Delightful Shower

I can't thank you dear friends enough for your continued prayers for me. The trip to Indiana and then on to Michigan went well, and the reception was wonderful. Grandson Justin and wife Laura worked on the announcements, and daughter Sue and her friend Ginny did the majority of the reception. There were several fun games but I am sure the best was the one that required Jeremy and Julianna to mix up and bake a carrot cake. Now that doesn't sound so difficult but...they had to hold their dominant hand behind them and were given only the ingredients for the cake without any indication of how much of each item to use and they were not allowed to consult with each other. The final result was baked and available for guests. To my surprise it was not bad. Now that doesn't look bad at all, does it? As Jeremy tossed in several spoons full of baking powder, cups of flour, eggs that he could only one hand to crack, I really had my doubts. There was even a gasp from the audiance a couple of times when he added what appeared overly generous portions.

Toward the end of the shower, guests were asked to come along side the couple and grandson Justin prayed for them, their future and thanked the Lord for bringing them together and for the way they have walked with Him. I have to admit that this grandfather had tears of gratitude in his eyes. I thought back to the daily times of prayer when Carol and I would lift each of the children and grandchildren up and commit them to the Lord. I am not quite sure why, but to see each of them walking with Him now is always an emotional event for me. The only regret that I had was that Carol was not there to enjoy it with me.

As I drove the many hours back home, I was convicted to make prayer for each of them a priority each day. I have to admit that being alone and finding what seems like so much to do, I often rush through the day without praying for each one. That I promised myself, will change!

It is always such a blessing to receive phone calls as I travel checking on my progress and warning me not to forget to stop and stretch from time to time, and to know that so many are praying for me.

Thanks so much for your love!

Times of adversity

As I observe the great challenges here in the United States and all around the world, it is not difficult to recognise that we are in a time of adversity. As I was thinking about that recently, I was reminded of a statement that Thomas A. Lambie, MD made in his book A Doctor Without A Country as he faced major problems working in Africa many years ago, so I had to look up the quote. Sharing experiences with his readers, he wrote:

"In times of adversity the heart looks upward in a peculiar way, and we sought guidance from God. Was this to be the end of the enterprise? So many times God gives us a word of cheer or encouragement, either in prayer or by bringing to our mind a special verse from the Bible that applies to the trying circumstance through which we are passing. We do not believe in blindly opening the Bible, shutting one's eyes and putting one's fingers on a verse at random in a sort of "magical" getting of guidance. Nor do we believe in searching through hundreds of irrelevant verses before we strike one that we think will suit the case. Rather do we believe in daily systematic reading of the Bible, asking God to enable us to get from it the light we need for each day, and grace to perform anything the Holy Spirit will reveal to us from that daily reading...It is wonderful how God does guide if we are willing to accept the guidance given."

That challenged me not to fret and complain, but to be seeking guidance from God for this country, the world and my daily response to all that is going on around me. We continue to have people serving in areas of great danger, thankful for every safe and fruitful day. Often I wonder what great tragedy I may have avoided as I look to God for direction, and go merrily on my way.

With that in mind, I will be travelling to Michigan this weekend to attend the shower for grandson Jeremy and Julianna who will be married in May. I am always thankful for safe travel, but I certainly do not take that for granted. Thanks for your prayers as I drive the 12 hours each way. I thank God for the health and strength that He continues to give me to continue being active and the ability to get together with the family fairly often. They are a huge blessing!

Love to each of you,

Chuck

God hears our groaning

It was another busy weekend, so I am just now getting on top of email etc. Friend Keith came to spend the weekend with me and celebrate his birthday. He prepared a delicious dinner for us on Friday and we had several friends in on Saturday to celebrate his birthday. We also went with another couple to the Spring Show that is always a fun event, enjoying all of the flowing waterfalls and fountains nestled in among large flowering trees with spring flowers blooming all around. It must take days to set up, but it gives hope that spring may not be too far around the corner after the coldest winter we have ever experienced here.

As usual Sunday was a delight in our study with teacher Tom. We were studying Exodus 2 with a heavy focus on verses 23-25 which in part say; "...the people of Israel groaned...and cried out for help...and God heard...God remembered his covenant...God saw...and God Knew." And as we read on in Exodus 3 we find that God had Moses in "the wings" to respond to their needs, but not immediately. We were reminded that at times God is waiting upon us to respond before making His move, and unfortunately we also are prone to make decisions outside of His will and He usually will not override our free will. It sure makes me realize the importance of fervent prayer which James talks about and also the need of being in tune with His Holy spirit. I have certainly been blessed by God when He has heard my many groanings and responded to them. At the same time I can look back at times when He did not respond in the manner or time as I wished, and can usually see the reason for the delay at a much later date.

Lord help me to be honest in my groanings to you and be in tune with your Holy Spirit.

Love,

Chuck

It was another busy weekend so I am just now getting on top of email etc. Friend Keith came to spend the weekend with me to celebrate his birthday. He fixed dinner on Friday and we had several friends in on Saturday to celebrate his birthday. We also went with another couple to the Spring Show that is always a fun event, enjoying all of the flowing waterfalls and fountains nestled in among large flowering trees with spring flowers blooming all around. It gives us hope that spring may not be too far around the corner after the coldest winter we have experienced here.

As usual Sunday was a delight in our study with teacher Tom. We were studying Exodus 2 with a heavy focus on verses 23-25. Those verses say in part; "...the people of Israel groaned...and cried out for help...And God heard...God remembered his covenant...God saw...and God knew."

And as we read on in Exodus 3 we find that God had Moses in "the wings" to respond to their needs, but it was not immediate. We were reminded that at times God is waiting upon us before making His move, and unfortunately we also prone to make decisions outside of His will and He usually will not override our free will. It sure makes me realize the importance of fervent prayer that James talks about and also being in tune with His Holy Spirit. I have certainly been blessed by God when He has heard my many groanings and responded to them. At the same time I can look back at times when He did not respond in the manner or time as I wished, and can usually see the reason at a much later date.

Silas Picture

Several have asked about buddy Silas that I mentioned in the blog yesterday. Here he is...a very active and fun one-year old.

Chuck