A few days ago I was standing in line at the grocery store waiting to check out, so I opened my phone to read a message that had just come in from my friend Mike. The subject line was The Epistle of Paul (McAree). Mike wrote, with his inimitable wit and insight……..
Hi Paul.
Thanks for posting the video of the above mentioned. Twenty and six years ago we met Paul in a restaurant in New Hope. As Ruth was just a few weeks pregnant with Ellie, Paul commented that she was the skinniest pregnant woman he’d ever met. As we said our goodbyes and look-forward -to-seeing-you-agains…Paul would affirm each future hope with “God willing.” I know he borrowed this phrase from the book of James, but he said it with a smile & an ardent conviction that made me realize he knew this experientially. So I started saying it too. He set a fine example…my experience would catch up.😊
But when I watched the video I didn’t recognize the distinguished grey haired gent because in my mind he still had a full head of whatever color hair it was back then. (The only other thing I know about Paul is that Hilary nearly killed him with oregano but he seems to have gotten over that. Even if it did turn his beard white)
As I listened to his abridged life story, I was compelled by it. He is every bit a living epistle! (which is the serving suggestion given by that “other” Paul) Paul McAree: A true “mensch” in every sense of the word. As moving as the rescue story is, I would have been just as moved had it not been included. His ministry is inspiring. His words are eloquent and his humility is genuine. The decision to follow Jesus has paid big dividends on this side of the world to come and will have greater rewards on the other side. The LORD has certainly exalted him in due season. This man is like the finest aged whiskey and his bottle is about to be opened for all to savor. If I ever do see him again, I will extend to him the heartiest of handshakes. Every quarter century or so I get encouraged by his object lesson on how to walk with God. I wonder what’s next?😊
Feel free to forward this to him if you think it will give him a boost. Even righteous dudes need a little shot in the arm occasionally.
McCabe!
As I glanced up I noticed in front of me at the Checkout, the above edition of National Geographic on the magazine rack. “How appropriate!” I thought, and snapped it!
The life of Jesus, The Good Shepherd, is now illustrated to the world through his disciples ….like Paul.
As was apparent from the setting in which Paul gave his powerful testimony he is Catholic. My blog readership is very broad, including people from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox churches as well as many with no denominational affiliation. I realized that in the last blog with Dr Brian Ardis, the Pope was not painted in a good light. I wondered how some of my Catholic readers might respond.
On Thursday I received the “Renewal Ministries” newsletter in the mail. We have known Ralph and Ann Martin for nearly 40 years. They stayed with us when they were in Belfast in the 80’s to lead a F.I.R.E. rally (Faith. Intercession. Repentance. Evangelization.)…. and trace their ancestors in the depths of County Cavan : – )
As I opened it, I noticed it was a special edition focusing on “The Shepherds.”
I flicked through the newsletter, then went to Youtube, where the title of a recent podcast caught my attention. So I tuned in to listen.
Ralph was expressing grave concern about some recent developments in the Catholic church. A Cardinal who had recently been promoted by the Pope to a very influential position was talking about the need to change the Church’s teaching on homosexual union to adapt to the times! Ralph talked about how disastrous this would be for the Church. He then quoted Benedict XV as saying that the church would indeed lose it’s standing in society, it’s money, it’s buildings and it’s people and then Ralph said ‘We’re heading toward a division because God is gathering A REMNANT that’s really faithful, that’s really committed.”
What grabbed my attention was not only Ralph’s words, but what was in the background in the recording, even at one point, unwittingly pointing to it……..
Yes! It is exactly the same icon that I had photographed the previous day in connection with Paul McAree’s testimony at the top of this post! This is the Christ Pantocrator, the most important Christian icon depicting Christ as ‘The World’s Sovereign Ruler.’
Notice the text where Ralph is quoting is from Psalm 2 which I did a blog series on some time ago. Here is the next caption………..
The final caption I captured to end on a most hopeful note was this……..
Although we may not agree on every detail of doctrine, it is our living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ who oversees every detail of life, that will unite us as A REMNANT drawn from all walks of humanity to become in our united love for Him and one another, a ‘motley crew’ indeed, but a shining illustration of The Good Shepherd.
This weekend, we are reminded of how our confidence is based not only on our Shepherd’s Goodness but on his Greatness. “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep.” (Heb.13:20)
On Thursday the WW4K** also met and watched and discussed the Brian Ardis interview. The verses we were lead to conclude on were these from Mark 16…
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
God is indeed bringing good out of evil as we go forth in the authority of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ‘The World’s Sovereign Ruler’ to proclaim this Good and Great News!
…….as we become the icon
**Warriors of the Word for the King. (or 4 Kyles….. three grandsons (11)(12)(13) and me)