why everybody, male and female, used it at that time (in Mexico). I know from my own experience that when I was at West Point, the fact that tobacco, in every form, was prohibited, and the mere possession of the weed severely punished, made the majority of the cadets, myself included, try to acquire the habit of using it."

At Appomattox Grant was suffering a migraine headache which was instantly cured when the surrender note came. Upon meeting with Lee "My own feelings, which had been quite jubilant on the receipt of the letter, were sad and depressed. I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse. I do not question, however, the sincerity of the great mass of those who were opposed to us."

How time changes attitudes: Grant knew that as long as there are living witnesses to the war there are people who will not be consoled at the loss of a cause they considered holy. "As time passes, people, even of the South, will begin to wonder how it was possible that their ancestors ever fought for or justified" the institution of slavery.

GRANT MEMOIRS - 7

2007-11-29T10:12:00.000-08:00

The vagaries of life and war can be fascinating. As I noted in an earlier blog, "what if..."

Many generals and other commanders died on the field of battle. Albert Sidney Johnston, for whom my junior high school in Houston was named, died at Shiloh. Sherman was shot twice, in a hand and shoulder, with a third bullet passing through his hat. He also had several horses shot from under him. But Sherman, of course, lived to be a decisive factor in the war.

Grant was scouting an area unaware of any troops when confederate musketry opened up and several bullets whizzed past his ear. One also struck the metal scabbard of his sword nearly severing it. But Grant was untouched.

Grant was susceptible to "consumption" (tuberculosis) which ran in his family. As a teen he had not desired to go to West Point and did not relish army life. (In fact, in 1839 there was a congressional bill to abolish West Point. Grant read of it with interest and favor, figuring this was his honorable way to get a discharge!) After his graduation, his goal was to teach at West Point. But with the Mexican War brewing and the circumstances of his regiment he knew he would never get the appointment. Rather he was assigned to Texas and spent a lot of time outdoors - until the cough he had acquired at West Point disappeared. "I have often thought that my life was saved, and my health restored, by exercise and exposure, enforced by an administrative act, and a war, both of which I disapproved."

April 14, 1865. Lincoln invited Grant and his wife to accompany him to Ford's theater for the play. Grant replied that he would be pleased to, but that if he got his work finished early enough, he was anxious to get away and see his children. Grant did finish and was switching trains in Philadelphia when he got word of the shooting of the President.

GRANT MEMOIRS - 6

2007-11-29T10:06:00.000-08:00

One wonders how a commander views the horrors of war. How can a man send thousands to their deaths and still be sensitive to suffering?

After a day of battle at Shiloh it rained hard that night. Grant had a severely swollen ankle due to a horse fall. Unable to sleep due to the rain and ankle pain, he moved into a log house which was serving as a hospital. All night men were treated, limbs were being amputated. "The sight was more unendurable than encountering the enemy's fire, and I returned to my tree in the rain."

He also relates that after the second day of battle he saw an open field "so covered with dead that it would have been possible to walk across the clearing, in any direction, stepping on dead bodies, without a foot touching the ground."

While on duty in Mexico he attended a bull fight. "The sight to me was sickening. I could not see how human beings could enjoy the suffering of beasts, and often of men, as they seem to do on these occasions."

Commenting on sleeping on the porch of a captured "rebel hospital" filled with southern wounded: "While a battle is raging one can see his enemy mowed down by the thousand, with great composure; but after the battle these scenes are distressing, and one is naturally disposed to do as much to alleviate the suffering of an enemy as a friend."

GRANT MEMOIRS - 5

2007-11-29T09:54:00.000-08:00

Biographies or memoirs give interesting insight into what makes significant characters tick.

Grant had a certain "no nonsense" quality. On hearing of a duel Grant noted that he would never fight one. "If I should do another such a wrong as to justify him in killing me, I would make any reasonable atonement within my power." And "if any man should wrong me to the extent of my being willing to kill him, I would not be willing to give him the choice of weapons with which it should be done, and of the the time, place and distance separating us, when I executed him." Rather than perceiving a duel as honorable and a matter of courage, Grant wrote, "No doubt a majority of duels fought have been for want of moral courage on the part of those engaged to decline."

He also had a determination when he set on a course. When Lincoln appointed Grant head of the Army of the Potomac to take on Lee, he finally found a commander who would doggedly pursue Lee to the end no matter what. This character was exemplified back in 1844 when he was traveling alone and had to cross a creek swollen with rain. He hesitated only a moment before plunging in. "One of my superstitions had always been when I started to go any where, to to do anything, not to turn back, or stop until the thing intended was accomplished." He would get lost in traveling the countryside, but never turn back. So he crossed the stream although it was difficult and dangerous.

But Grant was not one to grasp at power and position. He was very interested in the Army of the Potomac which was fighting Lee in the east. He saw that as the critical theater of war and would have loved to simply command a brigade there. When a friend suggested he apply for a transfer he declined. "In positions of great responsibility every one should do his duty to the best of his ability where assigned by competent authority, without application or the use of influence to change his position.... If I had sought the place or obtained it through personal or political influence, my belief is that I would have feared to undertake any plan of my own conception, and would probably have awaited direct orders from my distant superiors. Persons obtaining important commands by application or political influence are apt to keep a written record of complaints and predictions of defeat, which are shown in case of disaster. Somebody must be responsible for their failures."

GRANT MEMOIRS - 4

2007-11-16T14:14:00.000-08:00

CHARACTER AND SINGLE-MINDED FOCUS ON A GOAL - 3

Here are some other positive examples and quotes.

In one campaign General Hunter was being micro-managed from Washington - ordered here and then there to the point that he told Grant that he had lost all trace of the enemy. He said that obviously Washington did not have any confidence in him so it would be best to relieve him of command if they really wanted someone else in command. "He did not want in any way to embarrass the cause; thus showing a patriotism that was none too common in the army."

After Sheridan had accomplished great success in his assignment he wrote Grant recommending a reduction in his own forces in order to send them where they were more needed. This was very rare. Most commanders were always jealously guarding their fiefdom and asking for more troops.

Of Rutherford B. Hayes, who succeeded Grant as President, Grant wrote: "His conduct on the field was marked by conspicuous gallantry as well as the display of qualities of a higher order than that of mere personal daring. This might well have been expected of one who could write...'Any officer fit for duty who at this crisis would abandon his post to electioneer for a seat in Congress, ought to be scalped.'"

Pride vs. Humility: General Zachary Taylor led the army in the Mexican War. He "never made any great show or parade, either of uniform or retinue. In dress...rarely wearing anything in the field to indicate his rank, or even that he was an officer; but he was known to every soldier in his army, and was respected by all."

GRANT MEMOIRS - 3

2007-11-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

CHARACTER AND SINGLE-MINDED FOCUS ON A GOAL - 2

Then there were those who exemplified a weakness of character that deterred them from their goal. The pitfalls were usually some form of pride.

General Buell refused an assignment to duty because it would have placed him under Sherman and Canby whom he had outranked at one time. Grant commented, "The worst excuse a soldier can make for declining service is that he once ranked the commander he is ordered to report to."

It is known that Jefferson Davis had hoped to command the southern armies and considered himself a military strategist. Grant refers to one military move that was supposedly made due to Davis' insistence and commented, "On several occasions during the war he came to the relief of the Union army by means of his superior military genius." (emphasis in the original)

And there was Braxton Bragg who was quarrelsome and always looking for some slight or infringement on his rights and authority. "On one occasion...he was himself commanding one of the companies and at the same time acting as post quartermaster and commissary....As commander of the company he made a requisition upon the quartermaster--himself--for something he wanted.

"As quartermaster he declined to fill the requisition, and endorsed on the back of it his reasons for doing so. As company commander he responded to this, urging that his requisition called for nothing but what he was entitled to, and that it was the duty of the quartermaster to fill it. As quartermaster he still persisted that he was right.

"So Bragg then referred the whole matter to the commanding officer of the post who responded, 'Mr. Bragg, you have quarrelled with every officer in the army, and now you are quarrelling with yourself!'"

GRANT MEMOIRS - 2

2007-11-06T13:16:00.000-08:00

CHARACTER AND SINGLE-MINDED FOCUS ON THE GOAL - 1

Two huge issues in successful leadership are the matter of individual character and whether or not one is truly committed, single-mindedly, to the ultimate goal. Of course, these are not unrelated issues. Many of Grant's observations and anecdotes reveal both those who could be unselfish in devotion to the cause and those who too often were looking out for their own cause, i.e. personal reputation and advancement. It usually comes down to Pride vs. Humility. Here are some positive cases to emulate.

Early in the war Grant was laying siege to Fort Donelson. Sherman was sending him reinforcements and supplies. "At that time he was my senior in rank and there was no authority of law to assign a junior to command a senior of the same grade. But every boat that came up with supplies or reinforcements brought a note of encouragement from Sherman, asking me to call upon him for any assistance he could render and saying that if he could be of service at the front I might send for him and he would waive rank." Of course, later Grant commanded Sherman who served him faithfully in spite of the reversal of power that would have upset so many commanders.

At the battle of Chattanooga troops from different commands became very entangled. "There was no jealousy--hardly rivalry. Indeed I doubt whether officers or men took any note at the time of the fact of this intermingling of commands. All saw a defiant foe surrounding them, and took it for granted that every move was intended to dislodge him, and it made no difference where the troops came from so that the end was accomplished."

When Grant became overall commander of the Union armies, he superseded Meade who had been commanding the Army of the Potomac and had won the great victory at Gettysburg. As changes were being made, Meade thought that perhaps Grant would also want to put Sherman in his place in the east.

"If so, he begged me not to hesitate about making the change. He urged that the work before us was of such vast importance to the whole nation that the feeling or wishes of no one person should stand in the way of selecting the right men for all positions. For himself he would serve to the best of his ability wherever placed."

Grant's estimation of Meade increased significantly because of this attitude. In fact, Grant said that this impressed him more than Meade's victory at Gettysburg! "It is men who wait to be selected, and not those who seek, from whom we may always expect the most efficient service."

THE PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF ULYSSES S. GRANT - 1

2007-11-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

In 1885 Ulysses S. Grant published his memoirs. Not only does this work give detail and insight into the great cataclysm of the Civil War, it also gives insight into life and human nature. All lives are instructive whether in positive traits to imitate or in negative traits to avoid. But lives that are played out on the grand scale of historical significance offer such lessons in ways that more easily get our attention. In several upcoming entries I will share some insights, lessons and perhaps curiosities from this great memoir.

Grant was a leader. He did not seek the role, but the role found him. It found him because he had certain characteristics and because he learned how to lead. All leaders must face fear. Fear paralyzes and causes one to make poor decisions. Certainly leading in war and in a war in which the nation is a stake has the power to destroy leadership capability through fear. Grant knew fear and overcame it.

In the first few months of the Civil War Grant had his first experience in command. He led a regiment against a Colonel Harris and was practically unnerved. "As we approached the brow of the hill from which it was expected we could see Harris' camp, and possibly find his men ready formed to meet us, my heart kept getting higher and higher until it felt to me as though it was in my throat. I would have given anything to be back in Illinois."

This was not fear of battle for Grant had fought valiantly in Mexico. It was, rather, the burden of command. Leadership is a great responsibility.

However, when they topped the hill, "the marks of a recent encampment were plainly visible, but the troops were gone." And the lesson? "It occurred to me at once that Harris had been as much afraid of me as I had been of him. This was a view of the question I had never taken before; but it was one I never forgot afterwards. From that event to the close of the war, I never experienced trepidation upon confronting an enemy, though I always felt more or less anxiety. I never forgot that he had as much reason to fear my forces as I had his. The lesson was valuable."

Note that overcoming fear does not mean the task is easy or without anxiety. But fear never again got the upper hand with Grant.

Unfortunately that was not the case with many commanders. There was the repeated frustration due to commanders who either ignored orders or executed them entirely too slowly. This cost lives and lost battles. The loss of opportunities and the price of following a course of action too late, burdened Grant.

Of one commander Grant wrote "He could see every danger at a glance before he had encountered it." In other words, he was afraid to do anything because of possible danger. When Sheridan finally removed this commander from the field, Grant wrote "I was very sorry that it had to be done, and regretted still more that I had not long before taken occasion to assign him to another field of duty."

Another lesson. Don't wait too late to make corrections and put people in the place that is best for them to achieve success - even when it means hurt feelings.

Repeatedly he had commanders who thought in terms of "following Lee" while Grant had to keep reminding them that his goal was to "get ahead of Lee" get south of him and cut him off. Grant had no interest in simply following Lee.

The lesson: Be sure you understand clearly the ultimate, big-picture goal. We tend to let interim steps become our goal forgetting the real goal. Other commanders wanted to follow and contain Lee. Grant knew he had to be completely defeated.

Grant appointed Sheridan to control the Shenandoah Valley. The War department in Washington thought Sheridan was too young. Grant judged Sheridan on his ability and character, not his age.

He also allowed the man to do his job. Grant met with him having a plan of action in his pocket to instruct Sheridan. But when they met, Sheridan immediately drew out his own map and plans. Sheridan "was so clear and so positive in his views and so confident of success" Grant said nothing about his own plans "and did not take them out of my pocket." A good leader lets others do their job without insisting on one's own opinions.

After the war there was debate as to whether or not Sherman's "March to the Sea" had really been Sherman's plan, as he stated. Many thought it must have come from Grant. "The question...is easily answered: it was clearly Sherman, and to him also belongs the credit of its brilliant execution." Grant does deserve credit for totally supporting the idea (which was unprecedented up to that time) over the objections of all his staff and their efforts to have Washington stop it.

Lesson: a good leader allows others to think, plan and act offering whatever support is needed for them to succeed - and then allows them to receive credit and benefit for their work. Sometimes a leader leads from "underneath" or from the background and is never jealous of the growth and success of his subordinates. And sometimes one has to act counter to all conventional wisdom. The challenge, of course, is to know when to do that.

Finally, a lesson on criticism and perspective. Early in his career (the 1840's) Grant was part of the army to take Mexico City. He confessed he would have picked a different route than what was chosen. "But my later experience has taught me two lessons: first, that things are seen plainer after the events have occurred; second, that the most confident critics are generally those who know the least about the matter criticised (sic)."

JUDGMENT AND GRACE

2007-10-09T15:27:00.000-07:00

The last line of the Old Testament is "Or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." The last line of the New Testament is "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen."

The Old Testament presents a problem that the New Testament solves. The Old Testament is the story of creation and mankind's sin along with the Law of Moses which could not be kept perfectly in order earn salvation. The New Testament unfolds in history God's plan of grace through the sacrificial death of his perfect son. Thus, the last lines of the two testaments are fitting.

But it's not quite that simple. If one looks at the broader context of the last two lines there is an interesting parallel and contrast. Malachi 4:1-6 presents a judgment/grace/judgment pattern. Revelation 22:17-21 presents a grace/judgment/grace pattern.

In Malachi the burning day of the Lord is coming upon the arrogant and evil. But for those who revere the Lord it will be a day of healing. The close of the OT is open-ended with the promise of the coming Elijah and the hope that entails, but the last line is a line of warning.

In Revelation the Spirit and bride say "Come" to take the free gift of the water of life. But then follow words of warning, the threat of plagues, and the loss of the tree of life and holy city. The close, however, is the promised coming of the Lord Jesus and a pronouncement of blessing.

The truth is that both the Old and New Testaments present judgment and grace. Contrary to stereotyping, there is grace, mercy, love and forgiveness in the Old Testament. And contrary to many popular assumptions today, there are harsh words of judgment in the New Testament. The Bible is a story of bad news and good news. The bad news precedes the good news and for those who reject the good news, the news is only bad.

But the ultimate Good News is the coming and story of Jesus as given in the New Testament. And it is perfectly fitting that the New Testament, thus the whole Bible, ends with "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen. Revelation 22:20-21