There are only a handful of writers that I feel have really had such an influence in my life that I would actually want to tell them so. Among them are the aforementioned Mrs. Barger, Paul (from the Bible- but he's dead), C.S. Lewis (but he's dead too) and Don Richardson.
Well, I met Don Richardson this Sunday. In fact, I was in the right place at the right time and was volunteered (by myself) to escort him and his wife to a lunch at our church, which also meant that I would be sitting at his table. No one has inspired a longing to reach the farthest ends of the earth like he has. I wanted to tell him that he had helped shape my plans for life, even before I met Joel, maybe even before I graduated from highschool. I wanted to tell him that he was a childhood hero. But all I could say was, "Hi! I'm Alice. I'm escorting y'all to the lunch." At least Joel was brave enough to get him to autograph his new book.
7 comments:
Well sounds like ball! What did yall eat for lunch? Were the Chairs comfy?did they have cushions?
Did you have a good dessert?
oh yeah i bet you had agood time with the auther too!
Love sasa
That's great. I think that my only moment like tthat was the time Stan Grenz came to OBU. After sitting in on a couple of classes he guest lectured, Melody and I and a number of other students escourted him to dinner in the cafeteria.
I didn't know then (as I hadn't read any of his books), but he would be a big influence on the way I thought about many a thing. But now he's dead too.
I like Richardson's "peace child" concept a lot: that God prepares lots of cultures and groups for the gospel ahead of time. It's too bad it doesn't always work out. Though I think it's interesting that Richardson thinks Islam is hopelessly devoid of concepts helpful of bridging folks into a Christian worldview (see http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/106/22.0.html).
In his careful study of Islam and the Quaran (of which I am happy to hear), it seems he has overlooked the importance placed on dreams within the Muslim worldview. This is apparently part of why Salmon Rushdie's "Satanic Verses" earned him a death warrant, as some things happen in the novel in dreams that seem to allude to the prophet in a negative way (see Lamin Saneh's 1989 review http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=881)
This is especially interesting given the rumors I'm hearing from those who speak to Missionaries working with Muslims about the number 1 catalyst for conversion being dreams in which Jesus appears.
Whoops it seems I've hijacked your blog. Thanks for provoking thought.
BTW, I met a woman named Karen, I think, in her thirties who is over the children's ministry at a church where you have worked. Long dark hair? Any bells? Her dad was in the hospital a while back.
Matt
Hi Joel, this is gramma practicing--never done this before!
Love the pictures and all the info.
I am at Diana's house and she is helping me with this.
Great job gramma!
Ben:
You would do well to remember you're already engaged. Besides, I can think of a few more likely objects of your wandering eyes than Garrison Kielor's fat 'ol mellonhead... eww.
-att
Thanks, everyone.
Matt- I do know Karen. She's my boss's boss. Hey, aren't you violating hippa or something?
Ben- I DO remember that day. That was fun to witness.
Gramma- thanks for visiting. Joel was so happy to talk with you the other night.
Sasa- you SAID you were coming to Dallas.
*a
Hi Grandma,
Sorry that it took so long to write back. Thanks for stopping by and checking up on our lives. We appreciate it. I sure do love you and grandpa.
-joel
I actually KNOW Lilian Calles-Barger. Her son, Alan was in my science class for two years so I have had many one on one parent teacher meetings, phone calls and emails. Actually, not too many, Alan was a good kid. I have her book and this reminds me that I have never read it. Since it is so influential for you I will have to pull it out and put it on my summer reading list.
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