52 Days Left in SD

I miss...
Talking with my mom
Smoothies
Home baked bread
Shopping
Sleeping in
Laughing children
My church family
Walks on the farm...never again...

I will miss...
Teachers, constant wisdom surrounding you is so rich.
Friends who can instantly tell something is wrong
Random adventures, you never know what will happen on a college campus
My roommate, how could I have been so blessed to have such amazing girl for a sister this past year?

I hope I won't miss...
Growing in my relationship with God. Very soon I'll be left to study the Bible on my own will. Oh I shudder to think I may neglect it. Certainly not I pray, without application this past months will surely have been in vain. But it was not I who did the work, nor is it I who will finish.

being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Phil 1:6

A Life Hidden in Christ

Today I got a phone call. One of those calls that makes a person wish they had never picked up the phone. Yet as it has been for many decades, the deliverance of news already happened is unavoidable.

I cried when I heard that a very dear friend of mine was in glory. Tears fell just as they had when I heard he was dying of an incurable brain tumor. A fight with cancer over as soon as it had begun, leaving on the battle field a mourning wife, four children and their spouses, a host of grandchildren, one great grandchild and a church congregation with a gaping hole.

Mr. B. was my Sunday School teacher-- every lesson was taught with enthusiasm. More than likely Mr. B. enjoyed teaching even more than he did learning. Pouring over the scriptures and then receiving extra information from accompanying maps was not something the teacher shied away from.

Teaching Sunday school was not Mr. B’s only service to our tiny country church. I remember the sad Sunday when Mr. B. was no longer the song leader. The worship service still feels somewhat incomplete.

Mr. B. helped build our church. Later he served on the building committee, making plans to accommodate our ever growing congregation. Sadly the many hours of plans being made by Mr. B. will never bear the fruit of work by his hand. I don't think he will miss seeing the new church, seeing as now he is living in a mighty fine mansion over the hilltop.

I'll never forget the Sunday morning Mr. B. told the church that his unsaved family member had been saved. Mr. B. couldn't hardly retell the events for his voice was too full of emotion. His face was wet with tears. Sharing a prayer request about an unsaved relative or friend from Mr. B.’s lips was not uncommon. His heart was tender towards those who had not yet found their Savior. Very soon someday the two relations will be together in heaven because of Mr. B.’s witness.

Hardly uncommon at is it to hear people remark how they will miss a loved one’s smile. Cliche as it may sound, I have to say I will miss Mr. B.’s smile. The great works done by Mr. B. characterized him yet it was the warm smile and the genuine interest in your life that truly showed off his love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Words of affirmation often were given, special music will never receive the same praise again without Mr. B.’s "amen".

In a small church you associate more the body of Christ than with your own family. Mr. B. was a grandpa figure to me. I hardly knew my own grandpas- both died before I could reap lessons from their rich character. I feel honored and blessed I could know Mr. B. . Praise to the Father above that one day I will worship with Mr. B. together at our Lord’s feet. Thinking of this fills my heart with joy.

Now I'm sad. In a few short weeks I will be home from college and worshiping at my home church once again. An empty spot in a pew will be unbearably void, a seat used so often it might have remained warm from Sunday to Sunday. I can't bear to think of not seeing the fa miler smile nor hear the taken for granted "amens". a loved parishioner is gone, leaving behind an awful ache in our church family. One thing is certain Mr. B. would be the first to tell us to dry our tears for if we have believed we are heading to a place of no tears.

Mr. B. I'll miss you terribly. I just want you to know one thing. Reflecting on your life has drawn me to one conclusion--looking at your works does not extoll yourself but instead brings glory and honor to Christ our risen Savior.

¹ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Col 3:1-4

Don't let your Love Burn Out

Lit CandleEverywhere I turned it seemed that everyone was talking about the blockbuster film "Fireproof". To put it mildly people weren't talking they were raving! Even though theaters in my home town are still showing it I never bought a ticket. However I looked forward to watching the DVD. I was skeptical though. Could a movie be really that good? My frugal mind couldn't grasp the fact that people would pay to see it twice. Seriously, they were probably just overrating it.

When everyone is chatting about something you just have to experience so you can have a decent conversation. So I couldn't have been more pleased to watch it with my girl friends the other night.

Great was the sacrifice of giving up two hours of fellowship. It was worth it. Never before has a film impacted my life so greatly. Never.

I wept through moments that should never be. Yet is reality in so many American households. Laughed through the ever strangeness of how our actions appear to others. In between all that I reminded myself to breath during some very intense moments. Stellar acting combined with a breathtaking plot made to be an incredible combination. When it was over I proudly admitted that I had been wrong. Then I added it to the very short list of movies that I recommend.

I don't wear a diamond ring on my left hand, nor do I have anyone to even conceive the idea of giving one to me. Yet as the characters portrayed the story suddenly they weren't actors, they were me. Marriage was the theme but I just the adolescent was learning. As Dennis Rainy put it” somewhere in the story you see yourself".

How often with a radiant smile do I joyfully serve at church putting others in front of myself? Once home it's all me. Good grief I'm tired and have stuff to do. And really girls are emotional so it's okay to get angry and frustrated at those around me.

When we died to Christ that didn't mean just when we are serving Him outside of our home. Usually that's the easy part. Behind closed doors the selfish attitudes sets in before we even know it. Devastating our lives and hurting those most close to us. As so painfully portrayed in “Fireproof”, Caleb and Katharine, the estranged couple, probably didn’t realize where they were sliding until they felt it was too late. Sometimes before you know it you find yourself digging your own grave and standing in the hole. The wrecked lives of Caleb and Katharine weren’t too much for Christ to fix. And He’s waiting to fix ours.

But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

My Lover

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Just a few days before my favorite holiday I will be 18 for 6 months. Oh what a momentous 6 months it has been. Had I known the trials and growing pains I would have spiritually I might have been tempted to denounce my birthday. However I turned 18 and the rough times came. I'm so thankful to God that they did. I praise for His loving kindness in giving me those hard times.

I knew God loved me...
When I was overwhelmed and thought nothing would get done, God gave me the energy to press on.
When I struggled with a very deep emotional thing important to only me and He showed me it was important.
When He gave me a sister
When I had no physical strength and God gave me just what I needed.
When others saw my pain and showed they cared
When every night the sunset displayed His awesome glory
When I cried the tears of desperation felt utter hopelessness and doubted His love. God loved me.

Tough times are still coming my story isn't over yet. And God hasn't stopped loving me.

Lessons Learned from the Sabath

Today of all days on the Lord's day I felt depressed and whiny. Quite easy was it to compile a list of reasons to complain in my head.

I didn't clean the house for Sunday
I didn't make dinner for Sunday
I have to teach Sunday school
I didn't get to talk with my friends enough
I wasted the day doing up peaceful things

Needless to say my spirit is heavy laden tonight. When the lunch dishes needed washing. I felt I was entitled to rest. However leaving them for someone else to do did not make for a peaceful day. God used a something small to remind me of the joy of serving others. Special treat was given to me today. I got see a friend I rarely see. Just to see her bright smile assures me she cares for me. Blessed I am by her friendship. Reminder that God loves me.

Perhaps the best lesson was learned as I felt down and depressed. My memory pointed me to the Sunday school lesson that I did not want to teach. Our lesson had been on "the woman at the well" (John 4). Jesus gave her living water and has given it to me. My soul craves it. I ran for my Bible this evening to drink it up.

How can I doubt God's love? Who else would have cared to show me so many lessons?
Before this Sabbath is over I must to spend time with my true love. Yes the one who died for me.

Leaves of Change

Warm in pleasant was the day by evening though a chill had settled in the air. Dew would wet grass. Fall has taken residence in Kansas. Our grass is still lushly green thanks to late summer rains. Rich greenness makes for a pretty background for the leaves to lay. I walked across the lawn loving the crunch. Changing of seasons is something I adore. Always ready for something new and different. Coming of a new season is welcomed.

Mother nature's changes maybe enjoyed by myself. Certain other changes sadly are not. When my grandma fell and spent the next three plus weeks in the hospital. I would have gladly snubbed that change in the face. Now I can see though how much the Lord is teaching my family and I. We have the privilege of caring for my grandma. No one else does. Just as the melting snows maybe ugly in winter. Soon though glorious color will be shown. God does the same in our lives bringing radiant color and joy to us through the pain.

Who are You Working for?

I find it very easy to serve in mission work. Helping at the church potluck doesn't get much notice. Since however it's at the Lord's house it is serving Him. Working at a family's house earns lots of praise. Again the feeling of being a servant of God is felt. When the breakfast dishes need washing though it's just a chore. Meaning that time can be taken to check e-mail etc. Working at home doing things for mom are not serving the Lord. Therefore why bother to do a good job? My employer also my mother deserves the same dedication as the Lord does.

I found in my human nature I often forget who I'm working for every day. Our Lord Jesus Christ. Why wouldn't we all do a extra good job if the Lord was watching us? Well He is. You better be sure that He notices the job not performed to perfection. Yes the Lord Jesus Christ must be happy when we serve Him in ministry work. Pleasure is most brought forth when are always working for Him.

Who are you working for? Perhaps your boss? Or your parent. Remember as you do your tasks today, the Lord Jesus Christ is the one you are serving.

Note: This idea is not my own. My brother Arlen preached on this concept sometime ago. Just recently however I was convicted of who I was really working for.