Great Shepherd

Not sleeping too well these past days due to the discomfort from shingles, I have had plenty of time to read during the night and early hours of the morning.  Reading through the Psalms, I have enjoyed the Psalmist’s expressing numerous human emotions.  As things were going well, they expressed praise to God but there were also many examples of fearful experiences dealing with their enemies.  But ultimately in each situation, they displayed a grateful confidence in God’s power and goodness.  I always enjoy reading the 23^rd Psalm and be reminded of the Lord being our shepherd. 

Having spent many summers on the farm with my grandparents, I had first-hand experience with sheep.  Sheep were not the smartest animals on his farm.  They could be quite affectionate but not what I considered very brilliant.  They really needed guidance…a shepherd!  A good comparison to we humans!  As a shepherd, our Lord guides his people, providing all that we need while helping us to enjoy a special peace and tranquility as we follow Him.  As we follow Him, we are assured of His protection even when walking through dark valleys.  Also, our Lord is our constant companion just like the shepherd which stays close to his flock.  That is an area that I personally need to be more mindful of.  It is far too easy for me to feel alone in some situations, trying to understand or resolve the situation myself while ignoring the Companion that is standing close by ready to guide and protect me.

As I move through these so-called golden years, when the body develops more frailties and the mind tends to become slower, it is a great encouragement to know that we are not alone but under the love and care of the Great Shepherd who has reminded us that this is not our final home! 

I trust that each of you is staying healthy, having an enjoyable weekend, and experiencing His love and care!

Love to you all,

Chuck  

Blessed!

It is interesting how frequently I find that the Scripture I am studying speaks directly to my current situation.  That was true this past week as I started the book of Job.  A very human man, but at the same time living an exemplary life of service.  When encountering unexplained misery while losing his fortune, family, fame and health, he continues to worship God while trying to determine the reason.  Job is confronted by his three friends trying their best to determine the root of his problem using human logic as they understood it.  Meanwhile Job remarkably holds fast to his integrity trusting God saying; “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”  (23:10)

On Tuesday I visited my dear friend Stuart, hospitalized, in great pain, physically beaten down with chemo and fighting a major infection seemingly resulting from surgery a few days ago.  As I sat there talking with him and his family members, I realized that before me in that hospital bed lay a “Job-like” man, searching for answers while at the same time praising God for His goodness in his life.  Every nurse, doctor and even the housekeeper were visibly impacted by his presence!  How easy it is for us as humans to want to ask why.  Could it often be just an opportunity prepared by God for us to glorify Him?  Job certainly accomplished that in those around him along with multitudes over the centuries that read about his experiences.  What a challenge to me!  Am I taking advantage of every opportunity open to me to glorify God?  It is so easy to be looking for that specific opportunity and failing to use the situation at hand, that may not be of my choosing and possibly extremely painful as in Job’s case, but likely the most powerful opportunity to be a positive testimony for the one who loves us so much that he gave his life that we can be assured of eternal life free from the pain and suffering we experience and see all around us here.  As I read on, Job finally was humbled, but not yet repentant (40:3-5) so God continued his questioning.  Finally Job recognizes his pride and rebellion, repenting and finding contentment in God’s fellowship. (42:1-6) While Job was struggling for answers, God never lost confidence in him.  Four times He refers to Job as “my servant.” (42:7-8) What a testimony of God’s love and patience with His people!

Join me in praying for Stuart and also my good friend Jerry.  Both Job-like friends are experiencing all of the nasty effects of battling cancer while at the same time impacting unknown numbers of medical people, friends and family members for the Glory of God.  Might I do as well in using each opportunity, no matter how painful or difficult, to glorify God!

I was blessed with a wonderful trip and special time with friend Keith who joined me on my trip to visit Stuart.  Knowing the problem that I was having with breathing meds and nasty pain resulting from a bout with the shingles, he didn’t want me to drive the 2 ½ hours alone.  Friends like each of you are a tremendous blessing!

Love to you all,

Chuck

God continues to work

Having just completed the reading of the Book of Esther, it was a good reminder for me to see how through the numerous successes and setbacks that were experienced, God was always at work in the background.  That is something that I fear is so easy to forget.  It certainly is for me.  When major disappointments come along it is easy to get discouraged and at times even ready to give up, while I have found time and again, that if I am truly obedient to God’s word and allowing His Spirit to guide, ultimately He will be glorified and I will accomplish just what he desires.  Possibly it may be by a slightly different route or even looking quite different than I anticipated, but in the end being a joy to see take place.  I feel that far too often it is too easy to forget that we are possibly placed in a particular position “for such a time as this,” as was the case with Esther.  I suspect most around her at that time would have expected Esther to lose her life by not following protocol, but before she proceeded, her heart was prepared through prayer and godly counsel, resulting in thousands of her Jewish friends being saved from death.  God works through individuals and nothing is impossible for Him!

I am still working on the right balance of meds to allow for comfortable breathing without nasty side effects.  I have experimented with several possibilities and decided it was time to consult my pulmonologist to see what he would suggest.  After setting up the appointment, I started having some pain in my lower back.  Having just had some pre-cancer spots frozen in that area, I thought that was the problem, but the pain got worse and suddenly a rash appeared.  You guessed it…shingles!  So now I am balancing a new med pattern for breathing, and taking antivirals to arrest the shingles.  I am thankful for good doctors and access to effective meds!

Tomorrow I am scheduled to fly to Raleigh/Durham to visit friend Keith.  Fortunately I am not attempting a 12-hour drive with a back that does not like the pressure of a seat on it for long periods of time.  I am looking forward to a few days with him to catch up with each other and visit other friends in the area.

I trust that your week is going well!

Chuck

When I think...

I trust that you each had a blessed weekend and that all of you mothers were honored.  I had a very special email from friend Mark wishing me a happy Mother’s Day knowing my thoughts about Carol and the blessing that she was to both me and our children.  He like so many of you, has been a wonderful blessing to me!

I awoke that morning with the words of “To Be Used of God” ringing in my head. As I was reading that morning, the words of the song kept going through my head so I went to You Tube and listened to a wonderful musical group sing it:

“To be used of God, to sing, to speak, to pray;

To be used of God to show someone the way,

I long so much to feel the touch

Of his consuming fire;

To be used of God is my desire.”

The last verse really resonated with me; “When I think of the shortness of my earthly years, I remember all the wasted days, and wasted tears…”   It was a strong reminder of God’s grace, mercy and love even when I was not that obedient or loveable, but it also was a needed challenge to keep focused on making “the main thing the main thing” as I finish the course laid out for me.

It was a tremendous blessing to be at Gavin’s graduation from college and to see him off to Alaska for the summer where he will be working on a salmon fishing boat.  With no cell phone or internet access, we last heard from him when he landed in Kodiak.  It will be a challenging experience for him, but I believe that he is up to the challenge and will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in preparation for starting medical school in the fall.

Have a blessed week!

Chuck

Mastering Life

I find it quite amazing how certain Scripture passages “pop” into my mind that may not seem to apply to my life at the moment, and then I have a huge ah-ha moment seeing how it does most definitely apply.  Recently we had author and speaker, Robert Morgan, at the village and were tremendously blessed by his messages.  A statement that he made that I have found to be so true was; “To master life we must know the Master Himself and gain mastery of His Word.”  A passage that has frequently come to mind regarding my responsibility, is from second Chronicles following the Solomon’s dedication of the temple:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin…” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

While this was actually directed to the nation at that time, I feel that it directly applies to individuals that are believers in Christ.  If MY PEOPLE…!  Granted, it does not apply to everyone but may even benefit non-believers.  The more I read and meditate upon God’s Word, it is clear that humility is a quality that God values highly.  Sharing every hurt and desire with God (prayer) is extremely important.  God is not only in control of things around us, but he also will adjust out thinking and beliefs to align with Him as we pray and seek his face.  Obviously sin is a huge stumbling block for each of us, even if we have difficulty seeing it or believing that we too are participating in wrong motives and/or actions which are in opposition to His will.  I have begun a study for myself reviewing each portion of that Scripture dealing with the four points…Humility/pride, prayer, study of His word and evaluating my life, asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate areas of unrecognized sin that I am harboring.

Presently I am back in Indiana where I will be attending Gavin’s graduation from Bethel College on Saturday.  On Sunday, he will be flying to Alaska with two college buddies to spend the summer working on a salmon fishing boat for the summer to earn some extra dollars to apply to his upcoming medical school expenses.  He is excited about the opportunity while being aware of the long hours and hard work.  He is also looking forward to the challenge of living without access to the internet and some of the “crutches” that are available to him currently.  I am thankful to be able to be here for his send-off.

Have a blessed weekend!

Chuck