Many of you are no doubt aware that there are posts on Ezekiel that have begun to show up on my blog. Posts not written by me.
First of all, if you have noticed, then here is the post that gives some small detail of the man behind those posts, all of which have been sanctioned for publication here on TPH.
Permit me to indulge a small blurb on him.
His name is Eric Hatch.
I first met Eric while I was sequestered at Evangel University during my season in graduate school (AGTS). Back then, he was very passionate about things like Kazakhstan (if you do not know what Kazakhstan is, then it is part of a greater region that deeply has my heart, including a major swath of nations that constitute the lion’s share of the world’s global Muslim population), and well-considered communication, and a deeper relationship with our great King and Husband. His heart is truly noble, though he might not admit that.
I reconnected with him regularly and more intentionally a few years back after several years of intermittent conversation. I specifically reconnected with him because Father told me it was time to do so. And the more I have talked with him, the more rich the conversations have become. Much of our conversation on his part, has been framed with the cavernous wisdom he brings to the table as we discuss matters scholarly and theological, especially from the more Reformed sides of our like-precious faith.
His is the sort of Teacher that deeply considers the Scripture and methodically mines out and polishes nuggets and fathomed treasures. These gems are then polished, lightly placed upon cashmere cloths, and then deposited in the accounts of his listeners.
Truly, when I talk about the Redemptive Gift of Teacher, this man excels many of them, and though he would never say it in light of the many tests, trials, and the ways in which Father has refined him in the crucible of the last 15 years, he truly has grown into a masterful Kingdom lapidarist.
Above is a true reflection of what this man’s friendship does to my spirit. And, yes, that is my spirit shining through in the picture of us at Cracker Barrel.
Those posts on Ezekiel are things the like of which we have studied over a long course of Saturday mornings the last several months, and he has been the one to open my eyes to the gems that glimmer in the works of Ezekiel. For the record, Chapter 23 is probably one of the more powerful gems in the book, as vulgar and pornographic as it is at time. While I will not spoil the why of the pornographic language of Chapter 23 (I will leave that to Eric to expand upon), I will say it is worth due consideration. The book is more than Chapters 1 and 37.
For those of you that are SLG tribesmates of mine, I would use the series of Eric’s posts to augment the way you read this second-favorite book of the Old Testament of mine (Deuteronomy is my favorite). I would consider the various hard things which Eric brings to light.
And I would encourage you to drink deeply from my friend’s well. His are thoughts worth considering, and I count his friendship among my most-treasured.
David speaks of me in glowing terms, and I thank God for any light, which refracts through me. Simply, if you see grace and life coming from me, “it is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me.”
In my Saturday Morning Bible studies by Skype, David has given me the opportunity to rekindle my love for mining God’s Word. He let me see that I still had the teaching gifts God gave me as a young, brash minister. David kept saying, “This is amazing stuff you’re saying, Eric!”, and I politely thanked him… and wondered at why he even let me blather on for an hour of his busy week.
Yet, gently and methodically, I began to feel my spiritual legs under me, like a lame man who once ran with vigor but had been paralyzed without hope of walking. David, thank you so much for being God’s man and His healer to give me the hope to start again in fulfilling my calling into leadership ministry.