Hey there, my loyal readers! Sorry for the long delay in updates, but it’s been a wild ride the last few weeks. There was the Fall Festival at church, the the women’s retreat where I cooked like I have never cooked before (in addition to all the other work to get it ready and tear it down), there has been some action in the Fellman cases, and Jeane’s dad came through open-heart surgery very well. I know many of you have been with us in prayer about all these issues. Let me just say you can pray for us any time. Everything got all wrapped up this week, almost in a neat little package. God is giving the victory, and we are all thrilled.

One last thing. I was struck this week by the difference people expect in me when they see that Rev. in front of my name (not that I even use it that much). I am not struck that they want there to be a high standard of behavior to go along with it. I expect that, too. What amazes me is what that standard is. By and large, to most people, Rev. means that I am supposed to be nice. If I don’t act nice, I am somehow forsaking my title. Other people can be brutes, can in fact be breaking the law, but I should be nice. People in authority and power can trample their enemies under their feet without any regard for anything other than their own self-preservation, but I should continue to be nice. Don’t be bold, don’t be assertive, don’t be direct, and–by all means–don’t dare question people or point out to them that they are not, in fact, the highest authority to whom they answer. Be nice!

Here’s my response: Micah 6:8: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Proverbs 11:1: "The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight." Leviticus 19:18: "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor."

Here’s the long and short of it. If I have to choose whether to please men or God, I choose to attempt to please God. We are not called to be nice, but to be new men (see CS Lewis). Let us all plead the case of the underdog when he has been wronged.