This is Viewpoints for Thursday, May 5, 2016

Cherished influence

When I heard the news of Lonzy Edwards’s death, I was reading a book about racial reconciliation. There are a number of such books I probably would never have read if it had not been for Lonzy. God richly gifted this man in many ways. He grew up with limited opportunities in impoverished Hancock County before the civil rights movement, but he ended up earning three graduate degrees at three elite universities. A devoted pastor with a strong, prophetic voice; an attorney devoted to defending the rights of the oppressed; author of several books; a conscientious and effective public servant and a small-business owner, Lonzy Edwards was a dear friend to me.

When I heard a call from God to get involved in reconciliation ministry, he generously befriended and advised me. Since I came late to the field, he became my mentor in racial reconciliation. I was stirred by his writing and preaching. I admired his public service. I applauded both his championing of the forgotten ones in our midst and his strong commitment to fiscal conservatism. He set an admirable example for clergy of all races and religions: building Beloved Community by sponsoring frequent interracial dialogues and prayer breakfasts. Lonzy never forgot his fundamental call to preach Christ-crucified sacrifice, but he also used that work as the springboard for community-building activities. Macon has lost an intelligent, talented, principled leader, and I have lost a dear friend. I’m deeply grateful for his influence in my life.

Never forgotten

April 29, 2016, a day of loss to his family, friends, the people of Macon, and to all of humankind. Lonzy F. Edwards Sr., attorney, pastor, elected official, businessman, author. The most important of these is pastor. He earned degrees from Yale Divinity School, Duke Law School, Knoxville College and Emory University, yet he still maintained an ability to relate to all people. His books dealt with civic and moral values. One of these was directed primarily to people who were or had been in prison. This book, “Leaving Prison for Good,” is a must read for anyone seeking to be a better human being. His perspective in this book is an inter-discipline, both as a lawyer and most importantly, as a pastor. People generally refer to pastors as “men of God.” Edwards was not only a pastor, but lived as a man of God. No doubt our loss is heaven’s gain and in that we can be joyful. Lonzy, you are gone from our presence, but never forgotten for your influence and friendship.

What’s the deal?

When this country was established, three branches of government were formed: the legislative, executive and the judicial. This form of government enabled two of the three to block undesirable action by the third. In the almost eight years this executive branch has been in office, the public debt of this country has more than doubled without any apparent action by the legislative and judicial branches to control this. Why is our government not performing as it was created to perform?

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 10:09 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Thursday, May 5, 2016."