L I F E W I R E

by Kelly Moran

for 22 November 1995

Delinquent Shoppers

It seems the shopping malls of America are increasingly becoming a focal point for delinquent behavior. Those intent on misbehaving have a ready access to an audience for their antics and the anonymity of the crowds.

The Eastland Mall in Evansville, Indiana, has had enough. They have banned two delinquents from their doors forever.

The miscreants in question are 75-year-old John Perry and his cohort, 84-year-old Wyman Holder.

The two men drew a small crowd as they began loudly telling jokes and passing out trinkets. They claim they didn't mean any harm.

Carol Markle, the marketing director for Eastland mall, said the men were asked several times to stop.

John Perry said, "If they'd have told us to stop, we'd have quit. They never did."

However, a mall supervisor did call in two security guards to help him kick the men out of the mall. The men were told they were not welcome back.

Harmless or Clueless?

What's happening here? Is America losing its collective mind? Why would two old men be kicked out of a mall? How could a quiet shopping day turn ugly so fast? The two pranksters were out for a laugh; looking for the tug of a smile on someone's face.

On the other hand, we may be dealing with two creaky elevators that no longer reach the top floors.

There appears to be two sides to the story.

This seems to be the case with most stories. There are three sides, usually: The first person, the second person, and somewhere in between, the truth. Add to this any eyewitnesses, each of whom would report seeing something different.

It's no real surprise then that people in our society have so readily adopted the idea that truth is relative. Some people believe that what is true for you may not be true for me.

On one hand, I appreciate the diplomacy of saying, "I don't see it the same way," rather than the adamant, "You're wrong." However, some issues of life continue to be black and white. Diplomacy cannot be carried over into Christianity.

How Many Legs?

Jean Staker Garton, in her book, "Who Broke the Baby?," tells this story about President Abraham Lincoln: "President Lincoln loved to employ this brain-teaser to make a point to constituents. He would ask, "How many legs would a sheep have if you called his tail a leg?"

"Naturally, they would meekly respond, 'Five.'

"'Wrong! You are mistaken. The sheep would still have just four legs. Calling something a leg doesn't make it so.'"

Lincoln reportedly used this quiz on a delegation that was pressing him for an immediate proclamation of emancipation. His point was well taken: Declaring someone free doesn't make it so.

Just because you claim to be a child of God doesn't make it so.

Jesus said, "It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me." (John 6:45)

That's right. If you believe, it's because God taught you. If God teaches you, you will find Jesus. There is no other way.

Have a hard time with that one? You're not alone. This is part of the teachings of Jesus about which John wrote: "On hearing it, many of his disciples said, 'This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?'" (John 6:60)

Hard truth or not, it's truth. What you do is so unimportant. It's Who you know that matters.

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Jesus is the only way to God. This truth is not relative.

It's the only question on the quiz. Yes or no: Do you know Jesus?

God, I long to know you and your Son, Jesus.

Published weekly for 4 years and 8 weeks.

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All Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (unless otherwise noted).