Our required "walk"

This weekend I am staying close to home catching up on both house and yard work. So far I have been able to get the laundry done, trim the majority of the shrubs that were becoming overgrown, weed gardens, mow lawn, clean fountain and take time to swim some laps at the Y before dinner time. I am plenty tired but pleased with the progress. Hopefully I will be able to complete the major items on Monday being that it is a holiday.

I enjoyed the past weekend relaxing and hiking in the mountains with friends from the office. I was amazed how easy it was for me to sleep long hours up there. That mountain air is certainly therapeutic and I was also far enough away that I wasn’t tempted to attack another project or two at home. Next weekend I will be heading back to Indiana to participate in a graduation party for grandson Gavin. I sure don’t know where the years have gone, but it is a tremendous blessing to see the grandchildren finishing the next phase of life so well. Much credit goes to their loving, caring, and praying grandmother. We all miss her very much!

This week Indeed focused on the 6th chapter of Micah. As I was reading today, I thought that Micah 6:8 does a good job of summing up the weeks study. “What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Just--merciful--humble…now that doesn’t sound all that difficult, but as I thought about it, I can recall numerous times when I didn’t handle situations in that manner. I appreciated the author’s statement: “The key to life in our world isn’t simply to follow all of God’s rules. It’s to live by God’s character…His character begins to define our walk—our just, compassionate, humble walk.” Okay Brother Micah, I believe that I’m getting the message!

I trust that you will each have a blessed Memorial Day weekend with family and friends as we reflect upon those who have given their lives for our freedom.

Love to you all,

Chuck

For Such a Time as This

What a delightful weekend spent with the family in Chicago attending Jeremy’s graduation from Moody, Julianna’s fantastic program, and then participating in the Sunday service at the church on the South side of town where Jeremy will be serving as Pastor of Student Ministries. I was thrilled that both of my newest great grand daughters were able to bring their parents and siblings for the weekend. My family truly is a blessing!

The Commencement at Moody brought back many fond memories of visits to both the church and the Institute. I have to admit that my eyes filled with tears on several occasions recalling many visits and wishing that Carol was there to join us for the festivities. In the evening we attended a ballet written and choreographed by Julianna; “For Such a Time as This” based on the story of Ruth from the Book of Esther. Writing about the ballet in the program, Juilianna said in part; “As each of us walk through our lives, there are moments when we are asked to act in faith and not by sight. Just as Esther and Mordecai trusted the Lord in good times and in their darkest hour, so we are called to trust Him every moment.” At the conclusion of the ballet, Jeremy came out on stage to follow up with a brief Spiritual message and a challenge to all of those in the packed auditorium.

By coincidence I was reading the book of Esther last week, so the scenes were fresh in my mind. Mordecai’s challenge to Esther about approaching the king was the basis for the title of the ballet; “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” I like Esther’s resolve when she makes her decision and says; “…I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” That is the kind of resolve that I need on important matters!

I am so thankful for your prayers, for a wonderful weekend and safe travel back home.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Jeremy Graduating

This is a BIG weekend when grandson Jeremy graduates from Moody. Much of the family will be assembling for this exciting event here in Chicago. Graduation will be Saturday morning and in the evening we will be attending Julianna's recital for her students. Sunday morning we plan on attending services at the church where Jeremy will be serving as youth minister and after we finish lunch I head back to our lake house in Indiana for a quick night of rest before heading back to Charlotte. It is a fairly quick trip but a delight to be able to be with the family.

I drove up to the lake house on Thursday and enjoyed my few hours there. Mother swan is still sitting on her nest while dad swan keeps the geese and other critters away from her. A mother duck stopped by to show off her five little ones that are still in the "fuzz ball" stage. Last year some animal damaged the eggs so I was pleased to see the little ones this year.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love, Chuck

Blessings

Spring is certainly here. I have a baby robin that likes to follow me around thinking I will kick up a bug for him. A cardinal just learning to fly keeps wanting to go into my garage while both his parents and I continue to discourage him. The wrens and bluebirds are in the process of building and my pomegranate is loaded with blooms as you can see.

It has been a full but enjoyable week. I was in the Raleigh/Durham area last weekend with friend Keith. It was good to spend a bit of time with him and enjoy his great cooking. It is always a danger of adding a few pounds when we get together. This has been a busy week at the office but always a blessing to be involved with what the Lord is doing around the world.

Yesterday I enjoyed an early morning breakfast at the NASCAR Hall of Fame to attend the National Day of Prayer. It was a double blessing to see the new facility and join with over 2,200 attendees at the program. Two of us from the office traveled uptown on the light rail train which eliminates the challenge of parking and is a pleasant ride. We were challenged to a more intentional prayer life by Jim Morgan who is the CEO for Crispy Creame. He shared with us the 8-year struggle in prayer that he and his wife had for their son Jamie and the tremendous transformation in his life about three years ago. It was great to have Jamie there also sharing some insights along with music which he had written.

This past week I have been blessed and challenged in reading the book of Ezra. As Ezra prepared to pass through unfriendly territory he paused at the Ahave Canal and “…proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before God and ask him for a safe journey…” (Ezra 8:21) In verse 22 he continues; “I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, ‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him…’ The end result recorded in verse 23 was; “So we fasted and petitioned or God about this, and he answered our prayer.” I sure find it easy to seek all sorts of help in a situation before pausing to lay it before the Lord. Hopefully I am learning!

Thanks so much for your faithful prayers.

Love, Chuck