Left From the Right

This week I am sharing some lyrics from one of my favorite CD's. The songs are from Extreme's epic album, III Sides to Every Story. I hope you find the lyrics as meaningful and profound as I have. The music is amazing as well, but that I cannot share here. Thanks to my friend Doug P. for turning me onto this beautiful work. Not all the songs from the CD are included and they are not necessarily in the order of the playlist.
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III Sides to Every Story
Songs written by Nuno Bettencourt and Gary Cherone

Rest in Peace
Let's talk of peace sounds so cliché; A novelty; Catch phrase of the day
Middle, index, sign of the time Just as complex, As water to ...
Someone said give peace a chance. And, that's all that we're saying.
While we're sitting on the fence pretending our hearts are in the right place.

But, your face shows a trace of hypocrisy; Don't tread on me, Now you can see,
Make love not war sounds so absurd to me
We can't afford to say these words lightly; Or else our world will truly, rest in peace!

Let's not pretend to justify; Rather amend, where treasures lie.
Straight through the heart; Peace can be found.
That's where you start, not all around.
Someone said give peace a chance. And, that's all that we're saying.
While we're sitting on the fence pretending our hearts are in the right place.

But, your face shows a trace of hypocrisy; Don't tread on me, boy
Now you can see.
Make love not war sounds so absurd to me.
We can't afford to say these words lightly; Or else our world will truly, rest in peace!

Peacemaker Die
Peacemaker die, Mr. righteous one. You say you have this plan? If we care to understand.
Peacemaker die, Mr. nice guy. You dare to speak the truth? I'll twist and turn it into lies.

Blessed are the warmongers; Blessed are the warmongers.
For they shall be called Man-made gods.
Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die, I don't know why?
Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die,Peacemaker die, I don't know why?

Peacemaker die, Mr. goody two shoes. Do you really thing the world can be black, white, and jew?
Peacemaker die, Mr. music man. Don't turn your back on me? Cause I'm the one with the gun.

Blessed are the warmongers; Blessed are the warmongers;
For they shall be called Sons of god.
Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die, I don't know why? Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die, Peacemaker die,Peacemaker die, I don't know why?

(live excerpts from MLK)
I have a dream this afternoon that the brotherhood of man will become a reality in this day.
With this faith, I will go out and carve the tunnel of hope through the mountain of despair.
With this faith, I will go out with you and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows.
With this faith, we will be able to achieve this new day when all of god's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands;
And sing with the negroes, in the spiritual of old
Free at last, free at last, Thank God almighty, we're free at last.

Color Me Blind
I had a dream last night. I was blind. And I couldn't see color of any kind.
Picture the world minus a rainbow. When day becomes night then where will the sun go.
Dancing alone just me and my shadow. Color me blind. So I can see no evil.

Why do we dream in black and white? Color me blind.
Why do we dream in black and white? Color me blind.

I had a dream. I was looking over the mountain. But I've yet to see the so-called promised land.
Picture the world without any color. You couldn't tell one face from the other.
I don't understand why we fight with our brother.

Color me blind. Just to love one another. Color me, color you, color me blind.

Am I Ever Gonna Change
I'm tired of being me. And I don't like what I see. I'm not who I appear to be.
So I start off every day down on my knees. I will pray for a change in any way.
But as the day goes by I live through another lie. If it's any wonder why.

Am I ever gonna change? Will I always stay the same?
If I say one thing, then I do the other.
It's the same old song that goes on forever.

Am I ever gonna change? I'm the only one to blame?
When I think I'm right I wind up wrong.
It's a futile fight gone on too long.

Please tell me if it's true. Am I too old to start anew?
Cause that's what I want to do.
But time and time again when I think I can;
I fall short in the end. So why do I even try?
Will it matter when I die? Can anyone hear my cry?

Am I ever gonna change? Take it day by day.
My will is weak and my flesh too strong.
This peace I seek till thy kingdom comes.

Seven Sundays
One day we'll find the time to spend, together. Until then, my love.
If I had one wish it wouldn't be hard to choose.
Seven sundays in a row. Cause that's the day that I spend with you.

Someday soon, you and I will hold each other. Once again, my love.
If I had one wish it wouldn't be hard to choose.
Seven sundays in a row. Seven sundays in a row. Seven sundays in a row.
Cause that's the day that I spend with you.

If I had one wish it wouldn't be hard to choose.

Who Cares?
Tell me, Jesus are you angry? One more sheep has just gone astray.
A hardening of hearts turning to stone. Wandering off so far from home.
So many children losing time. Walk in darkness looking for a sign.
Chasing their rainbows the future looks so bright. Slowly we're losing sight of the light.

Who cares? Who cares? Who cares? Tell me who cares? Who cares?
All alone out in the cold. Can't look back. Am I growing old? I chose a path.
Is this my fate? Am I finding out the truth too late?

Here I am. A naked man. Nothing to hide. With empty hands.
Remember me, I am the one who lost his way. Your prodigal son.
Who cares? Who cares? Who cares? Tell me who cares? Who cares?
Am I ever gonna change? Will I always stay the same?
Say one thing then I do the other. Same old song goes on forever.
Rise, rise 'n shine. A new day is coming.
Yes it is!

Politicalamity
Wars 'n rumors. Of wars, no one knows what for.
Toys and soldiers. Deployed on some foreign shore.
Lords and rulers. Destroy, diplomatic rapport.

Communists, dictatorships, democracies, hypocrisies.
Ask not what your country can do? To a one world governmental zoo.
Political, political, politicalamity. It's an-ar-chy.
Political, political, politicalamity. Rich 'n poor.

Salute your country's colors. Less is more when one oppresses the other.
Pride 'n power. Decorated upon collars.

Donkeys, bears 'n elephants. All paper-trained on parliament.
Ask not what your country can do? To a one world governmental zoo.

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Now that you have had a chance to read through the lyrics, you will find it interesting that the album was released in 1992.

Are we ever gonna change? Will it always be the same?

Make love (mercy), not war.
We can't afford to say these words lightly; Or else our world will truly, rest in peace!

I really love the double entendre in that last line.

Ministering to the Poor (of spirit and of material)

I encourage you to visit our Mere Discipleship Discussion blog. I have posted a comment from a man who knows from life-long, direct experience about being the hands and feet of Christ to the impoverished. He has much wisdom to impart.

Stephen Meeks currently heads up the Good Soils Ministries, ministering to the impoverished in Appalachia. Prior to this ministry, Stephen spent many years in Africa. He speaks from years of practical experience. He has practiced that which works and that which fails. Having met Stephen, I cannot speak highly enough of him, his heart, and his work. Thanks Stephen for your insight.

Stephen's blogs are very good too. They will challenge you and make you uncomfortable.


On a wierdly related note (I let each of you figure out how), I found this post and really enjoyed it. The author left a comment on my blog several weeks ago, so I check his out from time to time: Purgatory Penman.

Tony

The Gospel According to Albus Dumbledore

I am reading the Harry Potter series to my daughter of 5 years old. Last night, I read a paragraph that I found so beautiful that I had to blog it. I am taking some editing license, indicated by [], to illustrate the beauty and profound statement that I read into it. This is my take and not intended to reflect any view by the author J.K. Rowling.

[Christ] died to save you. If there is one thing [Satan] cannot understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as your [Savior's] love for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign...to have been loved so deeply, even though [the One] who loved us is gone, will give us protection* forever. It is in your very skin. [People], full of hatred, greed, and ambition, sharing [their] soul with [Satan], [can] not touch you for this reason. It [is] agony to touch a person marked by something so good.
-- modified from Albus Dumbledore's commentary on Voldemort, Harry Potter & The Sorcer's Stone, J. K. Rowling. Arthur A. Levine Books. 2003.

I give them [my sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.
-- Christ, John 10:28-30.

* edited from "some protection".

Go 'Dores!

23 years ago, in Nov. 1982, my sophomore year at Vanderbilt we beat UT. I was there at Dudley field, in the rain, row 2, 45 yard line. It has been a long time. This time it was in Knoxville. I was watching on TV. This year is my 20th year reunion from graduating from Vanderbilt. What a fitting reunion celebration.

Jay Cutler, our senior quarterback, and the other young men who work so hard deserved this. I am so emotional for them today. Go 'Dores!!!!! You will be seeing alot of Jay in the pros.

I am headed to Vanderbilt to great the team when they get in.

It has been a long time since I rock 'n rolled, GO DORES!!! I love you.

Life Guidelines: Experience of a Father, for my Daughter

I am compiling guidelines I wish to convey to my daughter at some appropriate time in her life (she is five now). I try to live these and teach them when I can, but I want her to have a list she can reflect on when I am not around. My initial thought was to give them to her when she goes to college, but I think it will have to be much sooner than that in today's world. So here is what I have so far.

Life Guidelines: Experience of a Father, for my Daughter
by Anthony W. Arnold

Love God and follow Christ. The Bible will show you how.

LOVE!

Be happy. Ultimate happiness is found through the will of God.

Be kind. You will never regret an act of kindness.

Pray and talk to God about everything: your love, joy, sadness, pain, anger, frustration, temptation, confusion—everything. This personal relationship with the Father will save your life (read Psalms).

Virtue cultivates happiness, degradation of self breeds misery.

Crave righteousness and seek truth.

Thirst for wisdom and hunger for knowledge. Self-esteem and confidence are built in the pursuit of both.

Be passionate: in labor, in art, in music, in study, in relationships, and in love.

Cherish your salvation and your integrity. Compromise neither. The only one who can rob you of these is yourself.

Explore the world that God created before man destroys it.

You are special. Surround yourself with special people.

Recognize your weaknesses and surround yourself with those who can offset them (Proverbs 27:17).

Peer pressure is a farce. It is purely a method for others to justify their own doubtful behavior.

Do not confuse peer pressure with support or loving admonition. Know the difference, disregard the former and accept the latter.

Believe in the Holy Spirit and trust its exertions.

Every human will fail you at one time or another, but God will not. When humans do fail you, remember that God forgave them and let His Son die for them.

Holding onto grudges and anger requires your energy, not the energy of those toward whom it is directed.

Satan is real.

Satan cares not whether you believe in him or follow him. He cares only that you move one more step away from God. He has nothing to offer. He cannot give—only take.

God gave: His Son. God gives: Eternal life.

Your body is your gift to give. Give it in the ways of the Lord.

Please the Lord. If others are not happy with this, then it is their problem not yours.

You are created in the image of God. Therefore, you are beautiful!

Don’t let guilt consume you. There is no act you can do that Jesus has not already handled with His death. Nothing is too big for Him.

Do not attempt to be loved by everyone or by every action. Let your actions command respect. You can respect someone you do not love, but it is virtually impossible to love someone you do not respect.

Be kind and gentle, but firm. Be decisive and resolute in your morals.

Tolerate injustice only when it is done to you. Fight it when you see it being inflicted on others.

The only life you should value over another is the sacrifice of your own.

Forgiveness of a sin does not mean absolution from its consequences.

It is possible, despite modern opinion to the contrary, to take a moral stance with love and without being judgmental.

Force is power, but love is powerful.

Don’t agonize over not being able to change others. Sometimes it is enough just to be able to change yourself (Gipsie Ranney).

Physics, chemistry, and math are important. They describe how the universe works. God created the universe, therefore the understanding of these fields reveals a part of God.

Develop solid verbal and written communication skills. Without them, you can neither convey your point of view nor understand the point of veiw of others.

The definition of a simple life is peace of soul; contentment that is removed from circumstance. The path to it is through Christ.

Your strength is greater than you can possibly imagine. Unfortunately, you will only find this out when you think you have none left.

When you do not know what else to do, pray!

Copyright 2005 Anthony W. Arnold

Hell...uhm.

I have been reading several posts about hell, or the interpretations and misinterpretations thereof, or even the existence of such a place, especially within the classic Christian views of hell.

I have no intention of refuting, agreeing, or debating anyone else's concept or context of hell. I offer three, and I feel very important, theological tenets we should carefully consider in our walk as disciples of Christ.

1. That at some point God will endow man with the full knowledge of His purpose and full understanding of our existences.

2. Regardless of what form a separation from God will take, that at some point God will separate mankind into two camps: those that will dwell with Him eternally (will not be separated from Him); and those that will be separated from Him eternally . Further, based on tenet #1, that separation will create an agony beyond bearing.

3. We should have no fear of this separation. That's right. We should have no fear of this separation! I love what Thomas Merton had to say about this issue.

My opinion is that it is a very extraordinary thing for anyone to be upset by such a topic. Why should anyone be shattered by the thought of hell? It is not compulsory for anyone to go there. Those who do, do so by their own choice, and against the will of God, and they can only get into hell by defying and resisting all the work of Providence and grace. It is their own will that takes them there, not God’s. In damning them He is only ratifying their own decision—a decision which He has left entirely to their own choice. Nor will He ever hold our weakness alone responsible for our damnation. Our weakness should not terrify us: it is the source of our strength. Power is made perfect in infirmity, and our very helplessness is all the more potent a claim on that Divine Mercy Who calls to Himself the poor, the little ones, the heavily burdened. [1]

We do not need to be so concerned about the form of our separation of God. Our focus should be solely on Christ--The Way to a loving and permanent relationship with our Father. We freely and wholly have been provided an opportunity to know God and be with Him. The agent for this relationship is the Holy Spirit.

We should focus on the union not the separation. And as JMG has posted, the time is now. Run to the Father, now. Do not waste time out of the relationship. Invest time in the relationship.

[1] Merton, Thomas. The Seven Story Mountain. Harvest Book Fiftieth Anniversary Ed., Harcourt Brace & Company 1999. ISBN 0-15-601086-0.

A View on Contentment

I am reading the book, Perfectly Reasonable Deviations From The Beaten Track: The Letters of Richard P. Feynman. (edited by his daughter Michelle Feynman. Copyright 2005 by Michelle Feynman and Carl Feynman. Basic Books member of Perseus Books Group. ISBN: 0-7382-0636-9).

Richard Feynman was Nobel prize winner for his formulation of QED (Quantum Electrodynamics) theory, he worked on the first atomic bomb at Los Alamos, was a public figure of much character, and he uncovered the reason the space shuttle Challenger exploded as part of the President's commission demonstrating in a congressional hearing the failure by dropping an o-ring into a class of ice water. A fascinating man who died in 1988.

Below is a letter to his mother, Lucille Feyman, August 20, 1954. Please note the year as you read. I found this letter very touching and appropriate to many blog discussions I have been involved in lately. I hope you find it as enlightening as I do. I have edited the letter to focus on the sentiment revealed to me. [] reflect my insertions. Bold type is mine.

Dear Mom;

You have nothing. A small room in a hotel. Stuffy and no home with friends and family in it. A job that gives no enlightenment or has no further aim than to be done each day, building nothing for yourself. No easy transportation but to be jostled by the crowds. Nor fancy meals, nor luxurious trips, nor fame nor wealth. You have nothing.

So say your friends, but they are wrong. Wealth is not happiness nor is swimming pools and villas. Nor is great work alone a reward, or fame. Foreign places visited themselves give nothing. It is only you who bring to the places your heart, or in your great work feeling, or in your large house place. If you do this there is happiness. But your heart can be as easily brought to Samarkand [lower income] as to the Hudson river [upper income]. Peace is as difficult to achieve in a large house as in a small one. Feeling can be brought to any work. Your friends of wealth have nothing because of it that they would lose, if with more modest means.

In the sea of material desire that is our country you have found an inlet and a harbor. You are far from perfectly happy, but are as contentful as you can be, with your make-up in the world that is. That is a great achievement, or a great woman.

Why do I write this? Because you have told me these things many times, and I have nodded,vaguely understanding. But you mention them again and again, so perhaps you think I do not understand. For so few understand, each friend questions you, each relative hounds you with the query, how can you live in such a tiny place, how can you work in that unbearable shop with those horrible sales girls? You know how. They could never do it, nor can they live as contentedly in any other way, for they do not possess your inner strength and greatness. A greatness which has come to realize itself thru the knowledge that, beyond poverty, beyond the point that the material needs are reasonably satisfied, only from within is peace.

I offer you all my resources of wealth. What do you want, what will you take? I have offered many times. Not $10 worth can you think you need that you will let me give you. You must always know that I will give you any material thing of wealth you could desire. Now or in my ability in the future. You have no insecurity. And tho you wrack your brains to think of something--not the smallest item suggests itself to you. No man is rich who is unsatisfied, but who wants nothing possess[es] his heart's desire. No need to concern yourself with friends' attempts to help. You are not forced to live as you do. Your son's offer proves that. It is your choice, your life, your simplicity, your peace and your contentment. It needs no further justification.

When I offer it, what do you ask? You ask that I write to you. What can I give more easily, and am yet more stingy about? Tho I know your strength now requires nothing for its self-confidence,--tho I know you could live without my writing by accepting such a fact and living with it,--I do not desire to test your strength or to make your burden more heavy. What son has a mother who in such circumstances asks less of him!

My duty is clear, right action obvious. May I have the strength of resolve that this be the beginning of a more regular correspondence. I hope that the lesson of your strength in life will inspire me more often to try to add a bit you really want. I hope I can write more often to a most deserving and inspiring woman. I love you.

Your Son.

Judging Angels

In a daily Bible study, I read I Cor. 6:2-3: Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

The context is Paul directing the members of the church to bring disputes before the elders and leaders of the church rather than the ungodly for judgment. Paul clearly indicates that man will have some role in judgment in the future. Here he says the world and angels. Yet, in I Cor. 5:12, Paul hints that man's role will be judgement of the church (and maybe others that know Christ, such as angels).

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside!

Mt. 19:28 adds weight to man's role in judgment but it is limited to a specific group: Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The notes in my study Bible state that the word judgment in the context of Mt. 19:28 meant to lead or rule, referencing back to the Judges of Israel.

I have never heard these scriptures discussed or taught prior to this daily study. In fact, all the teaching and scripture I am familiar with concerns God's judgment and for me not to judge. Needless to say I was quite surprised and somewhat confounded as well as very intrigued by the above scriptures.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measures you use, it will be measured to you. [Mt. 7:1] Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condem, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. [Luke 6:37-39]

These scripture are cross-referenced to Mt. 23:13-39 which is Jesus' harsh indictment of the Pharisees hypocrisy. The "do not judge" scriptures seem to refer to hypocritical judging and judging for the sake of judging, that is, negative Christianity. They may not refer to righteous judgment, and thus do not conflict with the first set of scriptures I listed.

But there is still a paradox and some confusion. There are scriptures that talk directly about who has the authority to judge and what that judgment will be.

Jesus' words: Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. For the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. [John 5:22-23; 26-27] Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind. [John 9:39] As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. [John 12: 47-48]

The Apostles' words: He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. [Acts 10:42] In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead. [Acts 17:30-31] This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. [Ro. 2:16]

Hint of the method of Christ's judgement: It is the Lord who judges me [Paul]. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. [I Cor. 4:5]

Even further confusing is John 8:15-16, which seems to say that even Christ won't judge us, but leaves the door open for judgement of our sin. And, it clearly speaks to Jesus' authority to judge.
You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone, I stand with the Father, who sent me.

I found the above search rewarding but still somewhat paradoxical. I am not sure what to make of it. I am still intrigued by the scripture on judging angels and man's role of judgment in the Kingdom. Here are the initial thoughts I came away with:

1) God will judge man through Christ. 2) We will be held accountable for our actions, and more so for our heart. 3) Man has a leadership and judgment role within the church. But, does this extend to the end-judgment or is limited to leadership within the church? I don't know. 4) Judging should never be a motivation [added 10/17/2005].

What are your thoughts? What does your research reveal? For those familiar with Lee Camp's Mere Discipleship, do you think that the references to man's role in judgment, especially in the context of leading or ruling, refers to roles in the coming Aeon (the New Aeon)?

Sad Today

I am sad today. I read the obituary this morning of a friend from high school. He was 43, the same age as me. I am not sad because we are the same age or because he is was young.

I had a fairly miserable time in school from 5th grade until half way through my junior year of high school. I was happy and fit in well in 1st through 4th grades. Then, I was moved from public school to a private school, hereafter known as Pain High School (PHS), after 4th grade. I don't really know why life changed so drastically with this transition. I just didn't seem to fit in. Kids were cruel and I had no friends initially. Maybe it was strictly due to being an outsider and the new kid at the same time. Most of these kids had been together since kindergarten. Things just seemed to get worse as time went on. A majority of the teachers and administration were just as bad or worse in the way they treated me and others in a similar situation.

Surprisingly (well, maybe not), this was a Church of Christ private school. I was Church of Christ too, but it didn't seem to matter. I can honestly say this environment was one of the most un-Christian places I have endured. Finally, during my junior year I had had enough. I told my parents I was not going back and that I wanted to transfer to Hillsboro High School. My Dad, who taught in Metro schools, did not mind. My mom was against it. She felt I needed to be in private school. I told them I could transfer or I could drop out, their choice. At this point, I had already been accepted into Vanderbilt having applied early. So being willing to drop out I think had an impact.

I transferred, and that year and a half at Hillsboro was one of the best times of my life. I made friends quickly, enjoyed my AP classes (which weren't available at PHS), and felt so much relief from stress. I still have many of the friendships I made at Hillsboro. Those at Hillsboro who had transferred very early on from PHS to public school asked, "what took you so long to leave?"

Anyway, I have never forgotten those few that were nice to me or that were my friends while attending PHS. Don Blair was one of those. I have no recollection of Don ever participating in ridiculing or humiliating me. He got along with everyone. Don seemed comfortable and confident within himself; probably a big reason for his likableness and friendliness. He did not need to deride others in order to build himself up.

Don led a hard life during his young adult years, most would say wild. He actually was on the competition rodeo circuit for several years as a professional bull rider. Despite any wildness, Don had a good heart. Sadly, Don also had a bad heart--he had major heart problems that began, I guess, in his late 20's and early 30's. I did not keep up with him after high school other than the odd word from old classmates. I believe he had a heart transplant in his early or mid 30's. I did know he was having severe problems these last few years.

I am sad reflecting on this time in my life. Yet, more so, I am sad because someone whose natural friendliness to me, which he probably didn't think twice about, had a profound effect on me; sips of cool water while struggling through a vast desert of the soul. "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you...thirsty and give you something to drink?' ... The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

It is the people like Don who I remember fondly and with respect. I believe in a loving and merciful God who accepts people like Don Blair. So, this is my small tribute to Don. Thank you for your kindness and God bless you.

Goodbye, Don, I will see you later and I will thank you.

Boundaries and Trees: What was God's Purpose Part 2

I encourage everyone to visit Preston's Blog. His recent post directly addresses the question in my last blog. I really like his thoughts. Even though he is many (many, many) years younger than I, Preston's maturity of thought and his depth of theology research greatly impresses me. We don't always agree, but I always learn from him. And, despite his grasp of deep theology, he truly is a servant of Christ. He is more focused on serving others than debating theology.

So read and be challenged. I always am.

Tony