Confusingly Strange

Kent B. True, “Christians Say the Strangest Things!”

Restoration Herald, August 2004

Kent True - has been for one year now going over some of the Strange things that have been written in some of our various publications.  Humorously, yet with avid straight forwardness, Kent has pointed out some of the oddities in our brotherhood.  I must admit that his column has become a favorite of mine.   The first place I turn when I get my regular Restoration Herald is to the ‘Club Meeting.’  In reading these articles I have found something ‘odd’ and/or ‘strange’ concerning all of the ‘meetings.’  Strangely enough, Kent B. True, with all his understanding of Apologetics, Ethics, Philosophy and especially Logic, has missed this simple yet crucial point.

Kent almost always starts off his column by stating, “With this meeting…”  I’m confused -- is this a column or is this a meeting?  I was always under the impression that with a meeting of a club we all gather together, share ideas, and even discuss our future goals.   Okay, perhaps the meeting is being used metaphorically.   That does not discount the idea, though, of this being a club (you, myself, others who avidly read the column)!  After all, we do have a title of our group, “Strangeness of the Month Club.”  We even have a motto: “Christians Say the Strangest Things.” 

You are probably wondering where in the world I am going with this thought process.  Most likely in the back recesses of your mind you are asking, “What is the crucial point missed?  What is the strange thing about the ‘Strange Club?’  Well, like I said before, it is quite simple and it comes in the form of a question:  Where do I get my membership card, wall certificate and most importantly my T-Shirt for the Club?! 

Here is another point or idea: Although we metaphorically meet once a month, we should have an actual yearly meeting, see each other face to face, get to know our fellow members.   We could even share some of our own experiences of “Christians Say the Strangest Things!” 

For example:  This year at “Family Camp” I went into their new restroom facilities.   No more paper towels for drying the hands.  The camp has leaped into the 80’s with automatic hot hand dryers!  As I was washing my hands, a few men had just been using one of those new fangled devices.  As they left I approached the very same ‘dryer,’ waved my hand under it to turn on the sensor and nothing happened!  I then moved my hands to new positions… nothing.  Finally and frantically, I just started waving my hands back and forth. (By this time my hands were almost dried manually.)   Just then, Creighton Beatty walked by and stated, “Must have gotten Hot.”  I looked down at the ‘dryer,’ then looked back at him and said, “Isn’t that the idea?”  He just smiled and laughed.   Christians do say the strangest things.

Well, I reckon that Kent has meant well through the past year.  He has given many a new and clear insight into our Christian walk.   Even so, I’m still wondering where my official T-Shirt is!  It needs to be a 3X; those ‘hot dryers’ my wife uses shrinks my shirts too much.  Oh my!  A thought just occurred to me:  would those ‘hand dryers’ -- oh never mind....

In His Grip,

-Jon Lanier

I suppose I have no choice but to promote Jon to the club vice-president.  I have no doubt that, should I become unable to continue, he could easily take over for me!  By the way, Jon, I am almost always confused!  - Kent