Reunion. We are back. My first concern about our trip was driving. We made frequent stops, did not drive many hours, stayed in the right-hand lane except to pass, gave the crazy drivers plenty of room and had a successful trip.
Our reunion was an inspiring memory. When I taught at Illinois State University, we had students live with us and had a fellowship group. Over 50 students and spouses returned for the reunion. They came from California, Montana, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky and Alabama. Some of them I had not seen for 50 years. Some of the spouses I had never met.
I am responsible for planning my 65th high school reunion in two weeks. I know the work and effort that goes into a reunion. Our reunion planners put considerable thought and work into the weekend. The results reflected their thoughtfulness and love for the people and the event.
They planned two social gatherings and two tours. The first tour was the campus. The changes were numerous but my office was still there. I was the first person to have the office when the building opened in the early 1970’s. The department chair was kind enough to open it and let me have a good memory.
The second tour was the old house I featured in a previous blog. The improvements were outstanding and reflected the love the subsequent owners had for the special property. Some of the original features from when it was built in the 1850’s, were kept in good order. The tour brought back many good memories.
The social gatherings are hard to describe because of their special nature. Despite separation in time, in space, in economic status, in political persuasion, and many other differences, our faith united us. I was touched by the experiences.
Shane was able to attend. He was a young adolescent when we lived in Normal. He enjoyed seeing the people as adults and he enjoyed being seen as an adult.
Jeny and I deeply appreciate the planners and everyone who attended for creating a special memory for us.
Unity. For the reunion, I was asked to give a fellowship talk just as I had 50 years ago. The week before we left for the reunion, I was preparing the talk. Then one of those special “coincidences” occurred. I got an email from an elder in our church. Our pastor was ill and at the last minute we needed someone to preach. Would I be able to give a message at such a late notice? I emailed back that I just happened to be working on a message and would be glad to share it on Sunday.
As most of you know I am deeply concerned about the divisions in our country. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I said something in the hopes of promoting unity. I will not write the whole message but I want to share the end of the talk.
For the closing, I quoted from a devotional written by Phillip Yancy. In his devotional, each day he features a page from one of his books. In another coincidence, I was working on my talk on September 2 and read his selection that day. The thoughts were from something he wrote in 1995. I find his words pertinent in 2025. I used them to end the talk.
He wrote. “A political movement by nature draws lines, makes distinctions, pronounces judgement; in contrast Jesus’s love cuts across lines, transcends distinctions, and dispenses grace. Regardless of the merits of a given issue-whether a pro-life lobby out of the Right or a peace and justice movement out of the Left—political movements risk putting onto themselves the mantle of power that smothers love. From Jesus I learn that, whatever activism I get involved in, it must not drive out love and humility, or otherwise I betray the kingdom of heaven.”
In my opinion we must gain the understanding that differences do not have to be divisions. If we respond to each other with love and humility we can discover unity. It is hard to do if either side says they hate the other side.
This and That
Happy New Year. I hope all of my Jewish friends had a very happy Rosh Hashanah celebration.
I do not agree with everything RFK Jr. says, but I do on the following topic:”When people censor speech, when we look back in history, they’re never the good guys,” he said. “Government abuses every power that it’s given, and if government suddenly has the capacity to censor its critics, it has a license for any atrocity.” RFK Jr. July 23, 2023.
Alabama has one advantage. We paid $3.69 a gallon for regular gasoline in Illinois. The price is a dollar more than I am used to paying in Alabama.
Good News
First Responder Saves a life
A Struggling Woman Gave This Officer Attitude. His Response Helped Save Her Life
Strangers Saving lives
Stranger Runs Into Burning Senior Apartment Building, Saves Bedridden Woman
Peace
Jerry
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