THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. I recently received an email from a lady named Darlene, whom I did not know, stating that my friend Wayne had urged her to tell me about a special situation and to request that I mention it in gracEmail. Harry Robert Fox, 94, a long-time missionary to Japan, now in a care facility, had written what he considered his "final paper," Darlene said. Wayne thought I would appreciate it, as would many gracEmail subscribers. This was an easy call. I first met Harry Robert Fox 25 years ago at the Pepperdine … [Read more...]
QUIET ACCEPTANCE
THE THIRTIETH DAY OF AUGUST IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. Today's gracEmail is by Sara Faye, whom I thank for allowing me to share it with you. Waxing philosophical today as I fly home to Houston from Tennessee and an emotional weekend of goodbyes. Celebrating the remarkable life of my precious cousin Kathy, whose many friends gathered to reflect on her life of faith as we joined her dear family in praising God for our living Hope. Sharing memories with cousins of days gone by and reflecting on invisible ties that bind us. Poring over photographs from childhood, … [Read more...]
image-bearer
"Physical with limits. Mortal by creation." Thus, we bear the Image. Mark of our Creator indelibly imprinted. Autograph of Maker certifying product. Personal inspection gained his high approval. He pronounced it "very good." His signature now spoiled and smeared, the image yet remains; reminder of our origin and of his rightful rule. He formed the human first from dirt; from stuff of earth at that. Dirt-creatures, clay dolls, men of mud--to earth shall all return. Yet live for now, for life we have, life breathed by Life itself. In-spired, spired-in, nostrils flared with spirit, breath … [Read more...]
MR. BILL IS GONE
Like most of us in Houston, he came from somewhere else. In his case, home was New York. Now retired, he worked part-time as a sacker at our neighborhood Randall's supermarket, an age-indifferent job which places high school students side by side with white-haired retirees. Dependent largely on tips, they share an abundance of energy, enthusiasm and usually good cheer. "Mr. Bill," everyone called him. Although our suburb of Katy constitutes the western edge of metropolitan Houston, it still retains the feel and the friendliness of a smaller town. Mr. Bill fitted this place, and his … [Read more...]
APPRECIATING BREATH OF LIFE
In two months I turn 63 and almost all the 23,000 days of my life so far have been graced with energy, enthusiasm and good health. Until this point I have been spared the major maladies of cancer, stroke and heart attack, for which I give God thanks. Despite these marvelous blessings I am increasingly experiencing the mortality of this present body, a model neither intended nor equipped to function forever. Several episodes of atrial fibrillation remind me not to take the heart's steady rhythms for granted. My early stage Parkinson's disease testifies to the complexity and precariousness of … [Read more...]
MILESTONE AND MILLSTONE
This Monday (May 13, 2002) marked a milestone in my life and its passing also removed a millstone of sorts from around my neck. That day was exactly two months before my 58th birthday, which weighed on my mind because 30 years ago my father died exactly two months before he would have turned 58 years old. Call it silly, superstitious or satanic, I have long wondered, with some measure of anxiety, whether God would give me earthly life longer than he gave it to my Dad. Monday's angst was increased because that morning I entered Methodist Hospital here in Houston for sinus surgery. In my … [Read more...]
FRAIL CREATURES OF DUST
If Scripture teaches us anything about ourselves, it surely is that we are mortal creatures totally dependent on God every moment of our lives, which on earth are always temporary and at best all too brief. God made us from elements of earth, to which we eventually return. He animates our clay bodies with his gift of life-breath and makes us whole living beings ("souls" in Hebrew). Every moment's life, every experience of joy and taste of beauty, every sharing of love -- all are gifts of divine grace to a frail people living in a broken world. I have known this all my life and have taught … [Read more...]
REFLECTIONS OF A ‘TURTLE’
I say "reflections of a turtle" because these are a few thoughts that impressed me deeply while I was lying flat on my back for large periods of time during the past two weeks following back surgery. (And, unless something really motivates me, this is the last you will have to hear about that entire experience.) The first morning after surgery I gained a profound appreciation for the simplicity of intimacy, when wife Sara Faye came to my bedside with a breakfast tray and proceeded to feed me, spoon by spoon, a wonderful bowl of warm oatmeal coated with brown sugar. I was too "stove up," as … [Read more...]
FAITH WINS OVER FEARS
It is true that 48 hours earlier I had been deeply anesthetized during surgery. More anesthesia than usual, as it happened, because scar tissue from an earlier epidural prolonged the procedure, and also to offset a sudden increase in blood pressure during surgery. Then there were the post-op pills -- an anti-inflammatory, a muscle relaxant and a narcotic pain reliever. Whatever the reason, sleep had been troubled both nights since surgery. Frightful nightmares, interrupted by waking almost hourly to a sense of horror and thoughts of death. I prayed for peace of mind and sleep, but neither came … [Read more...]
BACK TO GOOD HEALTH
With the Psalmist I pray, "I will extol Thee, O LORD, for Thou hast lifted me up. O LORD my God, I cried to thee for help, and Thou didst heal me" (Psalm 30:1-2). After nine months of leg pain which increased in frequency and severity whenever I stood or walked, and after a progression of unsuccessful treatments including chiropractic, medication, physical therapy and a steroid injection in the spine, God gave me relief and healing two weeks ago (June 1998) through the skillful work of Houston neurosurgeon Dr. Rob Parrish who removed a herniated disk in a two-hour surgery. I went home the same … [Read more...]