Wonderful trip

We had a delightful time in Chicago with Jeremy and Julianna and the rest of the family. They have a charming apartment and are always fun to be with. Sunday was a special time attending the church service and then having an opportunity to visit Jeremy's class of middle school guys. We were delighted when, at the end of the class, one of the guys reported that he wanted to be baptized and then came by the apartment later with his mother to confirm his desire.

Sunday morning I awoke early and was continuing my reading through the Bible. Included in that days reading was the story about the persistent widow. (Luke 18:1-8) It was amazing how it fit into a situation that I was praying about for a friend who received an unjust decision from a judge and can also fit many other unjust situations that come our way.

"One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up." After telling the story, Jesus says; "Learn a lesson from this evil judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night?" Then he says; "But when I, the Son of Man return, how many will I find who have faith?"WOW...that should motivate us to greater faith in the Lord and cause us to continue to pray and not give up regardless how bleak things may look!

Thanks for your prayers and love.

Chuck

Help my unbelief

These have been some rather busy days. Neighbor Phil passed on late last week in Raleigh and the family asked me to spend some time with them. Up until the hour that I left, I had contractors working in his house repairing water damage created from his refrigerator. The kitchen and family room floor coverings still have to be installed, but things are taking shape. I spent Thursday through Sunday with the family and have been catching up here at the office since. Getting things done has been complicated by major computer problems that have persisted at my office for several weeks. We were so thankful for the wonderful staff at Hospice that assisted Phil during his last days on earth. I visited with him a bit after he arrived at the Hospice facility, but by the next day he could not communicate with me. Four days later he passed through the curtain of death. Do continue to pray for the family as they adjust to their loss. There were many answers to prayer during those last weeks...thanks for praying!

While praying for Phil during a time of great pain in his body, one of the family members prayed that "if possible, God would remove the pain." The next morning in my Bible reading I was reading about a father bringing his son to the disciples and then to Jesus for healing. (Mark 9:14-29) The father prayed a similar prayer; "...If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." "If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes." I like the fathers response to Jesus; "Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" It reminded me of my lack of faith so many times as I pray for what seem to be impossible situations, causing me to also pray as the father...help me to overcome my unbelief!

This coming weekend I will be in Chicago joining many members of my family as we spend time with grandson Jeremy and his wife Julianna. We had planned to meet at our lake house but with Jeremy's job as pastor, he was not going to be able to be with us. So we decided to meet together with him in Chicago.

Pray for safety as everyone will be covering many miles on the roads.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Continue Praying

I appreciate so much your prayers and concern for neighbor Phil. After about 48 hours in the hospital, he became unresponsive and continued in that state for several days. A couple of days ago he rallied but is having a very difficult time. He was able to communicate and take food for a bit but he has many physical problems and unable to eat presently. Continue to pray for him and the family!

Last Friday when the family came to check his house and pick up some of his items, they found the kitchen and family room flooded by the refrigerator. The refrigerator was totally frozen except for the ice maker which continued to send water through the unit and onto the floor. We were all shocked but with the help of a restoration company have dried the place out after removing floor coverings, baseboards and furniture which water had wicked up into and started to create mold. They installed heavy duty blower/heaters drying the place all weekend so now it will be a process of putting everything back together again which will be a challenge with them living three hours away.

The words of the song "May the mind of Christ my Savior" have been my prayer as I have been interacting with the family. Praying that Christ's mind will control all I do and say each day; His word will be filling my heart hour by hour; His peace ruling my life that so that I can be a channel of comfort; His love radiating through my life; His beauty resting upon me that the focus is not on me but only on Christ! That reminds me of the words of John the Baptist; "He must increase and I must decrease." (John 3:30)

I appreciate each of you so very much! Thanks for your love and prayers!

Love, Chuck