This blurb marks the beginning of a series of blurbs focused on the Gospels. For the next several weeks, I will focus my attention on the Gospels and discuss here some of what I am learning. Any reader of the New Testament will benefit from an understanding of the Old Testament. Said reader will also benefit from understanding what is typically called the “Intertestamental Period” or “Second Temple Period” as well. This time provides a valuable context for the entire New Testament. For most readers, unfortunately, the information available in their study Bible is a page or three of explanation. When we understand what happened during this time we have a greater understanding of the problems that Jesus encountered in His ministry.

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I was listening to a Pink Floyd song entitled, “On the Turning Away” this week. It is about the human tendency to turn away from those downtrodden around us. As I was humming along, I was going through the day’s mail and I came across a pamphlet with a close-up of a sad looking dog named Mungo. I was encouraged to read Mungo’s story. I was told “he’s no-one’s friend; he’s mistreated or neglected” — even though the picture of Mungo shows he is really a she. And I was told I could help. Like you, I receive plenty of junk mail. I often receive calls to donate money: the NRA wants me to help their political situation; Arizona State University wants me to finance the education of others; the local Sheriff and/or Police and/or Fire departments want me to help with their benefits. This is the first time I have been asked to help the stray dogs of the world. So I turned away.

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Summer, practically speaking, is over. School started yesterday for Lizzy and Jake. Luke starts preschool next week. Daddy resumes graduate school in two weeks. The time of lazy summer days is being replaced with order, routine, and homework. No matter what your age, school has many attractive qualities. The concept of learning is motivational for some; meeting new friends drives others. There is also the idea that we are getting older and more mature as we progress through school. All of these are immediate benefits of school. But school has some negative qualities like homework. We all understand the necessity of homework to succeed; that does not make it likable. I noticed a parallel this week between our attitude towards homework and our attitude towards prayer.

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There is a book called The Long Night of White Chickens by Francisco Goldman that tells the story of an old man desperately seeking to find his legacy. His story is secondary in the book (although the movie Hombres Armados [Men With Guns] is based on him) but it is a captivating story nonetheless. It seems that a natural part of humanity is the desire to leave a legacy. The thing to know about legacies, or “legados” in Spanish, is that we all have one even if fame escapes us.

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After leaving Nevada, last week, I drove home a different way. I cut down to I-40 and made my way to Flagstaff, Arizona. As far as cities go, Flagstaff is right up my alley. It is a small town with lots of greenery and mountains. I truly enjoy that city. The added bonus is that my uncle lives there. As far as people go, Uncle Mark is right up my alley. Every time I talk with him, I find myself wiser. He makes it easy to meet my goal of learning something from everyone I meet. Time does not allow me to discuss all the things I learned during my two-day stay in Flagstaff last week. But I will tell you about one thing that made me smile.

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