Carol Wilson Update

Stage 4 Cancer brought many challenges--and also a host of loving and praying friends. Almost-daily postings to this site are to help my friends walk with me through this journey, and to express my gratitude to them and especially to God...On 7/8/08 Carol passed through that final curtain of death and is now healed. We thank God for her life and "arrival"! Chuck

Friday, September 21, 2012

He has been there!


This has been an interesting week.  I have spent extended periods talking with several friends that are facing some difficult times.  Work related, personal challenges, and interpersonal situations.  In each case the individual expressed serious fears.  During my reading the other morning I just “happened” to read a quote from Max Lucado which really spoke to me and I am passing it on.

“Jesus has been there.  He experienced ‘all the pain, all the testing’ (Hebrews 2:18 MSG).  Jesus was angry enough to purge the temple, hungry enough to eat raw grain, distraught enough to weep in public, fun loving enough to be called a drunkard, winsome enough to attract kids, weary enough to sleep in a storm-bounced boat, poor enough to sleep on dirt and borrow a coin for a sermon illustration, radical enough to get kicked out of town, responsible enough to care for his mother, tempted enough to know the smell of Satan, and fearful enough to sweat blood.”

“But why?  Why would heaven’s finest Son endure earth’s toughest pain?  So you would know that ‘he is able…to run to the cry of…those who are being tempted and tested and tried”

“Whatever you are facing, he knows how you feel.”  (Max Lucado)

 Those are truths that I also need indelibly planted in my mind and heart each day.  I trust that this is an encouragement as well as a challenge for each of us to fully trust Him with each situation that we may be facing.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Thursday, September 13, 2012

God's love and mercy


It was a special treat to have Lisa with me this past week but I have to admit that the house seems pretty quiet now with everyone gone.  It was great to have friends visit while she was here and then Justin, Laura and Ella drove up to celebrate Lisa’s birthday Sunday.  Our trip to Florida went well and she enjoyed seeing our Sebring Center and visiting with many of the people there.  We thoroughly enjoyed the invitations for meals and hearing about many experiences that folks have had while serving in various parts of the world.  On our return home we made a stop at Jekyll Island and managed to get soaked by sudden showers on two different occasions as we walked the beaches.  A third time we came close to a soaking but made it back to the car before the storm hit.  Fortunately it was warm and we had light weight washable clothing on which dried rapidly.

As I looked out upon the ocean, a ship was bobbing on the waves and it made me think of Jonah and the “rough ride” that he encountered as he sailed toward Tarshish in disobedience to the Lord who had directed him to go to Nineveh.  Having read a bit about the history of Nineveh, I don’t doubt his reluctance to head for the city where it was reported one Assyrian king said:  “Three thousand captives I burned with fire…Their corpses I formed into pillars…Their governor I flayed; his skin I spread upon the wall of the city…From some I cut off their hands and their fingers and their noses…Of many I put out their eyes…I formed a pillar of heads against the city gate, and seven hundred men I impaled on stakes.”  WOW that sure would discourage me from going also.

When Jonah finally obeyed God and delivered His message to Nineveh; “The people of Nineveh believed God’s message and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.”  (Jonah 3:5)  “When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.”  (Jonah 3:10)  What an example of God’s love and mercy!

As I reflect upon this account, I am reminded of the need for repentance for out own nation but even more basic, the need for each believer to be both in tune with God’s leading and responsive to that leading without doubts or delay.  That is a good message for me today!

Love to you all,
Chuck

Sunday, September 02, 2012

Fun Days


It has been a tremendous joy to have Lisa visiting me.  We are avoiding any travel into town with the thousands of extra people, and many dignitaries here for the Democratic National Convention.  Many streets are being closed and security is mighty tight at the airport and all around town.  Today on the way to church we saw many electronic signs reminding us about what we can and cannot do.  It is a good time to get out of town!

 This weekend we visited Justin and Laura in Sumter SC and had a delightful time with them and Ella Grace.  She is becoming quite the little lady and kept us busy.  For having just moved into their house, they are extremely well settled. It is wonderful to have them less than two hours away, so hopefully we will be able to get together often.  It was fun to visit Justin’s office on the base and do some touring of the area where they plan to stay for the next three years.

Later in the week Lisa and I are going to take a quick trip to Florida so that she can help me evaluate the possibility of relocating there sometime down the road.  As I get older I am reminded that it is time to start considering the options before I am at a point that I am unable to make the adjustment.  It is such a blessing to have a family that is so encouraging and helpful!

I just completed reading the book of Daniel and was reminded that while it appears that Daniel never preached an actual sermon, his life was a continual sermon through his choices, diligence, wisdom and prayer.  I especially liked Daniel’s statement to King Nebuchadnezzar as he interpreted his dream; “And it is not because I am wiser than anyone else that I know the secret of your dream, but because God wants you to understand what was in your heart.”  (Daniel 2:30)  A great example of what was also in Daniel’s heart and a challenge for me to keep my heart open to God! 

Your calls and notes are always so much appreciated.  You are all fantastic!

Love, Chuck