A Fullfiller of Good Intentions

Dear Crosswalkers,

Speaking of action, I just finished reading the massive three volume biography of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris.  Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States, and most scholars place him in the top five of all U.S. presidents.  He is enshrined on Mt Rushmore. The books are 2,245 pages of the fascinating history of an incredible life.  Roosevelt was born sickly, and in response he dedicated himself to living what he called “the strenuous life.” His 60 years of life were packed with adventure and accomplishment. I can’t even begin to sum up his exuberant personality and high intellect and raw courage. He was a man of faith and a man of action. 

At his funeral, his favorite hymn, “How Firm a Foundation,” was recited rather than sung:

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

The author concludes his third and final volume of TR's life with these words about the former president: "He was a fulfiller of good intentions." I was greatly inspired by Roosevelt's life and legacy.  In today's world it's so easy to excuse ourselves from an active life by falling back on our intentions. May it be said of Crosswalkers - We are fulfillers of good intentions.

One incident shows his persona perhaps more than any other. After 8 years as president, Roosevelt took a break and then reentered politics and campaigned for president again, this time with the independent Bull Moose Party. In 1912 he was in Milwaukee to deliver an important speech, in fact the last speech of his campaign. Thousands of admirers lined the motorcade route, hoping for a glimpse of the great man. Roosevelt was in an open-air motorcar, waving his hand and flashing his famous toothy grin at everyone.

Suddenly, a crazed man pointed a pistol at the former president and fired a single bullet into his chest. Roosevelt was knocked across the car and visibly dazed. Blood began oozing from his chest. Police officers tackled the gunman.

Immediately, TR’s advisers planned the quickest route to nearby a hospital. But the wounded Rough Rider wouldn’t even consider it. “You get me to that speech. It may be the last one I ever deliver, and I’m not going to miss it,” he ordered to his entourage.

Minutes later, Teddy Roosevelt was standing before a huge audience, unaware that their hero had just been shot.  Roosevelt said, “Friends, I shall ask you to be as quiet as possible. I have just been shot, and even now the bullet is in me. So I cannot speak for long, but I will do my best.” He held open his coat and revealed his crimson stained shirt. The audience gasped.  Medical personnel offered help, and Roosevelt’s handlers again tried to get him off the stage.  But he refused.  He spoke for just over an hour and a half! Can you imagine that? He grew pale, and his voice weakened, but he gave the speech of his life.  Slowly he turned to his friends and advisors and said, “Now, we can go to the hospital.”

A thunderous applause erupted and continued until the he had left the building.

At the hospital it was discovered that the bullet’s speed had been slowed because it passed through the handwritten transcript of his speech that was tucked in his coat pocket. Then it ricocheted off the steel case for his glasses and went into his chest. Amazingly, he survived.

He was a fulfiller of good intentions. Note his priority: It was the message. A person with a message that must be shared is a powerful wonder to behold!

Jesus was also a fulfiller of good intentions. Mark's Gospel shows the Lord as a man of action with a message that must be shared. We are returning to our series through the Gospel of Mark and this Sunday we will look at how the Lord Jesus modeled a life of grace in the midst of a judgmental society. Jesus was also a man of courage, and a man of action. He is God in a human body, and this week we will be encouraged to live a grace-full life and become fulfillers of good intentions!

Blessings,

Pastor John

P.S. Many thanks for all of you who responded to last week's email with movie reviews of your own! Many of you have seen and recommend Courageous! Also, missionary Marty Hooper passed through our office and highly recommended Seven Days in Utopia, which is a film about God and Golf!