When we were in Ireland with mom and dad… I learned to drive. Driving over there is not hard as long as you stay on the right side of the road. All learners receive and are required to display a rather large decal on the front and back windscreen (window). It is approximately 6 inches by 6 inches, and has a white background, with a big red “L” which stands for “Learner”, displayed. On the other side of the decal is another red letter… “R” which stands for “Restricted”. I was a “learner”.
   Rather sheepishly, dad and I would go out and I would practice. The roads are narrow… When we saw an American car over there, which was rare, we couldn’t help but notice that it took up most of the country or back roads. I could not figure how they drove over there because the steering wheel was still on the left side. The steering wheel is on the right side in British cars.
   As usual, dad was issuing orders and warnings as I tried to drive. Since the car we had was not a car, but a MINI-VAN, the gear shift was on the floor, and I had to learn how to shift gears smoothly, not hit anything or anybody, stay on their right side of the road, follow and observe the signs (which were different) and remain calm all at the same time. I had to watch the speed limit, and learn to back up, park, pass and a dozen other things….
  There were times when we were coming to a stoplight, and it was green but then it turned yellow and then red, and it seemed to dad that I was not stopping fast enough for his comfort, so he would say, “stop Jack”… “Stop Jack!”… and then “STOP JACK!!!” So I did… but I would forget that I needed to push the gear shift peddle as well as the brake, so the Van would stop and not turn off. Eventually I got it.
   Learning all these things was not easy, but it was exciting. We always returned home safe.
   Well, one day we were on the way to church I believe and dad decided to drive. All went well until he turned onto a dual carriageway (high way). No problem… except he had forgotten about the cardinal rule of being on the right side of the road. Cars were coming at us all of a sudden. Then it happened, the cars coming at us all came to a screeching halt, and doors flung open, and a bunch of Irishmen came running at us, waving their fists… and yelling something… Dad always said, “The Irish have big hearts and short fuses.” He is right.
   Dad always was a quick thinker, and in an instant he remembered the Red “L” on the windscreen… He quickly pointed to it, hoping it would help. It did, The leader of the ‘mob’ stopped everyone, and said, “Ak (Irish for something, don’t know what), he’s just a learner.” He took charge and said, “Everyone get back in your cars, and let him turn around.” They directed dad where to turn and help direct the traffic. Finally we were on the right side of the road.
   Dad carried that red “L” with him from then on, and used it all over the world to teach a simple but profound lesson… AS LONG AS WE ARE ON THIS EARTH, WE ARE LEARNERS. Things change, and so do people… if we give them time. WE NEED TO MAKE ROOM FOR EACH OTHER… Paul says, “Accept him whose faith is weak without passing judgment on disputable matters” (Romans 14:1). “Accept” carries the idea of BEING PATIENT AND LOVING, AND HELPFUL. Then in Romans 15:1-2 Paul says, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves…. build him up” Just like our Master (Romans 15:3). “Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you….” (Romans 15:7). This doesn’t exclude the idea of correcting each other, but that should be done with love as well. The present practice of ‘black-balling’, ‘labeling’ is not what the Master had in mind in my opinion. Jesus deals with us differently than we deal with each other.
   Think about it, Jesus came to this world and shows us who? “God” you say correctly. What about the disciples… who do they show us? Often we are stumped here… but the answer is “US”. How Jesus dealt with the disciples, shows us how he deals with us. This is one thing we see all through the gospels. He knows we are weak, sinful, emotional, cranky, depressed etc… He knows we sin, and sometimes in a big way… but he doesn’t quit on us. John says in I John 1:9 “… He is faithful…” He knows we are learning. Sometimes we learn kinda slow, while other times we are quick. Keep in mind not everyone learns at the same rate.
   The Gospels are all about this very thing… Jesus invests precious time in 12 learners… teaching, correcting, loving, laughing, sharing, commissioning, empowering, setting an example for them… because one day He would be leaving them. No, they wouldn’t be alone, they would have the Holy Spirit, and He would bring all things which Jesus had said to their memories.
   Learners… disciples…. and it doesn’t matter whether you are an elder or deacon or minister or teacher… it matters little if you have one or more gifts from the Spirit… the most important thing to remember all your life, is ALWAYS… BE A LEARNER. Grow in grace brethren… Heaven bound!

            
   One weekend dad found himself in a ‘rinky-dink’ town and was staying in a ‘rinky-dink’ hotel/restaurant where the owner was basically doing everything. Dad came down and was ready to eat some breakfast, and the waiter (owner) seated dad at a table with a visiting  preacher (since they were the only customers). Dad said that the waiter must have thought he and the other minister would be comfortable together and have a lot in common. The following conversation developed… as told by dad. “You’re a Baptist minister aren’t you?” “That’s right” the other minister said. “You believe in once saved,
always saved.” “That’s right”, he said. Dad said, “No, that’s wrong.” (Keep in mind, dad was a young feisty type preacher in those days.) The Baptist minister said, “You’re a Church of Christ minister, aren’t you?” “That’s right” dad said. “You believe in once saved, never saved.” “That’s right” dad said. “That’s wrong” said the minister. They both smiled at each other, because they were having breakfast together, and neither were interested in arguing about religious differences. Then dad said, “Well, if you’re wrong and I’m wrong, then who’s right?” 
   Good question! There are a lot of good people out there and obviously not all go to the same church. Just for a moment, lay aside the preconceived ideas and give room for some good old fashioned thinking. The problem many are lacking is ‘balance’. FALSE TEACHING COMES WHEN TRUTH IS ‘PUSHED’ TO AN EXTREME.
   Over the years, I have changed some beliefs which I held for a long time simply because they were out of balance with other plain scriptures. I was guilty of looking for verses to prove what I had believed, in spite of the fact that context and the first rule of interpreting the Bible (“THE PLAINEST THING IS THE MAINEST THING”), didn’t really  support what I thought was right. Often times I over-looked this, and just preached on, because I was young, inexperienced, traditions were pretty strong, and I didn’t want to get ‘fired’ or ‘black-balled’ by other ministers. Friends, it matters very little whether you fall out of the boat on the left side or the right side…. your still out of the boat! 
   The real question a person needs to deal with when studying the scriptures is never WHO IS RIGHT (since this leads to arguments)… but WHAT IS RIGHT. Then all that’s left is ATTITUDE… Are you really searching for truth no matter where it leads… or not? Are you willing to make the changes that being a disciple of Christ demands?  
   Jesus said, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. No one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). “ Jesus said it, that settles it!” Even though it takes courage to change, it is worth it. It doesn’t mean everyone will like you… but not everyone liked Him either (John 15:18-19; 16:1-4).

Going through dad’s old papers and pictures I came across this letter, printed in a bulletin for the union Avenue Church of Christ. He was in Ireland at the time he wrote, and he was busy for sure, but he loved the work!!!  It was 1967 I believe…

“Greetings to you all from the mission fields that are truly green (in Ireland) instead of white. I have never been busier. Each week I have from six to ten cottage film meetings and with this years itinerary, we are facing long hours. The school for evangelists and Bible teachers began this week with twenty five in attendance. Our regular services, plus two special classes at the nearby boy’s club keeps us moving.
   Our first annual all-Irish lectureship will come in April. Next month I will be in Scotland for a worskshop. Charles Hodge from Ft. Worth, will be with us in a campaign this summer, and out Bible camp, called, “Camp Shamrock” is open for two weeks in August.
   Our print shop is producing literally thousands of tracts and many times that in other literature and advertisements. A major drive to place one tract and a special invitation to enroll in Bible Correspondence courses in every house, is to begin soon. This is called “Operation Invasion”. Last week, counting classes and all, I was teaching more than 100 non-Christians. We are happy to report to you all that property is being bought, and plans for our building to be are coming along fine.”
   “Two were baptized this week, three converted last week, and two the week before, and one before that. In fact, week by week – even day by day- people are coming to Christ.
   We praise His wonderful name for this. We received the wonderful news that Union Avenue (Church of Christ) is counted on the ($) advertising program so needed. The missionary can count on Union Avenue. Never can we forget the overwhelming hospitality and generous way you received us. In my busy schedule, I consider Union Avenue as  ‘REST STOP’. Remember our love for you all, your beloved elders and ministers… and Annie G.”
   Why put this little note in the web site? Well to show just how important supporting congregations are and the results which can come when the relationship and communication between missionary and supporters are good. Hard work on the part of missionaries can never be over estimated. not all fields have the same results… but when Jesus is preached, people respond.