A gracEmail subscriber in Tennessee asks, "What are your thoughts -- as a believer, an attorney, and a Texan -- concerning Karla Faye Tucker? I am so thrilled by her witness to God's redemptive power. But I fear for a nation whose leadership is so concerned about doing justice (vengeance?) that it has forgotten what it means to love mercy. Texans shown on TV here appear so cold and vengeful that it's scary. I would love to get your perspective." * * * Most of the civilized world knows that on February 3, 1998, the State of Texas executed Karla Faye Tucker by lethal injection for the … [Read more...]
Archives for 1998
PRESIDENTIAL REPENTANCE
On Friday, September 11, 1998, the U.S. Congress opened and released to the public the Report of Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr, setting forth what Judge Starr characterized as impeachable offenses by the President of the United States. The same day, the President hosted the annual White House Prayer Breakfast, at which he made the following remarks. Only God knows his heart and his sincerity. As Christians, we are obligated at this point to accept them as genuine. We must also denounce as unchristian two popular reactions to recent events -- one liberal and one conservative. Those … [Read more...]
A GARDEN OF PRAISE
July 1998 -- The crepe myrtle is blooming in Limestone County, Alabama, and so are the plantings of God's spiritual garden. This was the land of my birth and youth, the home of my Fudge ancestors since about 1805. Nestled midway between Birmingham and Nashville, the fertile Appalachian plain is nourished by the Tennessee and Elk Rivers, by Big Creek and a multitude of sparkling streams. But God's Holy Spirit watered our souls this weekend, as the River of Life flowed out from the heavenly throne, growing deeper as it went, bringing life to all that it touched (Ezek. 48:1-12). What a feast … [Read more...]
A LITTLE TASTE OF HEAVEN
April 1998 -- When I visualize the New Heavens and New Earth, part of it looks a lot like Birmingham, Alabama in the Spring. Verdant mountains covered with old growth hardwood trees and adorned with luxuriant azaleas have it all over golden streets in this man's imagination. Then there are the people. These are special people, to be sure -- disciples of Jesus who make up the Campus Church of Christ where I was privileged to speak four times on Saturday and again on Sunday morning. There were Frank and Lila Sutton, my gracious hosts, and hosts to countless others through the years who for a … [Read more...]