The Black and Gold
Opening Day of Camp

War is ongoing in the Middle East, John Bolton is being grilled in the Senate and heat is crippling the US and Europe, but the big story is…the opening of training camp for the defending World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers! All eyes are on St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, PA. Can the Stillers repeat? Will Big Ben show the effects of his accident? For the 5 big story lines as the quest for 6 Super Bowls begins can be found at www.post-gazette.com/pg/062079/709184-66.stm Time to get out those Terrible Towels for another season.

A 21st Century Parable
Jesus Saves

[Sometimes children, unburdened by theological claptrap; unsullied by thinking as the world thinks, make the most sense out of believing. This is a case in point.]
“Knock, knock.”
The man behind the desk on the other side of the knock quickly looked at his watch, 3:35 pm. He wondered where Lulu was. Then, he remembered, she went to Communion and Cup to pick up bulletin inserts announcing the “Holy Ghost Hop” to be held at the church on Saturday night.
“Who is it?” intoned the man.
“Jimmy Paul,” a young voice answered.
The kid with two first names the man thought. A good kid, always at the Thursday night “Family, Food and Fun Fest”, went to the pre-teen “Riot for Jesus” event in Cedar Rapids last year and has been bugging about going on the church mission trips. The man reflected that this was the type of boy who benefited from the programs of the church.
“Come in Jimmy.”
“Hi, Pastor K,” Jimmy cheerily said as he walked into the Pastor’s study. That’s what all the kids called Knox J.W. Luther, pastor of the First Church of E&E for the People.
Jimmy was a typical skinny 12 year old dressed as an athletic company advertisement. He was carrying his school backpack.
“Come in and sit down Jimmy. What can I do for you?”
Jimmy sat down and pulled his Bible form his pack. “I’ve been reading my Bible and have a few questions.”
Knox Luther suddenly remembered that Lulu mentioned Jimmy wanted to see him. He was also told that Jimmy was asking hard questions in Sunday School. The kind in response to which the teacher says: “Ask the pastor.”
“Did Jesus die for everyone?” Jimmy asked while Knox Luther was still thinking.
“Sure Jimmy. Jesus died for everyone.”
“Does everyone go to heaven then?” Jimmy inquired.
“No, Jimmy, some people will not accept Jesus as their Savior.”
“I’m confused,” Billy retorted. “My Grandma says ‘Jesus saves’. Is she wrong?”
“Of course not, Jimmy,” Pastor Luther nervously said, “Jesus alone saves sinners. I believe that too.”
Jimmy knitted his brow and looked straight at Knox Luther. “Pastor K, you said Jesus died for everyone. You then said not everyone is saved because we must accept Jesus to be saved. It sounds to me you are saying that Jesus alone cannot save us. We need to save ourselves. And, the poor person that doesn’t accept Jesus goes to hell even though Jesus died for him. I’m still confused.”
Knox Luther began beading sweat on his brow. “No, Jimmy, we do not save ourselves . . . er, ah. . . this is a hard concept for a twelve year old to grasp.”
“But Jesus said we must have the faith of a child, didn’t He?”
Just then the intercom buzzer sounded and Knox Luther quickly picked up the receiver. He listened intently and, looking relieved, he put the receiver down.
“Jimmy, I have an appointment at 4:00 pm so I have to cut this conversation off.”
“O.K. Pastor K, I guess I will have to wait until I’m like you to understand what Jesus really did. Goodbye…and thanks.”
As he watched Jimmy walk out the door, Pastor K realized he had a pounding headache. He took two aspirin and headed out the door. He in fact had an appointment. He was chairing a special session of the local ministerium. They were considering an application by a Mormon group to become part of the organization. As he walked to his car, he banished thoughts of his conversation with Jimmy. He was pondering the up coming meeting. Why not admit the Mormons? They were moral folks, good citizens and had great family values. The kind of people Knox Luther could identify and work with in the community.