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IGNORING GPS, or 'Do You See What I See': a Story Poem on Premillennialism and Following God

Posted by Brenda Miller , 31 May 2023 · 0 views

See "IGNORING GPS: ANNOTATIONS for a Story Poem about Premillennialism" for the notes to this poem, in a separate post. This poem was inspired by the idea of removing the word "Premillennial" from the Alliance Statement of Faith during Council 2023. Although this poem may not be re-published, you are welcome to print out a copy for private use, and to distribute a link to it using the tools at the bottom. God bless.

 

The Annotations to this poem are here: https://ecommunity.c...emillennialism/

 

Note: The Camel and the Woodchuck are both British. The Camel sounds a bit upper class; the Woodchuck sounds like a Cockney. The Frog and the Salamander are both Americans.

 

 

 

 

IGNORING GPS*

or

Do You See What I See?**

by

 

 

Brenda Miller, May 2023

 

 

Said the Woodchuck to the Camel in a painted desert1 taking tea:
"Look right over to the right, my friend! Do you see what I see?
It looks like a pond frog and salamander, walking wearily.
This dry place is such a strange space for two amphibians to be."

 

"Yes, you've spotted a Blue-Spotted Salamander,2 I should say," the Camel said,
"walking with a Spring Peeper3 in these badlands4—and it's lucky they're not dead.
"Hello there, you two Amphibians!" Camel called: "Please, will you come and join us for high tea?"5

 

"Yes! We will! God bless you!" Frog replied, adding, "Thank the Lord Almighty," much more quietly.

 

The two parched and famished amphibians came up, now feeling less alone.
"Finding food has been so hard for us," said the Frog—"please, may I have a scone?"

 

"Help yourselves to all we have," said Woodchuck, "and there is more over on the grill."
The two tired travelers briefly bowed their heads, then gladly ate and drank their fill.

 

After a vast buffet of tasty dishes—and desserts and pastries—the Salamander said:
"May I ask you a question? I thank you for reviving us—I had begun to feel half dead—
but I've never seen a woodchuck in a desert before this—though I have seen many camels."

 

"We are navigationally challenged," said the Woodchuck, "but it helps that we're both Mammals.
We dearly love to travel, but a GPS that we can use has not yet been invented.
We arrived here trying to go someplace else, but still, are quite contented."

 

"Yes, we are kind of lost," the Camel said, "but at least it's not the disobedient kind of sin.
This dry desert must be hard on you Amphibians—you both breathe partly through your thin moist skin,6
and I noticed when you came over here that you were somewhat gasping.
So, I am wondering what you do, and are doing here—if you don’t mind me asking."

 

"We have been given a Great Commission to tell God's story to a world gone wrong,"7 said the Frog. And then the Frog and Salamander began to sing their traveling song:8

 

We've a story to tell to the nations,

That shall turn their hearts to the right,

A story of truth and mercy,

A story of peace and light,

A story of peace and light!

 

"Oh! So you are missionaries!" said the Camel. "Why, nothing could be grander!"

 

"We prefer 'International Workers,'" said the Blue-Spotted Salamander.
"And we're going to biennial Council to meet with Christians of high quality,
and to cast votes on vital matters including our Faith Statement9 and our polity."10

 

"It sounds like a worthwhile endeavor. May God be with you in your task.
What kinds of vital issues will you vote on," said the Camel, "if I may ask?"

 

"We are going to vote on a kind of 'rule' in our 'Rulebook' our group has always violated" said the Frog.
"Especially one contentious word, because some think it would be better to annihilate it."11

 

"I see," Woodchuck said, "so maybe it's something not very valuable or needed
your Founder always just believed? So maybe he decreed it to be a law for all to swallow? And so folks have since rightly stood up to it, and found better ideas to follow?"

 

Frog replied: "No, at first he held a very different view. That this doctrine could be true? He could not even conceive it!
And then later in life, the Holy Spirit drew close and pressed him, until he was 'forced to be willing to believe it.'"12

 

"Oh!" said the Camel, "So your rule isn't an arbitrary preference at all: God gave him that instruction!
Possibly so you would teach what Jesus wants, and avoid seduction, corruption and destruction?
This particular belief must really matter to God, and I'm sure He isn't misled."

 

"Well," said the Salamander, "despite this written 'Rule' to follow one idea, we do something else instead.
Going a different way has long been our tradition, and it seems to have worked pretty well."

 

Said the Woodchuck: "If you don't know where you would have been otherwise, I don't see how you could tell."

 

"Well," said the Frog, "there have always been those who disagree with the idea God gave our Founder, and who believe a different way.

 

But they also want to join our group. So our Founder—with others—decided to say
they may—if they'll 'prayerfully consider'13 going the way the Holy Spirit wants," the Frog replied.

 

"You mean, if they choose God's direction, then they can join?" Camel asked.

 

Said the Frog: "No, they are in—whichever way they decide."

 

"How strange." Camel asked: "Where is their incentive to reconsider their view
when they are in, whatever they happen to choose to do?
Giving membership like this is rather like exchanging a birthright, for a bowl of lentil stew"14

 

Said the Woodchuck: "Why would your God have ever made a deal like that? It's not even a compromise:
If your God got the answer right, then how could those who disagree not be teaching lies?"

 

"It's such a minor issue it doesn't matter much at all.

We really do not like to argue over anything so small,"

 

sang the Frog and the Salamander, to the mammals, in all candor.

 

Camel said: "But, if this is not important, what is mysterious to me
is: Why did God 'force' your Founder then, to take it seriously?

 

The Woodchuck wondered: "Why would your God agree to this idea
after He worked with your Founder to change his view? I too see a
Mystery here: Why wouldn't His followers follow the Rule God gave,
if He wants you to?
If you claim to so adore Him, then why would you ignore Him?"

 

"We've always done it this way for so very long
we really are fairly certain nothing can be very wrong," said Frog.

 

"Letting those in who do not meet—and disagree with—the standard your God set is illogical, and makes no sense, at all, to me.
Did the idea for this 'Exception' come from your God—or is it from
some kind of a committee?" Woodchuck said, shaking his head.

 

"Was it from God? I don’t know that our Founder ever said so,"
Salamander said, "it came from a committee, as far as I know.
But that would not mean that God would not agree."

 

"Well, but how could He?" said the Camel. "Wasn't your Founder teaching Other Things when God worked to change his view—so,
if God wants Other Things to be taught—why did He bother to?

 

"It seems like your group has been compromised on this for so long you now view it as just a minor issue," said the Woodchuck.
"Maybe it's a 'minor thing' to you, but it's a major thing to your God?
But aren't 'major things' to God supposed to be 'major things' to you two, too?"

 

"Not seeing the problem," said the Frog.

 

"It's perplexing," Camel said. "It just seems out of character for God to not care about truth, to work instead for appeasement and give into peer pressure. That's what people do.

 

So did the Holy Spirit tell your Founder—at any time—to treat 'the Rule' as expendable? Or did God ask a committee to vote on what He had said to do? Why would He have? If not, then it was lamentable, and not commendable. Would God say, 'I'll drive your Founder to search the scriptures for truth—but why would I want him to apply it?' It is far more likely He would say: 'I have a truth to be embraced. Why would I ask you to deny it? The burden of proof has not been met. How could it ever be? Their Compromise and Exception did not come from Me.'

 

Try to imagine God asking His leaders to bring in those who will not teach what He has asked them to: 'Please join with others who can't endorse what I have asked you to endorse—and to tell. I am hoping this will then send you very far off-course. And please feel free to disobey: Just "go along to get along," that's what I always say.'

 

Did that 'Holy Spirit' who worked with your Founder initiate this plan to bring in those who cannot follow through on what He mandated? No, would be my guess.

 

And, I mean—it isn't that you don't have my pity—but this all sounds like the work of a committee, not like something inspired by God. Inspired by the devil? Maybe. Yes.

 

The Salamander and the Frog once again began to sing:

 

"Our Founder said this Rule is part of one of four things that defines us.15

But we say that this Rule confines us—and thus it is not worth the fuss."

 

The Camel said, "Your unauthorized 'Exception' seems more like a curse than a blessing.
God is not the author of this "1887 Exception,' that's what I am guessing.
As you may know, it's well and good to keep God's will—not what appears good to us—at our very core and center.
The doors you hoping and trying to keep open are the places where Trojan horses enter.

 

Said Frog: "We have always done it this way so we don't see how it could be very wrong.
This is our tradition, 135 years long."

 

Camel said, "I'll put it simply in this way:
Was God ever in favor of the exception you made to the rule He gave?"

 

"I respectfully suggest that your Founder floundered," said Woodchuck.

 

"We don’t see any real problems with it so we're pretty sure there aren't any," said the Salamander with a shrug.

 

"Isn't it harder to teach the Holy Spirit's 'Rule' when there are those who disagree?" asked Camel, refilling Frog's cider mug.

 

"Thank you, Camel," said the Frog. "Well, many do not teach or preach this small thing, and some say it does not matter, and many do not care.
And many do not know what the word means, or what it's all about. I'd say mention of this topic—outside of trying to remove this word—is already fairly rather rare."

 

The Salamander said: "The problem is not that we don’t teach it or preach it,
the problem is our Rulebook says one thing, but we do another and breach it."

 

"Yes," said the Frog, "the problem is that this Rule remains in our Rulebook, so we're supposedly going wrong."

 

"Except we're not," the Salamander said: "We've found a better way to get along.
So we can be innocent and live in harmony as one
we want to solve this the same way as some other folks have done."

 

"You mean they've turned from their rebelliousness to follow God's guidance,
and go in unity with the like-minded—and cease their defiance?
I suspect the Lord would be pleased," said the Camel: "Maybe even relieved."

 

"No, we hope to vote that word out.
And I hope we hop to it! Hop to it!" said the Frog with a shout.

 

”And we really aren't 'rebellious,' we just go a different way,"16 said the Salamander.

 

"You want to take out the Word that God wanted your Founder to receive,"
said the Camel, "and pressed him just to be willing to believe?!"

 

"Not seeing the value to it,” the Frog said.

 

The two amphibians began to sing:

 

It's just a little issue, if we just take out that word, we'll get along!

If lots of others are doing it, it's almost certain it's not wrong!

 

"You call this a 'little' issue," said Camel, "but how can it not be a sin
to be editing something OUT of God's story that the Holy Spirit worked to put IN?"17

 

"Not seeing the value," said the Frog.

 

Salamander said, "We've written up our speeches in hopes of helping to compel
folks to vote to take out this divisive word that is much too hard to spell."

 

"Yeah—it has too many 'L's' and too many 'N's,' and too many syllables as well," Frog said.
Our International Fellowship removed this Rule,18 and so it would be better to go along and do the same thing too.
There has always been peer pressure about this. We should conform to what they do."

 

The two amphibians began to sing:

 

This Rule wrongly says we should reform!

The time has come to remove it and to conform!

 

 

For when we make this compromise the norm

we won't be compromising anymore!"

 

"You will still be doing the wrong thing, you will just be more blind to it," Woodchuck said.

 

"Were you assigned to edit God's story—or to be His conduit?" said a tiny little insect. But no one could hear, much less listen to it.

 

Woodchuck remarked, "And it sets rather a bad precedent in dealing with disobedience. Now, if a rule is, 'do not steal,' but you like stealing, what would you do? Say 'It troubles me that I am a thief. I wonder if I should stop it? Hmmm. No! There's a better way—I will just take out the word "not," and keep on stealing.' Brilliant! This is your theology? Aren't your leaders going to try to stop you? Don't you owe them an apology?"

 

"This idea is from our leaders," the Salamander said. "They're hard-working and they love God and they all have good intentions.
They are hoping to direct us well, and to decrease dissension19 and contentions.20
Over several years, they have heard a multitude of voices
and are seeking God's direction in the midst of murky choices."21

 

"They say if our Rule is out, there will be no asterisk used. So, that way the Rule may not have any future priority.22
Other ideas could then have general equality, or even could carry similar authority," said the Frog.

 

Said the Woodchuck: "So someone who teaches the ideas your God wants taught could be viewed as disrupting unity—divisive—of all things. How beautifully satanic.
This would silence teaching, preaching, correcting errors and learning—and folks could teach all kinds of lies. But good luck teaching what is Messianic." 23

 

"Not seeing the problem," said the Salamander. "We can all just not talk about it much, and take off the 'special status' for this one idea, even if it's true, not lies.
And then we'll be blessed with greater harmony as we let everyone choose a belief system on this, that seems right in their own eyes."24

 

"Sounds more like conformity enforced by silence
than like unity, I should say," the Camel said. "You're an alliance
in defiance25 by connivance26 trying to license27 non-compliance."28

 

"We want to glorify God, for the Lord is our Commander.

But we like to 'go along to get along,'"

 

sang the Salamander.

 

Said the Camel, "Aren’t you saying, 'Tolerance is a higher law than a direction that's from God'?"

 

"We aren't saying the Rule isn't right, only that it's inconvenient," said the Frog.

 

Salamander added, "Appeasement helps us to all be together in agreement.
Our solution gives our privileged workers and our members who do not agree with this 'Rule' plenty of freedom about what they may believe.
Our dilemma is: If we do not remove this word, then they would need to leave!"

 

"'Not seeing the problem,'" said the Woodchuck.

 

Said the Camel, "Do they—or can they—teach everything that God impressed upon your Founder as mattering to Him?

 

"No. They can't. But they seem fine to us," said the Salamander. "We see no major problem here: They only leave out part of His story, so they only change it just a bit.
It doesn't seem or need to be so important that we need to nit-pick it."

 

"But you are missionaries!" Camel said. "So, you let some plant a revised story with a part God wants in, left out?
Then this defective story will be taken elsewhere. How can this be devout?
Like dominoes tumbling, one impacting another,29 this all affects the future far beyond where you or I can see.
I'm very surprised that this goes on. How can you let this be?"

 

"What?!! Should we break fellowship with those who don't accept the Rule!!!??"
cried the Salamander and the Frog together, looking horrified, as if this would be cruel.

 

"Of course," said the Woodchuck. "Obviously. If you'd like to go where your God leads."

 

"If God never authorized your 'Exception,' said Camel, "(and I would say that He did not), then the 'fellowship' that you would break is both illegitimate and wrong.
This would honor God, enhance your mission, and put an end to what has been a predicament for far too long."

 

"If you value your mission, it's simply what you need to do," said the Woodchuck. "Are there any other groups that those who've declined this Rule—because they also read your Holy Book differently—could find and join, if so inclined? And could they still give money if they would like? And can you still be kind—even when you are no longer wrongly intertwined?"30

 

"Of course. There are many," said the Frog. " And yes, they could, and yes we can.
But we'd hate to demand they follow God's standards, and would like a better plan."

 

The Frog began to sing, and the Salamander joined in:

 

"When those not on board this Rule are on board—and not disallowed—

it shows we have great unity—and it gives us a bigger crowd."

 

"But what if your numbers were up to your God, and you did not need to manipulate them, or try to subvert anything in His mandate to you, and what if you followed orders? And respected His boundaries and borders?" said the Woodchuck. "Do you think He would take care of your growth okay that way—and you might stop being contrary31 and unwary32?"

 

Said Frog, "We haven't tried that since before 1887, so it seems a little scary.
But our group did grow at the beginning to around 100,000 folks that way
in about 12 years or so.33 So, who knows? Maybe that pathway could also work today."

 

I wouldn't call us 'unwary,' though," said Salamander. "And I wonder why you do?"

 

"When you do not see a problem, you assume the way is clear. This is deception done to elude you. You will probably not see a problem when the devil sets you up. This is to make it harder for you to determine and be certain so you can see through it, and that is because—the powers of darkness want you to make what you are doing permanent34 first," said the Camel.

 

"You must find the devil to be a very honest gentleman who plays fair or
kindly with others?" the Woodchuck said. "Perhaps a reassessment of your error
of confidence in the devil's good character is in order. Do you expect any among
the powers of darkness to help you to see the problem before their trap has sprung?"

 

"If I don't see a problem there likely isn't one, that's all," said the Salamander.
"If we were being deceived, I think we would see it, in all candor."

 

The Woodchuck said: "The very nature of deception is folks don’t see they're being deceived—they're kind of blind,
Trouble you can't see can be trouble of the worst kind."

 

"Maybe that one-Word 'Rule' that God gave you is a solution, not a problem, in your spiritual combat,"
said the Camel. "Maybe it protects you and your mission. Have you considered that?"

 

"I don't see how that direction, that order, that 'Rule,' helps us in any way," said the Frog.

 

Camel said, "Maybe you seem to view your Rule as a wall in disrepair, and in your way, as a nuisance, or at least, a nonessential barrier? You want it gone from there.
What you can not see is the canyon that may be on its other side. That wall, that barrier, that 'Rule' is there to protect you from a taking a tumble and slide. Would you agree, that it is a good thing to learn, that when anyone ignores a protective Rule from God, they are being set up for a fall—and maybe a crash and burn?"

 

"Of course, we want to honor God, that's what we're all about," said Frog.
But we are a "Big Tent" movement: This 'Rule' keeps some folks out.

 

Woodchuck said: "A 'Big Tent' is for everyone who agrees in any way. And that's okay. It is meant to have few barriers, boundaries and borders.
"But a Marching Team—an Army, a traveling fellowship—is different: It's for those who go together in the same direction, and who follow the same marching orders."

 

The Frog and the Salamander burst out into another traveling song:

 

We love to tell God's story

and we want to give God all the glory!

 

 

But we like to encompass with affection

and travel with those who do not accept our compass direction!

 

 

So it helps us to edit the Story we tell, a bit,

to better allow in those who do not agree with all of it,

and we do not see anything wrong with any of it!

 

The Camel said, "When God asks you to stand up for a truth about Him,35 why be an accommodator,
and compromise His Story for the sake of the least common denominator?"36

 

The Frog and Salamander again began to sing:

 

By allowing in those who see things differently, and who disagree,

we will all be happier, and we'll find greater Unity!

 

 

Almost any direction is the direction that we see as best!37

So long as we all get along, we are sure we will be blessed!

 

"What if true unity comes from being in agreement, and seeing things the same way
instead of eliminating rules your God gave your Founder, and making God's black-and-white gray?" Woodchuck replied.

 

"Not seeing the cost or problem," said the Salamander.38

 

"Not seeing the benefit or value," said the Frog.38

 

"Whose story is it anyway? And who is the Author?" the Camel asked.
"Why not tell it how He told you to tell it? Can His version be surpassed?
What if you unified behind the direction God gave you? Have you ever given that a try, maybe sometime in the past?"

 

The Salamander said, "Yes, long ago, our group was 'in full sympathy'39 with the Rule, and also, in addition,
our Founder called it 'our greatest incentive'40 in fulfilling our Great Commission.
Back then when unified, such 'splendid offerings'41 were being realized
the newspapers suggested our givers were being 'hypnotized.'"42

 

"But when we vote out that Rule, the word 'incentive' will go too.
We will exchange it for the word 'call.' This seems very good to do," said the Frog.

 

Said Woodchuck: "It's a pity to lose a powerful, motivating 'incentive'43 to gain yet one more 'call.'
But it seems an honest thing to do:
When you remove the 'Teaching' or 'Rule' that carries the incentive and enthusiasm that drives the mission forward for you,
how could it not also be right not to decrease and demote your Expectations too?"

 

"We try to make choices based on what
we see
as being good and fair," Frog replied.

 

"Discerning God's will is very different than that,
I hope you are aware," Camel sighed.

 

"Many directions are mostly equal," said Frog, "and a certain way would be no better."

 

Woodchuck replied. "But if your God had told you where to travel, it's likely you'd have landed someplace wetter."

 

"Unity is found in agreeing on God's direction not in diversity of human opinion,” Woodchuck replied.

 

"We weren’t planning to repent of anything, we're just hoping to make the status quo more comfortable," said the Salamander.

 

 

The evening had begun to fall. The sky was growing dim. And in the distance the coyotes howled, as the evening cool breeze rolled in.

 

The Salamander and the Frog looked very sad and the mammals wondered why.

 

The Salamander hung its head, "I'm sorry but we need to go.
We've enjoyed your hospitality more than you will ever know.
We've had a brutal journey and this has been a delightful stop and rest.
We are very sad we need to go, and pray you will be blessed."

 

"Are you sure you will not stay the night? This desert can be quite cold,
and as amphibians—though your minds may be set on things eternal—
you do not regulate your body temperature well in a way that is internal," said the Woodchuck, with concern.

 

The Salamander responded: "We thank you mammals, Woodchuck and Camel, so much for the feast of your High Tea, for the conversation, and for your company. Although we left in plenty of time, we are late!—and far more than just a little bit off-course from our missionary itinerary.

 

Frog said: ”We were very careful and spared no expense to get the finest of directions. The map we had was one of the best. We double-checked all of our paths and our connections. We packed more supplies than what we needed. We started in the Eastern area: 'Go Northwest' it said, and so that was how we proceeded. We voted out the word 'North' and put in 'South' and have gone that way instead. We do not see now, how with such good intentions and directions we ever became off-course, or how we were misled."

 

"You cannot imagine what we've been through," the Salamander said. "It did not look so bad at first, but then it steadily became worse and worse. I was almost past the point where it was more than I could stand, and then we arrived where there are mountains, then had to cross the Rio Grande.44We're starting to be discouraged. We should have been there long ago. Your kindness has restored our hope, but it's time to for us to be moving on, and so we must now go."

 

The amphibians were determined, and so they went on their way,

 

And a little while after they left, they could be heard singing:

 

"We want to major in the majors

and not major in the minors!

Making molehills into mountains

does not make anything any finer!"

 

 

So when we make this compromise the norm

we won't be compromising anymore!"

 

 

Almost any direction is the direction that we see as best!37

So long as we all get along, we are sure we will be blessed!

 

Alone at last, the two worn-out mammals sat, as night fell on the desert, and did not speak a word.

 

"Did you hear what I heard?" said the Woodchuck to the Camel, finally.

 

"Did you see what I saw?" the Camel answered quietly.

 

"I am flummoxed,45 and grateful," Woodchuck answered.

 

"I am heartsick46 and bewildered,"47 said the Camel.

 

"I am baffled48 and flabbergasted!"49 the tiny little insect said with all its might.
And still, nobody heard, although it was a still and quiet night.

 

"Well?" said Woodchuck. "What did you see?"

 

"I saw a description of a theft. And it deeply bothers me," said the Camel. "Their King has put into their hands something precious to deliver. They are to tell His story. And He has led them to know what they must tell. But they take off part and do not give it. That is stealing. For 135 years. It almost makes me shiver.
They are painful to hear. Self-centered. It's all 'We want to do this, and we want to change that, and we see it this way, and isn't this too 'small' for me to bother with?' They ignore God's way. Heartsickening. Now tell me, what did you hear?"

 

The Woodchuck sat a little while in thought, then said: "I heard rationalizing and a desire to please themselves and keep those who do not belong at the cost of harming the Story, and being unfaithful to their mission. I heard not a desire to stop, but instead to connive50 to find any which way to continue, by making schemes to justify it all."
He continued, "It was a very strange conversation."

 

"Yes," Camel said. "I heard all that as well. And pride."

 

"Yes," replied the Woodchuck "They say, 'I don't see this why this matters: It is not important to me.' When did their God ask for their vote? What is this thing the devil doesn't want people to hear and why? Oh, it's the driving shaft51 of their mission. Only that. Well. Odd things are about in our desert this evening. It is time to clean up, and have our evening snacks."

 

"Woodchuck? Look over there, do you see what I see? To the right and very near,
it's a Tortoise wearing a hat and backpack and walking over here.
Will she want something to eat? Or to maybe warm up, as it has become somewhat chilly?"

 

"Good evening, two fine mammals!" the Tortoise called out, "I have a question that may sound silly—
but have you seen a Frog and Salamander walking together recently?
I mean no harm at all to them, and promise I'll treat them decently.
I have a singing telegram I hope to deliver still today.
If you could point to wherever they have gone, I will be on my way."

 

"Yes, they're going Southwest," Woodchuck called. "And you might be able to follow by hearing them when they sing a traveling song."

 

"Hmmm. They should be going Northwest, if my information is not wrong."

 

"They like to go their own way," the Camel explained.

 

"It is none of my business," Woodchuck said, "but do you dress up like something when you sing, Ma'am?"

 

"For this one yes, I'll be a pirate," said the Tortoise, thanked them both kindly again, then left with gumdrops and other treats from them, to deliver her telegram.

 

The day was nearly turned to night, the air was very still, and the Frog and Salamander had not gotten any further than the far side of the nearest hill.

 

They soon could hear see the Tortoise, dressed as a pirate, climb the hill, and heard her tell them she was going to sing and why.
Woodchuck and Camel could not avoid hearing the song (but they were curious, so they did not even try).

 

The Tortoise danced a little pirate jig skillfully and at a very good pace,
then sang their telegram to them to the tune of "Amazing Grace":52

 

 

THE SONG OF THE TORTOISE

 

 

"Update from the President and the Board, May 12, 2023"53

A singing telegram sung to "Amazing Grace"

 

 

We, your lead-ers, have been lis-t'ning

and bring a rec-om-men-da-tion

that could help change our po-si-tion-ing

on our Faith State-ment sit-u-a-tion.

 

 

We've found a so-lu-tion not yet raised

we think is a bet-ter gam-ble.

This new i-de-a could be praised

for its par-a-phrased pre-am-ble.

 

 

It's a nov-el way to make this ma-tter so

per-ma-nent and for-mal;

not to take out a Word to keep the sta-tus quo

but add an Ex-cep-tion as "new nor-mal."

 

 

'Ex-pect-ant' for Coun-cil is what we feel,

we pray you're "Ex-pect-ant" too.

We hope to re-fresh our love and zeal

as we meet with God and you.

 

 

 

Unauthorized Summary

from the Turtle SongMeister:

 

 

Now, we can con-tin-ue to com-pro-mise

our Faith State-ment as we've done

so long, as seen through som-ber54 eyes:

our un-hol-y55 tra-di-tion.

 

 

"Oh." Said Camel: "I think I shall not sleep all night. They will likely accept this one.
It will look so good and right to them. And it's full of good intention.
I don’t know if they will ever find their way out of this snare."56

 

"Not sleeping will not help them," Woodchuck said. "Maybe you can say a prayer.
Do you see what I see? The stars, my friend. We're living in great majesty.
Enjoy the beauty here. If they fail, their God will have a back-up plan, surely, hopefully.
But now it's time to tidy up our camp, and prepare our late-night snacks.
I snuck sandwiches, water and other supplies into both their sacks.

 

"So did I," the Camel said, "I wonder if they are going to make it.
I hope if God ever gives us a direction, we will simply take it."

 

Although the two amphibians were long since out of sight,
their singing still could be heard in the tranquil and chill dark desert night:

 

We've a story to tell to the nations,57

That shall turn their hearts to the right!

A story of truth and mercy,

A story of peace and light,

A story of peace and light!

 

 

For the darkness shall turn to dawning!

And the dawning to noonday bright!

And Christ's great Kingdom shall come on earth

The kingdom of love and light!

 

"Oh!" said Camel. "They sang, 'And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth'—well, maybe they are premillennialists58 after all? They're the only ones who believe that Jesus Christ will ever reign on earth in the future as a literal, physical King of Kings. The others say it will never happen. And they (most of the premillennialists), also believe that God is keeping all the promises and covenants He made to Israel and will never abandon them. Well, I hope we helped them in some small way, though I doubt that they heard what we said.

 

"Oh, I did not know you had any interest in eschatology," Woodchuck said.
"But have you ever seen or heard such ruinous59 poor theology?

 

 

Woodchuck scribbled out something, and chuckled, saying, "Do you see this as being sensible?

 

'WHEREAS it is our clever little tradition here to go the wrong way, because "Tradition is Permission," and
WHEREAS we see the direction God gave us as our mandate to be an adjustable and expendable "minor matter," because "God's Mandate Can Wait," and
WHEREAS we assume disobedience has no negative consequences for us or anyone else, because "When We are Compromised We are Harmonized and Optimized," and
WHEREAS we believe removing Rules given by God, so we can bring in those who disagree with God's Rulebook and this will increase our Unity, because "We Adam and Eve Porky Pies from Henry Neville,"60
THEREFORE, our long history of going the wrong direction is the only the reason we need to keep doing it.'

 

It is daft.61 I should think their God and Maker would have Royal Headache from them.
I'm glad I am not in their group. That is why I feel grateful."

 

"Yes, the idea, 'let's stop doing what we're doing wrong' does not seem to have occurred to them," said the Camel.
All those who get off-course following God's directions, are blindly sitting in a trap."

 

"I can't imagine God directing us," said Woodchuck: "I'm just hoping for a better map."

 

"I hope they will be alright," Woodchuck continued: "They are now out of sight.
How clear their kind of getting lost is one of the disobedient kinds of sins.
Perhaps the oddest thing of all is that they do seem to believe they have a King,
but do they listen to what this Mighty King says?"62 I'm wondering.

 

The Camel remarked: "Such getting lost is not so much a matter of the feet as of the heart.
Even the well-intentioned do not see well, where deception plays a part.
I wonder where their Great Commission would be right now,
if they had listened, not just in part—but to
all the clear directions God gave
to them—right from
their very
start?"

 

 

You are witnesses and storytellers for the only King of Kings from old.

Should the King not have His story told the way He wants it told?

 

 

 

*"Ignoring GPS" = Ignoring God's Positioning System

 

 

**"Do You Hear What I Hear?" an allusion to the song:

 

 

 

"THE END"

the tiny little insect said,

and everybody heard—and she happily went to bed.






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Jan 08 2024 07:12 AM

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