Odds and Ends

April 30, 2025

Leadership Notes

     On this beautiful last day of April, it’s time for some odds-and-ends.

     One of the by-products of having pneumonia two months ago was my liver’s reaction to the antibiotics I took. The hard-working little fella staged a revolt of sorts. Two different liver enzymes went through the roof. They returned to a more reasonable level once the antibiotics ended their assault. Yet still, wanting to give my liver a chance to return to some semblance of normalcy, the doctor told me to abstain from alcohol for six months. Strangely, it’s been easier than I thought. The last beer I had was the night of the Super Bowl.

     Low and behold, in the midst of this embargo, I came across an interesting little article. While to some, the point might sound controversial, and many of us have felt, first-hand, the damage done by alcohol, it still is a point worth making.

     “Christians MAY drink alcohol. Christians MAY NOT become drunk. Christians HAVE been drinking alcohol once Christ came and established his Church. {Communion} Alcohol is a gift from God designed to ‘gladden the hearts of man.’ {Psalm 104:15} Thus no Christian should be attempting to bind the conscience of a brother or sister by calling something sin that God does not in fact call sin. Of course it can be abused. We can and should call brothers and sisters to repentance who abuse alcohol and become drunk. But we mustn’t forbid people from enjoying God’s good gifts in their proper moderation.”

     Thoughts?

     Here’s some good news out of, of all places, the 2025 NFL Draft:

> Derrick Harmon {Detroit born, played for MSU and the University of Oregon}, was

drafted in the 1st round by the Steelers. His mom was in the hospital on life support.

She died shortly after he went to the hospital to tell her he had been drafted.

> Tiger Bech was one of the young victims murdered by the New Orleans New Year’s

attacker. Now, his brother, Jack Bech, was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders.

>  Demetrius Knight Jr. played for the University of South Carolina. He was drafted in the 2nd round by the Cincinnati Bengals. While in college, he was a DoorDash delivery

driver to help support his family. He made deliveries after games and at night.

Heartwarming stories, all three.

     And now, for something completely different. Remember all the zaniness surrounding the Covid-19 years? One of my favorites was when the “experts” said the vaccine would stop transmission of the virus. That was hilarious. Which reminds me of this definition of a conspiracy theorist:

“Someone making fairly obvious observations that the

government doesn’t like.”

To which I add, “Conspiracy theories are simply spoiler alerts.” Yay or Nay?

     Finally, I read this after Easter worship. It’s a beautiful affirmation of Biblical truth. I love John Mason and his rock solid theological position:

“There isn’t a more important event in human history than the

resurrection of Jesus Christ. The second will be His return. He will

either be your Savior now or your perfect judge later. Do you

know Him?”

I love that!

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“All our hope lies in him, and all other hopes are delusions.”

With Much Love and Affection,

                Richard