Thanksgiving

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions for me, but ultimately a day of thanksgiving for God’s goodness…His grace and His mercy! As I was talking with daughter Lisa on the phone, I choked up several times talking about that. The previous day I had a call from grandson Justin. He updated me about medical school, their desire and plan to graduate debt free, and activities he and Laura have been involved in. It has been five busy months since their wedding which Carol was miraculously able to attend in Michigan. He also told about having their apartment broken into with several electronic items stolen along with a Christmas gift for their nephew. As I responded with sadness, he quickly said; “No big deal grandpa. It was just stuff. Nobody was hurt and it could have been worse. We will be able to replace it someday.” I don’t know of anything that makes a parent and grandparent more proud of their offspring than seeing them walking with the Lord, trusting Him, and thankful for whatever they have…or have left!

It brought to my mind Luke 17:12-19 when the ten lepers called out to Jesus asking for His mercy/healing. After following His instructions, all ten were healed! But only one took the time to come back and thank him. As I thought about that event, I wonder if my average is even that good? Do I even take time to thank Him for every tenth act of grace and mercy (blessing) that He provides for me? I am blessed to have children and grandchildren that minister to this old man…oops…Sorry…Carol frequently reminded me not to use that “O” word.

I celebrated Thanksgiving Day by starting a major cleaning of the study/office which has been neglected for too long. I am a saver, and it is time to “desave” and do a good cleaning. Hopefully I will be able to complete that job today. The afternoon and evening was spent at my neighbors enjoying a wonderful meal and watching some fun old-time Christmas videos. It was a day of Thanksgiving for me.

I trust that yesterday, and each day, will be filled with thanksgiving to our wonderful Lord and Savior!

Love,

Chuck

Our Helper and our Hope

This morning as I was reading Psalm 146 I was thinking how appropriate it is for today. People are hurting. Times are tough for many and there seems to be a lot of just plain fear out there. The New Living Translation both begins and ends this Psalm with the three words; “Praise the Lord!” An ideal way to begin and end each day also. My attention was especially drawn to verses 3-5:

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help there.
When their breathing stops, they
return to the earth,
and in a moment all their plans
come to an end.
But happy are those who have the God
of Israel as their helper;
whose hope is in the LORD their God.

A good reminder in these times of uncertainty…and always. Keeping our confidence and hope in the right person. Aren’t we blessed to have such a helper available?

Sunday we enjoyed having Ruth Graham (daughter of Billy & Ruth) speak in our class. Using John 21:1-17 as her text, she gave us much to ponder. A couple of thoughts that have stuck in my mind are; “It’s not about possessing all of the qualifications to serve, but rather being broken enough to serve.” Also: “The abundant Christian’s life is through struggles, not around them.”

Dear friends Joe and John continue facing very difficult struggles with cancer. Joe is experiencing severe pain and is considering the possibility of entering a study which could help others and also may relieve his pain. John had a radiation treatment Sunday morning and will have a total of ten before evaluating the possibility of adding chemo infusions. These are days of struggle for both them, their wives and their families. Please continue to lift them up to the ONE who is both our helper and our hope.

Thank you Lord that we need not face our struggles alone.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Pilgrim Prayers

Never a trial that He is not there,
Never a burden that He doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that He doth not share,
Moment by moment, I’m under His care.

You will recognize that as the second verse of the song Moment by Moment. And what a wonderful truth to fill our hearts and minds as the trials, burdens and sorrows cross our paths.

Yesterday I received a call from the wife of Carol’s “cancer buddy” John. A CT scan indicates that cancer has entered his bones and is also causing him to be unable to speak out loud. Carol and John both were diagnosed with cancer within days of each other about three years ago. Currently they are evaluating the possibility of radiation to drive the cancer back. Join me in praying for John and Mary Ella during this difficult time.

Also, good friend Joe continues to struggle with liver and pancreatic cancer. They are looking at the possibility of joining a study which may be of benefit to him and would also benefit others by a better understanding of the body’s response to medications. Joe, Judy and family also need our prayers.

Our Liberian friends John and Madia also continue to be a prayer focus as John is in the hospital with a blood infection, is having a pacemaker replacement, and is awaiting a heart replacement.

Friend Bob and wife Marcia continue to be in my prayers as they battle Bob’s second round of lung cancer. When I talked to him the other day, he was feeling well but having a difficult time maintaining weight on his “special” diet.

During her closing days on earth, Carol would “walk” the path of light in the painting that daughter Sue painted, and she said; “I see myself along with millions of other pilgrims walking along the path toward the curtain that separates us from eternity. Thanks to the Light of the world (Jesus), the inconceivable light that welcomes us is full of hope and glory and peace.”

As we travel the winding road of life, our hope is in Jesus! I trust that each of you pilgrims will have a blessed day…and week.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Whom or what do I trust?

This has been one of those extra busy weeks. Thanks to each of you who have checked on me to be sure everything is okay when I didn't get a blog out mid-week. I also had the tremendous blessing of being invited out to dinner at the homes of two wonderful couples during the week. Over the years, Carol and I have been blessed of God with many friends that He has brought into our lives.

Days at the office are usually quite full, but evenings can be lonely. I am thankful for God's presence with me through His Holy Spirit at that time as well as throughout the day. It has been a growing experience to continually turn to Him for wisdom, guidance and for companionship...Things that I likely would not have learned before being alone back when I was feeling quite confident in Carol and my joint abilities. Yes, I have even learned a bit about cooking and food preparation terms that never entered my mind before. Also about the settings on the washer, dryer and iron. I even have sewed on couple loose buttons.

As I was reading daily thoughts in the Indeed this week, I have been thinking about the contrast of the two kings, Asa (2 Chronicles 16) and Ezra (Ezra 8) when faced with serious medical and domestic problems. Here are some quotes or near-quotes from the author which are still "speaking" to me.

"His [Asa's] approach to his problems fits the modern era easily...He came down with a severe disease that led him not to God but to doctors. His secular mind sought out kings and physicians as his first resort and God as his last." The author then asks; "Have you made the mistake of going to the doctor first and then praying to God only when medicine fails? Have you thought of God as a means to fill in the gaps around our science, technology, economics, business strategies, and other areas of secular competence?" Ouch! I'm too often guilty as charged.

In contrast the author points out that: "Ezra did what Asa wouldn't do. He sought God in a time of Peril [dealing with Babylon's threat]. Human effort in meeting our needs is not a sin. The sin is in our hearts." Then the author asks; "Do you trust God as Provider and then, if you happen to think about it, pray for His supply? Do you trust God as Protector and then, just in case, invest in the best security systems money can buy? Where do we place our hope? On what or whom do we depend?"

That reminder keeps coming to me...on whom or in what do I depend? These are good times to put that into practice. Ask me how I am doing in my progress in that area of my life...I need the challenge. It is important!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love to you all,

Chuck

Four months

Four months ago last night, Carol took her final breath in her cancer-ridden body. I am certain that I will never forget those moments around her bed, and that amazing moment at 11:30 pm. What a joy it is to know that she was then healed and is enjoying her new life surrounded by the ones she loved that preceded her, especially her Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Yesterday while doing some cleaning in the house, I stopped to read some thoughts that Carol carried in her purse. When her health issues loomed huge, she would reflect on the Truth and find peace and courage to carry on with a big smile and the confidence that all, even her very life, was in the Lord’s hands. Here is a sampling of what she had written as reminders:

“As for God, His way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.” (Psalm 18:30)

“When my heart is overwhelmed,
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)

“Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
For our hope is in You alone.” (Psalm 33:23)

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
Yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:10)

That is a sampling of what kept Carol encouraged, giving her a solid hope for her future. Frequently I turn to those and similar words of encouragement for strength and courage. The loss is great, but the future is worth it all even when the pain brings tears to my eyes.

It is my prayer that this will be a day of growth and preparation for you and for me as we enjoy the fellowship of believers and learn more about the One we look forward to spending eternity with.

Love,

Chuck

FROG opportunities

This has been a busy week with both joys and sorrows. An opportunity to put into practice the FROG principle…Fully Relying On God.

Working at the polls on Tuesday was a joy, but a long fifteen-hour day. It was a great group to work with and we were able to keep the lines moving well. Our first lady said she arrived at 4:00 am and we had another voter during the day that was likely our oldest at 92. Walking to the booth, she could easily pass as 30 years younger. Lines were long in the morning, but with early voting available, waiting time in the afternoon was very short and when the polls closed there was no one standing in line.

On Monday I stopped to visit friend and coworker Jim Crouch who has been battling cancer. Hospice was also there tending to his needs and I was thankful that they had been able to greatly reduce his pain level. I left several pages of Scripture and wishes from you dear friends that Carol had compiled during our battle with cancer, which were an encouragement to us. Those notes continue to encourage me! Tuesday evening Jim passed through that final curtain and is not healed. We will celebrate his life today at SIM where his service will be held. The family was able to arrive to spend time with Jim, but we are disappointed that he will not be present for the wedding of their son next week.

Some thoughts that I read in Indeed earlier in the week for those who mourn are a good reminder: “It’s a repeated story throughout Scripture: Dread, despair, hopelessness, tears, and pain will end in victory, promise, hope, comfort and peace when God is involved. He always brings life…In the far reaches of our grief, He reaches even farther. He promises comfort to those who know the grief of this world. He offers Himself in comfort.”

Carol’s cancer buddy John is also experiencing additional difficulty with his throat and is unable to speak properly. Join me in praying for Jim’s family and for John. May each experience that comfort and peace which only He can provide.

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

Chuck

FROG opportunity

How will I respond?

It was a busy weekend and I did not get my usual blog out. Saturday was a full day working outside taking care of all of the fall chores. Vehicles needed washing, cushions needed putting away for the upcoming chilly months, plants needed taking in for the possible frosty nights, annuals needed to be removed for trash pickup and the lawn needed mowing again. Sunday was also full with church activities, lunch with friends and visitors in the afternoon. Friends are a blessing.

This evening I am helping to set up our election precinct and will be working there tomorrow. It sounds like a long day starting at 5:45 am and ending when the last of the ballots are counted. We are unable to leave the building until the last vote is recorded, and it sounds like we are looking at a large crowd. Extra machines have been requested, so hopefully we will be able to keep the line moving at a reasonable rate.

As we have been preparing for this election, many of us have been praying for the Lord's guidance. Many times 2 Chronicles 7:14 has come to mind. We, God's people, need to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways for God to hear, forgive our sin and heal. I believe that healing is needed in numerous areas.

Reading in Ezekiel 20 I am encouraged as God, speaking of Israel, says; "I acted out of who I was, not how I felt." I like that. Might His people also act out of who they are to "protect the honor of His name" as mentioned in verses 9 & 14.

Love to you all,

Chuck