For obvious reasons the voicemail is long. A lot of time was spent post a hike today in ways I didn’t expect. It is my hope that George gets to see the video I did in response to him. To be honest, especially considering the text of his email, I have little confidence he will see it.

The email and even more the video to Jim Cross is a bit on the strong side. As I have stated before, I’m not playing at this. In the email to him before today’s I closed with “I’m not your enemy. Please don’t treat me like one.” I hope he will return to the table. Remember 2Peter 3:15. That is my goal.

I don’t know what I can do to make it easier for anyone to start a dialog with me. I am well aware that there is a large barrier since I have pointed repeatedly to the Scripture that we must reconcile. This will take a lot of humbling to do this, and that will include me. Please, let’s do it anyway!

There will be mistakes, words said that are wrong, feelings hurt, but then there is grace. Grace is being offered to all by me. Is there anyone who is willing to offer it in return?

George’s email does touch on an area that will be more than difficult. In my last many years of grief, there has been a lot of study of the Scripture, and a whole lot of refining of my understanding. I contend it has allowed me to show love better and more consistent with the call of Christ to His followers. I am not part of any group that meets in a building to tell each other that we must preach Christ, but do nothing once they leave the building. How many of those people spend time in the homes of sex offenders, drug dealers, alcoholics, and the lame. How many actually spend time with those in prison, the hospital, or simply ignored? Do you want to spend your days in your clubhouse thinking you are in good with the Lord, or show love to the unlovable? Ever read Matthew 25?

I contend with Mormons face-to-face and those in Utah as an act of love. I encourage young people to strive to know and follow the Lord, not by pointing to an institution or creed, but challenging them from Scripture. I have challenged many on the question of where in Scripture does the Lord command the institutional church. The answer is simple: NOWHERE! Do you know how hard it is to live that in our day? I do. Care to join me? I contend it is the only way to really learn what trusting in the Lord is.

Please ask Jim Cross, Render Caines and Chris Bitterman if they can find the Lord’s command to build an institutional church. Find where the tithe is applicable today. Find where the elder is not just someone who is older and simply the model for all men who are followers of the Lord. Find the word “Sermon” in the Scripture. Ask what “dialegomai” means. Ask why they trust in “Godly men” rather than God. Ask why someone who is trying to reconcile with them needs a visit by the police to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the 95 Theses. Ask where their trust in the Lord and His Scriptures is if they cannot handle a dialog with me. Do you hear the gong from 1Co13?

Can you imagine what it would be like for us foul people whose hearts are impure to celebrate the grace of the Lord by seeing reconciliation lived out? I think it is work a try. Anyone care to join me?

Another change in me is the amount I push myself physically. Walking weekly half marathons in about 3 hours is a bit of a push, even for someone young. While my overall health is great, partially due to the walking, there are minor issues, such as periodically I get a buzzing sensation in my feet. There does seem to be a possible relation to a need for more vitamin B12.

Consider what it would be like if we push ourselves to be obedient to the Lord reflected in a reconciliation effort. It might bring up other issues that it will take more than just a vitamin supplement to mitigate. It might take more diligence and grace. Shall we give it a try?

Once it became easy to walk my half marathon, I had to push more. So now I end with and extra half mile with a 100 foot hill and then do some jumping jacks. In the same way I have tried to stretch myself in my attempt to love people I meet on the street or in a store. Early on it was very hard and clumsy. It is still often clumsy, but a joy. Then there are the days like was mentioned a couple days ago referencing the March 29, 2019 voicemail. The Lord’s grace was magnificent that day.

Once we attempt to communicate there will be issues and clumsiness. In time the serious joys will come. Perhaps it will lead to those days of magnificence. I’m willing to try. Please join me as I can’t do it alone.

Dorothy-Jane, you are about to turn 50. Can we celebrate that together? I love you!