Biography

Hi! My name is Duane Cook. My wife is Patsy and we have three grown children…daughter Amy, son-in-law Ian, and son Adam. We came to Fairport from Southern California in 1991. I serve in a variety of capacities at Browncroft, such as Children’s Ministry, One Voice Choir and the elder board. I am on the executive committee for Flower City Work Camp.

Reflection

Whether at work, at Church, or in your home, leadership isn’t easy. In today’s reading we see Gideon as he encounters three challenges to leaders. First, there are the Monday morning quarterbacks (verses 1-3). The tribe of Ephraim is angry that Gideon hadn’t invited them to play a more prominent role. They have failed to recognize that it wasn’t Gideon’s plan, but God’s plan. He turns them away with a soft answer (Proverbs 15:1). Second, trouble from within. It reminds me of the famous Pogo cartoon caption: "We have met the enemy and he is us." Exhausted and hungry from chasing the enemy, Gideon asks for food from the tribe of Gad (cities of Succoth and Peniel) so he can continue God’s pursuit (verse 4-9). This brother tribe refuses to help. Gideon would exact judgment on them upon his return. Still famished, Gideon continues his dogged pursuit until God’s goal is accomplished (verses 11-12) then returns to punish those unfaithful brothers (verses 13-17).

Gideon judges the enemy Kings and finds them without excuse (verse 18-19). If they had raided and taken what they wanted that would have been acceptable, but they had shown a disregard for human life and killed indiscriminately. He found them guilty and ordered their deaths. Which brings us to the third challenge: trouble within the family (verse 20-21). Gideon figuratively hands the sword to his oldest son to exact judgment. This would have been a great honor and would have shown unity to his father’s leading. Instead, he stands motionless until, taunted, Gideon does the job himself. As leaders, we have to do what is right-- without regard to public opinion or being politically correct. As followers, we have a corresponding challenge to submit to those God has risen up as leaders in our Church.

Your fellow traveler,

Duane