Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday May 3, 2007

When I was young I was not religious by any definition. I supposed I had good reason. Aside from being totally wrong about Christ during that time, the passing of many moons has done very little to change my mind. Oh, for a brief period I fell for the "Christians live by the Bible" line, but to my near dismay time has proved my initial opinion to be too accurate.

I read a letter the other day that brought a literal tear to my eye and a deep pain to my heart.

A friend of men of God, Jean Dennis, the widow of Dr. Russell Dennis Sr. has taught at a bastion of faith here in Indiana for 22 years, 9 years of that tenure as a God fearing walking upright widow/saint of Christ Jesus. The letter she received after living for the last 9 years in college housing, which she believed as did many of us who revere her stand for Jesus over long years, was to be her home until the Lord carried her home. Not to be.

Here is the text of the letter she received sent on April 24, 2007

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Mrs. Jean Dennis

Dear Mrs. Dennis,

Please be notified that you are released from your teaching duties at Heritage Baptist University. You are also to vacate the house in which you presently reside within 7 days by order of the Trustees. Sincerely,

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I left the signature vacant due to some rather late explaining on the part of the also dear friend who wrote the letter. He says he didn't mean it the way it looks. My friend, earned doctorate, former college president, pastor and he is now trying to explain the plain, crushing English in the letter did not mean what it plainly said. Needless to say this letter is another shot fired in a raging fight over control of a college founded by Dr. Ford Porter, the dear pastor who wrote the tract, "God's Simple Plan of Salvation" and which now has over I billion copies in print and hundreds of thousands of professions of faith in Christ. The man who wrote the letter has been a friend for over 30 years, we have exchanged pulpits and during my long time of cruel darkness he remained my friend. I have to say he is wrong on this one. If all that he believes about others in the fight proves to be true, Mrs. Dennis deserves better than this else a "Christian" groups word is null. And her husband died, being comforted by false hope in the integrity of supposed men of Christ.

Teddy Roosevelt stated it well:

"No man is justified in doing evil on the ground of expediency."

The purpose of this daily note is to hopefully turn your eyes fully to Jesus, because men, even men of the cloth will let you down every time you put full faith in them or me. God knows I say this with tears scalding my cheek, for I have left too many saints down along the way. I thank the Lord for a few well placed rebukes by sincere friends who had the courage to call my hand and save further pain to others. Commenting on the plight of widows Jesus said:

Luke 20:47 "Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation."
(The above verse is directed at lost religious people, are Christians held to a higher standard)?

Larry Lilly Copyright 2007 Use with credit

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