A Man or an Angel?

A man who had spent the last 20 years of his life away from God, most of the time fighting the demons of alcoholism, lay in a Washington State jail with six or eight other drunks and drug addicts. In misery and defeat, scant inches from the other hapless souls, he lay on a narrow cot with his face turned to the wall in the silence, for none of his vile companions wanted to talk, and neither did he.

He heard the door of "the tank" open and close, and in all of that dim, foul smelling atmosphere, a very young man came over directly to where this man miserably lay. "I am a heroin addict, and you are an alcoholic" he simply stated, and stood awaiting a response. The first thought to come to his mind was to tell him that he was in jail for unwittingly violating a "no contact order", but in those few moments (as only God can do) this dear man openly admitted that, "Yes, I am an alcoholic"...and said it more to his God than to the young "addict".

In that moment, and just that briefly, he knew that he would never take another drink, and that he was through running from God, and had peace and forgiveness with God. God can, and does, communicate with us in ways that not only defy description, but are more direct and certain and effective than any human voice or logic. I marvel at the grace of God, and rejoice that He is the same today in His delivering power as He ever has been!

Was "this young heroin addict" a man or an angel? We do not know...but we wonder?

Ittai, a Philistine Man of God

In recent years, Ittai (pronounced It-tay-eye) has become one of my favorite biblical personages.

2 Samuel 15:13-31

And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

That he was a Philistine believer at the time of the scripture reading, holds our minds in enough fascination, but to discover that he was also the son of Achish, king of Gath, and that with his immigration as a Jewish proselyte he brought 600 Philistine warriors and their families with him, his conversion is incredible.

His appearance in Jerusalem scant days before David's hasty departure as his son, Absalom prepared to overthrow David's reign and assasinate him in the process, would seem on the surface to be the worst possible timing for Ittai. Actually, as always with God, Ittai's coming was Divinely and perfectly timed, and he would prominently figure into David's "salvation" and Absalom's military debacle.

Unquestionably, David and Ittai would have met, and formed a "Jonathan-like" alliance during the two or three years that David had spent in Gath, running for his life from an apostate Saul, and serving Achish (the king of Gath, and Ittai's father). At this time, Ittai had witnessed the presence and character of David's God in him, and at some point, became a believer, also planning at some time in the future to migrate to Israel when David eventually became king.

When he came, with 600 "Gibborim" (a Phistine word meaning "heros; mighty men") and all of their families, it appeared on the surface to be a most inopportune time, a time of Absalom's deception and mutiny, with David's life and throne on the line.

When David offered a "free pass", a honorable way out, to Ittai, his reply was a personal testimony of his conversion ("As the Lord God 'yahweh' lives"), but also an instant commitment of his life and that of his 600 warriors to the protection and honor of David! "Wherever you go and are, I will be right there by your side". My admiration knows no bounds to this kind of devotion! To God and to David! What a God Who provokes such brave devotion and selfless courage! He continues to dwell in the hearts of godly and devout men today!

By W.L. Boone

A Story of Scars

As I was reading my Bible this morning, bumping the fleshy part of my left hand uneasily kept bringing to memory the reason why it was so tender, and why the red, swollen abrasion needed to avoid being bumped.

It was the latest of over seventy scars counted on my two hands.

Reflecting on them, a heartening sermon arose. Besides this latest one, only three of them could evoke the memory of causes. One came of dressing rabbits as a lad, another from extracting a nipple from a broken baby bottle during a high school initiation, the the third from a doctor's two incisions from going after a half inch long, plywood sliver he never found. (It eventually came out of its own accord after about six months).

Think of this! Four of the largest scars were there from injuries I could not even recall!

Strangely, the ones easiest remembered are the latest - this last one from a naughty piece of concrete rebar that rolled into and tore a hole in my hand.

The truth that you can seldom work without getting injuries is equally true as we labor for the Lord in the work of His heavenly kingdom. The bruises of misunderstanding, and the lacerations of criticisms, are certain to be a part of church work. As much as we try to avoid them, and as much as we want them never to happen, they will occur with just about as much regularity as scratches, cuts, bruises and injuries to our bodies as we work with our hands.

How heartening it is to remember the story of scars. A few of them can be remembered, but most are blissfully forgotten.

By W.L. Boone

President Bush's Beetle

According to an Associated Press article datelined June 10, 2008, a scientist at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philladelphia has named a newly-discovered slime mold beetle after President Bush.

The same article noted that a recent discovery of a separate species of the trapdoor spider accorded its name to musician Neil Young.

The featured "honoree", however, was Frank Gallagher, a 37 year, museum mailroom supervisor selected to have a newly-discovered Orinico thicklip catfish named after him ( Rhinodoras gallagheric). This new species of catfish is one of 1.3 million fish kept and catalogued in the museum's aquarium.

Such huge numbers and variations of our world's creatures are mind-boggling to say the least, but what dominates our attention in wordless wonder is that continuing discoveries of new species are still occurring today here in June of 2008!

Entomologists (think: "ant", distinguishing it from etymologist who is one who studies word meanings) would instantly disagree with those persons who claim that space was man's "last frontier", for new species of spiders alone are still being discovered, catalogued and named. New deep seabed creatures likewise are being discovered.

All humankind should humbly bow before, and acknowledge, our benevolent Creator-God Who has graciously lavished us with such fascinating wonder all around us!

By W.L. Boone

The Sidewalk

I want to tell you about a sidewalk. It had 1913 stamped on it...five years short of 100 years here in May of 2008.

I had deliberately protected the 1913 signature logo of some long defunct concrete company, probably contracted by the City of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to form and pour many blocks of curbs, gutters and sidewalks in that long ago time - 1913. Even when it was necessary to dig up and re-pour the sidewalk around it, I made sure that the oval shaped logo was left because of the message it held in my mind.

Even during the process of excavation and construction of a new church building in the early 1970s, when heavy equipment and concrete trucks rolled over that old sidewalk, it stood and withstood through it all. Lawnmowers and snowplows and vehicles of all descriptions repeatedly ran over it. Besides pedestrians, there were hundreds of bicycles, baby strollers, motor cycles, skate boards and roller skates, wagons and wheelbarrows that it had uncomplainingly supported.

For more than 90 years this old sidewalk that ran down Third Street in front of the Wesleyan Church and parsonage- where we were privileged to pastor for nearly 40 years- had faithfully, dependably, quietly and predictably supported the footfalls of thousands of residents and pedestrians.

The reason for telling you this is that you could depend on that old sidewalk, though my guess is that you could count on one hand those users who had appreciated it. It had done its job - had faithfully performed its intended purpose - through all of those 90 plus years in summers of blistering, 100-degree, August heat as well as in 40 below, harsh, North Idaho winters.

We are wealthy beyond description if we have someone in our lives who has provided for us "a sidewalk"; someone whom we can count on who can show us the way to walk through life; someone who can be a safe guide for us; someone who can point us in the direction of a certain future; someone who can be trusted to be more interested in us than themselves.

By W.L. Boone

Up is Down

When is down, up? When is bad, good? When is loss, gain? When is sad, happy? When is last, first?

When is failure, success? When is suffering, health? When is foolishness, wisdom? When is death, life?

All of the answers are single... and the same: AT THE CROSS.

One of the most perplexing discussions in the Bible is described by Mark, chapter 9:33-37. Jesus' followers were actually arguing between themselves who of the twelve of them was the greatest; the most important; should be accorded the highest position?

"It has to be me," claimed Peter, "for me and Andrew were the first men Jesus selected...and Andrew here, always does what I say."

"Well now, wait just a minute here," declared James. "You, Brother Peter, are just too reckless, forward and opinionated. A leader must be more steady, cool headed, thoughtful and wise than you are."

Young John quietly observed, "I know that you older guys think that way, but who of us does Jesus favor the most and have the most intimate, personal chats with? Me."

"But I'm the one He trusts with the money," says Judas.

It is mind-boggling that such thinking would erupt into an open argument. Merely thinking about it suggests questionable motives. Openly expressing it among themselves reveals a nearly complete ignorance of both the teachings and disposition of their Lord.

Jesus dealt with this ambitious posturing so directly and decisively that it cuts a wide swath for Christian behavior through all church history into our own lives today. He plainly stated that, "If any person desires to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all."

This is NOT normal, human thinking. "Being number 1" is probably the most dominant goal of us humans - from the cradle to the grave. "My" world revolves around "me."

We must make the journey to the cross to change the "me" concept into an "others" one. Jesus clearly stated that to follow Him meant a lifetime of shouldering the cross, and that if we want to live for Him, we must die to self. (SEE Luke 9:23)

Paul made it clear that the only way he could live for Christ was to be crucified with Him. (SEE Galatians 2:20). Carnality will always be in conflict with the cross. One or the other will dominate and reign.

Our minds noticeably soften as we "see" Jesus clearly demonstrate what He meant about heaven's greatest persons "being the servant of all" by sitting a small child on His lap. He said that heaven's greatest would display the characteristics of a small child: humility; the absence of posturing for rank; yeildedness; subservience; teachableness; lowliness of mind - but most of all, a nature in harmony with God's.

Jesus sensed in a little child a nature as His own - a kindred, mutual spirit.

A Titus... Please!

We want no visitors in the early mornings. We want no observers in our disheveled states. To my knowledge, the decorations of slumber...the embellishments of sleep...are not subjects of art or publication.

We are a mess in our weaknesses. We do not want anyone to see us in our frail moments. We do not want anyone to even be around us during our anxious and strained tests when the flesh is strong and the spirit is weak. (I wonder about the person who said that "misery loves company"?) None of us should be judged at our best, but "Please, Lord! spare us from seeing ourselves too much at our worst."

It greatly helps us to read that Paul was human. He stated in 2nd Corinthians 7:5, "...our flesh had no rest...we were troubled on every side...fightings and conflicts were all around us, and dread and fears were within". Every time I read over this part of Paul's ministry experiences I wonder, "How could things get any worse?" All of us knows how bad things can be at times.

We must be reminded that it is not great personalities, and great gifts, and great environments and great opportunities that make us great Christians. It is always great grace that molds and shapes and develops us through suffering and testing and hard places.

But Paul said something else about this terrible testing time. He said, "God comforted us by the coming of Titus".

Years ago I was in a college committee meeting on the campus while my younger brother was a student there. Remembering how college students were always short of cash, and as we were standing around ready to leave, I embraced my brother and pressed a good sized bill into his hand. He looked surprised and, with tears in his eyes while trying to return it said, "Oh, I can't take this, Lester. I've been asking God for some badly needed funds." Then he looked more startled when I replied, "R.G., God just answered your prayer."

God sent Titus. It was Titus. I was Titus. Too often "Titus" is right there, standing by our sides, holding our hands, looking into our eyes, embracing us, steadying us, easing the pain, sharing our sorrow, smiling at us, weeping with us. I have yet to meet a single person who turned down a little appreciation. It is the universal gift of propriety. Appreciation is always appropriate.

There are thousands of Christians who are struggling because they think that they are not counting for much in their families, or in their churches, or in their schools or places of employment. I would urge any of us to become "Titus-type" encouragers, and uplifters and appreciaters. Anyone can do it, and there is not a more neglected job in the church than it is. It can be done anywhere, everywhere, anytime and all the time!

Be a grateful person! Be a gracious person! Graciousness is finding fulfillment in someone else's happiness and enjoyment and well being.

"Dear Lord, Increase the Tituses among us. Amen".

Copyright by W.L. Boone.