I've been gone from the blog for sometime now. It's been an unusual time; a new season. There are times in life when you are pulled in several directions at once, and temporarily lose your ability to concentrate fully on any one of them.
This year has already brought more changes than I could have imagined, or better yet, understood, on December 31, 2012. My 67 year old husband retired and immediately he wanted to take a road trip to Florida. That was so much fun and a wonderful gift from God that we could go an enjoy it thoroughly. Then our son and daughter-in-law, who are in their early 40's, had their first baby in late February, our third grandchild. How wonderful to welcome her! She lives in California and we live in Ohio, so that called for an extensive visit to get to know her.
In March we discovered my husband has prostate cancer and, due to the circumstances of his case, that pesky little gland must come out. We're in the waiting room and, as of this writing, are still unsure when that will happen. Jim has read much of the research. He's read several books on the matter. He's talked with many other men who have been through experiences like his, and others with similar problems. He's done all that he can to educate himself and get ready. He's calm and very much at peace as far as I can tell. He's not a believer, which makes him an unbeliever, but rather than calling him that, I prefer to call him a "not yet" believer.
If I have any fear, and I would be foolish to pretend I have none, it is that Jim won't recognize this wake up call. The phone is ringing, the mail has been delivered and both have a message for him. This is another gift from God. A gift of a different sort. Our Lord wants Jim's attention. He wants him to answer the door, answer the phone, and listen! He is wooing him, calling him, beckoning him to Himself. Will he hear? Will he answer? Will he listen?
Daniel 12:12 says, "Blessed is the one who waits on the Lord." I know the Lord wants no one to perish. And I trust Him. I will wait on Him. I will wait in faith, confidence and patience. But I won't wait without action. I will pray and plead that He enlivens the Spirit in Jim's heart soon, and stirs Him into action that Jim can feel, hear, see and even touch! May it be so, Lord. May it be so!
Amen
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
"Blessed are the poor" by Judy
As I have referenced before in my sporadic blog entries, I
have taken on the responsibility of being a Guardian ad Litem for the children
of an area family. In my Guardian ad Litem role, our county juvenile court has appointed me to represent the best
interests of the children, as their parents work through issues which keep them
from performing the job themselves. It has been wonderfully rewarding, and also
eye-opening – especially regarding both the strengths and the abuses of our
current welfare system.
But this blog entry is about something else – the mentality
of poverty, and how it differs from the middle-class mentality, with which I am
clearly familiar. I attended a workshop last week that opened my eyes, and
immediately took me to the Bible in my thoughts. The reason is that there are
many references to people in poverty in both the Old Testament and new,
especially by Jesus – and (a-ha!) the references are positive, while those in
the middle class, a place that can be mired in complacency, self-satisfaction,
judgment and naked ambition, bear the brunt of biblical wrath.
Clearly God has a heart for the poor. When I referenced
poverty, many, many Scriptures were listed. As I read them, I remembered that
“poverty” has to do with more than money, but those in need in all conditions –
spiritual as well as physical. Still, I don’t want to use that realization for
my own selfish purposes, justifying turning my back on those in need,
dismissing them as lazy, while I cling to my wealth.
In my workshop, I learned that for those in poverty,
RELATIONSHIPS are in the middle of everything, while in the middle class, the
driving force is on achievement, and in the upper class, connections. I also
learned that those in poverty focus on TODAY, while in the other classes, the
focus is on tomorrow (the middle class) and yesterday (the upper class). Those
in poverty spend their money, while the middle class manages money, and the
upper class conserves and invests it. Those in poverty hang out with people
they like, while the middle class values self-sufficiency and the upper class
often excludes. The driving force for those in poverty is relationships and
survival; for the middle class work, achievement and security; and the upper
class is most focused on connections, policy and stability.
Finally, in the workshop, I heard all about a highlight of
the neighborhood – A “Coming Home Party.” You can probably guess the theme – a
loved one is out of prison and the entire community rejoices. Of course such
celebrations don’t exist for the middle and upper classes. The freed one is
quietly blended back, in embarrassed hope that no one even recognizes he was
gone.
Surely, in honesty, those of you reading this who know your
Bibles, can see the parallels throughout my lessons learned. Think the Beatitudes, the prodigal son, the
sheep and the goats, the Cross. Those reading who have little interest in the
Bible at least can see applications in everyday life. And as always, when I
point one finger out, three are pointed back. Food for thought, contemplation,
meditation, prayer!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Clinging to God
I attend a Bible study every Tuesday night. Some of you may be familiar with it as it is a non-denominational, international study called BSF. We are studying Genesis this year. I read ahead because I remembered Jacob wrestling with God and that God "touched his hip." I was curious about it because Judy's husband broke his hip last December. I wondered if there was some kind of connection.
I discovered one.
Jacob was a wreck. He had done his brother Esau ill years before and was about to meet him again for the first time. This time he wanted to do things right. He wanted to make up for what he'd done. He wanted and needed forgiveness, but he was worried that his brother could not, would not forgive him. The night before the meeting Jacob had an unusual encounter with a man. The Bible doesn't say in Genesis 32: 24 that Jacob fell asleep, only that he was, "...left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." At that point the man said, "...you have struggled with God and men and have overcome." And he blessed Jacob.
In what I would call a "God incidence" later that day I randomly opened a book called, "Streams in the Desert" written by L.B. Cowman. Frequently, I pick it up and use it for meditation. I opened randomly to May 28 and there was an exposition of this very incident. How often that happens!
Jacob won the victory and the blessing not by wrestling, but by clinging. "I will not let you go." Unable to struggle any longer with his hip out of joint, he did what he could; he hung on. Can't you almost see him locking his arms around his opponent's neck and refusing to give up?
Many times I want God to answer my prayers the way I want Him to answer them. I tell Him what I want Him to do. Who do I think I am? One thing I know for sure, I am not God. And thanks be to God! But when I surrender to His will, not only do I feel a tremendous relief, but I am almost immediately blessed with peace.
An example is my deep, abiding concern that my husband has not accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior. How long I have prayed! And worried. And feared. But somehow during this time of Jack's recovery, my search for the story of Jacob, and the resulting entry in Mr. Cowan's book, I have given Jim to the Lord and I'm not going to take him back. I'm not going to fuss anymore. There is no one who wants my Jim to come to the Lord more than the Lord. He knows my heart. He's heard my prayers. It's time to stop struggling and surrender to God's will. "I will walk in the footsteps of faith," (Romans 4:12) even to moutain Abraham and Isaac climbed, the mountain of sacrifice.
I discovered one.
Jacob was a wreck. He had done his brother Esau ill years before and was about to meet him again for the first time. This time he wanted to do things right. He wanted to make up for what he'd done. He wanted and needed forgiveness, but he was worried that his brother could not, would not forgive him. The night before the meeting Jacob had an unusual encounter with a man. The Bible doesn't say in Genesis 32: 24 that Jacob fell asleep, only that he was, "...left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." At that point the man said, "...you have struggled with God and men and have overcome." And he blessed Jacob.
In what I would call a "God incidence" later that day I randomly opened a book called, "Streams in the Desert" written by L.B. Cowman. Frequently, I pick it up and use it for meditation. I opened randomly to May 28 and there was an exposition of this very incident. How often that happens!
Jacob won the victory and the blessing not by wrestling, but by clinging. "I will not let you go." Unable to struggle any longer with his hip out of joint, he did what he could; he hung on. Can't you almost see him locking his arms around his opponent's neck and refusing to give up?
Many times I want God to answer my prayers the way I want Him to answer them. I tell Him what I want Him to do. Who do I think I am? One thing I know for sure, I am not God. And thanks be to God! But when I surrender to His will, not only do I feel a tremendous relief, but I am almost immediately blessed with peace.
An example is my deep, abiding concern that my husband has not accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior. How long I have prayed! And worried. And feared. But somehow during this time of Jack's recovery, my search for the story of Jacob, and the resulting entry in Mr. Cowan's book, I have given Jim to the Lord and I'm not going to take him back. I'm not going to fuss anymore. There is no one who wants my Jim to come to the Lord more than the Lord. He knows my heart. He's heard my prayers. It's time to stop struggling and surrender to God's will. "I will walk in the footsteps of faith," (Romans 4:12) even to moutain Abraham and Isaac climbed, the mountain of sacrifice.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Fleas, broken bones and giving thanks - by Judy
The conditions were terrible, beyond our imagining. The building was frigid, the guards ruthless as the women exercised outside, the food impossible to digest, and the straw beds flea-infested. Corrie was disheartened, but Betsie reminded her of the biblical call to give thanks - something Corrie found impossible. Yet despite the conditions, Corrie, Betsie and the other women managed to study the Bible regularly - in fact, without hindrance. Why? Because the guards left them alone, rarely entering the barracks, out of fear of the fleas. Yes, the fleas protected the women and allowed them to meet their deepest spiritual needs.
The last weeks have been somewhat difficult, as Carolyn explained in an earlier blog. My husband fell in China, fracturing his pelvis in several places. He was transported by ambulance over a 4 hour distance to Hong Kong, where he was put in traction and then underwent surgery. I traveled there to bring him home, where he developed severe blood clots both in his injured leg and his lungs. At the same time, he contracted pneumonia, and a bad rash over most of his body. Fortunately, it appears he is turning a corner, and we are looking out to the prospect over the next months of a return to good health, thanks to Coumadin, physical therapy, medical wisdom, the support and love of friends and family, and a multitude of prayer warriors.
But (that wonderful word, so often indicating a godly turnaround in the Bible), this entire experience has brought so many blessings that they are like the stars in the sky. Jack's surgeon in Hong Kong did, in the words of his American counterpart, an "amazing" job. An angel, looking like a nurse, traveled with us every step of the way home (the picture above shows the view out our window). Family met us here and we spent a beautiful Christmas together. Friends, oh the friends, how can I even adequately explain the ministering they have provided - food, company, laughter, encouragement. Jack and I have had such sweet, quiet time together that we both agree there has been nothing like it in our entire marriage. And best of all, God has been with us every step of the way. Over and over, he has reminded me, "I have been with you through the storm, through the wind, through the rain - I will see you safely home."
I read a daily devotional, and at the end of every entry, it closes with the same prayer. I close this entry repeating it, as I give thanks, yes - give thanks, that such a challenge confronted us, for God's blessings have been huge. And I pray it for you, any sweet readers who happen upon this blog.
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing, once again into his arms.
Amen!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Here Again by Carolyn
I know my dear sister, boon companion and blog partner, Judy, will probably be posting about the experience she has been through over the past two weeks, an experience that gives her an amazing witness, but one she surely would not have chosen for herself! But I am going to jump in there briefly and express my thoughts and feelings about the impact of her experience on me.
To summarize, Judy went to Hong Kong to bring her husband home after he fell and broke his hip. Many of her friends and family prayed and prayed and prayed that God would be with her, that He would never leave her side. We prayed for her path to be clear, that He would give her strength, faith, courage, energy, stamina, peace, and a clear head. We prayed for the doctors operating on her husband. We prayed for his surgery, for his health and healing, for peace of mind, and for medications to ease his pain, so that he could relax and wait patiently until the time came for them to come home. Then we prayed them home safe, quickly and sound.
Once back here, we knew that they would celebrate the holidays with a huge song of gratitude in their hearts. And here they are! Here again! Within less then two weeks after a catastrophic fall, God brought them home! How I rejoice with them that they are "Here again!"
Jesus is our all in all! He is always and ever faithful to respond to us in one way or another when we remember Him, remember to call on Him, obey Him and trust Him, He is there! Every day I prayed for Judy and Jack and every day I could see the progress they were making toward their goal of flying back to the U.S. He stayed right by their side in the doctors, and nurses, in other patients, in their children, in their extended family, in the airport personnel, in business relationships, and so many phone "angels" as plans were carefully made and executed. It was truly, truly answered prayer unlike any I've ever experienced.
Many of Judy's emails from China began with the words, "Here again." because she was so busy doing all that needed to be done, but the words were never, ever sweeter, than they were when she called from Chicago to report they really were "here again!" How filled I was with relief and gratitude. How sweet the sound of her voice and the words, 'Here again!"
"I will be with you." God promises that. And when we remember that, blessings flow from His fountain of grace! Thanks be to God that He came into our lives! Wonderful God! Wonderful Savior! Thanks be to God that Jack and Judy are here again!
To summarize, Judy went to Hong Kong to bring her husband home after he fell and broke his hip. Many of her friends and family prayed and prayed and prayed that God would be with her, that He would never leave her side. We prayed for her path to be clear, that He would give her strength, faith, courage, energy, stamina, peace, and a clear head. We prayed for the doctors operating on her husband. We prayed for his surgery, for his health and healing, for peace of mind, and for medications to ease his pain, so that he could relax and wait patiently until the time came for them to come home. Then we prayed them home safe, quickly and sound.
Once back here, we knew that they would celebrate the holidays with a huge song of gratitude in their hearts. And here they are! Here again! Within less then two weeks after a catastrophic fall, God brought them home! How I rejoice with them that they are "Here again!"
Jesus is our all in all! He is always and ever faithful to respond to us in one way or another when we remember Him, remember to call on Him, obey Him and trust Him, He is there! Every day I prayed for Judy and Jack and every day I could see the progress they were making toward their goal of flying back to the U.S. He stayed right by their side in the doctors, and nurses, in other patients, in their children, in their extended family, in the airport personnel, in business relationships, and so many phone "angels" as plans were carefully made and executed. It was truly, truly answered prayer unlike any I've ever experienced.
Many of Judy's emails from China began with the words, "Here again." because she was so busy doing all that needed to be done, but the words were never, ever sweeter, than they were when she called from Chicago to report they really were "here again!" How filled I was with relief and gratitude. How sweet the sound of her voice and the words, 'Here again!"
"I will be with you." God promises that. And when we remember that, blessings flow from His fountain of grace! Thanks be to God that He came into our lives! Wonderful God! Wonderful Savior! Thanks be to God that Jack and Judy are here again!
Friday, December 7, 2012
A time of infamy (by Judy)
Morning, everyone! I know it has been a long time without a posting, and there is no excuse - except to say that several times over the last few weeks, I thought - Ahhhhh... now that would make a good post! The proddings had to do with the beautiful and unseasonable late fall weather, with this Advent season in church liturgy, with the blessings and challenges of family and friends, with the dreaded fiscal cliff, and with the serious personal and spiritual gaffe that Abraham made in the book of Genesis by urging his Wife Sarai to tell Pharaoh that she was Abraham's half-sister. See - good stuff!
However, as I sit at my computer, it is with serious intent. This morning's Plain Dealer reminded me that today is "the day which will live in infamy" that Franklin Roosevelt spoke about after the bombing of Pearl Harbor 71 years ago. Still-resilient local nonagenarians told their story on the front page, and it made me settle as I read, and think. Then on the front page of the local section, there was an equally troubling story about the arraignment of an 18 year old who walked into school in nearby Chardon and blasted many students, causing death, injury and heartache.
Finally, after reading the news, I turned to my devotional, a book of daily readings written long ago by Charles Spurgeon and updated by my pastor, Alistair Begg. In part, this is what the reading said:
”If you will select for me the grossest specimen of humanity, if he is but born of woman, I will still have hope for him, for Jesus Christ came to seek and save sinners. Pebbles from the brook are turned by grace into jewels for the royal crown. Worthless dross he transforms into pure gold. Redeeming love has set apart many of the worst of mankind to be the reward of the Savior’s passion. Effectual grace calls deep-dyed sinners to sit at the table of mercy, and therefore none of us should despair.”
As I put the book down, my soul was stirred and I knew I must write today to share a long-held conviction - the sad young man from Chardon, and those sitting on death row in our country all share something in common - the possibility of being Jesus' reward for his passion, the chance to be jewels in His royal crown. Given time and the work of the Spirit. As long as we humans refrain from intervening in the name of capital punishment. So there you are - not quite as warm and fuzzy as my previous subject possibilities, but one that perhaps will cause you to muse about this time of infamy when capital punishment is the law of the land!
However, as I sit at my computer, it is with serious intent. This morning's Plain Dealer reminded me that today is "the day which will live in infamy" that Franklin Roosevelt spoke about after the bombing of Pearl Harbor 71 years ago. Still-resilient local nonagenarians told their story on the front page, and it made me settle as I read, and think. Then on the front page of the local section, there was an equally troubling story about the arraignment of an 18 year old who walked into school in nearby Chardon and blasted many students, causing death, injury and heartache.
Finally, after reading the news, I turned to my devotional, a book of daily readings written long ago by Charles Spurgeon and updated by my pastor, Alistair Begg. In part, this is what the reading said:
”If you will select for me the grossest specimen of humanity, if he is but born of woman, I will still have hope for him, for Jesus Christ came to seek and save sinners. Pebbles from the brook are turned by grace into jewels for the royal crown. Worthless dross he transforms into pure gold. Redeeming love has set apart many of the worst of mankind to be the reward of the Savior’s passion. Effectual grace calls deep-dyed sinners to sit at the table of mercy, and therefore none of us should despair.”
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Today!
Grace. A matter of getting something good we do not deserve. Mercy. A matter of not getting something painful that we do deserve. Judy spoke of grace just a few days ago. God's grace grants us the right to be with Him through the death and resurrection of His son. By that same grace, He gives us the desire to intervene where we can to help and bless others as He has helped and blessed us so many times in so many ways. By His mercy, He expects that we will treat others mercifully; that we can forgive them if they have hurt us, and likewise, that they will forgive us when we hurt them.
Today I am deeply thankful for both. Just a few short days ago I wondered what to do when God is silent. David was my example in Psalm 22. In the beginning he was lost, alone, forsaken, hopeless. By the end of the Psalm, he was praising God and proclaiming God's name to future generations! God changed David in the short space of a Psalm.
Today my heart is bursting with thankfulness for God's grace, mercy, love and our changed circumstances. A few days ago my family and I were in a scary place; frightened, anxious, worried, wondering. Ours was a normal human response to difficult news. But God, by His Spirit came along side in a supernatural way just as He did with David and changed our point of view to wait, to pray, to praise, to trust and to rest in His peace that passes understanding.
Today our precious little Annie Lou has a whole heart! A whole heart! And it is with our whole hearts that we are thankful beyond words! God granted the surgeons the skills they needed. He granted the nurses and all those who worked to repair this child's heart all the wisdom, the experience, time, desire and effort to fix her up! And now we are trusting Him to heal her quickly, and bring her back to health.
Today, after this experience, we look to her little brother's future with great hope; supernatural hope, based on experience and faith. Her 2 year old brother, as those who read a previous entry know, has a life-threatening illness.
This is God's amazing gift; whether all my family recognizes it is of God or not, in their own ways, as a result of this experience, they are seeing things happen that are out of their hands. Some of us only need to see the night sky to realize that we did not put those stars in it. And some need more. When God takes things out of our hands, out of our control most of us pray. We turn to Him. And when those prayers are answered we give thanks. And sometimes, suddenly, quite unexpectedly, we may realize for the first time in our lives, God exists. That is a fine beginning!
And something else...just this moment I received the joyful news of the birth of my second grandchild; a brand new, beautiful baby girl. How I praise God for His grace and mercy and love...TODAY!
Today I am deeply thankful for both. Just a few short days ago I wondered what to do when God is silent. David was my example in Psalm 22. In the beginning he was lost, alone, forsaken, hopeless. By the end of the Psalm, he was praising God and proclaiming God's name to future generations! God changed David in the short space of a Psalm.
Today my heart is bursting with thankfulness for God's grace, mercy, love and our changed circumstances. A few days ago my family and I were in a scary place; frightened, anxious, worried, wondering. Ours was a normal human response to difficult news. But God, by His Spirit came along side in a supernatural way just as He did with David and changed our point of view to wait, to pray, to praise, to trust and to rest in His peace that passes understanding.
Today our precious little Annie Lou has a whole heart! A whole heart! And it is with our whole hearts that we are thankful beyond words! God granted the surgeons the skills they needed. He granted the nurses and all those who worked to repair this child's heart all the wisdom, the experience, time, desire and effort to fix her up! And now we are trusting Him to heal her quickly, and bring her back to health.
Today, after this experience, we look to her little brother's future with great hope; supernatural hope, based on experience and faith. Her 2 year old brother, as those who read a previous entry know, has a life-threatening illness.
This is God's amazing gift; whether all my family recognizes it is of God or not, in their own ways, as a result of this experience, they are seeing things happen that are out of their hands. Some of us only need to see the night sky to realize that we did not put those stars in it. And some need more. When God takes things out of our hands, out of our control most of us pray. We turn to Him. And when those prayers are answered we give thanks. And sometimes, suddenly, quite unexpectedly, we may realize for the first time in our lives, God exists. That is a fine beginning!
And something else...just this moment I received the joyful news of the birth of my second grandchild; a brand new, beautiful baby girl. How I praise God for His grace and mercy and love...TODAY!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Grace (by Judy)
I know that Carolyn only recently posted an entry, and I don't want to be a Blog Hog, but tonight my fingers are itching to talk about the word "grace." Of course it is a beautiful name, the middle of my little granddaughter's identity. It is also a description attached to a ballerina, or a swan. It is that small, quick prayer that we all sped through as children before a delicious dinner. And it is, as Wikipedia says, "... the love and mercy given to us by God because God wants us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it. It is understood by Christians to be a spontaneous gift from God to man - "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved."
That is the grace that consumes my mind as we look out to tomorrow's election. This definition speaks about God's offer of grace to us, but since we aspire to be godly people, we Christians are called, in the name of God, to offer it to others. But do we, can we, should we? We must! If not, than what difference is there between us and the world we hope to sway for Jesus. Today I read of a Christian leader who challenges us to vote biblically. What does that mean exactly - besides agreeing with the agenda of those offering the challenge?
I am not going to spell out what the Bible says on a diversity of issues. That is up to those who aspire to indeed vote biblically. As our pastor says, "You are sensible people. Do your homework." Don't accept what others say about certain passages in the Bible. read it for yourself. All of it. How many of you have heard (and read) of the prophet Micah? That man from the misty recesses of time said, "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Good counsel this chilly November pre-Election Day evening.
In the New Testament, there is this dialogue between Jesus and a Pharisee, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." As we all vote tomorrow, it will be wise to consider these words - in which positions do we see justice, mercy, humility, loving our neighbor? Of course half the electorate will probably see it one way, and half another. Still, at the heart of everything decided tomorrow lies that word "grace." A gift from all of us to each other - love - generous, free, unexpected, undeserved!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Help for the Helpless by Carolyn
I have a very old hymnal. When I visit my ladies in the nursing homes, especially those with conditions that do no permit them to speak, or understand speech, I often rely on God's Word expressed in the hymns, new, old or somewhere in between. In light of Hurricane Sandy when I came across this one, it made me think how important, how critical it is to offer a personal, helping hand in addition to all that government is doing. Here it is. I hope it moves you to whatever action you've thought about taking, or reinforces a decision you've already made to help the victims of the storm and the cold weather to come. It has no title and was written by the Reverend Robert Davis in 1908.
"I thank Thee, Lord,
for strength of arm
To win my bread,
And that, beyond my need,
is meat for friend unfed:
I thank Thee much
for bread to live:
I thank Thee more
for bread to give.
I thank Thee much
for snug thatched roof
In cold and storm,
And that, beyond my need,
is room for friend forlorn:
I thank Thee much
for place to rest,
But more for shelter
for my guest.
I thank Thee, Lord,
for lavish love
On me bestowed,
Enough to share with
loveless folk
To ease their load:
Thy love to me
I ill could spare,
Yet dearer is Thy love I share.
Amen
"I thank Thee, Lord,
for strength of arm
To win my bread,
And that, beyond my need,
is meat for friend unfed:
I thank Thee much
for bread to live:
I thank Thee more
for bread to give.
I thank Thee much
for snug thatched roof
In cold and storm,
And that, beyond my need,
is room for friend forlorn:
I thank Thee much
for place to rest,
But more for shelter
for my guest.
I thank Thee, Lord,
for lavish love
On me bestowed,
Enough to share with
loveless folk
To ease their load:
Thy love to me
I ill could spare,
Yet dearer is Thy love I share.
Amen
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Amazing Grace by Carolyn
This week our family had to digest some really bad news. It can happen to anyone, but this news truly is 1 in a million. Our nephew and his wife discovered their two year old son has a disease known as plasminogin deficiency. He developed what appeared to be conjunctivitis on July 4th while we were all vacationing in Michigan. But it would not yield to the usual treatments. Surgery was recommended to ease the condition. Two surgeries later his eye was worse than ever. Last Friday doctors finally recognized this genetic illness which affects approximately one child in a million. It can be life threatening as it can affect any of the mucous membranes in the body.
His older sister is 3. She is already facing surgery next month to repair a hole in her heart. This is very serious, but not complicated. She would be in surgery for six hours, then three days in the hospital, two weeks at home quietly recovering and then...back to normal. But, she has a one in four chance of having the same genetic deficiency. If she has it, the surgery will be postponed. They will know next week. Their world has suddenly been turned upside down.
I bring all this up because the Lord provided just the right message for us today in church. We opened our Bibles to Psalm 22. I was unfamiliar with it, but I had written many notes on it in my old Bible.
"Where are you?" David asks God. "Why are you so far away? Why are you silent?" David feels alone. He feels deserted and abandoned by the One he loves so much, by the One he knows loves him. He is wasting away. He says in verse 15, "You have laid me in the dust of death." He is alone, discouraged, desperate. One author says he is "throbbingly alienated." He is separated from God.
What do we do when God is silent? Where do we turn for help? David shows us quickly in verse 4. He says, "In You our fathers put their trust. They trusted and You delivered them. They cried to you and were saved, in You they trusted and were not disappointed." God asks us often to remember how He has helped us in the past. When we look back and see what He has done, it helps us cope with the current challenges.
There are several verses that follow where David cries out to God. He describes his thoughts and his situation. He appeals to the God he knows for help. He is perplexed. He doesn't understand. He is confused, isolated and tormented by his enemies. He continues to appeal and begs God for immediate intervention.
Then, in verse 19 there is a change in David's tone. He grows stronger and stronger as he recites who his God is and what He can do. "But You, oh Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life for the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen."
Immediately following that he tells the Lord in verse 22, "I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You....revere Him, all you descendants of Israel!" His spirit is lifted higher and higher as he is picked up out of the pit of despair by the God who loves him. He concludes by saying in verse 30, "Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn-for He has done it."
What a difference from verse 1! How did this happen? What changed? David changed. God changed David.
My family is still where David was. We are crying out to God to help and to heal these dear, precious children. At any moment He could intervene and show us His way. At any moment He could intervene and turn that upside down world right side up! At any moment He could change us. We will wait upon the Lord and trust Him... for His amazing grace.
His older sister is 3. She is already facing surgery next month to repair a hole in her heart. This is very serious, but not complicated. She would be in surgery for six hours, then three days in the hospital, two weeks at home quietly recovering and then...back to normal. But, she has a one in four chance of having the same genetic deficiency. If she has it, the surgery will be postponed. They will know next week. Their world has suddenly been turned upside down.
I bring all this up because the Lord provided just the right message for us today in church. We opened our Bibles to Psalm 22. I was unfamiliar with it, but I had written many notes on it in my old Bible.
"Where are you?" David asks God. "Why are you so far away? Why are you silent?" David feels alone. He feels deserted and abandoned by the One he loves so much, by the One he knows loves him. He is wasting away. He says in verse 15, "You have laid me in the dust of death." He is alone, discouraged, desperate. One author says he is "throbbingly alienated." He is separated from God.
What do we do when God is silent? Where do we turn for help? David shows us quickly in verse 4. He says, "In You our fathers put their trust. They trusted and You delivered them. They cried to you and were saved, in You they trusted and were not disappointed." God asks us often to remember how He has helped us in the past. When we look back and see what He has done, it helps us cope with the current challenges.
There are several verses that follow where David cries out to God. He describes his thoughts and his situation. He appeals to the God he knows for help. He is perplexed. He doesn't understand. He is confused, isolated and tormented by his enemies. He continues to appeal and begs God for immediate intervention.
Then, in verse 19 there is a change in David's tone. He grows stronger and stronger as he recites who his God is and what He can do. "But You, oh Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life for the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen."
Immediately following that he tells the Lord in verse 22, "I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You....revere Him, all you descendants of Israel!" His spirit is lifted higher and higher as he is picked up out of the pit of despair by the God who loves him. He concludes by saying in verse 30, "Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn-for He has done it."
What a difference from verse 1! How did this happen? What changed? David changed. God changed David.
My family is still where David was. We are crying out to God to help and to heal these dear, precious children. At any moment He could intervene and show us His way. At any moment He could intervene and turn that upside down world right side up! At any moment He could change us. We will wait upon the Lord and trust Him... for His amazing grace.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Marmion to Moses (by Judy)
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to
deceive.” Most of us know that
quote, right? And we assert forcefully that it is Shakespeare – but we are
wrong. It is written by Sir Walter Scott, in his epic poem called “Marmion.”
Regardless of the author, we get the meaning, don’t we? Lies beget lies. The
further lies we tell to try and cover up the previous ones cause us to entangle
ourselves in deception.
What an analogy – the spider’s web, and telling lies. And
by extension, the poor, maligned spider. There is truth of course, and lessons
learned. I struggle with the temptation to tell a little white lie, because it
protects someone. Then I remember Frank Sinatra’s line in “Little White Lies,” “The devil was in
your heart, while heaven was in your eyes, the night you told me those little
white lies.” The best motivations do not negate the fact that lies are lies, a
tangled web of deceit.
Recently I heard another story about a spider web though – one that
turns my thoughts to God, and His five word promise repeated throughout the
Bible: “I will be with you.” There are many ways that God says the same thing:
“I
will never leave you nor forsake you” from Hebrews; earlier in Deuteronomy, “Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your
God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Perhaps the most
familiar words in the Bible from Psalm 23, “Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”
So what does this have to do with a spider’s web, you may ask. Here is the story. A soldier was being
chased by the enemy, until finally, exhausted, he took refuge in a cave. He
prayed to God to deliver him, but he saw was a small spider, beginning to weave
a web across the entrance to the cave. The soldier scoffed at a God who would
offer the protection of a flimsy web – until he heard the voice of his enemy
passing by, speaking to a comrade – “No need to examine this cave. No one has entered,
for look, here is a spider’s web completely across the entrance.” And they went
on.
I began to think about spiders and their webs because I passed one, decked
out in early morning dew. I then began to consider godly applications, for we
find God everywhere. My mulling took me to sin, and lack of trust, and the end
of where every mulling takes me, given enough time – to God’s faithfulness. And
his promise, the one he first made to Moses, and to each of us – “I will be with you.”
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Trust Me by Carolyn
"Trust Me." How many times have we heard these two simple words throughout our lifetimes? Can you think of times when someone has said this to you? Did you trust them? How far did you trust them? All the way? What was the outcome? What about those times when you said them to someone? How did that work out? Most of us are very careful about both sides of this issue.
Trust me. What does that mean? It has been said that our faith is only as good as the object of our faith. Isn't trust the same? If we put our trust in something that isn't trustworthy our trust is quickly destroyed. "Once burned, twice shy." If this happens too many times, soon we learn we not to trust.
I have been thinking about this since a silly, simple little incident occured in my home. But it was a big insight into what it means to trust our God, and the difference between instinct and choice.
We have a Persian Cat. Her name is Nestle. She is the gentlest cat I have ever owned. She is completely comfortable in our care. She lies down and flops over on her back, pulls her front feet entirely straight up and over her head, stretches out her back feet as far as they will go exposing her tummy to all sorts of pampering knowing that's exactly what we are going to do. She knows she is going to get brushed and she loves it! She trusts us implicitly. Suddenly, unexpectedly scrape the bottom of your chair across the hard tile floor making a loud, disturbing noise however, and watch her take a sudden flying leap straight up in the air, up the stairs, and under the bed!
But a scare like that will send any of us into outter space! Now let's take a controlled situation.
When I pick her up she trusts me to love her, pet her and not drop her. She is also curious and since she's an indoor cat, I am always looking for ways to stimulate her and satisfy her curiousity.
Our toilet was running and I needed to put the chain straight so the stopper would drop. Since I already had her in my arms, I thought she might like to watch me do that. I held her in one arm and with my opposite hand I untangled the chain. At first, she was curious, but after a couple of seconds, she became completely insane and catapulted herself out of my arms, up the stairs, back under the bed. She didn't trust me. Her instinct took over and suddenly it was all about self-preservation. No choice for her, not really.
As long as we are breathing there are lessons to learn and choices to make. I thought about the lesson contained in this little experience. When God puts us in a trial, or asks us to undertake a project we are totally unsure about, He's asking us to trust Him. When He's calling us to step out of the boat, or into an uncertain and scary situation and He's asking us to trust Him. He gives us a choice. Who is our role model in this? There are many people in the Bible who had to step out of the boat. Think of all those in the Old Testament who were called upon to do incredibly dangerous, and courageous things with little or no reason to be assured of the outcome, or all the disciples who followed Jesus before and after His ascension in spite of the danger. But the most outstanding role model of all is Jesus Himself. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane sweating blood and saying, "Not My will, but Yours be done."
If your Bible has a concordance, look up the word trust and you will find dozens of references throughout the Bible. It's a big word. It's a big deal. The dictionary makes a distinction between trust and faith. Trust implies depth and assurance of such feeling which may not always be supported by proof. When acceptance of someone or something is fairly solid and emotionally charged, faith is the more appropriate term.
Due to our human nature it is almost impossible to say how we will react in a challenging situation. But due to our supernatural God, for Whom all things are possible, (Matthew 19:26) it is possible to make the choice and say, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Trust me. What does that mean? It has been said that our faith is only as good as the object of our faith. Isn't trust the same? If we put our trust in something that isn't trustworthy our trust is quickly destroyed. "Once burned, twice shy." If this happens too many times, soon we learn we not to trust.
I have been thinking about this since a silly, simple little incident occured in my home. But it was a big insight into what it means to trust our God, and the difference between instinct and choice.
We have a Persian Cat. Her name is Nestle. She is the gentlest cat I have ever owned. She is completely comfortable in our care. She lies down and flops over on her back, pulls her front feet entirely straight up and over her head, stretches out her back feet as far as they will go exposing her tummy to all sorts of pampering knowing that's exactly what we are going to do. She knows she is going to get brushed and she loves it! She trusts us implicitly. Suddenly, unexpectedly scrape the bottom of your chair across the hard tile floor making a loud, disturbing noise however, and watch her take a sudden flying leap straight up in the air, up the stairs, and under the bed!
But a scare like that will send any of us into outter space! Now let's take a controlled situation.
When I pick her up she trusts me to love her, pet her and not drop her. She is also curious and since she's an indoor cat, I am always looking for ways to stimulate her and satisfy her curiousity.
Our toilet was running and I needed to put the chain straight so the stopper would drop. Since I already had her in my arms, I thought she might like to watch me do that. I held her in one arm and with my opposite hand I untangled the chain. At first, she was curious, but after a couple of seconds, she became completely insane and catapulted herself out of my arms, up the stairs, back under the bed. She didn't trust me. Her instinct took over and suddenly it was all about self-preservation. No choice for her, not really.
As long as we are breathing there are lessons to learn and choices to make. I thought about the lesson contained in this little experience. When God puts us in a trial, or asks us to undertake a project we are totally unsure about, He's asking us to trust Him. When He's calling us to step out of the boat, or into an uncertain and scary situation and He's asking us to trust Him. He gives us a choice. Who is our role model in this? There are many people in the Bible who had to step out of the boat. Think of all those in the Old Testament who were called upon to do incredibly dangerous, and courageous things with little or no reason to be assured of the outcome, or all the disciples who followed Jesus before and after His ascension in spite of the danger. But the most outstanding role model of all is Jesus Himself. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane sweating blood and saying, "Not My will, but Yours be done."
If your Bible has a concordance, look up the word trust and you will find dozens of references throughout the Bible. It's a big word. It's a big deal. The dictionary makes a distinction between trust and faith. Trust implies depth and assurance of such feeling which may not always be supported by proof. When acceptance of someone or something is fairly solid and emotionally charged, faith is the more appropriate term.
Due to our human nature it is almost impossible to say how we will react in a challenging situation. But due to our supernatural God, for Whom all things are possible, (Matthew 19:26) it is possible to make the choice and say, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Saturday, July 21, 2012
"...the angel Gabriel was sent from God..." (Judy)
I may have mentioned my son and his family, who have lived
in China for the last 10 years. Josh and his wife Cleo have 3 birth children,
ages 10, 7 and 5. Over the years, they became very interested and involved in
an organization called Baobei. The name means “a precious or priceless
treasure,” and it is apt. They identify Chinese orphans who require lifesaving
surgery, and then work to bring them to Shanghai, provide them with the
surgeries, and arrange for their care in local homes as they recover. Often,
with the life-threatening condition ameliorated, the sweet babies are adopted.
Baobei is a true partnership among doctors, orphanages, businesses who help to
fund this process and many families in the expatriate community.
Over the years, Josh and Cleo – and their children - have
supported Baobei financially, and even more, by offering a loving, caring home
as the babies recover. Each orphan took away a small part of their hearts,
until finally one took their hearts completely, and they began the tortuous
path toward adoption. The little boy, originally called David by Baobei, but
named Gabriel by Josh and his family, is now around 21 months old, is only a
month or two from the completion of the formal adoption process, and is about
to undergo a very serious, but potentially life-changing surgery at Children’s
Hospital in Boston the day after tomorrow.
This past week little Gabriel had to endure the indignity
and discomfort that is associated with pre-op testing – a series of MRIs,
x-rays, injections, proddings and pokings – all positive and essential, but
impossible for a frightened little boy to understand. The only solution much of
the time was for Josh to hold him tight, and allow the doctors to proceed,
while Gabriel wailed. One evening, Josh told us by phone that it was a terribly
hard thing, to hold his little son down while pain was inflicted.
I was so moved that I could hardly continue the
conversation. Here is a young man with 3 children of his own, a loving wife, a
business across the world, an overwhelming number of events swirling around in
his life – but completely focused on the pain of a child, not yet completely
adopted, whom he called “his son.” The parallels with the story of God and his
children made me want to weep myself. When we believe, we become a part of
God’s family, with all the privileges and responsibilities. God wraps his arms
around us, and tells us of his love for us. Like little Gabriel, we do nothing
to earn such a gracious gift. It is freely bestowed, but at a great cost, and
with beautiful, amazing, love-filled blessings.
Today I hold Gabriel, his family, and the doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital to the Light. And I offer thanksgiving for the process of adoption!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Roses Are Red by Carolyn
"Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Color is God's gift,
and looks so good on you!"
Most of you have seen the Wizard of Oz. I'm sure you remember that it begins in black and white. It is a most wonderful beginning, filled with the optimism of the great relationships Dorothy has with her family and friends on the farm. Then there's the scary lady down the street who looks like a witch, acts like a witch and hates Dorothy's beloved, precious, little dog Toto. At the start, the film is filled with good cheer and hope for a future, but it's also fraught with fear and concern for the future.
We see the snake oil salesman, good-natured and friendly, yet providing people with something that did them absolutely no good. They jumped at it anyway. People are easily deceived and persuaded to spend money chasing after cures that don't exist, particularly if it doesn't cost them much.
Then the storm clouds gather quickly, the wind kicks up and suddenly Dorothy is swept away and lands in a new world filled with color! At the time the movie was made audiences were just beginning to see films in color, so for them it must have been an amazing experience. It is still amazing to us because of the stark contrast between black and white and color.
Color is a most amazing gift from God. Most amazing! Imagine if the world were only and exclusively black and white. What if there were no vibrant colors? No red, or blue, yellow, green, or orange, or none of the amazing hues in between the primary colors. Nothing. Just black and white. Sometimes in the winter, looking out at the landscape there is only the white covered ground and the black, gray, brown trees and branches, but little else. Color evokes emotional response too. Red indicates passion and blue sadness or melancholy. Purple leaves us somewhere in between.
Life is a lot like color. There are days when we are filled with the happy colors of good cheer and fun. We are alive with hope, following the yellow brick road to success, love and joy. There are days when our hopes are dashed and the world suddenly looks bleak, colorless and gray.
Yet, isn't that the pallette of life? Take the colors, all of them, including black and white, and separate them out, enjoy each for what it is itself; run them together, one with the other, a little of this and a little of that, the pastels contrasting with the primaries, while maintaining the integrity and beauty of basics and the beauty of black and white.
"Roses are red,
Pastures are green
Is it really the green
That makes the pasture serene?"
Fanny Crosby was blind. Yet her spiritual insight was amazingly keen. Color is a God-given gift, emotions are too, but the most important gift God give us is Himself. He is free. We don't have to pay a dime, or do a thing. Jesus paid for us. He paid in full for all the sin and injustices in the world, ours and others. He paid it all. Our God paid the wages for our sin. Salvation and eternity with our loving God and Father is 100% free and I'm guessing....very, very colorful!
Violets are blue,
Color is God's gift,
and looks so good on you!"
Most of you have seen the Wizard of Oz. I'm sure you remember that it begins in black and white. It is a most wonderful beginning, filled with the optimism of the great relationships Dorothy has with her family and friends on the farm. Then there's the scary lady down the street who looks like a witch, acts like a witch and hates Dorothy's beloved, precious, little dog Toto. At the start, the film is filled with good cheer and hope for a future, but it's also fraught with fear and concern for the future.
We see the snake oil salesman, good-natured and friendly, yet providing people with something that did them absolutely no good. They jumped at it anyway. People are easily deceived and persuaded to spend money chasing after cures that don't exist, particularly if it doesn't cost them much.
Then the storm clouds gather quickly, the wind kicks up and suddenly Dorothy is swept away and lands in a new world filled with color! At the time the movie was made audiences were just beginning to see films in color, so for them it must have been an amazing experience. It is still amazing to us because of the stark contrast between black and white and color.
Color is a most amazing gift from God. Most amazing! Imagine if the world were only and exclusively black and white. What if there were no vibrant colors? No red, or blue, yellow, green, or orange, or none of the amazing hues in between the primary colors. Nothing. Just black and white. Sometimes in the winter, looking out at the landscape there is only the white covered ground and the black, gray, brown trees and branches, but little else. Color evokes emotional response too. Red indicates passion and blue sadness or melancholy. Purple leaves us somewhere in between.
Life is a lot like color. There are days when we are filled with the happy colors of good cheer and fun. We are alive with hope, following the yellow brick road to success, love and joy. There are days when our hopes are dashed and the world suddenly looks bleak, colorless and gray.
Yet, isn't that the pallette of life? Take the colors, all of them, including black and white, and separate them out, enjoy each for what it is itself; run them together, one with the other, a little of this and a little of that, the pastels contrasting with the primaries, while maintaining the integrity and beauty of basics and the beauty of black and white.
"Roses are red,
Pastures are green
Is it really the green
That makes the pasture serene?"
Fanny Crosby was blind. Yet her spiritual insight was amazingly keen. Color is a God-given gift, emotions are too, but the most important gift God give us is Himself. He is free. We don't have to pay a dime, or do a thing. Jesus paid for us. He paid in full for all the sin and injustices in the world, ours and others. He paid it all. Our God paid the wages for our sin. Salvation and eternity with our loving God and Father is 100% free and I'm guessing....very, very colorful!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Perry Como Got It Right (by Judy)
The month of June has been filled with the usual milestones
that mark life passages – Jack’s and my 46th wedding anniversary, as
well as several others in the family; the end of school and BSF; the beginning
of summer; grandchildren arriving for the annual visit to their “holiday
house.” And one more, a pretty big one for me – retirement after 31 years at my
current school, as well as employment at a handful of schools early in my
career.
There sure are a lot of lessons that can be learned from 31
years at the same place. Especially since neither the school nor I am the same
as we were when I started there. The school has grown physically, both facility
and people. I have changed
physically too – a few more pounds, sags and wrinkles. It has recreated itself
and its role in the community out of necessity and commitment. Over the 31 years, I was recreated, reborn,
renewed by a loving God. Its position in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park has instilled a
passion for the environment and sustainability. I still marvel and the beauty
of my commute through the Park, but now within the context that This Is My
Father’s World.
As my time to leave came closer, many people humbled me with
emails, cards, notes and words. They spoke of shared love, nurture,
encouragement, wisdom, and joy. I just closed my eyes and gave thanks to my
Lord, who teaches all of us what such words mean. In the midst of such
kindness, one card caused me to sink to my knees in gratitude and to weep. The
printed card said, “Look forward to retirement as the reward it is for a job
well done.” And she added in her own hand, “my good and faithful servant.”
A few days later some coworkers gave me a dinner, with a
beautiful cake to end the celebration. The circular cake reminded me of the
unbroken circle of God’s people and sweet words, “We love you” go round and
round. As I drove home in the
twilight, I remembered the words from a song when I was growing up – a secular
song that could be sung by the God whose blessings make me so grateful: Find a wheel, and it goes round,
round, round, As it skims along with a happy sound, As it goes, along the
ground, ground, ground, ‘Till it leads you to the One you love!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Nasty or Nice? by Carolyn
I learned a huge lesson the other day. I volunteer at a nursing home. I have been working there for nearly 8 years. As you would expect, many of my patients have come and gone over the years, but several are still my "ladies." One in particular is the subject of today's blog.
Kathleen and I have been friends for almost all of those eight years. Recently, she became very ill. Because of privacy concerns etc., I am not privy to what ails folks unless there are contagions involved, so I was only told that Kathleen had become very ill.
When I went to visit I was shocked. She had changed so much in a week. She looked smaller, vulnerable and helpless. Her demeanor seemed different too. She was very quiet. She wouldn't look at me. Her brow was furrowed with deep lines. I hardly knew what to say to this woman I hardly recognized. She sat in her wheelchair unmoved and unmoving in a new room devoid of any of her personal things, or anything of a personal nature at all. No pretty blankets, no pictures, no books, no personal effects. There was a clean bed with plain white sheets, white pillows and a white blanket on it.
I kneeled beside her so that I could look directly into her eyes, and took her hand in mine. We had always had a very good relationship. I knew all about her childhood and youth. She grew up on a farm in Ohio with loving parents and grandparents. She was the first in her family to attend college and she made the best of it. For years she taught elementary school and her love for children was still so obvious. She told me story after story about how hard she tried to help every one of them no matter what their race, background, abilities or attributes. She loved them. She loved all of them. She and her husband had no children of their own, but to her, each of these children was her "own." She had a "Teacher of Distinction and Excellence" plaque on her wall signed by the superintendent upon her retirement years ago. She is very proud of that.
But now everything was different. My heart went out to her. I asked her how I could pray for her expecting her to say something about endurance, courage, patience, deliverance, all of which would have been perfectly understandable. She looked me in the eye and whispered, "Pray that I won't lose my sense of humor. Pray that I won't be nasty."
I was stunned. For a moment, I was taken completely aback. Then the tears welled up. Here was a woman suddenly deprived of everything she knew, a little lady alone and in a lonely place in life. 92 years old, weak and vulnerable, but very, very wise.
"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools."
Ecclesiastes 9:17
Kathleen and I have been friends for almost all of those eight years. Recently, she became very ill. Because of privacy concerns etc., I am not privy to what ails folks unless there are contagions involved, so I was only told that Kathleen had become very ill.
When I went to visit I was shocked. She had changed so much in a week. She looked smaller, vulnerable and helpless. Her demeanor seemed different too. She was very quiet. She wouldn't look at me. Her brow was furrowed with deep lines. I hardly knew what to say to this woman I hardly recognized. She sat in her wheelchair unmoved and unmoving in a new room devoid of any of her personal things, or anything of a personal nature at all. No pretty blankets, no pictures, no books, no personal effects. There was a clean bed with plain white sheets, white pillows and a white blanket on it.
I kneeled beside her so that I could look directly into her eyes, and took her hand in mine. We had always had a very good relationship. I knew all about her childhood and youth. She grew up on a farm in Ohio with loving parents and grandparents. She was the first in her family to attend college and she made the best of it. For years she taught elementary school and her love for children was still so obvious. She told me story after story about how hard she tried to help every one of them no matter what their race, background, abilities or attributes. She loved them. She loved all of them. She and her husband had no children of their own, but to her, each of these children was her "own." She had a "Teacher of Distinction and Excellence" plaque on her wall signed by the superintendent upon her retirement years ago. She is very proud of that.
But now everything was different. My heart went out to her. I asked her how I could pray for her expecting her to say something about endurance, courage, patience, deliverance, all of which would have been perfectly understandable. She looked me in the eye and whispered, "Pray that I won't lose my sense of humor. Pray that I won't be nasty."
I was stunned. For a moment, I was taken completely aback. Then the tears welled up. Here was a woman suddenly deprived of everything she knew, a little lady alone and in a lonely place in life. 92 years old, weak and vulnerable, but very, very wise.
"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools."
Ecclesiastes 9:17
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Sidewalk Signs (by Judy)
I had a most amazing experience this morning, so filled with blogging possibilities that I hardly know where to begin. It was a huge reminder that God is everywhere! All I have to do is pay attention. It started when I decided to exercise by taking a power walk around my neighborhood, rather than heading to the gym. I headed out the door, and a few houses down, my eyes were drawn to the sidewalk. Written with white chalk were two letters – GO!
I chuckled and continued, giving the exhortation little thought. But the next word really rattled me, because it is a word I wrestle with often – “Thankful.” How easy it is for me to give thanks when my life is a joyful one. I am happily married, with two happily married children, and six beautiful grandchildren. My house is a warm yellow, reflecting my attitude toward life right now, as I head into retirement and the possibilities that await. I have health to take the morning walk, and senses to hear the birds and smell the sweet flowers. But what about when things are different. Will I be able to “Give thanks in all circumstances,” as my Bible calls me to do?
As I continued my walk, my world became more and more surreal. Words popped up from the sidewalk in various neon colors – pink and blue, green and yellow – “Smart,” followed by “Happy,” “Trustworthy,” “Inspiring,” “Nice," “Positive.” I was so entranced that I was afraid to take a turn, for fear I would lose my direction. But then I saw, “Keep it up.” Later, “Almost there,” and I was swept into the prison where Paul wrote, “I have fought the good flight, I have finished the race, I have remained faithful.” Would my unknown inspirer say the same about me? What an encourager was drawing me forward. Am I that kind of person to those who are flagging?
The words continued – “Kind,” “Genuine,” and the cute “Huggy” and “Crazy.” Even those took me to my faith as I reflected about hugging my neighbor, especially the one hardest to hug, and wondering whether anyone would see in me the crazy love that Jesus shows to those who heed His words. Suddenly, the words stopped with the final command – “Meet at the door.” Where? What door? Meet whom? I do know one door, the one in the Book of Revelation: "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Now it is raining. I suspect the words are washed away. But I have preserved on my iPhone which I always carry as I walk. I have the reminder that each word offers, and above all, I have the reminder that God has promised those five words from the beginning of time – “I will be with you.” I am sure glad I didn’t go to the gym!n j
I chuckled and continued, giving the exhortation little thought. But the next word really rattled me, because it is a word I wrestle with often – “Thankful.” How easy it is for me to give thanks when my life is a joyful one. I am happily married, with two happily married children, and six beautiful grandchildren. My house is a warm yellow, reflecting my attitude toward life right now, as I head into retirement and the possibilities that await. I have health to take the morning walk, and senses to hear the birds and smell the sweet flowers. But what about when things are different. Will I be able to “Give thanks in all circumstances,” as my Bible calls me to do?
As I continued my walk, my world became more and more surreal. Words popped up from the sidewalk in various neon colors – pink and blue, green and yellow – “Smart,” followed by “Happy,” “Trustworthy,” “Inspiring,” “Nice," “Positive.” I was so entranced that I was afraid to take a turn, for fear I would lose my direction. But then I saw, “Keep it up.” Later, “Almost there,” and I was swept into the prison where Paul wrote, “I have fought the good flight, I have finished the race, I have remained faithful.” Would my unknown inspirer say the same about me? What an encourager was drawing me forward. Am I that kind of person to those who are flagging?
The words continued – “Kind,” “Genuine,” and the cute “Huggy” and “Crazy.” Even those took me to my faith as I reflected about hugging my neighbor, especially the one hardest to hug, and wondering whether anyone would see in me the crazy love that Jesus shows to those who heed His words. Suddenly, the words stopped with the final command – “Meet at the door.” Where? What door? Meet whom? I do know one door, the one in the Book of Revelation: "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Food for Thought by Carolyn
I recently heard of a new book by New York Times op-ed columnist Ross Douthat entitled "Bad Religion." First, I am not endorsing any book, any political persuasion, or any newspaper, magazine or other influencers of public opinion. BUT, I do believe it is necessary and prudent for all of us to be aware what's out there, come to our own conclusions and tell others.
I have not read the book yet either, so I am not presenting a critique. But I am intrigued by the idea the author proposes that in our lifetimes traditional Christianity has been co-opted by any number of false premises. This, of course, has been true throughout the ages and the Bible warns over and over again against false teachers. There are those who want to add something to the Gospel of Christ. There are those who want to take away and there are those who want to distort it and twist it to fit their own views of the world.
Every generation of Bible believing Christians can point to people who cling to Biblical truth; people who preach it fluently, who write about it, sing about it, who live it out every day of their lives. We know genuine truth when we hear it. Or at least we make of point of comparing it to Biblical truth if there is any doubt.
Like those who are charged with identifying counterfeit dollar bills by carefully, exhaustively studying the real thing, Christians are exhorted to study the Bible in the same way so that we will know truth when we see it. This is not something to be done on the fly. It is not something you pick up only in the pew on Sunday morning. While both of these are beneficial, it takes time and effort to study the Bible so that we really become rooted and knowledgeable, absorbing its truths so that we are able to tell the difference between Biblical truth and lies.
I am going to purchase a copy of this new book. I want to see if it adhers to Biblical truth. If it doesn't, fine. It's just another attempt to mislead or misinform for financial gain, power or what have you. But if it does, what am I going to do about it?
Our pastor often tell us, "You are intelligent people. Examine the Scriptures and see for yourselves." If this new book is a warning, then I will sit up and pay attention. By doing that I can alert others. As Christians, I believe, we have an obligation to speak up for the truth and against the lies of others no matter how good those lies may make us feel.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Our National Place of Worship (by Judy)
Last week I traveled with my husband and friends to Washington D.C. We planned the trip awhile ago with little thought to the time of year; but thanks to this amazing late winter and early spring, we were there at the peak of the cherry blossoms. The display surrounding the Tidal Basin was a riot of pink and white froth, gnarled tree trunks supporting such a profusion of flowers that they swept the surface of the water as they bowed low with their beautiful burden. Schoolchildren and retired couples alike literally chortled with glee.
The blossoms were not the only delight of this trip. We sampled delicious wines in the Virginia countryside; spent too few hours in the Newseum, remembering the many events from our own lifetimes as well as those of earlier times; remembered national events in a different way as we visited the monuments and memorials marking wars and famous figures; wandered the streets and shops of Georgetown; ate dinner at one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in the country; and visited our National Cathedral.
That visit has lingered in my mind for many reasons. The first is the amazing commitment that our country made to this building dedicated to the worship of God, the equal of anything Europe has to offer. Eighty three years in the construction. Generations of masons, stone-cutters, stained glass window artists. I visited several times as a girl in the 50s, when I only remember scaffolding. As a young woman where I remember the organ playing. Taking my own children, hoping to impress them with the presence of God in such stirring grandeur. Watching on TV as presidents have been honored before being laid to rest in their native states.
Churches across our country come in many sizes and shapes, adorned and plain, many denominations and non-denominational, in cities and country fields, holding God’s people close. They are only buildings, but they offer solace and common ground. The unifying factor is that they are places of worship of our God, who is an awesome God. At the National Cathedral there are no pews built into the structure. That is because in God’s house we should not sit. The proper positions are standing in praise and kneeling in prayer. Only One sits in God’s presence. The One who said, “It is finished.” You can see Him sitting above the altar at the front of this beautiful edifice which I urge all Americans to visit!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Ramblings by Carolyn
Lately, my mind has been shuttling back and forth between retirement, commitment, and recreation.
After 44 years of marriage to a man who has gone off to work every weekday, what's coming when he doesn't? Oh, there were years when we both worked, years when we didn't, but there have never been years when we were home together each day. We love each other, but we have lives of our own too. Our weekends have always been very special because they are weekends. What happens when each day is a weekend? What does he want? What do I want? Do we want the same things? We talk about it, but come to no conclusions. We will be re"creating" our lives and our life together. We are very grateful and blessed to have this opportunity, but honestly, it's a tad unnerving!
We know what we don't want. We don't want to waste our retirement years not moving about because it is too hot. We don't want to be indolent. We don't want nothing to do. (Double negative, but meaningful) Neither plays golf or harbors any great plans to see the world. He is not taking an early retirement, but we still have plenty of energy, are healthy and reseasonably alert. One thing we do know is every couple is different and must settle this for themselves.
What's left? Commitment. Certainly, we are committed to each other. We want the best for one another as long as we have each other. We are committed to something outside ourselves. He worked all those years not only for his own sake, but for our family's sake and for his company's sake too. His desire to do something for someone else won't change.
As a Christian, my purpose falls under the Great Commission of Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." I quickly add with words or without!
That's not a bad way to conclude this blog. Though we may not know what form our retirement will take, we do know we have a purpose not only enjoy our chidren and grandchildren and what's left of life, but to be of some benefit to others, to give back. Now, that makes sense!
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