April 5, 2020

“LOVE WINS: LOVE HAS DEFEATED CYNICISM”

In 2002, when John and Sara Barton completed their John was crushed, and he begged the forgiveness of his missionary term in Uganda, they came to Rochester with a Ugandan friend. Patrick’s solution was imperfect, but his trove of amazing memories. My favorite, I think, is the man motives had been faithful. with a boom box. Cynicism is an ugly monster, but it comes pretty easily, As Americans, the Bartons were frequently marked as doesn’t it? Some people have twisted political ideas, bizarre targets for easy money, and they were conned, several times, notions of worship, or wacky financial practices. Others hoard in the early years of their ministry. John became understandably toilet paper. A few (way too many) are watching “Tiger King.” cynical, whenever he was approached with financial requests. I could go on. With a new friend named Patrick, however, John just couldn’t refuse. Patrick needed help to pay school fees for his It is one thing to be wary, quite another to be cynical. daughter, and – after careful deliberation – John agreed to Cynics assume what is worst, and they settle for biased give him the money. judgments. Everybody lives in a complicated web of circumstance, but cynics don’t think about that. They don’t Soon after, John saw Patrick carrying a brand-new boom ask Patrick to explain himself, or try to live in his shoes. Nor box, and he suspected, correctly, that his donation had been do they ask his forgiveness. spent on that nonessential luxury. He was furious! May Christian love win the day, in our battles with After John berated Patrick with a lecture about Christian cynicism. May it give us something better to think about, ethics, Patrick responded by asking, “May I speak?” something better to do.

Exhausted, John consented and Patrick continued. “The fees aren’t due for several more weeks. Where did you expect -Keith Huey me to keep the money? I don’t have a bank account, and it isn’t safe in my house. I can’t even carry it into my village! When the money is due, I will sell the radio and make the payment.” Next week’s topic: “Love Wins: Love Has Defeated Death”

Sunday, April 5: Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, Proverbs 12:18 Monday, April 6: Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, Luke 11:37-12:7, Psalm 78:1-31, Proverbs 12:19-20 Tuesday, April 7: Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27, Luke 12:8-34, Psalm 78:32-55, Proverbs 12:21-23 Wednesday, April 8: Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59, Psalm 78:56-64, Proverbs 12:24 Thursday, April 9: Deuteronomy 33:1-29, Luke 13:1-21, Psalm 78:65-72, Proverbs 12:25 Friday, April 10: Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24, Luke 13:22-14:6, Psalm 79:1-13, Proverbs 12:26 Saturday, April 11: Joshua 3:1-4:24, Luke 14:7-35, Psalm 80:1-19, Proverbs 12:27-28

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