Over the years, Frank has been a thoughtful reader and "interactor" with my writings, never hesitating to offer both encouragement and constructive feedback. Recently, he responded to a set of questions I sent to my readers, sharing reflections and a personal testimony. Here’s what he had to say:
“When I first met Jay, I was a high school student, and he was a college intern with a new city-wide youth ministry started by the church I attended. We were paired up with interns to visit other interested students in their homes. I went with Jay and watched in awe as he shared his testimony and invited each student to try out the new student group. That was almost 40 years ago! And I’m still listening and learning from the stories, failures, vulnerabilities, challenges, questions, and successes in the Lord that Jay so unselfishly shares in his blog, now for over 20 years.”
— Frank McClung, Crossville, TN
When Lisa and I visited Alaska in 2022, Frank let me know his uncle, Rudy owned a cafe in Ketchikan. It was a joy to visit that restaurant and meet him in person.
Here are Frank’s responses to the questions I posed to readers:
1. Personal Reflection on Blog Content
Q: Which blog post or topic has resonated with you the most over the years? How has reading this blog impacted your life or perspective?
A: I’m a guy, so any post related to sports—especially football, coaching, Briarwood sports, and Alabama—always draws me in.
2. Feedback and Improvement
Q: What would you like to see more of on the blog? Is there a topic I haven’t covered that you think would be valuable?
A: I enjoy reading about whatever topics God leads you to explore. Those are usually the best ones! Personally, though, I’d love to hear more about your personal memories and insights regarding race while growing up and living as an adult in Birmingham. How did you view things back then? How have your views changed over time?
3. Engagement and Community
Q: Do you have a memorable interaction from the blog’s community? How did you first discover this blog, and what keeps you coming back?
A: I keep reading because: a) you’re genuine and unfiltered, and b) you’re willing to listen, consider the issues, and engage in conversation.
4. Looking Ahead
Q: What are your hopes for the blog in the next 5 or 10 years? If you could ask the blog’s writer any question, what would it be?
A: We often talk about "Christ in us," but what do we know about "us in Christ" and what that truly means?
5. Life Connection
Q: How do the topics on this blog relate to your life? What has been the most encouraging or inspiring idea you’ve taken from the blog?
A: There’s no substitute for walking by faith each day in the light you’ve been given.
6. Fun and Creative
Q: If you could describe this blog in three words, what would they be?
A: Jay shares life.
Frank also shared a profound observation a few years ago when I was writing about the Book of Revelation:
“As you’ve noted, understanding the symbols is challenging. Often, when we try to interpret these symbols, we look for literal events—earthquakes, famines, wars, and historical happenings—to fulfill them. I’ve done this many times, not just with Revelation but with other scriptures, and I’ve often found myself mistaken.
A natural, literal interpretation of prophetic symbols was where the Jews of Jesus’s time missed the birth of a King in a stable. They expected an earthly king, misinterpreting Isaiah’s symbolic prophecies. Revelation is about the revealing of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1). The symbols in this book are about His revelation within a people who will progress from a state described in the letters to the seven churches to become the bride, then the wife of the Lamb.
If we look for Revelation’s meaning outside ourselves, we miss its purpose, its meaning, and its central Person.”
Frank, thank you for your insight, your friendship, and for sharing so openly. God bless you!
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