I LOVE YOU

Reflecting on the last words of George Herbert Walker Bush

BY DR. STEVE DUNN

A man I had come to greatly respect, former President George H. W. Bush passed away Friday, November 30, 2018 at age 94. In his eulogy of his father, son George W. Bush, also a former president, reported that in his final conversation with his father, he told him that he had been a “wonderful dad” and that he loved him.

The elder Bush responded, “I love you, too.” Those were his last words.

Dan Rockwell noted in his blog, “I notice that the younger Bush didn’t say, “You were a wonderful President.”

Clearly his son and many of us considered the elder Bush to be a great president; in fact, what may be the last of a breed of men in that office whose strong faith was reflected clearly and consistently in his love of his wife, his family, his friends, his nation—and the world beyond the boundaries of his country.

The elder Bush’s pastor spoke on the essential expressions of the Christian faith, “Love of God and love of neighbor.” For those of us who genuinely follow Jesus Christ, they are not words to be idly spoken and they are words for which Almighty God will one day call us to accountability.

Paul told us that without love, none of our actions, no matter how popular or even beneficial, mean nothing. Political agendas, economic goals, pursuit of national security, preservation of “our” way of life will mean nothing when we stand before the Judge of All the Universe. Maybe it’s time—no, IT IS TIME for our nation to return to living by those two great LOVE commandments.

When my former President and brother in the faith, stood before God last Friday, I have no doubt that the Lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome into you reward.”

An act of love that embodied the man

© 2018 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to http://www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com

BACK SPASMS

BY STEVE DUNN

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.-Proverbs 17.7 (NLT)

A little over a week ago I awakened around 6 a.m. with a soreness in back.  I was going to work from home that day so I wasn't rushing around but by 8:30 my upper back was locked in spasms to the level that I was rapidly becoming incapacitated.  

Dianne and I operate with one car as a matter of both simplifying our life style and saving significant money.  She is a substitute school teacher and was more than 40 miles away.  I live only three blocks from my doctor but he couldn't see me until 3:15.  I tried to tough it out but by 9:30 I was in even worse shape.

After some phone calls to my busy, local friends; I finally reached Alan, someone who has become a good friend in just the last 2-3 years.  Even though he had a family obligation at 11:30, he came to my rescue.  Alan drove me to urgent care for diagnosis and a shot, waited the 30 or so minutes I was there; then drove me across town to my pharmacy--and then home.  Alan even lingered upon my arrival until I got through the door in case I fell or dropped my keys.  Soon I took medicine and climbed into bed to sleep off the pain.

This was the act of a friend.  I don't know what I would have done without him. I am glad I didn't have to find out.  (Two other friends who I called who were not available, called the next day to make sure I was okay and didn't need more help.  I appreciate them as well.)

The Beatles used to sing "I get by with a little help from my friends."   A good sentiment but Ringo used to add "I get high with a little help with my friends" which is actually a definition of a bad friend.

Jesus said: There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15.13 NLT)

Donald McCullough, commenting on this has written: "When we consider the blessings of God—the gifts that add beauty and joy to our lives, that enable us to keep going through stretches of boredom and even suffering-friendship is very near the top."

And in Ecclesiastes 3:9-12 we read: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

One of the saddest "places" to be is where one does not have friends.

I thank God for my friends.  I pray I will always be a good friend to them as well.

© 2018  by Stephen L. Dunn.  You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com 

MONDAY MORNING RFEFLECTIONS - HE KILLED A FRIEND OF MINE

BY STEVE DUNN

Almost eight years ago I published a story on one of my other blogs about a lady who I was privileged to be her pastor for 14 years.  As I have been reflecting on the state of our nation lately and what ordinary people can do to return reason and grace to the discussion, my mind went back to this lady and I am reposting to share her story with you. - Steve

Emma Kreger was a school teacher.  Emma taught school in the days of one-room schoolhouses, a phenomenon in Indiana where we lived that survived well into the 20th century.  Her classroom was young people from first through eighth grade.  Emma was so dedicated to her profession that she did not marry until well into her fifties, inheriting a family of adult children who absolutely adored her.

When I met Emma she was a widow, well into her 90s. She was the oldest member of the church that I was serving.  A gentle, unassuming, sincere and slightly ornery little gal.  Still dressed with the dignity and the audacity of a life-long teacher.

One Christmas I was visiting her in her little two room apartment at St. Anne’s Home.  By that time she had been a resident for several years, not really venturing into the outside world-but riding her little motorized scooter to meals and bingo. As I attempted to make conversation, I commented on her collection of Christmas cards, noting a particularly colorful one.

“Oh, that’s from Lyle.  He’s an inmate at Pendleton,” was her response.

I was completely taken aback. Pendleton was one of the maximum state prisons in Indiana at the time, a lot of hard core criminals residing within its walls. The look of shock on my face must of been obvious.  “Emma, how do you know someone in Pendleton.”

“Oh,” she answered matter-of-factly, “he killed a friend of mine.”

Emma proceeded to tell me about Tammy, a troubled young lady who had rented the upstairs apartment in Emma’s home  many years ago.  “I learned quickly that Tammy had a drug problem.  Instead of throwing her out, I tried to help her.”

As I caught my breath in awe, she continued. “Tammy finally gave her heart to Jesus Christ and gave up her drugs.  The first thing she did was to go and turn in her pusher. His name was Lyle.”
“But you know how it goes.  He got out on bail right away. He was furious. He came right over to the apartment and shot Tammy dead right there. The police arrived quickly and arrested him and soon he was sentenced to life in prison in Pendleton.”

It was an incredible story, but then Emma said something amazingly grace-filled.  “Pastor, that man was crazy ! He had to be crazy to come so boldly and kill her, knowing he would be caught and convicted.”
I nodded my head in agreement and she concluded, “I decided a crazy man needed Jesus.“  Emma proceeded to tell me how she had been writing to Lyle for several years and praying for him. And then one day, through the work of Prison Fellowship, Lyle became a Christian.  Now he was being allowed to go to high schools to tell kids what would happen to them when they got caught in drugs.

What a life change. All because of a grace-filled, insistent little school teacher, who decided that craziness should not separate someone from the love of God.

© 2010, 2018  by Stephen L. Dunn.  All rights reserved. You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com 

HAITI TODAY - ONE WAY TO HELP

by STEVE DUNN

A friend of mine, who I first met when we took a trip to Haiti, and a pastor from my stream of Christianity, is leading an awesome work New Life in Haiti.  Hurricane Matthew has left them with a great challenge as this article from the Napierville Sun Time circulated by the Chicago Tribune reveals.  This IS A PLACE WHERE I HAVE SEEN JESUS LATELY.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-churches-respond-haiti-st-1014-20161013-story.html