His Story

Written Out

Reading through the Bible…Joshua 4-6/Luke 1:1-20

I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught. (Luke 1:4)

Luke writes it all out for us. Still, without translation, it would be all Greek to most of us.

The history of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection gets passed on orally, initially. However, some of His followers eventually choose to write it down. Luke, a Gentile convert, is one of those His story ans.

Luke pulls together eye witness accounts to confirm what the other Gospel writers record about Jesus. He chronicles not only Jesus’ life in the Gospel of Luke. He also, in the book of Acts, describes the life of the early church.

Luke writes it all out for us. There’s just one catch. He writes it out in Koine (Common) Greek. That’s great for Luke’s contemporaries. But, for us, it presents a challenge.

My late brother Jim, solves the problem by painstakingly teaching seminary students how to translate the Bible from Greek to English. Google makes it a little easier.

Writing…

Luke writes it all down in Greek. My Venezuelan friend “Juan”, however, while sitting in the back seat of my friend Allen’s car, writes it all down in Spanish. Then…

Google translates.

I ask him, How long were you in the The North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, MI.

One half and three months, he tells me.

What was it like? (He types Spanish into my phone and google translates it into English)

I had to be a source of support for many people who couldn't sleep there; I encouraged them to eat as well. For my part, I always give thanks to God—no matter how little we have—and I slept peacefully, placing my faith in Him.

I question him further, Tell me more about how you came to faith in God.

Ever since I was a little boy, my grandmother spoke to me about God and taught me how to pray; she explained that I need not feel worry or fear if I place my trust in Him. When she passed away, it hurt me deeply, but a few days later, I came to understand that this was God's will. Later, I underwent three surgeries on one of my arms, yet I remained steadfast throughout. I had been diagnosed with a severe bacterial infection, but during the final surgery, the doctor told me that a miracle had occurred and my bone had healed. From a medical standpoint, it was inexplicable; from that moment on, I realized how God was working in my life. My confidence—and my faith—were enormously strengthened. I was also a victim of a shooting here, and I give thanks to God every day for granting me another chance at life.

Building…

Juan writes his story out for me. Luke writes his story out for Theophilus, a name which in translation means, “lover of God”.

Can I write it all out for you?

If you still support I.C.E. and the unlawful detention of black and brown people…especially if you would call yourself a Theophilus, a lover of God…

Please STOP.

For the Love of God, for your love of God, STOP.

STOP, unlawfully and without due process, STOP capturing fellow lovers of God. STOP concentrating them in inhumane camps for no reason. STOP ripping them apart from the family and friends with whom they live. STOP separating them from the Churches and Mosques where they worship.

Please STOP

Then, listen to their Story. Maybe they will even write it out for you.

*More information on what I am calling the “Underground Road Way” can be found at https://www.michiganpublic.org/news/2026-01-27/inside-the-midwests-largest-immigration-detention-center-with-a-retired-pastor