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Raoul’s Two Cents: July 18, 2025

Mountains and Hills

WARNING: Spiritual content. Move on to the jokes if this isn’t your interest.

Two giants in the faith died this past week. One was a controversial preacher named John McArthur and the other was my dear friend Ed Landry (whom I mentioned in an earlier TGIF email).

Accolades for John resonate in evangelical circles. He wrote over 400 books, preached over 3,000 sermons, pastored a mega church and his teachings were shared on Christian radios for decades. This guy knew his Bible well. When I was a brand new Christian in the Philippines, he left a memorable impression. He came to teach at a local church. It was said that while he was on stage he asked his host what their biggest challenge was. On cue, he walked up to the pulpit and gave a 3 point hour-long sermon addressing that very topic complete with verses and illustration … and without any notes. He did not hide from controversy. When politics entered the realm of his faith, he was prepared to go to prison for his convictions. If there was ever a man who preached fire and brimstone, it was this modern-day John the Baptist.

Deep in the heart of Tennessee, Ed, a relatively unknown Bible study teacher, succumbed to an incurable disease. Ed was more of an easy-going, compassionate John the apostle — more of a jester among the disciples. This ex-fireman wrote, laid out, and self-published several gorgeous Christian books (available in Amazon) — although none of them were best sellers, that didn’t curb his infectious passion to share. He organized leaders of small churches, organized conferences and started a soap and candle industry to help their ministry. He was the spark plug of everything he touched in the ministry. But his biggest accomplishment (at least in my book) was he was instrumental in deepening my faith. He was my buddy … my mentor. He saw my worth as an artist when I had lost faith in my abilities.

Good faithful servants both. Now that their earthly journeys are over, I imagine these two champions sharing heavenly anecdotes — and I’m sure it isn’t bragging war wounds or medals but how faithful they were to their calling. Few of us are called to move mountains … most of us are called to move hills.

How many hills are you supposed to move? We’re gettin’ old folks — I’m gettin’ old! We haven’t got a lot of time! Tote that barge, lift that bale — move dem hills!

But this is just me. TGIF people!

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“Every man has his own destiny: the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him.” — Henry Miller

“Men do not shape destiny, Destiny produces the man for the hour.” — Fidel Castro