Building One Another
LIVE IN CHAPTERS, Vol 8 No 29
August 4, 2009
Dear Friend,
When the wonderful Quaker theologian Elton Trueblood was around eighty years old and I was about thirty, I remember him saying, “Young man, live your life in chapters.”
He went on to describe the chapter of his first marriage of twenty-five years, his wife’s death and the chapter of grief and recovery. It was followed by the chapter of twenty-five years of his second marriage. He explained there are many chapters in life and times between chapters and in every such chapter and time is the presence of our loving Lord who encourages and sustains us.
Today marks the end of a wonderful chapter of this weekly devotional letter, Building One Another and the start of a new one. It was originally inspired by Richard C. Halverson, a mentor in my life whose weekly devotional, Perspective, was mailed to thousands of people every week. In a similar way, Building One Another was sent by mail for many years.
Then in 2002, my friend Bill McCall, explored how we might begin to send the letter out by email. Those were the days before mass email companies existed and Bill had to pull together the software and figure out how to make it work. And make it work he did as he (along with the wonderful editorial work of his wife Cheryl) has sent Building One Another out to thousands of people every week without fail ever since. I am very grateful.
With this edition of Building One Another we begin a new chapter. The letter in this new format will now be sent and posted in conjunction with the new website www.VitalChurchesInstitute.com. As before when people want to reply to me all they have to do is hit “reply” and send their remarks.
Dr. Trueblood’s counsel is good for us all. Live your life in chapters and trust the One who is the Lord of every chapter of your life!
With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2009 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NRSV