Anonymous Guest Blogger
Alice
I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!
Lewis Carrol-Alice in Wonderland
http://quotations.about.com/od/moretypes/a/alice1.htm
Dear Adam,
Congratulations on your graduation from high school!
As I read your thank you note for the graduation gift from me, I was touched by your words. You thanked me for standing up to what seems to you to be insurmountable corruption in the leadership of Wonderland.
As you move on to college, I am hopeful you will consider the terrible ordeal that you have endured as a means to strengthen rather than weaken your faith. Rest assured that you have done the right thing by standing for the truth.
The corruption you have witnessed is the product of prideful men, and is not of God. You have stood firm for the truth, and in so doing, you have only gained strength. You have learned to stand up to what appeared to be insurmountable, and in that sense you have won. You have not allowed supposed men of God to silence you. Through the Wartburg Watch, your cause has been voiced loud and clear. Hopefully, others will benefit from what has been shared.
I am so sorry that some in church leadership chose to place their interests above yours and the other abused boys. Fortunately, as the great Comforter, God offers His love and hope to those who are hurting. As righteous Judge, God will also deal with those who would ignore the needy. In Mathew 25:31, Jesus promises that when He comes again, He will separate the sheep from the goats. In this parable, the “sheep” represent those righteous people who cared for those in need, and the “goats” are those unrighteous people who chose to ignore those in need because of their self-interest. Unfortunately, you have encountered a few goat-like men who happen to be in control of the leadership of Wonderland.
But God can change the hearts of men. He can even change stubborn goats who masquerade as sheep, into real sheep who follow the Good Shepherd. My prayer is that those leaders who acted like goats will confess their sin to you, repent of their prideful acts, and start behaving like authentic sheep. If they do not repent, then you will know that they refuse to follow the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His people. Why should we care? In God’s system, while the righteous sheep can look forward to eternal life with Christ, the long term prognosis for goats is tenuous at best (see Mathew 25:46).
I would suggest that you pray for God’s guidance as you seek for a kingdom where those in leadership model the love of Christ. You will know that you have found it when you look into the eyes of the king and sense a humble contrite spirit of a servant leader…a leader who takes seriously the Great commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Don’t forget to give your parents a hug. They have stood with you through it all. They are so proud of you, as am I.
Love,
A Christian Friend
Editor’s Comment: Good going, king, knights and “the merry boys.” It doesn’t matter what you believe; this is how it is perceived by those you were called to love, protect and serve. And this is how you will be remembered. Great legacy, huh?