Doghouse

Mr. John Paul Reese

I said much earlier that when I first new John (at that time I went by Chris and went by John) I worried a bit about him because he and I were a bit too much alike.

I remember being happy when I heard he had gone to Regent. It is one of the best seminaries in the world. Darrell Johnson ( a mentor of mine) is there. So is Eugene Peterson. J.I Packer use to be there (maybe still is if he is still alive). I met him in 1985 at an intensive study of Colossians sponsored by New College in Berkeley, which I had some small connection with from year one.

Colossians is still my personal favorite book of the New Testament. I wrote a long exegetical commentary on the small book back in the 90's. I found patterns in the book that were not noted elsewhere and the high Christology and Cosmology are still, in my opinion, not yet mined.

But I digress.

No good man who loves God can escape a "Dark Night of the Soul". In fact, this Dark Night can last for years...they really need to rename it it like "Dark Decade of the Soul".

Accuracy is important.

John went into his own Dark Night and I'll leave it to him to tell that sotry when he is ready...or not.

But he emerged John Paul.

I am careful to call him this because I do see the change.

There is a bouyancy in his step. When I came up behind him and put my hand on his shoulder near the boat he had the face of a man open and free.

I guess you would just have to be me to see the change yet also see the same man that I have always loved.

It did my heart good...just in that moment. I had no idea what gifts God had for me the rest of the night.

******

I need to say this. God may be capricious and a rascal...but God is good. It may take years...but God is good and always keeps promises.

Just sometimes a little slow for us human folk.

posted by Obi-Mac BakDon @ 8:20 PM