The medicine of hope

Recently I read; “There is no medicine like hope.  The expectation that tomorrow will be better than today.”  I see that played out here in The Village among our residents as they move into those final days upon this earth.  Jesus told us “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.  If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.  And you know the way to where I am going.”  (John 14:1-4 NLT)

This past Saturday I attended a memorial service for Carol’s 92 year-old uncle in Orlando.  This Saturday I will be attending a service for a considerably younger friend who served in Charlotte for several years and moved here a couple of years ago.  Both of these men were “going strong” until just a few days prior to their deaths.  We never know when we will take that final breath, but these times certainly remind us of the importance of being prepared when the Lord comes to get us, and what a tremendous blessing it is to possess that hope and the complete peace that comes with it, as we wrap up this life.

I can’t believe how busy I continue to be just getting settled in.  Today I spent nearly four hours on the phone (and on hold) getting mailing addresses changed for a batch of mail that was forwarded here.  I have also been blessed to have visitors stop in, giving me welcome breaks in this settling in business.  Carol’s sister and her husband came in from The Bahamas early this week and I anticipate the arrival of friends tomorrow from Charlotte. 

Like several locations in the country, we are having excessive rain.  There is hardly a day that passes without a heavy thunder shower which has caused our lake to rise to a level above which most residents have ever seen.  Occasionally someone will suggest that I had better be ready to lay sandbags to keep water from coming into my house.  That is quite unlikely, but the high water is bringing lots of shore birds close by which is most interesting.

Thanks for your encouraging calls and emails.  May we all be filled with hope anticipating that day when Jesus will come for us.

Chuck 

Excitement on the lake

It has been an interesting experience watching all of the activity just outside my porch window.  Today I saw an alligator watching the shoreline as a bird came walking by.  For some strange reason, the bird stopped to closer examine the “bump” in the water.  (Just to the left of the bird’s leg)  I though the bird was a goner for certain, but he moved on and the alligator seemed to be focused on something else.  I was working on some files on the porch while keeping an eye on the water from time to time.  After possibly a half hour there was a big splash and the alligator had something.  I thought it was a fish at first, but then realized that it had fur.  Our lawn man came by on the mower at that time and he suspects that it may have been an otter.  I trust that the pictures copy well so you can see my “neighbor”. 

I am finding that I can be as busy with activities here as I wish.  Last evening I attended a prophecy meeting with some friends.  The events we are seeing on TV and reading about, are not all that surprising as we examine prophecy.  Recently I heard Chuck Swindoll make the statement; “Time is like a coin.  You can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once.”  Even here it is important to evaluate the opportunities available.  Many good ones but not necessarily the best for that time.

Have a blessed week!

Chuck

Never Give Up

At last I found the box with my camera attachments so I would like you to meet my frequent visitors…two Sand Cranes.  They frequently come up and look through the glass in my porch door, cocking their heads from side to side.  They are beautiful birds and quite something to see lift off in flight.  I enjoy watching the wildlife along the lake outside my porch windows.  Today I saw an alligator also watching the birds along the edge of the water.  They also kept an close eye on him, so he didn’t find his lunch while I was watching.   

Last evening I was invited to have dinner with several retired missionaries.  After a delicious meal, we shared some of our career experiences and I was captivated by the stories they told of God’s provision and answers to prayer.  Every answer did not come quickly and some were not answered as they had planned.  But in every situation after time, they could see that God had responded in the best way to accomplish the greatest good for His purpose and glory.  We chatted rather late into the night, but I could have listened much longer.  

As I was reflecting on our conversations I was reminded of the importance of never giving up when praying.  In our fast-moving, get-it-now society, we tend to expect an immediate response to everything including prayer.   Luke reports that while teaching the disciples about prayer, Jesus told a story about persistence and then said; “…keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”  (Luke 11:9-10) A good reminder not to give up praying!

In my search for a church, I visited the third one today and enjoyed having dinner with a couple of friends that are members.  We are blessed with a variety of good churches in the area, so it a matter of selecting the one that will best meet my needs and provide the proper outlets of ministry for me.  Please join me in praying about that decision.

I suspect that many of you may be visiting family and friends this weekend, but as much as I would love to do that, I felt a greater urgency to deal with a few more boxes. 

Enjoy the long weekend!

Chuck

P.S.  I just realized that this did not publish...so here goes again.