Paul Gordon Goes Home

Paul Gordon was a model in all the right ways. Paul (1923-2008), the patriarch of the Gordon Food Services family in Grand Rapids, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord this week. I am glad to say that I knew him.

Paul was an innovative, highly successful business leader of a large and growing privately-held food services company. But he will be remembered by people throughout the world--thousands that he helped during his lifetime--for his overt and always evident commmitment to the Lord, for his vision and insight, for his deep, gravelly voice, for his side-splitting sense of humor, and for his generosity. It is not exaggeration to say that he was "beloved" by virtually all who made his acquaintance.

Paul's heart for international Christian missions took he and his wife, and often his children and grandchildren, to mission fields in countries around the world. In countless places he gave significantly and he gave quietly, generally insisting his name appear nowhere in print or on facilities because he wanted God to be glorified. His quiet approach is legendary, so much so many in his hometown simply do not realize how extensive Paul Gordon's influence is among Christian people and those they help worldwide.

Paul called me one day a few years ago and said, "Dr. Rogers, how would you and your lovely bride like to go with us to Turkey?" I said, "Turkey? When?" He said, "October." At the time he called it was early September. Long story short, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon underwrote my wife's and my trip for ten days with a Christian tour visiting biblical sites in Asia Minor like Ephesus, Galatia, and many more. It was a wonderful, instructive time in which we were privileged to get to know Paul and Dottie better, learn about the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys, and fellowship with other believers. Thank you, Paul.

Paul Gordon showed us what a Christian man ought to be. I will always be grateful God allowed me to be Paul's friend.

Dr. Rex M. Rogers - All Rights Reserved,This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part but must include a full attribution statement.

Contact Dr. Rogers or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com. 

Racial Politics

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's problems with his once-and-former pastor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, have inserted, or perhaps reinserted, race into the campaign in a serious way.

Whatever our feelings about these men, whatever our partisan inclinations, whatever our hopes regarding race relations, racial politics are not going to go away.  That's not a pessimistic statement, just a realistic one.  This reality doesn't mean we shouldn't work for something better and seek to assure justice and opportunity for all Americans.  Ironically, acknowledging a problem isn't going to go away is a perspective that should keep us from disillusionment.  As the Scripture says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..." (Gal. 6:9-10).

Political parties, politicians, preachers--all leaders--will always, eventually, disappoint us.  They and we are human beings.  As one Black pastor wisely said, "The problem is not the color of our skin but the depth of our sin."  Racism no matter who expresses it is not just a Left or Right issue, not a Republican or Democrat issue.  It's a Christian issue and should be a Christian concern.

And we should remember that race is more than a Black and White issue in America.  It's a Red and Yellow, Black, Brown, and White issue.  It's broader and deeper than the progressing-but-still-challenging relationship of Blacks and Whites.

From a Christian perspective the bottom-line is that we are commanded to "Love your neighbor as yourself" and to model Christ in all we think, say, and do.  That's a tall order, but it's right and good, and when practiced by the Spirit's enablement it restores integrity of the soul. 

(c)  Dr. Rex M. Rogers - All Rights Reserved, 2008

This blog may be reproduced in whole or in part but must include a full attribution statement.  Contact Dr. Rogers or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (Why Ben Stein says “No lie lives forever.”)

Opened nationally April 18th   

Say “Ben Stein” and the word “comedian” is more likely to come to mind than “intellectual.” And Ben is certainly funny. But he’s more than that and proves it in his feature film, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.

This film asks the weighty question, “If we expel freedom in science, where will it end?” To find the answer, Stein travels to 12 countries on 4 continents, interviewing an impressive list of scholars in the sciences, theology, and philosophy. He asks them why “Big Science” makes no use of the hypothesis of God and why Intelligent Design discussions are suppressed. The answers he records are breathtaking in their political correctness, disdain for religion and religious people (“idiots,” one scholar said), cavalier attitude toward debate, and fear of free speech.