FOOLISH AND WEAK THINGS

I Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

If you have never pastored, attended or been involved in a “starter” or home mission church, you have missed one of life’s greatest experiences. You have missed the excitement over one new visitor, the joy over one sinner bowing a knee, the anticipation over what God is going to do every Sunday morning and the discouragement Sunday afternoon because only your family was in attendance. You learn how to pick yourself up off your knees on Monday morning, how to encourage yourself, grab hold of hope and hear the voice of God. You discover the value of every individual, how to love the unlovable and allow God to send conviction and be the judge. You learn that you are nothing without God and it really IS GOD who gives the increase. Finally, God shows in little ways every day that He is faithful.

Steve and I have pastored such a church for five years. It started in our home with our family, and then God blessed us with a beautiful building. We have had as many as 30 and as few as 2 in attendance. When we began, we made up our mind to be faithful regardless of how things appeared. We promised God to sing, worship and preach no matter how many showed up. It has been hard to preach to 2 people and 30 voices blend so much better than 3; although I believe that God enjoys the 3 more than the 30 because we are worshiping Him despite the circumstances.

Sunday, July 20, 2008 was one of the occasions that make all the prayer, fasting, witnessing, and inviting worth all the effort. We had our first baptism in almost 3 years. Chris was working through many issues when he first stepped through the door of Redemption Ministries on Mother’s Day, 2008. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be at the service but as he has testified since, it was better than being lonely and just maybe we would have some available cute girls. Much to his surprise, he was the only one in attendance that did not have the last name, Niswonger. We have nurtured Chris and watched his spiritual growth with such delight. He progressed from “I’ve never been to a church like this” to raising his hands in worship to the Lord. A few weeks after his first visit, we watched Chris walk slowly up to the front and kneel at an altar of repentance. A couple of weeks after repenting, he suddenly announced one Sunday, during fellowship, “Pastor, I think I need to be baptized.”

At Redemption Ministries we are not blessed with a beautiful baptismal tank with faucets to fill it and a heater to keep the temperature just right, but we do have a blow-up swimming pool. So on July 20th in front of several of Chris’ friends and family, he was buried in the precious Name of Jesus. He had a look of joy on his face when he came out of the water and we all rejoiced as we sang, “It’s Because I’m forgiven.”

The beautiful thing about new converts is the excitement and freedom they feel once they have turned their life over to Jesus Christ. Last week, Chris came with a friend. Lori also is struggling with many issues, but Chris has experienced something that he knows is the answer to every problem in Lori’s life. Please help us pray for these hungry hearts. We trust this is just the beginning of a Holy Ghost outpouring in Saginaw.

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT

I Peter 15:3 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

Have you ever noticed that when you least expect it, God will put you in a situation where He can use you? If we would begin to view every person we meet as an opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ, we would be amazed at the things God would do. I want to be used by God. Every day I pray that God will not let me miss any opportunity, yet as the day wears on, too often the busyness of life gets in the way of sensitivity to the Spirit.

We were at the cottage Friday and Saturday making sure it was ready for our friends to use for the week. My husband loves the opportunity to sleep late, I have learned to enjoy the solitude rather than resent his laziness. Saturday, I awoke to a gorgeous morning. The sky was blue, no clouds in sight and there was a gentle breeze rustling through the trees. I could not resist. Out came the exercise clothes; I laced up my walking shoes, grabbed my pedometer, cell phone and sun glasses and hit my stride. I love walking at the cottage because there is so much to see. There are small hills to climb, a beautiful lake to walk by and thick woods full of small animals and birds a little further on. I walked at a brisk pace enjoying the freshness of the day, said good morning to a group of early morning bikers, an older man walking a dog and a woman I had seen at about the same time on Friday morning.

I continued by the lake, made a circle and was on the path toward home. I was feeling good, my muscles were warm and strong and I could feel the last calories of yesterday’s much awaited pizza burning at a high rate. The woman I had passed earlier was coming toward me. I smiled, fully intending to say “have a nice walk” without missing a step. She had other intentions. LeAnn, her name I learned later, walked across the road and asked where I lived, where I walked and seemed to want to chat. My expression was friendly, my demeanor was gracious, but on the inside all I could think about was my pedometer doesn’t work when I’m not moving, my time will be messed up, my muscles won’t stay warm, and that piece of pepperoni may turn to fat.

I chatted with LeAnn for a few seconds, found out that she lived in North Carolina, had been at Higgins Lake for the entire month of July and had been coming up here with several family members for 14 years. Then her eyes became teary as she told me her uncle had died this week. The Holy Ghost kicked in and I knew that somehow God would rev my exercise efforts in to high gear and supernaturally burn up the pepperoni, but at this moment, He needed me to speak comfort to a hurting heart.

I made the usual sympathetic comments as she shared her feelings regarding the family’s loss. We shared memories of loved ones who have gone on but I could tell there was an emptiness inside that needed to be filled. She told me of one particular memory of her uncle from last Thanksgiving that was especially precious to her. I mentioned how great God is to allow us to experience something so wonderful to sustain us in a time of loss. I noticed that this seemed to encourage her. Then I told her the same thing I told Uncle Jim when Granny died. When our loved ones die, there is a great big hole left inside of us that we think will never be full again because that space is reserved for that dear one who is no longer here. If we will allow God to comfort us, He will slowly fill that gaping hole with precious memories. Yes, there will be times when we miss them terribly; we will cry and feel lonely, but we will also laugh and feel comforted as we pull out a memory and hold it close.

She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “I’m so glad I met you today, my name is LeAnn.”

MAINTAINING YOUR STRIDE

I love to walk early on Saturday morning. There is very little traffic racing to start the work day, the houses are quiet with the drapes still drawn, the flowers are fresh and dew-kissed and if you listen very carefully you can hear all of nature sing praises to the Creator. It was one of those beautiful mornings that make you happy to be alive. The sky was blue, the birds were singing and a cool breeze blew softly through my hair. It was an absolutely perfect morning for a walk.

I laced up my favorite shoes and grabbed a bottle of water; with my favorite songs on the mp3 player I set off on a 3+ mile hike. About a quarter mile into my walk, I hit my stride, cruising to the beat at about 3.5 miles per hour. Once I hit cruising speed, my arms swing in a certain rhythm, my back is straight, shoulders relaxed, head back and eyes looking straight ahead. I have learned to observe and anticipate changes in my environment so that I can adjust for the unexpected without breaking my stride. It is important to be aware of uneven pavement, approaching pedestrian and bicycle traffic, intersections and cars who don’t respect crosswalks and of course the inevitable doggie deposits scattered here and there on the sidewalk.

Although Saginaw is mainly flat, there are rises and dips every once in awhile and adjustments have to be made. I know to lengthen my stride, lean forward and dig my heels a little deeper as I approach a rise and to shorten my stride at just the right time as I approach a curb or an uneven section of road. Usually the music on the mp3 player is all I need to help keep my focus, however, on this particular morning I was suddenly distracted. I’m not sure what caused the distraction. It could have been the truck at the intersection, the blare of music, the sound of voices or maybe a combination of all three. As I approached the intersection, I scanned the road for turning traffic, checked the traffic light and maintained my stride. Feeling confident, I crossed the street and stepped up on the curb. That’s when I lost focus. Misjudging the distance of the curb, I landed on the edge and stumbled. I felt a slight twinge in my ankle as I struggled to keep from falling. I couldn’t quit, my final destination was 2 miles ahead. Shaking and stretching my ankle, I continued on my journey and once again regained my stride.

So many times we are walking along life’s pathway. We have been praying, reading our Bible, going to every service and in general feeling very successful in our relationship with God. Suddenly, Satan throws up a distraction or places an unexpected obstacle in our path. If we do not keep our eyes on Jesus, we will stumble and sometimes fall. Although, we may feel a slight twinge, this is not the time to sit down and quit, our final destination is still ahead. We may have to stretch and shake ourselves to regain our focus and regain it we must. Get your eyes back on Jesus, continue doing all the right things you have been doing and find your stride once again.

By being consistent in my daily walks around the neighborhood, I have started to reap the benefits. I can breathe easier, my muscles have become stronger and more toned and the weight has come off at a much faster rate. If we continue on in our Christian walk, we are promised a benefit that eyes have not seen, ears have not heard and it has not even entered into our hearts what the Lord has prepared for us. Eternal life with Jesus Christ is the goal and Heaven is the prize. Don’t let Satan distract you, keep your focus and maintain your stride.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Happy Birthday Dad, I wish you were here to celebrate with us today. I can hardly believe that we have been without your steadiness and unique humor for almost 7 years. The spontaneous memories have become easier to handle but the longing to see you and take advantage of your “pearls” of wisdom never goes away.

The best 4th of July ever was the last one we spent with you. How could any of us fathom that in two short months we would return to Missouri to celebrate your life because you had finished the race. All of your children and grandchildren that had been born were there to tell what you and mom meant to us and share a few special memories that were personal to each family member. I loved the fact that you cried when each kid and grandkid read their letter, because it showed your tender heart. I loved when we gathered around and prayed for you, because it portrayed the most important thing to us as a family. I loved it as each one of us sang a special song we had prepared and that they were all praise to God. Finally, I loved it when you joined me in singing “Pity the Man” just like old times in church and then you sang that special song that each daughter and granddaughter thought had been reserved just for them. I’m sure you must have been tired and in so much pain but you were determined to enjoy every last minute and every activity we had planned.

I will never forget your arms around me as you held me and told me goodbye for the last time. Somehow it seemed as if you knew your time on earth was not going to be much longer. Dad I am so sorry I didn’t call you the night before you died. I would have loved to hear your voice one more time. Val told me even toward the end you had to make a joke and Mom said you told her you loved her not too long before you took your final breath. For now I will be content to believe that you knew how much you meant to me and someday I’ll be able to tell you again face to face.

Today on your 73rd birthday, I will pull out some precious memories, shed a few tears, smile as I think about one of your oft repeated jokes and see you in your grandsons’ personalities. The ache in my heart continues on and according to current events it won’t be long until will all be united where every tear will be wiped away. So Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you.