Thursday, December 24, 2009

A Christmas Message

This season brings with it a chance to approach the beautiful Christmas Story with the anticipation of a fresh look at its timeless message. Every year I am amazed at the way God deals with my heart and opens it to rest in the truths that I need for that particular Christmas. There have been messages of the peace available if I could but rest in Him; the admonition to not fear when fear would choke me; the humorous reflection on the Light of Christmas the year every light, from those outside to the ones on our tree, burnt out!

This year the message was about gifts. Not the ones we might look for under the tree or shop for. On the way back from Atlanta over Thanksgiving, visiting Seth, Rebecca and Ephraim, we heard a song called "Thank God for kids". Considering all God had done in bringing Ephraim into this world with all the impossible challenges he faced(impossible with man, not with God) well, I think you can imagine how the song must have impacted me after just holding that little booger. You see, we take to heart the truth of Scripture that children are a gift of God (Psalm 127: 3). As parents we are gifted when God sees fit to bring a child into our lives. But all children are a gift to this world, not just ours to us. And to think that God chose to bring the Savior into this world as a child! Some would say, like the song, "What a crazy way to save the world". But when you think about it, the first gift of Christmas was a child. The great Giver gave His only beloved Son.

Gifts are meaningless until received, appreciated, cared for, valued, and cherished. It breaks my heart that so many "gifts" (children) are rejected, tolerated, neglected, abused, undervalued for the treasure they are, even destroyed before ever given a chance at life. The other great burden is to deal with a child whose heart and mind is already so full of the world's filth. They are hard, and quite frankly often hard to love. But these too, are God's gift and I was reminded this year at Ronnie's death that God deals with hard cases. His love for them is powerful, and He loves them through us. Look into the eyes of a child, listen to them laugh, hold them close when they run to you for a hug, and "thank God for kids". Remembering to "thank God for kids" when they're angry and hurtful, or being stubborn and willful, irresponsible and mischievous, even hard and hateful, is not just a challenge, it's a must, as much for us as for them.

If you are like me you just get tired, physically, spiritually, mentally. Like Mary you can almost hear the cry, "I just don't have it in me to do this Lord." The week before Christmas when the heavy snow came and we were without power for 3 days, well let's just say that being inside for 3 days with no power, no hot water, with 10 restless teens the week before Christmas...Peace on Earth took on a whole new meaning! I found myself stressed and tearful and edgy. Then I'd be laughing at the ways they amused themselves and how helpful they could be. I concluded I was losing it. Then, we'd get a phone call and I'd hear "Hi Grammy!" on the other end of the phone. Remembering how "gifted" I was made the difference.

Because of the weather primarily, and sickness, our Christmas program was canceled along with the Christmas fellowship. Shopping for Christmas baskets also had to be postponed. It was just a different Christmas season altogether. But it still came, and it was still holy and blessed even with the adjustments that had to be made. We had plans, but so did The Father, and "every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning" (James 1:17). He delights in giving good gifts to His children, the problem is that we don't often recognize them for the gifts they are.

Sometimes it takes a little interruption now and then, something like the birth of a miracle baby that six months later makes your heart skip a beat when he smiles; the unexpected death of a teen that leaves you bittersweet memories; a snowstorm days before Christmas that doesn't fit into our planners or Smartphones; or maybe just a house full of teens that have all the answers, to draw our attention to the truly precious gifts of life. At least it did for me this year. Yes, this year it was all about the gifts.

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Finding Parenting Grace

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6: 8-11).

It has always saddened me to hear people say, especially believers, that they don’t want any children; that they’ll never bring children into such a wicked world. I sat listening to Roger’s message on the enabling power of God’s great grace from Genesis 6, grace at work in the life of Noah in the midst of great wickedness, grace that enabled him to persevere in faith to accomplish the task before him; to obey under great pressure and ridicule; to wait on God to faithfully perform his Word. But as I read down through the passage I was immediately struck with verse 10: “And Noah begat three sons…”. In the midst of a wicked, violent culture, grace enabled Noah to rear a family. And it was grace through faith that moved Noah to “prepare an ark to the saving of his house” (Hebrews 11:7). The rest of the known world was left to experience judgment because of their unbelief, but Noah was able to impact his family for righteousness sake, and see them saved.

I talked with my oldest grandchild this week, my 5-year-old granddaughter. For months her mom and dad have gently answered her questions, led her through Scripture, and prayed for her salvation as they sensed a tenderness, an openness, and an understanding growing in her of her personal need for a Savior. In the quietness of her room one evening, she “talked with Jesus on her bed” and was later able to pray with Daddy, “thank you Jesus for doing what you said you would do when I talked to you” . I was able to share with her how excited I was that she had trusted Jesus as her Savior and encouraged her to keep learning Bible verses and to work hard in school to learn to read so she could read her Bible.
“I will Grammy,” she said.

Yes, this is a wicked world. But God’s grace is still amazing. And it is surely still available for moms and dads determining to raise their children in the “fear and admonition of the Lord”. It is powerful and enabling when they are building that ark of protection around their family to see them saved. Seeing my own sons and their wives now with their own children, nurturing them and teaching them God’s ways, and blessed to know so many other young couples that are doing the same thing, well, it’s hard to describe the feelings of gratitude and joy it brings. Is raising a child hard work?? You bet. Will there be some pain and hurt along the way?? Likely. But oh is it worth it, especially when you know it’s all because of God’s great grace.

Just remember Noah.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Long, Dry Summer

All summer long I have fought to pick up the pen. There have been days I thought I would explode if I did not. I was wakened in the middle of the night with things on my heart and mind, but could not put them in words. It was back in May when I last posted, shortly after Ronnie was killed.

As May ran into June, my emotions for a while were much like those late Spring and early Summer days…very unpredictable. In the 15 years we’ve lived here in these West Virginia mountains I’ve learned one thing, the weather can and will change very quickly. I identified this year with the message of the seasons, to expect the unexpected. In just a short span of time I went from heartbreak to overwhelming joy, and several ranges in between.

Some days it was hard to think clearly. The days were rapidly racing by, and where was I? Somewhere on the sidelines trying to get a grip.

Just as each season offers its unique characteristic to savor and enjoy, each experience brings with it an opportunity to learn more, to love deeper, and to laugh often. And laugh I must, for “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” (Roger and I took an online stress test. His results: you are stress free for life, but you’re driving everyone else crazy! My results: you need medication NOW!! What do they know???)

As I look back over the last few months I am aware of just how fragile life really is. I am quieted when remembering how painful and yet how joyful the moments can be. I am amazed with my unchanging God and His faithfulness in my life and in the lives of many I cherish.

Ronnie’s mom, sister and nephew have been coming to church. We have seen several of our “ranch” guys trust Christ and after discipling, are ready to be baptized in October. We welcomed our 8th grandchild into the world, a miracle baby, after Rebecca experienced a 7-week long hospital stay. We have prayed and watched as God continues to keep His healing hand on little Ephraim Josiah, overcoming all odds against him; and on Seth and Rebecca with the challenges they have faced and continue to face with their precious gift. We also rejoiced with Brent and Tonia as little Naomi made her entrance shortly after Ephraim. Our nephew was here for the summer, and as quickly as he came, he returned home. Rog and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary with a few days away to reflect on the years and blessings, the children and now grandchildren, the friends…all that God has given us together. Even with the few heartaches along the way, it really has been a wonderful life.

We wrapped up the summer with school shopping for our 10 guys, and a week long “Ranch vacation” in a beautiful cabin on the Little Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Autumn quickly approaches now with its beauty and brisk weather, and I’m sure it will bring its own unexpected changes and challenges. When the world gets a little crazy as it can now and then, I will need a pleasant place to plant my feet and get a grip. Christ is both that Person and that Place. He is gently leading through the changing seasons.


“You are my hiding place.” Psalm 32: 7a

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

It hurts, but hope prevails.

When we first went to work with the boys at the ranch, we never considered that burying them would be something we’d ever have to do. But the harsh realities of life for many lends itself to tragedies like the one we’ve experienced this week.

Ronnie came to us an angry, hard, anti-God, anti-authority, hurting young man. It took some time and loving patience, but eventually we began to see that he was opening up to us and God was drawing Ronnie to himself. He wanted no parts of it at first. His life was his own and he could take care of himself, or so he wanted to believe. After church one Sunday he was especially agitated and miserable. I called him over to where I was sitting in the recliner and quietly said “I can explain why you’re so miserable if you’d like.” He sat down on the floor next to me and began to listen. He was such a thinker. He was not going to make a decision without thinking it through and it being his own. And there were things he wasn’t giving up for anyone, not even God. I explained that God was not as concerned with all of that as he might think. We talked of Christ and His love, what He desires to do in a person’s heart and life, and how insignificant all those things become in light of eternity. I assured him Rog and I loved him, God loved him and that wasn’t going to change regardless of what he decided.

Weeks went by. There was confrontation; there was firm, loving discipline. There was acceptance and understanding. One night as they were heading to their rooms for bed after being a bit rambunctious in a fun-loving way, I yelled down the hall, “Good night you knuckleheads! I love you!” He stuck his head out of his room and yelled back, “I would have told you I loved you back if you hadn’t called me a knucklehead!” There was a big smile on his face.

It was a late fall Sunday morning not long after, that I stayed home with a couple of boys that were sick while Rog took the rest on in for church. About the time church was over the phone rang. It was Ronnie. My first thought was “what are you doing on the phone and where are you calling from?” since unsupervised phone use is not allowed. But he laughed and explained, “Brother Rog let me use his cell phone. I wanted to let you know I got saved this morning.” He was too excited to wait until he got home to tell me. I was elated!

Were there still some challenges to overcome? Yes, but we saw a drastic change in him. There were a lot of old habits, a lot of old friends, that made it hard to completely and immediately break away from some things. Ronnie left the ranch the following July but continued to keep in touch with us. He came to church quite a few times too. I talked to him on his 18th birthday in March. Rog saw him just a few weeks ago in the mall.

On Saturday morning we received word that Ronnie had been stabbed and killed in his sister’s home. His mom had left a message on my cell phone after leaving the hospital. Ronnie didn’t go looking for this. He wasn’t out on the streets getting into trouble. He wasn’t out partying or carousing. He was at his sister’s watching a movie. But trouble knew where to find him. Past connections don’t always stay in the past. The young man responsible for bursting into the home and drawing him into this altercation has been arrested and charged with murder, but Ronnie is still gone. His mom asked Rog to handle his funeral.

We are shocked, grieved, but comforted at the same time. I don’t question, but I do wonder about God’s divine plan. Last July when we returned to the ranch after our days off to learn that Ronnie was no longer there, I went to his room to look, think, pray. Sometimes when they leave we don’t ever see them again. His things were all still there. I would have to pack them and ready them for a worker or relative to pick up. His Bible was open on his desk to what had become a favorite passage of Scripture that we talked about often:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

This may seem to fly in the face of all that has happened, but not really. For what is our future and hope as a believer but Christ Himself? Praise the God of all grace, the Giver of faith and hope. There are no hard cases with God. He will save all those who come to Him. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

Friday, May 8, 2009

Rog and his Quad



It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's...just Rog on his quad; quadcycle to be exact. It's different, and it's so Rog.

So he took it to the mall for a trial run "just to get a feel for it and work the kinks out before a real run." Sounds simple enough.

However, little did he know that the Mall Police (you know, those folks that walk around the mall with their shiny badges and crisp uniforms looking very serious and official)needed a bit of excitement in their lives. So when he heard the horn honking behind him and the light flashing (yep, they have a bright yellow flashing light for the top of their vehicle but unfortunately no siren so the horn has to do) he "pulled over".

"What the heck is that thing?" was the first question. After an explanation and inspection, "the card" was pulled out that explained that skateboards and rollerblades were not allowed and bicycles were not allowed on the sidewalks.
Well, since Rog was riding around the outside of the parking lot, and he wasn't on a skateboard or rollerblades, he wasn't sure what the problem was. And, she wasn't either exactly. Long story short he was "free to go", with a note to "be safe". End of story right?

Not exactly. The next day he goes back for his morning run, only to once again hear the honking horn and see the flashing light on the miniature SUV in his rear-view mirror riding slowly behind him.

"You need to get that thing out of here, whatever it is. I thought it was a go-cart at first." Other comments went something like this:

"People can't see you." (this mall po po saw him!)
"What is that thing anyway?" (another explanation)
"Do you want me to call my supervisor?" (actually, that would be a good idea, since
I had this discussion yesterday and really don't want to have it everyday!)

Security on her walkie-talkie: "I need some help out here!" You know what kind of reaction that open-ended comment drew! Yep, they came running from every direction. Who knew there were so many security people in one little mall anyway?? This is Beckley WV for heaven's sake!! The further this went the more amusing it became, and Rog handled it like he handles most everything, kindness, patience, humor (sometimes he really urks me!!). The comments went something like this:

"Is this what you called us out here for?"
"This running is too much for a fat man!"
"What the heck is that thing anyway?" (he'd heard that before!)
"I don't think it's safe"
"It's a quad, don't you know anything?" (this from the lady Rog explained yesterday
to)
"I already told him he was fine."
"I still don't think it's safe."
"Look at that thing go!"

It was finally decided he was approved to be on mall property with his "whatever it's called". So he packed it up and came home.

He's out this morning riding all over the ranch, and looking forward to hitting some bike trails and then his first lengthy trip across the Outer Banks hopefully this fall. He's been working toward this since discovering his first peddle car nearly five years ago. While in Utah he came across a bike shop that specializes in them. They start with a basic frame and custom build them, then ship to anywhere in the states.

Somehow I don't think this will be the last of these "little incidents". Not a bike, not a trike, it's a quad!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Waiting

Our Wednesday evening Bible Study on aging...yes aging (and we all are doing it, whether we like it or not!)...has struck some interesting chords in me. This week Rog zeroed in on Caleb. What an example! I was amazed once again to be reminded that Caleb waited 45 years to see the fulfillment of God's promise to him. Let me say that again...45 Years!!

Now I know I'm the only one that struggles with this, so just let me get it out of my system. How often I've prayed, "Lord, anything but wait...don't ask me to do that!" But then when He sees fit to have me wait anyway, I'm always amazed at His perfect timing, and the perfect work He has done in me while waiting. Mind you, the perfecting work didn't feel so great while I was in the process, but knowing it was a perfect work that He in His soverfeign love for me, was attempting to accomplish, well, that's what kept me going.

I'm old enough now to look back and reflect on times when the waiting turned into seasons of my life. Much like what Caleb experienced I suppose, when waiting is not just for days or weeks, but years. For him, God's promise involved a physical inheritance; land. This came as a direct Word from God through Moses. There were several things I see from Joshua 12 that kept Caleb going and that can apply to me personally as I look to the Lord to fulfil the promises of His Word in a very real way.

1) Caleb knew God's promise and even though days passed into months, and months into years he held on to it, not forgetting. You must know and understand God's promises to you. They must come from His Word, not just be personal feelings or desires. And you cannot try to understand and interpret them from a man-centered, needs-based perspective that does not give God His rightful place as Sovereign.
In other words, before supposing that God has not been faithful to His Word, give God the benefit of the doubt and confidently wait. (Josh 12: 6, 10 and 12;

2) While Caleb waited for God to be faithful in fulfilling His promise to him he did not waiver in his faithfulness to God. Rather, he was able to look back on his life and say he had "wholly followed the Lord [his] God"; and this was not said in arrogance but as an affirmation of Caleb's confidence in God's faithfulness to Him. I have seen all too often a disillusionment with God when He doesn't act as quickly as expected. Caleb allowed himself no reason to doubt God. And if anyone had a reason to become angry and bitter it was Caleb. It was because of the disobedience of "his brethren" (12:9) that Caleb's promise was delayed 45 years!!

3) Caleb claimed God's promise personally and specifically. Rog once had a gentleman tell him "you just take the Word of God too personally." What this gentleman intended as an insult Rog took as a compliment. It's not real until it's personal. God is all-powerful, all-sufficient, all-knowing. He knows where you are, He knows what you need, and when you need it. Who are we to demand from God? No, it is for us to trust, and wait.

4) Caleb was reassured by ongoing evidences of God’s faithfulness those forty-five years. He was kept physically strong and capable. He was sustained in the wilderness as he watched his own generation die off as God had said they would. He would “enter into rest” with the younger generation because his own generation had rebelled against God and chosen the path of unbelief. I couldn’t help but think of “the blessed hope” we cling to now of Christ’s return for us and all that God has in store (I Peter 1), but also the many “spiritual blessings” He has blessed us with now as we wait (Eph 1). It’s just like God to give us these affirmations of His love, reaffirming His commitment to fulfilling His promises by providing ongoing evidences of His faithfulness not just to us, but primarily to His Word. That’s just who He is.

What is it you are waiting for today? “My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him.” (Ps. 62: 5) And what did I learn from this about aging? I guess there are some things that come just with growing old!

Friday, January 23, 2009

I AM THAT I AM

My Christianity is my existence. My relationship with Christ defines me. My belief moves me. I live it, breathe it. But sometimes I must take a step back to reflect and remember, reflect on who He is and what He has done. And not just who He is to me, or what He has done for me, but rather, Who He is in His existence, and what He has done because of who He is...His wonderful works of creation, redemption, heaven.

It is humbling to acknowledge that I often revert to seeing from a foggy self-perspective. To think outside of myself for a moment brings understanding to the Psalmist's question, "What is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that Thou visitest him" (Ps 8:4).

Consider Isaiah after King Uzziah's death, able to see God high and lifted up in all His holiness. Isaiah turns from a moment of loss and grief, uncertainty, to awe-inspired humility and committed service to the Holy One. Consider John on the Isle of Patmos who hears the thunderous voice and sees the eyes as flames of fire, and falls as dead in awe-inspired worship. Consider Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, rendered speechless in awe of His glory.

In Exodus, Moses questions God as to how he is to explain to the children of Israel and to Pharoah just Whom he is speaking for. How do you explain His Person? How do you fully convey the power, the authority, the holiness? Moses intimately knows God in His great power. He has left his presence veiled so that others would not be blinded by the brightness of the Glory of God that Moses has experienced. The explanation rests in His Name. "Tell them I AM has sent you." "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM." It was enough.

I AM. The Ever-existing One. The All-Sufficient One. The All-Powerful One.

We function on beginnings and endings. We begin a day, a week, a year, and plan it with the end in mind. We age from birthday to birthday. We change from one season of life to the next as moments and milestones make us keenly aware there is no going back. It is understandable that the Eternality of our God is a concept we readily accept but find mind-boggling to comprehend and act on.

I need an occasional mind-boggling. If you're like me, you think concretely, you live routinely. Our world can become so small and it takes a determined effort to be sure it is not revolving around us. It's not that I stop believing. I know and believe, but day spills into day before I realize I'm not fully experiencing the impacting awe of His Person. I know His works, but all of a sudden they're not inspiring me anymore to passion and worship. I would not deny His Power and Greatness. I know He is Holy, but suddenly I realize the awe has wained, and my adoration and humble service have become routine. And I wonder what has happened!

The Great I AM does not change. He is "the eternal, self-existent, and immutable Being; the only being who can say that He always will be what He always has been."*

That's awesome. Be awed today.

"this is my Name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations." Exodus 3:15b


*quote by Bible commentator G. Bush