Lutheran Pastor John Hannah, (Col.  U. S. Army, Ret.) tells this story of his experience with General Colin Powell.

[General Powell] “was due to retire from the Army the same day as I would (1 October 1993). I wrote him asking him for the traditional signed photo and noting that I was headed for a Bronx parish with a school. I thought the photo would be displayed in the school and remind students that opportunities abound in America. He did send me the photo and congratulations on my forthcoming retirement and assuming the pastorate at Trinity Church and School. Later I solicited his donation to the scholarship fund, ‘Light of the Bronx’ that I had helped to establish. He responded with a brief note, again affirming my ministry and remarking with a vague reference that I would be receiving something in the future. About two weeks later I got a letter from some Manhattan group to which he had spoken saying that General Powell had directed his honorarium be sent to ‘Light of the Bronx.’ The check was for $3,000.”

I am moved by Chaplain Hannah’s story. There have been public figures who bragged about their religious faith, but acted in ways absolutely inconsistent with that faith. Secretary Powell was an active member of the Episcopal Church, but he rarely talked about his faith outside of the church. His actions, however, were often shaped by his deeply held faith.

If only there were more people like that.

“May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.”

Read Matthew 7:21 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne