I remember his sister, my grandmother saying that for her 16th birthday, she wanted a special party, but all they had was bacon grease sandwiches and she pouted and stomped out the door, then, said to herself, “What a brat you are being. We are lucky to have food at all and you want Mom and Dad to have to worry about getting something special.” and she turned around and I don’t ever remember either of them complaining about anything in my lifetime. Most of their 6 siblings never had a single thing to complain about.

Dear Jeremiah,

Believe it or not, I understand some, if not most, of your frustrations.

I used to (I still do, actually) point out other people’s sins too, such as Martin Luther King’s promiscuity, assuming they are true, you mention. One of at least three precedents always come to mind when i do that, namely King David’s affair with Bathsheba, Paul the persecutor of Christians being appointed an apostle, and Jesus’ “defending” the prostitute from public condemnation.

David who fervently writes about God and justice, using some of your words, did not perfectly “liv[e] a true life of what [he] write[s] about”. As we’ve read, David took someone else’s wife and killed the husband. And did not immediately repent; It took a rebuke before he realized what he’s done. Despite all that, God Himself declared: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do’” (Acts 13:22).

David who fornicates and murders is a man after God’s own heart? Really? Paul who persecuted Christian’s is appointed by Christ Himself to be a Christian teacher? Really? I question these before i’m reminded by Jesus’ saying “let he let him who is without sin cast the first stone”. I am definitely NOT without sin, yet i condemn, i despise others for their sin. It always leads me to realizing how hypocritical i can be by spotlighting other people’s shortcomings, by being instinctively judgemental. Worse even, a lot of times i do that baselessly and/or without evidence. Even Jesus doesn’t do so, how dare I?

Psychologically speaking, this kind of tendency of mine is related to what are termed “all or nothing thinking” and “idealization”, hallmark symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder, which i am enduring.

However more fortunate US denizens are compared to others, I can somewhat sympathize with the hardships you’re enduring. It still bothers me seeing so many people lose their homes due to the selfishness/indifference of some, the seemingly “irreconcilable differences” and excruciating conflicts concerning political views, racial prejudices, religious views and whatnot. It’s very discouraging for me to realize that all the very inspiring stories such as Martin Luther King’s didn’t necessarily put an end to racism, for instance. I hope (since i don’t pray much) those of you experiencing these difficulties are or will be graced with courage, endurance, and whatever necessary to get through.

To add yet another view from abroad, we in Indonesia have our own hardships. Besides everlasting general welfare problems and perpetually corrupt politicians, to mention some, we’ve just witnessed how a man trying to do good ends up imprisoned (history repeating itself). Though there are probably more of such cases, the one concerning the former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaya Purnama had a massive effect on our nation. This guy is most probably the most transparent, anti-corrupt government official we’ve ever seen. He posts every single gubernatorial meetings, in their entirety, to Youtube for the public to see. His lavish spending on things actually needed by Jakartans makes us angrily wonder what governors preceding him “spend” all that taxpayer money on. He revealed embezzlement schemes of corrupt legislators. He did things that was once thought impossible. Again, never have I, if not the whole nation, seen such dedicated government official. For many of us, he’s the kind of leader we’ve been longing for. Unfortunately, he’s a “double minority”, both a Christian and Chinese, and has the nationally “undesirable” quality of speaking candidly. These “weaknesses” of his end up being utilized by his enemies who eventually succeeded in putting him in prison while dragging the whole country to the verge of ethno-religious conflict. They say Indonesia promotes ethno-religious tolerance, but they who say this is actually unaware of the intolerance kept alive deep within some people’s hearts. I fear for my country’s future, and I’m not the only one. Please keep us Indonesians in mind when you pray for “world peace”.

I know your country is going through some very hard times. I am very sorry, and hope and pray that things change soon.

I’m also fan of your books that i red all here in Brazil.

If you was surprised with minimun salary in Bulgaria ($700), imagine in Brazil with $300 and higher cost from Europe and US.

Continues writing with encouragement. Nowadays I am reading again “Disappointement with God”.

God bless you!
Ronaldo Nunes

I spent only 5 days in your country, so take any of my observations with a grain of salt! –Philip

Bulgaria is a fascinating country that has produced an astonishing number of musicians and singers.

I just read the first few chapters of What’s So Amazing About Grace? and loved your references to Babette’s Feast and even the Mozart Requiem! Your treatment of “The Prodigal Son” reminded me of the affecting scene in Jesus of Nazareth (of Zefrelli) where He tells the story at the home of Matthew the tax collector.

You have a powerful and important message to share with the world…

Best,

Mike

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and how we can appreciate that which we take for granted.

Remain Blessed,
Mathias, David Ephraim