Dana's Christian Journey

At the dinner table, thirty summers ago, my dad, the principal of a Christian school in Chattanooga, told an interesting story. He was walking near the football field and noticed a pretty dark-skinned girl with long brown hair riding a horse named Chief. Each summer, Jim Fuller, my basketball coach, directed a day camp where many of us worked. We were told we had the greatest job in the world because any time we had a break we could play ball. (In addition to this tremendous benefit, we were paid the generous wage of one dollar a day.) I was not working this particular week, but I knew the horses well. All ten of the camp horses were ornery, but Chief was dangerous. He was a fast quarter horse with a mind of his own. Suddenly, Daddy shared, the horse took off across the field and the teenage girl hung on for her life. As Chief reached uneven ground, not far from where my dad stood, the horse stumbled. The rider fell out of the saddle, but a foot hung in the stirrup as Chief kept running. My dad rushed to help the damsel in distress who fortunately was not injured too badly.

At the age of fifteen I fell in love with the lovely horseback rider and the man who rescued her became Susan’s father-in-law. We laugh each summer as we still find ourselves working at camp. (We both have agreed not to have horseback riding as one of our activities.) So in this first writing of a new school year, on August 4, I would like to wish my beautiful Susan ‘Happy Birthday’ and tell her that I love my sweetheart more now than ever.

Lover: “How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.” Beloved: “How handsome you are, my lover! Oh how charming! And our bed is verdant.” Song of Songs 1:15-16

I’m on my way to find what ‘verdant’ means…

As we close out another school year, this will be my last writing for a while. Our oldest child, Taylor, graduates from high school this week. Susan and I are so proud of our son. When he was born, there were complications that made doctors afraid Taylor would not make it. I remember sitting on the hospital bed praying with Susan after one of those bad reports. Thirteen days later we got to bring our baby home and we have never been the same.

This past weekend I watched one of my brother’s sons, Jason, graduate from Boyd-Buchanan School in Chattanooga. The student speeches all centered on Paul’s words from I Corinthians 16:13-14. I would like to direct these words to Taylor, trusting we can all benefit from such encouragement.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”

Son, wherever you go, whatever you do, be on your guard. There is an enemy who prowls like a roaring lion, seeking victims to devour. This enemy hates all who love God and he hates you. Keep your eyes open and be alert. Do not give the devil a foothold. Guard your heart, control your tongue, keep your mind on good things. Such warnings may sound over zealous in today’s culture, but remember the Holy Spirit says that the closer we get to Jesus’ return, the more dangerous this world will be. The wise know we are closer to that Day than anyone has ever been. Be on your guard.

Taylor, though we have an enemy, we need not fear… for we belong to the Good Shepherd. Stand firm in the faith. Our faith is in Jesus. The better we know Him, the more firm we are able to stand. So spend time with Jesus. He makes Himself known to those that seek Him. Talk to Him before you go to sleep. Talk to Him when you wake up. Talk to Him while you’re fishing. Talk to Him more than you talk to anyone, but even more importantly… listen to Him. Read His Word and ask Him to teach you. Grow to understand that your life is Christ. As you stand firm in the faith, you’ll realize that He has a firm hold on you.

Though Jesus is our Shield and Protector, He calls us to be bold. We are to be like Joshua. The Lord promised Joshua victory. God gave him the land, but Joshua had to fight for it. Over and over, the Lord told this man of faith, “Be strong and courageous!” There will be times you will not think you can make it… keep going. There will be times the obstacles will seem too great… don’t give up. Be a man of courage, my son, and be strong. God sees you this way… and so do I.

Finally, though we are called to be warriors, our greatest responsibility is to love. If you have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, you are nothing. Jesus is the mightiest Warrior, but He is also Love. Your mother and I cannot describe the love we have for you, but even this love pales in comparison to God’s. He wants everything we do to reflect His love. How is this possible? “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” This is how we can do everything in love. Love lives in you, Taylor; don’t be ashamed.

We are proud of you.