MK forum

Like many who visit these forums, I miss our beloved and prolific Ornery Thornery. There is a decided lack of sarcasm and wit since his retirement. The following is my little contribution to make up that deficit. Just so you are aware, I already know that the following analogy is flawed in some respects. However, if you were able to overlook the flaws in Larry Browns homily from II Kings 5, you probably won't mind the one you can spot here. In fact, if you overlooked the ones in Larry Brown's application of the Naaman story, you won't even notice the ones here. . . .

So, with apologies to Ornery Thornery, my offering:

I think New Tribes Mission, Inc. is taking its cues from the Dear Leader of North Korea, Inc. Who is really in charge of NTM, Inc.? Dear Leader Comrade Blown Lae Rhee?

North Korean people are starving. The world protests; it is not good to let people starve while building your country's army. The world sends food to North Korea, but no more ipods. Take that, you bullies!

North Korea defies the world community. It builds a bigger army, detonates a couple of nuclear warheads, sinks a South Korean ship, lobs a few missiles over Japan, threatens to invade South Korea and elevates Kim Young Un to a four star general. The world protests; this is all totally unacceptable. For one thing, Kim Young Un should only be a Lieutenant Colonel. Or, at most, a Field Chairman.

North Korea, faced with a public relations nightmare, relents. They keep their big army, they keep their nuclear warheads, they deny sinking the South Korean ship, they keep the missiles and their Army remains on stand-by invasion status. The Young Un keeps his stars. But, they know when they are whipped; they agree to hold talks.

The world rejoices. Progress! The world has been waiting for this, working for this, advocating for this for years. They have worked hard not to be bitter, and to give North Korea every benefit of the doubt. After all, there are a lot of good people in North Korea, and they aren't the ones making the decisions; it's not their fault.

North Korea hasn't changed a bit, but at least they are talking now. Before, they wouldn't talk. Now, they are talking. If this isn't repentance, what is? Diplomacy wins the day!

Oh, yes. The North Korean people are still starving. But, the world is hopeful.

Gene,

Flawed or not, that was very good. Thank you for that most accurate analogy.

Tow Mater, your story of the 96-year-old triber and her flawed theology is so poignant ... and rings so true ...

It breaks my heart, because there are tribers from that generation who are near and dear to me as well ....