Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday September 18, 2007

The Great Blonde and I often have interesting conversations at the breakfast table. We both have an inner clock that gets us out of bed early and we get on with the day. We find as one old preacher said one time, "Early is better because the demons are still asleep." I assumed he meant the kids, but Joyce insists he was talking about evil spirits.

According to experts trained in the art a natural conversation is usually the result of something you have been recently musing, something that moved you at the emotional level. You can imagine icy fingers of fear gripping by normally brave heart when the great one posed:

"Larry, have you ever thought about murder within families."

Good thought from the wife of my youth early on Monday morning. I have never told her why I sleep ever so lightly and am wide awake at her slightest movement during the night. She has assured me that if people really knew me and if in some fit of despair she actually "did the deed" she would be awarded a medal. Comforting words.

All of this flashed through my mind and I hope I covered my fear, as I answered, "Well, Sweetie, have you considered the Law of First Mention?" She knew that I was referring to the tendency of what ever is mentioned the first time in the Bible tends to follow a similar pattern for the duration. She knew this because Charles Stanley said so. I don't know why the dear one thinks he is such a smart preacher. I have a Bible too.

The only way a person could consider what we call a "biblically rounded family" and not factor in murder would mean the denial of the agonizing dysfunctional nature of the first family, the prototype.

Hardly a week goes by but that we are stunned by the revelation that a super star in the world of athletic endeavor is found to be true to the prototypical family and is caught lying, cheating, engaging in conversation with the devil, or running around naked in a park. The shock is multiplied when we read, again almost weekly, of a "Man of The Cloth" engaging in similar activities. That some men rightly called "twerps" are attracted to the ministry and congress should not surprise anyone who has actually read the Bible.

Books, DVD's and movies abound on how we can get the rest of the family straightened out. This is a billion dollar industry, based on the hope that for the very first time in all history the perfect family will come into existence as a result of "buying my book."

In Jewish/Christian circles, the quality of a person's family relationship has been the major factor in deciding whether or not the man is suitable for spiritual leadership. Groups disregard this test at their peril.

The Great Blonde assures me with the truth that had I been a better father, the children would have done even better. She knows this cuts me to the quick and then wonders,

"Larry, have you ever thought about murder within families."

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit

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